Half a year ago, at dawn, footsteps echoed hurriedly up the staircase. Suddenly, someone banged on Selah's door, shouting for her to wake up.
Clause: Selah… Selah… Wake up!
Half-awake, Selah in her nightdress shuffled to the door, yawning and rubbing her eyes. She opened it to see her father, Clause, dressed in a rugged, old-fashioned garb with a high collar and faded embroidery along the seams. His layered, patched coat was fastened with tarnished brass clasps. Catching his breath, he held a makeshift contraption pieced together with adhesive, a small monitor attached to it displaying a map with a prominently pulsing red spot.
Selah: It's too early in the morning, what is it?
Clause: Selah look, after few years, I managed to make it work!
However, Selah, having clearly heard the same spiel many times before, gave him an uninterested look, shut the door, and with her voice fading, went back to sleep.
Clause: Hey, Selah, open up! Aren't you even a little surprised?
Selah: Never! Go away!
Early in the morning, Selah and Clause sat together at a wooden table for breakfast. A basket of ripe, colorful fruits sat at the center, alongside a roasted bird resembling a small turkey with three legs pointed upward. Bread, beans, and other simple foods, along with utensils, filled the table.
Clause, still ecstatic about his new invention, chatted enthusiastically as they share a good meal, Selah turned to ask what his invention does this time to make him stop and answered.
Clause: This is a breakthrough, probably my biggest one yet! With this, I can detect and collect more artifacts that may unravel the mysteries of your mother's disappearance.
Selah paused eating momentarily and then asked him about the relevance of this invention.
Clause: Until this day, I still believe and hold onto hope that your mother, Fel, is still alive somewhere.
He added that there are several singularities related to the event, explaining how even a small speck of her had disappeared completely without a trace.
Clause: Lately, I have been working on some trials and errors to prove the existence of a device that can rip the fabric of space and time, capable of relocating an object with mass or opening a portal to another dimension, similar to the stars above, which I believe are separate bodies from our still world down here.
But Selah remained quiet, wiping her mouth with a piece of fabric before finally expressing her true feelings about what her father was trying to convince her of. Cutting him off before he could say another word, she looked at him with teary eyes and gave him a piece of her mind.
Clause: This device can help me find a-way, surely th- …
Selah: Father, what don't you understand? What would make you see the truth? Mother died long ago, she is never coming back! Singularity this, singularity that no, not even miracles can bring her back! Stop living in delusions!
Clause: …
Selah: For years, I have held onto hope and endured the pain. We both need to accept and face reality. Please, I am still alive, and I love you. We still have each other, and I'm sure Mother would feel the same way if she were here instead of me. Don't make things more complicated than they already are. It's time to move on.
Then Selah left the table and returned to her room. Clause, with a storm of emotions in his heart, looked at the device in his hand and pressed it against his chest, feeling pain in his heart as tears streamed down his face.
A few days passed, and Clause packed his things. Selah noticed her father's unusual activity and wondered what he was up to this time. He responded with his usual demeanor.
Selah: Where are you taking all those things? Are you going on a journey or something?
Clause puts his hands on Selah's shoulders and apologized for his mistakes as her father and hugged her showing his sincerely with his words.
Selah: Father, alright, I forgive you but please tell me what are you up to now?
Clause: Selah, I am going on a journey to the outskirts of Zyrencia, following where the pulse is leading me. I will be gone for a week.
Selah was surprised to hear this, worry and curiosity etched on her face as she asked.
Selah: A week? But why so sudden? I can join you if you want.
Clause: No, Selah, I want you to stay. My journey will be a little dangerous, but worry not I am the genius inventor Clause. I have equipped myself sufficiently, and I hope you haven't forgotten that I served as a Regent Knight at the capital, pretty sure I can take on even a whole army.
Selah smiled briefly upon hearing this, but her thoughts quickly turned to the reason for his departure.
Selah: Is this still about mother?
Clause paused for few moments before he answers.
Clause: Selah, my dear, this journey is my way of finding closure regarding your mother untimely demise. I promise, in my commoner's name of Ravenclaw, that I will return in one piece, and when I do, I will accept Fel's fate.
Clause: Wait, commoner's name? That's not good…
As he tries to explain, Selah hugged him tightly, urging him to be true to his words. She promised to wait for his return and to pray for his safety both day and night.
They shared a warm moment together, but eventually, Clause gathered his things and left the house. With teary eyes, Selah waved goodbye to her father as he walked away.
Later that evening, Clause descended from the carriage far away from home, he found himself in an unfamiliar territory. He glanced at the sign that read "Jiatu Village" and studied the map in his hand, which indicated a path leading deeper into the forest and down the mountainous region where Birds flew overhead, adding an ominous vibe to the atmosphere.
With the sun setting, he decided it would be best to find an inn for the night and continue his quest the next day. That evening, he lit a buoyant lamp from his belongings. As he lay on his bed, wearing a sturdy, long-sleeved tunic in an earth tone adorned with visible patchwork stitches across the chest, he thought about Selah back home, wondering what she was doing.
He extended his right hand toward the lamp above, his gaze drifting to the ring on his finger as he reminisced about the times spent with his wife and daughter, those were the best days of his life.
Forcing himself to sleep, he was interrupted by a drunk passerby from a nearby tavern, whose raucous noise kept him awake. Frustrated, he decided to open the window and had a few confrontations with the man before the drunkard finally stumbled away.
Clause: Yeah, just like that! Go make noise somewhere else!
Drunkard: Idiot!
Clause: Nobody calls me that except my daughter, you idiot!
Drunkard: Idiot!
Clause: Idiot!
The next day, Clause, sporting dark circles under his eyes, approached the inn's receptionist and paid for his room and meals using two gemstones and a shimmering feather.
He continued his journey into the forest when he suddenly stumbled upon an old man wearing a worn-out garb. The man turned to him and asked which direction he was headed.
Old-man: You're not planning to go into that forest alone, are you?
Clause halted, curious to hear what the old man had to say.
Old-man: You see, I only come here to pick up rare plants, but I don't go far beyond that rock over there. That's where the Ancient Beast Avilara resides. It's an illusion beast notorious for killing and eating any passerby without exception.
Heeding the old man's warning, Clause tightened his belt and drew his sword, preparing for any unwanted trouble that might lie ahead on the path.
Passing through the landmark, heavy winds greeted him, carrying an ominous aura that seeped from the path ahead, but with courage, he swallowed hard and resisted the urge to turn back.
After a few minutes of walking, he came across a pack of canine beasts with sleek, grey fur and long, flowing proboscises tipped with dark hair. Their sharp, dark claws, green-shaded eyes surrounded him, perceiving him as prey. Each beast had a muscular build, with elongated snouts that curled into menacing snarls, revealing rows of razor-sharp teeth. The pack moved with a coordinated grace, their dark manes rippling like shadow.
Clause brandished his sword, anticipating an attack when suddenly, a strike came from behind him. As a renowned knight in his prime, he deftly parried the blow, his reflexes honed by years of training. He countered with precision, dispatching several foes with swift strikes, leaving a few injured and others dead. The remaining beasts, realizing they were outmatched, turned and fled, their tails curled in submission as they retreated into the shadows of the forest.
After a few more encounters, Clause paused to catch his breath. Suddenly, the beeping sound from his detection device grew more pronounced, indicating he was close to his target. As he pulled it from his pocket, a pair of glowing eyes materialized behind him, letting out a chilling sound that made him feel dizzy.
As he drifted into unconsciousness, he dreamed of his wife, radiant in her usual red dress, her beautiful hair adorned with flowers. They were in a picturesque flower field, surrounded by vibrant blooms, and it was the most wonderful dream he could imagine.
When he woke up, he found himself on top of a tree inside a giant nest with four eggs, each adorned with a few dark spots across their shells, about to hatch. He scrambled to draw his sword, but it was nowhere to be found, along with his other belongings. Panicking, he placed his hands on his head and ran in circles, desperately thinking of a way to escape this perilous situation.
Fortunately, he spotted a vine hanging down from the branches. He tied a few knots just in time before the first egg hatched, revealing a small, vibrant creature. The bird had soft, dark feathers sprinkled across its green skin, and its circular eyes glowed a striking red swell beneath thick lashes. With razor-sharp claws, it chirped eagerly, its beak opening wide as if ready to call for help or food.
He laid down the knot, but the small bird noticed it and started to tug on it. As he tried to fend off the chick, its mother swooped in, flying toward them with dark feathers that were as sharp as blades. Her wings had jagged edges, with red patches resembling blood on the feathers. The mother was a gigantic creature, looming over them with razor-sharp claws ready to defend her young.
As he hurriedly tried to climb down, the chick managed to untie the knot, causing him to plummet several meters to the ground. He swore as he hit the earth with a thud.
Clause: Curse you, you pesky little bird!
Hitting the ground, he miraculously landed on a soft surface. He immediately knelt and thanked Aldis for this miracle. However, as he sang his song of praise, the head of a horned bear loomed over him, realizing that he had landed on its body.
Clause: I take it baaaack! Gyah! Leave me alone!
Catching a brief break, he realized he was lost in the dense forest, his garb torn from the recent attack. But, as the goddess of fortune smiled upon him, he suddenly heard voices. Following the sound, he spotted a caravan filled with several suspicious-looking individuals. Crouching below the cliff, he noticed a few stolen goods behind one of the carriages, including his belongings.
He snapped his fingers in anticipation, then scratched his chin, plotting his scheme to reclaim his belongings. That night, he carefully observed each bandit, taking them down one by one. Grabbing his sword, he stepped atop the pile of unconscious bodies and raised his weapon against the moon, laughing triumphantly.
But when he checked his bag for the detection device, it was nowhere to be found. Frustrated, he grabbed one of the bandits and slapped him several times, trying to wake him for interrogation. However, the bandit was in such a deep sleep that even violently shaking him wouldn't budge him.
Clause: Whaaa, I should've stayed home!
Another day passed, and he still couldn't find his device. With his malnourished appearance, lifeless eyes, and unsteady gait, paired with his torn clothing, those he passed by thought he was either homeless or a wandering hermit, then he thought to himself.
Boy: Look mother…
Woman: Don't look, he might be carrying a curse!
Clause: Spot on!
That night, while he set up a fire in his makeshift camp, he basked in its warmth as the cold wind blew around him. He shivered, feeling homesick, as snot dripped from his nose.
As he was about to take a sip of his warm meal, he heard a familiar sound. He looked around at the dense thicket surrounding him. Feeling a sense of unease, he stood up from the stump he was sitting on and began to investigate. Deciding to search for any signs of his lost device, he moved cautiously through the undergrowth. But as he pushed past the branches, a sudden flash of light met his eyes. Startled, he shielded his face with his arm. When he lowered it, a vast field of flowers stretched out before him, welcoming him with its gentle beauty.
His eyes widened as he ran through the colorful field, trying to convince himself it wasn't real. But the sensation of the wind brushing against his skin, the fragrant smells, and the unmistakable feeling from years ago came rushing back. Then, he heard a familiar laugh. He froze, then sprinted toward a hill covered in flowers. Reaching the top, he stopped, even more surprised to see his wife sitting there, weaving a flower crown. She called out to him, and, driven by instinct, he sat beside her, listening to her sweet voice. It felt like an eternity had passed since he last heard it, and now, he sat quietly, basking in her presence.
A sharp sensation pierced his heart as he leaned forward to accept the flowers. Moments passed, and still, he hadn't uttered a word. Finally, he reached out and grasped his wife's hand, startling her. With tears welling in his eyes, he whispered softly.
Clause: Don't worry, Fel, I'll find you. I'll bring you back home.
To break free from the spell, he forced his eyes shut despite his longing. The agony was almost too much to bear, but he knew he had to steel himself to escape this illusion.
When his consciousness finally returned, he found himself in a dire predicament, inside a what looks like a cave, cradled by a monstrous creature with ten dark, elongated arms and six glaring eyes. Its hulking form filled nearly the entire space. Even more horrifying, the face of an old man he saw earlier bulged grotesquely from its throat, staring blankly at him, alongside the faces of other unfortunate souls it had claimed. Tendrils wrapped tightly around him, with some piercing his skin even one lodged painfully behind his ear.
He tried to struggle and break free, but his waning strength betrayed him. As the monster opened its mouth along its body, a grotesque mass of red, swollen lumps and half-formed features was revealed. As the monster pushed him closer to its gaping mouth, he managed to free his right hand from the tendrils. Focusing intently, he channeled red energy into his index finger, sharpening it with enough concentration to cut through his binds.
As he fled the cave, an explosion erupted from within. Even more terrifying, the cave was just a small part of the grotesque mass. The entire mountain behind it revealed a giant monstrosity with countless tendrils and a form that nearly enveloped the entire forest. Struggling to run as fast as he could, he felt the soil beneath him shift, forming grotesque figures made of mud and filth, reaching out to grab his legs. He screamed, sprinting as far as he could.
As he spotted a light in the distance, a sense of relief washed over him. But as he drew closer, his expression shifted in horror. The village was nowhere to be found. Instead, he faced a swamp teeming with giant fireflies, the putrid smell a stark contrast to the fragrant flower field he had experienced earlier. In the eerie glow, the swamp's murky waters formed the shape of an old woman, which then morphed into a young woman resembling his wife. Her decaying body stood in the center of the swamp, beckoning him to come closer.
With the monster flooding the forest behind him, he found himself ensnared in an inescapable trap. The cries of tormented souls echoed around him as grotesque figures, remnants of humanity, crawled slowly toward him. Having been drained of his strength, he struggled to muster the courage to address the creature before him, fearing it might be his last words.
Clause: Are you an Erbecean, or just another phony pretending to be one?
The monster simply stared at him, its eyes shifting from almost human to a dark, terrifying gaze that seemed to take a keen interest in him. As the grotesque figures closed in, one swiftly grabbed his lower body, cutting off any chance of escape. Just as he was about to give up, the thought of his daughter surged through his mind.
Then he heard it again a familiar beeping sound coming from nearby. As he thought and looked closely, he realized that the swamp was not only filled with the bones of the dead but also with objects the monster could not digest. A fire ignited in his eyes as energy surged within him.
Clause: I will see my daughter again and bring back my wife! Aaaaargh!
Swelling energy enveloped him as he conjured a sword from the last remnants of his strength, mixing it with his lifeforce. He knew this would take a tremendous toll on his body even risk his life, but he thought, to himself that it's now or never. With a fierce scream of courage, he sliced through the monster pinning him down and then slashed vertically at the creature before him. He dashed toward his detection device, and when he finally reached it, he raised his hand, letting out a triumphant cry.
Underestimating the swamp's viscosity and thickness, he soon found himself struggling against its sticky grasp, which pulled him deeper into its depths. His expression shifted from joy to distress as the swamp slowly dragged him down toward his demise.
Clause: Aghh helrrrrp!
Just as he felt he was about to suffocate, a figure emerged, pulling him out of the swamp. It was the silhouette of a young man. As he scanned his surroundings, he saw the sky illuminated by curtains of green light that danced above, searing through the monster upon contact. More terrifyingly, the creature's regenerative ability seemed to falter. The screams of the monster echoed through the forest, illuminating the area with a haunting mix of salvation and impending doom. The sight terrified him, and just as he lost consciousness, he clutched the device tightly, refusing to let go.
Waking up, he found himself in a brightly lit room, lying on bedding as soft as air. As he looked around, he realized he was surrounded by walls and feared he must have died. Suddenly, the wall before him opened, revealing a young man in a white lab coat with pitch-black hair. Surprise and terror washed over his face.
Clause: Wh… where did you come from? The wall just, it disappeared! Is this afterlife?
The young man introduced himself as Soren, bringing him a bowl of hot food. Without hesitation, he gobbled it down, driven by intense hunger. Streams of tears flowed from his eyes as he savored the taste, which was unlike anything he had experienced before. Ignoring the burnt sensation on his tongue, he suddenly realized just how hot the meal truly was let out scream.
Clause: Hot hot hot!
Soren laughed at the behavior of his unusual visitor and handed him a glass of water. As he curiously glanced at the container, which bore an unusual shape, he simmered down with the cold drink and noted that it tasted different.
Soren: It's distilled water.
Clause: This tilt?
After Clause finished his meal, he stood up from his bed and noticed he was wearing an unusual set of white clothes. As he followed Soren, he couldn't help but be amazed by the white hall, which was adorned with strange letters and objects whose purposes he struggled to describe.
Reaching the end of the hall, he saw a chamber filled with devices surrounded by buttons flashing in various colors, their screens displaying images of the vastness of the forest earlier. Overwhelmed, he stumbled and fell, suddenly reminded of the pain he had felt earlier while eating. Realizing he was still alive, he checked his arms and stood up, asking Soren to punch him as proof. Soren refused, warning that he would turn into atoms if he did.
Soren: After I woke up, I still found it hard to control my strength.
Noticed slight difference with his accent he couldn't help but wonder and asked.
Clause: Are you from foreign lands beyond Zyrencia?
Soren: Actually, I'm from a time several millennia ago, hehe.
This revelation made Clause's world spin, making him feel as though he were dreaming. However, as he looked more closely at Soren's features, he noticed that he wore an unusual attire not from their age. A neatly pressed white lab coat over a light blue button-up shirt. His pitch-black hair was slightly tousled, and a few pens were tucked into his lab coat pocket.
Then it reminded him of his detection device. Soren took it, lying on a pedestal with a few wires attached to it, and showed it to him. Clause was surprised to see the improvements made, the old screen was gone, replaced by an orb that displayed a wider range, held by a circular, rotatable attachment, and equipped with a handle that offered a better grip. He interpreted it as a work of art. He invites him to another room, where they sat together in a lounge. At the center of the table, a hologram displayed the glimpse of the forgotten time, the way of living, the customs, and the people, staring back through time. Clause relished every moment, and Soren told him everything he wanted to know about the age of human advancement and its downfall.
Clause's eyes widened in terror at the sight of fearsome monsters right before him. His body trembles as he couldn't help but ask.
Clause: Are those monsters still alive in this time?
Soren shook his head and showed him a cube, explaining that he had obtained it from the monster earlier. He then revealed that a group of people was trying to summon these anomalies in the present time. The hologram in front of him displayed several red marks, mapping each cube scattered around the world, emphasizing the gravity of the situation.
Soren: I have been observing from these monitors for few months now, I pinpointed the locations of the space distortions across this continent, and they are appearing at an alarming rate. My scanners have picked up that the nearest one is located in country called Cardal'tha.
Hearing this, Clause wondered if it might be connected to his wife's demise, thinking it was no mere coincidence but rather an intentional act by some organization, as Soren claimed.
Soren then opened his laptop and searched the database for the exact date and time of the accident involving Clause's wife, finding a precise match with the energy signatures emitted by the cube. Tears began to form in Clause's eyes as he clutched his face, thinking that there was still hope and that the organization responsible for all of this would suffer the consequences.
Soren brought him on the lower level of the laboratory, the "Materializer "segment, where he showed him an empty tube, then he commanded an unseen servant.
Soren: Vitus, Lab coat Chest 112 - 117 cm, Waist 97 - 102 cm.
With just a word, a confirmation echoed, "Understood, lab coat size: Chest 112 - 117 cm, Waist 97 - 102 cm." Then, out of thin air, a lab coat materialized in front of them. Clause's jaw dropped as Soren reached into the pocket beneath the tube and handed it to him, a gesture of his cooperation. At first hesitant, Clause eventually took the lab coat as Soren extended his hand for a handshake. Confused, he still grasped Soren's hand. With a command to Vitus, the entire lab folded in and compressed into an azure earring. As they emerged to the surface, Soren bid farewell to Clause on his journey west, promising they would meet again. Clause waved good bye, with his detection device in hand, Clause set off to reunite with his daughter, prancing with excitement, he stumbled upon the same drunkard along the way, looking funny, calls him an idiot.