"Hahahah, Mortal! You've managed to amuse me yet again!" the thunderous voice once again penetrating the void and enveloping his being.
'How is this possible, I never imagined I'd hear this voice again,' Keel thought in shock.
As the flow of time appeared frozen, each second slower than the last, Keel finally had time to reflect on the foreign voice.
As the world frozen, Keel's mind started to work in overdrive as "Strategic Insights" was unknowingly activated.
'What is his purpose?' went through Keel's mind as he tried to find meaning behind his sudden appearance and disappearance. 'This can't all be a coincidence.' As if struck by lightning, Keel realized he'd just unlocked skills from his past life. 'How can this be?'
As Keel felt unsure of what the future had in store for him, time finally continued to tick as if encouraging him to start what would eventually turn into his journey.
"I did not think I would see the ever-bright Keel Arden shedding tears of despair, but now I am not so sure I made the right choice in bringing you back," the mysterious voice continued.
'Why is he mocking me, does he not realize what I've already been through?!' Keel's fists tightened, the veins on his forehead protruding as if about to explode.
"I guess I should introduce myself, be proud, because you are one of few. My name is Nexus, and I am the god of Axion.
As for the reason I brought you back, that is not important... For now, what I want you to remember is that feeling of despair, the feeling of loss as the reality you knew fell apart.
And be careful, young Keel. This will be our only meeting - unless I deem you worthy. My time here is short, so for now, let's give you a tiny push, shall we? Be strong, because the world is a scarier place than you can imagine, even now."
As Keel listened to Nexus's words, the realization of his original goals came flooding back in.
'How could I allow myself to go astray? All that mattered was keeping them safe. My journey was all for nought as the people I wanted to protect were long gone before my eventual peak.'
With newfound resolve, Keel made his last vow.
"This time will be different," Keel wheezed through gritted teeth. As if acknowledging his promise, the heavens trembled with a thunderous echo, no doubt shaking the heavens.
2 New Objectives Received:
1: Rank "D" - Reconnect with your family - Rewards 5 levels, Foundation Necklace
Quest description: Before Axion merged with Earth, you let the bonds with your family rot. Seek their forgiveness and rebuild their trust.
Punishment for failure: Your ties will be forever severed, their fond memories of you erased.
2: Rank "?" - The god "Nexus" has taken a keen interest in you. Make him believe in your ability - Rewards 25 levels, information about your enemies
Quest description: Even now, you still want revenge, but revenge comes not without power. Establish yourself in Axion within the next 3 months.
Punishment for failure: Nexus no longer finds you interesting and you will lose your memories forever, living the lie you once did.
Shocked by the sudden appearance of the quests, Keel's resolve hardened as he decided it was time to reunite with his family...
As Keel exited his old apartment filled with memories with carrying nothing, but his his phone, he finally replied
"Hi, Mom, I'm coming home." As if a weight lifted off his shoulders, Keel suddenly felt lighter, and his steps quickly became a flurry as he ran down the stairs. And when it seemed like nothing could go wrong, Keel tripped.
"Fuck," Keel screamed as time once more froze. [Strategic Insight - Active] "I can't fall now, I've just begun!" His thoughts worked faster than ever before. But as he tried to twist his body mid-air, a searing pain erupted in his side. A faint, yet mocking laugh echoed in his ears as the world went dark once more.
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"Keel! Oh, my!" The voice, desperate, trembling even, waking Keel from his slumber. He blinked twice as the blinding hospital lights kept him from seeing the face of the voice.
"Mom?" Keel muttered, his throat dry and aching.
"You scared us half to death, boy," his father's distinct voice rumbled from across the room. "Falling down a flight of stairs? I thought you were finally done goofing around. What were you even thinking?"
Keel watched as his father paced nervously around the room, unable to ignore the streaks of gray in his beard.
Keel tried to sit up, the aching of his ribs protesting each movement violently as if the weight of his body caused smoldering fire to surge through his chest as though his bones would break under the strain.
Keel clenched his fists, the thought of once again disappointing his parents evident on his face.
But as his mother's warm hands slowly squeezed his own, Keel couldn't help but meet her eyes, tears threatening to fall as he realized something: 'Maybe this was a second chance in more ways than one.' 'I will make sure she never cries again.'
That night, as Keel drifted to sleep, he dreamed of Tyse. As he tried to reach him, a shadowy figure stood at the edge of his mind. "Not yet," the voice muttered. "Not only must you grow, not only did you go back..." it said before fading into the void.