“When are you going to buy me that new house?” A teasing voice came from behind.

Eli turned toward the voice and was met by a pair of warm blue eyes framed by long raven hair. The woman's arms were folded as she leaned against the wall, her lips betraying a small grin. 

“Buy you a house?” He asked clearly confused. He stared at her in bewilderment before his expression revealed an epiphany, causing him to smile widely. “Wait here for fi- no ten minutes! I can grab some cardboard boxes and make you a castle fit for a queen!”

She rolled her eyes as she approached, giving him a quick smack to the shoulder as she passed by.

“So, when are you going to try smuggling a girl into your room? Maybe a boy? A pillow perhaps?" She paused before her tone turned to worry. "I’m starting to get concerned about you.” She walked toward the couch and plopped down.

Eli frowned. “Maybe I just haven't gotten caught.” His rebuttal sounding weak even to his ears. His mom glanced at him through the corner of her eye revealing her disbelief. 

Not allowing her to continue the conversation, he started to walk towards the kitchen. He could hear the sound of the TV turning on behind him as he went to open the fridge, which he found completely empty.

His mom was 17 when she got pregnant with him. Her family, being the crazier side of religious, had thrown her out of the house when it became obvious. She never revealed anything about his father. He had some guesses though; he was just too afraid to confirm them. But she kept him, even though he would have probably recommended an abortion himself. She dropped out of high school and worked multiple jobs. Her grandmother sneaking her money from time to time to keep her afloat when she could, at least before she passed. She never complained though and regardless of the circumstances; she loved the shit out of him. He always told her as a kid that he’d be super rich when he grew up and buy her a house, which had since become a ritual greeting.

As corny as it sounded, for as long as he could remember they were all each other had. And I’m going to make damn fucking sure all the heartbreak and struggling she's gone through will be worth it. His attention snapped back to reality, releasing his crushing grip on the refrigerator door. He closed it and walked back towards the couch.

His mom was watching one of the many Korean dramas she followed. He shook his head as he briefly wondered if he'd have to hold an intervention soon. "I don't understand how you can like these shows so much." He said as he looked at his mother with mock disappointment.

Noticing his expression, she raised a brow, "Spoken like a true Neanderthal." she started to shake her head. "Appreciation of the Arts requires a certain level of sophistication and class..." She gave him a pointed glare before continuing. "That sadly doesn't seem to be genetic." her tone revealing a sense of pity.

Eli scoffed at the insult. "Yeah, about as much sophistication and class as a Kardashian."

His mother audibly gasped at the jab. "Oh no, I raised an idiot!" she declared in exaggerated horror.

"Which sadly does seem to be genetic." Eli laughed as he replied.

His mother narrowed her eyes, "Come closer so I can kick you." she ordered. Eli walked towards her in mock challenge. She gave a weak kick as he did, which he stopped with one hand before he grabbed both her legs and placed them on his lap as he sat down on the couch. He started to massage them as his mother gave a slight moan in pleasure. "Thanks Honey." she cooed. Their attention started to shift towards the TV, where the antagonist was making a speech after a successful coup.

Noticing Eli’s lack of interest in the show, his mother decided to speak. "Assholes are always destroying everything to make themselves feel more important.” His mother often tried to pretend there were deeper elements involved in these types of shows. He wasn't sure if she actually believed it or if it was just a cover to get in some parental words of wisdom.

He continued his massage as he gave a mindless response, “Men with power tend to use it.”

She jumped at the words and turned her eyes towards his, squinting in defiance. “You know, true power isn’t destruction. Look back on the most powerful beings in history.” Her voice started to fill with passion. “Whether it’s gods or men, what makes them powerful is their ability to Create!” She gave him a pointed stare as her voice took on a more playful tone. “But even a toddler can be quite the Avatar of Destruction.”

Eli rolled his eyes at the jab. He didn’t necessarily disagree but arguing with his mother was practically a hobby at this point.

“That might be true, but destruction and creation often go hand in hand. Sometimes you need destruction to act as a catalyst for creating something new. Take life for example, unless you believe in an omnipotent force that can circumvent the process.”

She glared at him for a moment and he could practically see her forming her rebuttal. He held back a smirk.

“While that can be true, destruction isn’t always a catalyst. It’s often just destruction. How many men thought they were gods who could create a new world, when all they did was set fire to the forest and called the new growth from the burnt remains progress?”

He chuckled, wondering if she meant for her metaphor to have the implications it did. Feeling something was off, his mother moved her legs out of his grasp and sat up. She moved closer to him before snatching his hand. "Are you doing okay?" her voice soft and gentle, hopeful almost.

He broke into a wide smile and she squeezed her hand back. "With a mother like you, is it possible not to?"

She looked into his eyes for a moment before she burst out laughing at the overly sappy line. "I ca-"

Fallen Realm Found!

A blue screen suddenly filled his vision. “What the fuck?” Eli cursed. He moved his head left and right but the screen followed. He brought his hand to touch it and it blinked out of existence. His mother’s face came back into view, except she didn’t seem to be looking at him anymore.

“Mom, do you see that blue screen too?” Her eyes widened. “Does it say Fallen Realm Found”?” she asked. “What is this?” her voice alarmed.

Sentient Life Located!

Integration in progress…

After the latest message the world around the box started to look fuzzier. Eli’s grip on his mother’s hand started to slip. He moved the new box out of the way and his arm started to break down like it was made of ash. He could now see his mom’s face which started to distort, “Honey!” her voice filled with fear and panic as the world exploded into dust.

The next thing Eli could perceive was pure White. His mind felt... caged. Like it was tethered to a single point and any distraction simply vanished. 

*DING*

Relocation Initiated

Error! Insufficient Host Essence!

Assimilation Recommended

Authorized! Assimilation Initiated

Low Essence Nests Created!

Relocation Complete! 

Insignificant Found!

Assimilation in Progress... 

ERROR! Essence Unstable! Death Imminent!

Initiating Conflict Resolution

A large glowing rock appeared before him. 

*ding*

Optimization in Progress...

The next moment he found himself smashing into the rock before his vision exploded into red and blue particles. They drifted around him for a moment before being sucked into a single point.

*DING*

Optimization Complete!

Assimilation Complete!

Integration Complete!

Welcome to Existence!

WARNING! Death of Essence is Permanent!

Survival Recommended

His mind shook as he felt his consciousness pulled into darkness.