Alexius paused, his ears twitching as he considered the question. He then looked up at Alex, his expression unreadable for a moment. "Regret?" he echoed as if testing the word. "I'm not sure the real Alexius would have known the answer to that. But as a fragment of his soul, I do know this: the real Alexius didn't do it out of some grand love for the world."
Alex furrowed his brow, curious but confused. "Then why? Why go through all of that? The regressions, the sacrifices... what was it all for?"
The cat sighed softly, almost as if the weight of the answer was too much even for him. "It was an atonement, Alex. The original Alexius wasn't trying to save the world because he loved it. He was trying to atone for something much more personal."
Alex looked down at the cat, a deep frown forming on his face. "Atonement? For what?"
"For Leo," Alexius replied quietly, his gaze distant as if he were recalling memories from a time long past. "The real Alexius loved Leo, his brother, more than anything else in the world. Leo was the one who cherished humanity and wanted to protect Earth. But Alexius... he wasn't like that. He didn't care about the world the way Leo did. What he cared about was Leo himself."
Alex felt a strange sadness in his chest at the words. He had always been haunted by the memories of the other Alexius' deep-seated jealousy and strained relationship with Leo, but this... this was different. This was a side of Alexius he hadn't fully understood until now.
"The regressions, the battles, the sacrifices—they were all for Leo," Alexius continued. "The real Alexius didn't want a world where Leo had to keep sacrificing himself, where he had to keep fighting to protect others. He wanted to create a world where Leo wouldn't need to protect anyone anymore. A peaceful world where Leo could finally rest."
"So, he didn't do it for the world," Alex murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. "He did it because he loved his brother."
Alexius nodded slowly. "Exactly. The original Alexius didn't see himself as a hero. He saw himself as someone who had failed the one person he cared about the most. Every regression, every life, he was trying to atone for that failure. To give Leo a world where he could finally be free."
Alex stared at the ground, his mind racing with the weight of this revelation. It was hard to reconcile the image of the cold, calculating Alexius who had fought through nearly 400 regressions with the image of a brother who simply wanted to protect his sibling. The more he thought about it, the more he realized just how much of a burden the original Alexius had been carrying.
"And now, I'm here," Alex said quietly. "Carrying his memories, his regrets... trying to finish what he started."
"Yes," Alexius said softly. "But you're not him, Alex. You're you. And while you may share his memories, his feelings, you're also free to choose your path."
Alex took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the responsibility pressing down on him. "I don't know if I can do it," he admitted. "I don't know if I can finish what he started."
The cat jumped up onto Alex's shoulder, nudging him with a soft purr. "You're not alone in this," Alexius reminded him. "You have me, and you have others who care about you. You're not just carrying Alexius' burden—you're creating your own story."
The atmosphere in the boss room was thick with tension as Alex and Alexius stepped inside. The room, a vast cavern with jagged stone walls, was dimly lit by an eerie, flickering light that cast long shadows. The air was heavy with the scent of damp earth and the faint hint of sulfur. Alex's eyes scanned the room, taking in every detail with the same analytical precision he had honed over countless battles.
At the far end of the cavern, a large, hulking figure awaited them. The boss was a formidable C-rank creature, a grotesque amalgamation of various beasts—its body covered in thick, mottled scales and sporting a pair of massive, clawed arms. Its eyes glowed a menacing red, and a low, rumbling growl emanated from its throat.
"Stay alert," Alex whispered to Alexius, who was perched comfortably on his shoulder. The cat's eyes narrowed, his ears twitching as he surveyed the enemy.
With a deep breath, Alex stepped forward, his every movement precise and deliberate. He drew his weapon, a sleek, custom-made blade designed for maximum efficiency. The boss let out a deafening roar, its massive claws swiping through the air as it charged toward Alex.
Alex remained calm, his heart rate steady as he focused on the creature's movements. He could feel the adrenaline coursing through his veins, but he had learned to channel it, turning the rush into a tool rather than a hindrance.
The boss swung its claws with surprising speed, but Alex was ready. He deftly dodged to the side, his movements a blur of practiced precision. He countered with a quick, calculated strike, aiming for the weak points he had identified in the creature's armor. The blade connected, slicing through the thick hide with a satisfying impact.
The creature roared in pain, its movements growing more erratic as it tried to defend itself from Alex's relentless assault. Alex continued to analyze its behavior, noting the patterns in its attacks and the brief moments of vulnerability that followed. With each successful strike, he chipped away at its defenses, gradually wearing it down.
"Al, keep an eye on its movements," Alex instructed his voice steady despite the intensity of the fight. "If it starts to use any special abilities, let me know."
Alexius's eyes gleamed with a predatory focus as he observed the battle from his perch. "Got it," he responded, his voice a soft purr.
The boss, enraged and wounded, began to unleash a series of desperate attacks. Its claws lashed out with greater force, and it let loose a barrage of fiery breath from its maw. Alex dodged and weaved through the onslaught, his movements a testament to his training and experience.
He continued to strike with precision, each blow carefully calculated to exploit the creature's weaknesses. The boss's growls grew more frantic, its movements slower as it began to falter under the relentless assault.
With one final, decisive strike, Alex drove his blade deep into the creature's heart, piercing through its tough hide. The boss let out a final, agonized roar before collapsing to the ground, defeated.
Alex stood over the fallen creature, breathing heavily but still calm and collected. He wiped the sweat from his brow, his eyes scanning the boss's room for any additional threats. The air was filled with the acrid scent of the monster's blood, mingling with the remnants of the battle.
Alexius hopped down from Alex's shoulder and approached the fallen boss, his gaze thoughtful. "Well done," the cat said, his voice tinged with approval. "You handled that well. Your calm and analytical approach made a big difference."
Alex nodded, feeling a sense of satisfaction at the successful fight. "Thanks, Al. I guess all that training is paying off."
Alex and Alexius emerged from the boss room, their latest victory leaving them both exhausted but satisfied. The cavern's oppressive darkness was replaced by a soft, warm light as Apollo, the god of healing and prophecy, made his appearance. The god's radiant presence illuminated the room, casting a golden glow that seemed to chase away the shadows.
Apollo looked at Alex with a mixture of surprise and concern. His piercing eyes, the color of the sun at dawn, scanned Alex's face. "Alexius Harrison," Apollo began, his voice calm and authoritative, "I'm quite shocked to find you here in a gate, given your recent refusal of your duties."
Alex met Apollo's gaze with a calm expression. "I'm here to protect myself and those I care about," he said, trying to sound resolute. "Healing people is my goal, but I need to be capable of defending myself in the process."
Apollo nodded, his expression softening. "Your dedication to healing is admirable. You've embraced the role of protector, even if you initially turned away from it. It's rare for someone to have such a clear sense of purpose."
As Apollo spoke, Alexius lounged comfortably on a nearby rock, his feline form appearing nonchalant. The god's gaze occasionally flickered towards the cat, but he did not seem to recognize Alexius's true nature. The cat remained silent, observing the exchange with a faintly amused look in his eyes.
Apollo extended his hand, and a soft golden light enveloped it. "For your commitment and strength, I will grant you two skills," he said, his voice carrying a gentle authority. "The first is Sun Arrow, a powerful ability that channels the energy of the sun into a projectile of light. The second is Holy Recovery, a healing skill that will enhance your ability to mend wounds and restore vitality."
As he spoke, two shimmering icons appeared before Alex, glowing with the sun's radiance. Alex reached out to touch them, feeling a surge of warmth and energy as the skills integrated into his being.
Apollo continued a warm smile on his face. "Additionally, I have a gift for you, one that goes beyond the battlefield. Music has always been a cherished privilege for those who have found solace and inspiration in its melodies. You will find that you now possess the ability to play musical instruments with great skill."
Alex's eyes widened slightly. The gift of music was something he had longed for in his past life, a fleeting pleasure he had lost when he became an orphan and was recruited into the military. It was a part of his past that had been stripped away, replaced by the harsh realities of combat and survival.
Apollo's smile remained gentle as he added, "Consider this a gift from me, not just for your efforts in battle, but for your ability to find and create beauty even in the darkest of times."
Alex looked at Apollo, feeling a deep sense of gratitude. "Thank you," he said too sincerely. "I didn't expect such a gift, but it means a lot to me."
Apollo's eyes sparkled with warmth. "It's my pleasure, Alex. Remember, even in the face of adversity, there is always room for healing and beauty. Embrace these gifts and use them wisely."
Alex and Alexius made their way back from the gate, the weight of their recent battle hanging in the air. The cavern's golden light from Apollo's visit still lingered faintly, but the soft glow quickly faded as they emerged into the mundane reality of their everyday lives. The once awe-inspiring presence of a deity was now replaced by the simple, steady hum of the ordinary world.
As they entered their small apartment, Alexius turned to Alex with a hint of sharpness in his tone. "You can drop the act now. I know you were sugarcoating things to the god. It's clear you need their power, but let's not pretend otherwise."
Alex's face softened into its usual calm expression. He nodded slightly, acknowledging the truth in Alexius's words. "Yeah, I suppose you're right. I'm playing a part to get what we need. The gods hold the power I need to make a difference."
Alexius, in his feline form, slinked over to the window, gazing out at the night sky with an almost wistful look. Alex glanced at the refrigerator door where a note from Kael was pinned. It was a reminder that Kael was working overtime again, leaving Alex alone for the evening.
He moved to the kitchen and reheated the pot of stew he had prepared earlier, the comforting aroma filling the small space. The rhythmic sound of the microwave beep was the only noise, accompanied by Alexius's silent contemplation by the window.
Once the food was ready, Alex set a bowl out but noticed that Alexius remained unmoved, his gaze fixed on the distant stars. It was clear that Alexius had more on his mind than just the view outside. Finally, Alex spoke, breaking the silence. "You seem quiet tonight. Something on your mind?"
Alexius turned his head slightly, his golden eyes reflecting a flicker of disdain. "It's not just today. It's been a constant reflection on the gods and their so-called power. They all abandoned Earth after humanity fell. They left their creations to fend for themselves."