Chapter 179: Denial(5)

Today was a special day for their party, after all, they would be meeting a very important person from the Blue Rose. And might actually be able to finish their plan of getting peace and uniting the two districts.

He wondered how Lilith was, if he was easy to please, or if they would have to really prove themselves.

Though… he felt as if he and Lilith had met before this, he didn’t know why, but he felt as if that name sounded familiar, like it was deeply ingrained inside his mind… because of a great hatred…

But why? He hadnt even met the guy, why would he be mad at him, and to this degree.

Really, weird things have been going on inside his mind recently. Memories he didn’t remember happening are ringing in his mind. Things that didn’t make sense, that weren’t real.

He glanced at his arm, rubbing it with his other hand, almost checking to see if there was something hidden underneath.

Also, whenever he saw white light, he felt a rush of energy, of rage, which was even more strange. Why did his body react to it, but his mind didn’t? It had to have a reason. So why couldn’t he remember it?

Really, he just wanted the best for the Withered; he didn’t understand why this was all happening all of a sudden.

Either way, he, Riven, and Lyra, alongside the others in his part,y were calmly awaiting Lilith; he could arrive at any time, so he was a little nervous, after all, meeting someone with such a high status… I mean, he was also a prince, but inside the Withered, he was nothing.

Only his path meant something.

If he wasn’t the Vessel of Praise, then he didn’t think the Blue Rose would ever accept this.

But it shouldn’t get to his head, after all, Lilith was also a Vessel, the Vessel of Freedom, a very powerful and influential God.

Praise was first, everyone knew her name, and everyone clenged to it. The savior of the world, who had given hope to the world when it needed it most, blessed people with His grace.

Then it was Freedom, like he had said. Really, it’s in human nature to wish for freedom, so it’s not surprising that the second most looked up to God was Freedom, or The One Lost. It was said that before everyone walked on a path of fate created by the God of Fate, but then Freedom came and gave people a chance to step out of that path.

Which is why the two gods don’t really like each other that much.

But funny enough, the Blue Rose has both of them.

Both Fate and Freedom.

There are also rumors that the Blue Rose also holds the Fallen.

Not under their control, but in a prison, but it is to be expected when you know the nature of The God of Chaos. A pure rebel.

He never understood the point of rebellions. Most always lost, and it just made it so people died. So what did you get out of it, so you could say that you fought for what you wanted when you died?

Fought… not won.

’Its useless.’

…

After a while of waiting, Aether looked eye to eye with a young man, whose eyes and hair were pure white. Yet, at the ends of his hair, and center of his eyes, a light blue shade of blue appeared, shining in the sunlight of the Withered, he had moles under both his eyes, and from his very smily face, he didn’t have to guess how he had gotten his smile lines.

Aether quickly smiled back, trying to be respectful, as he walked towards Lilith.

He offered his hand.

“Pleased to meet you, Freedom.”

The boy looked at his hand for a minute, then burst out laughing, which confused Aether. Was he… declining already? But what had he done wrong?

But before he could figure it out, the boy wrapped his arm around his shoulder, bringing him close.

“Oh come one men, no need to be so formal. I should be honored that all the great Praise wanted to meet.”

Aether exhaled, relieved that this was his reason for not shaking his hand.

…’ I guess I was worried for nothing.’

“Were both vessels, the God doesn’t matter in my eyes, were on the same rank. Also, has the Blue Rose thought about our deal of uniting the two districts?”

Lilith finally let go of Aether, which relieved him, since he wasn’t used to this kind of greeting. He was raised like a prince; he was used to formal greetings, not these overly friendly types Lilith knew.

“Well, really, the Blue Rose has been wanting to unite since the two kingdoms got seperated but we never had a reason, plus we didn’t think the Withered wanted. But with Praise blessing the district, why wouldn’t we?”

Aether blinked twice.

Was it really that easy?

He smiled; he was happy. After all, if this really happened, many people would finally get food. After a long time, many from the Withered would have homes, maybe even meet family members, they had jobs, and many more.

And all because of his hard work.

It… was great to think that he could really make a change.

Lilith smiled at him.

“But really, it’s nice meeting you…

…

…

Fallen Eden.”

…

…

Hm?

Aether opened his eyes, finding himself not inside the Withered but inside a green field, yet flat, with not a little hill. Just plain flat.

Weird of all, there weren’t even any trees inside this place, which he would have expected.

Not even flowers, which were usually in every field he saw, so what was happening?

Well…

There was one thing in this place.

A human figure, made out of a pure white glow. The more he stared at his face, the more he realized he didn’t have a face; there was just light, no remembrance of eyes, a mouth, or a nose. Just light, that you could get caught inside if you stared for too long, he wondered, how deep did that light go, how dense was it really?

Aether tried to step back, but found himself stuck, not able to take the step.

He cursed, for the first time in his whole life.

Which surprised him, why had he suddenly done it? He never got cursing or swearing, with what it helped, but for the first time, he had done it.

The being started to get closer, as Aether stood still, frozen.

Yet…

His hand started to move without him making in.

He stared in awe as it started to hit him.

’Aw, it hurts.’

It didn’t stop, even though it was paused to look, and try to make up what was happening. And he wishes he could explain. But really, he had no idea.

It continued until the rough amount of his skin ripped, and blood started to flow. His hand didn’t hit him with that much force, not enough to do this much damage, but from repeating it so many times, it was bound to happen.

With blood flowing from his face to his right arm, he glanced at his right arm.

…

Where he saw a mark.

…

…

His hand suddenly stopped moving, and the silence was filled by his laugh.

It had worked, it had really worked.

He had wanted to be sure that he would remember his mark, since he knew that he was going to remember that the being was even if he didn’t do anything, but he wanted to be sure he would remember Voidpiercer, since it wasn’t written in stone.

He needed to figure out a way to make himself remember the marks. He thought of putting himself in a state where nothing was right, where inside his eyes, everything wasnt right and weird.

But he had to wait, since he could only do it in the second part of the illusion.

He had figured out how these little tricks worked.

They were made out of two parts; the first was the whole alternative world and timeline. He didn’t get why the being wanted to show them to him, what it got out of it. After showing it to him, it used something from his real self, something related to who he really was, in this instence it was the name he had given the Abyss, Fallen Eden.

Which marked the start of the second part, which was the same every time. Everything went back to the real world, or he got transported to another place from his life, which, if he had to guess, this field belonged to the book he had entered with his party.

In the second part, it appeared that it could start a new run, so the cycle could continue.

While in the second part, the illusion is over, so he, from the illusion, is dumbstruck by what is happening, which was the perfect chance to get himself together and remember.

…

The sound of chains was heard, as Aether gripped Voidpiercer, dashing over to the being, he thursted…

But the sword went through his body.

Aether’s face paled as the being caught his chin with its hand, forcing him to look at it, to stare into the white glow, as his vision started to slowly get corrupted by it.

…

…

’Damn it!’

He should have thought that he couldn’t fight it.

…

..

.

Then he just had to fight the illusion itself.

To fight himself.

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