Xylon closed his eyes, his heart heavy with determination as he focused on his task. Slowly, the surrounding morphed, and when he opened his eyes, he found himself amidst the silent streets of an empty city, bathed in the soft glow of the moon. A chill wind whispered through the alleys as he walked, each step echoing the turmoil within him. He paused when he noticed a child. Xylon squinted, realizing he was in this scenario again. He needed to overcome it... so he followed the little girl. He caught up with her just as a terrifying creature appeared. Prepared to attack, he witnessed his own self emerge and slay the monster. Yes, he was the young man who killed the beast. Then, a crying young lady arrived. Xylon felt weak at the sight of her. He sat down, a haunting sorrow washed over him as he watched the young lady, Aria.
"A-Aria... I'm sorry," he whispered, the weight of regret heavy in his voice as he struggled to shield himself from her pain, unable to bear the anguish in her cries.
He covered his ears, not wanting to hear her cries. With a heavy heart, Xylon closed his eyes, and when he opened them again, the surroundings returned to normal. He began to walk, knowing he needed to talk to Aria.
.
....
Meanwhile, in the tranquility of the garden, Jade sat lost in thought, the gentle rustle of leaves a soothing melody to her troubled mind. Suddenly, Phoenix appeared and sat beside her.
"Hi," Phoenix greeted.
Jade smiled back. "Hi, I didn't see you yesterday," she said.
"I had something to take care of. Why? Did you miss me?" Phoenix teased.
Jade chuckled as Phoenix pinched her cheek.
"I missed you," Phoenix suddenly declared.
Jade was surprised. "You just didn't see me yesterday, and you missed me already?" she teased.
But Phoenix's response was unexpected, catching Jade off guard as he enveloped her in a tight embrace. For a moment, Jade felt suffocated by his tight embrace.
"Uh, Phoenix... I can't breathe," Jade gasped.
Quickly, Phoenix let go of her.
"Sorry," he said.
Jade now felt puzzled by Phoenix. Something about him was changing as time went on.
.
.
In the quiet confines of her room, Aria sat in contemplation when a knock echoed through the door. She knew who it was. The door opened, and Xylon entered.
"Can we talk?" he implored softly.
Aria nodded. She could read what was on his mind and now ready to engage in conversation with him.
"I know you already know why I'm here... I seek forgiveness for my past actions. I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me," Xylon spoke, his voice tinged with remorse as he humbly knelt before Aria.
Tears welled up in Aria's eyes.
"Your Highness, there is no need for apologies. You bear no fault," she said.
As memories from seven years past began to resurface, Aria's heart felt heavy with the weight of the past, yet hopeful for the possibility of healing and reconciliation.
FLASHBACKS...
Seven years ago...
Aria couldn't believe what had happened to her beloved, Crayven. He stood before her now, undergoing a terrifying transformation, his anguished cries piercing the air like a dagger to her soul.
"AAAAAHHHHHH!!!!!" Crayven's agonized scream echoed through the air, sending shivers down Aria's spine.
"C-Cray... fight back, my love!" Aria's voice trembled with desperation, tears flowing freely down her cheeks as she pleaded for him to resist the darkness consuming him.
She couldn't bring herself to approach him because of the dark aura enveloping him. She watched helplessly as his form contorted, morphing into a monstrous creature before her very eyes.
"T-This can't be..." Aria's voice faltered, her words barely a whisper as she struggled to comprehend the horror unfolding before her.
Summoning every ounce of courage within her, Aria took a tentative step forward, determined to reach out to Crayven and bring him back from the brink of darkness. Yet, her resolve wavered as she met the chilling gaze of the beast that had replaced her beloved.
"Crayven, it's me... Aria," she choked out, her voice thick with tears, her heart breaking at the sight of the creature bearing down on her.
But her words fell on deaf ears, the monster showing no recognition or mercy as it lunged towards her, its feral instincts overriding any semblance of humanity.
As the creature closed in, Aria closed her eyes, bracing herself for the inevitable onslaught, resignation mingling with sorrow in her heart. Yet, in the midst of her despair, a sudden presence enveloped her, pulling her away from the impending danger.
It was Xenon. He embraced Aria tightly and swiftly teleported them away from that place.
.
.
Xylon stood before the assembly of ministers, a weighty responsibility settling upon his shoulders like a heavy cloak.
"Your Highness, a monster is wreaking havoc upon the town," declared the chief minister, his voice laced with urgency.
"A monster?" Xylon's brow furrowed in disbelief, his mind struggling to comprehend the gravity of the situation.
"Yes, Your Highness," affirmed another minister, his tone grave.
"And what do you expect me to do about this creature?" Xylon questioned, his voice tinged with concern for his people.
"Your Highness, our resources are insufficient to combat such a formidable foe. You possess unmatched power... if it is your will, you should be the one to confront and vanquish this menace," implored the chief minister, his words laden with deference.
"Indeed, Your Highness, the creature must be eliminated swiftly. Failure to do so will result in further devastation and loss of innocent lives," echoed the second minister, his voice echoing the urgency of the situation.
Xylon paused, a deep sigh escaping his lips as he contemplated the weighty decision before him.
"Very well," he finally conceded, his resolve firm as he prepared to face the looming threat head-on.
.
.
The once bustling town now lay in ruins, created by the monstrous entity known as Crayven. Streets once filled with the laughter of children and the chatter of townsfolk were now silent, replaced by a grim tableau of death and despair. Bodies littered the streets, evidence of his ruthless rampage. Amidst the chaos, a young girl cowered in fear, hiding inside a trash bin. Crayven spotted her and gave chase until they reached a narrow alleyway. The girl stumbled and fell, pleading for mercy as the monster closed in.
"P-Please... have mercy..." the girl begged, her voice trembling with fear.
But Crayven remained unfazed, his eyes gleaming with hunger as he advanced towards his prey. Just as he was about to strike, Xylon arrived. In a swift motion, the monster was felled, collapsing to the ground. Blood stained Xylon's hands as he approached the trembling girl.
"It's alright, you're safe now," he spoke softly, his voice a soothing balm against the girl's fear.
The girl stared at him, wide-eyed, as if unable to comprehend the sudden turn of events. Xylon glanced back at the fallen monster, witnessing its gradual transformation back to its former self. His eyes widened in horror, recognition dawned on him as he realized the truth.
"C-Crayven?" Xylon's voice trembled with sorrow, his gaze lingering on his friend's dissipating form.
As Kan and Aria rushed to the scene, Aria's anguish pierced the air, her tears mirroring the depth of her love for Crayven. Holding him close, she pleaded desperately for him to stay, her heart shattering with each passing moment.
"M-My love, please don't leave me!" Aria's cry was a raw expression of her grief, echoing through the desolate streets.
In his final moments, Crayven's voice wavered with love and pain, "A-Aria... I-I love you... so much..." his words a bittersweet farewell to the lady he adored.
As he turned to ash, Aria's screams of anguish filled the air, a poignant lament for the love they had lost.
Meanwhile, Xylon stood at a distance, his heart heavy with the burden of guilt. Unable to comfort Aria, he watched in silent torment, knowing that he was responsible for the tragedy that had befallen them.
As Heberlin approached the young girl, erasing her memory, a solemn silence descended upon the scene, marking the end of a harrowing chapter in their lives.
END OF FLASHBACKS
Aria's touch on Xylon's hands felt like an anchor amidst the storm of emotions raging within him. Her words, a soothing melody amidst the chaos, gently easing the burden of guilt he carried.
"You're not to blame," she affirmed, her voice a beacon of reassurance in the darkness. "I know who's responsible for what happened to Crayven... Don't blame yourself for what happened."
Xylon's nod was accompanied by a deep exhale, as if releasing the weight of the world from his shoulders. Aria's embrace enveloped him, offering solace and understanding in the face of his turmoil.
In that moment, amidst the warmth of Aria's embrace, Xylon felt a shift within himself. The suffocating grip of fear dissolved, replaced by a newfound resolve. Now, he found the strength to confront whatever challenges lay ahead.