CHAPTER 19

'Ashley, I came from another world similar to this. It was the same world or maybe I came from another dimension, I don't know. But that world, my world was destroyed by someone. That person exceeded any power limit that I had seen. My friends were massacred. And I was the last to die. At that moment I realized that he wasn't someone from my world and he only wanted to get the control of my world for a reason that I couldn't discover.

My existence could be classified as special. Because my soul remains with conscience and memories even after I die. When I was about to disappear. I felt an existence that gave me strength. It was you. I settle in your body and recover my injured soul until I feel the energy of that person. Then, I woke up. I had been feeling only a few of his powers in your meeting with that guy, Joel. Even so I wasn't sure. But today I clearly felt her marks in the Heloise belongings. It is the reason why I can't control my emotions.' Ashley heard in silence. She can understand now why even if they are the same person they are so different.

"So, If that person is here...Will he do the same thing here that he did in your world?" Ashley said with fear.

'Yes' Although Ashley knew the answer. When she heard Older Ashley's confirmation her eyes filled with desperation.

"But we might have a chance…" Older Ashley wisphered.

'Really?'

"Maybe, It is only a supposition but considering the issue that the things in this world are very different than in mine. We would have an opportunity. I don't want to do this but maybe you should see this…"

Ashley can't even ask when she feels an awful headache and some memories pass in her mind. Older Ashley had her same life until she joined in the game. Older Ashley didn't have to escape from the first city. She stayed in the city for several years until she discovered the dungeon and got lost in it. She almost died there but Leila found her. Older Ashley wanted to pay her so she joined Leila's team. Older Ashley was late to go up in position. She never met Alan either.

Older Ashley didn't even get to the final level when she was attacked by that person. Ashley saw Leila, Bennet, and many others dying in front of her, no in front of Older Ashley. She felt all her feelings and emotion, she felt too the moment where Older Ashley died.

Ashley opens her eyes and tears fall from her eyes. Alan felt scared with this view. She never had seen Ashley's eyes with so much pain and sadness. He wanted to ask what happened but Ashley didn't say one word and only cried until she fell exhausted. Alan's heart felt sore by Ashley but he could only stay by her side and hugged her with strength. For this reason he couldn't see that when Ashley's eyes turned red she continued crying.

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Ashley didn't tell everything to Alan but she told about the powerful person that had been supporting Joel. She told him a little bit about Older Ashley too. Although at the beginning she is afraid that he will take her as a crazy woman. Alan believed in her. Ashley can't avoid feeling comforted especially after seeing Older Ashley past.

At that time, an important event was unblocked in the high levels region. The event gathers a great number of monsters of different levels. Ashley didn't like the look of this. Older Ashley has the same opinion so she is worried about that event. It will start in two months and many players started to make alliances to participate in the event.

The two months passed quickly and several teams were gathered in front of a barrier that covered all the region. At the appointed time the barrier disappeared and the teams looked at the area carefully. The area was covered in fog. Everyone advanced slowly but it didn't happen much time when screamings started to be heard in the middle of the fog.

—Where is my partner?!

—I can't see anything, Boos! Where are you?

—Carl?! Oh my god…! Carl!

The people started to be nervous. Ashley looked at her group by her side and sighed with relief. Leila, Bennet, Dustin and Alan. Their faces were tense. The place was dangerous; they must not be careless. Alan looked around and although he can't see almost nothing. He could hear something moving closer to them. But before he could find its origin. Leila shouted.

— Bent down! Now! —The people who heard her were saved of the big mallet that was thrown in their direction.

The throw scattered some fog, so they can see the monsters go around them. The battle started and Ashley did as she could to stay closer to Alan and the others. At that moment Older Ashley screamed.

'He is here! Joel is here!' Ashley was surprised and started to look around. Ashley nodded to Alan and he threw a flare to the sky that scattered the fog. Ashley moved forward to the magic signal that marked a cave behind the forest. Ashley didn't know why but she had a bad feeling. With every step that she gives to the cave she feels that her heart gets cold.

Older Ashley has the same feeling so she is more vigilant than ever but when they managed to arrive at the cave the ground started to tremble. The cave was destroyed and a wall of light extended to the sky. The monsters started to chill with fear and the players covered their eyes. Ashley, Alan, Leila, Bennet and Dustin felt the pressure more than the others and when the wall disappeared they felt that they almost couldn't breathe.