Chapitre 2: Requiem of The Warlord

The sun was high in the sky as the two of them continued to feast. Despite the time, they showed no signs of slowing down. Finally, Orwell reached the end of the meal, placing his utensils on the empty plate in a precise manner. With a satisfied sigh, he leaned back in his chair and surveyed the empty dishes scattered across the table. It was clear they had thoroughly enjoyed theirs.

As Orwell fumbled through his pocket, he retrieved a small clock pendant. Glancing at the time, he realized he needed to leave and bid farewell to Tobias, who was still in the midst of her meal.

"Thank you for your time, Mr. Orwell," Tobias said, feeling grateful for the opportunity to learn from such a noble person. As she observed the way Orwell treated those around her, she realized that he was truly special and not like anyone she had ever met before. This experience helped her understand the true meaning of the word 'noble', and she made a conscious effort to model her own behavior after the standards set by Orwell.

"Very well, you may refer to me as Orwell. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, and I must express my gratitude for your willingness to listen to my tale. Your attentiveness is greatly appreciated, Tobias. On that note, I believe it is time for me to settle my bill. The establishment is rather quiet at the moment, with only ourselves, the cashier, and a few others remaining. Fortunately, there is no queue, so I shall attend to this matter promptly. Until we meet again." Orwell gracefully made his way to the cashier to pay for his meal.

As the sun reached its peak in the sky, the residents of Antemur began to take their midday breaks. Stores and other establishments closed for a short time, and many people retired to their homes for a quick nap. The streets were quiet and empty, the heat of the day keeping all but the most necessary of travelers indoors.

"Orwell is such a fascinating person," Tobias said, tucking her book back into her bag. "I feel so lucky to have met him. And look at all this material I've gathered for my book - four whole pages worth! I can't wait to see how it all comes together."

"There are still so many things out there that I need to know and write about," Tobias said to herself as she put down her book. She looked around the room and realized that she was alone. Glancing out the window, she saw that there was no one passing by outside either.

"When I come back to her, I don't want to be a child who doesn't know anything anymore," Tobias continued, thinking about her friend. She stood up and walked over to the window, looking out at the empty street.

"I want to be able to share all of the things I've learned and experienced with her," she said to herself. "I can't wait to see her again and show her how much I've grown." With a determination to continue learning and growing, Tobias walked away from the window and returned to the table where she had left her book and food. Although she was not quite finished eating, she felt ready to leave the restaurant. However, as she gathered her things and prepared to depart, she couldn't shake the feeling that something was missing. She wondered what Orwell had done before leaving this place.

"I don't want to go to that table. Do I have to?"

"Where did that guy go? I thought I saw him heading towards the bathroom."

She glanced towards the door in the back corner of the room, the one that led to the toilet.

Tobias had never really understood how to pay for things at stalls and other places like that. It wasn't something she had ever had to worry about before. But today, she decided it was time to take her bag and leave the table. As she stepped out through the front door, she asked herself, "Where should I go now?" However, she did not appear outside of the restaurant as expected. Instead, she emerged from the door that was meant to lead to the restroom.

Tobias hesitated, sensing that something was off. Determined to uncover the truth, she set out to find the cashier, whom she assumed was in the restroom. However, upon entering the bathroom, she was shocked to discover a chamber filled with strange stoves and shelves. "What is this place?" she murmured, tentatively making her way deeper into the room. After pushing through a curtain, Tobias found herself in a room that seemed all too familiar.

"What... how is this possible!?" As Tobias stepped through the front door, she emerged from the bathroom door. Upon entering the restroom, she found herself transported to the kitchen instead. Tobias was filled with a sense of mystery and intrigue as she considered the question: what would happen if she ventured through the kitchen door? Determined to find out, she returned to the kitchen to test her theory.

Tobias stood before the kitchen door, hoping that it would be her way out. As Tobias opened the door and stepped through, she was momentarily disoriented as she found herself back before the front door of the main room, as if she had somehow been transported there through some mysterious means. She couldn't understand how she had ended up back where she had started, and she couldn't shake the feeling that something strange and otherworldly was at play.

"This is impossible! I have to get out of here!" Tobias screamed in panic as she ran through door after door, desperate to find an escape. She emerged from the bathroom, the kitchen, and even the main room, but no matter which way she turned, she found herself trapped in a never-ending cycle. She ran and ran, her heart pounding in her chest until she was on the verge of collapse. It seemed like there was no way out of this mysterious, labyrinthine building.

As the minutes ticked by, Tobias sat in the chair, growing more and more exhausted. She let out a heavy sigh and laid her head down on the table, trying to catch her breath. "I've tried so many times and nothing has changed," she said, her voice laced with panic. "Ira... am I going to be trapped here forever?" The thought of being stuck in that strange, unfamiliar place filled her with fear and desperation. The apple that Granny Wilson had given her accidentally fell out of her bag and rolled across the floor. Suddenly, the room began to shake and distort as waves of energy radiated out from the apple, causing the bright, transparent window to curve and ripple. Doors, tables, chairs, and floors all moved and twisted in response to the strange vibrations that seemed to be coursing through the entire room. Panic set in as Tobias struggled to keep her balance amid the chaos.

Tobias grabbed her apple in a panic and fled to the kitchen, thinking it would be a safer place. But as she entered the room, she realized it was exactly the same as the main room. She was terrified as the walls seemed to crack and shift around her, and she pressed herself against the wall in fear. "No! If I get trapped in here, I might never escape!" She was overwhelmed with panic as she ran back through the kitchen door, only to find herself back in the main room once again.

As the room grew darker, Tobias frantically searched for the door that would lead her back to the kitchen. But when she tried to grasp the handle, it felt as if it was just a ghostly illusion. Desks and chairs cluttered her path as she stumbled through the room in a panic, accidentally crashing into them. But to her horror, there was no resistance - everything in the room seemed to have turned into a translucent mirage, just like the door handle.

As the light outside faded away, the room was plunged into darkness. She frantically searched for something to hold onto, but the walls and objects around her seemed to melt away into the void. The silence was deafening, and she stumbled and fell, her legs unable to keep her upright. "Ira, I'm scared!" she cried out, her voice shaking with fear. She curled up on the floor, wrapping her arms around her head as if to shield herself from the darkness that seemed to envelop her.

"Thine very being birthed forth the genesis of all impending disasters."

Tobias gasped for air, her chest constricting as if a heavy weight was pressing down upon it. A deep, commanding voice boomed through the air, causing Tobias to tremble in fear. She could feel the presence of someone, or something, looming over her, demanding answers. "Who are you? What have you done? Please, let me go!" Tobias pleaded, her eyes wide with terror as she clutched her bag tightly to her chest. She collapsed to the ground, her legs shaking uncontrollably as she begged for mercy.

"Your years and lineage hold no sway with me. Once thou hast been deemed a harbinger of ruin, redemption is beyond thy grasp. I shall end thy journey here, consigning thee to an eternal fate."

The darkness seemed to stretch on endlessly until a sudden golden light appeared and illuminated the figure of a man in black, his piercing eyes fixed on Tobias. He stood tall with an air of superiority, his chin held high. The man's eyes were pitch-black with striking golden pupils, sending a shiver down Tobias's spine with their intimidating aura.

Tobias's face contorted in panic, as she raised her voice urgently, "Wait! Please listen to me! I think you've got the wrong person! I just arrived today!" But despite her pleas, it was as if her words fell on deaf ears, her protest was ignored.

"I ..."

Tobias' heart pounded in her chest as the man loomed closer, each step sending shivers down her spine. Desperate to escape, she frantically scrambled backward, but her weak limbs struggled to obey. She could feel the cold sweat gathering on her skin as the man closed in, a sense of impending doom choking her. Every fiber of her being screamed at her to run, but she was trapped, powerless to flee.

Tobias' voice shook as she begged, "Please, no! I'll do anything you want, just don't hurt me!" She scrambled backward, her eyes wide with terror. Her thoughts raced as she tried to understand what was happening. She couldn't believe this was happening. All she had ever wanted was to see the world, experience new things, and meet new people. Was that so wrong? She couldn't comprehend why anyone would want to stop her from living her dream.

"Albalbel," Looking at her who was trying to get away, he just took a leisurely pace.

Tobias' heart raced as she realized she could no longer move her body. Her limbs felt heavy and unresponsive as if they were made of lead. Panic set in as she desperately tried to move, her attempts growing more frantic with each passing moment. "Please, no!" she cried out, tears streaming down her face. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry for whatever I did. I don't know what's happening to me. Please, someone, help me!" Her voice broke as she begged for assistance, her body wracked with fear and desperation.

"As the God of War,"

Tobias' body was frozen with fear as she stared into the eyes of the God of War. Tears streamed down her face, her mouth quivered as she tried to speak. "God...of...War...?" The name echoed in her mind, recalling the conversations she had with Orwell. He had mentioned this powerful deity controlled the vast territory of Agriraslia. But she never imagined she would come face to face with him. The god's overwhelming presence made her feel small and insignificant. The power emanating from him made her heart race with panic. Her body shook uncontrollably, as she realized the gravity of the situation she was in. She didn't know how she got here or what she had done to incur the wrath of such a powerful being. "Please," she begged, "I'm sorry if I've done something wrong." But in the face of the God of War, her words fell on deaf ears.

"Shall vanquish any peril ..."

Tobias' voice quivered as she pleaded, "Please ... please let me go." Her body was slumped, and she could no longer move. Tears streamed down her face as she helplessly tried to understand what she had done to deserve this fate. "Sorry," she whispered, "Sorry if I'm wrong. I don't know what I've done." Her voice was no more than a faint whisper, a sign of defeat and hopelessness.

"Before its arrival into existence."

"Forgive me ..." Her voice was lost in the emptiness as her pleas were ignored, and her distress and supplications went unheeded, leaving her alone and unheard, Albalbel stood before her with a stony, unfeeling expression. With a fierce determination in his eyes, Albalbel locked onto Tobias.

"Allow thyself to be consumed by the void, for mercy shall not be granted unto thee."

Without hesitation, Albalbel raised his palm towards her and unleashed a powerful energy wave. The force of the blast hit Tobias with a mysterious force, throwing her back as she frantically tried to defend herself. The darkness around her was sent scattering as the blast cleared a path through the shadows. Streaks of light blazed through the darkness, curving inwards and expanding to reveal a new scene beyond. Tobias could only look on in shock as she felt slowly being pulled toward the unknown.

Tobias was thrown through the darkness.

Albalbel's eyes widened as he watched in disbelief as Tobias did not vanish but was blasted away. He then noticed that it was his dimensional wall that had scattered. He couldn't help but let out an impressed whistle, his eyes gleaming with intrigue as he mumbled to himself "Fascinating ... it appears his might surpasses my ethereal barrier of dimensions."

A long second passed, but she hit nothing but weak grasses that couldn't stop her. Even in that state, Tobias' weak palm reached for gripping her bag.

The wind whipped past rapidly as Tobias felt herself getting lower and lower. She braced for impact, but nothing could prepare her for the violent collision that occurred as she hit the ground. Her body hit the earth with a sickening thud, her limbs flailing as she tumbled out of control. The sound of tearing fabric filled the air as her clothes were shredded by the force of the impact. Her bag slipped from her grasp, its contents scattering across the ground. As she lay there, motionless and in pain, the full extent of her injuries became clear.

Tobias lay motionless on the ground, her long hair cascading around her like a curtain, obscuring her form from view. The length of it reached past her toes and fanned out around her, a protective shield that hid her from the world. She lay there, unconscious, her hair her only companion, a silent sentinel keeping watch over her. When viewed from above, the tracks in the meadow were equivalent to the thickness of a hair above along a twenty-five-meter-long ruler.

A beam of light broke through the darkness and fell upon Tobias' prone form. It illuminated the strands of her hair, each one falling around her like a silken curtain. Suddenly, a dark figure emerged from within the curtain of hair. The figure, Albalbel, hovered above the ground, his eyes fixed on Tobias' unconscious form. He descended, his gaze scanning her body, taking in her condition as a predator assesses its prey.

Albalbel's eyes flicked away from Tobias, his gaze drawn to something in the distance. His eyes narrowed as they focused on a small bag, lying a short distance away from Tobias. The bag was unremarkable, but something about it caught his attention. His eyes focused on it, his mind turning over the possibilities of what could be hidden inside. "Within that satchel lies ... " he muttered, his voice tinged with curiosity and malice.

Tobias lay there, her hair a curtain of stillness around her. Suddenly, her body shifted, the tiniest of movements, but enough to catch Albalbel's attention. He turned his head, sharpening his gaze upon her, watching for any further signs of life. But there was nothing. The silence was deafening, the stillness eerie. Just when he thought nothing else was going to happen, he felt a presence behind him, a sensation of movement that he couldn't quite a place. He turned his head, his eyes scanning the area, but there was nothing there. The feeling persisted, growing stronger as if something or someone was getting closer.

Suddenly, light particles began to shimmer and rise from distant parts of her body, her hands, and feet disappearing into the light. The particles floated in midair as if suspended by an invisible force. They moved swiftly towards her main body, still lying on the ground in front of Albalbel. The particles attached themselves to her body, seamlessly merging with it. The light dissipated, revealing a newly formed hand and foot, the body now whole once again. Albalbel watched in disbelief as Tobias' body was restored before his eyes.

As Tobias' body was restored before his eyes, Albalbel quickly raised his hand, summoning dark particles from within. They swirled and coalesced around his hand, growing in number and intensity until they obscured his hand entirely. He backed away, keeping his distance from Tobias, his eyes fixed on her as the dark particles continued to pour from his hand. The darkness emanating from his hand grew larger and larger, casting an ominous shadow over the area. Albalbel's movement backward was slow but steady, his eyes never leaving Tobias' body, the particles continued to appear from his hand, the darkness growing more and more intense.

"Formed..." Albalbel's voice was low and tight, as he clenched his right hand into a tight fist. The dark particles swirling around his hand responded to his command, moving in unison through the air. They formed and twisted, taking shape until an enormous object stood before him. The object was dark and imposing, its edges sharp and deadly, a weapon forged from the very essence of darkness. Albalbel's eyes gleamed with triumph as he beheld the object, his creation, a tool of destruction at his command.

The dark particles continued to swirl and move, forming and shaping in response to Albalbel's command. The object began to take shape, piece by piece. A cube with a void in its center, a solid cylinder running through its core. The object grew larger and larger, forming many giant cube-edged spears with pointed edges at every corner. The spears glinted menacingly in the darkness, an army of deadly weapons at Albalbel's command. The object was imposing, a testament to his power and skill, a tool of destruction, ready to be unleashed upon the world.

A crushed apple near Tobias' bag. Albalbel stood tall, his weapon at the ready, his eyes fixed on Tobias' restored body. Suddenly, a movement caught his attention from behind. He whirled around, his eyes scanning the area, his hand instinctively raising to defend himself. An unknown object was hurtling towards him at a fast pace. Without hesitation, he extended his left hand, gesturing for the black particles to move. They obeyed his command, lunging through the air to intercept the incoming object. The particles caught the object in mid-air, encasing it in a thick layer of darkness. Albalbel's eyes narrowed as he scrutinized the object, his mind racing as he tried to discern what it was and where it came from.

The object caught in the black particles was revealed to be a small bracelet. It glinted in the darkness, its silver surface reflecting the light. Albalbel's eyes widened in recognition, "A bracelet? So this is what I could perceive earlier." He realized that it was trying to reach Tobias, a sense of unease creeping over him as he watched it struggle against his hold. He could see the bracelet's power, could feel it trying to break free. He tightened his grip, his left hand trembling with the effort to keep it trapped. But despite his efforts, the black particles holding the bracelet weakened, and the bracelet broke free from his grasp and slid toward Tobias. Albalbel's eyes followed it, a feeling of dread in his gut as the bracelet came to rest at Tobias' side, the silver surface gleaming in the darkness.

"Verily, what manner of occurrence is this? My hand trembles?" Albalbel muttered in disbelief as he gazed upon his shaking hand. He could not fathom what had just transpired, for the bracelet had slipped from his grip with unworldly ease. Despite his valiant attempts to steady his hand, the tremors persisted, sending a shiver of uncertainty down his spine. He breathed deeply, drawing upon the inner strength of a warrior god, and tried to steady his nerves. But the feeling remained, like an elusive shadow that refused to fade. He gazed upon Tobias and the bracelet, his mind whirling with questions and theories. He felt a sense of unease that he had never felt before as if he was being drawn into a realm of mysteries and secrets that he was not meant to know.

Tobias' body moved, her arms lifting, her hands gripping the ground as she struggled to rise. She pushed herself up, her body trembling with the effort, her hair falling away from her face. As she stood, the bracelet that had been lying beside her slipped into her right hand, as if drawn to her. It adjusts itself to fit her wrist, the silver surface gleaming in the darkness.

The grasslands were bathed in a gentle breeze, the blades of grass swaying and rustling with the wind's passage. Suddenly, the wind shifted, blowing horizontally, the air moving in a rotating, compressed pattern under the sole of someone. The wind continued to build, growing stronger and stronger, until it blew up, generating a powerful thrust force. The force was enough to lift the person off their feet, propelling them forward with incredible speed. The wind continued to swirl around them, lifting them higher and higher, as they rode the current, a master of the elements.

After what had happened with his left hand, Albalbel's expression turned to one of displeasure and determination. He immediately launched all the giant spears toward Tobias, the massive objects rocketing through the air at an alarming speed. Tobias, her face still obscured by her long hair, was unable to see the incoming attack. "Now... I shall ensure that thou shalt be dispersed into the ether." Albalbel's voice was filled with malice. The spears seemed to defy the laws of physics, accelerating faster and faster despite their size.

Just as the spears were about to strike, a figure appeared in front of Tobias. A girl with long light green hair stood with her arms stretched out, her hair blowing in the wind. Albalbel's eyes widened as he realized her presence, hastily stopping his giant spears just inches away from striking her. He stared in disbelief as the girl stood there, unharmed, her hair a curtain of protection around her.

Albalbel's eyes narrowed as they landed on the figure standing before him. He knew her well. "Pray tell, Ephi, what art thou reasoning behind thy actions? I fervently hope this be not another manifestation of thy self-serving nature." He asked her, his voice cold and accusatory.

Ephi looked at him, her expression calm and unafraid. "If this is one of my selfishness, then what? Do you want to be angry with me, Bell?" She said, her voice tinged with amusement.

Bell was silent, his eyes locked on hers, his expression unreadable. He didn't dare to react, his mind racing as he tried to understand her actions and her words. Ephi stood there, her hair blowing in the wind, her expression calm and unafraid, seeming to mock him. Albalbel's grip on his giant spears tightened, his anger and confusion warring within him as he struggled to find an answer.

"Now you're just silent not saying any? Then, I'll tell you again. Don't. Easily. Believe. In-" Ephi emphasized her words, but Bell interrupted her. "We have our prior discourse, Ephi." He looked down at Tobias' body collapsing on the ground.

"Never." Ephi defied. "That was a monologue. You spoke by yourself and didn't listen to me, Old man."

"Be that as it may, this issue is irrelevant to the innocent offspring. Allow me to conclude this task, and we shall revisit this matter within the walls of my grand abode."

"I want to take him and that is my desire. Now what? Do you want to refuse?" Ephi threatened him. "The missive speaks of a youthful harbinger, who bears within him the fateful omen of impending doom. I must undertake the solemn duty-"

Ephi interrupted him. "Therein lies the problem Bell. I will say it again. The letter you received is not necessarily from her. It still can't be proven."

"The intricate fingerprint adorning the letter seal belongs to none other than the esteemed Aeria," Bell explained.

"Aeria hasn't spoken to me in weeks. Normally, she would communicate with me through the wind before sending you a letter."

"What advantages shall we reap from his presence? Indeed, we stand to lose naught should we decide to eliminate him." Bell was still determined to kill Tobias.

"Him? I. Want. To. Take. Her. With. Me. Isn't that clear?" Bell didn't answer. He was perplexed by what Ephi said and had nothing appropriate to say. Seeing Bell's unresponsive face, Ephi continued her argument. "Let's decide, Bell. Which do you trust more? The letter... Or... Me?"

Ephi's question hung in the air between them. Bell's eyes sharpened, and he glared at his friend but Ephi responded with the same fierce gaze. Bell finally relented, "Indeed, Ephi, he falls under the purview of your custodianship."

The gigantic objects began to crumble, the particles re-entering Bell's body. He turned around, "I shall gather all of his scattered possessions."

As Bell walked away, Ephi knelt down beside Tobias' unconscious body. She picked her up carefully, cradling her in her arms. "Bell can be horrifying at times. I'm actually scared too hahaha! But I endure it." The wind swirled around her feet, lifting her off the ground as she rose into the air. She soared through the sky, leaping great distances as she carried Tobias away.

"Whoever you are, I bet that you're just a victim of a misunderstanding someone has organized," Ephi said softly, her voice carrying a hint of sadness. She looked down at the girl in her arms, her expression filled with a mix of concern and determination. She knew that she had to help Tobias, to set things right and to protect her from the dangers that lay ahead.

But in the end, Ephi smiled widely, as if she had just accomplished something terrible and satisfying.