《Dissonance Of Aeons》


 Chapter 1: Distant from Home

    "What is this desolate planet?", Garm muttered confusedly


    "We just arrived in Planet X16C ready yourselves three of you, you''ll gonna be staying here for a very long time", the Euphymian guard yelled.


    "Ugh, If we are going to be exiled, then why are we ended up on such a barren and uninhabited planet for fuck sake", Bardon groaned.


    The Euphymian guards pushed the three Euphymians exiles out of the spaceship.


    "You bastards are lucky that the high council didn''t execute you scumbags for such treacherous crimes", the guard said angrily.


    "The high council told the masses that they are part of a bigger prophecy, heck with that I would kill them if I''m the one who''s in charge", the other guard muttered.


    "Stealing a forbidden elixir that the ancient gods gifted our people before our race even existed is a heinous crime itself but drinking it is beyond unforgivable. I can''t believe why would the high council would only exile these scums. I guess you cannot die now for swallowing the elixirs", a guard sputtered.


    "Enjoy your vacation fellas! For Eternity!", one of the guards shouted.


    The ship flew quickly from the ground into space leaving the traitors without food and water.


    "I guess we are living here for quite some time, we don''t need food to eat we don''t die anyways thanks to the elixir that we just stole from them", Garm spoke calmly.


    "We maybe survive without drinking or eating but our bodies take a toll without consuming nutrients", Arden responded.


    "We split up! Chances of us getting a shelter and food would increase", Bardon demanded.


    "No!", Arden quickly reacted.


    "Are you insane? We don''t know this desolate planet yet and what monstrosities this planet is lurking in. We better not split up and find resources together that way we have a better chance of surviving", Arden said.


    "Right! I agree I won''t waste my immortality for nothing I would rather starve to death than to be eaten", Garm replied.


    They walk for hours and spotted an oasis in the distance. They were eager to get close to the oasis but the place is filled with hostile creatures.


    "What is that thing?", Bardon said.


    "Which one?", Arden asked.


    "That huge creature that gnawing on dead creatures.."


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    "I don''t know either..", Arden said.


    "Alright, let''s name a bunch of these creatures as we go along. I''m afraid that we''re going to kill them if we have to..", Garm said.


    "Okay, I''ll name the huge creature a dinosaur..", Arden said.


    "Why is that?"


    "You know the word predators? Sauro..."


    "I don''t care we will going to kill them anyways..", Garm said.


    The group silently approached the creature, the creature startled and began to charge the group.


    "I got this..", Bardon said.


    Bardon punched the dinosaur directly hitting the creature in the eyes. Bardon manage to stagger the monstrosity and the monster charged again.


    Bardon punched the creature again and this time the dinosaur''s head flew and landed on Arden''s head.


    "As expected from an elite soldier..", Garm said.


    "That''s nothing.."


    "Do you have to do that?", Arden said.


    Bardon realized that the severed head of the dinosaur was all over Arden''s face.


    Arden scan the area and decided to make a temporary shelter.


    Have decent wood within this place and a water source. We may end up killing more creatures to survive.


    "I agree.. we should camp here for the night. I can''t believe how hot this planet is.", Garm said.


    After a few months they manage to survive and they found a way to build a shabby shelter.


    "I can''t believe our state! I will rather be dead than living in such condition like this for the rest of my life", Bardon uttered agitatedly.


    "Don''t lose hope brothers! Don''t forget that we are already immortals, we will be living for a millennium or even longer if we don''t get ourselves recklessly killed. Remember the elixirs only grant us not aging but it doesn''t mean that we don''t get ourselves killed", Garm uttered with hope.


    "Arden, you had experiments back when we are in Quenterac right?" (Quenterac the planet where the Euphymians dwell).


    "Yes, I do experiment on some animals to make them ready for combat and they can be easily trained too. I would sell them to the black market back then. Do you know how much the military would give me for such creatures?", Arden muttered boastfully.


    "I don''t care less about the details, we can use your abilities to experiment with the creatures here to be our slaves", Garm replied.


    "It doesn''t work that way Garm, even if I experimented on these creatures they still don''t have intellect and physical attributes that we have", Arden doubtfully responded.


    "So we can''t make those Dinosaurs be our slaves?", Bardon gestured.


    "Unfortunately, No I can''t perform a DNA synthesis out of the creatures outside. But a creature with similar physical attributes to us with just minimal intelligence would work. But the thing is, I don''t have a synthesizer with me if I could have one it would be possible", Arden said.


    "That would not be a problem Arden, I stole an artifact in Quenterac. It says that if I could combine my life force with my blood I could craft the desired object. I stole it because it would help me sometime in the future", Garm explained.


    "Why the fuck are you telling that us now!", Bardon shouted angrily.


    "Calm down, this is not the time to be agitated. I can materialize any minerals in the thin air in exchange for my blood and life force that would be detrimental to me. I would use this ability if we were in a dire situation and this situation would be the case", Garm carefully explained.


    "Enough arguing both of you, we are here to survive and we had good news that Garm had possessed the such incredible ability. Having such power, we can make a civilization ruled by us and I can''t afford to lose that. Anyways, having our DNA infused by these creatures is not impossible, it just takes time though", Arden said.


    Two weeks later, the machine is made but leaving Garm bedridden in the process.


    "Only a creature with the same physical features as us Euphymians would be possible, I don''t know if a creature in such feature would exist in this world.", Arden reminded everyone.


    "I''ll do it! No one else can but me", Bardon stated.


    "Are you out of your mind? Garm is still injured and we can''t leave him behind like that besides I''m too frail to venture on this planet", Arden said.


    "Fine, I still need to get some food and medicine to help Garm recover", Bardon utters.


    "Wait, I know you are a tough guy but you''re not a herbalist I would find the plants for you. Besides, I made an instrument to help me identify unknown items and plants across this place", Arden said.


    "Oh fuck! You got a point! Glad you made such a device", Bardon said laughingly.


    A month later


    Garm slowly regaining his health. But they are slowly scarce on food.


    "Arden, I need you to take care of Garm. I need to find that creature as soon as possible or we might get all bedridden because of starvation", Bardon said with a sense of urgency.


    "No, wait! I''m coming with you!", Garm yelled.


    "You want us to get both killed? You still can''t get up", Bardon utters.


    "It''s fine Garm let him be, he''s a warrior and it is his pride to do so. And no one would guard this place if both of you guys would go", Arden said.


    "Ugh, fuck! I don''t know about this plan. It could go worse", Garm groaned.


    "What could go worse? We are already in shit", Bardon replied.

 Chapter 2: A Meaningful Journey

    In one cold night, Bardon packed his belongings getting ready for his first or maybe his last expedition on this planet.


    Bardon, you need this., Arden hands over three devices.


    "This first device would help you locate the specific specimen that we need for the synthesiser and this second device is used for capturing such creature with ease, it maybe look small but it can mind control the creature to follow you. Now the last device will guide back to our camp. Make sure to use these instruments wisely because you can only use these once.", Arden said.


    "Also here I crafted this bag to shelter your necessary provisions for the journey", Arden added.


    "If I don''t get back from this, make sure that you don''t fail and end up like me", Bardon replied nervously.


    "May the stars and cosmos guide you in your journey my friend", Arden uttered.


    "Be safe out there brother", Garm politely responded.


    Bardon got up with his feet.


    "I''ll better be moving, the sooner the better", Bardon sputtered.


    As soon as Bardon started his journey the rain started pouring out.


    "This is gonna be a long journey ahead", Bardon thought.


    He began quickly moving his pace, aware that the creature around might spot him out. After two weeks trekking in the barrens and dry desert, he noticed that environment around him changed.


    "Finally, no more sands this place is completely different from the ones we originally landed. Odd, climate on this place is a lot colder. I need to start to make a camp soon for the night"


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    "The snow gets heavier through the night and fortunately I found this cave."


    He rustled through his bag that Arden gave him.


    "What is this?", Bardon said confusedly.


    He flicked the device and the fire came out from it.


    "Yes! this is exactly what I need, this is kind of lighter or some sort. I need wood its still freezing in here even though I''m inside this cave I might suffer from hypothermia if this shit keeps up."


    As Bardon gathered enough twigs and branches, he realized that something isn''t right. Its very quiet something''s wrong here I need to get back to the camp right away.


    Bardon quickens his pace when suddenly something is rustling in the bushes. He quickly sprinted and the wolf (the creature what we call today they don''t have the names for the creatures back then) lunges to him and lacerated his leg from its bite.


    "Fuck! Fuck! Don''t come near me! You scum", Bardon yelled aggressively.


    The wolf began to howl signalling other wolves, telling them that he found his prey. A pack of them started to jump out in the shadows and scratched his back.


    "I''m getting tired I don''t have enough life force left from walking two weeks straight."


    "Fuck! This is bad!", Bardon groaned.


    He bashed one of the wolves using the wooden walking stick in the head. One of wolf is disoriented and began to ran away.


    "Good! One creature is fleeing, I must think fast before they attack me again. That''s it I think this might work!", Bardon realized.


    He quickly torn down his sleeves and wrapped it across his wooden walking staff and use the device to burn the piece of cloth on his staff.


    "God! I hope this would work, what am I talking about God cannot help me in this situation."


    He began swinging his staff around to the wolves.


    "Back off! I said back the fuck off!", Bardon shouted with desperation.


    "It seems that it''s working the wolves are afraid of the fire but something is wrong, one of the wolves is missing."


    The missing wolf jump from behind and gnawed his exposed arm. Yet Bardon is unfazed in adrenaline, he quickly reacted and strikes the wolf down.


    Suddenly it seems that the wolves are not attacking Bardon they are scared of something, something that Bardon is not aware of. The wolves feel threatened they seems to know what''s coming their way.


    "Good riddance, these creatures are seems to be fleeing now."


    But little did Bardon know a bear is approaching behind his back.


    An enormous bear popped out, out of nowhere.


    "The creature might be attracted from my blood, that''s it I''m completely fucked now!", Bardon whimpered.


    As soon as the bear comes closer to him Bardon feels that his body is on his limit.


    "I feel extremely weak I cannot move unexpectedly. it might be the intense weather or the blood lose, nonetheless I''m getting tired and sleepy."


    "I cannot die here not after what I''ve been through, I must! I need to be alive!", Bardon whimpered in agony.


    Bardon dropped his knees crawling backwards away from the bear.


    "For some reason, I can''t speak all a sudden. This is it, this is the end of me. Life is just an endless suffering anyways its probably the best not exist in this cruel world in first place."


    His eyes started to get heavier with a tears down his face.


    "Now that I will be dead any moment now I realized something, something that I know my whole life and didn''t realized it until now."


    "This whole universe is fucked! Existence is suffering itself they coexist no matter what. All my hardwork and my achievement all leads to this. Life is just an empty shell without any substance to it, we persevere, we grow, ultimately we suffer. There''s no escape from death itself."


    "Goodluck both of you Garm and Arden I hope we see each other again..."

 Chapter 3: Looming Fate

    Bardon is still unconscious with the blood all over him. Oddly enough, the bear seems not to care about him at all. The bear might be agitated by the wolves that might harm her cubs. The bear just wanted to defend her territory by unwanted predator.


    While unconscious Bardon dreamed about his deceased son during the Great Battle of Quenterac, a battle took place in Quenterac (the planet where the exiles lived) two kings decide to rule over the planet and reigns supreme.


    "This bloodshed never ends because of simple greed of power and sovereignty, countless family broke apart and innocent children dies. For what rich and glory?, life is just a simple toy for them", Bardon uttered. (Bardon once was the Grand Commander for King Granfrez, the king of the northern empire)


    His son was a honourable knight for King Granfrez and would die to serve the king.


    "I disliked my son because of his blind honor but I am proud of him and I regret that I never even said that to him, not even the day he died", Bardon thought.


    "I wish I fought beside him til the every end. I wish that I died in that battle not him instead obeying that ruthless bastard of a king."


    King Granfez eventually win the battle but for the price of Bardon son''s life.


    "After that incident, I resigned as a commander I would no longer see my king as a honourable man. I tried so hard to find another job just to fill my belly its a shame that Quinthiz (his wife) see me now today. I just a broken shell of a man of my former glory."


    His wife died after giving birth of his son and somehow blames it so his son for giving birth to him.


    "I am such coward and blissful moron back then I even blame the death of my beloved wife to my son, what a sad fuck I am."


    "Maxilliom, my son. I am always been proud of you, always been. I''m sorry that I did, I put the blame on you when your mother died. Now we can fight along side with other again", Bardon uttered.


    "Dad, I am always be with you no matter what", Maxilliom lamented voice increasingly fading.


    "Son! Son! Come back!", Bardon whimpered.


    "Son!"


    He didn''t realized that it was only just a dream. Bardon is suddenly awakened from a near death.


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    "I feel my wounds are getting better. I don''t know what the hell happened", Bardon spoke with relief.


    "I can still feel the pain though but I feel that it miraculously healed or something that is really weird. For extra measures", Bardon patched up his wounds from the thin portions of his bloodied clothing.


    "I must get to the cave immediately or else the wounds starts opening again I best hurry", Bardon thought.


    "He picked up his walking staff and began limping through the heavy snowstorm I am surprised that I didn''t froze to death while I was in a short coma. That dream though its something else."


    "Three hours later, Bardon finally made his way back to the camp. Good thing, that I didn''t forgot to bring back the woods with me."


    Bardon started the fire and boiled the snow using a wooden pot that Arden made for him on his backpack.


    "Arden really thought about this journey this makes it a lot easier"


    He drank the water and dressed his wounds to prevent it from getting an infection. He rested for a week to be able to completely got back up with his feet again.


    "All I been eating this past few days with this fuzzy looking white creature (a bunny) they doesn''t taste too bad to be honest but I would like some salt on it."


    "Its a miracle that I survived from an attacked with those ferocious beast with nothing but a walking stick, I merely survived that one. After all of this is done, I would like Arden to make a decent weapon a sword to be exact or we might as well build a decent house as well", Bardon thought to himself.


    "I forgot about the creature I need to find this creature even if I''m still injured I can''t leave Garm and Arden unchecked", Bardon murmured.


    As soon as he feels that his wounds are slightly getting better, he immediately thought about the woods that he has previously attacked.


    "That strange woods is interesting I found two different creatures in the same time, I might found the specific specimen for this journey if I go back and venture that woods again", Bardon thought.


    Packed his belongings and taking his walking stick he ventured again to the woods where he previously got unconscious from.


    "This might sound stupid that I go out in that same area that I almost died from, but I''m desperate we won''t survive this planet if we don''t get aid in a form of man power we are too frail and weak to go on."


    Even limping on his walking stick Bardon seems to motivated. He seems to be confident that this specimen might be lurking on this place.


    "I know that if I don''t get this shit done we are all doomed I can''t go back to camp empty handed", Bardon uttered.


    He slowed his pace for the nearby predators that might spot him.


    "This place is cold, I can''t last for a month I will die here."


    Bardon decided to grab the locator that Arden gave him.


    "I hope this will work," Bardon said.


    He points the device to the nearest creature he can found but none of them seems to work.


    "Arden said that the device should blink red if the creature of appropriate for synthesizing."


    He points at the third creature that he spotted, no luck. As he gets deeper in the woods, the fogs seems be denser and denser.


    "This might actually be bad news for me the fog gets thicker in the area I can''t properly see where the specimen might be. I''m thirsty I need to find this specimen soon."


    Luckily, after Bardon walked further and further to the dense fog. He miraculously spotted something.


    "A lake? Frozen lake to be exact, Bardon thought to himself. I think I have a knife with me."


    Bardon grabbed his knife and began stabbing the thick layered ice to get some water.


    "This is way too thick but I need water I don''t have a choice."


    Unknowingly, Bardon seems to be attracting creatures by the way he stabbing the frozen ice, forcefully. The creature seems to be intrigued something that is hanging on his backpack.


    As soon as the creature touched the pot that is hanging down his back. The locator started making noises alerting the prehistoric monkey (which is extinct nowadays).


    Bardon quickly startled from the beeping noise and began to look behind him. The monkey swiftly ran away and climbed on a tree.


    Bardon reacted and grabbed the third device and sapped the monkey in place, plummeted against the snowy ground.


    "So this is what Arden was looking for, look at the size of the teeth of this thing its fucking massive."


    "Arden was right, we are looking for a creature that is relatively look like an actual Euphymian it got arms and legs."


    "Get up!", Bardon instructed.


    "It''s seems to understand as well."


    "I need to get back to camp immediately. Finally, I found this thing", Bardon let out a sigh of relieve.

 Chapter 4: New Reality

    Year 2025 Planet X16C present day, Planet Earth.


    A lot happened after the three exiles reigned over the Earth they completely civilized the synthetic creatures so that they can have the consciousness on their own. It takes several years and further experimentation to perfect the feeble minds of the synthetic creatures.


    After several wars and bloodshed has passed. The creatures become much more stable and docile, thanks to Lord Garm. They managed to build empires and establish each countries on their own without the help of its masters.


    Unfortunately, Lord Garm passed away and his body was not found. The synthetic creatures on the other hand are now called humans.


    Took their own will what Lord Garm started to make the human race the greatest civilization that ever existed. Little do these humans know that there are other existent life forms that are living in the cosmic planes.


    The humans further improved their technology and race. After all the effort the humanity pours into their society. The human race became more and more inhumane. The senseless wars, innocent children dying of hunger, and overall dissatisfaction of existence.


    Even all of the sufferings that these creatures endured. One extraordinary human stood out the most, one that can change reality and the very fabric of time. This is how the story of a extraordinary human that can change the fate of the whole entire planet.


    "Astraea! Astraea! Wake up! Wake up, girl! You are gonna be late for graduation if you don''t wake up now." Janice yelled (Astraea''s mother)


    "Uhhh.. Yes.. Yes! I''m coming!", Astraea yelled out.


    She quickly got out of bed without fixing it. Washed her face and run downstairs.


    "Astraea, I have a good news for you. I have some friend of mine that will help you find a job after you graduate highschool and earn some money for the meantime", Janice said cheerfully.


    "B-But , I don''t wanna go to work I wanna finish studying and get a better job afterwards. I wanna be an astronomer just like dad", Astraea said pleadfully.


    "Astraea, dear you know I don''t have the money to pay for that and you know it", Janice said.


    "After your father died I''m the only one who raised you and I can''t do that anymore these days I''m already that old. But I will still keep working just to keep up with daily expenses", Janice added


    "Yeah I know... So what''s the job that you said earlier?", Astraea asked.


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    "I have an old friend that owned a convenience store and they were lacking some crew, you think you can handle the work my dear?", Janice replied.


    "Yeah, well I guess so. I don''t have much of a choice either", Astraea said.


    "Well that settles it then, quickly take a shower and eat your breakfast. Your graduation will start very soon, so hurry up.", Janice said.


    After Astraea is done. She jolted down to her bike to get to school. When suddenly she noticed that the path she usually rode seems kinda odd, no one is around even this time of day.


    She gazed upon the skies and shocked after seeing thousands of boxed lines floating in the sky and soon after immediately faded away.


    "That''s really strange, I- I think.. I must be hallucinating or something. Maybe because of lack of sleep lately. I need to pay close attention to my mental health next time."


    "Oh shit! It already started", Astraea said.


    "Hey! You! You need to wear these togas now if you want to attend the graduation ceremony", the teacher said.


    "Yes ma''am! Right away", Astraea replied.


    In the middle of the ceremony the boxed lines appeared in the skies once again.


    "What the fuck!?", Astraea sputtered confusingly.


    "Is there something wrong, Astraea? You seems a little bit of an odd ball recently", one of her classmates replied.


    "No, it''s nothing I just forgot something in the house, that''s all."


    Astraea is wondering about this strange occurrences this day and she realized that this happened to her in the past that she wanted to forget. The most disturbing part of her childhood.


    "It almost feel like what happened that day."


    Young Astraea flicked over the book that she is reading about how the universe is created. "The beginning of time, there were two primordial beings that wrestled and collided eternally to prove who''s in the right or wrong. Goddess Ashinopa fought against Lord Vienematras with all eternity when suddenly the time itself shattered and the Seal of Existence broke apart.


    A huge explosion took place and it created different timelines of creation. Millions of it''s pieces scattered across the vast and empty void of space and expanded to a new spectrum of life that we now call universe.


    "What''cha reading kid? Reading about these nonsensical fantasy and make believes again?", the bully said.


    "You know that only Lord Garm created the universe and only the humans are the top of the food chain, nothing else. So quit reading this lies and start worshipping Lord Garm instead."


    "Gimme that book!", the bully yelled.


    "No!! This is what my father gave me...", Astraea replied.


    One of the bullies snatched over the book forcefully from her hands and laughed.


    "This is what we do to heretics like you!"


    They started throwing rocks at her and eventually hit her. Blood gushing through her forehead.


    "Hey guys! I think she had enough or we get into trouble."


    "This poor brat have nothing with us high class citizens."


    "Give me that stupid book!", the bully said.


    The bully grabbed a lighter and started burning the book.


    "Hahaha! Fucking heretics."


    "Noooooo!", Astraea shouted.


    Suddenly a purple ray of light strucked upon her from the skies, glowing the entire playground. Several of constellations appeared on her arms as the ray of light increasingly growing. Her hair stood up and began changing electrifyingly odd colors like some sort of cosmic galaxies.


    The playground seems to be sucked out of light as soon as Astraea began glowing. The strange boxed lines began to form its shape. And seems like other people outside the sphere that she magically created completely ignored what''s happening.


    ''What the fuck are you!"


    "A demon! A demon!"


    "Throw more rocks at her!"


    The rocks are pulled in by a gravitational force and absorbed inside her body completely.


    She moved her right hand slowly and bullies quickly gravitate above her.


    "I can''t breathe! I can''t fucking breathe!"


    "I can''t move! HELLPPP!"


    Astraea stroked her left arm this time and twisted her fingers. Their bodies become distorted and their bones began to break every inch of their bodies slowly shredded. Blood began to pour out of their measly bodies. Their legs was the first that torned down then the arms.


    After Astraea began speak mysterious chants and move her arms forming a x across her. Their bodies began to bloat, blood squirted out. And finally exploded to several pieces.


    The glowing fades and their shredded carcasses dropped. Astraea began to regain her consciousness.


    "What happened to me? I can''t remember. Why is the floor so wet?", Astraea said.


    As the car drove by, illuminating the vicinity. She was shocked about the pool of blood and the horrifying corpses that completely surrounded the whole playground.

 Chapter 5: The Owner

    "Astraea! Astraea! Wake up! Are you okay? You''re sweating bullets... Are you having nightmares again?", Janice told her worryingly.


    "Ugh! (panting heavily) I- I had this nightmare again... I don''t know whether it actually happened or it was just my mind playing tricks on me. I don''t remember... I was just little back then... I can''t...", Astraea spoke confusedly.


    "Nightmares are just our repressed emotions that haunts us for time to time. They are not real my dear, you shouldn''t be worried. Go prepare, you have an interview this morning. And I don''t want you to be late", Janice replied.


    "Yes, ma. I''ll be going downstairs soon.."


    She tightened her cheeks and slapped them to make sure that she will be alright. Astraea opened the shower faucet and as soon as the water drenched her frail body it began to calm her down. She wear her usual black shirt and her black hoody.


    "I don''t think that I have the proper attire for this interview but I will wear my favourite clothes instead. I''ll be alright, I need to be present minded before the interview. I won''t fuck this up..", Astraea said calmly.


    After she was done taking shower and get dressed, she head downstairs and eat breakfast.


    "Astraea, I want you to act politely okay?", Janice reminded her.


    "What? I am always polite and well mannered just like always.."


    "Not that I doubted you. I just want you to be extra mature today", Janice said.


    "Sure.. I guess..", Astraea nodded.


    "Make sure you bring all the stuff that you need.. I hope you''ll get hired my dear. I''ll be praying for you", Janice said.


    "Stop with that non sense... When father got ill, did your prayers get any answers? He died instead and now were stuck in such predicament", Astraea responded.


    "I wish that I never believed in Goddess Ashinopa in the first place. I''ve always look up to her when things in my life goes horribly wrong... She never believed in me...", Astraea muttered bitterly.


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    "Astraea.. that was a long time ago. What happens, happened on purpose... Who are we to complain. Just be strong my dear, we are still alive and that alone drives us to keep moving forward even though that path is difficult", Janice replied.


    "Yeah, I guess so.. I''ll better go now, ma. Take a rest for time to time, okay? Be sure to take enough water as well. Take care, I love you...", Astraea said.


    ''Bye sweetie.." Janice said.


    "I never had faith in any gods since the day that my father died I was just a child when he was gone. And my mother was the only one that keep making sure that we survived without him. How can life be so fucking cruel..." Astraea thought to herself.


    Astraea arrived from her destination and she was shocked that store from the inside was totally devastated. After the owner came out of the establishment. The cop interviewed the store owner and gave him some papers. Seems like a photo of a guy.


    "What''s is going on? I can barely hear them.. Probably some thug who robbed that store or something. But I don''t think it actually happens though, the store owner is more worried about his life than his job."


    Finally, Astraea had the courage to step in towards the store to hear the conversation more clearly.


    "Just like I said, we have curfew this evening and you should stay indoors as much possible. The suspect is still on the move and we don''t know if he''s still in this city or not. We conducted an investigation prior to this and we will make sure that the civilians will know what occurred. We will get the bottom of this for sure, don''t worry sir", Police responded.


    "B-But what will happen to my son?.. Will he gonna be alright? I- I don''t know what to do.. I don''t know how to tell his mother about this", the owner replied agitatedly.


    ''Sir, your son is alright. He is in the nearby hospital. Just relax and take a deep breaths. Everything is gonna be just fine, sir.."


    "I hope you''re right.." the owner said.


    The walkie talkie suddenly interrupted the conversation.


    "M4.. M4.. I need back up.. I need back up immediately!"


    "Sorry sir I had to go.. Just visit your son at the nearest hospital downtown. And a corresponding officer may aid you and ask some questions regarding the event", the police told him with urgency.


    Astraea approached the store owner carefully.


    "Uhmmm.. sir? A- Are you okay?", Astraea said.


    "Uhhh.. Oh hi.. What can I do you for today ma''am?", the store owner responded.


    Astraea can visibly tell that the man is in distress. The store owner is sweating profusely, hands clenched and shaking. He clearly wants to hide the terror on his face.


    "Uhhh.. maybe I can do the interview some other time, sir?", Astraea told him.


    "Ohh... No.. You made it on time.. Come inside the sun is scorching outside."


    "You want some cold beverage or coffee?", the store owner asked her.


    "What happened earlier, sir? If you don''t mind me asking", Astraea asked.


    "Ahh.. What? N- No nothing happened.. It''s just some burglars trying to rob the place recently..."


    "Sir.. I don''t wanna sound disrespectful but you need to go to your son.. he''s probably waiting for you.. I know what it feels to lose a family member..." Astraea politely responded.


    "Did you hear our conversation earlier?", the store owner replied.


    "Yes.. Why are you not going to the hospital?", Astraea said.


    "I will.. I will but I don''t have the courage... I can''t face my son... I left him here all by himself.."


    "That explains why the store got completely torn apart...", Astraea said.


    "I can take care of the mess but right now I need to get to my son first..", the owner said


    "Alright, I''ll come with you.. If you don''t have the courage to face your own son.. then I will be there to support with whatever he''s going through. He need his own father now for times like this", Astraea replied.


    "What about the store I can''t just leave this place, not like this.", the owner said.


    "What''s more important.. your store or your own son?", Astraea answered dramatically.


    "You''re right! Okay.. I will ride you to the hospital."


    "Wait.. I still don''t know your name.. After all I''ll be working for you from now on..", Astraea asked.


    "It''s Bill... You can call me Bill..."

 Chapter 6: A Gift

    Astraea walks across the pavement of the convenience store and through the alleyway. As she opens the door Bill handed her a necklace.


    "Take this... This necklace is given by my late mother when she was ill. She told me that this was given to her by my father when she was giving birth to me."


    "She said that this necklace is very important to her. I want you to give this to my son Jacob because he''s important to me as well.", Bill added.


    "I understand Mr. Bill I will take this..." (paused silently) Astraea gestured.


    "Come.. Come inside the van. I will take you there. I know that Jacob is waiting for us.", Bill responded.


    Astraea entered the van and fastened her seatbelt. She noticed that the van is littered with junk and signs of Lord Garm''s insignia. She began to doubt that this guy might be firm worshipper of Lord Garm.


    "Lord Garm?", Astraea asked.


    "Uh? Oh.. Yes I worshipped Lord Garm and a devotee to his cause. After all, he freed us people from total annihilation. He restored humanity and bring us life.. Some people say that Lord Garm is still alive and one day will save us all from perish.", Bill replied.


    "Why would you believe such things?" Astraea asked.


    "There is nothing wrong on believing a God. Faith brings good tidings to a person even with harsh diversity. Even some people would not accept Lord Garm''s teachings and prophecies, he''s still our savior. After all, he''s the one who created us all and it''s our duty as his creations to fulfill his wishes.", Bill said.


    Astraea went silent.


    Astraea is clearly not paying much attention. She already had a concrete ideology in religion and no matter how anyone would persuade her, she simply doesn''t allow it.


    "We arrived, there it is... I''ll be going back to the store now.", Bill said.


    "What? Why are you leaving now? Why can you just face him?", Astraea said.


    "Yeah, I will but.."


    "It''s just Jacob might not talk to me anymore or worst case scenario. His injuries might be worse than I would expect.", Bill added.


    "Nonsense! Your son would totally hate you for abandoning him with times like this. You should be more of a father figure and man up.", Astraea said.


    Bill got completely went silent after what she said. Both of them looked upon the old dilapidated building.


    "What a place..", Astraea said.


    The hospital is clearly shown its age. The rusty window bars and the broken mirrors falling apart, like it got torned from a war. Despite its flaws, the government tried it''s best to renovate the old building.


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    Bill opened the hospital''s entrance door and approached the nearby hospital counter. Meanwhile, Astraea noticed that the hospital were filled with swirling mists. Seems like they are alive.


    "I haven''t seen such mysterious smokes before.. Is someone been smoking here?", Astraea thought.


    After several seconds the fumes immediately faded away.


    "Odd.." Astraea said.


    Bill proceed to go over the counter to seek for his son. A tall female nurse was checking on her monitor when suddenly interrupted by Bill.


    "Nurse.. I''m looking for my son... 14 years old wearing a school uniform."


    "Mr. Bill I have been expecting you. Your son is currently admitted at room 67, 4th floor and he''s expected to have a surgery this evening", the nurse said.


    "Surgery? What surgery? What happen to him? What are his...", Bill sputtered confusedly.


    "Sorry sir... classified information. The doctors will inform you with further information.", the nurse replied.


    "Hurry Astraea! Come with me..", Bill said.


    As soon as Bill opened the door to his son''s hospital ward. He was shocked of how much injuries that this criminal done to his son. Both of his arms are ruptured and broken, same with his right leg. His ribs were heavily fractured as well.


    "What on God''s name they had done, this is sickening. Why would someone try to murder a mere child. This is unacceptable.", Bill said sobbingly.


    "Poor boy... If only I was there beside him, things would not turn this way,", Bill said.


    "Jacob? Jacob, my son? It''s dad..."


    Jacob was still unconscious when suddenly the door opened and the doctor arrived.


    "Mr. Bill, are you the parent of Mr. Jacob?", the doctor asked.


    "Yes? Why..?", Bill replied.


    "Sir, I need you to be calm okay? We will do the best of our abilities to make sure that Jacob would recover from this but I cannot assure that I can heal the emotional traumas that he might suffer. But with modern medicine I can firmly believe that your son will heal from physical injuries in no time.", the doctor said.


    "Whoever did this will pay for his life... I hope that they will rot in hell...", Bill said angrily.


    "I would love to talk about this more but we need prepare for the operations. I''m sorry that you had to deal with this, sir. The city is rampant with crime lately.", the doctor responded.


    The doctor left and leaving Bill sobbing and feel hopeless. Astraea rubbed his back and comfort him. Several hours later, the nurses rushed to room and took Jacob for the operation. In obvious distress, Bill is still hoping that Jacob is in the right hands.


    After several minutes, Astraea began to doze off. Meanwhile, Bill cannot manage to fall asleep. He is wondering why is this girl staying up with him. So, he waked her up.


    "Astraea..." (Astraea look on Bill''s eyes while half asleep) "Why are you still here? Aren''t you suppose to be home right now?", Bill asked.


    "What? What''s the time?", Astraea asked.


    "It''s almost 10:30 in the evening.", Bill answered.


    "Can I borrow your phone Mr. Bill?", Astraea asked.


    "Sure..", Bill responded.


    "Mom? Mom.. I''m currently at the hospital right now.. I''m with the owner of the convenience store.", Astraea said.


    "No... It''s just his son got injured.. Don''t worry I''ll be back tomorrow morning.", Astraea said.


    "Astraea, you should go home now. I''ll ride you home. I''ll be fine..", Bill said.


    "No, you''re not. As my future boss, I need to tend your personal issues as well. Whether you like it or not.", Astraea responded.


    Bill was silent after hearing that from her. But it shows that he appreciates her company.


    Hours later, the sun began to rise illuminating through the rusty window pane. Momentarily, someone knocked at the door.


    "Mr. Bill? I need to talk to you..", the doctor said.


    Bill quickly got up and goes outside the room to accompany the doctor. Astraea heard the commotion, after they left she slightly open the door to hear the conversation.


    "Mr. Bill, the surgery is quite successful but unfortunately... The bones on his fibula are severely damaged and the nerves connecting the joints are damaged as well.", the doctor said.


    "The muscles tissues are rapidly began to rot away. If we don''t immediately cut the affected muscles his whole body may rot."


    "We never seen such injuries before and are quite overwhelmed of what''s going. His nerves and tendons are severely damaged and basically we have to cut his left arm and right leg."


    "I''m afraid that your son may not walk again.."


    "I''m sorry, sir...", the doctor said.


    Bill''s face began to show no emotions at all. He felt like he got numb from all of this. He began to think that this might be a nightmare, all just a terrible dream. He''s in denial.


    "I- I need to take this all in... I need water..", Bill whimpered.


    Bill left Astraea and Jacob alone as he wanders around aimlessly. Astraea watched Jacob and how terrible that this kid might go through growing up. She took the necklace that Bill gave him and wear it on his neck. When suddenly, a strange glowing light began to appear out of nowhere.


    "Jacob? Can you hear me something is happening in your arms and legs...", Astraea yell.


    No signs of Jacob''s consciousness. Might be the cause of sedatives that injected to his system. As soon as Astraea touched the strange glow, the muscles that torn apart from his body began to regenerate. Flesh by flesh, they began to merge and recreate. Blood, tendons and bones began to shape.


    Astraea stumbled to the ground after what she had saw. And quickly ran away from the body. Panicking and tripping across the corridor, falling down the staircase. She ran and ran and left the hospital.

 Chapter 7: Rejection

    Bill was shocked about what happen to Jacob''s limbs. He carefully wakes him up and gave him a glass of water.


    "Jacob! Jacob... Jacob! My son...", Bill said.


    "Dad?... Where am I?", Jacob said.


    "You''re at the hospital, Jacob. I was incredibly worried about you", Bill said.


    "What happened to your arm and legs, son? They are miraculously healed... What the hell happened?", Bill spoke dramatically.


    "I-I don''t know, Dad... I think I saw a vision of a young girl touching me and I felt.... Uplifted... I can''t describe what happened...", Jacob said.


    "Astraea... Is there a girl beside you during I was away?"


    "I don''t know... Dad.. I was still asleep.. I can''t even recall when I got here.."


    "It''s alright son.. Take some more rest. I''ll figure this once were done with this, okay?"


    All of a sudden, a cop arrived in the ward. A black haired middle aged man with a little bit of scruffy beard. He immediately started asking question to Bill about the incident that took place on his store.


    "Excuse me, sir? May I have a word with you?", the cop asked.


    "Yes? What can I do for you?", Bill asked.


    "I believe that your son got severely injured from an unknown criminal. We recently pass out fliers of said individual, but you see our recent photos of this unknown assailant gets more mysterious. We still cannot indicate what are the motives of this assailant."


    "The photos that we recovered from security cameras brings more questions than answers. This individual is unusual than any ordinary criminals, they don''t steal or rob someone they kill people. What''s more strange is that, the videos that were captured from the security cameras are blurry and indistinguishable."


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    "We had a hard time who the culprit is and what the intentions are", the cop said.


    "After several hours of searching and finding clues the higher ups recently declined the case. I was shocked, because we are so close of finding this man."


    "What? What are talking about declining the case? This man could kill innocent people if no one is going to arrest him at some point", Bill rages


    "Sir... I could do this alone but the chief told us not pursue... He said that someone is already continuing the investigation. We could be facing several charges if we act on our own", the police said.


    The cop suddenly noticed that something is strange about the victim. He moved closer to Jacob as he watched over him.


    "What?", the cop said.


    He instantly uncovers the sheets and saw the Jacob was completely recovered.


    "I couldn''t believe this, I was the one who drove this kid to the hospital... He completely healed like nothing happened to him..", the cop said shockingly.


    "Sir, to tell you the truth. I have no explanation with this either. I''m just glad that he is alright, and that''s what really matters to me", Bill said.


    "Sir, I don''t know what happen but I''m really happy for you son. Rest assured that this won''t happen again, we will take extra measures of preventing any casualties in this city."


    The cop left the room with disbelief.


    Meanwhile, Astraea locked herself up the room without leaving the house for days. Her mom was worried about her and keep checking up on her time in time again.


    "Astraea? Can you talk to me for a minute, dear?", Janice said.


    "I can''t mom, not now...", Astraea said.


    "But, dear? You still have to do the job that I asked to do, right?", Janice said.


    "That''s not the time to ask me that, okay!", Astraea yelled.


    "Bill keep visiting you for days and you never said anything back to him...", Janice said.


    "At least, go talk to him about your problems, dear...", Janice added.


    "I won''t, if I were to tell you what happened you wouldn''t believe me anyways..", Astraea said.


    "What happened, dear? Tell me...", Janice said.


    "Nothing, mom...", Astraea said.


    All of a sudden, someone knocked at the front door.


    "Yes... Be there in a minute..", Janice said.


    "Jacob! I''m glad that you visited... Hey Bill, glad you can make it too.. Come in, come in..."


    "Good morning, ma''am. How''s your daughter?", Bill asked


    "She''s fine Bill I will tell Astraea that you visited"


    "Astraea, we have visitors come out they need to talk to you...", Janice said.


    As soon as Astraea left the room, Bill and Jacob were both crying.


    *Astraea we are thankful, all because of you Jacob can live a normal life...", Bill said sobbingly


    "What? I did nothing... I-I just... I wasn''t around for that long...", Astraea said.


    "We are thankful to you, Astraea. You gave us hope again... I know Jacob doesn''t say much but he believed that you were the one who saved him", Bill said.


    "You were given by the Gods a gift.... I know that my faith would lead me to this day", Bill added.


    "What Gods? Are you out of your mind? What happened back there is just mere coincidence I never had the power to do that, not in a million years. I''m just a mere teenager with no hope and faith, how am I suppose to do such miracles?", Astraea shouted.


    "I''m done with this conversation...", Astraea said.


    Astraea left the room and proceed to lock herself up in her room.


    "Astraea?... Astraea, come back...", Janice said.


    "Janice.. It''s okay. I think she got overwhelmed about what happened. If I were in her shoes I would do the same", Bill said.

 Chapter 8: The Incident

    Astraea become depressed over a couple of days, she locked herself up in her room isolating herself to society. She couldn''t bear what she is becoming, what she feared the most. A monster that trapped within herself.


    "I can''t call thing a gift... What I did back there is just a mere coincidence, I just can''t release this thing... It may end up hurting everyone... I must control it..", Astraea said.


    "Mom... I need some fresh air..."


    "Oh my dear! Look at you.. Are you eating properly, you look thin now.." Janice said worryingly.


    "I''m fine ma, no need to worry after all of these things are over I will help you out with our situation. We can do this.. I can do this..", Astraea said.


    She opened the front door, a cold december breeze struck upon her face.


    *I almost forgot that it''s almost Christmas Day. I should really start working and maybe give a present to my mom."


    Astraea walked upon hundreds of people buying and having a good time. While she felt empty inside.


    *So many people yet I feel so alone... No one to talk to... No one even bothered to message me. I guess people are trapped inside their own bubble. A facade, if you will. Most of the people I knew only talked to me if they needed something from me. Time never has changed", Astraea said.


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    Astraea stumbled upon an empty park. She find it weird that the park is completely vacant.


    "Damn! The weather is getting really cold, I should have wore better clothes"


    Suddenly, a loud siren echoed across the alleyway.


    "A fire? On this time of a night?", Astraea thought.


    She stood up and approached the guy whose alarmed by the siren.


    "Hey, excuse me sir. What''s going on?", Astraea asked.


    "A fire from several houses not far from here..."


    "W-What? Where!", Astraea said.


    "I don''t know, some guys told that it''s probably from Elk Saint Street."


    "That''s where I live!", Astraea yelled.


    Astraea quickly ran back shoving all that is on her way.


    She realized that her house was engulfed by flames. She slammed the blazing wooden door with her body. Pounding and pounding the door before it finally gave in.


    She saw her mom lying on the kitchen, bleeding and heavy gasping for air.


    "Mom! Mom! Mom! Talk to me!", Astraea yelled.


    Astraea cried for help but no one answered.


    Suddenly a big portion of the wooden foundation fall beneath Astraea''s back yet she remains unfazed and immediately recovered.


    All that she can think of is the safety of her mother who''s been unconscious for hours after she left.


    She pulled Janice out of the flames, carrying her outside.


    "Mom! Mom! Please don''t do this to me.. I can''t survive this world without you", Astraea said pleadfully.


    Janice suddenly awakens after hearing her voice. After hearing her voice Astraea manages to makes her feel safe.


    "Astraea, M-My dear... I always loved you and your father.. I- I...", Janice said.


    "Mom, you''ll be alright okay just hang in there."


    She dusted off the debris and dust that was all over Janice and checked her pulse. Nothing.


    She was in shocked and distress. She looked around the neighborhood but no one is around to help her.


    "M-mom? Mom!"


    The firefighters and ambulance finally arrived. They rushed to the burning house and quickly gushed out the flames. One rescuer approached Astraea.


    "Ma''am? Are you okay? Your arms... they are burned...", a rescuer said.


    "Why? Are you late? My mom is dying and you can''t even help an old woman? What the fuck is wrong with you people?", Astraea said.


    "Ma''am, we know that you''re in distress. I''m terribly sorry, we tried our best to get here. But we are stuck in traffic."


    "Are you guys suppose to save people''s lives? Why did you let my mother die?"


    The rescuer began to grab his bandages and proceeds to wrap the bandages around her arms.


    "Don''t fucking touch me!"


    "I hate... I- I hat.. you all..", Astraea said.


    Astraea fainted.

 Chapter 9: Acceptance

    "She''s awake! Jacob, she''s finally awake", Bill said.


    "Wha.. Where am I?", Astraea groaned


    "Astraea, you''re at the hospital", Bill said.


    "What happened to me? I don''t remember anything...", Astraea said.


    Bill suddenly went silent


    "You''ve been sleeping for 2 weeks straight Jacob and I were so worried about you.", Bill said.


    "What? 2 weeks, it''s been that long?", Astraea said.


    "I need to get to my mom, she might get worried that I haven''t gone home for weeks", Astraea said.


    "Astraea, you''re still tired. Go get some rest. Your mother know you''re here.", Bill said.


    Jacob nodded


    "Dad?", Jacob said.


    "It''s fine, son. It''s probably best this way. We will let her know after she recovered", Bill said.


    After few hours, Astraea''s doctor walked in.


    "Astraea? How are you? Is your arms still hurt?", the doctor said.


    "I''m fine doctor but my arms are a little bit numb", Astraea said.


    "That''s perfectly fine, we are actually Impressed how swiftly you have recovered after your arms got severely burned.", the doctor said.


    "Burned?", Astraea asked.


    "Astraea, you suffered from 3rd degree burns from both your arms."


    "Doctor, enough!", Bill exclaimed.


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    "Mr. Bill, the patient needs to know what happened to her."


    Astraea began feel nauseous and pain on her head.


    "Astraea, are you okay?", Bill said.


    Astraea began to cry.


    "Mom! Where is my mom? I need to get to her!", Astraea shouted.


    "Astraea.. Your mom...", Bill said.


    "WHERE IS SHE!!", Astraea yelled.


    Astraea began to glow and her bed shakens.


    "Astraea, calm down! Calm down!", Bill exclaimed.


    "She''s in the nearby ward. She''s in critical condition."


    Astraea began to jolt as fast as she could to find Janice.


    "Astraea! She''s in the ICU 3rd floor", Bill yelled in the distant.


    Astraea ran across the hallway passed the stairs. She immediately approached the nurse attending to her patient.


    "Where is the ICU!", Astraea yelled.


    "There! There! To the right and go left next, the second door.", the nurse said.


    "Mom! Mom! Let me in! Let me in!", Astraea yelled.


    After she knocked the door several of times a guy with a white medical robe came out.


    "Ma''am, the patient is in critical condition. No person should be allowed to be in this room.", the doctor said.


    "Open this door at once or else!.", Astraea said.


    The doctor feel sudden trembles across his entire body and nerves as soon as he gaze upon her eyes.


    "Yes! Ma''am..."


    He willingly decided to let her in.


    "Mom! Mom! I''m so sorry that I left you all alone. I''m really sorry, I blame myself for anything that happens to you."


    The medical equipment keeps ticking right after Astraea''s tears fall down her cheeks.


    "Astraea! Come Jacob...", Bill said


    "It''s not your fault Astraea, all that happened was just an accident. Don''t be hard on yourself", girl.


    "But I left her all there alone, dying. Even her only daughter abandoned her", Astraea said.


    "I known Janice for a very long time and she will never thought of that especially to her daughter", Bill muttered.


    "Why do you even care! All you people are the same!", Astraea yelled.


    "Astraea... I don''t know what to say", Bill said.


    "Just leave me be..."


    Bill and Jacob left the room leaving her sobbing and crying. Bill felt for her, broken and shattered. Like the day Bill felt when his mother died.


    "Dad... Why is she so mean to us? All we did is to help her..", Jacob asked.


    "Jacob you''ll never understand what she went through. She had a tough childhood, her dad left her when she was young. She got constantly bullied growing up although what happens her mother was the only the world to her...", Bill said.


    Jacob nodded


    A few moments later Bill and Jacob walked in the room consolidate her.


    "Astraea?", Bill asked.


    "Mr. Bill... Jacob... I''m terribly sorry... My mom she means a lot to me. She always had supported me even the world turns down on me. She never was disappointed on me even I was harsh to her. I looked up to her Mr. Bill, you know that? I can never be as self sacrificing, good willed and kind hearted as my mother. I wanna be just like her, I would die for her. Now she''s gone, my life has no meaning."


    "Astraea, life can be cold and unfair but we need to keep on trying. We are given this life not to be wasted but to nurture it. Who are we to take our own life if our lives isn''t ours in the first place. Keep on pushing Astraea, you can do it!"


    "Mr. Bill, thank you for everything. Most people are gone by now but you''re always been there. I can''t express how thankful I am to you even just having beside me during this trivial times.", Astraea said.


    "Dont sweat. From now on, you can treat me as a father figure. I know that your father was never been at your side for so many years. I''ve been seeing you suffered your whole life, let me be your shield. I will help you... Rebuild you...", Bill said.


    "Thank you...", Astraea said.


    Moments later Janice passed away but Astraea is hopeful. Her mother is been battling with disease and her passing ended her turmoil.


    After several weeks Janice body was cremated and her ashes we''re thrown into the ocean.


    "Why the ocean?", Bill asked.


    "I love the ocean.. The sea is mysterious and vast yet they are free. Not tainted with humans, it should be that way.", Astraea said.


    "What now? You don''t have a place to live..."


    "I''ll guess I''ll be homeless and see where this life would take me...", Astraea said.


    "You should work for me.. you''re mother told me that you should. In return I will let you stay at my place."


    "No.. Mr. Bill I can''t do that..."


    "Yes.. you can. I insist.."

 Chapter 10: Second Chance

    "I''ve been working here for couple of months... It''s not like that I hated working for Mr. Bill, it''s just that I feel empty inside I wanted more... I need a deeper purpose..."


    "I want to explore the unknown... to become an astronaut like my father was. I don''t want to end up like this forever...", Astraea thought.


    "Astraea? Did you manage to reach our daily quota? Are the products fully stocked?", Bill said.


    "Yes... I will put the beverages later.." Astraea said.


    "Good, take care of those immediately I don''t want customers take those beverages not cold enough..." Bill added.


    "Yes, sir..."


    Like my father once said to me... "You can always dream big. Even if you die trying... Even if you''re alone in the process... It will be worth it..."


    "I don''t know dad... I never thought that being an adult could be this hard. I want guys to be back, you and mom just like the good old times...", Astraea thought.


    "Astraea? Are you daydreaming again, get back to work... We have so much to do..", Bill said.


    "Yes..", Astraea said.


    Bill closed the door of the store. Wild wind gushing through Astraea''s hair as she gazes upon the distant.


    "Good work as always... You can finally rest now.. Take it easy okay...", Bill said


    "Same goes to you Mr. Bill..", Astraea said.


    Upon morning comes Astraea immediately rushed to the store and suddenly her phone rang.


    "Astraea? I need you to take care of things today... I have something to do..", Bill said.


    "Just remember to clean the floor after you''re done..", Bill added.


    "Okay... Take care alright..", Astraea said.


    When suddenly, a familiar face walks in to counter.


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    "I''m looking for a girl... 26 years of age. Kinda looks like you to be honest..", the stranger said.


    "Uncle Harry? Is that you? I barely recognize you at all...", Astraea said.


    "Astraea? Wow.. look at you. You''ve grown so much, last time I check you were this little. Oh, glad I found you.", Harry said.


    "When did you came back? I thought you were on a business overseas... I never thought... you came..", Astraea said.


    "I''ve heard about your mother... I''m deeply sorry about loss. You have my condolences.. she was... a good person. Such tragedy to end her life like that."


    "It''s all over uncle... She''s gone I cannot bring her back.. the best thing I can do is to move forward.", Astraea said


    "Yes... Speaking of moving forward. I have a proposal to make. There''s is an international school in Japan that teaches basic astronomy and astrophysics. This is the best course of study since your father was an astronaut.", Harry said.


    "Uncle... I can''t do that.. I can''t let you waste your money on me", Astraea said.


    "Bullocks! Take this as a gift for your late father and mother. You can spend anything you want from me."


    "Uncle...", Astraea said


    "Is that a yes or no?"


    "I''ll think about it, uncle..."


    "I don''t want you to think about it.. I need your response right now..", Harry said.


    "I guess, it''s a yes..."


    "Perfect! We''re leaving.. It''s best to leave this place as soon as possible...", Harry said.


    "But what about my job uncle?", Astraea said.


    "No worries.. I will talk to Bill after we prepare for your leave. Get yourself ready. We''re leaving tonight..", Harry said.


    "Tonight?? B-but..."


    "No more buts... Come with me.."


    Harry opened his car and letting Astraea in.


    "Look at your clothes.. I need to buy some new clothes for you before leaving."


    "Japan is whole different country than this poor crime filled nation. And I don''t want my favourite niece to get stuck in this country forever.", Harry said


    "Uncle..."


    "Yes?"


    "T- Thanks, Thank you for everything.."


    "No problem, my dear."


    "Astraea, we should buy these..."


    Harry squeezed a red bulky winter clothes.


    This is the best thing I could find...


    "Wow, that looks amazing...", Astraea said.


    "How much?"


    "Don''t worry... I will buy anything that you might need abroad."


    Astraea grabbed the winter clothes and she searched for the price tag.


    "$1599 for a single clothes!!! No way I''m taking that!", Astraea exclaimed


    "Just like I said, don''t worry..."


    Moments later...


    "Astraea? Are you done?"


    Astraea nodded


    "Good we''re leaving. Your boss told me that he''s happy for you. It''s such a good news to have you studying again.", Harry said


    "Mr. Bill..."


    "Don''t look so sad... You can have another chance in life! Don''t forget about it. Do it for your parents, Astraea."


    "You''re right, uncle..."


    Astraea stepped into the plane''s ladder for the first time. She felt a sudden rush of excitement, a fleeting moment.


    "Uncle, this is actually my first time riding a plane.. I''m a bit nervous but excited over all."


    "You should be... Japan is a beautiful place."


    After several hours, Astraea woke up from the ride of the plane. She decided to open the curtains to see how beautiful the sunrise above the clouds.


    "Wow this is amazing...", Astraea said


    "Yes dear... I will not get used to it."


    Several hours later Astraea and Harry finally made it to their destination.


    "Welcome to Tokyo, Astraea. "The city that never sleeps!" Or is it New York? Bah, who cares same thing", Harry said


    "Wow! This place is so cold, uncle. I can barely feel my hands.", Astraea said.


    "You''ll get use to the cold... We should buy you some gloves I forgot. And we should eat too." (laughs)


    "Wow, this place is busy uncle. So many people, from all over the world. I never seen a foreigner before...", Astraea said


    "Now that we''re done I will show you the University... But first we need a ride."


    "Taxi!"


    "Yes.. Tokyo International School.. Yes.." (speaks in Japanese)


    "Wow, uncle I never thought you could speak fluent Japanese already..." Astraea asked.


    "I''ve been staying here for 15 years already... It''s quite obvious to know the language, my dear." (chuckles)


    Astraea gasped.


    As soon as Astraea stepped outside the taxi she was amazed how beautiful and huge the school is. She felt that her dreams came true.


    "Here we are! Your new school... Your new life..."

 Chapter 11: Strange Encounters

    "Okay guys, the class is about to start read your papers those will tell you where you should be seated.." the homeroom teacher said.


    "Okay.. is everyone properly seated? Everyone.. My name is Professor Yamamoto. I''m your psychology professor, as you may know or may not know I''m a social philanthropist and philosophist."


    "Which means I study human behaviours. I''ve been teaching people how to cope with their lives and help young folks like you to understand life better. Well, enough about me..."


    "It''s your turn.. I like to know every single one of you. Starting from the back.. Yes... You.. the beautiful young lady in the back.." Professor Yamamoto said


    "Me?" Astraea asked.


    "Yes... Tell me about yourself.."


    "Uhm.. I''m Astraea... I''m a foreign student that lives from far away from here.. I -I.." Astraea spoke faintly


    "Speak louder so the class could hear you..."


    "I''m Astraea everyone... I -I would like to finish studying to make my late parents proud of me."


    "I''m sorry for your loss... You sure did made your parents proud by just having here with us. Your parents are looking down in heaven watching over you. Thank you my dear.." Professor Yamamoto said


    "Okay, next.."


    "I''m Helios, I hope everyone have a nice day..."


    "Helios? Interesting name... Where are you from Mr. Helios?"


    "I''m from Canada, Professor..."


    "Canada? Such a nice place... I heard canadians are kind and thoughtful. Is that true?"


    "I don''t know Professor, seems like it''s been a running joke that Canadians are loving and kind. I don''t mind, I think most of us are..." *laughs* Helios said


    Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    "Thank you, Mr. Helios you can take your seat now..."


    After all the students are finally introduced. Professor Yamamoto grabbed a book from his shoulder bag.


    "I got this book from the library yesterday... It''s an interesting book to say the least. Today''s topic is about "Nihilism"... Nihilism is about a way of life a new perspective if you will..."


    "The forefathers of Nihilism are Friedrich Nietzsche and Arthur Schopenhauer. They are history''s greatest pessimists.. but their philosophies are undeniably wise otherwise."


    "Nihilism is about the meaningless and the life has no purpose. Nihilism is about not giving value unto life but making life less bearable if there''s no ultimate purpose."


    Astraea raised her hands.


    "Professor?" Astraea asked.


    "If nihilism believe that death is the only cure.. all of us should take our lives right now."


    "Great question.."


    "Nihilism is about not giving fear to death but rather accept it, which death is inevitable. Death is contradictary for some people but nihilist believe that we all should enjoy our lives to fullest because we can only had it once."


    "Any more questions? Class? Okay... We''re done for today. Class dismissed..." Professor Yamamoto said


    "Geez that Professor kinda strange isn''t it?" Helios said


    "I agree with him.. Actually it might learn something new from him."


    "What? Nihilism.. that''s something huh.." Helios said


    Astraea went silent and she proceeds to attend to her next class.


    After several hours, Astraea is finally done with her classes. She sat down on an empty chair thinking about the life she left.


    "Hey.. Astraea? Your name is Astraea right.. I''m from your class at Psychology, name''s Helios by the way..."


    "Oh.. you''re that dickhead that mock our teacher this morning..." Astraea said.


    "What? Dickhead? I''m not.. it''s just I like living my life. I do, agree what he said though that you only live your life once."


    "Everyday is a struggle you know but that''s life is all about, it''s about the adventure. Where my life take me.. that''s the beauty of it", Helios said


    "Nonsense.. what about the poor innocent kids that died from war and starvation. Is that an adventure to you?", Astraea said


    Helios went silent.


    "That''s right not everything is sunshine and rainbows. You should look to the darker side of things, the real world is unfair and cruel", Astraea said.


    "This world maybe cruel but I believe that there''s hope. With kindness and love this world will change. Someday...", Helios said


    "I better be going... Nice knowing you Illinois..", Astraea said.


    "What? My name is Helios! The great Helios, remember that name!"


    Astraea walked right pass the school gate.


    "Sure thing, pal..." Astraea said.


    I''m almost home... I think I''ll take a detour back to the apartment.


    Astraea smoked her cigarette while waiting for the night. When suddenly, she heard somebody screaming.


    "Help! Help! I got stabbed..."


    Astraea quickly turned around to see what the commotion is all about. As she saw the man grappled several of innocent victims like it''s nothing. She decided to hide under the bush and called for an emergency.


    "Hello! Hello! Emergency! Emergency! Someone is killing innocent people right now... Someone please help.."


    The murderer quickly snatches the phone from Astraea and throw her meters away from him slamming her back against the wall.


    "Someone please help..."


    The armed murderer quickly quickens his pace to Astraea.


    When suddenly, a person came out of a black void from Astraea''s plane sight. A swirling black circle almost like a miniature black hole.


    "Looks like someone is a having fun without me..." the stranger said


    The guy reached out a knife out of no where from the black hole he made it out into. A purple yet blackish knife, it is so sharp the it shines in the dark.


    He immediately punch the guy''s abdomen and stab him across his jugural veins. The armed murderer began to fell he twitches and bleeds out.


    "Hey.. You alright?"

 Chapter 12: Hidden City

    "The stars are aligned and cosmic spirits howled. Finally, the prophecies came true and the fateful encounter finally began. Now, time will tell before their destiny unfolds.", (laughter) strange unknown voice.


    "Who are you?", Astraea said.


    "How.... Did you...", the stranger said.


    "D-Did what?"


    "How did you move so casually around the Void Plane...", the stranger said.


    "Void.. What?", Astraea said


    "Void Plane... This bubble surrounds this entire area. No human being alive can able to survive inside my Void Plane..."


    "I guess I''m not a human anymore..." Astraea said


    "Who are you? How did you do all these things? And what the actual fuck did all of these things happen...", Astraea added


    "Well it''s a bit complicated but long story short... The experiments failed and the thing began to go on a rampage and this is the result.."


    "You should go now before the cops are involved... and by the way before you leave. Do not trust the cops! I repeat, do not trust them. The government are involved with these", the stranger said


    "Don''t call anyone else after this.. until we will meet next time..", the stranger added.


    "Wait!", Astraea yelled


    The stranger suddenly warped inside the swirling void and disappeared. The whole area began to feel lighter again and the time came back to normal.


    "Am I going crazy? I''m seeing things already... and how the hell should I do with these mutilated bodies.", (gasping and breathing) Astraea said.


    Months later.


    "Class... Everyone, we have a new transfer student. I think you''re a bit late on the enrollment mister..."


    The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    "Can you please introduce yourself to the class?", Professor Yamamoto said.


    "Wait? I know you, you''re that guy from the...", Astraea said.


    "Oh.. hey, I didn''t recognize you for a second", the familiar stranger said.


    "I guess someone in class already knew the new student here", Professor Yamamoto said.


    "No, it''s fine. I''ll continue to introduce myself. My name is Nix... Nix Greyfreund. I came from Russia... nice to meet you all", Nix said.


    "Okay... Well done. Have a seat Mr. Nix.. so we can get the class started."


    Nix seats beside Astraea and in the back of Helios. He casually scans the room, suspiciously.


    "Hey.. Hey.. (whispers) You.. Why did you follow me here?", Astraea said.


    "Me? No.. no.. it''s been decided long ago that I should study here", Nix said.


    "Bogus, I can smell through your lousy face that you''re lying", Astraea said.


    "Even if I lied, why do you care?", Nix said.


    "Astraea... No talking... It''s a shame Mr. Nix that you had a bad first impression", Professor Yamamoto.


    "Sorry Professor", Astraea said.


    "Geez... So much for keeping myself low profile.." Nix said


    Both of them continued studying without bothering each other.


    After the class is done, Astraea approached Nix about what happened that day. She confessed about her strange occurrences too.


    (Nix nodded) "I can''t help you with that, not now. I don''t know what strange powers you got but I can''t help you. I have something to do right now", Nix said.


    Astraea forcefully grabbed his shoulders and slammed his body across the wall.


    "Listen to me, asshole. I need you to tell me something about my strange powers. Or else I will end up killing someone...", Astraea said.


    "Great... Now you can defend yourself, no need to worry", Nix said.


    "What if I''ll show them to you right now..", Astraea said.


    Nix quickly grabbed Astraea''s arms across her back and body slammed her body down to the ground.


    "You can''t even control your power and you''re talking shit... Tell you what meets me at 12:30 midnight at Shibuya Station. I''ll tell you what your power is", Nix said.


    Later that evening


    Astraea wanders at Shibuya Station looking for Nix. And she suddenly recognized that blue-haired guy across the distance.


    "You''re late..", Astraea said.


    "Am I?.." Nix said.


    "Wait.. You''re cheating you mess up my time", Astraea said.


    "That''s what my powers are, to manipulate time and matter. I''ll show you later how to manifest your power and harness them properly", Nix said.


    Astraea and Nix walked several kilometers going through very secluded areas of Tokyo. The deeper the labyrinth goes Astraea gets further suspicious. And they finally made it into a typical Net Cafe Shop.


    "Hey? We are not here to play some games are we?", Astraea said.


    "No, not at all. Come with me.." Nix said.


    They both go inside the shop and Astraea was presented with an abundance of manga collections.


    Nix is looking for a certain volume of the manga. He put his fingers through the entire rows of books.


    "Hey... We can''t just read manga right now.." Astraea said.


    "Wait, they changed the number every week.."


    "For what?" Astraea asked.


    "For this!" Nix said


    Nix began to flip the book upside down when suddenly the staircase below the ground began to merge.


    "Well... You go first..." Astraea said.


    "Of course, good thing I had this flashlight. It''s kinda dark in here..." Nix said.


    They both began to walk to a hidden dark tunnel right below the Net Cafe shop. Astraea began to touch the metal surface of the tunnel.


    "This is no joke, how much did you guys pay for this.." Astraea said.


    "Here we are..." Nix said.


    "A metal door?" Astraea said.


    "Yes.. I need to identify myself first."


    Nix began to place his eyes down the security lid of the metal door.


    "Scanning" (automated voice)


    "Identification complete... Welcome Nix Greyfreund to the Lost Oasis." (automated voice)


    Astraea suddenly began to squint her eyelids, flashed by the bright light.


    "A fucking city!? Right below Tokyo?", Astraea said dramatically.


    "Welcome to the Lost Oasis... A land free from the tyranny of Lord Garm."

 Chapter 13: Ascension

    "What is this place?", Astraea said.


    "This place belongs to the people, the people that oppose Lord Garm and his ruthless teachings", Nix said.


    "Ruthless?", Astraea said.


    Astraea began to squint her eyes with doubt.


    "You didn''t know? Lord Garm sacrifices innocent bystanders to evolve human beings at a faster rate... It may not visible to some but it''s already happening. Look at your surroundings.. you should pay close attention", Nix said.


    "I do... I encountered strange occurrences back at my place. People die daily, and even authorities don''t have a single clue", Astraea said.


    "It''s pretty common... The higher-ups conceal their barbaric experiments to hide from the masses. It''s still unclear though, why would they have to evolve humans and the worse part is they do it in broad daylight. I mean closer to the population''s vicinity", Nix said.


    "Wait a minute? Hold on... You mentioned that this is all Lord Garm''s fault. But he''s been dead ages ago..", Astraea said.


    "You''re wrong... Lord Garm was never dead. He can never die.. He''s immortal. His followers covered up his death", Nix said.


    "What? Wait... You''re saying that he''s immortal?", Astraea said.


    "Believe it or not it''s real. The history tells it.. it even says that they were three of them ruled over us for millions of years and they never grow old not even a slightest", Nix said.


    "That''s why people worship them... They believe that the Ancient Gods sent them to Earth and obey their wishes or else the Ancient Gods bring wrath upon the humans", Nix added.


    Astraea went silent. She gazes upon the highest point of the ceiling, fascinated by the light that glows upon the city.


    "That! (points directly above) That looks exactly like a sun", Astraea said.


    "Artificial Monolight...", Nix said.


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    "This is one of the inventions of Dr. Freze''s, he''s the founder.. the leader of the resistance. We should all be thankful to him... After all, he saved us including me", Nix added.


    "Saved? Did something happen?", Astraea asked.


    Nix glinted his eyes and shakes his head.


    "Nothing... Shall we continue the tour?"


    "Uhm.. sure..", Astraea said.


    Nix pointed out a very modern and luxurious-looking building. He clears his throat.


    "Saw that building over there that our headquarters, that''s where we meet up after we are done doing our missions", Nix said.


    "Missions?", Astraea said.


    "The ravenous person back when we met the first time. I took take care of them, that''s our mission. To protect innocent civilians from harm, they are sprawling in this city recently.", Nix said.


    "Why did you have to kill that guy?", Astraea asked.


    "I don''t have much of a choice, if they don''t die in a matter of seconds they began to mutate into a monster.", Nix said.


    "I saw them myself how destructive those monsters can be. I cannot afford any casualties after what happened.", Nix said.


    "It must been tough for you to handle this on your own, Nix.", Astraea said.


    "No it''s probably the best that way...", Nix said


    "But you need someone to help you out, out there... We could be partners.", Astraea said.


    "I don''t doubt how capable are you but I don''t want to risk my mission and save you if it goes downhill", Nix said.


    "Fine.. What do you want me to do?", Astraea said.


    "First, we need to talk to someone that can truly harness your power." Nix said.


    After walking a few distances Nix pointed out in the distance. A white building surrounded by dense bushes and vegetation.


    "This building is where we train beginners with special attributes, we harness their potential through meditation. Be one with nature and the universe, that''s why the building is filled with bushes and trees.", Nix said.


    "Come... I would like you to meet my advisor, he taught me everything I know.", Nix added.


    A scrawny old man with a long beard greets both of them. He waves his hands gesturing for their arrival.


    "Greetings.. I expected two of you to come. Especially you.. young lass. I can feel your presence from a mile away. I can feel that you are special, I have a lot to teach. Please sit down both of you.", Monk Stolly said.


    "I am Monk Stolly... Can I ask what is your name girl?"


    Astraea...


    "Ahhh, such a fitting name for such a beautiful lady. I can feel that you need to fulfill your purpose. I can feel that you are empty inside, you want to escape from a such burden or even escape from reality.", Monk Stolly said.


    "I don''t know", Astraea said.


    "Well, maybe not today or the near future but someday you will soon realize.", Monk Stolly said.


    Astraea went silent.


    "Nix, can you leave us for a minute."


    "Sure master"


    "Astraea I need you to focus alright? Focus on your head. Relax your muscles and body and only focus on your head. Let the life force flow unto your head."


    Monk Stolly began to enchant powerful yet enigmatic incantations. The floor is filled with blue runes as Monk Stolly further enchants his spells. He finally touched Astraea''s forehead and his eyes began to bleed.


    "How fascinating... Not in my life would I be able to experience this.


    The building began to tremble and shake and soon after the walls began to crack.


    The further the monk tries to connect with Astraea''s soul, the more his eyes bleed heavily.


    Nix immediately rushed inside the room and lunges at his master to stop the incantation.


    "How magnificent... How can a mere mortal possess so much power? We are all insects beneath you. So much mystery and grandeur imagery in a such short amount of time. It''s almost godly... I can''t describe the feeling."


    "B-But master you''re eyes bled you can barely even stand up properly.", Nix said.


    "Nonsense this girl.. has a deeper purpose, unlike us humans. We mere mortals cannot comprehend her. This might turn our tides against the forces of Lord Garm." Monk Stolly said.


    "So you''re saying that Astraea is this powerful?", Nix said.


    "Powerful than you can imagine boy...", Monk Stolly said.


    "Leave me be... I need to ponder on things.", Monk Stolly said.

 Chapter 14: High Stakes

    "Ah yes! Good morning, two of you we shall start the day meditating.", Monk Stolly said.


    Astraea and Nix immediately noticed the bandages around the monk''s eyes. They noticed that the blood penetrates through the bandages.


    "Master, are your eyes still hurt?", Nix said.


    "Nix, this is nothing. No need to worry it will heal in no time."


    Astraea bite her lips and grasped her hands with guilt, ashamed of what she had done.


    "Alright, let us begin. First, sit down on the floor and do the yoga position."


    Monk Stolly began to sit upright on the wooden floor and began his daily meditation.


    "The process of meditation is through breathing.. finding your inner peace. Once you control the way you breathe, it can also control your life force within."


    "Control your breathing through the belly, where the life force is generally centralized upon. Try to relax and mind your surrounding."


    Astraea began to feel more aware of her surrounding. Her veins, her muscle twitch, and the birds chirping.


    "Feel the silence, be one with the Earth. Find your inner peace", Monk Stolly said.


    A few hours passed Astraea began to realize that nothing seems to be working.


    She quietly asks Monk Stolly if this method is essential for her.


    "Monk Stolly?"


    "Yes?"


    "I still can''t feel any changes"


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    "Astraea, that''s perfectly fine. You need to be patient to control your power which is tied to your emotions. You must learn how to be patient with it.", Monk Stolly said.


    "Yes, master."


    "Okay, we''re done for today. Astraea I need you to control your breathing more and empty your mind. This training isn''t a one-day process, some people took years by just mastering proper breathing.", Monk Stolly said.


    "Yes, master"


    Astraea and Nix stepped outside the building. Nix let out a huge sigh and wailed his arms.


    "Phew, man that was boring. I always hated meditation."


    "I can see why that tiny head of yours cannot do a simple meditation."


    "Give me a break dude! I''m more into fighting not that kind of bullshit"


    "Yeah, whatever."


    "Hey, Astraea I should teach you how to fight not that lame training master always does."


    "Yeah, I''m still not as good as you though."


    "Nonsense, everybody will eventually know how powerful you are. And I will be the first to feel that majestic power of yours."


    "Shut up Nix. You''re getting on my nerves."


    "Boo-hoo, I think a super being like yourself is a little bit scared of a mere human like me" (laughs)


    "Fine, where are we going?"


    "To the training grounds, where people like me usually compete. How about this, if I win you treat me for lunch."


    "What if you lose?"


    "Up to you?"


    "How about this you''ll get naked around the training grounds after you lose.", Astraea demanded.


    "Wait? (laughs) That''s not fair! I only asked for lunch and you want me to get naked in public."


    "Yes.."


    "Okay, I will accept your offer. I won''t be defeated by a newbie like you."


    "There, this is it. The training grounds."


    People glanced toward the distance and girls shouted.


    "Nix! We waited for you!"


    (Sigh) "Astraea don''t mind them.. just focus on the fight okay"


    "Who is that girl beside my husband? How dare you walk beside Nix"


    Astraea let out a sigh.


    "Let us finish this quickly, I don''t want to be around with so much attention", Astraea said.


    "Fine.. As soon as I charge we will start the fight.", Nix said.


    "Sure.. I won''t hold back Nix."


    "Same.. Let''s see what you are made of.."


    Nix began to charge towards her with a swift kick Astraea quickly deflected the blow with her knees. She immediately felt the pain after he landed the strike.


    Astraea shoved Nix''s incoming attack across her face and grabbed his legs. She hold Nix''s legs and hurled his body to a distance. Nix landed on his feet and swiftly recovered, he smirked and fixed his hair.


    "Heh, I''m surprised that you can keep up with me. I''m impressed, this time I''m going to be more serious."


    "Come.. I will show you what a top-notch runner is capable of" (Runner, who person who performs duties and assignments for the Lost Oasis.)


    Astraea rapidly dashed toward him and throws a flurry of punches. Nix managed to dodge every single one of her attacks.


    Suddenly Astraea felt something is off. She glanced over at him and realized that he was smiling all this time.


    "I felt like my punches are getting slower.. what did you do!?"


    "Remember I can able to manipulate time and you''re lucky that you''re not in my Void Plane. Hence this fight would be over."


    Nix kicked Astraea''s forehead and she fortunately slightly manage to dodge the blow. She immediately knocks him a full fist right in his jaw, Nix quickly backs out while his lips bleed.


    Right soon after, Nix realized that his body can no longer move and his knees dropped. He desperately gasps for air as he tries to stand up.


    "It''s over Nix I win..."


    "Are you.."


    Nix began to disappear as the time itself moves backward Nix suddenly appeared behind her and grasped her neck.


    "Two of you... Enough!"

 Chapter 15: The Abomination

    "Nix that''s enough!"


    "Both of you! Come with me to the headquarters. There''s is something I wanted to discuss."


    Nix was shocked, he didn''t expect the captain would arrive at the facility on such short notice.


    "Captain, I haven''t expected you to come this early after going into a mission."


    "Don''t speak to me now Nix just talk to me in the headquarters."


    "Yes, sire..."


    The captain glanced over Astraea and squinted his eyes.


    "Hmmm, interesting."


    "Here at Lost Oasis Runner Headquarters only the finest people could be runners. And I hope this young lady would perform well under my management."


    "Wait? I''m passed already?", Astraea said.


    "Yes, and judging on how you fought Nix I can see that you had potential."


    "Congrats Astraea", Nix said.


    "I don''t know if I''m happy or not.. I just wanted to control my powers.", Astraea said.


    "Astraea, this isn''t about controlling your powers, it''s about how you maintain it.", Nix said.


    "The captain already left us. Come, the captain might be announcing something. I can already tell the news is going to be dire."


    The captain was walking left and right on the stage waiting for everyone to arrive. As the registered runners finally make it he sits down on his chair.


    "Alright, I believe that everybody is in the facility. Yes?"


    "First of all, I''ll introduce myself my name is Captain Halyon. I will be your captain from now on."


    "I believe that we have a newly registered runner yesterday. Good... We need more people"


    "We had a little bit of a crisis earlier. I scoured and scouted a certain forest in japan and I believe that Lord Garm is producing a different breed of mutations."


    "I want the new runner to prove herself that she belongs to the facility. Nix I wanted you to come with her because you are the best suited for this mission.", Capt. Halyon said.


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    "Yes sir!"


    "Good.. Is there anyone opposed to this?"


    Everyone went silent.


    "Good.. Good luck to both of you. There is a high chance that the new recruit could perish. I pray to the Goddess Ashinopa that you''ll be safe."


    "Men, that concludes our discussion. You are dismissed."


    "Oh man, you''re bothersome, don''t you? A mission already for a new runner that only registered today."


    "We can do it together Nix right?", Astraea said.


    "Of course, I never doubted you. Just stick to the plan and we''re good."


    After a while, a black long-haired woman approached them. She thoroughly scans over her documents before she handed them over.


    "Hello, I''m the Runner Headquarters Operation Instructor Gelvas. Both of you need to infiltrate the said forest. This forest is known as Suicide Forest in Aokigahara, Lord Garm and his underlings experimented on the bodies that have been recently found dead."


    "I want both of you to report the strange explosion on the site. And report any unusual behavior that occurred within the premise. That''s all runners. Good luck both of you."


    "Another scout mission eh... This is going to be easy.", Nix said.


    "Next stop to Aokigahara station.." (an automated voice)


    Both of them stepped out of the train. They took the bus and suddenly the driver questioned them.


    "Hey, both of you. Why are you going to the forest late at night? It''s illegal to drive you to the forest especially this late at night."


    He proceeded to point to the sign of the bus for suicide attempts. And persuade them to call the hotlines.


    Nix grins and hold Astraea''s hands.


    "Oh mister you got the wrong idea, we''re having a honeymoon tonight and planning to camp for the night.


    "I see.. I''m sorry that I doubted you folks, lately terrible things happened in the forest."


    "You guys should really stay out but I can''t force you guys not to."


    The old driver sits behind the wheels and starts the engine.


    Astraea pushed Nix''s hands aside and stare at him.


    "Not in a million years..."


    "What? I had to.. no hard feelings.."


    Moments later Nix and Astraea made it to the infamous Japanese forest.


    Astraea felt shivers across her spine as they walk across the roads of the forest.


    "Hey, Nix can we just scout the forest during the day? I''m getting a bad feeling about this whole area.", Astraea said.


    "We need to finish this mission as soon as possible Astraea and the explosion only occurs during midnight."


    "But isn''t that strange that the news didn''t mention any explosions in this area Nix?"


    "The police are the part of this remember, they would never leak such incidence in the first place."


    "I know but the people near this area might hear the explosion.", Astraea said.


    "Yes, I can see that the government around conceals such activity, and even if it does appear in public. This forest is far from the city, away from the public. No one could possibly hear it."


    "Wait! Nix something is up. I can feel it.. Look at that!"


    "Where?"


    "Up above the tree"


    Nix focused his flashlight on where Astraea pointed but Nix couldn''t see anything.


    "Astraea are you sure that you seen something.."


    "Yes.. I''m sure of it. Mists back when I used to go to this certain hospital in my country. They look similar.. That''s the first time I saw them."


    "You''re creeping me out, dude..."


    Then suddenly someone shouted in the distance. A howl, both of them cannot distinguish whether it''s a man or an animal.


    Both of them gasped, they were visibly shocked and scared yet they ventured into the forest without hesitation.


    They slowly crept in towards the noise and an owl cuckooed above them.


    They were both startled and Nix quickly attacked above the tree and an owl fell down.


    "Just an owl... This is a huge mistake. This forest giving me the creeps." Nix said.


    "Just move forward will make it somehow...", Astraea reassured Nix.


    "Yes.."


    Then suddenly both of them smelled something strange, something rotten almost decomposing.


    They ventured deeper into the woods and followed the foul stench. They suddenly realized the bodies that filled in the area. The stench is so foul that Astraea vomited, and Nix almost gagged and covered his mouth and nostrils.


    Venturing up north blood trails lead them into a strange noise almost like a pulsating sound.


    "I can hear a heartbeat.. Astraea guard yourself enemies are nearby.", Nix whispers.


    They followed the blood trails and they found a pool of blood that is so big it almost look like a lake.


    The stench is so foul that both of them vomited as soon they came near the pool of blood.


    Then suddenly Nix hears a faint voice, a young boy. Nix scanned the area and his flashlight pointed out the tiny island where the pool is made out of.


    "H-Help me.."


    To Nix''s surprise, he took a glimpse of a carcass made of an amalgamation of hundreds of human bodies combined. Shaped like a ball structure with a pulsating heartbeat.


    "Astraea we need to get out of here, fast!"


    "Right fucking NOW!"

 Chapter 16: Collision

    "Astraea, we need to leave now! That thing is about to explode!"


    "Hurry! Follow the blood trails, they will lead us back."


    "Got it!"


    "Nix, you have to use your void plane now to give us more time to escape."


    "That''s impossible, there are conditions met before I can fully use my void plane."


    "I can''t explain them now, we need to get the hell out of here!"


    They ran across the bloodshed and into the bodies that they previously ran past through. Astraea noticed that some of the bodies were missing.


    "Nix!"


    "What?!"


    "Some of the bodies we''re missing!"


    "We don''t have time to mention that just run!"


    As soon as they were about to run, a dead body began to lunge at Nix and bite his leg. Nix yells out as he tries to let go of the dead.


    "Nix!"


    Astraea kicked the dead as they regained composure and ran towards the denser forest.


    "Nix! I recognize this place where you killed an owl!"


    "Yeah, what about it?"


    "If we can locate where the dead owl is, we can find the near exit!"


    "Good idea"


    They seem to be lost track of where they have to venture into the forest when suddenly Astraea figured out that Nix usually leaves purple stains after he attacks.


    "Nix, wait!"


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    "What!"


    "Remember when we first met, when you killed one of those creatures you usually leave a purple mark on your targets.."


    "Yeah? What about it?"


    "If we can find one of these trees with your mark on it, we can find a way out of here as well..."


    "Okay? Where should we start?"


    As soon as Astraea was about to leave she spotted another mist in the distance. She hovers her flashlight around the area.


    "Over here...."


    A very faint voice struck over Astraea''s head after she saw the thing.


    "Nix, I think I found a way out of here..."


    They passed around some dense bushes and Nix realized that he was standing on something between his shoes.


    "Astraea! I found it! We should run across these trees and we''re out of here"


    ''"There! Those purple marks! We are getting close!"


    They ran as fast as they can, out of the forest and they saw the road just up ahead.


    "Man, that was a good vacation place. I needed that... It''s been so long since I had such a nice time.", Helios said.


    Helios spotted Astraea and Nix leaving the forest as the taxi''s headlights hovers around them.


    "Wait! What are they doing here?"


    As soon as Helios is about to call them. A huge explosion suddenly resonated across the forest, the impact is so strong that his taxi stumbled and flipped upside down.


    "Hello! Mr. Taxi guy? Are you okay?"


    No response from the taxi driver. Helios tried to open the door to the taxi but it was jammed, so decided he kick the door so hard for it to be open.


    Helios crawled his way out of the car and realized that they were gone.


    "How could this be? Are they involved with this?"


    Early that morning, Professor Yamamoto is about to give out some announcements.


    "Class, there is been a terrible incident lately. The Aokigahara Forest famously known as the "Suicide Forest" has been bombed by unknown criminals, I believe that there was one casuality during that explosion. The Japanese officials stated that this could be a terrorist attack and they are planning to attack soon. I hope that the citizens of Yamanashi Prefecture are safe during these times."


    Helios began to sweat heavily as he felt at both Astraea and Nix were staring at him. So he carefully look behind him, he looked at both of them terrified.


    "Helios! Are you okay, over there?", Prof. Yamamoto asked.


    Helios nodded.


    Helios is aware that if he confessed to the whole class what he saw last night, the whole campus might be in a panic. Or it might be worse they must have explosives with them and Helios doesn''t want the whole campus to be blown up. As he carefully reads the situation both of the culprits seem to be relaxed and composed.


    "I don''t have any reasons why would I accuse them of such terrible crimes... but in that night. We were the only people that nearby that explosion which is enough evidence for me. Before I decide hastily I must observe them..."


    As soon as the class ended Helios realized that Astraea and Nix are very close lately. He followed them around the campus and try to dodge them at the same time.


    "Everything is normal.. I know something is up between the two of them."


    After all of the classes were ended Helios began to stalk them. He followed them wherever they go, at the coffee shop, at the mall, at the park. Nothing seems to be out of the ordinary.


    Hours passed, and they decided to walk through a dark alleyway. Helios is tired of following them at this point but he''s determined that he must do this for the sake of everyone else.


    Helios followed them in the corner and suddenly he realized that both of them are gone.


    "Dead end?", Helios said.


    "Hey, asshole why are you following us?"


    "You''ve been following us all day.. What the fuck is wrong with you?"


    "Wait? Nix let him talk first. There might be some misunderstandings"


    "I will kill him now if I have to, Astraea so don''t try stopping me!"


    "I knew you guys are up to something! You guys are fucking terrorists!"


    Helios began to scream as loud as he could for help.


    "Help! Help! Everyone help me! The terrorists are here!"


    "The only terrorist here is your Lord, your God doesn''t save you now.."


    Helios tried and tried so hard to yell but he keeps on choking for air instead, Helios cried and sobbed desperately for air to breathe. Nix began to grab his neck and stabbed him in the stomach.


    Nix dropped his body and he leaves him bleeding.


    "Nix! Stop! What the hell is wrong with you!"


    "I need to protect the Lost Oasis, Astraea. Even if I end up killing my friends..."


    "Hey, assholes! I''m not done yet!"


    Helios began to stand on his legs with an exposed stomach.


    "I can''t let you terrorists kill my parents! I will kill you even if I die right here!"

 Chapter 17: Renewal

    "Nix! We can work this thing out, please don''t kill him", Astraea said.


    "Can you shut up Astraea? I hate to do this but I have to!"


    Helios is trying to get up even though he''s bleeding. He pushed his stomach in to push the pressure to prevent the bleeding. He stares both at them while coughing up blood.


    He moves slowly at Nix and hurled his punch but it landed on NIx''s hands. NIx grabbed his hands and kicked him away, but Helios didn''t flinched at all. He keeps on standing even though he knows that there''s no way he could defeat them.


    "What do you get from this? Why do you have to kill innocent people? Why? Tell me!", Helios said *whilst coughing blood*


    "Helios..", Astraea said.


    "Helios, I know you are doing this for everyone but you don''t have any clue at all.. We are literally saving everyone from Lord Garm", Nix said.


    "Bullshit!", Helios said.


    Helios body began to regenerate. His stomach began to heal.. miraculously the skin of his body began to dry and some sort of cosmic minerals grow outwards his skin. Like a green carapace formed under Helios''s skin to shape like an armor.


    I- I can feel it... It doing itself again..., I feel the power surges my veins.., Helios said.


    W- What are you?, Nix said.


    Astraea hold Nix''s body, stopping him from engaging.


    Nix, we are not here to fight people remember!... I beg you, we are here to save them, Astraea said.


    It''s Lord Garm''s minions! This creature is evil... We must defeat it or else we die..., Nix said.


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    Astraea hugged Nix, as she clenches his arms unto hers.


    I beg you Nix.. I can feel his presence a lonely and isolating spirit... Can you feel it too Nix?, Astraea said.


    Astraea puts her hand across Nix''s head to reveal his unique and malevolent aura.


    Nix''s eyes dropped down and pitied Helios.


    Can''t you see Nix? Not everyone is our enemy despite how they looked on the outside, even if they are monsters in your eyes, if you look deeper into their hearts, you can sense their suffering and loneliness too aren''t you?, Astraea said.


    So? What now? It seems like, he doesn''t know how to control his powers yet.


    The green malevolent shards flew away every second that Helios is gaining mass. However, Astraea comes close to the creature and trying to calm it''s cosmic presence.


    Astraea! Astraea! What are you doing! Don''t come closer... We don''t know what those shards are, that keeps on emitting his body.


    Astraea walked down further, closing in yet she remained resolved. She calmly, looked behind her and gaze upon Nix''s eyes and a sudden voice struck on Nix''s head.


    Don''t worry.. It''s alright.. I can handle this.


    Several of extremely sharp shards flew over Astraea''s body yet she remained unfaced. It scratches her cheeks and shoulders and ultimately punctured her gut but she can still able to walk. A sudden sparkle on her eyes lights up the vicinity, illuminating on the shell that was once Helios''s body.


    She can feel his body underneath all of this magnificent unearthly rock, she carefully touched the rock and the shards stopped emitting. She cautiously wrote down, unintelligible glyphs while her eyes keeps on glowing as soon as she opened her mouth, the glyphs grow larger and it embedded on the rock and it exploded into pieces.


    Astraea fainted.


    Both Nix and Helios rushed Astraea back to the Lost Oasis Hospital. Nix has no option, he need to take both Helios and Astraea back.


    Astraea? Astraea? Please? Are you alright? Please wake up..., Nix said.


    Child... You must move on.. Your journey is not over yet... an disembodied voice spoke while Astraea is half asleep.


    Astraea''s eyes finally opened and the enigmatic runes on her forehead disappears and Nix immediately hugged her.


    You fool! Don''t do something that risky again... I was worried you have no idea!, Nix said.


    Get off me! What are you doing! What happen?, Astraea said.


    Astraea.. thank you! You saved me.. I don''t know what I do to repay you, Helios said.


    What? I didn''t recall anything and what I do?, Astraea said.


    Hush.. What matters is you''re fine now... Hey rock boy... what the heck was that?, Nix said.


    Uhm.. Those.. I- I just born with it.. ya know.. Long story short, my real parents abandoned me when I was a baby and my foster parents found me while I was encased by this stupid minerals, Helios said.


    It''s disgusting, I hated it.. I chose to isolate myself because no one understood me, Helios added.


    But hey? Isn''t that cool that you have some excellent powers that could help people in need?, Nix said.


    True, but I maybe cool outside but I''m not.. I tend to hide myself not to feel bad again if you know what I mean?, Helios said.


    I do, you know it''s hard when you have that kind of past, it will haunt you but if you learn how to move on and leave your old self behind you will become stronger, Helios, Nix said.


    Isn''t that ironic that you tired to kill me hours ago?, Helios replied.


    You know, Lost Oasis is all I have.. My family.. The people who truly accepts me.. but worry not. You (points at Helios) You are welcome here my friend, you are accepted, Nix said.


    No? No I can''t join you group of thugs.., Helios said.


    You have no choice my friend, you will either submit to us or you will stay here.., Nix said.


    Nix... be nice to him m'' okay?, Astraea said.


    Astraea''s phone suddenly rang.


    Yes? Uncle?


    Emergency?