"Huff... Huff..."
Upon opening my eyes, the weight of my own breathing was the first thing I noticed.
My chest rose and fell with a slow, labored rhythm, each inhale and exhale a deliberate, haggard gasp.
The air moved in and out of my lungs with a soft, wheezing sound, like the creaking of old wooden floorboards.
My breaths were shallow, but spaced out, as if my body was trying to conserve energy.
But as I lay there, still wrapped in the warmth of my bed, I felt a change within me.
The memories of Eden's life still lingered, a bitter taste in my mouth.
I had witnessed a fraction of his experiences, and it wasn't a pleasant sight.
The pain and anguish he had endured still resonated within me, like the faint hum of a mournful melody.
As I looked down, I noticed the tear drops falling onto my chest.
They were small, transparent, and glistening, like tiny diamonds scattered across my skin.
I hadn't even realized I was crying, but the evidence was there, a testament to the emotions that still lingered within me.
Everything I felt was real, even though those weren't my memories.
The pain of losing a loved one, the bitterness of being left alone – it was all still there, simmering just below the surface.
Eden's mother, the woman who had sacrificed herself for him, was now a part of me, a memory that I would carry with me forever.
I thought about the mess Eden had made, the relationships he had damaged, and the pain he had caused.
There was a lot of cleanup to do, and it started with seeing my sister.
I imagined her face, her smile, and her warm eyes. I hoped she would be able to forgive me, to understand the circumstances that had led me to this point.
Just as I was about to swing my legs over the side of the bed, a ding sound echoed in my head.
It was a soft, melodic chime, like the gentle ringing of a tiny bell.
A system notification followed, a voice that was both familiar and yet, utterly alien.
_System Notification_
Synchronization of memories: 35%
You have gained a new passive skill: "A Noble's Grace"
_A Noble's Grace_
In the twilight realm, where shadows writhe like living darkness, and death's icy breath whispers secrets in the ear, the user's soul remains unshaken.
Like a mausoleum standing tall amidst a tempest, their heart beats with an unyielding resolve.
Even as the cold kiss of mortality grazes their skin, they shall show no fear, their spirit unbroken, their will unshaken.
For in the presence of the abyss, they have beheld the beauty of the void, and have emerged, transformed, their essence forged in the crucible of the unknown.
And then, there was the attribute.
_Dexterity_
Like a moonlit night, where shadows come alive and the wind whispers secrets, the user's body moves with precision and agility.
Dexterity increases accuracy in archery, quick mobility, and reflexes, allowing the user to navigate complex situations with ease.
It is a whispered promise of freedom, a key to unlock the chains that bind.
Status Screen
Name: Eden Prairie/ Mack Thorne (Synchronising) 35%
Level: 2
Age: 17
Race: Human
HP (Health Points): 300/300
MP (Mana Points): 753/800
Charm: 23% (+10% persuasion chance, +5% NPC favorability)
Luck: -20% (you're fucked)
Class: None
Bloodline: Eyes of Horus (Level 1)
Effects:
- Gain a 2-second glimpse of the immediate future, revealing:
- Shadows of impending doom, foreshadowing imminent threats
- Echoes of forgotten memories, hinting at secrets yet unknown
- Whispers of forsaken souls, warning of dangers lurking in the abyss
- Glimpses of shattered timelines, revealing the devastating consequences of failure
- Teleportation: "Beyond the Veil of Reality" - Instantly transport yourself up to 60 meters, leaving behind a trail of distorted reality.
Attributes:
- Strength: 12 (+2 melee damage)
- Agility: 15 (+3 dodge chance, +2 movement speed)
- Intelligence: 10 (+1 spellcasting ability)
- Wisdom: 14 (+2 perception, +1 insight)
• Dexterity: 17 (+6 accuracy, +9 mobility)
Skills:
- Acrobatics: Lv1 (expertise in tumbling, flipping, and dodging)
- Persuasion: Lv1 (charisma and negotiation skills)
- Arcana: Lv2 (basic knowledge of magic and spellcasting)
- Shadow Weaving: Lv1 (ability to manipulate shadows for stealth, deception, and movement) (MP Cost: 500)
- Death's Door: (ability to cheat death, but at a terrible cost) (MP Cost: 10,000)
• Noble's Grace:[Passive] ( clear minded even when faced with death)
Equipment:
- Worn: Dark pants, dark hoodie (basic clothing, no special abilities)
- Inventory: None
Currency: 500 Aether Coins (AC)
Quests:
- Current: None
- Completed: "Awakening in Eternal Realms" (intro quest)
As I read through my new skills, I couldn't help but wonder why the system always gave freaky, weird descriptions.
Couldn't it just give it a simple explanation without sounding like a poet for once?
Echo's voice then chimed in,
{It makes things interesting}.
I rolled my eyes, "You're crazy, Echo, crazy."
She just laughed, and I could almost hear the maniacal gleam in her voice.
Well, aside from the new skill and attribute, my stats were practically the same.
"What's the time?" I asked.
{2:23 am}.
Oh, so it was midnight already.
I had no idea, cause my room was literally shining.
All the lights were on, but let me get something straight – they weren't light bulbs, but mana stones. Yes, mana stones.
They're just one of the many things about the world of Eternal Realms that I hadn't talked about yet.
Maybe next time.
{Can I ask a question?}
Echo suddenly asked, and I raised an eyebrow, intrigued.
"When did you become this polite?" I asked pretending to be shocked by her words.
Echo chuckled,
{Why do you always go in to monologues, who are you even explaining all these things to?}
"The readers, of course," I replied, feeling like it was an obvious answer.
{What readers?} she asked, and I grinned mischievously.
"The idi... I mean, the nice-looking lads staring at their screens right now," I said, trying to stifle a laugh.
Echo burst out laughing like I finally lost it, and I could almost imagine her shaking her head at me.
{And you called me crazy} she said, still chuckling. I shrugged, not minding her jab. I was used to her teasing by now.
I stood up, stretching my arms over my head, and yawned.
"I don't know if my sister's awake right now, but I gotta see her," I said, feeling a mix of nervousness.
"I really want to apologize for being a crappy sibling."
I walked out of my room only to stop, realising I had no idea where my sister's room was.
I couldn't exactly go knocking on every door, considering there were over 30 doors in the hallway. What were they even for?
"Echo," I called out, hoping for some guidance.
{Your sister's room is located at the right end on the second floor, near the grand chandelier and the awkwardly-placed potted plant that seems to be perpetually wilting.}
Echo's voice chimed in, providing me with the much-needed directions that sounded a bit too accurate.
"Hm that was kinda creepy you know, too accurate," I said as I moved forward, Echo just shrugged, well that was what I thought she did in my mind, as I followed her directions.
Twenty minutes later
I found myself panting heavily as I sat beside the door to my sister's room.
I had been climbing stairs for what felt like an eternity. 'Who the fuck puts so many stairs on a single floor?' I complained, my legs aching from the exertion.
{It's only been 20 minutes to be precise}
"Shut up," I muttered, still trying to catch my breath.
"Why couldn't they have some kind of magical contraption that just drops you directly on the floor you're going to?" I asked, feeling frustrated.
{You mean an elevator?}
"Seriously, when you say it like that, it looks like I don't even know what an elevator is," I retorted, feeling like I'd been played.
"But yes, something like an elevator."
{They're elevators all over the building}, Echo dropped the bombshell, her words shattering my composure like a dropped vase on a tile floor.
'What!? Why didn't you say so? I demanded, feeling a rage boiling inside me like a witch's cauldron.'
{You never asked} She replied, her tone laced with a hint of mocking victory.
"God!!" I exclaimed, my anger reaching a boiling point.
Just as I was about to unleash a verbal tirade, the door beside me creaked open, and a face that was eerily similar to mine came into view.
White hair that cascaded down her back like a river of moonlight, with delicate silver locks framing her heart-shaped face as a figure with my exact same face but with a touch of feminine stared at me with a look of surprise.
{You came knocking on her room door in the middle of the night, who wouldn't be surprised by that sudden intrusion}
Echo's systematic voice chimed in, infuriating me more.
'Shut up, besides I haven't even knocked yet,' I retorted, feeling like I was trapped in a never-ending nightmare with her sarcastic commentary.
{You were about to, so it's still the same thing. Or were you planning to sit down like that till morning? That's even more creepy}
Echo's voice dripped with amusement, making me feel like a stalker.
'Seriously!! Are you even just a system or some demonic entity someone just put in my head to drive me crazy?'
I asked, throwing my hands up in exasperation.
'Do you have a Ph.D. in sass and annoyance?'
"Are you okay?" My sister asked, concern etched on her face as she took in the sight of me sitting at her room door in the middle of the night.
{See, I told you} Echo chimed in immediately, her voice like a mosquito buzzing in my ear.
'For the love of all things sane, shut up! I replied mentally.
"I'm fine" I replied as I stood up, feeling a mix of emotions swirling inside me.
"Just wanted to talk to you, but now I think it wasn't nice coming by this time."
And for some reason I didn't know of, Echo didn't attack me this time, which was a welcome respite from her usual sarcastic commentary.
"No, it's okay, you're always welcome here any time any day," my sister replied, her voice filled with warmth and surprise.
"You can come in," she said, opening her door wider.
I hesitated, feeling like a vampire seeking permission to enter.
"It's fine, you can enter, I don't bite," my twin said jokingly, a small smile tugging her lips. That smile was all I needed for all my worries to just disappear.
I stepped into her room, and the site that greeted me was different from mine.
The walls were adorned with soft, pastel colors, and the furniture was plush and inviting, a stark contrast to the grand chandeliers and mana stones that filled my own room.
Taking a seat on a fine couch, my sister sat on the bed opposite me.
She looked at me for a while with that loving gaze I first saw amongst Eden memories, and an emotion inside me stirred.
"I'm sorry," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.
The words tumbled out of me like a confession, heavy with the weight of regret.
As I looked at her, I felt like I was staring into the face of my own conscience.
The memories of my past actions even though they weren't mine flooded my mind, and I was overwhelmed with regret.
I thought of all the times I'd hurt her, all the times I'd been selfish and thoughtless.
The weight of my mistakes crushed me, and I felt like I was drowning in a sea of remorse.
My voice cracked as I spoke, the words tumbling out in a rush.
"I'm sorry for being such a crappy sibling. I'm sorry for not being there for you when you needed me.
I'm sorry for being so selfish and thoughtless."
The words hung in the air like a challenge, a plea for forgiveness that I didn't know if I deserved.
I took a deep breath, feeling like I was standing on the edge of a precipice, staring into the abyss of my own regret.
But as I looked at my sister, I saw a glimmer of hope. Maybe, just maybe, I could find redemption.
Maybe I could learn to forgive myself, to let go of the guilt and the shame. Maybe, just maybe, I could start anew.
******
A figure moved forward in an empty alleyway, the streets eerily vacant, devoid of any signs of life.
Papers swirled around her feet, carried by the biting wind, as if attempting to flee from her presence.
Streetlights that still managed to function flickered briefly, only to plunge into darkness the moment she passed, as if intimidated by her aura.
The way she glided across the ground, her steps light and deliberate, betrayed her identity as a woman, and the poise with which she carried herself spoke of an unspoken elegance.
The cityscape around her was a haunting testament to desolation.
Buildings stood like skeletal sentinels, their windows gaping like empty sockets, a grim reminder of what once was.
Shadows danced on crumbling walls, as if trying to reclaim the spaces they had lost.
The air was heavy with an unsettling stillness, punctuated only by the mournful howl of the wind as it navigated the deserted streets.
As she approached a majestic structure that seemed to defy the ruinous fate of its surroundings, the building's stone façade glowed with an ethereal light, like a beacon calling out to her.
This was a church, its grandeur and beauty a stark contrast to the devastation that lay beyond its walls.
Ancient carvings adorned its doors, telling stories of forgotten lore, as she pushed them open with a gentle touch.
Inside, the church was a sanctuary of serenity, a refuge from the desolate world outside.
Candelabras stood like vigilant guardians, their candles casting flickering shadows on the walls, imbuing the space with an otherworldly ambiance.
The scent of old incense and forgotten prayers lingered in the air, a reminder of the sacred rituals that once took place within these hallowed halls.
As she drew closer to one of the candles, the light danced across her features, revealing glimpses of a face that seemed almost divine.
Her skin was flawless, her eyes pools of deep mystery, and her lips, slightly parted, seemed to whisper secrets to the wind.
The beauty she embodied was heavenly, as if she were a creature of light and shadow, forged from the very essence of the divine.
The woman stopped in front of a candle, her lips moving in a silent prayer, the words an incantation to a forgotten deity.
The silence was oppressive, punctuated only by the faint sound of her voice and the soft crackle of the candles.
And then, a voice shattered the stillness, its presence as jarring as a crack of thunder on a summer's day.
The mysterious woman's gaze remained fixed on the candle, her lips continuing to whisper the forgotten prayer, her demeanor serene and composed, as if she had anticipated the voice.
Her calmness was unwavering, her focus unbroken, as she continued to pray, the voice echoing through the church like a challenge to the silence.
"How long has it been since we last saw?" the voice spoke, its tone laced with malevolent disdain.
"Not long enough for me to forget how I still feel disgusted by your presence, Elgoy,"
the woman replied, her words dripping with venom.
Elgoy's response was a hearty laugh, the sound echoing through the hallowed halls like a death knell.
"Even as the world is careening towards its demise, I'm still glad some things never change,"
"But let's focus on the matter at hand – you felt it, right? The presence of Sanath Nagar?"
The lady nodded, her gaze piercing the gloom as she turned from the candle.
"His resurrection is almost complete, and his presence grows stronger every day," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Elgoy's tone turned grave.
"We'll need the help of the others if things break out of hand,"
The lady's response was a litany of despair.
"Things are already out of hand – an inevitable doom is upon us all. I'm sure that even if all our powers combine, we can't fight this off."
The shadows seemed to deepen, as if the very fabric of reality was unraveling.
"It took 12 gods to banish him from the heavens, two died in the process – Hypnos, the god of slumber, and Morpheus, the god of dreams. Five have kept their presence hidden. It's just me, you, Athena, Zeus, and Poseidon... and you think we'll be enough to stop him once he's fully resurrected?"
Elgoy's tone was laced with challenge.
"I've known you to be many things, but I've never known you to be one who backs out from a fight"
"I'm not backing out from anything,"
the lady said, her voice firm. "I'm only stating facts – we'll lose pathetically if we can't stop his resurrection now, rather than foolishly thinking we can defeat him when he's fully completed."
"Very well then, what we need to do is find a way to locate his body or the organizations that are taking part in his resurrection,"
Elgoy said, it's voice low and deliberate.
"Yes, but that's the issue – how are we supposed to locate it?"
"We'll start with the most obvious place there is," Elgoy replied.
The woman's gaze narrowed, her eyes flashing with curiosity.
"Where's that?"
"Slivermist Academy,"
The lady's gaze faltered, her eyes clouding with concern.
"Are you sure we're ready to involve children in an approaching war?"
Elgoy's response was a stark reality check.
"Even if we don't involve them, when the war comes, they'll still get dragged in. So, no one is safe, no one."
"Very well then," the mysterious lady said.
As she spoke, she raised her hands to her lips, and a soft, melodic prayer escaped her lips:
"Oh, celestial guardians of the night,
Watch over us with all your might.
Guide us through the darkness and the pain,
And grant us strength to face the coming rain.
In the face of war and endless strife,
Grant us courage, grant us life.
May our hearts remain steadfast and true,
And may our souls forever shine anew."
The prayer hung in the air, a gentle, ethereal thing that seemed to soothe the darkness and calm the shadows.
As the lady's prayer faded into the silence, the air seemed to dissipate its heavy foreboding, and the shadows within the church began to recede.
The candles on the candelabras flickered softly, casting a warm, golden glow over the space.
Elgoy's voice began to fade, the presence dissolving into the ether like mist in the morning sun.
The mysterious woman gaze lingered on the spot where Elgoy voice had boomed from, her eyes narrowed in thought.
The silence between them was no longer tense, but rather contemplative, as if the weight of their conversation had been temporarily lifted.
And with that, the scene faded away, leaving only the echoes of their words and the prayer lingering in the darkness.
The church stood silent, its stone walls bearing witness to the secrets and mysteries that lay beyond the mortal realm.
The darkness closed in once more, shrouding the world in an air of anticipation, as if the very fabric of reality waited with bated breath for the events that were to unfold.