Chapter 2
1223 Words
“Xavier, are you ready? Ready to die?” The alluring voice whispered, carried away by the wind.
But Xavier didn't hear the distant, ominous whisper. Instead, a gentle, mysterious voice echoed in his mind—a voice he longed to hear the most. It was soothing, almost familiar, and it drew him as if he were possessed. His eyes glazed over, and he began to walk, his steps slow and controlled, toward the source of the enchanting voice.
As he moved through the fog, the world around him shifted like a mirage. The comforting familiarity of Eldoria faded, replaced by a vivid scene from his past.
He found himself in a sunlit field, a child again, playing joyfully with his mother, who looked like a bright sunflower. Her laughter filled the air, wrapping around him like a warm embrace. She looked at him with tender affection, her eyes shining with unconditional love.
“Remember, Xavier,” her voice echoed gently, “that your mother will always love you.”
He gazed up at her, innocent curiosity in his eyes. “And Dad?” he asked, his voice tinged with longing.
Her smile faltered briefly, a shadow passing over her features. “Your father…” She paused, her words masked with unspoken complexity. “He loves you too, in his own way.”
Xavier woke up from the sweet dream, his eyes misty with tears. He chased the figure, who was trying to run away faster than ever. Xavier also increased his speed. He tended to be caught by city guards. However, fortunately, he didn’t see anyone on the way and crossed the city boundary without a hitch.
“Mom, is it you?” Xavier asked, his voice trembling as he tried hard to keep up.
“Xavier…” The familiar voice rang again, and it attracted him like a moth attracted to flame.
“Mom, please stop. I will be good. I am practicing well. Furthermore, I won’t ever ask about Dad. Please come back,” Xavier pleaded, his voice breaking. His eyes were full of tears and longing.
“Xavier… Mom is so lonely.” The voice sounded heart-wrenchingly tragic.
“Xavier, you are a good child, right? You should listen to mom.” The figure, enveloped in shadow, looked like his mother. Xavier ran toward it, desperate to catch it before it melted into nothing.
“Mom, I will do whatever you want. Please let me see you. I missed you so much, Mom.” Xavier's voice cracked as he kneeled before the shadow that reminded him of his mother.
“Then join me, my son. We could be so happy in heaven together as a family. Isn't that better? Take this and drink it all, my son,” the voice added. “You won't feel any pain, and we can be together.”
Xavier picked up the purple bottle that had rolled to his feet and opened it. His face was set with determination.
“Okay, Mom. If you want…” But before he could finish his sentence, his bracelet glowed bright blue, enveloping him in its light. Xavier was transported back in time.
He was a young boy again, running home with tears streaming down his face after being bullied.
Her eyes, filled with fierce protectiveness, met his. “Who told you that?” She paused, her expression softening. “I'll make sure they learn their lesson.”
“They said… they said things would always be like this. I hate you, Mom. Sometimes I wish I were dead.” Xavier's words dripped with hurt and anger as he stormed out of their home.
He got lost in the Nether forest beside Eldoria and forgot his way back home. The sun sat down, and a crescent moon hung in the night sky. The atmosphere around him felt more silent than usual. Xavier looked at the moon and thought about his mom. However, a sinister growl shattered the silence, followed by the chilling scrape of claws on stone. Xavier turned, his heart racing more than ever, to face the creature, its monstrous form looming larger with each passing second. Its eyes gleamed with primal hunger, fixated on Xavier, who stood frozen in the spot.
“It is Kerevone!” Xavier exclaimed and added, “I cannot die. Otherwise, mom will be sad.” He closed his eyes as he prayed to the great Magi-God.
Before the creature could pounce, a figure emerged from the darkness—a blue blaze of light. It was Raina, Xavier's mother, wielding her wand with a dancer's grace, flames swirling around her in a protective barrier. The air crackled with magic as she positioned herself between Xavier and the advancing Kerevone.
The Kerevone struck with lightning speed, claws slashing through the air towards Xavier, where Raina was now standing as an unmoving mountain. Raina's response was swift and precise. With a fluid motion, she deflected the first strike, the clash of magic and claw sending sparks flying into the night. The second strike followed, aimed at Xavier's vulnerable head, but Raina anticipated its every move. She managed to counter-attack all of them.
As the battle raged on, Xavier watched in awe and terror. His mother, a normally gentle and loving lady, was now full of a warrior's spirit, her eyes ablaze with determination. She countered blow after blow, her wand's fiery arcs weaving a shield of protection around them both.
However, the Kerevone was relentless, its attacks fueled by an insatiable hunger. It used its exclusive move, the shadow phantom, which aimed its dark claw towards Xavier’s beating heart. Raina exclaimed in fear and ran to Xavier, shielding him with her back. A sharp pain almost made her faint, but she still gritted her teeth and held on, as she must protect her son.
“M-Mom!” Xavier cried out, his voice cracking with sobs. He rushed to her side, kneeling beside her trembling body. Blood stained her back, making her white robe bright red, but her gaze was only focused on the beast, which was a threat to her beloved son.
“It's my fault, mom…” Xavier whispered hoarsely, tears streaming down his face. “Because of me…”
“Silly child,” Raina managed, her voice strained yet steady. She smiled through the pain, reaching out to brush his cheek with a trembling hand. “As long as you know, I'll always protect you. You must be brave, my Xavi.”
With those words, Raina summoned her last reserves of strength. Her wand blazed brighter than ever; a bright blue flame created a transparent blue shield around Xavier as the darkness tried to attack more fiercely than before. Blue flames erupted in an inferno, engulfing the Kerevone. The creature screeched in agony, its form crumbling to ash.
Exhausted and wounded, Raina sank to her knees, clutching her side. But her gaze remained fixed on Xavier as she looked at him tenderly. She pulled him close, wrapping him in an embrace.
The memory faded, and Xavier found himself back in the present. He threw the purple vial at the shadowy figure. “You are not my mom,” he said firmly.
The shadowy figure recoiled, its form twisting and writhing as if in agony. Xavier stood tall, his eyes clear and resolute.
- Writer
