Lynn stared at me then snickered a bit. She looked up at me and smiled. "Bryson—"
"No I'm serious. Earlier before I got here, there was almost a car accident and I literally stopped my car before hitting a girl before I even knew she was there! I can hear things from miles away, I can see well enough to not even need glasses anymore...I don't even know what's going on." I said and sighed softly.
"I don't know how I can help you with this, Bryson...I guess I could use some proof? It sounds like you're high as hell right now." Lynn said.
I looked at her then had an idea. I walked over to grab a ball from the ground that her dog likes to play with. I walked over to Lynn and handed it to her. "Alright, throw it at me. I will have my eyes closed."
Lynn looked at the ball then looked at me, watching me step backwards. She prepared the throw the ball then threw it at me. I caught the ball with my eyes closed then opened my eyes. Lynn was a bit surprised.
I looked at the ball in my hand then closed my eyes. "I don't know how this happened, but I just have bad feelings about this. I wish there was an explanation for this..."
Lynn stared at me then sat down. She crossed her arms and looked down. "I can't really help answer this, maybe you'll get your answer soon.."
"Hopefully..." I sighed then sat down on the couch. "This is all just so freaky you know."
"Yeah..." Lynn said softly then sat next to me.
I looked at Lynn as she leaned against me. "I get off early today, so we can go out if you'd like...maybe buy some candy for us or visit a haunted house..?~"
"Yeah...I'd like that...~" Lynn said and snuggled against me.
I wrapped my arm around her and turned on the TV. This was an everyday thing for us and although she was too shy to make that move, I knew she liked me a lot. I wanted to keep her away from Rashaad for as long as I could.
The time passed and my phone began buzzing, letting me know that it was time for work. I let go of Lynn and she let go of me. I shared my goodbyes with her and left her apartment. I got into my car and went straight to work.
{Day: October 31st}
{Time: 4:00 PM}
{Location: Fashion Central}
I clocked out and yawned a bit. As I walked outside, I heard whispers in my ear. I stopped to listen to them. They were calling my name. That was until I noticed a cloaked figure walking off. I decided to quickly follow him as the voices told me to. My curiosity got the better of me.
As I followed the figure, I noticed the figure walk down an alleyway. I looked around and grunted. I shook my head and walked into the alleyway as well then braced myself for anything. Once I made it to the other side, I paused and noticed I was in the woods. I looked back and noticed behind me were now woods as well.
"No escape..." The voices said.
The figure stared at me then walked off. I followed them quickly, but they began to gain more distance between us. Once I made it down the path, I noticed I was in front of a Temple. The Temple was guarded by a black metal gate. The figure, who stood in front of me, took off their cloak to reveal themselves as a gray creature with a cylindrical head. The creature was wielding two swords and pointed one at me.
It tossed me one of its swords and the sword landed in front of me. I looked down at it and looked back at th creature. I picked up the sword and looked at it. I had no combat experience outside of what I knew when I trained with my Guardian.
"Defeat the Soulless." The voices said.
I instinctively ran toward the Soulless and slashed at them, but they swiftly dodged me. I was confused by their unnatural speed. I tried to track them down as they moved around me swiftly. I sensed them appear behind me and turned around to block, but they kicked me away.
I groaned as I crashed into the walls of the gate. I fell to the ground then stood up slowly. I looked at the Soulless then ran toward them again. I slashed at them, but they blocked my attack then countered with a slash, hitting me. I stumbled backwards then coughed a bit of blood when they struck my stomach. They grabbed my head and rose me up.
"You have an Astral Soul...I need that soul from you.." The Soulless said and began to drain my energy.
I groaned as they drained my energy. I was panicking on the inside, desprate to escape the pain I felt within. My heart began beating faster. My body temperature rose rapidly.
"Let me go!" I yelled then discharged plasma energy from around my body.
The Soulless groaned as they were hit and dropped me then jumped backwards. They got into their stance, watching my every move.
I panted softly and looked at my hands. "What the hell is going on..?"
The Soulless watched me then took a step forward. I quickly got up and braced myself. The Soulless inched forward then vanished then appeared in front of me, going for the attack. They let out an unnatural squeal of pain as a lance took off their entire arm. I looked back and noticed the gates opening then watched as a woman walked forward.
"Sheesh..~ It would seem that another Soulless has brought another Astral to the Temple of Renewal just to try and gain a soul..~ Foolish move..." The woman said.
Her long lavender hair flowed in the wind as she walked toward us. Her golden eyes shined with dangerous intentions. Her white cape flowed with the motion of her stride. She was absolutely beautiful, yet dangerous.
"All is okay, Astral..~ You may hide behind me as I deal with this cretin.." The woman said and summoned her lance back into her hand.
The Soulless let out a roar and summoned two other soulless. The woman smirked and twirled her lance around in a circle then got into her stance. She rushed forward and swung her lance at the Soulless, but they dodged her strike. She stuck her lance into the ground then an eruption of light energy erupted to the sky.
I watched as she easily handled these Soulless creatures. Her moves were graceful, her thoughts clear. The Soulless stood no chance against her.
"Now it's time for us to say goodbye!~" The woman giggled then a Symbol shined on her back. "Prepare yourself for my Astral Drive!"
The woman jumped to the sky and her lance shined brightly. She bellowed before hurling her lance to the ground at high speeds. The lance pierced the ground then the woman landed on the lance, causing an explosion of light.
I grunted as I guarded myself from the lightshow she put on. I opened my eyes and noticed a massive hole in the ground. I looked to my left and noticed my savior.
"They're gone now, Astral..~ Come with me to the Temple where you will take your first steps in your new life." The woman said and walked forward.
I watched her and quickly followed her. "Wait hold on! Who are you and what the hell was that thing?"
"My name is Kalmira..~ I am an Astral like you, fighting on Earth to make a difference in our Universe. To answer your second question, they are named The Soulless. They will target humans for their souls so they can become whole again and those who's souls were taken also become Soulless." Kalmira explained.
"Okay but why am I roped into this? I have a family that need to see me! If these Soulless are out there, that means my family and friends are in danger! I can't just leave them!" I said.
"I understand your plight, Astral." Kalmira said.
"My name is Bryson." I said.
"Bryson." Kalmira started then turned to looked at me. "You've been chosen to create peace within our Universe. You've made direct contact with the Astral Moon as its ray has touched you, making you into an Astral."
I sighed and closed my eyes as I looked down at the ground. "I have too many people I want to protect and keep safe, plus I have no idea how to fight to the extent that I need to fight in. I would barely deal with a Soulless."
"You will learn, Bryson..~ Do not worry your soul. For now we just need to focus on you getting your Soul renewed so your Astral Powers can awaken. After that, over the next few days, we will go over the steps you need." Kalmira said.
Kalmira and I walked into the large temple and she led me toward the device I needed to stand on. I stood on the device then a pillar of energy surrounded me. The device began reading my Status.
{Name: Bryson Don}
{Race: Human}
{Age: 21}
{Affiliation: None}
{Astral Level: 1}
{Astral Ability: Crest of the Lion's Heart}
{Strength: C195}
{Defense: C170}
{Dexterity: C201}
{Agility: C199}
{Magic: F90}
{Skills}
[None]
The energy disappeared then I grunted softly as my Astral Crest formed on my back. It was a burning sensation, but it was over within seconds.
"All done~ I'll keep in contact with you, for now don't tell anyone about this. Your identity must be a secret, LionHeart." Kalmira said.
Her voice echoed in my head then suddenly I passed out from random exhausted.
...
I woke up in Lynn's apartment, in her bed. I sat up slowly and held my head. I noticed Lynn wasn't in the room. I decided to get out of bed then walked to the front. I noticed Lynn in the kitchen and noticed she had an Astral Crest on her hand.
{System: You can scan other Astrals and review their status.}
"What the—" I said.
Lynn heard my voice and became startled. "Br-Bryson! I didn't know you were awake!"
"I didn't know you were an Astral now as well!" I said and pointed at her hand.
Lynn looked at her hand then quickly hid hit behind her back. "G-Go back to the room! I'll bring you your dinner and we can eat together in bed..."
"Lynn, the secret's out. You probably already know that I'm also an Astral now." I said.
Lynn calmed down and relaxed. "Y-Yeah...I scanned you...Crest of the Lion's Heart. I have the Crest of the Scorpion."
I tried to figure out how to scan Lynn. Suddenly numbers and letters began to float around Lynn and I could read her status now.
{Name: Lynn Angels}
{Race: Human}
{Age: 22}
{Affiliation: None}
{Astral Level: 1}
{Astral Ability: Crest of the Scorpion}
{Strength: D110}
{Defense: D101}
{Dexterity: D120}
{Agility: C177}
{Magic: C192}
{Skills}
[None]
"So it wasn't just me. Others have also experienced the Astral Moon Event. I wonder how many...Who is all out there that's also an Astral..." I said and leaned against the counter.
"There's no way of knowing plus until we're able to know who's an Astral and who isn't, it's best we keep this a secret like Caesar told me." Lynn said.
"I met Kalmira.." I said. "Seems like we met up with leaders of a certain faction which explains why we have Affiliation.."
"We have different Astral Organizations huh...This can be a bit of a problem, I can see it.." Lynn said.
"Yeah...but for now we have nothing to go off of. Let's stick together until we get some definitive answers." I said.
"Right.." Lynn said and continued cooking.