I felt like I was being torn apart as I flew through the open space, colored lines twisting around me. My body morphed wildly, shifting from slime to bubbles, paint, and back again. The nausea was overwhelming, my consciousness slipping away.
"Sara, c-ca...n y-you hear me?" I shouted, but my voice seemed to fade. I tried desperately to reach the shadow of the girl moving farther away from me, but a powerful force ripped me from her grasp.
Then, everything went dark.
When I came to, I was on a barren plain, surrounded by corpses. The ground beneath me was a sickly red, and the sky was a pitch-black expanse, with the moon painted a deep, unsettling red. The blood on the ground began to pool and swirl, coalescing into a towering figure.
The being that emerged was imposing, regal in its presence. He wore a long coat of deep red velvet, adorned with black embroidery that depicted ancient battles and symbols. Beneath it, a midnight-black waistcoat hugged his frame, with dark gemstones glittering along the buttons. His trousers matched the waistcoat, tucked into knee-high black leather boots, each with a silver bat-shaped clasp. His high-collared white shirt contrasted sharply with his dark attire.
His hands were gloved in black leather, with long, slender fingers and sharp nails. A heavy cloak with a deep blood-red lining billowed behind him, moving as if stirred by an invisible wind. His pale face was perfectly sculpted, with piercing blood-red eyes and flowing black hair cascading down his back.
He was the embodiment of ancient power and dark nobility, a living shadow of the blood-soaked land.
"Oh, Spirit of Kaal. I have fulfilled my share of the deal. Redeem what was rightfully yours, reclaim what you had lost, and seek the strength you once had. We await your return," I heard the being say.
"Wait! Do you know my identity? Do you know who I really am?!" I bombarded him with questions, but my voice was swallowed by the sudden tremors shaking the entire place. Cracks spread like shattered glass, and everything began to disintegrate.
***
When I awoke again, I found myself lying on moist soil amidst a tangle of tree trunks. I struggled to my feet, my breath ragged, and looked around in confusion. The moonlight filtered through the dense canopy of leaves, casting eerie shadows.
Who was this Kaal? I did not know who the mysterious figure was or what his intentions might be. All I knew was that I needed to get stronger. My skin was scraped and cut, and leaves brushed against my limbs as I moved. The earthy smell of soil, mushrooms, and flowers mingled in the air, carried by the wind.
My only hope was to follow the black trails winding through the undergrowth, hoping they would lead me out of this forest.
"Sara, can you hear me? Hello? Are you there?" I called out desperately in my mind, remembering that she could read my thoughts.
When there was no reply, my anxiety increased. "Is she okay? What should I do?!"
"Caedes, can you hear me?" came Sara's voice, breaking through my panic.
"Where are you?!" I responded, scanning the area around me.
"It seems we've been teleported to different locations. While you were unconscious, I learned more about the system. Where are you right now?" she asked.
"I'm somewhere in a forest. Honestly, I'm lost and have no idea where this place is." I chuckled nervously, trying to lighten the situation.
Sara sighed. "Just check the bracelet. It has navigation features. I've found some humans and plan to travel with them to boost the faith in my bloodline. We might not meet soon, so use your brain more. Take care, okay? Until next time."
"Okay…"
Feeling a mix of relief and apprehension, I ended our mental connection and moved forward.
***
He didn't say or maybe even accept it, but Caedes actually missed the girl. The boy did not know that deep down Sara wanted the same.
'My race takes priority.' The young Kraken thought.
Against all odds, however, could there finally be someone who cared for him?