Chapter 7: Threads of fate
I clutched my head as my body began to dissolve into the air. One moment I was writhing in pain, the next I was… somewhere else.
A strange place.
On one side, blazing flames roared high into the sky, the heat almost burning my skin. On the other, a gentle golden light glowed warmly, like the safest dream. I was caught between them scorching fire to my left, comforting warmth to my right.
I blinked and suddenly I was standing inside a small cave. The floor was covered in rainbow colored petals that shimmered faintly. From above, a strange fruit fell. Instinctively, I caught it.
To my surprise, it dissolved in my hand.
Wait how could I even touch anything? I was a spirit… wasn't I?
Before I could think too much, soft footsteps echoed from deeper in the cave. I panicked and hid behind a jagged rock.
Two floating orbs of light appeared one pure white, the other pitch black dancing around like children at play.
Stop playing, We don't want outsiders noticing this place, a calm but stern voice spoke.
A figure wrapped in mist emerged. The orbs settled down, but a cold feeling crept up my back. I was being watched.
When I turned, two boys stood there one with snow white hair, the other with black as ink. Their forms were vague, but their deep voices didn't match their young appearances.
"Found you," they said in unison before vanishing like smoke.
Something tugged at my wrist. I looked down a thin red thread had wrapped around me. No matter how I pulled, it wouldn't break. Eventually… I gave up and followed it.
…
—Back in the Modern Era – Before the Apocalypse—
I opened my eyes to bright, white walls and floating holographic screens. People in masks moved quietly around the room it felt like a futuristic lab from a sci-fi story.
There were about twenty of us, standing in a perfect circle. The air buzzed with tension.
"Please draw your lots," a robotic voice said.
A floating tray stopped in front of me. I picked up a slip of paper blank around the circle, I saw others drawing white, black, or blank like mine.
Then, a floating orb handed me what looked like a squishy blue blob. It wobbled in my palm like jelly.
"Hello there! Please pick how you wish to be referred to." a cheerful voice rang in my head.
Telepathy? What was this place?
After a moment, I smirked. "Call me… Master."
"Okay, Master! I am System XC3462 Pro, here to assist you!" the blob declared in a stiff, robotic tone.
I couldn't help but laugh. XC3462? Who gave you that name?
The blob wiggled like it was embarrassed. "Master… please don't say it like that."
"Alright," I chuckled, how about… Sysi?
Before it could answer, a blinding light flashed and a mechanical voice filled the air:
System No. 9726 — XC3462 — has successfully acquired a host. Host name Nyx. System renamed and upgraded from Basic to Beginner Rank.
The blob vanished in a sparkle of light only to reappear as a tiny, 14 centimeter tall figure made of transparent blue energy. It floated up and bowed politely.
"Master, thank you for the name. I really like it."
To be Continued…