Suddenly, the flames completely zoomed out to reveal the entire map of the world. Seven continents: Icysylva, the Old Stone, the Stepstones, Sunny-Chain Archipelago, the Half-Stone (Sun Spear and Snow Cleave), and the Nameless Continent.
Along with the three seas: The Sea of Sacrifice, the Veiled Expanse, and the Abyss Sea.
"This is your new world — the World of Eldorath."
—••••••••••—
BEYOND THE VEIL:
THE GREAT SHIFT
CHAPTER 33:
ROAD TO VORGAS
—••••••••••—
Close to twenty minutes had passed since Arthur's declaration. The majority of the group had fallen asleep in the tents.
In the solemn darkness of Egon's mountain, the hushed conversation unfolded.
Yves, Godiva, and Atlas, each grappling with the aftermath in their way, found solace in the shared flames.
After much comprehension, Yves muttered to Godiva: "I can hear echoes of Eldritch Morr linger, those souls… back there. Do you think the purpose of those unique powers causes this? Is this knowledge worth pursuing? Will it bring wisdom like those who are followers of the Church of the Barren?"
Godiva pondered her friend's words and replied with a gentle tone: "Knowledge feels hollow when soaked in blood. We're left with scars, not wisdom." Yves remained still for a while before nodding in agreement.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the bonfire. Atlas spoke with Augustus, Matthew, Daemon, and Elijah.
"During the chaos, I'd met a lad - old, graying hair with a thick beard. He looked to be around the same age as my mother. Anyway, he told me he hoped for me to read his books and journals at this place called the Sunny Archipelago. Then… he died right there, his words still echoing in my head."
Augustus, Matthew, Daemon, and Elijah, sensing the weight of the conversation, absorbed the somber atmosphere and paid attention to every word.
Signing softly, Atlas momentarily looked above to see the cloudy night sky. "We barely knew each other, and yet, it still hurt watching him fade away."
Suddenly, a soft and calm voice came from Augustus. "Mnn… it seems our worlds collided in tragedy and death, and now it is up to us to pick up the aftermath and debts of the dead."
With all eyes on him, Augustus continued. "You know… the Victorian streets may be cruel to fellow poets and mathematicians alike, but the trails of Eldorath surpassed even the darkest alleys in England."
Matthew observed the group with quiet intensity as his younger half-brother did the opposite. Elijah found solace in the burnt crisps of the bonfire as his thoughts reflected this world, the unknown.
Daemon sat facing the east where the city of nightmares lay in burning flames. He noticed the quickly dissipating clouds and muttered softly.
"Back then… I fought as if possessed. The thoughts of my wife and friends fuel my will to live. However, during the battle - I wanted to commit a suicidal move to kill 'him'. That feeling of regret, that feeling of never seeing my firstborn child. I didn't realize it back then, but now I do. Powerlessness and solitude still haunt even the strongest like 'him'. That is something I'd never forget!"
Daemon's feelings and profound words flowed through the cave's shadows as the night carried on. In the end, the last flames of the bonfire were relinquished by the wind. Daemon muttered with great calmness and even some relief.
"The moons look pretty tonight. Almost like someone important to them returned." Those unique sets of words caught the attention of the Earthlings.
Moons…? Elijah thought as he looked up. It was there when he saw the most beautiful sight he'd seen in his life. Even those that beat Mt. Fuji's view
Above the world, three moons floated.
The largest moon was smooth and bright, commonly known as Mari's Moon. Next to the moon was a slightly smaller moon, unlike Mari's moon, this moon was full of bumps and indents, which remained the half-brothers of their own Moon on Earth, but to a larger extent.
This moon was commonly known as Terra's Moon.
The last and final moon was drastically smaller than the other moons. Not even one-tenth of Terra's Moon, let alone Mari's Moon.
This moon is known as Lilith's Moon. Due to the intense white hue with a reddish glow coming off the moon.
The sight of the three moons was so grand and beautiful, that the Earthlings forgot to breathe for a while. It wasn't until Daemon spoke up that they finally took breaths in.
"Goodnight!"
…
…
…
As they all slept in their respective tents, Arthur, the Angel of Time under the Tantamount Order remained swinging idly above them in his golden-light hammock.
A small smile adorned his lips as he muttered softly to the air: "Let's see how you fair against them."
…
…
…
With the infinite and endless possibilities of light and potential, a man wearing a dirty black suit with holes appeared. He had black hair slicked down with deep brown eyes that reflected a deep and lifeless lake in the wilderness.
He was none other than Elijah Black, the half-brother to Matthew and Selena and the best friend of Daemon Eggers.
"Where… where I'm I?"
His voice carried endlessly through the blackened void which held endless possibilities and potential.
Beneath him, ankle-deep water showered him. Walking, Elijah felt this uncomfortable feeling of his feet and shoes drying only to be soaked again in water, every step repeated this process endlessly.
The more he walked, the darkness around him disappeared more and more into the background. Eventually, it completely disappeared as Elijah looked around in awe of the area.
No longer pure blackness, but an array of different colors blending and shifting unusually and it seemed more like an acid trip than anything else.
Before Elijah could examine the area anymore, he felt a pair of golden eyes follow his figure from behind. Turning hastily around, Elijah saw a familiar figure.
He was tall and thin with a thick head of blonde hair and golden eyes that can easily be mistaken for a serpent's eyes or even dragon's eyes from the shows Elijah watches on Earth.
"Mister Arthur…?" Elijah questioned hastily as the Angel of Time simply smiled softly. "Hello, my dear child." Hearing the familiar and warm tone, Elijah instantly calmed down.
For a moment, I'd thought 'he' wasn't Arthur, but some copy or something otherworldly… With his thoughts coming down, Elijah started to examine the area.
The colors that mixed and merged quickly subsided as this plain - not bright - but plain white space formed.
"You must be wondering where we're at?" Elijah turned back to Arthur and shrugged his shoulders, "Not really. As long as someone like you is protecting me — I have no fears!"
With a small chortle, Elijah didn't notice Arthur's eyes slightly lifting in pure and utter surprise. "I see. You're a lot more straightforward than I'd imagined." Seeing Elijah's unique expression, Arthur simply waved his hand.
"That's fine really. Humanity often struggles with having their minds open and seeing beyond traditional norms." Elijah could only agree with Arthur's statement on humanity.
"All of this is my creation. This all lies within your mental room." Elijah raised an eyebrow and Arthur just formed a small wooden table and chairs as both of them sat down.
"To put it simply. You and I are temporary roommates." This caused Elijah to only be more confused. Arthur could only chuckle at Elijah's expression and continued.
"Think of it like this. All of humanity and beyond that like other creatures have their rooms. All of these rooms are connected within the same rooms with simple-minded individuals at the first level and complex and guarded individuals at the very top, the 22nd level."
Elijah took a moment as he composed all this new information. So all of humanity and even creatures with minds live in a college dorm…? Smiling, Arthur nodded. "A more elementary way of thinking of this mental space is thinking of it like college dorms."
Elijah was stunned by Arthur's words as he thought subconsciously. Can he hear my thoughts…? Or did 'he' expect me to think plainly? I need to test—no… testing this figure with unknown powers can only lead to disaster.
"As I was saying, the collective consciousness of all living things lives here. The dean and ruler of this consciousness construction is the Lord of the Mind, the Holy Ears of the Celestial Lord, and the God of one of the eight Grand Churches. The Church of the Cognizant Eye."
Elijah felt slightly overwhelmed by this information. Is this world like this…? So many titles and names with domains and relationships. But I guess I have to know about this world to leave and head back to Earth, thankfully I have someone knowledgeable like Mister Arthur to guide me!
As soon as Elijah thought about this, the colors around him began to show cracks as if they were shattering.
Frowning, Arthur could only sigh in slight disappointment. "Unfortunately, not even I can't even tell what's happening around in the outside world. Dawn is breaking and you shall awake soon. This goes without saying, but don't mention our meetings during this space out on the outside."
Seeing Elijah listen closely, Arthur softly smirked as he muttered:
"Until then, we shall meet in the waking world."