Chereads / SHADOWS OF THE CHOSEN / Chapter 2 - The Awakening

Chapter 2 - The Awakening

In the center of the hidden chamber stood a large, ancient tree whose roots seemed to grow from the stone itself. The tree's bark was silver, and its leaves shone with an ethereal brilliance. At its base, a pool of liquid light flowed slowly, as if propelled by an unknown power.

As Rex approached, he noticed something remarkable: the tree's roots appeared to pulse with energy, taking power from the pool of light. Rex was compelled by an insatiable curiosity to touch one of the roots and as soon as his fingertips made contact, the liquid light raced up the roots and surrounded him in a cocoon of flash.

.Rex felt his consciousness pulled into a vast, cosmic expanse. He stood before an assembly of celestial beings—ancient gods and forgotten heroes—who gazed upon him with eyes that shimmered like stars. One of the gods, a towering figure with eyes that burned like the sun, stepped forward.

"You have been chosen," the god's voice echoed through the void, "to be our Divine General in the war against the forces of darkness. Your heart is pure, and your will is strong. Accept our power and become the vessel of our light."

Before Rex could respond, the celestial beings extended their hands, and beams of light shot forth, piercing his body with a final note, " Even though the powers you received are the same as of a god but you being mortal shall make your body tough as Admantium through constant hard work and persistence to hone and unleash the full potential of the Divine General". He felt an intense surge of energy as the power of the gods flowed into him, fusing with his very essence. His senses were overwhelmed by visions of ancient battles and the voices of long-forgotten warriors who fought bravely and sacrificed their lives in the war against the malice filled creatures of the void.

When the light finally receded, Rex found himself back in the hidden chamber, gasping for breath. His body felt different—stronger, more resilient, and charged with a strange, unfamiliar power. His left arm, long since crippled, now radiated with a golden light, fully restored to strength. His eyes, once a dull hazel, now glowed faintly with a golden hue, and his skin had taken on an almost ethereal quality.

Determined to understand his newfound abilities, Rex knew he needed a secluded place to hone his skills away from prying eyes and while keeping his identity hidden. He journeyed deep into the forest, where he discovered a serene, mystical glade. Towering trees formed a dense canopy overhead, their leaves filtering sunlight into dappled patterns on the forest floor. A crystal-clear stream wound through the glade, its gentle babbling providing a calming background as Rex trained. Each day, from dawn until dusk, Rex pushed his limits while keeping his divine powers inactive, striving to make his body more adjustable before understanding the full extent of his powers. At first, when he tried to use his powers, the bursts of light he conjured was wild and unpredictable, but with time and concentration, he learned to harness them, shaping them to his will and into focused beams and shields of radiant energy. He raced through the forest, dodging trees and leaping over obstacles, his movements becoming more fluid and instinctive.

Rex's training was rigorous and consuming. His body adapted to the strain, growing stronger and more resilient each day. Despite the grueling routine, he felt no hunger, a miraculous power granted to him and a sense of exhilaration, knowing that he was growing closer to becoming the warrior he needed to be.

At night, he would collapse by the stream, exhausted but satisfied with his progress. The stars above seemed to twinkle more brightly, as if offering silent encouragement. He knew that time was of the essence, and every moment spent training brought him a step closer to confronting the demonic threat.

Rex's heart raced as he watched the sky transform into a nightmarish spectacle. The clouds twisted and writhed, taking on grotesque shapes that seemed almost alive. Then, a deep, booming voice echoed from the heavens, a voice filled with malice and power, signifying the unparalleled power of the demons over the gods of the heavens.

One evening, after weeks of intense training, Rex decided to return to the outskirts of Arcadia to gather supplies and restock his provisions as much as he can. He made his way through a rocky outcrop overlooking the city, a vantage point that provided a panoramic view of Arcadia and the surrounding forest and even though the demons were in domination and tried to destroyed earth with their evil intentions ,nature was still trying to regain itself. Rex stood amidst the windy environment for a few minutes, gazing at the sky, lost in deep thoughts of woe and gloom regarding the curse that engulfed Earth and robbed it of the beauty it once showcased alongside the fallen heavens.

After a brief moment of contemplation and finding himself embarking on mental voyages, exploring the depths of his thoughts and emotions, he decided to continue his journey by seeking solace in whatever was left to protect.

The origins of this curse lay in ancient times, when humanity's cupidity and antipathy had drawn the attention of dark forces. These forces, demons from the void who reap power from such negative emotions, had seen an opportunity to exploit humanity's weaknesses. They casted a powerful curse, binding the earth to their malevolent will, ensuring that it would be a battleground for their dark ambitions.

Demons were categorized and ranked according to their power. The lower-tier demons, known as Wraiths and Reapers, were numerous but relatively weak to the higher demons. They swarmed in great numbers, often overwhelming human defenses through sheer force. Above them were the Arch Demons, powerful entities with formidable abilities and a commanding presence. Even more fearsome were the Hex Demons, seven elite warriors who served as the personal bodyguards of the Demon King. Their power levels were second only to the unknown Demon King himself, whose true identity and whereabouts remained shrouded in mystery.