The world was blurry, distorted, almost unreal. The scenery built itself wherever Thomas laid his eyes.
A battle was underway — no, a massacre.
Grotesque creatures were clashing in the distance in a dystopian landscape. Or rather, they were killing each other...
A giant centipede, with spores plastered all over its body, was releasing a purple smoke into the air. A massive feline with teeth as large as tusks, its body was scarred all over with insidious wounds. The purple smoke seeped in, infecting the beasts through their injuries.
Far away, Thomas watched a group of a hundred creatures cloaked in a thin layer of green mist. In fact, wherever he looked, the mist was spreading at breakneck speed. The monsters consumed by it were overcome with madness and slaughtered anyone untouched.
[Zelvirah!]
Thomas was calm. Confident even — everything was going perfectly.
In the distance, a large flying creature was approaching. A huge lizard with black scales, tinged with a hint of violet from within. From its tail to its nape, jagged spikes gave it a threatening appearance. Its two horns lit up with a violet glow, and the dragon accelerated.
[Zelvirah!]
But Thomas simply stood there, observing the scene, satisfied.
Massive energy rifts covered the sky, Ætherin raged wildly, balance had long been broken. Æthblight was spreading like wildfire, the landscape slowly became corrupted.
The Æthren and Æthralkers fought relentlessly in the chaos.
[Zelvirah, wake up!]
Like a drop of water in a stream, the world began to distort — sounds becoming blurred. Then returning to normal quickly, only to ripple again the next second.
The dragon was now about ten meters away. It hovered in place.
Now that it was close, he could finally see something. As if stuck inside its body — a dragon's simplified and translucent form was there. That was its soul. A white orb sat at the center of the soul. That was the mind. Thin yellow circuits could be seen, connecting every point in its body. That was the Æthvein. Faint knots were visible within the Æthvein — the Æthcores.
7 Æthcores.
[Goddamn it, Zelvi! Wake up!]
Focusing on what he was seeing was hard now, the blurry shapes made less and less sense. The scenery was shifting in all directions — enough to make anyone nauseous.
Gradually, the scenery faded, leaving only Thomas and the dragon in a pure white void.
The dragon's body convulsed, changing shape. But no matter how the body deformed, the soul remained unchanged. Only the Æthveins and Æthcores adapted to the body.
Slowly, a beautiful figure took shape. A man of unparalleled beauty. A flawless, almost mystical face looked at him with hatred. Fierce hatred. His silky obsidian hair danced in the wind.
"Stop this, Zelvirah."
Thomas was amused.
'Why should I stop?'
Thomas smiled before bursting out laughing.
"I know you're there, stop."
"Talatus... You're so... arrogant. But in the end, you're just a pawn in an even bigger joke…" said Thomas with disgust.
Yet Talatus heard nothing.
Thomas drifted closer to the man. Up close, he whispered.
"You think you know me...?"
Talatus didn't notice him.
"I know you're there, don't ignore me, bastard!" shouted Talatus, eyes lost in the distance.
Thomas's clawed hand rested on his shoulder.
[The fuck, you done snoozing like a piece of shit!?]
Thomas's smile stretched into something devilish.
And with a simple motion, one of his claws scraped Talatus's chest. The world rippled again. Talatus's eyes widened.
"Huh?"
"Ah– ah—uuUFH!"
Blood began to spill from his mouth. The life in his eyes faded, and his body dropped into the void.
Thomas watched the body fall before his vision turned black.
Slowly, the light returned. Floyd stood in front of him, yelling like a lunatic.
"Rah! Shut up — Floyd! Damn it!"
"Well there! Finally awake!"
Thomas clicked his tongue.
"Grump on top of it... Great! Great! Noted — next time I'll let you sleep in enemy camp."
"Alright, sorry…" he said quickly.
Thomas was lost in thought.
'What was that dream? It felt so… so real…'
Thomas didn't understand everything he'd just seen, but one thing was certain: during the dream, he'd felt a strong hatred for everything around him. Destruction was all he wanted.
'Was it a premonition? Or am I hallucinating?'
"Floyd, I think I'm going insane…"
"..."
"I mean… My dream felt so real."
"Oh yeah, you were really out! Pah-ah! ah!"
'We're laughing now, but it really was strange. The memory lingers. The emotion too…'
"How long was I asleep?"
After the green mist faded, Thomas had felt a latent fatigue — one that only revealed its full weight during his meditation.
"Almost an hour and a half."
"What?!"
"..."
"Shit! Let's forget about Ætherin for now."
'I'll just use it like a staff.'
Before leaving the room, something caught his eye. Flasks filled with an unknown liquid. He took them and hid them in his poncho, then left.
Back in the hallway, he ran as fast as he could. Floyd followed.
"Where are we going?" asked Floyd.
"To the cells! There's someone I need to see over there!"
"..."
"I made him a promise… I intend to keep it."
"What a noble heart…"
Thomas smiled.
'Yeah right, bullshit.'
"Hum! —hum! By the way, you know the way?"
"Of course!"
"..."
"Pff! Then guide me!"
"You're heading the wrong way."
Thomas was speechless.
"What the fuck?! You could've said that sooner! Bastard!"
*
The two of them rushed through the place at breakneck speed under Floyd's directions, avoiding unexpected encounters. Thomas wanted to skip unnecessary conversations.
Strangely, Floyd seemed able to sense people before they were visible. A very useful ability. Thomas wished he had that too.
Isn't it cool to spot people in advance? Nah? — yeah, really cool.
Thomas imagined himself in a foggy forest, tracking an enemy from afar. Just sensing their presence. Fantastic!
Left, right, right, left, then right, and right again. The facility was enormous. A real labyrinth.
At one point, Thomas smelled something familiar — filth.
'We're in the right place.'
Cells lined the hallway, gradually coming into his peripheral view as he walked.
After a bit of searching, he found the familiar cell. The atmosphere was the same as always — the mother and daughter spoke in an incomprehensible language, and the old maniac judged everyone as usual.
The cell guard stepped forward.
"Halt! What's the reason for your visit?"
Thanks to Floyd, he could finally understand… He'd finally be able to communicate properly.
"I've come to designate Ilgraa's chosen for the sacrifice."
When he said those words, all the inmates turned and stared at him in fear. An inexplicable terror filled their eyes.
"The chosen for this cell has already been designated previously. Go elsewhere."
The inmates relaxed at that declaration.
'That's not how this is going to go. I gave my word — and I only have one.'
"Damned — he was damned…"
"..."
"Again?! What a bunch of savages!"
A smirk formed on Thomas's face.
'Bingo!'
Thomas was getting excited — really excited.
The cell guard opened the iron door.
'Floyd, you're a genius!'
Glancing at each prisoner, he found the situation particularly hilarious. He couldn't help but laugh. Just a few hours ago, he was at their level. And now — he was the authority!
"I'll have the honor of choosing Ilgraa's chosen for the sacrifice." he said as he entered the cell.
Thomas mimicked Floyd's words perfectly.
"..."
"Be grateful for the chance to cleanse your shame by feeding Ilgraa with your greed."
"Fuck off! No one gives a shit about your dumb Ilgraa!" shouted a prisoner who snapped.
'How ironic... I don't care either, you know? I'm just saying empty words.'
Thomas turned toward the mocking old man to whom he had made a symbolic promise a few hours ago.
'I don't give a damn about your shitty situation. We're all stuck in the same mess. You all treated me like trash — and now I'm back.'
"..."
'All I need to do is ruin this place before I leave. Whether any of you die or not — I couldn't care less.'
The bitter old man stared at him silently.
'You're just cattle. All of you — nothing more than objects serving my goals.'
This moment — he would savor it. Oh yes! He had suffered. He wouldn't forgive. He would make those who mistreated him suffer. Thomas isn't a hypocrite. Why would he forgive that old fool? He only made an exception for the girl because she's a child. He'd made an exception for the girl — she was a child, and children can make that kind of mistake. But not an adult. Mocking someone who's suffering... that's just pathetic.
'Eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth.'
So he walked up to him casually. His steps echoed like whispers before a storm. He bent down to his level. Looking into his eyes — while the old man couldn't see his face.
He couldn't contain his joy. His smile widened. His eyes narrowed into crescents.
"As promised... I choose you as Ilgraa's chosen for the sacrifice."
Delicious. It was delicious...
An unforgettable moment.
Watching that fucking old man's face twist in terror, realizing who the hooded man in front of him was.
Oh yes — Thomas had kept his promise...
That guy was the one taking part in the event, not Thomas.
What a delightful feeling.
"You—!"
Thomas silenced him, firmly covering his mouth.
"Shut up, lowly heretic."
Aahahah!
Yes — that's the feeling. That's what Thomas had forgotten — joy.