Chapter 11: The Writer

Jaxon stood in a vast, endless void, surrounded by nothingness. The ground beneath him was a strange, unsettling substance that was neither solid nor liquid, but something in between. It felt like walking on a still pond, with each step creating a ripple that distorted the surface.

His heart pounded in his chest as he tried to speak, to ask the question that burned in his mind: "where am I?"

But there was no sound. His voice was trapped, silenced by some unseen force. He was mute.

Suddenly, a light flickered in the distance, catching his attention. It grew brighter, illuminating a hand that seemed to emerge from the darkness itself.

The hand was ethereal, almost ghostly, and held a feather-like pen that glowed with an otherworldly light.

The pen hovered just above the invisible surface, poised as if ready to write. Jaxon's breath was caught in his throat. He felt paralyzed, unable to speak or move.

The hand moved with purpose, the pen gliding effortlessly through the air, leaving behind trails of shimmering light that twisted and twirled like living tendrils.

Each stroke was deliberate and powerful, and Jaxon felt a surge of energy, a deep connection to the writings.

The hand wrote with precision, and the letters danced and weaved, forming intricate patterns that illuminated the darkness. The words seemed to take on a life of their own, pulsing with a soft, ethereal glow.

As Jaxon watched, transfixed, the still waters beneath him began to stir. The surface rippled and sank, pulling him down. His heart pounded in his chest, but he couldn't tear his gaze away from the hand.

The hand continued to write, the letters flowing across the void like a river of light. With each stroke, Jaxon felt a sense of urgency, as if something vital was being communicated to him.

Suddenly, a surge of energy pulsed through him, and his body began to move. His legs paddled wildly, trying to escape the sinking waters. But even as he struggled to rise, he was drawn back to the hand, desperate to know what it was writing.

The writing was almost complete, and Jaxon was struggling to stay afloat. The hand made one final flourish, and then, with a sudden burst of light, it vanished into the void.

Left behind were the words, styled and glowing, dancing together in the air. They twisted, turned, and fell into place, forming a message that seemed to pulse with life.

But before Jaxon could read it, he was dragged under the still waters. He struggled, his legs trying to escape the grip, but it was too strong.

With a swift movement, he shot out of the still waters, gasping for air. As he broke the surface, he read out loud the words that hovered before him: "The Writer"

The words pulsed with life, shimmering as they floated around Jaxon. They illuminated his body, causing him to float, suspended in mid-air.

Then, the words clung to Jaxon like a tattoo on his body, and with an ethereal glow, they dissolved into him. Jaxon's eyes lit up, and his body began to glow even brighter.

"No More Darkness!" he exclaimed, his voice filled with triumph.

A bright light shot out of his body, illuminating the void. The light cleansed everything, bringing life to the desolate landscape.

The still waters transformed into fresh rivers, and trees burst forth from the ground, their leaves rustling in the newfound breeze.

Jaxon's unconscious being was gently lowered to the ground, where the earth accepted him with open vines.

The vines wrapped around his body, sucking him in, as if welcoming him home.

But suddenly, Jaxon's eyes snapped open, and he sprang awake, gasping for air. He panted, trying to catch his breath, and exclaimed, "It was just a dream!"

Jaxon got up from his bed, his legs wobbling beneath him. He still felt the effects of the dream, his body weak and his mind reeling.

"Why do I feel so weak?" he wondered, stumbling to the window to gaze out at the spark of dawn.

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Sapphire walked into Jaxon's room, finding him awake and smiling. "Oh, you're awake. Is something the matter?" She asked, concern etched on her face.

Jaxon nodded, his smile growing wider.

"Everything's perfect," he said, his eyes gleaming with an otherworldly intensity.

Sapphire raised an eyebrow but didnt press the issue. "Okay! We are leaving soon. Start packing," she said, turning to exit the room.

As the sun rose, the team gathered outside, ready to depart. The mushroom, who had hosted them, approached Sapphire.

"Thank you so much for saving us. To show our gratitude, take this," the mushroom said, offering health kits.

"Use it to heal yourself when damaged. It will be of good help on your journey," the mushroom added, its cap bobbing up and down.

Sapphire accepted the gifts and thanked the mushroom for their pleasant stay. With the team prepared, they set off into the quiet forest, the soft earth muffling their footsteps.

Amidst the journey, Orion tried to engage Jaxon in conversation, his voice laced with remorse.

"Umm… jaxon, I want to apologize for everything. I really didn't mean to get us sucked into the game."

Jaxon's response was curt, his eyes fixed on the path ahead. "But you did."

Orion's face contorted in anguish. "I know, and I am sorry," he cried out, his voice cracking.

Jaxon sighed, his shoulders sagging. "Whatever, I don't wanna talk about it. At least not now."

Orion sniffled, his emotions raw.

"What's wrong with you? Guilt is killing me over here, and I'm trying my best to apologize, and you just shun me every time."

Jaxon held his head, his eyes screwed shut.

"Orion, please….not now…."

But Orion wouldn't let up. "Then when, Jaxon? I made one mistake, and you can't forgive me? We're friends, for crying out loud, and friends forgive.

Jaxon's body began to stir, as if glitching in and out of existence. His memories shifted back to the dream, and he saw the words "The writer" light up like a beacon. He cried out, "Orion, please…."

But Orion just kept talking, his voice a relentless drumbeat. "I said I'm sorry!"

Jaxon's eyes seemed to darken, transforming into a dream-like state. His pupils expanded, and his gaze turned inward, as if he was staring into the depths of his own soul.

The world around him began to blur, and he felt himself being pulled back into the dream world...

Before Jaxon could lose control, the earth beneath them quaked with a sudden force. The ground trembled, and strong, thick vines burst out of the earth, surrounding them in a dense, prison-like barrier.

Sapphire and Haze readied themselves for battle, their eyes scanning the enclosure for any sign of weakness.

"Ready, haze?"

Sapphire called out, her hand glowing with pure power.

Haze shouted back, trying to summon the mist, but her voice was laced with frustration.

"Dang it! I'm going empty."

Sapphire cursed under her breath. "Oh fuck!"

Just then, a human figure emerged from the shadows cast by the trees. The vines seemed to support him, carrying him effortlessly like royalty.

He spoke with authority, his voice echoing off the vine walls.

"Intruders! You have much to answer for!"