CHRONICLES OF AETHERIA - CHAPTER 7

Eleven groaned as he slowly regained consciousness, his body aching all over. He blinked, his eyes adjusting to a surreal, otherworldly glow surrounding him. He wasn’t in the cave anymore. Instead, he found himself in a vast, ethereal landscape, shimmering with vibrant colors and strange, floating symbols. It felt like being inside a living, breathing dream.

He looked around, confused and disoriented.

“Where am I?” he wondered aloud, his voice echoing in the vast emptiness.

SYSTEM INITIALIZING… A voice boomed inside his head, causing him to flinch. WELCOME TO THE AETHERIAL MATRIX.

He felt a rush of energy coursing through him, the pain in his body dulling as an unfamiliar presence seemed to meld with his consciousness.

Eleven spun around, looking for the source of the voice. In the distance, a magnificent dragon, scales glistening with hues of gold and silver, emerged from the mist. Its eyes, ancient and wise, locked onto him.

“May I inquire as to your identity?”Eleven queried, a hint of trepidation in his voice.

“I am Etherion, the guardian of souls,”the figure declared, its voice imbued with authority and sagacity.

“Etherion? The name strikes me as unfamiliar. Have we crossed paths before?”Eleven inquired, now exuding a newfound sense of assurance. His query elicited a hearty laugh from the Dragon, causing a powerful energy to propel him backwards, forcing him onto his knees.

“You have posed an ill-suited question, Human. My amusement knows no bounds,”the Dragon responded.

Eleven sighed, tousling his short ebony hair with his fingers. “What, then, is the appropriate inquiry?” He mused.

“Mr. Etherion. My last recollection was of lying motionless in the cave. How did I come to be here?”

“The cave, you say. You were never meant to be there. You were never meant to be here. You are not of this realm and cannot endure in this realm,” intoned the Dragon, his words reverberating through the matrix.

“I am aware that I do not belong in this realm, but the origin of my arrival here eludes me. I fear I have lost my memory,” Eleven responded.

“You bear a dissimilar aura from the other travelers I have encountered, yet regrettably, your sojourn has concluded before it commenced,” Etherion, the majestic dragon pronounced, his golden head shaking.

“I am struggling to comprehend your words.”

“They are known as Otherworlders. Beings that traverse realms, forsaking their home world for a new one. Some are transmigrated, many are reincarnated, while a select few are summoned.”

“I suspect I have been reincarnated,” Eleven murmured, though it was discernible to Etherion.

“No, you’re not. You’re an entity that exists in two worlds. You inhabit your world, which is the Earth planet, and you reside in the realm of Aetheria. It’s a phenomenon beyond my comprehension, yet no explanation is necessary, as your world is prepared to welcome you back.”

“Are you saying I can return to Earth?”

“Yes, and your memories will be restored to you. The memories you hold here will be wiped clean, allowing you to resume your ordinary life. You are indeed a fortunate human being,”the Dragon remarked, fixing his gaze directly upon Eleven, who appeared diminutive in comparison.

The revelation filled his heart with elation. Finally, he could return home and leave this harsh world behind. However, upon recalling the circumstances he had left behind in Brakor, including the Elves, Princess Rose, and the events involving Lord Arctic, his joy quickly dissipated.

“I cannot go back,”he declared, shocking the Dragon to the core.

“I cannot abandon these people, these memories. I feel as though…”

“Do not be foolish, young man. This realm is fraught with disorder. You are not the first human to journey to this world, and you certainly will not be the last. Aetheria is not a suitable place for your kind, but you have been offered a fortunate opportunity to return to your world. Do not let it slip away, my boy.”

“You persist in speaking in proverbs, but my decision is final. Nothing can sway it.”Eleven declared, as the Dragon let out a sigh, settling placidly on the ground, causing the Matrix to tremble violently.

“Yet, can you enlighten me as to my identity and purpose here?”

“That is a quest you must embark on yourself,”Etherion responded.

“But you are the protector of souls.” Eleven protested.

“You rejected my counsel,”Etherion retorted.

“What about my identity? I am aware that I hail from Earth and belong to the human race. It’s only natural to possess a name, isn’t it?”Eleven quipped.

“The nomenclature here differs from that of your realm. Given your anonymity and your choice to remain in this realm, I, Etherion, the Grand Guardian of Souls, hereby bestow upon you the name… KAEL.”
As soon as the Dragon uttered his name, his form emitted a radiant glow and the fabric of the matrix began to convulse violently.

“Behold Kael, The Progeny of Adam. In due course, you will unveil your origins and your genuine purpose. A word of caution. This realm is one of disorder. It is a realm where only the strongest survive. Trust no one,”he cautioned, before vanishing as the environment shifted.

The former eleventh captive of the Reaper, the black young man who suddenly found himself in the middle of an ocean now known as Kael gasped as he snapped back to reality, finding himself still at the cave’s end. He was lying in his own pool of blood with his hand clung to his left chest.

‘What was that? I couldn’t find a scratch on my body earlier when speaking with the Dragon. Why am I still feeling pain? It’s totally unbearable.’ He pondered trying to move his limbs but it was to no avail.

“He’s alive.” Shouted one of the Trollocs and the others gnashed their teeth, waiting to devour his body.

‘Oh no. The Trollocs are still here. They are going to devour me. I should’ve listened to the Dragon. I can’t believe I came back just to die.’ He pondered, his gaze on the Trolloc who kept on advancing towards him.

His both legs were seized by the Trolloc and he was raised from the ground, his head slapping the floor.

‘So this is how it ends. I’m sorry Brakor. I couldn’t be of help. I couldn’t make it. Now, you have to die for my own failure.’

SYSTEM NOTICE: A Ski|| HAS BEEN FOUND. SYSTEM ANALYZING… THE Ski|| ESSENCE ABSORPTION HAS BEEN UNLEASHED

A robotic voice echoed as the Trolloc threw Kael up with great force, causing him to twirl in the air.

“That voice! I can remember hearing such a voice when I was in the matrix. I thought it was the Dragon.” Kael asked himself as gravity pulled him back towards the Trollocs who stretched his arms ready to tear his meal into two.

SYSTEM NOTICE: THE FLOWER VAITRNIM PURPULAE HAS BEEN ABSORBED. HEALING PROCESS HAS BEEN ACTIVATED.

Suddenly, Kael stopped falling. His body was suspended in the air, emitting bright light almost blinding the eyes of the Trolloc.

“What’s happening to me?” Kael asked himself as he felt a new surge of energy running through his veins. His tissue and body cells were being repaired. The unbearable pain he was feeling was slowly dissipating as his body was flipped over by the bright light surrounding it.

“He’s getting healed.” Cried out one of the Trollocs.

“It’s impossible.” Another cried out. All their gazes were fixed on the healing Kael, but the bright light was preventing them from getting anywhere near him.

Slowly, Kael landed on his feet in the midst of the Trollocs. His eyes closed and his breathing was normal. The bright light that was enveloping him started dispatching, leaving only the mark on his chest to glow brightly. The two straight line marks transformed into a symbol which hit him hard, forcing his eyes to open up.

The Trollocs were amazed. He looked nothing like before, he was more masculine and much taller. His short ebony hair was now crimson and longer while his skin was no more black, he was now light in complexion just like every other Elf he had met around.

“He looks more delicious.” One of the Trollocs licked his tongue.

“I can’t wait to sink my teeth in his face.” Another added.

SYSTEM NOTICE: HEALING PROCESS HAS BEEN COMPLETED. STAMINA HAS BEEN ENHANCED.

“This voice again. What does it mean that stamina has been enhanced?” Kael asked himself when the first Trolloc threw a punch which landed on his chest.

The sound wave created by the collision echoed round the cave, but Kael didn’t even move an inch which shocked the hell out of the Trollocs.

“How can you withstand such a brute force?” Asked the Trolloc, looking all surprised.

“I don’t know. I believe that’s what stamina means.” He replied, and a thought crossed his mind.

He folded his fist and launched a punch directly at the Trolloc’s chest. The Trolloc was pushed back by a brute force which caused it to crash into the cave wall.

“Wow.” That was all that came out from his mouth when another Trolloc charged at him from behind. The Trolloc leapt into the air with the aim of pouncing on him when his ear twitched and he absentmindedly threw a back kick which hit the Trolloc very hard, causing it to crash into another. “How did I do that?”

SYSTEM NOTICE: YOUR SENSES HAVE BEEN HEIGHTENED. ALL PARTS OF YOUR BODY CAN SENSE DANGER AND ALSO REACT TO THEM.

“d@mn! This is so great.” Kael chuckled lightly. “You want food.. Come get it.” He gestured at the Trollocs who charged at him all at once.

The cave erupted into chaos as the Trollocs lunged at Kael from all sides. However, Kael, with his enhanced senses and newfound strength, moved with an agility and power that surprised even himself. He dodged and countered every attack with precision, his punches and kicks landing with devastating impact.

Green blood splattered across the cave walls as Kael tore through the Trollocs, his movements becoming a blur of light and fury. One by one, the Trollocs fell, their bodies broken and mangled by Kael’s relentless onslaught. His crimson hair whipped around him like flames, and his black eyes burned with a fierce determination.

SYSTEM NOTICE: PHYSICAL STRENGTH HAS BEEN INCREASED.

With each system notification, Kael felt more powerful, more invincible. He delivered a final, crushing blow to the last Trolloc, sending it crashing to the ground in a heap. The cave fell silent, save for Kael’s heavy breathing and the dripping of green blood from his hands.

SYSTEM NOTICE: THE BATTLE HAS BEEN WON. A NEW Ski|| AVAILABLE.

“A new ski||?” Kael mused, his interest piqued. “What kind of ski||?”

SYSTEM NOTICE: ULTIMATE PREDATOR Ski||

“Ultimate Predator?” Kael repeated, intrigued by the possibilities. “That sounds fantastic. What does it do?”

Kael was waiting for a reply when the body of a Trolloc suddenly vanished and a new course of energy surged through his body.

“What just happened?”

SYSTEM NOTICE: THE ULTIMATE PREDATOR Ski|| IS RESPONSIBLE FOR CONSUMING AND MIMICKING AN ENEMY.

“Wait! Strange voice. I just consumed a Trolloc?” Kael asked, not believing his ears.

SYSTEM NOTICE: NO! THE ULTIMATE PREDATOR DID AND I’M NOT STRANGE VOICE, I’M THE KEY TO ALL KNOWLEDGE.

Kael was shocked beyond core, he couldn’t believe that the white Entity he discovered earlier before was the one speaking to him.

“Where are you?”

SYSTEM NOTICE: I’M IN YOU MASTER KAEL.

“How?”

SYSTEM NOTICE: I DON’T KNOW HOW BUT YOU MANAGED TO TAME ME AND NOW YOU’RE MY NEW MASTER.

Before he could fully process this new information, the cave began to tremble. Stones fell from the ceiling, and the ground beneath him cracked and shifted. Kael looked around, trying to find a way out as the cave started to collapse. His gaze fell on a strand of flower, he quickly threw a backflip, dodging a stone and at the same time picking up the flower.

With a burst of speed, Kael sprinted towards the cave wall, dodging falling debris and leaping over chasms that opened up beneath his feet. He leapt on the wall and started climbing very fast.

“Since you’re the key to all knowledge, you should know about my past life?” Kael asked, recalling the questions he was asking the white Entity before the vigorous fall.

SYSTEM NOTICE: I DON’T HAVE ANY RECORD ABOUT YOUR PAST NOR YOUR FUTURE.

“What the f-__-k?” Kael cursed leaping very high when he landed on a solid rock and sprinted off instantly. He could feel the energy from his Essence Absorption coursing through him, enhancing his every move. “Why is it so?”

SYSTEM NOTICE: BECAUSE I’M NOW LIMITED INSIDE YOU. I’M NOT MORE THE KEY TO ALL KNOWLEDGE. YOU TAMED ME MASTER KAEL. I’M NOW YOUR SERVANT.

“If it’s so.. Then I should give you a name.. I, KAEL, THE GREAT GRANDSON OF ADAM bestow upon you the name…ALEXA”

SYSTEM NOTICE: SYSTEM UPDATE ALERT! SYSTEM UPDATE ALERT!

His tattoo glowed softly and he let out a loud laughter as he bursted out of the hole.

To be continued…