The world was already lost.
There were no armies left, no voices calling out, no banners, no light, no hope clinging to the edges of the battlefield.
In the flames of destruction, the creatures have slaughter everything in its path. Only oceans of blood filled in the once known Land of Grace.
Aethen stepped forward, "Stay close."
A massive creature lunged, it's body snapping forward with an immense speed, claws tearing through the air. Aethen blocked with his hands, then jumped backwards. He lifted his hand, forcing the space before him into collapsing inward, crushing the beast mid-motion.
But the second later, the beast reacted to it.
Its form gripped the collapsing space itself, slowly tearing it apart. Behind it, storms of shadow burst forth, surging toward Aethen.
A flash of blue cut across the field. "Careful, Aethen", the voice yelled. Elianea floated swiftly as a monstrous winged-creature ambushed her, releasing a dark-coloured surge of vivid energy. She dodged, and summoned a large thunder from the sky striking down at the beast. Standing unharmed, the creature suddenly translocate Elianea to in front of it. It burst out dozens of greyish thorns piercing her. Without giving a break, the creature dragged her along with its claws, before impeling her, hitting the ground.
"Elianea!"
Valenor leapt upward, slamming his foot against the air as radiant light gathered into a massive blade above him. With a yell, he brought it down instantly. But the creature suddenly dissipated into mist. From the mist, another creature emerged. With a massive force, it spewed out a humongous, reddish wave attack, firing Valenor until he ended up crashing to the floor.
"They're too powerful," he coughed, forcing himself up. "There's no end to them..."
Aethen turned, eyes burning with resolve.
"we're out of time, Elianea."
Even with their last strength, they stood perfectly still.
"There's no coming back"
Valenor stepped forward with his whole body wounded, yet steady.
"Then, we'll face the end together"
Thunder crashed. Blood sizzled on the sacred ground. Aethen flipped his hand and casted out a tsunami of vortex. But no matter what he did, the creatures healed more and more each time.
They stared at each other.
"This is our only option," Elianea breathed heavily.
Aethen and Valenor stared at Elianea as her blood pouring across her body.
Aethen nodded slowly.
"Then... let's seal them off for good"
Slowly, each of them covered themselves in blinding lights. Wings growing from their spines, bringing strong gale around themselves.
Aethen reached his right hand to the sky, then struck his foot into the ground.
Briefly, thin, luminescent lines spread beneath them, carving across the battlefield.
Time froze. The creatures halted, suspended between moments.
With her power, Elianea raised her trembling hands as the ocean of blood responded, rising and forming a vast barrier, enclosing everything, binding them together with the creatures.
"Argh," Aethen staggered as the strain tore through him.
Valenor lifted his arm, forcing the sky itself to bend, dragging everything downward with crushing force.
"Do it now, Aethen!" Elianea yelled, and Valenor nodded to him.
Aethen looked at them both for the very last time, then took a deep, heavy breath.
"Hah..." he breathed out slowly.
"Sigillum Aethernum"
Suddenly, the dark clouds vanished in a single millisecond. An astounding light rained upon the battlefield.
Slowly, countless points of heavenly light appeared high above, radiant fissures opening in the sky. From each one, brilliance poured downward in slow streams, growing brighter and more overwhelming with each passing second.
Elianea closed her eyes as a single tear fell from her eyes.
"See you in another life, my friends..."
Then...
Their traces, and the creatures' are never to be heard again.
Chapter I : Monsters
...
Silence remained
Footsteps echoed
Soft and hollow
Once upon a time, there was a figure walking across an endless expanse of white. No sky, no ground, no horizon.
...
Emptiness stretched beyond perception.
...
"Ethan!"
...
He walked without knowing why.
...
There was no wind, no sound, only the faint echo of his own movement, repeating into nothing.
...
Do you know who you are?
Do you believe you know who you are?
...
"Who goes there?" He asked.
...
No answer.
...
Do you remember?
...
"Ethan!"
...
"Remember what?"
...
Silence.
...
...
Try...
...
...to remember.
"Ethan!"
The world suddenly broke.
The white space collapsed instantly, replaced by fluorescent lights and the dull murmur of a... classroom?
A hand tapped his shoulder. "Ethan, wake... UP!"
He blinked rapidly, eyes still blurried. He looked at the hand that tapped him, then stare at her face.
"...Tia?"
"God, do you know how long I've tried to wake you up?" She complained with a high-pitched, obviously annoyed voice.
Alitia was Ethan's sister who happened to be a year older than him.
Ethan tossed her hand, then hit his head to the desk. "Just.. five minutes."
Tia stood with arms crossed. Looking at the clock on the wall. "Five... FIVE MINUTES?" she yelled. "WHO DO YOU THINK I AM? DO YOU KNOW WHAT TIME THIS IS??"
She took his hand forcefully and dragged him up. "Wait! I haven't packed my stuff."
After exiting the school, they began making their way home. Expectedly, Ethan was still sleepy. "You're unbelievable," Tia shook he head and gasped.
She took his hand and pulled him towards the middle of the half-broken road. "You'll end up on the ditch, you stupid kid."
Some moments later, they went to visit the market. Voices filled the air the moment they arrived, vendors calling out prices and the clatter of metal. "Let's stay for a while," Tia said, already checking the stalls. "I'mma buy some fish."
"Yea, sure," He said.
Ethan, too, went to walk around the market. Fruits, fishes, some spices. Straw roof covering the stalls.
Some people were offering prices. He checked out a fruit stall. The owner was busy accepting customers, they wiped their hands on the apron. One of them looked at Ethan. "Lookin' for something?" Ethan smiled and shook his head. The man nodded and continued serving his buyers.
Ethan continued wandering.
Just then, a sudden noise broke through the usual noise you'd expect in a market. Curious, Ethan walked towards the source of the noise.
A small crowd had begun to form near one of the stalls. But they were keeping their distance. Mostly watching.
"I said move!" a man's voice, sharp and irritated.
Wood hitting the ground. Ethan tilted his head slightly with his gaze sharpening a little.
Three figures stood near a half collapsed stall.
Some crates were overturned. Fish scattered all across the wet floor. The vendor struggled to stand, his hands were trembling as he tried to gather what was left. One of the men kicked a basket aside. "Worthless," he muttered. In the other side, people around them said nothing, no one stepped in, they were only watching the incident.
But then, someone came. "Oi!" cut a man's voice. "What did that guy did to you? Huh?" He stepped in with his tightened face. The men laughed and stepped towards the man. Big muscular body, perfect sized of a trouble-maker.
"This stall owner is a thief." one of the men said in a loud voice. "His child stole our fruits"
Continued, he pointed at the other two behind him. "They saw it. We're just asking for compensation from what he did." The vendor bowed his head repeatedly, hands trembling. "I'm sorry, I'll repay it, just... please"
But the men didn't listen. One of them kicked a broken crate aside.
"You've destroyed his stall, now you're asking for money?", the man who stepped in sounded. He moved closer and towered slightly. The muscular man turned and stared at him. "What's it to you, old man? You want to end up like him too, eh?", he threatened.
The man who stepped in replied, "this is not the way, man", he glanced at the ruined stall, "not like this."
The muscular man looked back at his friends, shaking his head. "Listen to this guy" He cracked his knuckles slowly.
"Talking about 'the right way' in a place like this."
Suddenly, the big man swung a fist towards the man. Instinctively, he walked backwards, dodging it though unsteady. Strangely, the crowd could only watched as the event unfold, none dared to help. The big man raised his fist once more, ready for the second strike. However, just a second quicker, someone came in.
"Hey!"
Ethan yelled sharply, then exhaled softly.
The big man turned. "What now?"
Ethan stood there with his shoulders slightly slouched. "that IS enough," he said.
The man paused for a second, looking at his two other buddy. Then proceed with a slight laugh. "Kid, get lost." Not bothering Ethan, he tightened his fist. This time, Ethan got his self into action.
"Cih."
With some momentum, the big man's hand flew from behind aiming straight to the man who stepped up. However, suddenly Ethan stepped in and held his fist, staring deadlock into his eyes.
The crowd went still. Even the big man's friends froze. Ethan's gaze lifted, "I've told you," he said quietly "that is enough."
With anger, the man swung his other fist towards Ethan horizontally. Ethan pushed the big man's hand which he was holding, then moved backwards slightly. Then, another strike. Ethan shifted, letting it pass just inches from his face.
The man's breathing grew heavier. "Stay still, damn it!" He lunged again. His fist tore through the air, aiming straight for Ethan's face.
Ethan tilted his head again, the punch missed. Another. And another. Each one always faster than the last. Enough to trigger anger from the big man. And each time, Ethan moved just enough, one step back, a slight turn, or a shift of his shoulder. No wasted motion and panic. It was almost effortless.
"Why you—!" The man roared and charged forward, grabbing Ethan by the collar and swinging his fist down. This time, Ethan didn't dodge. Expecting Ethan to collapse, the big man smiled. But no, Ethan caught the attack, leaving only a dull impact.
Ethan smiled, then out of nowhere, casted out a spell. Ethan summoned a bright looking bamboo stick right on his hand.
"Well, my turn."
With a sudden force, Ethan pushed him back far enough along the street, resulting with the big man stumbling, nearly losing his balance before regaining footing.
The crowd suddenly went wild. Surprised by how the big muscular man was outpowered by a young boy. Even less, about the magical occurrence of the shiny bamboo.
"A mage?" The crowd talked about him.
The big man was growing even more annoyed. His hands were clenched tightly, adrenalines flowing profusely.
His pride snapped out of his skin. "YOU THINK YOU'RE STRONG?!" He turned sharply. "Oi! What are you idiots doing?! Get him!" The other two rushed in. One from the left and one from behind.
Ethan exhaled. "Seriously?" The first attacker swung. Ethan stepped forward instead of back, slipping past the strike and driving his elbow straight into the man's ribs.
He dropped instantly. The second grabbed Ethan from behind. But before he could tighten his grip, Ethan waved the stick hitting right to his feet. The man was thrown over and slammed onto the ground.
Ethan stood still with the bamboo stick resting lightly in his hand. His expression was calm, almost bored. "Anyone else?" he muttered. The two men on the ground groaned, struggling to get up. The leader clenched his teeth, glaring at Ethan. His pride still burned, but hesitation got into him.
"Tch."
The man pulled his two friends up. "This isn't over, just you see, kid." With a spit, those mess-maker flee. "Move it!" They said as they pushed through the crowd and disappeared.
The crowd slowly began to move again, whispers spreading, eyes lingering on Ethan. Ethan then exhaled again. The stick in his hand flickered, then disappeared.
The crowd went silent for a moment, until eventually the vendor praised Ethan. He thanked him truly. "Thank you, young man. If only you had not come, my stall would've been of no more." Ethan smiled softly, and the next second, he began walking away like nothing happened.
"Those monsters." He muttered.
Ethan continued venturing shortly after with his hands crossing behind his head.
Just a few minutes forward, he saw Tia walking between the crowd.
"Hey, Tia." Ethan yelled and waved his hand. Tia looked around before seeing Ethan. "You're... finally fully awake?" She joked.
Ethan rolled his eyes, "you'd expect me to sleep walk, huh?" Tia laughed to it, then took Ethan's hand. "Let's quickly head home then, mom and dad must've been waiting at the front door, haha." But a moment after, Tia realized how warm Ethan's hand was. She directly put her hand on his forehead. "Ethan, are you fine?" Ethan looked at her and nodded slightly. Tia paused for a while, then took Ethan's hand, and began walking again. "Doesn't seem fine to me."
On their way to their house, she invited him to chat. "When did you sleep last night, Ethan?" she asked with a joyful tune. he raised his head a bit to think, "I think it was around 11 or 12. I couldn't get myself to sleep." she nodded a bit, "Was it because of your school project?" He smiled after hearing it, then responded, "Well, maybe. Writing essay is damn hard." Tia laughed, "You? Working hard? That's a rare sight." Ethan rolled his eyes.
They continued walking side by side, passing rows of small houses and narrow dirt paths. Not long after, the afternoon sun hung low above them.
A few moments later, Tia glanced at him again.
"..Ethan?"
"Hm?"
"You look awful."
"What do you mean?"
Tia frowned. "You look pale." Ethan shrugged, "I'm just tired." "No, I mean really pale."
He was about to answer, but a slight dizziness washed over him. His steps slowed down, and Tia immediately noticed.
"Ethan?"
"I'm fine."
She placed a hand on his forehead. "You're burning up." Ethan responded, "Huh?"
"You have a fever, idiot!"
Ethan blinked. Now that she mentioned it, his body did feel strangely heavy. "Maybe it's nothing."
"Nah, we're going home faster." Before he could argue, Tia grabbed his wrist and practically dragged him down the road. "Hey, slow down." "Not happening."
They hurried the rest of their way home.
The moment they arrived, their mother and father were already waiting at the front door.
"There you are," their mother said.
Their father looked up from the porch, "Why is he so pale?"
"He has a fever," Tia answered immediately.
Their mother walked over and touched Ethan's forehead.
"Oh dear."
Within minutes, Ethan found himself already sitting on the couch while his parents fussed over him. "Drink this." "Did you eat properly today?" "How long have you been feeling sick?" The questions came one after another. "Guys, let's just let him rest." Tia said. "I'm fine," Ethan mumbled. "No, you're not." all three answered almost simultaneously. That earned a weak laugh from him.
Eventually, his mother brought a wet cloth and placed it across his forehead while Tia sat nearby with folded arms. "You scared me, you know." Ethan smiled to respond to it. His father shook his head with a smile. "Get some rest." Ethan nodded.
Not long after, they guided him to his room. He dropped onto the bed without protest. His mother adjusted the blanket, then walked out the room.
Tia lingered near the doorway, "Feel better, okay?"
Ethan managed a small nod. Then the door closed gently behind her.
Outside, evening slowly settled over the village. Ethan stared at the ceiling for a few moments until his eyelids grew heavier. The fever and exhaustion from the day gradually pulled him into sleep.
Knock. Knock.
But it seemed someone was about to enter.
Tia slided the door open. Naturally, Ethan glanced at her.
Tia came in with a pillow and blanket in his hand, "You mind if I accompany you for the night?"
Ethan smiled instantly. "You're just afraid to sleep by yourself, aren't you?"
Tia shut the door and gasped, "You're still annoying even when you're sick." Ethan rolled back and closed his eyes.
Tia looked around, then placed her blanket to the wooden floor as a mat. Later, she laid down, and put his pillow under her head.
"You still awake, Ethan?"
"Mm."
Tia stared at the ceiling above her.
"You know, mom and dad told you to take a day's off for tomorrow."
"It's for the best. I don't wanna burden you, mom, and dad"
"Well, sorry I couldn't accompany you, presentation is tomorrow. Mom and dad will be out working too. Get well soon, alright."
Ethan nodded. "Thanks."
Then, the two of them fell asleep.
The Next Morning
"Ethan?"
Slowly, Ethan opened one eye.
Tia sat on the edge of the bed. "How're you feeling?"
Ethan thought for awhile. "Tired. My head hurts a little."
"Better than yesterday?"
"I think."
Tia nodded.
Outside, birds chirped just somewhere close by the window.
Eventually, Tia stood. "I have to leave soon." Ethan nodded, "Good luck on your presentation." A small smile appeared on her face. "Get some rest, okay?" He nodded again, "Yea." "And don't sneak out," she said. Ethan turned his head swiftly, and raised his eyebrow.
"I'm literally dying."
"You're having a fever."
"Same thing," Ethan answered in an annoying tune.
Tia laughed despite herself. She gently ruffled his hair before heading toward the door. "See you later." Ethan smiled, then the door clicked shut behind her. And before long, Ethan drifted back to sleep.
...
Ethan.
...
"Another dream?"
Another white space expand as far as his eyes could see
...
Your time is running out.
...
"time?"
...
Remember.
...
"Who are you? What is this place?"
...
Your Soul
...
"My.. soul?"
...
Find it.
Suddenly, the world shattered.
His eyes snapped open.
For a moment, he simply stared at the ceiling above him. The light is a bit dim. After a few moment, he got himself up, still holding his blanket. His body was feeling better, nothing much are bothering him. But somehow, the brightness of the room was strange. "Have I slept for too long?" He got down from his bed. "huh?" The floor was hot. From outside, he smell something burning. Ethan rushed himself outside. The door slammed open. But, no one was there. "Mom? Tia?" The smell grew stronger, almost piercing, Yet when he checked, there was nothing wrong with the kitchen. From the front door. smokes came in from its small gaps. Quickly, Ethan rushed to the door. It was locked. With his shoulder, he smashed the door open. But the next thing he saw was more terrifying than anything he could imagine.
Flames crackling, spreading across houses, painted the entire neighborhood in shades of orange and red. Thick black smoke rose into the sky, covering it like dusk.
Ethan froze. His heart pounded against his chest as he stared at the destruction before him. The street he had walked through countless times was barely recognizable. Roofs collapsed one after another, sparks flying into the air like swarms of fireflies.
"Mom!" he shouted. "Tia!" But, no answer was heard other than roar of of the fire.
Panic surged through him. He ran down the burning street, shielding his face from the intense heat. The road itself seemed to shimmer in his vision, with his every breath carried the taste of ash.
"TIA!"
Still nothing.
But then, suddenly a sound cracked.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
Ethan stopped. Slowly, he turned his head into the direction of the sound. At the far end of the smoke-covered street. Someone stood there. A person. "...Hello?" Ethan called out. The figure didn't answer. It stood perfectly still. But then, the smoke gradually dissipated, and Ethan saw a glimpse of what it is.
It's body was thin and unnaturally tall. The smoke seemed to be drifting around it. Ethan narrowed his eyes. "...Hey!" Ethan then carefully walked towards the figure. But just a second later, the sound returned.
Tap.
Ethan paused for a moment. The figure was moving.
The figure tilted its head. A little too far. Its neck bent at an angle no human should possess.
As the smoke drifted, he saw its face. His heart stopped. "...What the?" It wasn't a human.
Its entire face was covered in a thick, pitch-black surface, dark as ink. And it was smiling to him. Its smile, too wide. It was stretching from ear to ear. Its eyes were enormous. Round, unblinking, and white. They stared directly to him. The smile widened farther. "...What..." It was pure horror. Its massive eyes never left Ethan. A cold sensation crawled down his spine, but his legs were unable to run.
Then the smoke thickened again. For only a brief moment, the black face disappeared behind the veil. Ethan blinked. The smoke slowly thinned. HIs eyes widened.
But close to where the figure had been, was a child. A little boy. He couldn't have been older than six or seven. The child was seated alone in the middle of the ruined street, his clothes stained with soot. "Hmm?" Ethan took his steps forward. "Hey!" The child slowly looked up at him.
"You shouldn't be here." Ethan said, trying to keep his voice steady despite the fear still clawing at him. The boy looked at him with teary eyes. Ethan swallowed. "What's your name?"
"Talen," he answered.
"Talen, just.. come with me, okay?"
But suddenly.
CRACK.
The sound echoed like thunder. Ethan's instinct screamed. "Get down!" He lunged toward the child. BOOM. The ground exploded. The force threw Ethan across the road, while the boy was inside his arms. He crashed against the dirt and rolled several times before coming to a stop.
Pain shot through his shoulder. "Ack." Smoke and debris filled the air. Ethan checked on the boy in his arms. "Hey, you good?" The boy nodded in fear. Slowly, something emerged from within the destruction. A massive arm. Then another. Then another. Then a fourth. Ethan's breath caught in his throat.
Standing over the burning street was a creature unlike anything he had ever imagined. Four enormous arms hung from its grotesque body. Dark-grey flesh stretched over woolen muscles. Jagged bones protruded from its shoulder like broken spears. Its face resembles a human skull, split open by a mouth filled with countless uneven teeth.
Ethan's entire body went rigid. "A monster..." The creature slowly lowered its head. Its dark eyes focused on him.
"Talen, Follow this road. There, you'll come across some merchants."
The monster took a step forward.
The boy's face looked strongly terrified. "Run now!"
The boy stared at Ethan.
Slowly, Ethan kneel down and smiled at him. "Don't worry, I'll make sure this monster never get to you." The boy breathed heavily. "Now go."
Then, the boy ran, following the road ahead. Now, there was only Ethan and the monster.
His hands were trembling. Yet if he run, the monster might go after the boy. He had no choice other than to face it head-on, or at least buy some time for the boy.
Then, the monster made a move. It suddenly bend its knees. The road beneath it cracked. After, it vanished. "The heck..?"
Ethan's pupils shrank.
The four handed monster reappeared directly in front of him, one massive hand already descending toward his head. And for the first time in his life, Ethan truly believed he was about to die.
His body reacted before his thoughts could. He stumbled backward.
BOOM!
The creature's hand struck the road, cracking the stone beneath it and sending dust into the air. The force knocked Ethan off his feet. He rolled across the ground before stopping beside the remains of a small stall. "Ugh" His shoulder ached and his ears rand. Before he could recover, another arm swept toward him from below. Ethan rolled dodged to the side instinctively. The remains of the stall exploded into splinters behind him.
"What is wrong with this thing?!"
He stumbled backward and lifted his hand. A faint glow flickered around his hand. Particles of light gathered in his palm. And a moment later, Tak. A bamboo stick appeared in his hand. The monster charged. He raised the bamboo stick just as another arm descended. CRACK! The impact traveled through his entire body. Ethan slid backward across the road. "Ngh..!" His arm shook violently. The bamboo stick bent slightly. Ethan took a sharp breath. "Okay... you can do this, Ethan." The monster attacked again. Ethan sidestepped. Its hand struck empty air. He swung the bamboo stick with all his strength. WHACK! The hit landed against the creature's arm. The monster barely reacted. "You've got to be kidding me." The monster swung its second arm. Ethan jumped backward. The third followed immediately. He blocked. CRACK! This time, the bamboo stick shattered into fragments. "...Of course."
The monster didn't give him time to think. It bent its knees. Cracks spread across the road. Then, it vanished again. Ethan's eyes widened. He couldn't track it. His heart was hammering in his chest. "Left? Right?" Then he felt a rush of wind from behind. He spun around and instinctively thrust his hand forward. An iron sword materialized. CLANG! The monsters arm collided against the blade. Ethan spewed some blood from his mouth. The impact nearly ripped the weapon from Ethan's hand. He gritted his teeth. "Ngh..!" His feet dug into the road. His sword trembled, so did his arms. The monster kept pressing harder. Ethan pushed back with everything he had. Then, he twisted the blade. Its hand slid away. Ethan stumbled forward swiftly, and swung his sword. The sword traced through the air in a curve.
The monster looked down at its arm. A shallow mark stretched across his dark-grey flesh. While breathing heavily, a nervous smile appeared on Ethan's face. "Guess you're not invincible after all." The creature slowly lifted its head. The countless teeth within its mouth became visible. Then, the air around him shifted. The flames nearby bent toward the creature. The pressure in the atmosphere grew heavier. Ethan's smile faded. "...I said that way too early, didn't I?" The monster disappeared. "No no, not again." Ethan tightened his grip on the sword. He couldn't see it and couldn't hear it. But his instinct reacted. He raised the blade. CLANG! A deafening impact erupted. Ethan spewed more blood, and the sword barely held. Another arm came from the side. Ethan ducked. A third descended from above. He rolled away. A fourth struck the ground. BOOM! The road burst apart beneath him, scattered like rocks flying into the sky. Ethan took this opportunity and kicked one of them towards the monster. Perfect shot, Ethan hit it directly onto its face. The monster shook its head. Then began chasing Ethan again. "Dang" Ethan ran away from it while kept kicking the rocks.
But then, when he turned to kick another rock, the four-handed monster disappeared. His blood ran cold. Realizing that the whole ground is covered with shadow. He looked up to see the monster directly overhead with his four arms raised. There's no time to dodge. He quickly blocked himself with the sword. CLANG! The monster clashed into his sword, meeting face to face directly with Ethan. The force went through his whole body, shaking it apart with an immense energy. Ethan was blown far away until he hit a collapsed house.
He spewed more blood. His whole body was wounded. His hands were trembling, so did his legs. Ethan attempted to control his breath. Breathe in and out, slowly, to reduce the pain his body was accepting.
TBA..