Another Life In The New World

Blinding

“Your eyes are not meant to see the path of light, cleanse yourself!” Amictus scolded a young guard.

“I apologize, sir. I am not worthy to see the path of light. I must repent at once,” he walked the opposite direction.

“Do so my child and you shall be forgiven,” Amictus formed a roof symbol with his hands.

“You don’t have to be harsh on him,” Girly pulled his shoulder.

“It is only right. Everyone in this land must adhere to the wishes of the Shining Guardian. Otherwise, their true path will be lost.”

“What are you, really?” Vampire asked the same question.

“I simply am the chief and sole inventor of Artemian Planas, nothing more. We must not keep him waiting.”

The path to the table had no people lingering other than us. A choir of men and children sang praises for him farther behind. Woven tapestries detailing the Shining Guardian’s adventures and triumph colored the walls.

I stopped at one of them. It illustrated a dragon swooping down the town. Its mouth expelled balls of fire. A white silhouette stood on the opposite side and reciprocated with rays of light reflecting off its hands. Suddenly, I felt someone stand next to me.

“Ah, this is the epic encounter between Zirchronius, the devourer of lands and the Shining Guardian. It was an intense encounter leading to the death of the invader in the hands of our savior. Bless the Shining Guardian,” Amictus proudly announced.

“How did you meet?” I asked.

“A long story requires some tea and biscuits. But briefly, it was a chance encounter under the shade of night. He chose me as his right hand and I devoted myself to him. My purpose drives me in performing what I do best.”

“Amictus, do not lengthen the thread of my patience further,” the authoritative voice reminded him.

“My apologies, sire. We are only a few steps closer to the table. Onto your feet, no more distractions,” he dragged my arm with his iron grip.

There was still a lot that I wanted to ask, but the painful grip trapped my voice. Finally, a door bathed in shimmering light stood ahead of us. Immense pressure hindered our advance. Amictus kneeled to the door and formed a roof symbol. Then the door voluntarily opened for us.

“Sire, I have brought these people as requested. It was in my heart to treat them as my own.”

“Bring them in.”

“Do not mind the pressure and proceed to the table,” he motioned towards us.

Inside was more light, I could not even focus my sight on the ground. I closed my eyes and spread my hands. Suddenly, something hit my shins. Intense burning concentrated on that area. I rolled to the ground, embracing them.

“Ahh… It’s so bright! Girly, where are you?” I heard Vampire call out to her.

“My apologies heroes for my shining armor, but I need to ask something of you,” the authoritative voice became gentle.

“Amictus, can you turn off the light?” I ignored his words.

“I need you to listen to what I am to say. A disturbing dream ills my worry—another coming of a disaster.”

“Surely, you can smite them with your shining light like how you triumphed in your previous battles,” Amictus chimed in.

“I would if I can do it on my own, but multiple disasters at once would waste me.”

“If I may, what exactly is it that you saw in your dream?” Girly sounded close.

“An army of three headed beasts will rise from underneath Artemian Planas. Another would be fleets of iron beasts striking from the sky. Lastly, a roaming malevolent spirit will stir chaos within people’s hearts.”

“When will this take place?” Amictus’ voice shook.

“It takes place on the next day or the one that follows it. Amictus, I ask of you to take care of the people during my absence. Cease on treating them as neighbors, but of your own.”

“I am not worthy to ascend your place, sire. I find joy in serving you and only you.”

“I have seen your deeds, although you were unaware. People look up to you in my likeness.”

“I do not see myself in you. I am not like you, sire. I solely live to serve.”

“And so you shall. Serve our people as you serve in my stead. I trust in your capabilities. Take our heroes to celebrate for tomorrow we shall mourn.”

“Understood, sire. We best be on our way. Come heroes, heed my voice.”

He kept on calling to us until we could see again. I readjusted my vision towards one of the tapestries. It had divisions of three. It seemed similar as to what the Shining Guardian told us. In the middle, four people stood with the shining white silhouette behind them.

Amictus guided us to a room not far from the table. A chandelier hanged from the ceiling like a flower in full bloom. The low table served a cornucopia of food. I fed until my stomach felt like stone. We drank to our heart’s content until the wake of morning.

Screams lifted my recently dipping eyes. It was like having another intoxication—my body felt heavy and my head struck some wood. I looked at my comrades. They seemed oblivious to the roaming, agonizing screams. I summoned my sword for support.

 “Hey, it has begun. Wake up!” I poked Vampire with my shield.

“A few more minutes mom, it can wait,” Vampire mumbled.

“We do not have a few more minutes! Get on your toes!” I screamed at him.

“Alright, alright, I’m up. What’s the rush?”

“Can’t you hear them?”

“Hear what? OH! We must hurry.”

“Where is Girly?”

We looked around the room for her. Among the screams, I heard some gagging sounds nearby. I tried the door, but it was locked. I activated my skill Devil’s Tongue. I hope Amictus forgives me for this. I got it to open. Inside, Girly ducked her head in the bowl.

“Hey, are you okay? There, let it all out,” I rubbed her back.

“Did you find her?” Vampire rushed to the scene.

“Grab some towels and cold water for me, will ya?”

“I’m on it.”

“You have to go. Leave me be,” she answered between gasps.

“I can’t leave you, not like this,” I gripped her hand.

“I can take care of myself. I will join you once I recover, I promise.”

“No more promises.”

“Hey, I brought them. I also brought a glass of water. Will she be alright?” Vampire passed them to me.

“I got this. I think you should go ahead and help the Shining Guardian.”

“What about you two?”

“This might take a while, but we will catch up soon enough.”

“See you later, Girly. I entrust you to her for now, but don’t take too long,” he disappeared towards the door.

“Hey, how are you feeling?” I damped a moist towel to her forehead.

“I feel the world spin around me and it might collapse on me any moment now,” she smiled at me.

“I’m glad you feel the same.”

“Probably, Vampire does, too.”

“Don’t go mentioning his name, he might trip on the way.”

“You can be an old man sometimes.”

“I get that a lot. Maybe I was an old man in my previous life.”

“Can I ask you something?” Her tone darkened.

“That doesn’t sound too good. What is it?”

“How do you really feel about me?” Her arms limped towards my neck.

I was not prepared for that question. I hesitated before opening my mouth, “I feel like—,”

Before I could even finish my sentence, a blast of discernible mass flew at my face. I thought my flesh was going to burn from the rancid mush splattered around my body. I set her back to the toilet bowl to rid myself of the smell. Then the room flashed brightly.

“Heroes, I am in need of your assistance. Proceed to the Outer Planas immediately!” The voice sounded rushed.

“Yikes, we need to hurry. Can you stand up?” I offered my hand to her.

“I think I feel better.”

“Here, have some water. Grab your stuff, we cannot let Vampire have all the fun.”

“Yeah, I need a few seconds.”

“I will be by the door.”

“Hey Keita?”

“Yup?”

“Thanks.”

I smiled at her, then went out the door. A few groans and moans later, Girly came out to greet me. She grabbed my elbow as we walked towards the meeting place. Even if this is just for a moment, I felt my heart smile. Soon, she will be with Vampire again.

With that sudden realization, my heart sunk back deeper into the abyss. Girly gripped tightly on my arm as we went through the crowd. For a moment, my internal screams and pain quelled. If she was a medicine, she would have vanquished my heartburn in seconds.

People ran like blind rats as we figured out a way through them. Some parts of the building burned. The angelic faces of the pillar carvings distorted horribly, as if they screamed for help. The singing morphed into shrill cries as the choir disbanded.

Finally, we reached a door that led to the Outer Planas. A shiny white figure floated up the dark sky as he shot rays of light towards the iron beasts. I looked back at Artemian Planas. That which once stood majestically, slowly burned to its ruin.

Suddenly, the earth shook below us. It did not take long for the three headed beasts to surface. An army of them stood before us. The Triberius had three heads of different vicious beasts biting at one another on who gets the food. A low yelp ceased the biting.

“Whew, thank goodness I got here in time.”

“Vampire! Where have you been?” Girly launched her arms at him.

“Not too tight!”

“Oh, sorry.”

“That’s fine. It was tough combing my way here. By the way, I think I saw a gray figure pass by me.”

“It must be the spirit! I have to help them.”

“Whoa, you have to stick with us,” I grabbed her arm.

“It is just a single malevolent spirit. I think you two can handle things here with the Shining Guardian on your side.”

“But—, oh alright. Promise me that you will return to me,” I pulled her towards my chest.

“You are still a baby. I thought you said no more promises?”

“Yeah, but you will promise though?”

“Alright. I might get addicted to your smell if you handle me like this. Oh, one last thing…” She abruptly pulled her lips towards mine.

I could not breathe after releasing her like it was me who was embraced tightly. A burning rush of joy overwhelmed me and I directed it at my enemies. They countered my attacks with balls of water. I raised my shield to deflect their attacks.

Vampire hopped on my shield and catapulted towards the enemies. His claws bore through their skulls, sucking their strength with his skill. His open wounds closed completely after killing the enemy. Then one came after the other.

Out of nowhere, a loud explosion roared to the opposite side. “You guys are hopeless without me,” a familiar voice struck my ear.

“Kun, is that really you?” Joy tickled my heart.

“In the flesh. I know you have a lot of questions, but it can wait. Why don’t we join hands?”

“Now you are speaking my language!” Vampire held our hands.

“p*****t!” We both scowled in unison.

“Your level is insufficient to unlock this skill,” a message suddenly appeared.

“What the hell? But It worked last time,” Vampire’s voice was in crescendo.

“This can’t be good,” I frowned.

The earth groaned as more armies of Triberius surfaced. The scene looked like world war three but with hideous beasts. The sky did not fare better—fleets of iron beasts replaced the dark sky. The Shining Guardian slowly descended from the sky. I swallowed an enormous lump of saliva down the drain.