章 143: Followers (Asahi: Part 14)

"No, no! That cannot be possible, my lord. This is impossible! How can such a thing be true?! Ten thousand years…" One of the men exclaimed in fear. "That's nearly a half more than the expected time!?"

"What do you mean? Are you saying that Lord Asahi's return is breaking and going against the prophecy?" Another asked, confused.

"That can't be right! Alaunus' prophecies are never to be broken!"

As people frantically exchanged their complaints and confusions about the prophecy and their lord's return, Asahi stepped back and looked furthermore into the glowing inscription. All of the letters were carved in comprehensible shapes and forms, unable to be deciphered by even the god himself. He squinted and sighed.

"Telos…" He mumbled underneath his tongue. "When will you give an explanation to all of this?"

And yet, not a response was made in his mind. Asahi was left alone to deal with his followers.

There was so much confusion spiraling out-of-control in him; rapid thoughts he couldn't comprehend himself. Firstly, he encountered an ancient golem of which he was given no context about, secondly, he stumbled upon a place on which he thought had been destroyed but had been hidden beneath his feet for a long time, and thirdly, he still had not a clue on the whereabouts of his top attire and Kendra, let alone what Alaunus was.

With all these thoughts in his mind, you would expect one to go insane from them. But Asahi was strong. Not just physically, but mentally as well. Though he may have broken down in tears in front of his followers from his struggle on remembering his own parents, Asahi would not dare to surrender to a storm of thoughts.

So, taking it step by step, Asahi cleared his mind and focused only on the situation in front of him.

"People, people!" Asahi ordered his followers in a formal manner. "I know this may be all too overwhelming for you, but I understand."

As he stared into the landscape around the crowd, Asahi felt a painful, burning feeling blister in his heart. Memories of the calamity flashed into his mind. Purple lightning. A sea of flames and ash. The wall of light. He remembered it all. And so, in hopes to settle them down, Asahi decided to share his perspective.

"I… also feel guilt. On abandoning you all. Everybody. On that day."

Everyone in the group fell silent, staring at him with emotions of both disbelief and confusion.

"I watched this world burn and engulf in flames. There was nothing my family and I could do to fend it off. Even with our abilities, it was a power from the unknown. An ancient power without explanation."

A great prang of guilt and sorrow clutched at the surface of his beating heart as he recalled several blurry and distorted moments of his family's past.

A young, cheerful, and optimistic silver-haired girl who smiled at her parents as they peacefully passed lush mountains, gazing at their beautiful world.

A beautiful white-haired woman who guided Asahi and Aletha through their massive kingdom, showing them the ways of their race and the world below.

A strong snow-haired man who taught them to fend off the darkness and evils of life, while also finding courage and building honor of their character

These thoughts… these memories… were nothing but distortions of their former selves; nothing but petals in an expanse of emptiness and darkness. Although he tried his best to keep his fleeting and furtive air of triumph strong, there was nothing he could do to stop a few tears welling up in his reminiscent eyes.

"My family has a burden that we have yet to understand." He said, hands clenched. "We lived long, distant lives just like all of you. Everyone here. Just because my family and I harnessed immeasurable power, that we are the rulers of an entire world conquered by several kingdoms, does not mean that we fail to find happiness in our lives."

As a considerable number of people continued to gather around Asahi, he stepped forward and clenched his chest, raising his voice in confidence.

"Though we have our differences, we all share one thing in common. Gods, Humans, everyone."

With a smile on his face, Asahi hollered out with his ground-echoing voice.

"That we all pursue this STRIVE to find happiness in our lives. From the moment we were born, we have always gone in this pursuit to find happiness. So who is it to say that we have to stop?"

Feeling courage course through his veins, and seeing the thousands of cultists gather around him, Asahi pointed his finger hastily to the cavern's ceiling above them, with luminescent hints of the sun's rays shining down on his head like a spotlight.

"Above us, is a world; a different world bathed in sunlight. A beautiful world teeming with life that isn't conquered by my family. A world that doesn't kneel before the darkness' dominion. It is a world with the freedom of choice."

Looking back and forth at the massive expanse of rock, vegetation, and structures both ruined and clean, Asahi's mind was invaded by the visions of the same kingdoms being bathed in sunlight. Where grass remained lively and fertile, where people and animals wandered freely and built what they believed would make them happy.

Seeing all of these structures now, buried deep underground, with barely any light touching any corner, infuriated Asahi. But keeping his anger at bay, Asahi took two deep breaths and continued as they all cheered him on.

"I know how much of you all strive to see light again. To touch upon its warmth and feel the wind carry scents… and I'm here to say. That I, your beloved lord, Asahi Adtraic, will bring you to this world!"

The crowd roared with excitement and joy at his proclamation, sending a wave of cheers throughout the cavern. Asahi had never seen such a sight in his lifetime. For a brief moment, he felt himself fall into a trance, staring at the cavern's ceiling above him and watching the countless gems twinkle away. He knew that it had been millenia since these people have ever seen the true rays of the sun.

But knowing that billions of people were still here, not even seen on the surface once, concerned him.

(What if there truly is no escape for them?) The intrusive thoughts of Asahi whispered to him as he tried to keep his fugitive intangible charm radiating. (What if you're trapped here as well? What would happen to Aletha when she finds out that you are gone? What would happen to Toivo and the others? How would they react? What if it had been thousands of years since you fell and everyone died?)

Although the intrusive thoughts may have reached his mind, at least it hadn't reached his heart. He quickly shook those thoughts away and with one loud appraisal, he screamed with a loud voice.

"May all see the light again!"

And with that, the massive gathering of people broke out into a thunderous applause.

* * * * * * *

(But like they all say, easier said than done.)

After the unplanned announcement, Asahi and Kirei headed back toward the tame village resting atop the foothills of the underground expanse. He informed that it may take some time to find an exit, but some of the cultists ignored him and chose to follow his every footstep. Much like all the other goals in life, Asahi put his highest one into the back, behind all his other goals.

Now, he had to focus on finding Kendra, and secondly, finding his top attire.

Accompanying the ancient cities weathered in stone and dust, were an expanse of stone pillars attached from the bottom of the abyss to the ceiling of the immense cavern.

After some time wandering around, Asahi couldn't resist his own curiosity. He turned back to the group who had been watching him closely, with their faces shining in delight. The look on his face transformed into one of worry, remembering the blue-haired maid clearly. Though she was but a stranger to him, Asahi couldn't fathom the idea of abandoning a person.

As the crowd traded murmurs back and forth, with a loud and clear tone, Asahi snapped his fingers and announced.

"Now then, my followers... there is something... and rather, someone I am seeking for." He shut his eyes and tried to form a picture of her in his mind, keeping his formal tone in his voice.

"A young woman with light blue hair, glistening azure eyes, wearing a slightly torn dress to that of a maid."

Asahi opened his eyes again and looked around. He noticed that the people around him had become more excited and agitated than ever. He could tell that they had been waiting for something great to happen. They had waited to hear what their leader had to say about the recent events that occurred.

"Yes... I believe among this crowd, one knows or has seen who I seek for. Considering that another had also taken its descent from the 'heavens' as well, I expect the same hospitality for her as I do." Asahi continued to stare at his followers. He knew that the only way he could get answers to his questions was through them. "So, is anyone here familiar with the whereabouts of a certain young woman with light blue hair?"

The crowd grew silent and looked at each other in confusion. Many of them shook their heads in denial, while others whispered amongst themselves. Finally, one of the women spoke up.

"Lord Asahi, I do not think we should be discussing such matters in front of our fellow believers. They only care for you and the other members of the family. Not some stranger that has no significance.."

She stood up from the circle of people, and approached Asahi with caution.

"We must respect the sanctity of the cult and its members. I fear that some of the less fortunate may take offense."

"But the whereabouts of this certain woman is important." A quick flash of realization flew before his face as he recollected what someone of the Adtraic Cult said. "How dare you degrade such an ally of mine!?"

The follower reeled back and bowed down, apologizing to his lord as others stared at them with confusion.

"I'm sorry for saying that… my lord." He said with quivering legs, "It is my mistake that I have said such things."

After a silence flowed within the cavern, Asahi crossed his arms and noticed another inscription carved deep into the stone wall. It read…

[Thou 'shall follow the light of Alaunus and not resist. For what lies ahead is a promised land underneath an perpetually dark sky.]

Asahi squinted at the text once more to ensure that he wasn't seeing things. Fortunately for him though, Kirei stepped in and clarified.

"That right there, Asahi, is one of the old prophecies written by Alaunus." He said as he trailed his fingers down against the stone, "It is one of the first prophecies the mighty and wise dragon had written."

As Kirei and Asahi stared at the inscription, a woman with dark hair and crimson eyes, wearing a mask cut in half, stepped forward and intervened.

"When the sky darkened, Alaunus was one of the only ancient creatures left in the world. They offered the lost people guidance by emitting a light so bright that it matched the flares of sunlight. Not only that…" The woman pointed to the rest of the inscription glowing on her face. "Alaunus had also carved a path for all of us to follow. The expanse you see before us is all sculpted from the sharp and strong claws of the mighty dragon."

Asahi's eyes broadened in shock.

"Really?"

"Indeed, my lord." The woman said as she nodded. "Every corner, every mountain you see surrounding us was all made thanks to Alaunus' strength. They were indeed… one of our saviors. And not only that, they were also healers. In times of great catastrophe and despair, Alaunus used the remnants of their healing powers to recover and restore the strength of the weak."

Asahi found it hard to imagine how a dragon could find ways in healing. But knowing such a beast had existed in his world, and he had not recalled seeing it, coupled by the sheer idea of others being healed with its grasp, fascinated Asahi.

"I give you my greatest gratitude, follower."

As the people watched Asahi stand in place, thinking of what to do next, a shrill, high-piercing noise resounded over the cavern's walls.

"HELP!"

It was a familiar, feminine-sounding voice. One he had heard on the surface. A blue-haired girl was seen kneeling down, praying, surrounded by a large bird cage. Her eyes welled up tears of despair as others wearing completely shrouding brown robes surrounded her. Asahi felt a sense of panic and anger fume up inside his body. He would have never thought he would witness a kind and optimistic girl cry in a cage.

With a swift pace, Asahi hurried to the cage, but was immediately blocked by Kirei, who had also seemed worried. He whispered to his ear in a trembling voice.

"My lord, it would seem those people are from a different faction of The Adtraic Cult."

"Different factions?" Asahi asked, confused.

"Indeed, my lord." Kirei replied as he slowly took his wooden mask off, revealing his radiating face. "Those are The Ancients; a hostile and extremely obsessive form of the Adtraic cult that only desires their client's attention. They will stop at nothing to receive attention from their lord."

As his blue eyes cruised over to Asahi's exposed torso, he gulped, and crossed his arms.

"I have high suspicions that they were the ones who stole your attire, my lord."

"Oh really?" Asahi said, fists clenched in anger. "Then why is it that they are not listening to me?"

While the others stood there silently, clutching and securing the bird cage, Kirei leaned over to Asahi and recommended.

"I suggest that you approach them with absolute caution, my lord. There are other factions of the cult who worship other members of The Adtraic family. And the ancients, worship your mother, Achlys."

"My mother?" Asahi said with a raised eyebrow. "Oh, so if that's the case…"

As the followers of Asahi followed behind them, flinching with alert, Asahi stepped forward and asked The Ancients.

"My followers…" Immediately, the cloaked individuals stepped back, preparing to attack them. "I demand you bring that young woman to me. Yes, that one over there… trapped in the cage. Bring them to…"

Without warning, one of the cloaked individuals dashed over to Asahi with two daggers, striking him with aggression. Asahi returned the failed attempt with a direct strike from his Sword of Eventide, cutting the individual in half with one swing.

"Dare to attack me, and refuse to abide by my demands, I will slaughter you all!"

This, followed by the actions before, quickly sparked a battle among the factions.

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