Chapter 29: Harrowing Nightmare (1)

Inside the shop, despite the sudden development, one individual remained calm. While Durin was heading out to see what was happening outside, the female android, still as polished as ever, went into the back and brought back a large package with her. Wrapped in thick layers of cloths and chains, the mysterious item was even taller than its carrier and was quivering slightly once in Sona’s hands.

“Are you going out?” asked Cailleach, still sitting on her rocking chair.

“Just for a bit. Hopefully, I won’t need to use it.” Sona spoke softly and headed out toward the door. “Keep an eye on the ship for me!”

“Hehehe, what a strange twist of fate! Depending on how this turns out, the little scrub will be in for a big surprise.” The Red Hag giggled.

…..

“You…it’s you!” Durin uttered in shock

“Greetings to you, Durin! It has been a while!”

The Nether Realm, for the first time in its history, was infiltrated by a most peculiar being. Phantom-like body of darkness with a beast skull for its head, the creature has now arrived at the doors of the enigmatic shop. Needless to say, the residents of the place were appalled by the mere thought of this possibility. Simply because there has never been such a case before. That carelessness consequently led to this unruly situation. Moreover, the perpetrator was not just any random individual but someone they knew, from a long distant past.

The culprit, from external look alone, was definitely not something of this world. The presence it imposed was extraordinary, almost chilling to the bones, reminding of a cold, lonely dark place where nothing existed. A place in the sidelines to which no one paid attention. A place deep within the void of space. And now, that thing that dwelled within that emptiness has come out. And it sought something.

The creature turned its head from right to left then extended its body to look behind Durin. It was expecting someone else to come out. “Where is that tin can? I would expect him to come out by now.” The creature spoke in a grave gentle voice but still somehow instilled fear upon those around him.

“What are you doing here? More importantly, how did you get out?” Durin asked angrily.

“What? Are you not happy to see me? Even after all we have been through?” the creature tilted its head. “How is the family?”

“Enough talking! What are you doing here?” Durin insisted again.

“Come inside, old man! I will take care of this.” Sona pat on Durin’s shoulder, asking him to retreat. Upon noticing the wrapped package on her back, Durin opened his eyes in surprise. This meant that Sona was serious.

“Alright, be careful!” Durin quickly retreated back into the house, shutting the door tightly.

“Now, let us have a proper conversation!” Sona stabbed the item on her back into the ground and stood firmly. “Long time no see!”

“It is nice to see you too, Sona!” the creature spoke.

“Pardon me if I am unable to share that sentiment.”

“It is fine. Though, you really haven’t changed much after all these years. Still refusing to wear any cloth?” The creature stared at the android. As ever, her shiny fabric remained a dark blue hue with smooth surface. The lines were well curved following the bodylines of the well-endowed alluring woman, almost sensual have it not been for the fact that the entire body was made in some kind of special metal.

“So are you….Let’s just skip the chit-chat and cut to the chase! What are you doing here?” Sona rose her tone.

“To continue her legacy!” the creature named as Nephilas answered firmly.

“Are you talking about the Tenth?” asked the android, crossing her arms. “Since when are you interested in our cause?”

“This entire charade stems from the actions of one man. In order to change the fate of his world, he doomed his entire race and many more, far beyond what he could possibly anticipate. Yet, his foolishness did not stop there. Like a vicious cycle, one mistake led to another and here we are, in this perpetual loop. How many more times will it take for him to understand?” Nephilas conveyed.

“I didn’t know your kind could get so poetic. Is this the side effect of staying around the inferior beings? Or have the Gods finally managed to break that antiquated mind of yours?” mocked Sona.

“You know that compare to our kin, both the Gods and mortals are but children who have lived just a tiny fraction of the multiverse’s history. That said, us Elder deities of Mu are merely spectators on the sidelines. We stay neutral, refusing to take any side.” Nephilas spoke. “From the void, we watched, as civilizations rose to their peaks and fell down to dust, only to be forgotten. This is but another cycle. It is our belief that we, who have ascended to the very top of the chain, must not seek to break the order of the universe. We all know how it ends when someone tries to do such thing.”

“And yet, one of these supreme beings, decided one day to break that order and lent their aid to a feeble creature in hope that the cycle would end.” Sona said. “You who have survived so many cycles. You who are one of the Great Ones. An Elder God. Nephilas, the Harrowing Nightmare!”

“We are sympathetic in nature. More than often, we grant the wish of those who seek our aid.” Nephilas spoke.

“Even if it made you the enemy of your own kind?”

“…..It depends on the circumstances.”

“But you did. All for that feeble girl.” Sona said.

“It was not me but your Creator that chose her. Besides, she managed to contact me. An interesting creature she was. So, I decided to accompany her. It was as simple as that.” Nephilas said. “But I am not here to talk about history. I am here for HER!” The creature changed to a threatening tone. “I know the lie she was told to. I know the fate that awaited her at the end of her journey. So, I ask you, Executioner, to give her back to me!”

“…I don’t know what you are talking about.” Sona stood her ground.

“You are the administrator of this place. Moreover, you have a very particular task ….just in case something goes wrong. Think about it, over the course of history, there have been countless Champions who have been chosen. Yet, only a very selected few managed to be remembered. It makes one wonder what happened to the others.” Nephilas spoke with his terrifying bone jaws. “But both of us know what the answer is, am I right, Champion-Slayer Sona?”

“!!!” Sona clenched her iron fist and seemed disturbed by Nephilas’ knowledge.

“With this heavy burden forced upon them, there are bound to be some who couldn’t take it. These weak feeble things, clinging onto a futile hope, would surely turn their back to their duties. Not to mention others who did not share the same belief as that tin can. The failures, the traitors, it is all the same. How little did they know, only one thing awaited them at the end of their road: you!” the creature rose its dark thin arm and pointed at Sona.

“How funny!” Sona, undaunted by the creature’s words, smiled. “Do you really think that tactic would work against me, Nephilas?” Sona spoke in a menacing tone, holding on to a handle on the package wrapped in cloth.

“Not at all! This is but a tale I wish to tell. It is not my intention to fight you here. Not in my current condition!” Nephilas said.

“Then what are you here for?”

“Like I said, give her back to me!”

“That girl is already dead, Nephilas.”

“I am aware of that. Thank you for the reminder! What I want to what she left behind.”

“!!!” Sona was surprised by Nephilas’s proposal. “…Just how much do you know?”

“Enough.”

“What will you do it?”

“To finish what she started! I have met the current Champion, Astora is her name I believe.” Nephilas recalled. “The blood of a Champion truly is amazing. It almost drives me mad. But that is all she has. That girl is no good.”

“It is not something for you to judge.”

“Perhaps. That is why I come up with a proposal: grant me the title of Champion!” Nephilas declared.

“…what game are you playing here?” Sona asked seriously.

“Not a game. I am merely finishing what she started. I am aware that this will make me a Champion in name only. In exchange, I won’t need your Champion’s powers. However, just as I promised her, we will do it together. So, give her back to me!”

Having followed the conversation, Durin who has been hiding inside the shop, stormed out. “No! We refuse. Sona, you must not give it to him.”

“…Supposedly I gave you it and you become a Champion, what will you do about Astora?” Sona asked.

“SONA!” Durin shouted, only to be ignored.

“If she does not stand in my way, I will ignore her. But if she does, I can’t promise you anything.”

“….Fine, I will let you have it.”

“SONA! What the hell are you doing?” Durin screamed out.

“Stand down, Durin!” Sona rose her arm to the dark sky. “Resting place of Champions, heed my call! ”.

From beyond the darkness, a light surged and created a luminous crack above the sky. From it, a shiny object descended into Sona’s hands: a majestic bow made in transparent amethyst crystal decorated with red lines on its surface. The bow gave off a feeling of frailty due to its thin structure, as if it could be shattered so easily. The string essential for a bow was however absent, suggesting that it did not function like any other bow but required a more sophisticated method.

“Fascinating! No wonder I can sense her anywhere.” Nephilas spoke.

“This is the Oathkeeper, created from the remains of that girl. I trust that you recognize it.” Sona handed over the bow. “But just because you have it, doesn’t mean you can use it. This kind of special weapon chooses its owner.”

“She will accept me.” Nephilas’ arms extended from his position and took the bow with care. Looking at it, the creature muttered softly, as if talking to the weapon itself. “So, this is what is left of you…” A strange feeling grew inside Nephilas when his eyes laid upon the bow. A feeling he never felt before. He couldn’t describe it. He didn’t know what it was. It was something uncomfortable, bitter. What was it, he wondered. “Did she suffer?” The creature asked earnestly.

“No…I made sure of it.” Sona replied.

“I see…I believe my business here is done. I bid you all farewell.” Nephilas turned his back and moved toward the darkness.

“What will you do now?” asked Sona.

“I realized something during my time in that prison. This task, this burden, it is impossible to carry it alone. I need comrades, friends who are willing to share that burden with me. So that will be a priority. This world I am in, Valhalla, it has a lot of potential. Maybe I can find them there.” The creature said. “Whatever happens, I will make one promise with you.”

“What is it?”

“The next time I come back here, it will be for your life.” The creature spoke monotonously.

“I will await that day, Champion.”

Nephilas disappeared into the void, along with the chaos he brought with him. Titled as the Harrowing Nightmare, this creature was one of the supreme beings known as the Great Ones. Mysterious lifeforms that governed the void beyond the stars, they possessed intimate knowledge of creation and destruction. For they have seen it, the infinite cycle. An existence some may consider even above the Gods, yet so elusive to make many wonder if they even existed. For as long as one could remember, these creatures have been watching everything on the sidelines with little engagement. That was until one of them got tired of being a spectator and broke their silence treaty.

After finally escaping his prison, the Elder God, one of the oldest beings in the Multiverse, began his journey here in Valhalla. No longer would he be just a mere observer. Eons after eons, this was really where the tales of Nephilas truly began.

“Do you realize what you have done?” Durin uttered angrily. “The Judge won’t like this when he learns of this.”

“Well he is not exactly around, isn’t he?” Sona rose her tone imposingly, almost out of frustration. Maybe it was a bit odd, considering her usual temperament.

“…..Just what are you planning? Do you truly believe that creature could actually accomplish what we couldn’t? What is the basis of this absurd logic?” Durin said.

“I don’t know. But it sure will be interesting to see.” Sona smirked.

“What?”

“For how long have we been doing the same thing? Why not try something new? Perhaps…it will be different this time.”

“But the rules…”

“I don’t see anyone around to check whether the rules are applied or not. Not Nil, not the Judge. We are the ones who will decide the rules from now on.” Sona declared. “Come now! We must clean this up before Astora comes back.”