《Boundead》 Chapter 1: Her Calling ¡­.Nu¡­ Si¡­ Nur. ¡°Sir Nur¡­¡± The voice calling out was soft yet firm, belonging to a young woman, wearing a white trench coat, with long black hair framed by bangs. Her sweet voice carried a tone of hopefulness and quiet confidence, though her expressionless eyes held a lingering glimmer of light. Nur sat at the back of the ship, slouched in a chair bolted to the spacecraft¡¯s center. His tired eyes fluttered open after a brief doze. They seemed to have given up, their light extinguished. Hearing Taliah¡¯s voice, Nur stirred, his weary body responding as he straightened himself with effort, pushing past the weight of countless struggles. ¡°Finally¡­¡± His voice cracked as the words escaped, heavy with the burden he was carrying his whole life. ¡°It¡­ felt like eternity.¡± Taliah turned her attention back to the controls, calculating the time until they reached the exit point. Her focus was on the faint white light at the end of the tunnel, which appeared to be some kind of wormhole. Outside, the view was extraordinary. The wormhole was surrounded by swirling, vibrant colors¡ªan otherworldly display that rippled and danced across the black void of space. Beneath its beauty lay a feeling of mystery, as if the universe itself held secrets too profound to grasp, the countless stars in the distance was visible from inside the rift. The spacecraft floated silently in the expanse. Its black frame stood stark against the cosmic backdrop, and the steady hum of its engines was the only sound breaking the silence of the void. The ship itself, shaped like a stealth bomber but triple its size, had an interior that was neither luxurious nor salvaged. It was functional, yet spacious, with nothing to suggest extravagance. Although the ship could have accommodated a full crew, only two figures occupied it: Nur and Taliah. Just the two of them, venturing into the unknown. Taliah, with a sudden worry in her heart, her slender hands clung. Nearby, a half-empty coffee cup sat on the console, now cold and forgotten. Beside it rested a notebook and pen, the latter lying as though it held untold stories waiting to be written. Nur¡¯s gaze shifted to the colorful abyss outside the cockpit window. As he stared, a faint vibration began to reverberate through the ship. It was subtle at first, almost imperceptible.Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings. The coffee cup, empty but still holding the stein, rested on the small table to the right of his hand. He show the cup trembling, The vibrations intensified, spreading through the spacecraft like an unspoken warning. Nur, accustomed to the unpredictable dangers of their journey, remained unfazed. He had imagined countless ways things could go wrong. Taliah, however, felt the vibrations growing stronger beneath her fingertips. The trembling coffee cup caught her eye as the silence that once surrounded them now seemed to deliver an ominous message. The small white light ahead¡ªtheir exit point¡ªwas growing larger and brighter. The tremor intensified, causing the ship to begin experiencing malfunctions. It started to break down as if it were about to split apart. The ship was disintegrating into pieces, as if something was gradually consuming it. Alarms blared, signaling an emergency. The ship had lost many parts and was rapidly shattering due to an unknown force. Suddenly, the food and necessities stored in the back of the spacecraft flew off. The light that seemed to be still quite distant suddenly grew closer and was about to devour them and the spacecraft that was on the verge of destruction. For a brief moment, Taliah turned to Nur. Her face, usually blank and expressionless, softened. A small, fleeting smile broke through, and her dark pupils glistened with unshed tears. She whispered something, but her voice was so faint that it was swallowed by the hum of the void suddenly, The words never reached Nur. As her tears fell, the blinding white light consumed them both. ¡°¡­¡± When Nur opened his eyes, the world had changed. He found himself standing in a vast white void, an endless expanse of nothingness stretching infinitely in all directions. He looked down at his hands, his body. He was whole. But was this truly reality? Or had his consciousness drifted somewhere far beyond? The only tangible thing in this empty realm was himself and the floor which felt as if he was standing in mid air due to his eyes perceiving only white and his shadow was non existing. His white trench coat stood stark against the blinding backdrop, his black hair and dark brown eyes contrasting sharply with the void. Beneath the coat, he wore a dark forest green vest over a crisp white shirt, a matching tie, and pants. His boots clicked softly against an invisible surface, the sound vanishing into the emptiness. ¡°Where¡­ am I?¡± He muttered, his voice echoing faintly in the silence. ¡°I¡¯ve finally done it, huh?¡± The words felt hollow, as if they had been ripped from his soul. Regret swirled in his chest, a relentless storm he couldn¡¯t calm. ¡°I just might be dead,¡± he whispered, his voice trembling with disbelief. Suddenly, as if drawn from the deepest part of his being, he muttered a name. ¡°Miel¡­¡± Regret clawed at him, sharper and more unrelenting than the pain in his heart The pain was too real that made him break him from the thought that he was dead, instead he came up with a theory that he has been transported to another place He clenched his fists as despair weighed on him, heavy and suffocating. The unbearable truth loomed, and for the first time, he questioned if crossing that threshold had been worth it. Then, a thought struck him¡ªa name. ¡°Taliah!¡± His voice broke through the void as he called out again and again, desperation creeping into his tone. The last memory he had was of her tearful smile, her whispered words swallowed by the abyss. He clenched his fists, his heart pounding as dread settled over him like a suffocating fog. She wasn¡¯t here. He was alone. But that couldn¡¯t be. Determination flared within him, banishing the fear. He couldn¡¯t leave her behind. He wouldn¡¯t. Nur took a step forward, his boots striking the unseen ground beneath him. The white void offered no path, no destination, but he moved regardless. Each step was a battle, his figure dwarfed by the infinite expanse. Time lost all meaning as he walked. Seconds felt like hours, and hours felt like lifetimes. The oppressive light pressed in from all sides, unrelenting and endless. But he did not stop. He had to find her. ¡°¡­¡± Meanwhile on earth, 1st January 2024 Above the clouds, a tower lay piercing it ¡­ Chapter 2: Desert Endless silence reverberated through the atmosphere as Nur walked aimlessly in the infinitely expanding white void. The sound of his footsteps, echoing throughout the emptiness, began to gnaw at his nerves, each step amplifying the suffocating loneliness around him. He had been walking for an unknown amount of time, his steps filled with determination to find Taliah. She was caught in this situation because of him. He knew it. He had no time to think about anything else. Rather than sitting around, he wandered aimlessly, leaving everything to the thread of fate that connected them. He had been walking for hours, maybe even a day. All that walking had started to exhaust him, but he held on for this long. Panting, his body drenched in sweat, he muttered, "Man, how long has it been? This sudden exhaustion is insane. I''ve been walking without any break, and this space is eating up my sense of self. Or maybe it''s just making me go insane by making me so aware of myself." "I need water," he added, panting. His throat had dried up, and his heart was beating faster, making his whole body heat up. "It feels like I''m in a desert," he said, trying to wipe off the sweat with his elbows. "¡­" He opened his eyes to a bright desert. "Heh?" he muttered, confused. His panting slowly subsided. He stared at the distant mountain of sand. Above it, the sky was a dull white, the usual blue obscured by thick clouds. The sun had its space to shine, but it felt like it was directly above him. Its light and heat weighed down on his face. It was annoying, but the change of scenery made him feel a bit better. His intuition began to act up. "Is this an illusion?" he wondered. He wasn''t unfamiliar with illusions or magical things, but he didn''t want to put all his trust in that. "No, maybe I''m just dreaming. A bad dream¡­" He let out a long sigh. He walked down the sand dune he had been on to climb the one he had seen earlier. "Maybe I''ll find something beyond. Gradually climbing down the mountain of sand, He was sure that, because of thirst and heat, he will see some kind of mirage, like in the old tales about deserts." In the vast expanse, he was like a grain of sand. Slowly, he climbed in hope of reaching the tallest mountain of sand he had seen earlier. With each step, hope began to grow. Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel. When he reached the top, he was struck in awe at how large the desert was. All the hope he had built up felt like a building of sand collapsing. In front of him stretched endless sand, with even greater mountains ahead. But he wasn''t sure it would get any better. His limit had been reached; he couldn''t walk anymore after climbing this mountain. He knew he wouldn''t survive in the middle of this crazy desert. He wouldn''t last much longer. Suddenly, a dark idea struck his mind. His face, once emotionless, cracked into a smile. His tired eyes glimmered with realization. "Haha, what am I thinking?" "If this is either an illusion or a dream, the only way to get out would be if someone wakes me up from the outside, but that''s not possible right now. Or I could inflict pain. For a dream, it''s quite vivid, and I can clearly feel the exhaustion and tiredness, so I''m crossing that idea out. It can''t be a dream." His last option was to inflict pain to wake himself up. If it was an illusion, as he thought, that would surely wake him. If not, he''d slowly die here without any help. Miserably. Without any second thought, he searched around and inside his pockets for something. While searching, inside his trench coat, he felt something. Taking it out, he found a pen. It looked familiar, but he was struck with confusion as to how it got there. He remembered using the same pen before but had thrown it away. It was the same pen Taliah always used. He set that thought aside, as it was his least concern, but the sense of mystery gnawed at him. Not wasting any more time thinking about it, he stabbed the pen into his thigh. The excruciating pain of stabbing himself was not pleasant. It broke through his senses, his mind filled with agony. He felt his consciousness fading. "No¡­ I need to¡­ did I make a wrong choice?" he screamed in pain, but no one was there to help him. He was alone. "¡­" Gradually, he opened his eyes. "Huh? Did I¡­did i make it?" Nur let out a cracked voice. He woke up and sat still, only to realize that he was sitting in a pool of blood. He considered the fact that it was his own blood after bleeding from his thigh. "But this much¡­ I should have died a hundred times over with this much blood loss." He checked his thighs. To his surprise, there was no sign of bleeding or injury, as though someone or something had healed him. He came to that conclusion because his pants still had a hole from the stab. Then it struck him¡ªthe pen. He searched himself but didn''t find it. While searching, he saw the pen right next to his right side. It was covered in blood. He took it and let out a sigh. Holding it up in front of his face, he said, "Thank God, I didn''t lose it." The black pen had something of an attachment to him after what had happened. Since it was the same pen Taliah used, it held a special connection. The pen had a black shining body with a silver inlay. It had a twist-to-turn mechanism, and on the twister was a diamond-like stone. After getting up from the blood pool, he put the pen safely inside his trench coat, exactly where he had found it. "I''ll ask Taliah if she put it there. Yeah, I have to find her and thank her for that. Or I would''ve been stuck in that damn desert for who knows how long until I die of thirst." He moved away from the blood pool, leaving a trail of blood from his boots on the ground as it slowly faded. His destination remained unknown, but he now had a clear objective: to find Taliah and return home. ¡­ Chapter 3: Fear of Unknown In a dark void, from a crack in the upper part of the space, light gushed out. The light created a platform in the endless darkness, and there, a wrecked spacecraft lay. From within the ship, a faint cry of a child could be heard as you got closer to the light. It was the soft, trembling voice of a girl. "The light was the last kindness, spilling through the crack to touch the wrecked ship in this forsaken place. It warmed the cold void, holding back the darkness that clawed to consume everything. "..." Nur had been walking for what felt like hours, though he wasn''t sure. The desert had already drained him, and now, in this strange place, his unease was growing. His mind couldn''t make sense of it. The guilt weighed heavily on his shoulders, pressing him down as if it could crush him. Every step he took felt like it might be his last. "I''m useless," he muttered under his breath. His voice cracked with exhaustion. He had thought he was traveling through time to save Miel, but no¡ªhe had crossed verses. His mind raced with the burden of it all. Miel, dead in his world. Taliah, here with him, dragged along for a journey she never asked for. "Why couldn''t I have protected her then?" He stumbled but kept moving, hoping for some kind of sign. Frustration boiled inside him, tightening his chest. He slammed his fist against the air, against the nothingness. His body ached from the effort of trying to keep up. "If I had only¡ªNo. What am I even saying?" His words were sharp, but hollow. He let out a bitter laugh, knowing it meant nothing. "Just... just keep her safe, Taliah. I promise, I won''t fail you." His voice broke, barely more than a whisper. The white void stretched out before him, endless, unchanging. His legs were losing strength. He collapsed to his knees, breathing heavily. His body was done. There was no more fight left in him. "I don''t think I can go on," he muttered, and his words hung in the air like a confession. He felt small. Alone. The endless nothingness swallowed him whole. Then, as if out of nowhere, his eyes caught a movement¡ªa distant black dot. It was far away, almost invisible, but it was there. His heart leapt, and he pulled himself to his feet, despite the trembling in his legs. "What is that?" he muttered, blinking hard to make sure he wasn''t imagining it. He couldn''t tell what it was. But he couldn''t stay here. Not like this. With what little strength he had left, he started moving toward it, each step heavier than the last. His body screamed for rest, but something pushed him forward. Something deep inside him refused to give up. The sweat on his brow, the burning in his lungs¡ªnone of it mattered. The dot was his only focus. But the air felt thick, His legs ached, his arms got heavier, he felt like he was running underwater And then¡ª Splash. "..." The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.Nur was suddenly thrown into an ocean, underwater His arms flailed, and he tried to break through the surface. His lungs burned for air, but when he finally emerged, he gasped, coughing violently. "What the hell is this place?" he gasped, eyes wide as he looked around. The water stretched endlessly in every direction, an ocean without end. The sky above was dull and gray, the sun hidden behind heavy clouds. The world felt... wrong. Panic began to creep in. He was lost. The vastness of the ocean overwhelmed him, the depth of it threatening to drown him emotionally before anything physical could. Despite the fear clawing at his insides, he forced himself underwater again, hoping for a clue¡ªanything that could guide him. As soon as his eyes opened, he froze. Shapes. Massive, dark shapes, moving beneath him, their eyes glowing, unblinking. His heart pounded, his blood running cold as they drew closer. He jerked his head above the surface, gasping for air. "No... no, no, no," he stammered. The terror gripped him as his limbs turned to jelly. His breath came in shallow, frantic gasps. He swam, his arms flailing, pushing himself harder. He had to get away. Had to escape. But the water felt heavier the harder he fought, and his body grew weaker with each stroke. "I can''t... I can''t do this," he whispered, his voice barely audible over the crashing waves in his chest. His muscles screamed in protest, and his limbs were losing strength faster than he could control them. He stopped, floating on his back. The water was a gentle current now, the ocean carrying him aimlessly. He stared up at the sky, so far away, as if the distance between them was endless. "Maybe this is it," he thought. But then, like a spark of life in a dying world, a flash of Taliah''s face appeared in his mind. Her voice, her smile, her laughter. "No," he muttered under his breath. "Not yet. I can''t stop now." He didn''t know how. He didn''t know why. But he turned onto his stomach and began to swim again. Slow. Clumsy. But with determination. He had no idea where he was going, or if there was anywhere to go. But giving up wasn''t an option. "Where to?" he thought, his voice echoing in his mind. The ocean stretched out, and land seemed like a distant dream. He was adrift, stranded. He floated, his body too exhausted to fight anymore. But the silence around him was strange, peaceful almost. For a moment, there was no looming danger. But then his mind took over, calculating every grim possibility. "What if I swim? Does it matter?" His thoughts spiraled into despair. He knew if something in the deep wanted to kill him, it would do so in an instant. But nothing came. The silence held. The weight of everything finally sank in. His mind, having calculated every escape, was defeated. There was no way out. No hope. All that was left was to wait for death. Just like before, in the desert. He hesitated, dipping his head into the water again to confirm whether the eyes had followed him, whether the creatures were closing in. He braced himself. He felt the tension in his chest and his heart beat painfully against it. But when he opened his eyes again¡ªnothing. There were no eyes. No shadowy figures lurking just beneath the surface. No monsters. Relief washed over him. He let out a shaky breath, breaking the surface once more. The water around him had brightened. It was now a light blue, like the tropical seas he had once heard about. It was almost... inviting. For a moment, the world didn''t feel so oppressive. He opened his eyes to the sky above him. It was vast, the clouds floating lazily in the distance. The sun broke through the clouds, its warmth touching his face. It felt like a gift. A fleeting moment of peace. He checked himself, his fingers moving over his coat, searching for the pen. His heart dropped when he realized it wasn''t there. It was gone. The pen. The connection. The lifeline. His fingers trembled, and he searched again, even though he knew it wouldn''t be there. It was a lost part of him now. He stared at the ocean, the weight of his failure sinking in. Without the pen, he had no courage to move on, no way to control the world like he had before. He couldn''t escape. Couldn''t solve this mystery. He couldn''t even go back to her. "Now what?" he thought bitterly. The thought gnawed at him, until something else took its place. Something darker. His mind returned to the other option: drowning. Giving in. Letting the ocean take him. But the thought of choking to death¡ªthe suffocation, the panic¡ªit terrified him. He couldn''t do it. Not yet. With a sudden determination, he dove deep beneath the surface. The water was cold. It numbed him, dragging him deeper into the abyss. His lungs screamed for air, but he didn''t stop. He kept going, the pressure building. And then, through the water''s blur, something caught his eye. A glint, a faint glow. The diamond light shining from the surface. Curiosity surged in him, pulling him upward. His hand reached out, desperate to grab it. But his body couldn''t take it anymore. The darkness overcame him before he could reach it. ... Chapter 4: Depths of Despair Day''s before the departure The rain fell steadily outside, soft and relentless, weighing down the vibrant roadside flowers until their delicate stems bent toward the earth. Beyond the rain-soaked streets, a bustling city pulsed with life¡ªvehicles honking, engines roaring, and voices blending into an urban symphony. Towering skyscrapers, their glass facades streaked with rivulets of water, stood as silent witnesses to the chaos below. Inside a dimly lit room, far from the city''s noise, Nur sat hunched over a cluttered desk. A flickering table lamp cast uneven light across blueprints and scribbled notes strewn before him. The designs were intricate, each sketch detailing spacecraft engineered to endure unimaginable forces. The professor Herold at ISRO had insisted the project only required a crew-capable craft. But Nur had ignored those instructions. His designs weren''t for them¡ªthey were for him. A desperate plan fueled by grief and a sliver of hope. He leaned back, rubbing his tired eyes. Beside him, a weathered scroll rested, the strange symbols on its surface faintly glowing in the dim light. The scroll''s purpose had become painfully clear in the weeks after Miel''s death. It was a contract, a silent promise: to go back and save her, he''d have to give something in return. But its terms remained elusive, shrouded in the same mystery as the dreams that had delivered it into his hands. "Such a weird dream¡­" he muttered, resting his chin on his folded arms. In his dream, he''d stumbled upon a realm unlike his own¡ªa world of swords and magic, where darkness threatened to consume everything. It felt absurdly fantastical, like a scene ripped from comics or games. Yet, it had been disturbingly real. he couldn''t shake the feeling that it was his one chance to make things right. But its power terrified him. What if opening a portal in this world unleashed something unimaginable? He sat back, staring up at the ceiling, his mind swirling with exhaustion. He wanted something to drink¡ªanything to break the monotony of hours spent working. His throat felt dry, his body weary. As the silence pressed in, he called out, almost instinctively. "Taliah... Oy, Taliah... You there?" But the only answer he got was silence. "..." The rain began to ease, sunlight breaking through the clouds. Nur glanced at the clock. The professor had messaged him earlier, asking to meet at ISRO''s base. The International Space and Resource Organisation or ISRO, the world''s leading organization, is responsible for space missions and resource exploration in response to the rapidly changing world. As he rose, sighing, he grabbed his coat and stepped outside his residence, now bathed in a golden glow after the rain. The flowers swayed gently, their colors much more vibrant, The rain hues still weighing them. "The base of operations buzzed with activity, The workers and scientists are in a hurry trying to finish there works, The professor, a gray-haired man with sharp eyes and a wry smile, greeted him with a firm handshake. "Nur, how''s the work coming along?" he asked, his tone cheerful despite his obvious exhaustion.Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences. Nur glanced past the professor at the spacecraft under construction. Engineers were fine-tuning its engines while others worked on the interior. "It''s finished," Nur replied with a faint smirk. "Everything''s ready except for the exterior. Once that''s done, we can move forward." The professor chuckled knowingly. "You''ve done more than enough. You''re not just finishing the work¡ªyou''re making it better than I ever imagined." "This sly old fart," Nur thought, stifling a grin. "It was hard for me to somehow plant this projects idea to his mind and seemingly for others he''s the one who came up with this entire project, but he makes me do all the grunt work. Still¡­ it''s better for me this way. I can''t refuse." The professor''s expression darkened slightly. "You know, we might face another outbreak soon. Even with everyone awakened, survival isn''t guaranteed in this changed world." Nur tensed but didn''t reply immediately. The world had changed drastically, yet he felt like an outsider. As Nur left the base, the city stretched before him, glistening under the clearing skies. Rain droplets clung to the leaves, the streets reflecting the soft glow of the emerging sun. As he looked to his right, His gaze lifted. There, piercing the heavens, stood the tower. Its immense form seemed to scrape the clouds, casting a shadow over the city. It hadn''t always been there. No one knew where it came from, only that it had appeared one day, uninvited, changing the world forever. He muttered under his breath, "Awakened, huh!" As he stares at the sky piercing tower, his¡ªback that was seemingly wide, was holding so much weight of responsibility "¡­" Sound of ocean, waves clashing, seaguls flying around singing the song of the seas in there own language Nur opened his eyes. floated on his back, the water cold and unyielding. "What¡­ happened?" he whispered,"haha did i fail in doing such a simple task as he added he remeber the gliker of light he show when he was under the water As he turned to his right, he saw it¡ªa flicker of light in the distance. Weak but persistent, it cut through the waves, drawing his gaze. Nur turned his head toward the light, his mind racing. Could it be? He began swimming toward it, each stroke a battle against the ocean''s pull. His limbs ached, his body weak, but the light kept him moving. When he finally reached it, his breath hitched. Floating just beneath the surface was a black pen, engraved with silver, a small diamond-like stone embedded in its clip. Nur''s fingers closed around it, trembling. Memories surged through him as he clutched the pen. He could still feel the weight of his past mistakes, the promises he couldn''t keep. But his relief was short-lived. He heard it then¡ªthe shrill cries of seagulls overhead. The water rippled unnaturally, shadows stirring below. Panic tightened his chest as his mind raced. The blood I left behind¡­ did it draw them in..? The previously lifeless place has become much more lively, as if it has suddenly given birth to lives that belong to it, just for him. Shadows rose from the depths, dark shapes circling beneath him. The apex predators of the ocean had arrived. Nur''s heart pounded in his chest, each beat a frantic drum of terror. He couldn''t die here¡ªnot like this, torn apart by the monsters lurking below. The pen in his hand trembled as he gripped it tighter, bracing himself Before he could fully process his fear, his body acted on its own. Without realizing it, the pen plunged into his thigh. The sharp, searing pain snapped through him, but his mind felt detached, as if his instincts had taken over, bypassing his will entirely. He grunted, his voice strained as the pain grew unbearable. The blood seeped out in slow tendrils, clouding the water. It was almost absurd¡ªa cruel joke. I just want to pass out before they rip me apart¡­ Resignation settled over him like the cold grip of the ocean. Deep down, he knew¡ªthere was no escaping this. Whether it was by his own hand or the jaws of the creatures circling below, he was doomed. And yet, a sliver of desperate hope flickered. Maybe, just maybe, he''d wake up somewhere else¡ªback in reality¡ªif he gave in to the void. "¡­" The water stirred ominously. They surfaced then, breaking through the waves like nightmares made flesh. Sharks¡ªno, they were far worse, dripping with malice and hunger. Nur''s breath caught. He could feel the pull of the current growing stronger around him, as if the ocean itself had become a living thing, conspiring against him. Great. I''m bleeding in shark-infested area. This might be my smartest moment yet. He felt like an idiot, helpless and utterly out of his depth. His mind screamed at him to fight, to run, but his limbs refused to obey. Below him, the shadows closed in. The first shark lunged, its jagged teeth grazing his arm. Nur twisted away, but the second struck faster, tearing into his side. Pain exploded through him. He screamed, the sound almost lost in the crashing waves and storm brewing above. The ocean churned violently, waves rising and falling as though nature itself was at war. His lungs burned as seawater filled them, each cough more desperate than the last. "¡­" Amidst the chaos, he caught a glimpse on the ocean''s surface, sunlight pierced through the clouds, creating a platform. A figure stood there. The presence felt heavy, as if it resented him for something, though Nur couldn''t fathom why. His body began to fail. Blood loss and exhaustion dragged him downward, the ocean swallowing him. He was drawing towers, the fear he had forgotten, the fear of the depths. clutching his pen tightly in his hand to prevent it from getting lost once again. "Taliah¡­, he was calling out to her, as his last thoughts, as he fell ¡­ Chapter 5: The Tales In the village of Nauneya, buzzing with the harmony of nature and its people, life flowed peacefully. Well, long ago, it was not the case¡ªhundreds of years before. The empire, as well as the village, was on the verge of destruction because of a disaster that ran amok with its legion of ghouls. At the center of this disaster was a man infamously known for wielding black arts. He sacrificed his own people to gain greater power. He was later known as the Dark Lord, or Lord of the Black Legion. The Dark Lord wore a mask that seemed torn from the face of a demon¡¯s skull, covering only his facial features. His dull white hair, tied with a blood-red ribbon, flowed beyond his hips. He donned a pitch-black robe stained with blood, and in his hand, he held the Sword of the Void, a weapon as dark and ominous as his soul. People feared him for his immense growth with every battle. Each victory became a stepping stone to his greater power. Until The Great Hero, Erun Tharos, rose to challenge him. Erun Tharos, also known as The Brave, was chosen by the Goddess of Nauneya. It is said that Erun ate a fruit from the Divine Tree, left by the goddess herself¡ªa fruit meant for the brave who would rise to defeat the Dark Lord. The fruit granted him divine powers, comparable to the gods of the land. Erun, later found by the empire, was trained and tasked with cleansing the darkness. The hero and his party set out, cutting through the ghouls and the legion. As time passed, they reached the place where the darkness prevailed. "The Hero Tharos took his blade and swung, defeating the evil of the Lord of Darkness, restoring peace and prosperity to these lands¡­" Cough cough. "Grandma, are you okay? Should I bring some water?" "Haha, I¡¯m fine. How many times have I read you this book? You never get tired, do you, Kyle?" "It¡¯s the best! Every time I hear the story of the Brave, I feel immense power. He fought evil with his own strength! Whenever I hear this, it makes me want to defend myself and fight against those bullies in the village!" Kyle, a young boy not older than thirteen, lived with his grandmother, who was sick and unwell due to old age. She didn¡¯t have much time left, but Kyle was the only reason she found the strength to keep going. Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences. Kyle¡¯s parents¡ªher son and daughter-in-law¡ªhad gone missing years ago. The talk of the town was that they were likely dead, and most people believed it. Despite his weak and fragile body, Kyle always fought back when bullied by his peers. Unlike others who stood by or accepted the bullying, he couldn¡¯t bring himself to give in, even if he always failed. At times like these, his only solace was hearing stories from the book Divine¡¯s Journey to the Place Where the Darkness Lies. The book told tales of Hero Erun Tharos, recorded as a series of events with simple illustrations. It described how he ate the fruit that granted him godlike powers, how the empire found him and trained him, and how he formed a party to defeat the Dark Lord. It also detailed how the empire and nearby lands awaited the hero¡¯s return. The royal capital had been decorated in anticipation of the Brave¡¯s victory, the streets buzzing with hope and joy. The hero¡¯s party brought victory, restoring peace and prosperity. It was not mentioned in the book, but¡­ The Brave Hero Erun Tharos¡­ Never¡­, Came¡­, Back¡­ "..." Kyle stepped out of the house, his eyes glimmering with light, a smile resembling a crescent moon on his face. He brimmed with energy, likely because of his daily dose of the hero¡¯s story. He was heading toward the village chief¡¯s house¡ªhis toilet¡¯s water supply had been cut off, and he wanted to complain. Kyle walked along the stone-carved streets. The village was small but full of life, with basic amenities scattered around. At the far end of the road stood the chief¡¯s house. Standing at the door, Kyle knocked. "Hello, Mr. Chief, it¡¯s me, Kyle! Grandma sent me here!" he called out loudly. The door opened, revealing a girl about his age. She had brown hair and brown pupils, contrasting with Kyle¡¯s black hair and brown eyes. He smiled and greeted her. "Hello, Elly." The girl blushed, nodded, and replied, "Hello, Kyle. How have you been? Are you here to meet Father or¡­" "Yes, I¡¯m here to meet Mr. Chief," he interrupted, airily cutting her off. Elly pouted, her cheeks puffing up in disappointment. "Okay, I¡¯ll tell Father! I mean¡­ Mr. Ch-i-e-f," she said as she walked away. "Dummy¡­ you big, big dumb dummy." Kyle, as he watched her walk away, thought, "Huh? Did she say something?" He felt chills, as if someone was talking about him. She soon returned. "Kyle, come inside. Father is calling you in." "Huh? Inside? For what?" He was confused. Normally, they¡¯d just send someone to fix the problem. It was unusual for the chief to summon him inside for such a small matter. "I don¡¯t know," Elly said, blushing and avoiding his gaze. "Maybe he has something to say. You should go quickly, or he¡¯ll be angry." "Ah, okay, okay," he replied hurriedly, walking to the office door. As he knocked on the door to the chief''s office, "It¡¯s Kyle." "Come in," a voice called from inside. Kyle entered the room, where the village chief, Fern, sat. Unlike most people in the village, Kyle felt the chief treated him and his grandmother with special care. "G-Good afternoon, Kyle. How have you been? I heard you needed some help," the chief said. "Good afternoon to you too, Village Chief," Kyle replied, blushing. "Y-Yes, uh, the water supply to the bathroom isn¡¯t working, so Grandma sent me here to ask for help." "You don¡¯t need to call me that," Fern chuckled. "You can just call me Uncle Fern. Don¡¯t worry; I¡¯ll send someone to help as soon as possible." Kyle flustered. "Ah, um, I can¡¯t call you that! It wouldn¡¯t be respectful, and the villagers might question you for allowing it!" Fern laughed heartily. "Who would dare question me if I told them you¡¯re my nephew?" Kyle flushed, clutching his trousers. "I¡­ uh¡­ thank you very much!" "How¡¯s your grandmother¡¯s health?" Fern asked, his tone softening. "She always says she¡¯s fine," Kyle said, his voice heavy. "But I think she¡¯s hiding something." Fern nodded, his expression somber. "I¡¯ll send a doctor to check on her later. Don¡¯t worry about the water supply either." Kyle¡¯s face lit up. "A very muc¨C, a thank¨C, Thank you very much, Chie¨C I-I mean, Un¡ªUncle Fern!" As he stammered, he felt embarrassed. "Haha¡­ Don¡¯t mention it," Fern said with a smile, though his gaze lingered on Kyle a moment too long, an inscrutable expression crossing his face. As Kyle left and closed the door, Fern stared at the closed door with mischievous eyes. Kyle stepped out, standing in front of the chief¡¯s house, gazing at the wide and beautiful streets ahead. Suddenly, he felt someone poking his back. He turned around, and it was Elly. "Hey, what were you talking about with Father?" "Um, it was nothing. He asked how me and Grandma were doing." Kyle noticed her sudden disappointment. "Hey¡­ hey, Kyle," she stammered. "Would you like to play with me? I¡¯m free, you know." She asked, rubbing her foot on the ground nervously. Kyle, oblivious to her intentions, replied, "Sorry, Lady Elly, but I have to hunt for today¡¯s meal. Otherwise, Grandma and I will starve." Elly hesitated. "Oh¡­ then can I¡ª" But Kyle cut her off. "I have to go now. Those muscleheads might hunt all the rabbits! Bye, Elly! See you!" Elly stood frozen in shock, her hand reaching toward the already-distant Kyle. "You¡¯re the biggest brickhead¡­" she muttered, blushing as her frustration boiled over. "Dummy!" ... Chapter 6: Dusk If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. Chapter 7: The Night The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. Chapter 8: Instinct Birds chirping. As the night faded into a peaceful quiet, the first light of morning broke over the horizon, casting a soft, golden hue over the quiet village below. Nur and Kayle shared the upper floor of Kayle''s family''s cozy cottage. The space wasn''t a proper room¡ªmore of a storage area¡ªand didn''t leave much room for comfort. The sloping ceiling was so low that Nur could touch it without stretching his arm. It felt like a little nook in the world, a cozy little space where the world outside couldn''t intrude. A small window overlooked the village below, a perfect view of the bustling town waking up to the day''s rhythm. Kayle''s mattress, neatly tucked in the corner, lay on the floor, its worn edges giving the space a lived-in charm. After a long and tiring journey, Nur finally slept soundly. Yet, even as he rested, his mind was anything but at peace. There were parts of his past he couldn''t remember, gaps that seemed too important to ignore but too elusive to catch. What if those memories were the key to understanding what was going on? It was a thought that gnawed at him in the quiet hours of the morning, but he couldn''t find the answers yet. Later that morning, as sunlight spilled warmly through the window, Nur remained deeply asleep, unaware of the bustling world outside. "Wake up! Wake up!" Kayle''s voice shattered the calm. "Mr. Nur, it''s almost noon!" he called urgency in his tone, a touch of playful impatience hanging in his voice. Kayle, having risen early to help his grandmother with chores, felt it was his solemn duty to ensure Nur didn''t sleep the day away. "Grandma''s made breakfast! If you take too long, I might eat it all myself, so hurry!" Kayle joked, grinning from ear to ear. Nur stirred, blinking slowly, his body protesting every movement. A dull ache throbbed in his head as he groaned, rubbing his temple. "Ugh, my head hurts," he mumbled, half awake, the sound of Kayle''s voice making it feel like a drill going through his skull. Kayle''s eager face came into view, too close for comfort, like a puppy staring at him with expectant eyes. "Kayle¡­ good morning," Nur managed weakly as he rubbed his temple. "Yes, good morning! Now get up so we can eat! After that, I''ll introduce you to the village chief and show you around the village!" Kayle said with enthusiastic energy, jumping up and down as if he were about to start a race. "The village chief?" Nur echoed, his curiosity piqued but still half-dazed. Kayle''s expression flickered for a moment, almost like a shadow passing over his face. "Yeah, it''s important to let the chief know whenever someone from outside comes here," Kayle explained. He hesitated for a brief second, then continued, "Grandma also said¡ªah, never mind. Let''s talk about it later," he muttered quickly before rushing downstairs, his footsteps growing fainter as he descended.Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel. Nur sighed and sank back into the mattress, pulling the thin blanket over his head in a desperate attempt to block out the world. What now? The thought lingered like a haunting melody as he stared up at the low ceiling. The nearest city¡­ Maybe someone there could help. A single word drifted into his thoughts¡ªbase. It felt sharp and familiar, yet its meaning hovered just out of reach, like a key without a lock. Shaking off his doubts, Nur forced himself to his feet, determined to start the day. He splashed cold water on his face at the small well outside the house, the icy chill clearing the fog in his mind and giving him a bit of clarity. His reflection in the water was blurry, like an image from a forgotten dream. When breakfast was over, Kayle dashed outside, calling out to Nur from the front door. "Hey, Mr. Nur! Let''s go! I''ll show you around the village!" Nur had been helping Kayle''s grandmother to bed and clearing the dishes Kayle had abandoned in his excitement. It already felt as though he was becoming a part of their family¡ªa strange feeling, but not an unwelcome one. "Hey, Kai!" Kayle turned toward the voice, his face lighting up with excitement. "Mr. Smith! You''re finally here!" "Haha! Boy, it''s been a while since we''ve seen each other, and all you''ve got to say is that?" Mr. Smith replied with a hearty laugh, slapping Kayle on the back as though the two hadn''t seen each other in ages. Kayle chuckled, rubbing his shoulder. "Heehee! Has it really been that long?" He grinned mischievously. "Isn''t it about time you usually come? Our water supply''s been acting up again, hasn''t it?" "Yeah, yeah. You don''t have to say it like that," Smith grumbled, shaking his head. "You could at least greet me properly and say, ''Hello, Uncle Rek,'' and maybe give me a hug." Mr smith jokingly said mimicking a child Kayle rolled his eyes, clearly not taking the joke seriously. "You''re such a tease, Mr. Smith. Fine, how about I just call you ''old man'' instead?" Smith''s grin faltered, but he couldn''t hide the twinkle in his eyes. "Uh¡­ no, no. Mr. Smith is fine." Kayle burst into laughter, clutching his stomach. "I''m just joking, Uncle Rek!" Smith chuckled, shaking his head. "You sure are something, Kayle. You remind me of myself when I was your age." Kayle shot him a sly glance, his voice dropping into a teasing tone. "Heeeh? So even Uncle Smith was a kid once?" Smith raised an eyebrow, amused by the playful banter. "What do you think I was before?" he replied with a grin, clearly enjoying the moment. Before their exchange could continue, Smith''s attention shifted to Nur, who had stepped out after finishing Kayle''s abandoned chores, dusting his hands off. "So, who''s this, Kai? Got yourself a guest?" Smith asked, his gaze flicking over to Nur. Kayle nodded enthusiastically, clearly proud of his new guest. "Yes! Let me introduce him. This is Mr. Nur. I found him yesterday and brought him here." Smith raised an eyebrow, clearly skeptical. "Found him? What is he, a lost puppy?" Nur''s eyes narrowed slightly at the comment. Tch, he muttered inwardly. I''m no puppy. Kayle ignored Nur''s reaction completely. "And Mr. Nur, this is Mr. Sm¡ªah! I mean Uncle Rek!" Smith extended his hand to Nur with a wide grin, his voice booming with friendly energy. "Nice to meet you, visitor! I''m Rek¡ªmost people call me Smith since I''m the village repairman." Nur shook his hand briefly, trying to hide his discomfort at the overly warm greeting. "You can call me Nur," he said flatly. "Haha, you''re not much of a talker, are you?" Smith remarked with a boisterous laugh, his voice carrying through the air. Nur''s eyes flickered past Smith to a man standing behind him. The man wore a blue robe with golden trim over a simple white shirt, his sharp gaze meeting Nur''s for a brief moment. The look was unsettling like a predator sizing up its prey. "Oh, right!" Smith said, noticing Nur''s gaze. "This is Dr. Laynard. The village chief sent him to check on your grandmother, Kai." Kayle''s face lit up. "Uncle Fern sent him? Thank you for bringing him here, Uncle Rek!" Mr. Smith rubbed his nose as if he had accomplished a big task since he could hear little kai have called him Uncle Rek finally with respect and his puppy-like eyes. "Well, let''s not waste the doctor''s time. Kayle, show him to your grandmother. Nur, why don''t you help me check the pipes behind the house?" Smith said with a grin, clearly eager to move on. Nur hesitated, his instincts prickling. The man in the blue robe had passed by without a word, but his presence left a strange weight in the air like the room had grown colder without reason. "¡­Sure," Nur finally replied, forcing his gaze back to Smith. Setting aside his doubts, he followed Smith toward the back of the house. ¡­ As he stood beside Mr. Smith while he was working, his senses caught someone walking nearby. How is the work going Uncle Rek, Yes, it''s the usual, looks like something was inside the pipe- What are you doing here? Nur asked to kayle The doctor sent me away, as he wanted no one to disturb him, You!, hold this!. As he handed over the tool in his hand which Mr. Smith gave him to hold. Stay here and help him. Something is not right! Nur thought inwardly. His instinct was acting up again.