"That was a close call," Aeon thought as he glanced back at the spot where he had seen the people hunting down the monstrous creature.
As he continued walking, a realization dawned on Aeon. "So that's why these monsters seemed so familiar," he pondered, his mind racing with thoughts.
Lost in his thoughts, Aeon's mind drifted to a novel he had once liked—"Arcane of Heroes." Its pages had served as a refuge, momentarily whisking him away from the relentless solitude that accompanied his cursed existence.
* * * * *
In the year 1143, the once-thriving realm had been engulfed in eternal darkness, ruled by terrifying monsters and demons. All hope seemed lost, until the discovery of an unknown energy, referred to as mana, changed everything. With this newfound power, humans were able to fight back against the forces of darkness and reclaim their homeland.
Having successfully regained their land, humans began to flourish once again, rebuilding their shattered lives. However, their newfound prosperity was short-lived. Enigmatic and towering structures suddenly emerged from the depths of the earth, leaving destruction in their wake. At first, fear gripped the hearts of humans, deterring them from approaching these mysterious edifices. But curiosity proved to be a powerful motivator, and they couldn't resist the urge to explore the towers.
Inside, they encountered a world filled with menacing monsters and awe-inspiring treasures. Driven by the pursuit of power and wealth, humans dared to ascend these enigmatic towers, braving the unknown dangers that awaited them at every step.
But then, in the year 2000, after 857 years of relative peace, a new calamity befell the world. Mysterious portals suddenly opened, unleashing hordes of monstrous creatures from another realm. The humans were initially taken aback, puzzled by the sudden appearance of these otherworldly beasts. However, their innate connection to mana allowed them to quickly adapt and harness their powers to subdue the invading monsters.
After a long and arduous battle, the humans emerged victorious, having successfully vanquished every last one of the interdimensional creatures. But something extraordinary occurred in the aftermath. A latent power awakened within the humans, manifesting as a floating screen that materialized before them. It presented them with a bewildering array of skills and abilities, reminiscent of those found only in video games.
With the fusion of mana and this newfound interface, the humans were able to propel their civilization forward by leaps and bounds, effectively bridging the gap of a thousand years of progress in an instant. The floating screen became an invaluable tool, facilitating the acquisition of knowledge, enhancing communication, and revolutionizing their way of life.
The world flourished under the influence of this newfound power, as humans unlocked unprecedented technological advancements and unraveled the secrets of the universe. It became an era where the lines between reality and virtuality blurred, and the possibilities seemed boundless.
As Aeon wandered through the landscape, lost in his thoughts, the sight of a towering building in the distance jolted him back to reality. "Whoa," Aeon exclaimed in amazement, gazing up at the colossal structure that seemed to reach the clouds. He couldn't help but feel a pang of embarrassment at his rustic demeanor, as if he were a country bumpkin in the presence of grandeur.
Aeon stood in front of the apartment building, marveling at its towering presence that seemed to touch the clouds. Momentarily taken aback by his own awe, Aeon cleared his throat, feeling a bit self-conscious about his rustic demeanor.
"First things first," Aeon thought, as he glanced at the sun gradually descending from the sky. "I need to find the house of Aeon Solstice before sundown." With a determined resolve, Aeon conjured a solution.
"Stop," he commanded, bringing everything around him to a standstill. Serenely, Aeon made his way towards the city.
* * * * *
"Found it," Aeon muttered, his eyes fixed on the apartment before him. He consulted the ID card in his hand, searching for the room number of his target. After a short stroll, Aeon arrived at his desired destination and resumed the flow of time, calmly knocking on the door.
*Knock
*Knock
*Knock
Three knocks echoed through the door, but there was no response. Aeon persisted, rapping on the door three more times, only to be met with silence. He examined the surroundings for an alternative means of entry and noticed a passcode scanner. Scrutinizing the ID card, Aeon hoped to find the password, but there was nothing discernible.
He decided to place the card in front of the scanner, hoping for a stroke of luck, and astonishingly, the door slid open. Steadily, Aeon stepped into the room, his gaze sweeping across the messy room. While exploring, his eyes fell upon a photograph featuring four individuals adorned with radiant smiles – two adults, likely Aeon Solstice's parents, and two children, one of whom bore a striking resemblance to the older Aeon.
It stirred memories of Aeon's own parents and the innocence he once possessed before the curse took hold. Intrigued, he turned his attention to the desk beside the bed, searching for anything else pertaining to the family. Aeon's quest led him to a book, which, upon opening, revealed itself as the diary of Aeon Solstice.
"June 21, 2107.
We were joyfully celebrating my brother's graduation at a theme park, accompanied by our parents. While strolling through the park, an unexpected announcement resonated through the air, declaring the opening of a portal and the imminent arrival of rescuers. But fate dealt a cruel hand, as my parents shielded my brother and me from the encroaching monsters, urging us to flee.
Glancing back, I witnessed their smiles and heard their whispered words, 'We love you two,' even from a distance. The sight that followed will forever haunt me – the monsters mercilessly ravaging my parents. Determined to spare my brother from witnessing this horror, I covered his eyes and urged him to run. Yet, fortune eluded us, as another beast emerged, attacking me while my brother remained safe.
I evaded the creature's onslaught and swiftly made my way to my brother's side. Together, we raced toward the park exit, seeking refuge among the fleeing crowd. Strangely, the people we encountered seemed oblivious to our presence. In that moment, my brother turned to look behind, instinctively pushing me aside to avoid an incoming monster. But the beast grazed his eyes, causing him to stumble and falter.
Helplessly, I watched as events unfolded. Just as despair threatened to consume us, a group of well-equipped individuals rushed to our aid, slaying the monsters in a swift and decisive manner. And so after all that we were then sent away to the safety of the hospital."