Thurars (II)

The woman's breathing became more and more laboured, her voice barely above a whisper as she begged for help. I could see the fear in her eyes and the desperation as she clung to life. But her skin was rotting, the smell of decay filling the air around us. It was clear that she was beyond my healing abilities, but I couldn't just stand there and watch her die.

With tears streaming down my face for my powerlessness, I grasped her cold, wet hands in mine and made a promise. "I promise you; nothing will ever harm your children while they are with me," I said, my voice choked with emotion.

She managed to whisper a thank you before her body went limp, the light fading from her eyes. I couldn't save her. The guilt and helplessness overwhelmed me, and I sank to my knees beside her lifeless body.

As I looked over at the children, I noticed something strange. Their injuries were completely healed, but their mother was beyond saving. Why? Why had my ability worked for them, but not for her?

My heart was pounding as I removed my jacket and covered the woman's already unrecognizable rotten body with it. The stench of decay was suffocating, but I refused to let her final moments be spent in the dirt. I made a vow to protect her children, to be their shield against the darkness that had already claimed their mother.

But as I lifted the children into my arms and carried them away from the gruesome scene. I remembered the eerie voice from earlier, the one that had spoken of reality anchors.

My thoughts raced as I tried to make sense of it all. Even the guardian of reality was weakened by these reality anchors

[Are you okay?] Brook asked, pulling me out of my thoughts.

"…"

[You finished the healing incantation and then, suddenly, your body jolted, and you collapsed to your knees. Your eyes rolled back, and for a moment, you seemed like you were in some other world or something. I called out to you, sounding worried, but you didn't respond. Your eyes were blank and unseeing.]

"…"

[I've always said you should cherish the happy times while they last,]

[There will come a time when things will be dark and disturbing, and if you can't handle this, how are you going to cope with even more people in the same case as her?]

"Don't worry about me, I'm just feeling a little emotional. I remembered a familiar memory," I replied, my voice trembling slightly but still managing to hold my composure.

It was ironic how I used to watch movies and judge characters for getting emotional or scared over these situations, yet here I was, experiencing those same feelings.

It made me realize that we, the viewers, were just like the Beyonders, watching and enjoying the show without truly understanding the gravity of the situation.

Holding the children tightly in my arms, I sprinted towards the hideout that Clara had mentioned earlier.

I cast an enhancement incantation on myself, increasing my speed and agility to a reasonable amount. I couldn't afford to lose any of my memories, not even the painful ones.

Memories were important to me, they defined who I was and shaped the person I had become. As I ran, I reflected on the importance of holding onto our memories, no matter how difficult they may be.

They are a part of the story I'm submitting to the guardian of reality.

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The most notable thing I observed was the conspicuous absence of Zagreus, the leader of the human faction and the most powerful person in Chamenopolis. I had been running for almost half an hour now, with the responsibility of ensuring the safety of the children in my arms. As I hurried along, I witnessed people engaged in combat, with some burning the thurars they encountered, while others froze them until they shattered. I even saw a few using electric shocks to the brain of the thurars, which was reserved for those who possessed three-star abilities or higher. Despite the chaos all around me, these individuals seemed to be handling the situation well. However, Zagreus was nowhere to be found.

Brook was floating by my side, followed by the letters, and searching for the reality anchors that I had asked him about for the second time just a little while ago.

Suddenly, I stumbled upon a group of hidden one-star survivors who had a mystical healer among them. I left the children in her care and continued on towards the distant hideout. However, before I could make my escape, a group of Thurars surrounded the area.

[From the depths of the earth and the heart of the sky,

I call upon the primal flame to rise.

With the power of the elements and the strength of my will,

I summon the fiery spirit that burns without still.

Through the darkness and the cold, you shall ignite,

Bringing light and warmth to this world's sight.

From the embers of the past, you shall rise anew,

As the flame that burns eternal and true.

Come forth, oh primal flame, and heed my call, I summon you now, to rise and enthral!]

Walls of flames rose from the ground, engulfing the Thurars who had surrounded us. They scrambled in different directions, trying to escape the fiery inferno.

Some of them charged towards us, as if daring us to join them in their fiery demise. But that wasn't going to l happen. I stood in my place and watched the oncoming Thurars, turn to ash before even getting close. I would do whatever it takes to protect them, even if it meant putting my own life on the line.

I promised…

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Liam's POV :

Good morning, the name's L-.

So, I was in the middle of a "special moment" when this gross monster with a voice like nails on a chalkboard had to show up and ruin everything. Obviously, I had to use my amazing gravitational powers to crush its head in. No big deal, just a typical day in the life of a gravity user.

My trainer always made a big deal about having a strong constitution and high intelligence to handle the pressure of gravity manipulation. Well, let me tell you, I went from having the constitution of a sickly chicken to CON: 35 and my intelligence went from that of a rock to INT: 18. Impressive, right?

I had to work my butt off to get to this level, constantly training and experimenting with new techniques. But hey, it's not like I had anything better to do. Without a good constitution, the pressure from my powers could easily turn me into a pancake, and without intelligence, I wouldn't be able to fully understand the complexities of gravity.

Anyway, yesterday I did a 20-minute plank under 10 times the gravity. So, if that monster had shown up then, I would have thanked it for the distraction. But no, it had to pick my day off to ruin my "special moment." I mean, seriously, why today of all days? Ugh, it's fine. I'm just a little peeved, that's all.

"I'm not going to keep watching your back, Limbo," Ruby said as she slaughtered a couple of Thurars that had targeted me from behind. "I need to search for Gustang. It's going to be tough for him to survive without a blessing."

I turned around, surprised by her sudden comment. "What are you talking about?" I asked, my gravity powers already charged up and ready to go.

"Listen up, Ruby. I don't need your help with these puny insects," I declared, a hint of arrogance in my voice. With that, I focused my gravitational powers and grabbed eight nearby Thurars, holding them in mid-air.

The Thurars struggled and squirmed in my grip, but it was no use. With a burst of power, I pushed them all to the ground and crushed them with an intense gravity. Their bodies crumpled and shattered beneath my powers, leaving nothing but a pile of broken limbs and shattered exoskeletons.

"Go check on him!"

With that, she nodded her head and disappeared into her shadow gate,

"Guess I'll have to handle things on my own from here, right? Amun"

[Thou dost lack the power to defeat thine enemies ?] I still can not get used to this language.

"Pardon me, Lord Amun uhm… Might it be possible for you to lend me some of your divine powers?"

[Hark, mortal! Dost, thou presume to be the only one to beseech my aid?]

[Thy plea is but one of many that reaches mine ears, and I cannot simply bestow my powers upon thee without cause.]

He may act superior, but it was him who chose me.

I still remember when he offered me a contract in my dream to inherit his legacy as the Solar deity.

I agreed eagerly, envisioning a fated meeting of the protagonist with his mentor.

However, since then, he has nagged me incessantly to train.

I cannot deny that he was helpful to me. I learned some valuable techniques and gained knowledge from him.

"Pretty please?" I asked him, using my final weapon, the sad puppy face.

[Oh, pitiful mortal! Know that I do not aid thee out of mere kindness. It is only by the recommendation of 'him' and the potential that 'he' spoke of which piqued my interest in thee. Had it not been for such praise, thou wouldst not have caught my divine attention.]

Then, his tone changed from that of an almighty being to that of a wise grandfather as he said,

[Lo and behold, I shall impart upon thee a technique of great power. Use it with wisdom, my child, for the fate of mortal's rests upon thy shoulders.]

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Huh? Gyrisajutsu