Re: Ascension Rebirth – Overcoming the barrier of 2 billion years

Chapter XX

PART ONE

[Eternum Calendar - Year 990]

[Soul-binding stone]. The three I had ditched on the upper floor had come back with a frightening object in hand. This artefact essentially turns another person into a very slave of absolute loyalty. Due to what I said earlier about not being able to trust them they came back with this item to convince me otherwise.

“You guys… are you serious?”

I breathed a sigh as I asked them. Truthfully if they were considering to go this far then the matter of their trustworthiness may be solved but as a person it was a little hard even for me to use this item. I also couldn’t rule out the fact that they were lying about this item as well, perhaps the effects were not as they say or it was a counterfeit.

“Allow me.”

[Shade] appears to examine the artefact. I really wish he would stop doing that without my permission. He’s like a rabid jack-in-the-box, and I don’t know when he’s going to pop out and stab me in the back, at least he wasn’t in [Aran Callahad]’s form and was in his original, shadow-like form.

“Whoa! Who’s that?!”

Lilith shouts out in surprise. I really wish she would stop doing that as well, the whole ‘ditzy’ and ‘easily startled’ act I mean. I won’t say it doesn’t have a certain charm to it, I’m sure there are a lot of men who likes that sort of thing but to me it does get a little annoying.

“After intense analysis, I’ve come to the conclusion that this item is indeed genuine.”

Shade says as he ignores Lilith’s question, well he says that but all he did was stare at it for a couple of seconds.

“You’re sure about this?”

“Quite so.”

“And what kind of credibility do you possess that makes you so confident that this artefact is genuine? You don’t look like a geologist to me, and from what I hear this item was last used hundreds of years ago. You mean to tell me that you’ve lived that long?”

Shade quiets down for a bit in contemplation before answering.

“My conception was completed in 730 CE of the Earth Calendar. I believe that I am an existence that predates even the venerable Aran Callahad.”

Ah, of course. That’s right he’s THE Necronomicon. Silly me, I only thought magic was a product of this era and not the one I was living in, you know, the one where magic DIDN’T exist?

“[Alhazred] must be so proud of your durability.”

I know 8th century predates the 21st century but if we’re talking on the scale of 2 billion years does the difference of a few hundred really make that much of a difference? Couldn’t we just say we were living around the same time, give or take a couple centuries?

“The author of the Necronomicon, Abdul Alhazred was merely a puppet for the true master.”

“Of course, and that ‘true master’ was ordained the position of minister of this dark cave in the middle of nowhere, right?”

He ignores me.

Well, getting back onto the main topic at hand, this [soul-binding stone] was the real deal. Did they really wish to be bound to me until their deaths? Perhaps this was some kind of trick? Maybe they’re playing on my human conscience to make me think that they’re trustworthy by offering this item and that I won’t really use it?

However it is true that with the use of this item they effectively become a part of me. They will never betray me; meaning that I will become able to trust them. Also, as much as I play the tune of my arrogance, I am loathed to admit it but this dungeon will be impossible to clear without their assistance.

Well I guess that’s not entirely true, if I keep at it like this, eventually I will be able to clear this dungeon as I get stronger. However that will be far too inefficient and I do not have the luxury of time.

‘Friendship is a form of strength,’ the words of my other self come back to haunt me. I do not disagree with those sentiments, but friends can also become a burden. Even if I have their complete loyalty, it’s not unthinkable to that in my compromise I will be scarred once more.

I hated it, I didn’t want to feel like that anymore.

[Arachna] places her hands on my shoulders and stares deeply into my eyes.

“We are strong. And you can trust us with through this item.”

‘We are strong’, well I suppose she has a point, compared to me these guys are a lot stronger. I could feel it deep inside; my blocked off heart starting to crack. Was it time to give up my stubborn ways? These guys have come to a compromise with this item, at the very least I have to give them a serious consideration.

“Morgant, even if you decide against accepting us, we will still continue to follow and protect you. If that was going to be the case would it not be better to simply use the item on us? There is a limit to how much we can help you from the sidelines but if we were to become part of you using this item, that very limit may be somewhat alleviated.”

[Xotl] explains to me. He seems serious in using this item. Of course this entire situation only arose from the fact that I distrust them, it would be a simple matter to just accept them without using this suspicious item. However I could not bring myself to do that, I understand it best myself after all, this deep rooted fear and distrust was just a base part of my personality.

Ever since my days as Aran Callahad I had this fear; everyday someone was gunning for my life, if not that people were always plotting to backstab me, there were very little people I could trust and come to trust. I had thought I had gotten over it when I reborn to this era but after the events of 2 years ago, my old personality had surfaced back.

I reached for the black stone in Xotl’s hand.

“I’ll really use this, you know? You’ll really lose your freedom.”

“Each of us are prepared for that fate. It is the path we have all chosen.”

Xotl answers my uneasiness and the other two nod with a prepared smile. Tsk, do these guys truly think they’re prepared to live the life of an eternal servant? I’m not so sympathetic to not use this item and accept them willfully; this is practically suicide on their part, even though they tried so hard to prevent my death.

I held the black stone that weighed heavily on me; the item that stole people’s fate and freedom. They each close their eyes in preparation.

“Kuh… Then I’ll really use it. You can’t stop me anymore. This is what you have all decided on your own accord.”

“Yes, we understand Lord Morgant.”

Lilith answers with a smile.

The black stone glows with a purple hue, and surrounds us within a violent maelstrom of nauseous black and purple mist. The world when black, but everything also became surrounded in a tranquil and serene aura. This was the world of people’s souls, or at least that’s how I had interpreted it. Xotl’s instruction was simple, I was to collect the three souls that appeared here, that way the contract would be complete and I would become their eternal master.

The warmth of this place calmed me down and connected to the other three. In here I could feel everything, their thoughts, feelings, desires and needs; everything was laid bare for me to reach out and seize for myself. Was this really alright? Perhaps it was already too late to be rethinking this, as three glowing white orbs appeared before; they were the souls.

[Arachna]. [Lilith De Signa]. [Texzatopekmetziluxotl].

They had a similar appearance to the one I found after slaying the [Terror of the Depths]. Like back then I had reached out and took a hold over them, as I did a slightly electrifying feeling overcame me. I felt a strange oneness with these souls. They slowly disappeared into my body and shortly after the world had returned to the sight of the dungeon.

However the presence of the three were no longer there, no perhaps that wasn’t quite true, I could feel their existence deep within myself.

Four interface boxes appeared.

[New skill acquired: [Soul Bind Summoning(Active)]]

[New skill acquired: [Summon - Ghost King(Soul Bind)]]

[New skill acquired: [Summon - Succubus Princess(Soul Bind)]]

[New skill acquired: [Summon - Spider Queen(Soul Bind)]]

[Soul Bind Summoning: honoring the contract, the individuals offered to the master may be summoned at any time for no cost. Summon duration is infinite until either the servant or the master dies]

It was complete, meaning that we were past the point of no return.

PART TWO

There was a bit of regret inside me but at the same time I felt a bit of my insecurity disappear. At the very least, unlike with [summon - Terror of the Depths] there was no level restriction.

[Summon - Ghost King]

[Summon - Succubus Princess]

[Summon - Spider Queen]

Using those three skills, which were given to me already at level 50, I summoned my three new servants. Three black magic circles appeared before me and slowly they arose from them.

“Ah, we’re back!”

Lilith was the first to speak out. She fluttered about checking that nothing had changed about herself. From the looks of it, it doesn’t seem like their personalities been altered in anyway and their physiques are the same as before. Though there was a small part of the skill description that bothered me.

‘Summon duration is infinite until either the servant or master dies’. I wonder if it would be acceptable to interpret that part as when I die these three will also die. It was a small mistake on my end, I did not think that rule would apply and it’s far too late to reverse the contract now. I suppose I’ll just have to trust them when they told me that they chose this path knowingly.

“Hmm, I don’t feel any different…”

Arachna also tries examining herself.

“… Sorry.”

When I suddenly apologized to them they gave me a surprised stare.

“What about? Lord Morgant?”

Thinking that she did something wrong Lilith asks in a panic as she flutters about.

“Because of my weakness… this was the only way for me to come to accept you guys. The price of your freedom was not worth it for something like my trust.”

Arachna walks up and embraces me, my face is plunged into her near non-existent bosoms as a feeling of disappointment overcomes me. She’s so pretty, but also kind of a disappointing in some areas. She gently strokes through my hair… though I don’t think this is the kind of thing a servant does to her master but I allowed it, because it didn’t feel bad.

“It’s fine Morgant. We have prepared ourselves to be with you til our deaths. In some ways it is a bond stronger than even marriage.”

“M-m-m-m-marriage?!”

Hearing that word, Lilith almost breaks into a little dance as her face burns as brightly as the color of her hair. She’s really a lively one, so much so that I couldn’t help but break into a smile myself.

“Really… you guys are all stupid. Why would you even follow someone like me. Well whatever, then prepare yourselves, since you’ve decided to serve me I’ll work you to the bones.”

At my words they return faces full of determination. I see, though it’s not exactly as I had planned it, this too is a kind of ‘solitary’ walk; a solitary walk that is just a bit noisy. I took a deep breath and gave up my stubbornness.

“I guess… we should go.”

* * *

There were 10 floors to this dungeon and had I gone alone I wouldn’t of made it to the end. However the ambiance had changed drastically as we stood before a gigantic red door to the last room.

The three that was accompanying me dropped, fainting on the spot from the sheer pressure of malice. Xotl did great trying to handle the pressure but in time he too was knocked unconscious. At the very least they weren’t dead.

As for me, well I had endured the pressure, or more likely I had been made to withstand the pressure. No matter how many times I wanted to faint as they did, some force was holding me back from doing so, still suffering the full brunt of that malice, even I was a little winded.

As I placed my hands on the door Shade appeared.

“The lord of malice and dread welcomes thee to his domain.”

Really… A bad omen.

PART THREE

The door creaked as I pushed it open. It had already been a theme of this dungeon but as expected, when I opened the door a burst of black miasma came flooding through making me feel worse than I already was. Luckily there was no actual physiological effect from the miasma due to my [toxin resistance] but it felt disgusting nonetheless.

I was witnessed to a large expansive room, with four thick pylons supporting the walls and ceilings of this place. The walls were not actually even walls, they were made of flesh and oozed strange liquids and blood, which coated the floor in the same disgusting mess.

The pylons looked as though they were made of muscles and flesh instead of bricks or stone. It was no exception to the oozing blood. This place, rather than a room it was as though I had taken a step into someone’s body, with the fleshy walls trying to intimidate me into submission.

I could hear strange wailing from behind the walls and there were even some parts that looked like screaming faces, as though people were stuck behind the flesh walls and were trying to escape. Perhaps that really was the case or perhaps this too was simple decoration.

No… knowing the nature of the owner of this place, it wouldn’t be too farfetched to say these were all authentic. The smell in this place was as bad as it looked, the stench of corpses and blood filled the air, with a hint of poison also being airborne but [toxin resistance] made it meaningless to me.

A single stream of light was cast from an open hole from the ceiling towards the center. At the heart of this dungeon; the epicenter of evil sat upon a pile of bones. Most likely they belonged to humans or other such sentient races. A figure so dark that it would simple be easier to describe it as a human shaped shadow.

Despite being a shadow I could somehow tell the contours of his muscles, he wasn’t overtly buff but his muscles would impress a lot of people. The only clothing on him were a white and gold pschent and similarly colored trousers.

He rested on his hand as he sat on the throne of bones and stared at me with golden eyes. Those golden eyes… in this world they were the sign of divinity, even [Nodens] possessed such eyes, but compared to Nodens’ weak gaze of arrogance, the being of shadows before me had a much more sinister glare.

He continued to stare at me without utterance.

I too took only a few steps and met his gaze.

I opened up his status to check.

[Nyarlathotep. Level ???, ???]

His level and class were unknown, just like [Diana]. Though I have serious doubts that Diana has any connections to Nyarlathotep but I guess I can’t completely rule out that possibility. For the time being I decided to focus on the person in front of me.

“You summoned me, Nyarlathotep?”

I tried to muster up an imposing voice, but with the body of tenten year old that was slightly impossible. Though I didn’t particularly think I could one up the god of malice and dread, there was still a need for me to keeping up my appearances and not falter in front of him. I know I wasn’t him equal but since he’s called me here personally it must mean that he’s seen some merit to my existence, at the very least I would live up to that expectation.

The first was by calling out his real name.

I noticed a small twitch in his eyes as I call out his real name. He still doesn’t move but I know he’s examining me, I could by those eyes. It’s similar to when I try to [cold read] people’s expressions and movements. There’s no real way to counter or block someone from reading you, I mean other than just leaving their sight, but the most effective way to handle it is to simply smile.

Thus I decided to wait for him to make the first move as I expressed a sinister smile back at him. This continued on for about 10 minutes before he decided to move along the meeting.

Nyarlathotep stood up from his throne of bones to reveal an intimidating height of around 2 meters. He starts to walk towards me and with every step I could feel the tremor beneath my feet as the floor themselves tries to accommodate his footsteps for the most comfortable experience. Small sparks of electricity shoot out with his steps. It was as though he had taken command of every element of this room, no it was as though everything in this room existed to serve him.

He slowly walked towards me and stopped when he got within a few meters in front of me. His shadow was cast over me, blocking out the light that was seeping from behind him, almost as though he was a divine figure with the rays of light acting as his cape. Though this was simply my impression of him and the lighting conditions of this room.

“For what reason have you come to this place?”

He asks with a voice that was hard to identify. It was as though multiple voices had been synthesized into a single tone, thus I couldn’t really say it was a deep or light tone. A truly fitting voice for someone who is known to have a thousand faces.

In any case he asked what I was here for, despite the fact that it was him who called out to me, at least according to Shade. I shook my head. No, he has a point, I was called to this place because I wanted something from him; I needed power.

“Power. I want power.”

I told him bluntly and as I did I could see the corner of his mouth curve upwards into a smirk. I felt as though there was no real point in trying to hide my desires from him, though he probably already knew what it was to begin with.

“Yes… if it is power you wish for, then it would only be a simple matter for me to bestow it upon you.”

“Then-“

Before I could say anything he throws out a hand gestures to stop me.

“I have lived on this world for a long time and during my stay I have caused many a chaos. However the time when I return to my father’s side is at hand, but to let go of this legacy without appointing a successor is regrettable.”

So the reason he called me here was to appoint me as his successor?

“And? I doubt you’d be willing to give up that seat of power for free even if your dear father is calling for you.”

He gives me a sinister smile.

“A simple test.”

“And the details of this ‘simple test’?”

“You will of it now.”

Nyarlathotep moves his hand atop my head and as though I was sucked out of my body, everything started to swirl around and finally I black out.

PART FOUR

…

“***!”

“***!!”

As I came to I was hearing someone shouting at me. At first I thought it was the children from the orphanage but I remembered that wasn’t where I was last. Everything started to come back to me, this was all Nyarlathotep’s doing.

“had!”

‘had’?

“Callahad!”

At the sudden announcement of my name I quickly jerked up and as I did I heard the screeching of my chair scraping across the tile floor. Wait, what? Actually hwy was my original name called out? Something was amiss.

When I tried to open my eyes too quickly the light had poured in like needles and I was forced to shut them out again. Slowly as my vision came back into focus I was stunned to find what I was actually seeing. What came to me was the vision of a class full of students, not just any but high school students. Everyone wore the same white and navy uniform and stared at me as though I were a circus clown.

“Callahad, it’s not like you to sleep in class.”

A nostalgic voice of a female adult reverberated within my ears. I thought that this was simply a hallucination but this felt too real for that. This wasn’t [Eternis], not this was [Earth]!

Next to me was the window and as I peered outside and onto the track field down below there were sights of students practicing their sports. It appeared as though they were preparing for some kind of athletic competition coming up, evident by the sign behind them reading ‘Goal: victory at the competition!’

“Well, I didn’t take you for a clown, but you have some guts ignoring me like that. Callahad.”

The female teacher in front of me, who was a few centimeters shorter, rolled up her thin text book and bonked me over the head. It slightly hurt and that was the problem, it actually hurt. This sensation was real, proving that it wasn’t any sort of hallucination or dream.

Coming to realize what the implications of all this were I desperately scanned the room to search for someone. And there she was! [Erin]! Sitting in the seat next to me and giving me a perplexed look. She had the same black hair made into a pony tail she had in high school. It was extremely nostalgic to look at that it almost put a tear to my eyes.

Without even thinking I immediately jumped at her and embraced her with my whole body. The whole class, Erin and the teacher devolved into confusion as their eyes widened and Erin’s face burning up. Whispers started being shared and even the teacher didn’t know how to handle this situation. I could feel my own body trembling and fear that I once I let go of this sensation it would all be over. The smell, the smoothness of her skin, her surprised voice. They were all hers. Truly.

“E- eh?! A- Aran!”

She shouted at my seemingly odd set of actions. However I didn’t care, at this moment I just wanted to stay like this a little longer.

“What’s going on here?! Callahad! Explain!”

The teacher demanded in a high pitched voice.

“Umm, I think he fell over due to a fever. He’s forehead is extremely hot, I think I should take him to their infirmary. Would that be okay, teacher?”

Quickly thinking on her foot, Erin made up an excuse to leave this awkward situation. She dragged me out by my hand as I blankly followed her, indulging myself on this moment.

* * *

Upon entry into the infirmary the thin smell of medication entered my nose prompting me to cough. There were no such experience back in [Eternis] so this really drew a parallel to me, once more confirming the reality of this situation. Since there weren’t any available seats we sat down on the edge of the bed.

Erin placed her hands on my forehead to see if I really did have a fever. I suppose I did act a little oddly so it was understandable that she would be concerned. After confirming that I was okay she let out a relieved smile. Her face brightened up in a cute manner, so much so that I decided to embrace her once more.

“Eh?! This again?! What’s wrong with you today Aran?”

After a few moments I decided to let go and give her some of her personal space back. She sat there, next to me, waiting for an explanation of what I was doing. Honestly I don’t even know what came over me, but right now I wanted nothing more than to push her down.

By the time I had realized it, I had already given in to that urge and I was mounted on top of her. Her face was lit up and her mouth opened and closed as she became lost for words. Two high school aged students on a bird in the infirmary, how clichéd but I didn’t mind, right now I wanted to make Erin mine forever.

When I moved my head closer to hers I could see her subtly shaking due to my vicious actions.

“N- no… not like this…”

She whispered under her breath, but I could hear it as clear as day. Teardrops forming on the edge of her eyes, those words cut through me deeply. Even though she didn’t resist it was clear she didn’t like what was going on.

“… Sorry.”

I told her as I got off.

“Aran…”

She clutches onto my right arm and leans her head against my shoulders.

“Is something wrong Aran? You’re not acting like yourself today.”

She asks me. I felt my hands draw close to the center of my face to adjust my glasses. They were there, my real glasses.

“Erin… who do you like better, me or [Eric Howard]?”

“Who’s Eric Howard?”

She tilts her head in confusion; of course she wouldn’t know who that is. I touched her face with my hands, the sensation of it was all real. Could it be that everything had just been a bad dream? Maybe there was no [Eternis], maybe there was no mad god, maybe there was no demon lord, no magic, no knights.

It was all just in my mind. Convincing myself of all that was more realistic than saying that there was a world of swords and sorcery in 2 billion years after Earth.

“Erin…”

“Yes?”

“Will you…”

“Will I?”

“Will you marry me?”

“Eh?!”

Hearing my question she jumps off the bed in surprise.

“M-m-m-m-marry?!”

That reaction… it sort of reminds me of a certain someone. I guess it’s not surprising that she would be shocked after hearing that kind of sudden proposal, anyone would if their childhood friend asked them to marry out of the blue.

Just what am I even doing? She must be thinking that I’ve turned crazy.

However it was different to me, not a single day had gone by in t hat other world or dream that I didn’t constantly think of her and the life I could’ve had with her. I really did want to marry her, to seal the deal, to make her only belong to me. I couldn’t bear to think of the possibility that someone else could make her happy. I know Eric is a good man but even still, I wanted her all to myself.

I wanted to possess her, tell the world that she was mine and only mine. I admit that I am obsessed with her but that was simply my own form love and I will not let anyone say otherwise. Yet even with that kind of conviction why was I so stupid so easily give her up? Just because I couldn’t see her? Just because we were separated by an impenetrable wall of time?

I shook my head, that was naïve. Or so I thought but her next words brought me back to reality.

“Umm… You know… Things like marriage, I’m happy you asked me, I really am, but I think it’s too soon to think about it… B- besides! You didn’t even ask me out yet! Aren’t you skipping one step ahead?!”

Meekly starting off she regained her usual vigor and composure. Right, Erin was this kind of person all along, she would be loud and annoying but also assertive and honest.

“I see. You’re right, sorry for the odd display.”

“N- no, I don’t want you to apologize… that’s, it’s fine if you understand.”

She nods to her own statement.

During my high school years I didn’t even notice her all that much, no, that wasn’t quite right I just flat out ignored her most of the time. Due to my family’s circumstances I focused on my studies and getting high marks on exams. I felt that even though she was my childhood friend she was drifting away from me and it was then I truly felt that I was missing something from my life. However it wasn’t until college that we started to really go out.

Though I wonder what she was thinking during this period. Was she going out with anyone? I shook my head again, from that reaction that doesn’t seem like the case. It was a slight relief.

We stayed in the infirmary until school ended, just side by side in each other’s company. Eventually the time to leave had come as the school bells rang. It had been over 3 decades since I’ve heard this nostalgic sound.

“Shall we go home?”

Without even waiting for my reply Erin stood up and pulled me with her.

The classroom had become vacant. The orange light of the setting sun came pouring into the room dying everything in that tinted color. I slowly walked to my desk and placed my hands on it. This place that I had been sitting in for three years, I remember it so dearly.

“Are you done packing up?”

She asked.

“Yeah…”

“Good, let’s go I’m starving.”

Her ability to return to a state of normalcy after I had even proposed to her was staggering. Normal people would be wracking their brains over this but she decided to give me an answer and return to normal as quickly as possible. She reminds me of Miko. Even after the horrible things I do to her, she’s always there for me when I need it. I want to apologize to her as well.

I took a moment to drink it all in. the scenery and place. The buildings, cares and modern conveniences. They did not exist in that other world, they had equivalents but not the same things.

“What’s wrong? You’ve been spacing out so much today, Aran.”

“Did I seem like that? I’m sorry.”

“You’re so weird. Whatever, let’s go home!”

As we were about to leave through the front gate a particular car pulled up before us. It was a red Porsche 911.

My eyes widened, it was a car that was familiar to me. My heart started to beat faster, angrily and violently. I wanted to just scream out aloud, because I knew who it was behind that wheel.

PART FIVE

-ERIN’S SIDE-

I couldn’t believe my own eyes.

Aran that smug bastard was being chewed out by the teacher for sleeping in class. THAT Aran Callahad?! The slimy, arrogant… childhood friend of mine. The always proper student council president?! As I looked around everyone else had the same expression of shock as mine. No one would believe that he was sleeping or spacing out in class; it was unthinkable!

Right now he was acting very strangely, he was looking around the room in confusion. A grim expression came over his face and after a few seconds he stared out the window. Was he that scared of being a hypocrite, since he usually reprimands people for such actions. Well, I can sort of understand that.

He noticed me who was sitting right beside him then something unbelievable happened! He suddenly hugged me! Not only myself but the entire class, including even the teacher was flabbergasted at his actions.

After making up some excuse to the teacher about how he fell over from a fever we received permission to go to the infirmary. It was the first time I’ve seen him so awkwardly, obediently follow behind me.

I sat him down and measured his temperature, he seemed normal but somewhat depressed right now. So I felt I had to be near him and clutched onto him tightly. Since he usually just ignores me it could be that he wasn’t happy that it was me that was clinging onto him. Maybe I should’ve asked some of my more prettier friends?

Or… maybe not, I couldn’t bear to stand some other girl clinging onto him like this. It would be… awkward. Yeah…

Just when I was lost in thought, I was pushed down by him! He sat on top of me as he drew his face closer. I could feel my entire body electrifying, I was excited but also I felt that this wasn’t right.

“N- no… not like this…”

I whispered under my breath, but Aran hears it and gets off of me and even apologizes. He really was acting strangely today.

“Will you marry me?”

When those words came out of his mouth a mixture of happiness and surprise overtook me. I instantly jumped off the bed and felt my face blush madly red. D- did he just say that?! Marriage as in that thing right? When a man and a woman agree to live together?! That thing?! The thing people do for taxation purposes?! No, never mind that last part.

But… EH?!

Was he being serious? His face didn’t seem like he was joking, it almost looked like he was desperate. I didn’t even think about marriage, heck I didn’t even know which collage I was going to go to. He didn’t even ask me out, he went straight for marriage, do people normally do that? Still, since he was asking me so seriously I had to answer him properly.

“Umm… You know… Things like marriage, I’m happy you asked me, I really am, but I think it’s too soon to think about it… B- besides! You didn’t even ask me out yet! Aren’t you skipping one step ahead?!”

“I see. You’re right, sorry for the odd display.”

“N- no, I don’t want you to apologize… that’s, it’s fine if you understand.”

I didn’t want him to apologize, I wanted him to take the correct steps before jumping right into it. If he did that even I wouldn’t have much to complain about. Still, I was a little happy that he asked me so suddenly, because he usually doesn’t seem like he cares much about me. I was feeling lonely but… I guess I was just over-thinking it.

Still, since I was a bit worried about his odd behavior we decided to stay in the infirmary until the school was over. Unfortunately nothing happened in between, eh? Did I just say it was unfortunate?

After the school bell rang, marking the end of school, we decided to go back home. Since our houses were in the same direction we usually go back together. Though he’s been busy with student council work so we haven’t been doing that lately. However I think today was fine.

Leaving through the front gate we noticed an expensive looking red car pull up outside. For some reason Aran’s body tensed up as he stared at the person who came out. He was a handsome looking man, most likely in his early thirties. He had straight black hair and exotic, deep grey eyes. He wore thin framed glasses that accentuated his perfectly portioned face, especially his manly jaw-line.

He wore a black business suit that looked extremely expensive but through that I could tell that his body was well trained. If I had to say, his ambiance was a bit reminiscent of Aran’s like I feel as though that’s how Aran would turn out in the future.

Wait, could that guy be some kind of mafia boss? That would explain why Aran was acting so scared. I moved slightly forward to cover for him. I wasn’t going to let anyone hurt him. The man was tall, a bit taller than Aran who was also a head taller than me.

The man pushed up his glasses in an irritated tone. Even that habit was similar to Aran’s, I wonder if people with glasses usually have that kind of habit. He gives a sigh.

He moved past me with ease and grabbed Aran by the collar, violently and maliciously glaring at him. I tried to pry him away from Aran but the man was so strong, even though I’m by no means weak, I do various sports activity and even take self-defense lessons but just by touching this man’s arms I could feel the pressure.

“What are you doing?! Let go of him! I’ll call the cops!”

Not being able to do anything else I threatened him with calling the police. He eyed me for a second before letting Aran go.

“Pathetic.”

He tells Aran.

“Yeah? Fuck you.”

He punches Aran across the face. Aran falls over and taking this opportunity also kicks him towards his car. A loud thud sound could be heard as Aran was smashed back by the man’s violent actions.

“What did you do that for?!”

I screamed at him. Just what was going on? From that exchange just now it seemed like they knew each other. I couldn’t think that Aran would know such a scary person. Suddenly he reached out his hands towards me. Reflexively I flinched and braced myself. However what he did was not assault me but pat me on my head.

Very confused I wondered what was going on, but at the same time it felt very familiar. I looked back at the man and he looked at me gently. This sensation too was similar to how Aran used to pat my head in the past. But why?

He then turned his gaze towards Aran who started bleeding from his mouth. I quickly ran up to him and tried to clean his wounds.

“Wake up you pathetic worm. This is a test remember? What happened to all that conviction you held before, huh? What about all those people who died for you? What about your family?”

At his words Aran flinches and starts trembling. Eh? What was he talking about? Those words made no sense to me without context.

“I… I don’t know what you’re talking about, you loathsome bastard. Isn’t it way past your age to be talking about some fantasy land?”

They started bantering like I’ve never seen before. Aran’s so irritated, it was kind of scary. However even in rage his words held no power against the man who looked like an impenetrable wall. That man used his foot to push Aran’s head against his car.

“What are you doing?!”

I yelled out. I tried to removed his foot but Aran didn’t seem to mind, he gave me a sad look as thought that was his only retort to being treated horribly. He was being treated like a bug, so why? The usual Aran wouldn’t take something like this lying down. He didn’t even put up a fight, the only one doing so was me.

“They’re waiting for you. Instead of dawdling around in this make-believe world it’s time for you to face reality.”

“NO!”

Aran shouted out as though his life depended on it.

“You’re the one who should face reality! This is reality! This is my reality! This is all I’ve ever wanted, instead of that screwed up fantasy world, all I ever wanted was to live a happy life with Erin! And you wish to take that from me?! To hell with you!”

The man lifts his foot.

“I get it. This place has everything you always wanted. Sure, and instead of an uncertain future you think it’s better to be here. But you know this place isn’t where you belong.”

Aran averts his gaze.

“I don’t need a ghost to tell me what I do is right or wrong.”

Aran gets up and graves my hand to walk away. Leaving the man to ponder at his words.

* * *

We arrived at a small park on our way back. It was a park that we used to play around a lot when we were younger. I wonder where all those carefree days had gone? Just how many years had it been since I was last here?

“Sorry you had to see that.”

Aran apologizes.

“I don’t want an apology, I want to know what’s going on. Who was that man? Why did he hurt you like that? And why didn’t you do anything?”

He gives me a defeated laugh, scoffing at himself pathetically.

“He’s… someone I’ve known for a long time.”

“That’s impossible, I’ve known you the longest and I’ve never seen that man.”

“It’s fine if you don’t get it. He’s the devil incarnate.”

“I don’t get what you’re saying, but you’re not going to explain anything to me aren’t you?”

“… Sorry.”

“Aran you idiot! Fine, I don’t care anymore!”

I decide to run out on him. If he’s going to be like that then I won’t care anymore either!”

PART SIX

-ARAN CALLAHAD’ SIDE-

Some time had passed since Erin left. I was feeling really horrible right now and the left side of my face throbbed. Dammit, why was that guy even here? I’m not Morgant right now so why? I slowly walk myself back to my house. The house that I had grown up in.

Next door is Erin’s house. I can see her staring down at me from her room on the second floor. When our eyes meet she closes her blinds. I guess I deserved that one. Standing in front of me is a two storey house. I walk past the fence and see the front lawn. In it are the flowers and vegetable that my mother used to grow.

When I open the door I’m greeted by a cheerful voice.

“Welcome back, brother! What happened to your face?”

It’s my younger brother. He’s only in grade school at this age. I crouch down and greet him. He notices the bruises on my face from my earlier fight with myself.

“I’m back, I just fell down. How’s mother?”

“She’s making dinner.”

“I see.”

A familiar scent comes to me as I walk down the hallways. I glance into the living room which is connected to the kitchen. The TV is turned on, looks like my brother was watching it and mother is cooking some sort of stew.

I can hear her audibly humming to herself. At the time I was in high school she was in her early 40s.

“Hahaha… God.”

I can almost feel myself cry. Right now I was only a few years younger than her. 32 years and another ten in Eternis… 42...

This was absurd.

I walked into the kitchen. Wearing an apron is the figure that I’ve always wanted to see. The woman that I was unable to meet even on her deathbed. Her long black hair is tied up into a ponytail as to prevent it from getting in the way of her cooking.

The homely aura that she has around her is unbeatable.

“Mother…”

I call out softly. I don’t even know if I have the right to call her that anymore.

When she notices my voice she turns around gracefully and offers me a smile. She doesn’t have the wrinkles that she had when she was at in the hospital. She has more energy in her than what I remember of her.

“Ah, Aran you’re back. Hmm? What’s with those bruises on her face?”

She’s in a panic and runs to the closet to find some sort of first aid kit. She comes back with some sort of cream based product and smears it all over my wounds. It’s cold.

Cold, but my mother’s hands are warm. Ah, I see now. This must be how Lina felt when she met her mother.

“What’s wrong Aran? You’re shaking, are you cold? Should I get your jumper?”

I shake my head. I simply embrace her as I did with Erin before. She doesn’t know how to react but accepts it regardless.

“I’m sorry.”

“Eh? What for? Ah, did you get into a fight? Is that how you got those bruises?”

I shake my head.

“I’m sorry.”

I always wanted to tell her.

The image of Rio, Morgant’s mother comes to my mind. I’m the son who lost two mothers and I couldn’t be there for either during their passing. I must be the worst son.

I was unable to accept Rio’s love properly, even though I did love her too. I did consider her the mother of Morgant Fallon, but I could not connect the dots and see her as my mother. It’s only now that I can finally say that she too was my mother. All I can do is hope she forgives me from wherever she is.

I spend the night at my house. The warm feeling of family comes back to me.

I was unable to sleep but not because of my nightmares, but because I was too happy to see my family again. I even got to sleep with my younger brother. I really have to apologize to him too.

The next day I dress up back into my school uniform, though I already have a feeling that I won’t be going.

I glance off in the distance and I can see a red Porsche.

My younger brother and I stand in front of the door as my mother sees us leave.

“Mother. I’m sorry for everything. I know I haven’t been the best son but I do truly think you are an amazing woman. I really do love you.”

“What’s going on with you today? It’s so unlike you to say such things, but I love you too dear.”

“It’s nothing, I really hope you can forgive me someday.”

She has a perplexed face. I crouch down to my younger brother. He tilts his head waiting for me to speak. I crouched down to see my brother eye to eye.

“You have to be strong okay? For mother’s sake.”

He doesn’t get it but he nods his head.

“I will!”

“That’s good. You have to make her happy. Both for you and your future partner.”

Leaving behind those words I leave the house. Mother goes back in and my younger brother goes to school in a different direction.

I walk up the car and he’s standing there, waiting for me. He doesn’t seem to irritated from what I said yesterday, well, this guy was always like this anyway.

“Hmph, it seems like you’ve already made up your mind without me having to remind you.”

“I’m old enough.”

“Yeah, you’re an old man.”

I get the feeling that once I enter his car everything will turn back to the way it was supposed to. I will be back at the orphanage and Miko and the others will be huddling around me after I’ve fainted. No, I guess I’ll be back at that disgusting room of flesh and bones. This test was far too cruel.

I take one last breath of the air I remember and slowly open the car door.

“Wait!”

I hear a desperate voice from behind me.

I turn around to see Erin running towards me. She looks incredibly distraught, almost like she’s about to cry. I take a glance at my other self, he sighs and says I have five minutes.

Thanks.

“Erin I-“

Before I could even speak She runs to me and embraces me.

“Where are you going?!”

I don’t know how but it looks like she’s realized that I was going somewhere. Somewhere far away where I can never see her again.

“Erin… I’m sorry. I want to talk to you more, to be with you more and spend my days with you.”

“Then why are you leaving?!”

I can see tears dripping down her eyes as she looks up at me, still clinging onto me.

“Erin… there is somewhere else I have to be. People are waiting for me. Many people need my help.”

“I don’t get it! I don’t! You never told me anything! So why are you leaving?!”

I wish I could explain it to her in a way that made sense. Alas I can’t. The only thing I can do is this. I meet my lips with hers. Her eyes widen but she doesn’t resist. I truly do love her, I wish I could bring her with me but that wouldn’t be right.

“Erin. I’ll always love you.”

She looks at me with teary eyes.

…

This scene is reminiscent of the time I really left her. She shakes her head like back then. My heart starts to waver but I know what I have to do. I steel myself.

“Will you come back?”

“… No.”

“…”

“Sorry.”

She gently pushes me away and turns her back.

“I love you too Aran. I always did and I always will. If you have to go, then I’d rather send you off with a smile.”

She turns around and gives me a smile. It’s a horrible smile, I can see her resisting the urge to cry again. She always was a cry baby. She takes something out of her pocket. It’s a hairpin with a cute skull and crossbones on it. She did like these kinds of things too, huh.

“Good bye… Erin.”

“Good bye… Aran.”

PART SEVEN

As I enter the car I am overtaken by a great white void. My body returns to the form of Morgant Fallon. Right, this is how it should be, and standing in front of me was Shade.

“Welcome back.”

“… Thanks.”

Then standing before me was Erin, but I knew that it wasn’t really her. It couldn’t be. She simply stood there gazing back at me with a sinister smile.

“You’ve been of great entertainment to me.”

‘Entertainment’ he says, I don’t like that he’s using Erin face to say things like that.

“Was that all you wanted to do? Torment me?”

“Of course, because my purpose in life had never changed since it’s inception. I did it all simply because it amused me so. Now then, since you have enterta- I mean passed my test I shall bestow upon you what you wished for most. However I don’t believe even with my powers you will be powerful enough to reach your goals. That is something that you need to obtain with your own hands.”

“Of course. I fully intend to do so.”

He places a hand on my head once more.

“Then you shall receive our entire legacy.”

I felt myself a sensation I’ve never felt before. The only way I could describe it was ‘flight’. As I opened my eyes a vast expansion of space peered endlessly out in front of me. I could see the stars in the distance, various gases and planets.

“Where am I?”

“You are at the heart of the cosmos. The greatest being was said to have lived here.”

If I’m recalling correctly he’s talking about [Azathoth], right?

“Your father?”

He nods. Azathoth was said to be the father of Nyarlathotep.

“You will fell a great pain, you may lose your sanity, but that to endure through that means to receive our legacy.”

I was caught off guard.

I was hurled through the space at great speeds. I felt as though my body was about to be ripped to shreds. During that time my head was becoming filled with images of unimaginable things.

The history of the universe. The rise and fall of the cosmic empire. All of the deaths and darkness. The eldritch abominations. I’ve seen them all. I can never hope to describe or explain this in a manner that would be satisfactory but know that I was horrific beyond what any human should go through.

I vomited several times through me being hurled across space. My arms seemed to rip out from my shoulders. My legs from my hips. My head from my neck. Just as suddenly as I was brought to this place I was brought back to reality. The slow falling snow fell down on my head.

“Is it over?”

As I say that everything went dark again. Motherfu- what now?

[System patch… 15%]

[System patch… 45%]

[System patch… 85%]

[System patch… complete]

[System updated]

[Skill Evolution in progress… initializing… ]

Skill evolution?

[Life Drain] has successfully updated!

Adding [Avatar of Nyarlathotep] to skill menu

My [Life Drain] turned into a completely different skill. I pressed on the inspect tab next to it.

[Avatar of Nyarlathotep: Summon the avatar of the Dread God to siphon the health and sanity of enemies within the user’s radius. Afflicted targets will have their ability to differentiate between friend and foe disabled and will display erratic behavior].

O… kay.

So this is a step up from [Life Drain]. I didn’t even know such a system existed.

Once more I was pulled back into reality.

[New skill acquired: [Transformation - Aspect of the Black Pharaoh]

[Transforms the user into the [Black Pharaoh] granting increased stats. Each rank of the skill gives the user 1% of their total stats, capping out at 50%].

[New skill acquired: [Mental Fortress(Passive)]]

[Mental Fortress: gives user dramatically increased resistance from mental based attacks and negates weak or low level magic attacks. Negation rate depends on skill rank.]

Well, how generous of him. I turned around to give my thanks for the lovely skills but Nyarlathotep was gone. So I’ve become the successor to the Lovecraftian abominations.

I opened my [status menu] and noticed another ‘profession’ was added.

GOD OF DREAD. I’m actually feeling quite good about this. It’s not every day that I get the chance to use the power of Lovecraftian abominations to do battle against Celtic gods.

Oh, this will be truly fun. Just wait for me, Nodens.

END REPORT

[Status Menu]

Morgant Fallon. Level 67

NECROMANCER

DEMON GENERAL

GOD OF DREAD

Strength: 253 (240 + 13)

Dexterity: 12 (5 + 7)

Magic: 29 (5 + 24)

Insight: 124 (100 + 24)

Agility: 11 (5 + 6)

[Status Points: 0]

[Skill List]

(PASSIVE) [Life Force Sensory]: Level 50 (MASTERED)

(PASSIVE) [Toxin Resistance]: Level 42

(PASSIVE) [Undead's Tenacity]: Level 50 (MASTERED

(PASSIVE) [Mental Fortress]: Level 1

(AUGMENT) [Enchanting Voice]: Level 37

(AUGMENT) [Transformation - Aspect of the Black Pharaoh]: Level 1

(ACTIVE) [Avatar of Nyarlathotep]: Level 1

(ACTIVE) [Wither]: Level 37

(ACTIVE) [Decay]: Level 42

(ACTIVE) [Summon - Skeleton Knight]: Level 47

(ACTIVE) [Shadow Lance]: Level 50 (MASTERED)

(ACTIVE) [Shadow Shield]: Level 50 (MASTSERED)

(ACTIVE) [Summon - Terror of the Depths]: Level 1/Required Level: 100

(ACTIVE) [Soul Bind Summoning]: Level 50 (MASTERED)

(SOUL BIND) [Summon - Ghost King]: Level 50 (MASTERED)

(SOUL BIND) [Summon - Succubus Princess]: Level 50 (MASTERED)

(SOUL BIND) [Summon - Spider Queen]: Level 50 (MASTERED)

(SUB SKILL) [Anti-Life Gambit]: Level 40

(SUB SKILL) [Intimidating Roar]: Level 40

(SUB SKILL) [Shield Charge): Level 40

(SUB SKILL) [Fortification): Level 40

(TEMPORARY) [Evil Eye]: Level 50 (MASTERED)

[Equipment]

[Shard of Tyrving]

+ 4 [All Stats]

[Sebastian's Pocket Watch]

+ 3 [Strength]

+ 3 [Dexterity]

+ 3 [Insight]

[Father's Sword Hilt]

+ 6 [Strength]

+ 4 [Insight]

+ 2 [Agility]

[Necronomicon]

+[20 Magic]

+[13 Insight]