Chereads / The Fate Forgers / Chapter 14 - Second episode end

Chapter 14 - Second episode end

Aska's peace was shattered by the abrupt assault of the untamed behemoth. However, to his surprise, the creature veered off course and collided with a boulder on the opposite side of his frenzied escape.

When Aska glanced upward, he spotted a man with his back towards him.

"Father."

The sight of his father's startled Aska.

"Aska, I warned you earlier to avoid this place due to its perilous nature." Aska could hear his father anger from his tone.

Meeting his father's glare, Aska responded quickly, "Father, I was merely on my way back."

Thinking that his father will be angry he was frightened, but at the next moment his father came towards him when he saw Aska teary eyes he picked up from his place and wiped his teary eyes.

"Promise father right now that you won't visit this place again, okay?"

"Father, I solemnly promise not to set foot in this location again."

Having warned Aska, Aska father lifted him from where he stood, and in the next moment, they were both in the treehouse together.

"Do you understand why I cautioned you about avoiding that area, Aska?"

"Yes, Father, it's because of the dangerous wild animals present there."

"I'm glad you comprehend."

"Now, go down and diligently practice what I taught you today."

"Of course, Father."

With that, Aska descended from the treehouse and began practicing near the shed.

While Aska practiced, his father suddenly vanished from the treehouse and reappeared near the boulder where the wild behemoth lay smashed. The once ferocious animal was now lifeless, so badly beaten that its shape was unrecognizable. Aska's father pointed his finger at the carcass, and a radiant light emanated from his fingertips. When the light released from his fingers touched the carcass, it rapidly lit on for and in a blink of a eye it transformed into ashes. With a flick of his hand, Aska's father dispersed the ashes into the air.

Then, as abruptly as before, Aska's father vanished from his place again. Not far from there, a wild animal caught wind of the scent of blood in the air and tracked it to the spot. Upon arriving, the scent inexplicably disappeared and the wild animal was slightly surprised he checked some place where the scent of the blood disappeared but after not finding anything he returned in the direction from which he came.

The camera angle shifted, focusing on the opposite side of the river. There lay what seemed to be a plain area, but upon closer examination, remnants of buildings were visible. Some structures still stood, obscured by overgrown vegetation, making it difficult to confirm their nature as buildings.

With this, the second episode came to a close.

Danish was engrossed in his work in his studio, his attention was fixed on the screen. He meticulously recorded every intricate detail from the episode. Towards the end, a glimpse of an overgrown building triggered a sudden connection in his mind, conjuring the ruins of a city he had seen in the first episode's conclusion. His thoughts were consumed by this imagery, suddenly he felt an unexpected rush of anxiety, causing his vision to blur. Assuming his fatigue was to blame, he closed his eyes briefly, then reached for a water bottle nearby. Taking a sip, he expected relief, yet upon reopening his eyes, the scene before him had drastically transformed.

In the new visual, he witnessed himself pouring alcohol from a glass bottle onto the ground, followed by a horrifying tableau of people tied and beaten, and killed by another ruthless group. The distressing images left Danish's heart pounding, his vision once again became hazy. This time, a sprawling city emerged, besieged by an immense army whose malevolence was palpable. The invaders mercilessly swept through the city, leaving destruction and death in their every step.

Shaken to his core, Danish snapped out of his daze, gasping for breath as reality rushed back. He rose from his desk, leaning on it for support, and took another long drink from the water bottle, his surroundings gradually coming into focus. Still reeling, he pondered the surreal episode that had unfolded before him. Doubts crept in, could his exhaustion have triggered these hallucinations?

Despite attributing the experience to his overexertion, Danish couldn't shake the persistent feeling that the scenes had felt all too real. His heart raced once more as he revisited the vivid imagery, wrestling with the unsettling notion that he had somehow been an active participant in the chilling events he had just witnessed.

"I should really consult a doctor; these sudden hallucinations are alarming, especially considering my limited time in the studio."

Battling his discomfort, he powered down his PC, postponed his video shoot, and closed his studio, his studio is solely operated by him. Emerging from the studio building, he grabbed his smartphone, searching for doctor to schedule an appointment.

Stepping toward the parking lot, he reached his car and settled into his car. Just as he was about to leave, a searing pain shot through his head, blurring his vision, he subconsciously thought about the images he saw when he was in his studio. The pain intensified, almost causing him to lose consciousness. Then, just as suddenly, the pain subsided, and his vision cleared.

Concerned that driving home might invite an accident if another episode of hallucinations or headache occurred to him, he phoned a close friend, to pick him up from his studio. Patiently waiting in his car, he anticipated his friend's arrival.

After some time, his phone buzzed with his friend's call. Danish answered, revealed him that he was in the the parking lot.

His friend responded, "Stay there; I'm pulling into the parking lot too."

Time passed, suddenly a voice called Danish from outside the car.

"Danish, unlock the door, I am here!"

Recognizing his friend's voice, Danish opened the door.

Upon witnessing Danish's condition, his friend's initial concern evolved into a deeper worry.

"Are you alright Danish?" His friend asked him with a concerning tone