The visions that flowed through my mind were seared into my eyes, each grotesque detail etched with horrifying clarity. I could hear the sickening sound of scales tearing, muscles shredding, bones snapping, tendons ripping, blood vessels bursting, and marrow oozing away, replaying in an endless loop. Every fleeting moment was saturated with a cacophony of screams, feral roars, piercing screeches, and the ghastly gurgles of something not quite human.
My lips foamed with the spectacle unfolding before my eyes. Madness clawed at my insides, compelling me to tear away clumps of hair and flesh in a desperate bid to quell the chaos, yet the insatiable hunger only grew stronger, gnawing at my very soul.
The one trait I held with fierce pride was my indomitable spirit, yet it was shattered into a million pieces. To claim I wasn't humiliated and ruined would be a lie.
Every vision revealed the same figure: a young boy, his voice echoing with the desperate cry of "mother" repeatedly. A torrent of tears streamed down his cheeks as he devoured everything in his wake. Countless beings of all shapes and forms were engulfed and became part of his immense soul. The boy's Mana Signature, the manifestation of his soul, radiated an incredibly potent aura that grew in both magnitude and depth with the addition of each creature that became part of it.
The boy pressed his hands against his ears, a futile attempt in trying to drown out the cacophony of countless creatures invading his soul. Their whispers slithered into his mind, relentless and insidious, numbering in the millions, slowly unraveling the fragile threads of his sanity.
They swiftly vanished, leaving the boy and me reeling in a whirlwind of bewilderment. Our minds spun in chaos, grappling with the abrupt change, until an answer emerged, creeping upon us in a way we never anticipated.
A voice emerged, sweet and gentle, yet warped and twisted simultaneously. The sound of that voice, echoing with an eerie femininity, unleashed a torrent of emotions, twisted expressions, dark thoughts, and unsettling beliefs within us.
"This demented and warped lie is over. The nightmarish lie, the one that hurt you, is gone. No longer shall you be lied to. No long shall you have the truth hidden from you. Become one of my Apostles, become my family. I am |_ _ _|, now known as |_ _ _| |_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _|, the rightful ruler of the cosmos. I, the mother of creation, shall give you everything you desire. You shall now be named |_ _ _ _ _ _|. Should I ever call upon you, rise and be my sword. Those deemed unworthy of living in my world shall meet their end to you, The Slayer."
A high-pitched voice pierced the atmosphere, halting the boy, who had become "The Slayer," from replying to the warped female voice.
"JACK!"
Jack and I both shifted our attention toward the source of the second voice, and to my surprise, I encountered someone I hadn't expected. There, at a distance from Jack, stood my brother, Samuel, as he appeared in the last vision shown to me.
Sam's expression was a blend of horror and fury as he looked at Jack, who was undergoing a startling transformation reminiscent of a metamorphosis. It was only then that I noticed the horrific burns that marred Jack's body, grotesque scars etched into his skin like a nightmarish tapestry. Fragments of his bones protruded from the gaping wounds, a sight so repulsive that it churned my stomach and filled me with a deep sense of revulsion.
The transformation started as tiny gray lights gradually drifted toward Jack, enveloping him in a shimmering shell akin to a second skin. Once these ethereal particles attached to him, they radiated with a brilliant glow, and an otherworldly aura emanated from his Mana Signature.
A cocoon materialized out of the gray lights, covering the second skin, and the glow began to pulse like a heartbeating. With each pulse, the vision distorted and rippled like a rock thrown into a pool of still water. The pulse entrailed me, demanding I give all my attention to what was about to unfold.
The pulses flooded my mind and became engraved onto my eyelids. They sent tremors throughout my body, but something was... different? My body shook uncontrollably, and tears streamed down my cheeks. A radiant yet heavy smile spread across my face, causing my muscles to ache. All my fears vanished at that moment, enveloped by a soothing presence that wrapped around me, allowing every conceivable human emotion to manifest through my gestures and expressions. My right hand was angrily clenched tightly into a fist, while my left hand softly pressed down on it, attempting to quell the anger. Meanwhile, my left eye slightly twitched in irritation, contrasting sharply with my right eye's dull, disinterested gaze.
My body movements were confused, yet they seemed to flow naturally. It felt like my very soul was being divided, each fragment waging a silent battle for dominance over my body. My feelings were caught in a tumultuous whirlwind, spiraling endlessly, and at the heart of this chaos was that captivating female voice.
Mother is over there? Where have you been? Why did you leave me alone in this cruel and unforgiving world? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why?
If you are here, does that mean I can come with you? Can I finally have the mother figure I've always wanted? What a silly question; of course, I can. If Mother's here, then everything will be alright. No one will bother, hurt, or speak ill of me ever again. Nothing else matters, just Mother and her wishes.
In the whirlwind of my unwavering, devoted thoughts, the light began to fade, and the energy radiating from Jack shifted dramatically. It transformed into something chaotic, fierce, and malevolent. The alterations surrounding Jack seemed to herald nothing but misfortune. Yet, this contradiction gnawed at my mind. After all, Mother bestowed this power upon him, so it must be a good thing... right?
It's not thought... right?
Ug. Nothing is making sense. Both answers feel right yet wrong simultaneously. Is there something wrong with me?
The link to the vision(?) was abruptly severed, gradually causing the voices and silhouettes that had populated it to fizzle out into nothingness. Brief bursts of light flickered before my eyes, only to plunge me back into darkness as they vanished. The battle for dominance over my emotions and the chaotic imagery persisted until a figure emerged before me, effectively removing me from the distorted turmoil that was caused by my mother(?).
The vision(??) dissolved into a dazzling spiral of light, completely enveloping my sight before swiftly vanishing while the figure remained visible. Sam, my brother, stood over me in his full glory.
The bursts of light danced across his legendary suit of armor, meticulously designed to perfectly fit his body while allowing for complete freedom of movement during combat. Each flicker revealed a new part of his heroic and iconic battle attire, a creation born from children's vivid imaginations everywhere.
The intensity of the flashes became so overwhelming that I found myself instinctively raising my hands to shield my eyes from their brilliance. Yet, despite my efforts, the radiance only intensified, transforming into a dazzling orb of light that floated majestically in the vast expanse of the clear blue sky above.
Before me stood my brother Sam, bathed in the sun's golden rays, which seemed to amplify his brilliance. In that moment, nature twisted and reshaped itself, enhancing his heroic stature, striking good looks, and undeniable charm.
"Broth... er." I coughed up a stream of blood that shimmered with a golden hue in my distorted and hazy eyesight. As I attempted to lift my hand to my lips, it felt like my arms were unresponsive, betraying my will. The overwhelming sensation of agony consumed me, intensifying with each cough that brought forth more of that strange, golden blood.
The thunderous roars of the two primordial beasts echoed across the vast, unclouded expanse of the azure sky, overpowering the sounds of my own winces and coughs. The drums of battle reverberated through the air as vibrant explosions erupted all around, sending waves of color cascading through my fading vision.
An object gracefully ascended into the sky, descending silently beside me. Despite my extraordinary hearing abilities, I could not detect any noise accompanying its arrival. The next instant, the sharp, uneven breaths of someone next to me caught my attention.
"You three stay there and rest up. This'll be over before you know it." Sam turned to face us, his expression a tumultuous blend of hatred and fury, yet strangely controlled. It was the image of a man waging war upon creation to pursue his desires. If anyone could do so, it was him. Sam possesses the power to achieve whatever he sets his mind to, and no one can stop him.
The mana emanating from Sam was incredibly pure, potent, and plentiful. It manifested as a vibrant pillar of blue energy that resembled a colossal, translucent flame. With every motion he made, the aura danced and flickered, amplifying his connection to the very essence of nature and the fabric of reality itself.
With a firm grasp on his sword, a remarkable weapon capable of transforming into any conceivable hand-held armament, he started to emit a low, menacing growl. As he did so, wisps of steam began to escape from the mouth compartment of his mask, enhancing his already fearsome appearance.
'If he's here, then...'
***
Standing above the unconscious bodies of my three younger brothers, I clutched my sword with a chilling resolve. My mana surged violently, ignited by the sight of their broken bodies and the archnemesis. Rage coursed through my veins, a seething tempest, as I prepared to unleash the fury that had been building within me.
The charred soil hissed ominously as molten pools of lava gurgled while tendrils of smoke and steam clawed their way into the air. Beneath the sun's relentless glare, the black obsidian glimmered with a sinister brilliance, mercilessly illuminating the scorched earth beneath its searing gaze.
Purging my mind of all the useless thoughts and emotions, I honed in on the techniques and Authorities etched deep within my soul. The powers I had painstakingly acquired and forged through relentless training since the first time I grasped a sword were both my salvation and my curse. As I conjured the image of the technique I intended to unleash, I stepped into the gruesome bloodbath, ready to cause more chaos.
With every step, the weight of my resolve grew, a suffocating burden as I sought to rectify the mistake that had spread like a plague across Terra. This wretched bastard would no longer tarnish the legacy of my bloodline, nor will he ever use my family's techniques again.
"JACK!" I bellowed, my voice laced with venomous rage. The air trembled around me, and I stared down my opponent. My roar reverberated, slicing through the charred ground's desolation and the canyon's lifeless expanse.
An eerie silence enveloped the battlefield as my voice echoed through the chaos. The titanic dragons, locked in a ferocious clash, were torn apart by a cataclysmic explosion reverberating through the air. The dark, menacing dragon, cloaked in shades of obsidian and violet, landed ominously beside Jack. In an instant, a grotesque hole materialized on Jack's distorted flesh, and the dragon began to be sucked into it as if a black hole hungrily awaiting its next meal. A cacophony of horrific, gut-wrenching screeches, guttural roars, and otherworldly growls erupted from the obsidian beast, filling the air with a palpable disturbance.
The anguished cries of pain and despair erupted in an instant, only to be extinguished with equal swiftness. The only sound that lingered in the air was the hissing of the searing earth, a haunting reminder of the chaos that had just unfolded.
A radiant glow illuminated the space beside me as a tall woman emerged from the light. Her long, wavy hair, a striking blend of reddish-purple, cascaded down to her lower back, just grazing her ample buttocks. Her reptilian eyes, a mesmerizing mix of cat orange, sea green, and sky blue, sparkled vividly, peeking out from beneath the flowing strands that danced in the breeze. The woman's porcelain skin was partially concealed by a vibrant crimson-red dress adorned with frills, which gracefully fell below her knees. On her feet, sleek black slippers fit snugly, making contact with the ground as they crunched over the shattered stones scattered across the scorched earth.
I trailed closely behind her, gradually gaining speed until I overtook her and continued to hasten my pace. My sword was firmly held in my grasp, poised to execute any technique I desired at a moment's notice.
Jack, his body warped and distorted by the very fabric of space and invisible to the gaze of ordinary mortals, approached us in unison with my steps. As he advanced, a strange phenomenon occurred; his body began to emit steam, enveloped in a veil of smoke that gradually obscured him from view. Simultaneously, the atmosphere shifted, thickening with an intensity that mirrored my own. His energy matched my formidable presence, creating a perfect balance that effortlessly countered my power.
The steam and smoke gradually dissipated, unveiling his transformed appearance moments later.
His crimson helmet featured a striking golden V on his forehead, extending beyond the crown of his head. At the base of the V, a vibrant red rhombus-shaped gem pulsated with a fierce brilliance whenever light graced its surface.
A sleek black visor covered his eyes, while a silver mouthguard was elegantly designed in the form of a winged V. This mouthguard was adorned with intricate golden lines that traced its edges, branching out in three distinct parts as they ascended along its sides.
His neck was clad in silver, adorned with several red lines that radiated from it, which connected to various parts of his armor. The area around his neck, seamlessly integrated with the suit, also bore the distinctive V shape. A flowing black cape trailed behind him, adding to his imposing presence.
Golden shoulder guards protected both shoulders, linked by a golden line that encircled his neck. Each guard was segmented into four parts, culminating in a spike that elegantly curved upward.
His chest was a bold red, linking the shoulder guards to his belt, which featured a gold gem at its center that remained unlit. The regions of his stomach, sides, and armpits were a muted grey, embellished with golden lines that extended from the sides of his red chest to connect with the shoulder guards.
Two golden lines connected to the nearest gold line from his chest on each side of his torso, enhancing the intricate design. Red lines traced the sides of his arms, continuing along his chest and stomach to his legs.
His upper arms were adorned with gold bands, while his wrist guards, also gold, featured a pointed design near the elbow that converged into a silver V at the wrist. His hands were a striking red, each knuckle embellished with gold rhombus-shaped stones,
His belt was a gleaming gold, showcasing a red V at its center, with the rest being black. His black pants were accented by a red line running down each leg. The same golden bands adorned the area between his knees and feet, and where his pants met his shoes, the fabric transitioned from black to a dazzling display of gold and silver slashes.
A sickening whoosh echoed as the blade sliced through the swirling steam and thick smoke, unveiling itself.
The curved sword possessed a striking beauty that was simultaneously unsettling, mainly due to the ominous aura it exuded. Its deep black handle was adorned with intricate lines that spiraled gracefully towards the gleaming gold V-shaped cross guard. The blade itself was a mesmerizing sight, featuring a series of undulating red triangles along the cutting edge, contrasting sharply with the dark expanse of the blade where the vibrant color did not reach.
A deafening silence filled the air as we came to a halt, our footsteps stopping, and we found ourselves mere inches apart.
The atmosphere buzzed with the raw power of our auras, a chaotic struggle for dominance. An oppressive tension enveloped us, thick as fog, as rifts in the fabric of space and time tore open, quaking beneath the force of our blazing mana signatures. The rifts in time began to spread in the air as jagged cracks formed.
The atmosphere twisted into a malevolent shroud as the landscape morphed into a nightmarish tableau. Ominous black clouds coiled and churned on the horizon, swallowing the last remnants of the azure sky. A vile, acidic rain began to fall, its sickly green droplets transforming into a torrential downpour. At the same time, jagged bolts of purple lightning slashed through the darkness, illuminating the chaos with a sinister glow.
The world crumbled around us, a desolate wasteland echoing our silent war. Though our bodies remained still, our minds clashed in a brutal dance of violence. We unleashed a torrent of imagined assaults, each one more vicious than the last. Every sword technique known to us, every magical spell, every binding spell, and every insidious thought was wielded like a weapon as we sought to pierce the other.
As the world's vibrant colors faded into nothingness, our auras stopped, reverting the chaos we had wrought upon reality. The ominous black clouds, once a shroud of despair, unraveled in a spiral, revealing the bright blue sky once more. The acidic rain followed after the clouds, disappearing and leaving behind an eerie silence as it ceased its relentless assault.
"Now's not the time." We said in unison.
"My mother is telling me it isn't time to fight you yet." His statement struck a nerve, causing the woman next to me and me to clench our fists silently.
"If we kept going, I would wound up accidentally killing my brothers and my mother," I admitted, my voice trembling with anger and sadness.
"Now's not the time." We said in unison.
"My mother is telling me it isn't time to fight you yet." His statement struck a nerve, causing the woman next to me and me to clench our fists silently.
"If we kept going, I would wound up accidentally killing my brothers and my mother," I admitted, my voice trembling with anger and sadness.
"Leave," I commanded, directing the tip of my katana toward Jack. "Now."
A light chuckle escaped Jack's lips as he put his hand on his forehead and threw his head back in uncontrollable, maddening laughter. His body trembled as he laughed, a genuine laugh that unsettled me.
"Let me clarify: I'm leaving because Mother told me to leave, not because of anything you said. One more thing: watch your tone when speaking with me." As Jack turned his back to me and began to walk away, a glimmer of light shone on his distorted and hidden body, and he vanished from sight once the light faded.
I turned my back to where he was and threw my sword to the right of me, where it vanished into a small hole in space that suddenly materialized next to me.
Walking past the beautiful woman, I paused before my brothers, glancing to assess their condition. When I got close, a small black serpentine head with white tattoos appeared out of my shadow and nuzzled my legs. I looked down, my fingers instinctively reaching out to pet the head of the ancient killing machine, thinking about the amount of work I would have to do in the following weeks.
Seeing that my brothers needed medical attention immediately, I lifted them in the air with my thoughts and felt a deep, heavy sigh escape my lips.
"Damn it. I hate work."