Chp. 10: The birth of a villain

Meriella and I stood in stunned silence, watching the scene unfold before us after passing through the time portal. We had traveled back in time to the city of Arcadia before it was split into two and what we saw was both fascinating and disturbing.

"Look at that," I whispered to Meriella, nodding towards a man standing in front of a office window, with a book and pen. "Seems like he is Journaling". I walked over to peek over his shoulder and read what he was writing:

Shadows of My Past

In the depths of my mind, a darkness resides

A labyrinth of pain, where shadows abide

The ghosts of my childhood, they whisper my name

Echoes of a fragile boy, forever lost in the flame

The bullies, they came for me, like vultures in the night

Their cruel laughter, a haunting melody, a constant fight

But it was the ones who should have loved me, who hurt me the most

Their addiction and hatred, a toxic poison, forever the cost

My parents, they beat me, with fists and with words

Leaving me broken and battered, like a fragile, shattered bird

The scars they left, they still linger, a constant reminder of the pain

A pain that I've learned to hide, but never to wane

But even in the darkness, a spark remains

A flame that flickers, a fire that sustains

A desire for power, for control, for revenge

A burning need to rise, to overcome, to ascend

And so I'll rise, from the ashes of my past

I'll build a new world, where I am the master at last

A world where the strong survive, and the weak are cast aside

A world where I am the one, who holds the power and the pride.

"Meriella you should see this. It's deep. He's lost in thought, haunted by his past, he can't see us right?"

Meriella's eyes widened as she took in the words of the poem. "Everything looks exactly how it was back then but no they won't be able to see us or interact with us. This is Pedro Abstainace, the man who would eventually become the first president of Arcadia," she breathed. "It's hard to believe he was once a fragile, timid boy especially because he was a monstrous father."

Terrchel: "This man is your father!?"

Meriella: "Well he was, although that is merely the title he was given".

As we watched, Pedro's thoughts seemed to drift back to his childhood, to the abuse he suffered at the hands of his parents. I could feel a pang of sympathy for the man, despite knowing the villain he was emerging into.

Meriella: "Look, Terrchel, there's Arnold Maximus, Pedro's childhood friend and also the man who's body you've reincarnated into. I'm sure you've been searching for more information on him."

We saw Arnold and Pedro walking into The Arcadian Academy. This must be where they studied. Although it looks way different than the current version in the present time. There wasn't any high- tech equipment and cyber architecture and people dressing very modestly. Not like the bright colours we used to seeing in the New Arcadia City.

Arnold and Pedro shared their love for science and disdain for the cruel world around them, daily confiding in eachother during school breaks and after school hours, participating in debates and putting in extra study hours in the Arcadian Academy public library. It seemed the two boys formed an unbreakable bond, finding solace in each other's company. How they were laughing and crying together.

Terrchel: "Meriella, this library they at, where is it now? I searched on my swatch earlier today actually but it popped up as an error".

Meriella: "Years ago when my brother President Lawrence Abstainace took charge. He shut down the library to cover up my families lies and schemes".

Terrchel: "But that's a public facility and the information it holds is precious".

Meriella: "Precisely. He is the president now. He does whatever He wants and the people are too occupied with their glowing devices and tech advancements that has significantly removed all their responsibilities to notice what is going on. With only the Arcadia Space and Arcadia Webspace to search and retrieve information and materials from. Meaning the Arcadia patrol has comeple control over what the people knows and limits their knowledge by all means possible. Hence you received that error pop up, but lucky for you I was the head scout for the patrol years ago and I know how to get you into that library!".

My mind was blown by what Meriella just said. I looked at her with my mouth open in shock of the extreme measures and not wanting to ask what those secrets were. I'm sure if she wants to tell me or if it's important to all this she will bring it up, but it makes 100% sense I'll definitely remind her about the library when we get back to the present time but for now we need to keep up with what is happening here in the past. So instead I just said "that's crazy".

As we watched them navigate the treacherous landscape of their school years, Pedro and Arnold would often discuss their dreams of creating a better world, a New Arcadia where people wouldn't have to suffer as they did. They devoured books on philosophy, psychology, and sociology, determined to understand the intricacies of human nature and create a utopia where everyone could thrive.

The time portal fast forwarded to after graduation and we saw how Pedro's determination only grew stronger. He became a charismatic leader, rising through the ranks of Arcadia's government with ease, promising the people a better future. Arnold, meanwhile, pursued a career in science, becoming one of the most renowned experts in his field. Their plan was always to combine their skills to succeed in their plans.

As we continued to observe, we saw Arnold meet Arlene, the love of his life, a brilliant archeologist with a passion for uncovering the secrets of the past. They met on a dig in the scorching deserts of Enlyn, where Arlene's sharp wit and Arnold's quick thinking saved them from a treacherous sandstorm. As they navigated the ancient ruins, their mutual respect and admiration blossomed into romance. They married soon after, and their son, Emerson Maximus, was born a few years later.

Pedro watched his friends' happiness with a mix of joy and envy. He had always felt like an outsider, a stranger in his own skin, and Arnold's newfound happiness only served to highlight his own emotional numbness.

As the years went by, Pedro's obsession with creating a New Arcadia grew more all-consuming. He became ruthless in his pursuit of power, crushing anyone who dared to oppose him including his own family. Arnold, who had once been his closest friend, grew increasingly concerned about Pedro's actions, but his warnings fell on deaf ears.

Meriella: "And so, the seeds of villainy were sown, nurtured by the dark memories of my father's troubled past and his unyielding ambition to reshape the world in his image".

Terrchel: "What happened next how did everything come together?"

The time portal shifted and we were in back in the desert of Enlyn. Arlene was there on a solo mission it seemed. She must have returned to finish what she started the day she met Arnold years ago. She entered a cave that was filled with luminous crystals and glowing insects crawling and buzzing through the air. Her boots were dusty and her breathing increased as the space grew smaller and the atmosphere turned cool compared to the outside temperatures of the desert. The cave seemed to have a ecosystem of it's own and thrived in its environment.

Arlene had a forged golden key with her. The key had a ruby at the top of it that illuminated the cave in shades of red as soon as she placed the key into a wall where there seemed to be a slight keyhole peeking out. All the crystals in the cave turned red and the wall started to shift creating a small entrance way.

Arlene slipped through the small space and I looked at Meriella and then at the space wondering if I would fit but also knowing we need to hurry and follow her or we won't see what's coming next. We nodding at eachother as if we read each other's minds and silently squeezed through the entrance but midway Meriella nearly got stuck it appeared her bust was in the way. As seeing her struggle I couldn't help but burst out laughing despite the extremely important mission we were on. She looked back at me with an intense stare and sternly said "help me you idiot! Don't laugh. If we miss what comes next I'm blaming you!". I gulped wondering how on earth am I supposed to help her, as if my abilities include boob shrinkage but it's better if I don't tell her that. "Just push through it's not that BIG of a deal" I said with a grin on my face knowing very well it is big that's why we in this situation.

Meriella: "Are you testing me! Just push me through make quick".

I gently placed my hands on her shoulder and tried shoving her through without hurting her, but it seemed if we going to see what's going on through this entrance I'm entire going to have to yank her out so I can go in alone or cut off her boobs.

Terrchel: "Look, this isn't working try lifting your arms and pushing your breasts down on the sides and just push yourself back my way. I know it might hurt but we don't have time for this and I'm considering the effort it would take to get you and your two friends back out after we get you in".

She gave me a sad pout but did as I said whilst wincing as she probably hurt herself in the process.

Mereilla: "Well go, run meet me back here".

I nodded and bolted through the entrance engaging my speed and scent to track my surroundings and where Arlene went. This part of the cave seemed like an entire different world I stepped into. The heat was extreme and there was a deadly toxin in the air. I coughed and choked struggling to breathe as I wandered deeper into the cave. This all felt way too real as if I'm actively part of the past how is this even possible.

I looked back at the entrance I left behind all I could see is the red glowing in the distance and Meriella's golden eyes staring at me with her hands folded cupped on her chest. She seemed concerned but I would be way more concerned if she were here with me given the extreme conditions of this part of the cave. By now I've adapted to the toxins and the extreme vaccum atmosphere.

I spotted Arlene she had a gas mask over her face she must have knew this is the conditions in here and brought it along in her backpack. In her hand she held a rare transfiguration box with a luminous orb inside. She wrapped it in some material and placed it in a case in her backpack. It was time to get out of here but as I followed her to the other side of the cave making out way to the entrance where Meriella waited for me, I sensed a threat approaching. 10 individuals to be exact with spears and I could feel their physical strength that they possessed. They grabbed Arlene and somehow they grabbed me too! Meriella let a cry of shock out and our eyes met. As she watched them drag Arlene and I away.

We both didn't understand how this is possible! We not even really present we're just supposed to be observing.

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Meriella's pov

I was concerned about Terrchel being in there so long alone, what if he gets lost. He has been gone for quite some time now. I paced up and down in anticipation. Patience isn't one of my strengths and I wanted to see the discovery of the Celestial energy orb myself. I looked up and saw Terrchel returning. Relief came upon me and I smiled at him but my smile was instantly wiped away when I saw a group of what looked like ancient warriors holding spears drag Arlene and Terrchel away! I was utterly shocked and let out a scream. In that moment I swear one of the men looked me directly in my eyes! Could he see me! But how... And they obviously not only seeing Terrchel but they are able to interact with him. This is bad bad bad. I heard rumors about a ancient tribe of warriors who was safekeepers of the celestial energy. They were said to be unnatural beings with the power of guardians that could interfere with time and space as they saw fit, but I always thought that was impossible.

Did they come here especially for us! Or were they here at the time Arlene came seeking the orb and now that we synced in time they automatically detecting us.

I need to help Terrchel but how will I get through this wall. I could crush it but everything would come tumbling down. I need to scan this place for another way in. If I remove the key from the keyhole this entrance will dissappear meaning Terrchel will be trapped in there with those people but I have to try and find another way in and this key will help me. If all fails I'll just hurry back here and re-open the original entrance but then I'm left to wait and be useless and I can't allow Terrchel to get hurt in the past! That means our future will be completely altered and hope for Arcadia with it.

I grabbed the key and pulled it out the walled rattled close and the crystals in the cave turned back to its original transparency. I began scouting the cave for clues to another entrance. "don't worry Terrchel I'm coming".

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