Chereads / The Emporer of Demons / Chapter 3 - The Eggs

Chapter 3 - The Eggs

Aeron cannot remain ignorant anymore about something fearful surrounding him.

He found himself amidst a sea of at least millions of eggs, each pulsating with an eerie energy that seemed to seep into the very air around them. Aeron couldn't shake the feeling that this sinister energy, while mysterious in origin, might be harmful to humans, animals, and plants if exposed for a long time. 

The eggs varied in size, creating a landscape of uneven mounds across the cavernous space. Some were small and delicate, while others loomed large and imposing. Aeron observed them with a mix of awe and trepidation, knowing that each egg potentially housed a creature like himself. Some could be of similar strength, while others might possess even greater power or be significantly weaker. The uncertainty of what lay within each egg added to the ominous atmosphere, filling him with a sense of both fascination and foreboding.

As he contemplated the sheer number of demons that could hatch from these eggs, a sense of unease settled in his gut.

Despite not knowing his overall status in comparison to humans—whether in terms of strength, agility, or other abilities—Aeron couldn't shake the feeling that the sheer quantity of demons around him posed a significant threat. If these demons were weaker, their sheer numbers could still overwhelm their enemies.

Conversely, if they were stronger, it could spell doom for the human world. The implications of this realization weighed heavily on him as he stood amidst the sea of pulsating eggs.

Just as a massive elephant can be brought down by a swarm of tiny ants, the sheer quantity of demons around him could tip the scales in any conflict. 'We could overwhelm even the mightiest nations on Earth. Quantity itself can be a form of quality. Unless they crazy enough to drop a nuclear bomb on their own people, so it a mutual destruction.' He thought.

The thoughts weighed heavily on him. He understood that his own strength, while significant, was just a drop in the ocean compared to the collective might of the creatures in the eggs around him. It was a sobering thought, one that made him acutely aware of the precarious balance of power in this new world.

The varied colors of the eggs added to the surreal nature of the scene. Each hue represented a unique possibility, a different demon waiting to emerge.

The spectrum ranged from the common white, green, yellow, silver, purple, and red to the rarest of them all, the black egg.

When Aeron observed the diversities of colors, Were these differences indicative of the creatures' forms, species, or powers? Or was there something else at play, something beyond his understanding? The uncertainty gnawed at him, adding another layer of mystery to this already enigmatic world.

As he surveyed the eggs, Aeron couldn't shake off the feeling of unease. "Why is my egg so different?" he pondered, his thoughts racing. "Is there a significance to the colors, or is it merely chance? 

And why do I not see another egg with the same color as mine? Am I unique in this regard, or are there others like me, it just I do not found them?"

 "Is this coloration a sign of something unique about me, or does it hint at a deeper mystery lurking within these shells? Could it be a symbol of my potential or a harbinger of some hidden danger?" His mind was full of questions.

Aeron's egg was a mix of the seven colors around him, with a unique shade of dark gold woven into its pattern. The sight of it amidst the sea of other eggs filled him with a sense of both curiosity and apprehension.

As Aeron pondered the mysteries of his egg, another question began to gnaw at the edges of his thoughts. Why was he the only one to have hatched so far? What delayed the others from emerging into this strange new world? His mind swirled with possibilities, each one more fantastical than the last.

Perhaps he was not alone in his rebirth. What if there were others like him, creatures whose souls had been plucked from the same Earth he had known, or perhaps from entirely different universes? The notion seemed both exhilarating and terrifying, opening up a world of infinite possibilities and potential dangers.

As he considered this, a shiver ran down his spine. The thought of encountering beings from other worlds, other realms, filled him with a mix of curiosity and apprehension. What kind of creatures could they be? Were they like him, or something entirely different?

Aeron realized that he had been standing there for nearly thirty minutes. It was time to make a move. He looked around, trying to decide which direction to head in. "Well," he muttered to himself, "I have to start somewhere."

The weight of Aeron's unresolved questions pressed down on him as he stood among the sea of eggs. With no immediate answers forthcoming, he decided to take action. Perhaps he could find some clues if he explored further, or maybe even encounter another being like himself who could provide some insights.

Realizing that standing still wouldn't provide him with any answers, Aeron decided to take action. He needed to start somewhere, but the question was where to begin. "Well," he muttered to himself, "just choose one. It's not like something will happen."

As he surveyed the area, his eyes fell upon the nearest black egg, about a kilometer away.

To his surprise, he could see it clearly, despite having been near-sighted before. The improvement in his vision both amazed and excited him, spurring him to move forward.

Navigating the terrain was a challenge, and he took great care not to disturb any of the eggs as he made his way toward the black one. It took him almost 15 minutes to reach it, the journey made longer by the uneven ground.

As he approached the egg, his stomach rumbled loudly, reminding him that he hadn't eaten anything since his rebirth. "I must find something to eat," he muttered, making a mental note to search for sustenance after his inspection.

His curiosity was piqued by its rarity. However, as he was drawn by an unexplainable 'urge' to approach, he heard a faint sound, almost like a heartbeat emanating from within the egg. It was a subtle rhythm, barely audible unless he was very close.

Aeron paused, intrigued by this discovery. Could it be that all the eggs had this rhythmic pulsation, but he only noticed it now because of his proximity to this particular egg? The thought lingered in his mind as he continued to study the egg, searching for any clues it might offer.

Despite his curiosity, Aeron hesitated to act on his impulse to crack open the egg. He pondered the potential consequences of his actions. What if breaking the egg harmed the creature inside? What if it had no effect at all? The weight of these unknowns made him pause, his thoughts a whirlwind of uncertainty and caution.

Unable to resist the urge, Aeron reached out and touched the surface of the egg, feeling its smooth, yet strangely resilient texture. He began to rub the egg gently, trying to elicit a response from within. As he did so, he knocked on the egg a few times, hoping for some sign of life.

After a few moments, he felt a faint response—a subtle movement from within the egg. It was as if the demon inside had begun to awaken from its slumber in response to his actions.