Chapter 186: False Swing

Light.

A Shining Sun. A Church at his left. A calm breeze brushing past his face. He was right back towards his very home. He grew curious, trying to look around and investigate. Before long, he was quickly recognizing its colors. Its form. Its structure. He also looked back towards what he assumed was the kingdom, seeing it in its pristine condition, as if nothing happened to it at all. He realized then and there what has happened.

His life was flashing before him.

"Ahh.....It's finally time." He'd murmur to himself, walking towards the location and try to do his usual routine for the last time, reaching towards a basket and making his way into the kingdom. He could see the people once more, talking friendly to one another, sharing their experiences, with the Pastor listening in to their conversation. Some remark about the warriors facing off against a beast, others rumored about the Royal Family doing something to benefit their people. Just as he was walking his path, he could hear a voice in his head. A small chuckle to themselves, capturing his interest. "Well now....I never expected something to invade my head all this time. Who goes there?" He'd speak to himself, quietly so as to not catch wavering eyes in his situation.

"Ahh! Seems I finally caught your attention. Apologies, my good man! I seem to have caught you at the most inopportune time possible. I am so glad, though, that you finally hear my voice!" The sound spoke, acting proudly as it awaits the Pastor's choice. He'd simply chuckle as he continued his usual path, making his way to the nearby store in order to buy some bread.

"By any chance, do you happen to have a name...?"

"Indeed! Halthon is my name, though you'd probably recognize me as the Greatest Warrior of Galilee itself! GWOG Incarnate!" The voice chuckled at saying such words, to which the Churchman laughed alongside with.

"Ahhh...So you're the one imprisoned in that infernal statue. I assume you are here to comment on our fight?"

"That and then some, young man. I haven't seen such a match went down like that in a while. Not since I was training, neither since I ventured and faced many a villains, and nor even now. To think you both decided to put your all..."

"With the roots invading my body, I feel like there wasn't much an option. Sacrifices were made, and I would feel ashamed if such a price wasn't worth paying for." As he said such words, he'd be given the bread he ordered. He'd collect it and put it in his basket, walking out of the store after paying some gold pieces. As he'd walk out, he would see the sky darken, clouds covering the sun, providing a natural shade. Off the corner of such clouds, he could see small dust break apart and scatter into nothingness. His time was coming shorter and shorter. The people he can see slowly began becoming mere flakes, not knowing what was happening to them. Manipura simply kept walking, slowly taking out his bread and eating it. "So...What's going to happen to you, Warrior of Galilee? You're still petrified, unable to walk, nor talk. Do you have a solution to this?"

The voice merely laughed in pride and confidence, watching the Pastor's life play out: His birth at an early fall, his childhood spent within the church, yet most importantly of all, the amount of lives lost throughout his time. His Mother, His Father, His friends, and even a few of his enemies that tried to taunt and damage the chapel. He could see the boy, over the years, grow more and more scared about such a concept, keeping himself into the chapel, praying for them to be safe. Over time, however, that fear slowly devolved into acceptance, recognizing it as another part of life. The fear that was present in his eyes slowly devolved into that of tranquility, yet also into that of boredom. He could see his life being the same as the next, day after day, yet at the end of it all, he was content. He gave his prayers. He gave his words. He gave his guidance. The Voice spoke up once he recognized that lifestyle. "Well..." he'd began. "....That depends on what is next for me. While I am indeed trapped, I can't be staying in this prison forever. Perhaps you can help get me out! Letting me carry your legacy! Your will! I will smite that nefarious crook with no hesitation, if anything than to preserve your very name."

The Pastor merely chuckled at such a notion. "You do not need to stress yourself over that. I doubt that many would care about my disappearance..." As he said such words when walking back, he would notice something in the far distance. It was faint, but it was coming in a quick pace. As soon as he was able to get a good look, he'd immediately stop himself to be reminded of that very encounter. The day the group, both the Knight and his members, and the children, issued their last challenge to finish their 'game.' The same, haughty Knight. The same, fearful Mage. The same, blunt Archer. He would almost be shocked at seeing them again, especially after what has occurred to spiral in such a bizarre manner. He'd rub his eyes to see if they were real, yet when he did, they vanished. Dust once more, the land slowly corroding into that very grey powder. "....I see. It seems some actually would care...." He'd utter to himself, to which the voice simply laughed once more.

"See? I told you that my service was needed! Would you really say your work is done, without doing one more extra thing to truly show that man what real victory is? Sure, you demonstrated you were equal with him, but I feel like you can rub some salt in that ego's wound. Apologies if this came off as somewhat villainous-" The voice recalled, before the Pastor merely raised his hand.

"No, No....You're right. I should bring you back. It wouldn't be right anyway, considering he might have enough understanding to destroy you before you even get the chance. I suppose.....my work here is not done yet." He'd smile as his very world disintegrates into nothingness, preparing once more.

"Alllllllllllllllll RIGHT! Let's do it, Young Man! Let's finish this our way!" The voice would state, before finally disappearing alongside with the setting. Soon enough, Manipura would begin to wake up