As the thunder rolled across the sky, a brilliant flash of lightning struck the earth. A small crater appeared, and from it rose a figure, his clothes in tatters and his hair wild. Darryl stood, looking around at the world that had changed so much since he had last seen it. The air was still and the sun beat down, but not a single drop of rain fell. It was as if the world itself was holding its breath, waiting to see what Darryl would do next.
Darryl looked around, trying to make sense of the unfamiliar world around him. The buildings were strange and foreign, the people dressed in clothing he had never seen before. He opened his mouth to speak, but the words wouldn't come. No one seemed to recognize him, or even notice that he was there. He was like a ghost, invisible to the people who lived in this strange new world. A sense of unease settled over Darryl, as he realized just how much he had lost.
As Darryl wandered through the city, he caught glimpses of the people around him. They were laughing, chatting, going about their daily lives, completely oblivious to his presence. He felt like an outsider, a stranger in a land he didn't understand. He didn't know what to do, so he kept walking, hoping to find some clue about how he had ended up here. Then he saw something that made his heart stop. There, on a poster on the wall, was a picture of his own face. Underneath it were the words: "Wanted: Dead or Alive."
Darryl's hands trembled as he tore down the wanted poster, his face contorted in rage and confusion. He crumpled the paper in his fist, but the image of his own face stared back at him. Just as he was about to turn away, he heard a soft voice behind him.
"Greetings, Lord Darryl," the voice said. Darryl turned to see a man bowing before him, his face filled with reverence. "We have been waiting for you for a thousand years," He continued.
"Who are you?" Darryl demanded, his voice quivering with emotion. The man stood and smiled at him. "My name is Hugo, and I am a descendant of the noble family of Darryl, which is you. We have been expecting you for generations, and we are honored to finally meet you."
Hugo was tall and thin, with piercing blue eyes and a calm demeanor. He wore a long robe, and his hair was tied back in a simple ponytail. There was something about him that made Darryl feel at ease, despite the strange circumstances.
"You must be very confused," Hugo said, his voice soft and reassuring. "But I can explain everything to you, if you'll allow me." Darryl nodded, his mind racing with questions. "How did I end up here? Why is there a wanted poster with my face on it? Who are you, and why do you claim to be my descendant?" Hugo smiled again, and gestured for Darryl to follow him. "Please, come with me. We have much to discuss."
•••
A thousand years had passed since the events of the last chapter, and much had changed. The line of succession had shifted, and a new ruling family now sat on the throne.
Everett, Athena and Aria were now in charge, and they had a firm grip on the kingdom. They were powerful and ruthless, and their rule was absolute. But even they were unsettled by the news that the servant brought.
"Speak," Everett commanded, his voice echoing through the chamber.
"There have been reports of strange happenings in the city," the servant said, his eyes downcast. "People have seen a man wandering the streets, a man who looks like...like the traitor, Darryl.
" There was a collective gasp in the room, and the three rulers exchanged a look of fear. "That's impossible," Athena said, her voice shaking visibly. "He was executed, his body destroyed. It can't be him." The servant's eyes widened, and he looked around the room nervously.
"My lords and lady," Aria, the royal advisor, said softly. "Do you remember the words of the Oracle, from a thousand years ago?" The rulers nodded, their faces pale. "She said that Darryl would rise again, that he would come back to seek revenge," Aria continued, her voice trembling.
"Is it possible that the prophecy is coming true?" The room was silent, the only sound was the rain outside. Then, Athena spoke. "We must find this man," she said, her voice firm. "We must stop him, before he can do any harm."
Aria was indeed a member of the ruling family, but she was several generations removed from the throne. She was highly respected and trusted by Everett and Athena, who valued her wisdom and insight. But even she could not shake the feeling of dread that hung in the air. "We must be vigilant," Everett said, his brow furrowed. "We must increase the guard, and be on the lookout for any signs of this man." He turned to Aria. "You will help us, won't you?"
Aria tried to warn the rulers that the old woman had specifically said that they should plead to Darryl if they saw him, but they refused to listen.
"We will not plead to a traitor," Everett said, his voice firm. "It would ruin our reputation and bring shame upon the kingdom." Athena nodded in agreement. "We must be strong and unwavering," she said. "We cannot show any sign of weakness." Aria sighed and left the room, frustrated by their stubbornness.
"He is not a traitor. His wife was accused of something she didn't do." Aria tried to defend Darryl, but the glare of Athena at her could burn her soul immediately.
Aria nodded and left the room, her mind racing. As she walked down the long hallway, she thought about what she had just heard. Was it possible that Darryl was really back? And if he was, what would that mean for the kingdom? She had always been loyal to the royal family, but now she felt a stirring of doubt. Could she truly support them if it meant opposing Darryl? As she pondered these questions, she came to a decision. She would find Darryl, and she would join him.
Hugo's technology center was a state-of-the-art facility, with the latest security systems and cutting-edge technology. Aria knew that if Darryl was anywhere, he would be there because Hugo was one of Darryl's descendant.
As she approached the center, she saw a team of guards posted at the entrance.
"Halt!" one of them called out. "No one is allowed inside without permission." Aria took a deep breath and said,
"I must speak to Hugo. It's a matter of great importance." The guard looked skeptical, but eventually relented and let her through.
Aria stepped into the technology center, and her eyes landed on a tall, imposing figure standing in the shadows. As she moved closer, she realized it was Darryl, his eyes burning with rage.
"What are you doing here?" he demanded, his voice low and dangerous. He could sense from her that she's one of the descendant of the people that ended his life initially.
Aria swallowed hard, trying to find the words to explain herself. But before she could speak, Darryl's hand shot out, his fingers wrapping around her throat and lifting her off the ground. "You have no right to be here," he growled, his grip tightening. "Get out."
Just as Aria was starting to lose consciousness, the door to the room burst open and Hugo rushed in. "Darryl, stop!" he shouted, his voice full of authority.
Darryl turned to face him, his eyes still blazing with anger. "She has no right to be here," he snarled. But Hugo stood firm.
"She came here with my permission," he said, his voice calm but firm. "You will not harm her." Darryl stared at Hugo for a long moment, and then slowly released his grip on Aria's throat.
Aria gasped for breath as she was lowered to the ground, rubbing her neck. As she regained her composure, she turned to face Darryl and Hugo. "I came here because I want to join you," she said, her voice clear and strong. "I can help you with your cause, and I can provide you with information that will help you achieve your goals." Darryl looked at her with a mixture of suspicion and curiosity.
"What kind of information?" he asked, his tone wary. Aria met his gaze.
"Before you can join us, we must first test your loyalty." Hugo muttered and led her to secret room.
The room was dimly lit, the air thick with the scent of incense. Aria stood in the center of the room, her heart pounding in her chest. The figure before her was shrouded in shadows, their features hidden from view.
"You have been chosen for a very special task," the figure said, their voice low and gravelly. "The future of our cause depends on your success. Do you accept this mission?" Aria hesitated for a moment, her mind racing. Then she took a deep breath, how would she reply to something like that? What if she's asked to eliminate Athena?