Chương 492: The Moon Shines Too
{Arising of the Phoenix: Crossing the Myriad Bridge}!
The moment the attack landed the sky split apart, a giant crack formed as space failed to keep itself together. Wrock returned his fist to his side and exhaled, the next moment his Spirit and blue energy flickered out of existence. Dropping to his knees he grasped towards his chest. He couldn't quite complete the action before he fell forward dead.
Umin stumbled forward, "What was that? Even as a Transcender I've never felt something give such a pressure."
Coming across Wrock's corpse his face twisted, "Power at a price, pitiful. Although I suppose my condition isn't much better."
BOOM-!
Umin's heart nearly leapt out of his chest. Due to his condition his awareness hit rock bottom, the sudden explosion startled him greatly. Raising his guard he watched the explosion from a distance. Something stood up, yet clearly was struggling to stay on its feet. The smoke cleared and revealed the creature, it was none other than the Chimera!
"Even after all that?"
No that wasn't quite right! The Chimera's current condition, it wasn't in any good position at all! Rather it looked similar to a stick figure, missing any of its dominating features. Umin's face twisted into a wry expression, "You still stand! What tenacity. Although that final hit. . . haha not even a fraction of it's power remains!"
"How troublesome indeed."
Bang-!
Golden energy slammed against the Chimera and pinned it into place. A figure slow descended from the sky, "I was originally unsure how to deal with this problem, but to think you all went through such pain. I will take the blame, my oversight left you all like this."
Umin watched the figure warily, "Who are you?"
"Odd, you should already know who I am. This isn't our first time meeting."
Another voice called out, "Don't worry! He's here to help!"
Umin tossed a glance the other way and his shoulder's relaxed, "It seems we succeeded then?"
Gear coughed as he stumbled forward, "Akiol. . . Akiol said this guy was probably the only one who could handle this properly."
"Perhaps introductions are in order. I am known as Xo, the leader of the Gated Arena. Akiol was quick to inform me of the rampant Heresy."
Xo looked towards the Chimera, "A Forged Existence eh. . .", surprisingly a smirk formed on the man's face, "Seems my age is catching up, that guy's remnants still linger about. As for this thing, I'll make sure it's dealt with properly."
Flicking his sleeve a small droplet of shining liquid flew forward. With a snap it flung itself into Umin's mouth. The moment it touched his tongue Umin felt all his wounds magically healed itself, "Such a powerful elixir. . . no doubt a treasure?"
"Perhaps to someone of your Stage. This stuff is just a treat for me nowadays."
Umin's eye twitched at the comment.
Xo's gaze moved towards Wrock's body, "As for him. . . it seems something greater already got to him.", a careless laugh escaped his lips, "Even I wouldn't dare anger such a being."
"You know of it?"
"I do not. The South's chosen representatives have given me more than my fair share of surprises. However one thing is for sure.", Xo's face turned serious, "Wrock lingers on becoming Heresy himself."
Gear's expression fell, "What? But after all he's done?"
"Whatever he did, the World now treats him as a threat. It's. . . afraid of him. Even now his Prominence is being stripped from his body. Even if he is Semi-Immortal, this is akin to destroying his foundation. I am unsure how he plans to continue forward. The Stages. . . he no longer has access to them."
"But he did all of this to help the World! He fought against their enemy!"
"Perhaps it's because of that he hasn't been deemed Heresy just yet. For now let us handle this creature."
Xo's hand moved carelessly and the strange gem flew from the Chimera's body. It hovered above Xo's palm and he inspected it, "Crafted more recently? I didn't think any Heretics remained capable of this."
"The one who made it is already dead."
". . . It seems I've been more careless than I thought. As for this-!", Xo reached to crush it, but the wind suddenly blasted forward and knocked it away.
How could some casual wind surpass someone like Xo? No this wind wasn't as simple, it held an extreme amount of Authority. Zenothoriath's presence arose from the forest, the gem floating next to it, "Forgive our rudeness, however the World's wishes aren't simple."
Xo's gaze casual watched Zenothoriath, "Ah, the Sages of the World. I was wondering why your Epithet was unavailable for a bit. I may respect your position, but that isn't something I can casually let free."
"It seems the World doesn't want it to be destroyed."
"Even though it's very existence is Heresy?"
"Yet it is not, for it can last under the Sun."
"Ah.", as if understanding Xo smirked, "Even the almighty World has its weaknesses. Very well, I'll stand by next time. However I wish to convey that if something like this happens again, I am to be told?"
Xo's eyes flashed to the side as if looking at something. With a faint smile he lifted the Chimera, "So be it. I'll be taking my leave, I rushed here upon realizing the dangers. I simply wish I was a bit sooner. Farewell."
Zenothoriath flashed and split apart into the Four Sages. Xo paid it no attention and both he and the Chimera vanished. Umin sighed heavily, "Such beings, it seems my strength is lacking."
"You guys did great!", another familiar voice called forth.
This time it was Akiol, followed by the rest of the party. It was obvious that they couldn't beat the Chimera, so Akiol went to the strongest person he knew. He figured since the Gated Arena was under his control, so would the hunting grounds. Thankfully it seemed Xo was understanding and rushed over. With such speed Akiol was far behind and took extra long to catch up. Upon meeting with the rest he checked up on everyone.
Gear was about to wave at them when he noticed the weight change in his palm. Now the fight was over his various buffs were fading away. The armor granted to him by the World now faded, and the sword in his palms fell apart once again.
Looking back he noticed the village waving at him. Each person he knew, and a weak smile formed on his face. Slowly each villager faded away, leaving him alone. Maybe it was a sign to stop looking back as well.
Changing his view he took a step forward to Akiol and heartily greeted him.
. . .
Gear took off the VR headset. He had been logged in for so long after all. Lifting his arms he felt the weight of his body. It was undoubtedly stiff from lying down for so long, but not incredibly so. Rubbing his eyes he felt himself adjust to the room.
It was dark still, the faint light that usually poked through the curtains wasn't anywhere to be found. Standing up Gear wobbled for a second before moving towards the curtains. Pushing them open a faint light wandered into the room. Staring out at the night sky he felt bittersweet. It's been so long.
Turning around he walked towards his door. His hand hesitated to open it, afraid of what might be there. Yet remembering the desire that burnt during the fight against the Chimeras. The hope those villagers had in him. . . this seemed to pale in comparison. Steeling his heart he opened the door.
A candlelit hallway. Aromatic scents of the candles wafted towards his nose. These candles, he remembered them. It was her favorite. There was still a few of these huh?
Walking up to a candle he immersed himself into the smell. Memories of Alice's funeral surfaced. These candles were used there. She didn't get to have a candle in the hospital. He hated it. Such a smell full of memories shouldn't be associated with something so sad.
Gear smiled sadly, how immature those thoughts were.
Wandering throughout the house he let himself review the memories he had. That one time they made a cake in the kitchen. What a mess that was! Gear moved behind the counter and eyed the corner. A faint laugh escaped his lips, the stain was still there. He and Alice promised each other to not tell their adoptive parents.
His hand grazed a table, the dinners that proved to be full of warmth. Their experience having an actual family. A time where they could laugh and joke. A time where they could tell about their day without fear. So much work their adoptive parents had to go through. Walls they slowly had to wear down.
Stepping into a hallway he remembered more of the scarier memories. That time they played a little too violently. Gear had pushed Alice a little to hard by accident. She fell and hit her head against the doorknob, giving a serious bruise and caused blood to spill. Gear remembered the guilt he felt then, he hid away from Alice for a week after that. Touching the doorknob he murmured, "I never actually apologized for that did I? Sorry Alice. . ."
The backdoor lead to their backyard. He remember their first time experiencing actual toys outside. Being allowed to be as loud as they could. Their first time on a swing. Their first water balloon fight. How much they laughed at that time.
Sitting on the swing he pushed himself a bit. It was at this place he had his first serious talk with Alice. The first time they promised to try to warm up to their new parents. Raising his hand he extended his pinky to the side, the memories of their pinky promise faintly touched. His hand flinched out of reflex.
Getting up from the swing he walked out front. Turning to the house he remembered the earliest memory he could muster. The uncertainty they felt upon arriving to their new home. A scary new place with new faces. It was terrifying, all of it. He remembered how he tried to be brave, as the only pillar of support in Alice's life. At least at the time.
All these memories, was he hiding from them? Since Alice's death he remained hidden away. Desperate to not let the memories surface. To not pain him. So he may not feel the loss of Alice's presence.
"I can see why. I'm missing you more.", Gear struggled to keep his composure.
Sitting on a chair stationed at the patio he let his tears silently fall. This time not out of fear. He simply finally let himself accept what had occurred. A grievance long overdue. The cold night bit at his skin, a chill crept through his body to his bones. Yet he didn't move. Time was lost as the night progressed. Eventually the moon began to fall beyond the horizon.
Watching it he felt strange, "Tonight is a full moon. . ."
-<"The Moon serves as a method to ease those into the Suns warmth. So they may step out during the day and no longer feel fear.">-
The angle of the moon allowed the light to shine into his room. The crack in his curtains let the light hit a wall. It slowly moved towards a picture hung onto the wall. A character with flaming red hair drawn onto it, the name Gear above their head. Slowly another character was revealed, a smaller character with golden hair. Gear's trusty sidekick, from now and forever. This one held the name Cog.
A small note written in the corner finally revealed through the light. A message for only one person. I think you can assume who:
"Thank you for trying so hard."
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