Nephilim

Chapter 8: Nephilim

"You were wondering on what was happening with you, right?"

The man's voice echoed endlessly across the warehouse and the strange miasma.

Gray couldn't see where Casanova was situated, yet he trusted the man and knew he wasn't going to hurt him.

Meanwhile, he couldn't help but marvel at the way the sound of his voice reverberated across the room.

"Yes." Gray tersely said.

He had to know what damned thing was happening to him.

Casanova began to speak, his tone solemn,

"As you might have found out by now, this world is not what it seems. There are many events that only be considered as supernatural. Your experience belongs to such a category."

Casanova's booming voice continued,

"We had countless names. We were called shamans, warlocks, and even demons."

"The first name humanity gave us was Nephilim, and that's how we prefer to be called."

"We possess unique abilities transcending the threshold of humanity. Some of us can control thousands with just a swipe of their hands, some can shatter buildings with just a punch, and the strongest can change aspects of reality as they wish!"

I theorized that Casanova wasn't the only one with powers, but changing reality? This is too much!

Gray hesitated before asking, his voice slightly shaking,

"Why are you telling me this? Isn't it better to stay quiet about other people having supernatural abilities?"

Casanova stopped for a second before talking,

"Your worries are understandable, but how could I turn my back on you, one of us?"

"As you might know, your first dream made gave you access to hidden knowledge, impossible for you to find out."

"Gray Montoya, you have been blessed with an ability that allows you to predict the future through the symbolisms belonging to your dreams."

"Since they won't get fulfilled down to their minute details, you will have to find the meaning on your own, and with it, you will predict the future!"

What the fuck?!

Seeing Gray's confused face, Casanova couldn't help but smile weakly—returning to his usual, stern demeanor after a brief moment.

"Never show your abilities to the public."

"The world of the Nephilim is full of predators and uncountable dangers."

"You can use your ability freely, but avoid using it to become rich or in ways that would make you gain attention."

"Your ability is not combat related. Therefore, if you were to be found by someone with bad intentions, they would kill you without any difficulty—or worse."

"In this world, death is a mercy that cannot be obtained by many. There are a countless of different, incomprehensible outcomes that'll make even the toughest ones wish for a sweet demise."

"Hide from the other Nephilim and improve your ability until it becomes powerful enough to predict the incoming attacks."

"Today, I promise it to you. If you don't pay enough attention, there will be many."

"Is Kathy going to be in danger?" Gray asked, his voice shaking.

"Not if you become powerful enough." Casanova answered sternly. 

The young man gritted his teeth and asked,

"How can I do that?"

"Maintain a lucid state inside a dream. To access this special state, you'll have to create a reality-check through the aid of visual cues."

"There are many methods: you can check a clock, you can count your fingers or you can think of what you did the past hour and so on."

"With their help, you'll build an awareness towards the real world."

"If you were to be inside one, you would be unable to read or count at all."

"Your hands, the numbers you see on the clock, and the words you read would become warped, without any meaning."

"Your memories of the past would have the same effects."

"This method is not made just to see if you are dreaming. Its primary purpose is to build an habit."

"If you repeat this action across the day, eventually you're going to do it whilst dreaming. And thanks to it, you will understand that the world you're inside is a fictitious, abstract reality!"

"That night, once you reach lucidity, explore your dreams thoroughly and find the answers you seek."

"Do you have any other questions?"

Gray was shaken.

But knowing that knowledge would help a great deal, he thought for a moment and asked,

"How many of these 'Nephilim' are in the world? Is there a way I can recognize them from normal people?"

Casanova acknowledged his worries and started talking,

"Our species population is notably smaller than humans, and most of them look the same as the people you see every day."

"Therefore, for now, you have no way of recognizing us. However, when your ability becomes more powerful, you might receive constant revelations about who's a Nephilim."

"After all, your dream revealed my identity." 

The man's tone then turned eerily serious. 

"Listen clearly."

"Our species isn't the only thing you should be afraid of."

"There are countless beings lurking in the shadows, awaiting for someone who doesn't have enough knowledge and experience to protect themselves."

"If you ever see or hear something not belonging to this world, run as fast as you can—and do not look back."

"Since your powers are awakening, it's possible you may get targeted or seen by unknown creatures."

"And remember that, although we are inherently stronger and better than other living organisms, we aren't the predators of this world, 'they' are." 

C-Could that be what was watching me? But if so, shouldn't he tell me to be careful? Is there something else he knows, but can't tell me?

Gray clenched his fist with every word Casanova uttered.

He couldn't help but feel as if everything was going as bad it could.

"They are known for having inhabited this planet before we started walking upright."

"There are countless species of them, and the most dreadful possess terrifying abilities beyond every rule of nature, time, space, and everything bound to your comprehension.

"Just knowing their names would twist your soul. What would happen to your body if you ever came into contact with one of them is horrifyingly unpredictable."

"But thankfully, these creatures don't reside inside our dimension. Many come from different planets and possibly different universes."

"Therefore, it makes the chances of finding a creature with such abilities minuscule. Had it been common, everyone would have been wiped out long ago."

Now that Gray had more knowledge in this field, he was afflicted by unshakable sense of dread.

He felt as if every dark corner in his field of view was a portal ready to bring an uncountable amount of rotten creatures, ready to drag him inside their ungodly house.

"I-I see…" he now understood that his planet was a dark forest full of unseen perils.

If someone wanted to survive, he'd have to be as quiet as possible.

He felt that, if he even dared to make a sound, the unutterable and unimaginable creatures would become aware of his presence.

And if those 'beings' were in some way able to find him, he hoped that death would be merciful enough to accept him immediately.

Once Casanova saw his distraught expression, he started speaking once more.

"You're lucky."

"Your ability can predict the unseen dangers." he sighed, "Many powerful Nephilim have been killed by many entities who were weaker than them—all because they got attacked whilst not expecting it."

"As long as you prepare enough to divert their attacks, you'll be fine."

His lips slowly curled into a self-deprecating smile.

"A Nephilim never performs unprepared, huh…?" he muttered, quoting a certain character.

To think that I might really need to follow his words.

"Gray,"

The air suddenly shifted.

The shadows in the warehouse became darker, while the atmosphere itself grew overwhelming.

"When you gain lucidity, DON'T gaze inside a mirror."

"If the voices of loved ones try to attract you with tender words, DON'T listen to them."

"If they keep on talking, DON'T pay attention to them—NEVER respond."

"If they try to give or offer something, DON'T accept."

"Their purpose is to get out."

"DON'T help them. DON'T ever think of doing so."

"They can exploit your mind in ways you can't even begin to understand. And if you even dare to desire one of their gifts of offers, they WILL gain control of you."

"W-what…?" Gray's lips quivered with pure fear; beads of cold sweat dripping from his forehead.

Then, Casanova told the young man to go back to his home, reminding him on how to gain lucidity.

Gray nodded, slowly leaving the warehouse, his head pounding with force against his skull.

After going outside, he started pondering about what the man had said.

Once I heard of my supposedly supernatural ability, I couldn't help but feel happy—almost ecstatic, even.

Who wouldn't want superpowers, after all?

But after knowing what stands beyond this world, I just wish of being a normal person, although I know it's impossible.

Although I'm adamant to say it, I have changed. And if I want to survive, I will have to do so—again and again.

Casanova said I could access the future with the meanings hidden inside my dreams…

Could they help me in this situation?

On the first, it may have been only to inform me about Casanova's ability, right?

But what about the second one?

What does that statue mean—why was I inside it? And why—just why did I have that expression marked in my face?

As he noticed the setting sun, he increased his pace.

After hearing Casanova's explanations, he wanted to avoid staying outside while it was dark.

If he met an unknown creature, his end was going to be certain.

He theorized that some species were so weak that they were capable of dying at the hands by a normal human, yet he didn't want to take his chances and risk finding an unimaginable creature before him.

Although the chances were extremely slim, he was afraid.

When I'm stronger, will I be able to predict the movements my opponent will make?

Am I going to be able to fight like that?

He shook his head. "I can only predict the future through my dreams, though…"

Maybe when I get powerful enough I'll be able to 'bring' my revelations in the real world?

If I can do it, I should be able to stand my ground against the weaker entities and Nephilim.

My body is really frail, though.

Even if I could dodge the attacks of my opponents, I wouldn't have enough stamina to keep doing so.

Therefore, I must train.

Gray walked away from the abandoned neighborhood and started jogging towards his home, his hair bouncing with every step he took.

When he went in the domain of the sun, his hair was caressed by its beautiful light, acquiring an orange tint.

The young man stopped every once in a while to gain some of his energies back.

Gray was fully aware that his enemies weren't going to let him rest as he wished.

He had to remove every weakness.

"For now, I have to focus on training my stamina… There's no point in training on how fight. Running away from the encounters is my priority."

…

After thirty minutes, Gray finally came home.

He rushed to his room, collapsing as soon as his body touched his bed.

His body was utterly exhausted, his limbs screaming for a moment of rest. 

He was ashamed and surprised that his body's situation was so horrid.

He had known for a long time about his body being on the weaker side, but this? 

He felt as if his limbs had been atrophied for a long time!

"It hurts! If only I had Kathy's physique!" he lamented.

Even though his sister looked skinny, her strength was tremendously high, resembling a gorilla.

If he hadn't known her since his birth, he would have thought she was a Nephilim!

Thinking of Kathy being dressed inside a gorilla's costume, he chuckled, starting to reminisce about the times when she used to fight his bullies.

He was glad of being able to remember those days clearly.

The fragments of memories inside his head quickly composed a canvas of rapidly moving images, blurring his eyes. 

Gray was leaving school with some kids he met the hours earlier.

It was raining heavily, but he wanted to make his sister proud by making some friends; this led him to start following them inside the park. 

Earlier, he lent his umbrella to one of the kids who wanted it, causing Gray to get wet.

Since he wasn't good at making friends, he thought that giving gifts to other kids would make them want to become his friends.

But once they entered inside the park, the kids started making fun of him for the clothes he wore.

When his mother passed, Gray and his sister didn't have many, so they relied on the money their dad gave them to buy secondhand clothes.

He could feel his cheeks redden and tears well up from his eyes, so he asked the kid with his umbrella to give it back.

And since the boy didn't want to return it, he kept on asking.

Annoyed from his continuous pestering, the boy with his umbrella became furious.

He pushed Gray away, causing him to fall into the mud.

Still angered, the boy started to kick him, and soon after, his goons followed him.

They kicked him multiple times, tossing waves of mud on his clothes, causing Gray to burst into tears.

"I used to cry so loudly when I was little…" he chuckled briefly.

He begged them to leave him alone multiple times, but they didn't care at all.

And although they were hurting him, he never raised his fists against them.

If he did, then the situation was just going to get worse, so he just kept getting hit, hoping that eventually they were going to stop.

Luckily, they got tired after some minutes.

Gray's body lay on the muddy floor, aching everywhere.

As he quietly sobbed, he started to hear a loud, thumping sound.

Following that, there were multiple screams.

He slowly raised his head, his gaze landimg on his sister's figure.

She was surrounded by the kids who bullied him—they were trying to fight her, but the girl was too strong for them.

She bobbed and weaved in multiple directions, avoiding their attacks effortlessly.

With quick strikes, she incapacitated them, and the kids slowly fell to the ground.

After most of them had been defeated by her, the remaining group of kids ran away in tears.

Cleaning the dust off her clothes, she ran towards Gray.

When his sister saw him, she was utterly worried by his brother's condition.

She hastily checked his bruises, and with fear etched upon her voice, she asked him to explain what happened.

Gray, amidst tears, started speaking,

"I just wanted to make friends…"

"Kathy, why do I have to be like this? Why do I have to be left alone? Why does everyone always have to talk badly about me while I'm always nice to them?" 

In turn, his sister hugged him tightly, caressing his head.

"You are way smarter that these stupid kids, did you know? If you can't make them your friends, it just means they aren't worthy of being with you."

She looked straight into his pitch-black eyes.

"Gray, you just have to find someone who fully understands you."

"You have to find someone who will see beyond your possessions and beyond the thoughts of other people."

She smiled, pointing at herself.

"I know that someone like that exists, after all I'm one of them!"

She cleaned the mud off Gray's body and said,

"When we go home, I'll order pizza. I'll also let you watch the television until it's midnight!"

He looked at her, his eyes still tearing up.

"But it costs too much. We don't have enough money…"

Kathy hissed and yelled, "Don't worry! I'll buy only one pizza so it doesn't cost too much!"

The little Gray apologized to his sister for ruining his clothes, sobbing a couple times.

She wiped his tears with her sleeves and smiled tenderly. She then brought her index finger over his mouth and shushed him.

"I told you, you don't have to apologize for anything."

Kathy then stood up and said,

"Let's go home now. Can you walk?" 

He was about to say that he could when she cut him off.

"No, you can't."

After saying that, she knelt down.

"Come here, I'll carry you. Today, you deserve special treatment!"

Once he climbed on Kathy's shoulders, the young girl carried him without any efforts; she even skipped joyfully with him on her shoulders.

"After that day they never bothered me anymore,"

"I wonder if Kathy remembers about that." he sighed.

"I would ask her, but she's definitely going to comment about my incessant crying…"

Gray's brows slowly furrowed.

"Although much time has passed since then, I'm still weak."

"I really can't waste any more seconds. Even though Casanova has said that the chances of encountering one of those creatures are low, I just can't stay here, not doing anything."

"This world won't wait for until I become stronger. And most of all, she won't be here to protect me."

"Instead…"

"This time, I'll be the one who's protecting you, Kathy."

Gray's lips slowly curled into a slight smile.

"Yeah, that's a good pay-back."

Gray then yawned loudly, signaling that his body had ran out of energy.

Slowly, his eyes closed.

And right then, while his mind was clouded by the hazy blanket of sleep, he couldn't help but notice the error he made.

'Did I-Did I forget to speak with Casanova about the monolith again…?'

'How could I forget once more…?'

The exhaustion then took ahold of him, and his mind quickly drifted into a deep, relaxing sleep.

Now, had to explore what hid beyond his dreams!

He had to find the truth!