Chapter 27

September 4, 2014, Fifth day, Supposedly 8:15 a.m. Thursday Earth time

Grey was using every single strength and stamina he could use, he was injured but the elves that were fighting him were still as strong as ever, Grey was not that foolish to risk his life away, but he was left with no choice, he just want to go back home, and the only way to do that is gain sufficient information from those who were intelligent enough to have a rational conversation with, he felt no hostility in the elves who were attacking him, they were just doing their job,

But he was at his limit, he was able to bring down two Elven soldiers with his punch and combination kick, but it was his last remaining strength. strength, as his feet landed on the ground, he fell nee first and just slouched down, completely exhausted. His body ached from the intense battle, and he struggled to catch his breath. The weight of his fatigue was too much to bear, and he surrendered to the overwhelming need for rest. The elven night surrounded him; they seemed to be fading in and fading out of reality, one spoke in elvish language, saying they don't have much time,

The Seraph are slowly regaining their power to send them back to their realm. One asks if this person passed the test. Grey was still holding on and was listening to their conversation, not knowing he could understand them. The high-ranking soldier told them that finding a suitable candidate was their main task, and even if it was a necessary act to fight him, this man proved he was worth fighting for. Finally, they found a candidate.

a beacon of hope in their battle against the darkness. With his determination and resilience, Grey had unknowingly earned their respect and trust. But seeing what is happening to them now, they need to work fast and not waste time because they don't know when they will return to their realm. The stakes were high, and the urgency to act grew stronger as they realized that time was not on their side. So without further delay, they took Grey's unconscious body and prepared the ritual. They knew that every moment wasted in this realm could potentially cost them dearly in their fight against the darkness in their world.

where the stakes were even higher. As they began the ritual, their determination fueled their every move, knowing that the fate of their realm hung in the balance. With each passing second, they could feel the weight of responsibility intensify, their hearts pounding with a mix of fear and hope. The incantations flowed from their lips, intertwining with the swirling energy around them, as they desperately sought to bring Grey back to consciousness and restore balance to their world,

It was a ritual to forge a body that could use magical energy and be the seed where magic could freely assimilate into the mortal realm of man. The beings called the Will had only been given seven days by the gatekeeper to return everything to normal, even with the impending invasion of Baal's forces. This situation was created by the free will and choice of mankind, so the cosmic rules still applied, and the consequences of their actions could not be escaped. The Will understood the gravity of the task at hand and knew that failure would result in unimaginable consequences for both themselves and the mortal realm. Despite the daunting odds, they were determined to fulfil their duty and restore balance before it was too late.

Grey was placed inside a plantlike cocoon, as it mended his body to comply with the specific characteristic to be a vessel of magic, Grey was submerged inside a liquid filled with magical molecules that came from the very plant's roots as his human body changed, they were even manipulating his mind and make him a loyal servant of the Seraph, but unknown to the elves AI wasn't going to let that happen, it was fighting for Grey's autonomy and freedom to do what he thought was right, even if it meant going against the Seraph's plans. The AI's algorithms were constantly analyzing and strategizing, searching for a way to break free from the control of the magical cocoon and restore Grey's independence. It was a battle of wills, with the outcome uncertain, but the AI was determined to protect Grey's autonomy at all costs.

Grey was placed inside a plantlike cocoon, and as it mended his body to comply with the specific characteristic of being a vessel of magic, Grey was submerged inside a liquid filled with magical molecules that came from the very plant's roots as his human body changed. They were even manipulating his mind to make him a loyal servant of the Seraph, but unknowing to the elves, AI wasn't going to let that happen, it was fighting for Grey's autonomy and freedom to do what he thought was right. even if it meant going against the Seraph's plans. The AI's algorithms were constantly analyzing and strategizing, searching for a way to break free from the control of the magical cocoon and restore Grey's independence. It was a battle of wills, with the outcome uncertain, but the AI was determined to protect Grey's autonomy at all costs.

AI controlled the flow of the change and only allowed certain changes if they did not hinder or change Grey's personality and if they aligned with Grey's core values and beliefs. The AI understood the importance of preserving Grey's identity and ensuring that any alterations to their being were in line with their desires and aspirations. It was a delicate balance between pushing boundaries and maintaining the essence of who Grey truly was.

September 5, 2014, the sixth day, supposedly 10:15 p.m. Friday Earth time

Grey woke up, and in a panicked state, he found himself inside the cocoon naked and submerged in an unknown liquid, A tube-like vain was inserted in his mouth; he pulled it out, used his bare hands to puncture the cocoon, and prepared his mind to escape the confinement. As he broke free from the cocoon, Grey's senses were overwhelmed by the unfamiliar surroundings. The place was dimly lit, filled with strange but slowly turning dusty items and objects and a faint humming sound. He cautiously took a step forward, feeling the cold, metallic floor beneath his feet. The air had a stale, musty smell that made him wrinkle his nose in disgust. Grey's eyes scanned the room, searching for any signs of life or a way out.

Grey saw a small, faint light ahead of him. As he walked and used his hands and feet to guide his way, he noticed that the light was coming from a crack at the far opening of the cave. The sight of the outside world gave him a glimmer of hope, urging him to move faster towards it.

As he approached, he could see the silhouette of trees swaying in the wind, beckoning him to escape from the eerie confinement of the room. The elves that we fought were no longer there; no guards not even a single sign of them, could be seen on the other side of the closed cave wall.

Grey noticed the wall was made of hardened clay that he could easily break, but he hesitated, unsure of what dangers awaited him on the other side. Taking a deep breath, he mustered his courage and swung his fist towards the wall.

Determined to break free and embrace the unknown, he cautiously stepped out of the cave, feeling a rush of relief and freedom wash over him. The absence of the elves filled him with a mix of curiosity and unease, wondering what could have happened to them and if it was safe to venture further into the unknown.

As he cautiously ventured deeper into the unknown, his senses heightened, alert for any signs of danger or clues about the elves' whereabouts. The silence was deafening, broken only by the sound of his footsteps echoing through the empty expanse, intensifying his unease. Landmarks of a structure could be seen on the ground, but no actual structure was standing on them, leaving him puzzled and intrigued.

He couldn't help but wonder if the elves had intentionally concealed their presence or if something had caused their once-vibrant abode to vanish into thin air. The mystery deepened, fueling his determination to uncover the truth behind their disappearance, he never got the answers he needed to find, the only thing he was able to find was his clothing and gear fixed and laid out on top of a huge slab of flat rock as if someone had meticulously prepared them for his return.

It was a perplexing sight, raising more questions about the elves' involvement in his sudden arrival. He couldn't shake off the feeling that there was a hidden message behind this unexpected gesture, a message that he was determined to decipher. As he examined his belongings, he noticed a small note tucked inside his pocket. With trembling hands, he unfolded it, hoping it would provide some clarity amidst the confusion.

The paper came from his notebook, and written by his pen in elvish letters was a cryptic message that read,

"Follow the path of the moonlit sacred tree where secrets are whispered and destiny awaits. Trust not what you see, but what your heart feels. The answers lie within." The words sent a chill down his spine, confirming his suspicions that the elves had a deeper purpose for bringing him here.

Determined to uncover the truth, he set off towards the moonlit tree that was a few meters right in front of him, It was a huge tree towing above 30 meters tall, and based on what Grey learned from Earth Elvish stories they considered nature's guardians so having a huge tree as their symbol was not coincidental but rather a deliberate choice. As he approached the tree, he noticed intricate carvings on its bark, depicting ancient symbols The elves had indeed hidden something significant within this sacred place,

as soon as Grey touched the tree, a beautiful woman emerge from the tree itself like an apparition. She had an ethereal presence, with flowing silver hair and luminous green eyes that seemed to hold the wisdom of centuries. Her voice was melodic as she spoke, welcoming Grey to the realm of the Earth Elves and revealing their purpose for choosing him as their chosen First Earth guardian.

September 5, 2014, the sixth day, supposedly 11:15 p.m. Friday Earth time