Chapter 2

Awakening

Growing up, Nier had always been a happy go lucky kid. He always had a smile on his face. Unsurprisingly, he made friends rather easily. He wasn’t one of the popular kids but he wasn’t an outcast either. He was comfortable sitting right in the middle of the social ladder. However, without an Arcana, he felt extremely out of place, with most kids developing their Arcanas at around 13 or 14. While his friends would fight each other with their Arcanas, Nier could only sit on the side and watch, dreaming for the day when he would be considered an Arcanist.

Nier was walking home after school just like any other day. He was staying with his Uncle Magus. His parents had both passed away in a car crash when he was still an infant. His uncle was his father figure and he looked up to him. Especially since he was one of the top 10 Arcanists at Elysium’s Arena 20 years ago.

As he got closer to his home, something felt off. Nothing was physically peculiar at least. However, in his chest, he felt a strange and ominous presence. The presence of something pure evil.

As he got closer to his home, he saw the pillar of black smoke over where his home was supposed to be. Nier started running towards danger without even realizing it.

When he arrived, his home had been reduced to rubble. His uncle was surrounded by a group of 8 people. The one who appeared to be their leader approached Nier’s uncle.

  “I won’t ask another time Magus. If you don’t give us what we want, you will die an extremely slow and painful death.”

  “Go fuck youself Lucifer.” Magus spits blood at the man's face. “I know what you’re trying to do.”

  “You have a nephew don’t you? After we kill you, we’ll do the same thing to him.”

Nier, who was hiding a corner was listening to everything they were saying. Nier had also noticed a symbol on the man his uncle called Lucifer. He had a symbol of the reverse cross on his right arm. The symbol of the Crimson Cross. A terrorist organization that was hell bent on power. What could they possibly want from my uncle? Magus was on the ground, his face dripping with blood.

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  “Heh”, Magus chuckles. “You really think you could catch him? He is my nephew after all. I already instructed him to leave the city. It’ll take years to find him.”

The leader grinned.

  “Gluttony, fetch the boy.”

He signals towards Nier's direction. Magus is horrified as the man called Gluttony walks towards Nier. Realizing that they had somehow known Nier was eavesdropping on them, he quickly dashes in the opposite direction. Unfortunately, it wasn’t fast enough. He’s captured by Gluttony, surprisingly nimble for a massive hunk of flesh and fat. He weighed about as much as an SUV.

  “Alright. I’ll give you what you want,” Magus says with defeat in his eyes. “If you promise me you’ll let the boy go.”

  “You have my word.” Lucifer responds.

Magus materializes something from his hands. It’s a simple black ring. The man promptly takes it.

  “I can’t believe it. The ring is actually here, right before my eyes!”

  “I gave you what you wanted. Now keep your end of the bargain.” Magus says bitterly.

  “Of course, I am a man of my word. Gluttony, release the boy.”

Gluttony releases his grip and Nier falls to the floor gasping for air. Magnus turns his head towards Nier. He has a stoic expression, but a single tear rolls down the side of his face.

Lucifer draws his sword and pierces Nier’s uncle straight through the heart.

Nier is in a state of shock and disbelief. The man that he had looked up to as a father and as a role model was killed. Everything seemed to slow down. He could hear the sound of his own heartbeat getting louder and faster, and then out of nowhere, a loud high pitched ringing gave him an ear splitting headache. It was unimaginable pain. He felt like his head was being smashed with a sledgehammer over and over again. Then his skin started to feel as if it was burning. A dark aura was enveloping him as he was agonizing over the pain from the headache. What’s happening to me?!

From the depths of his consciousness, a deep and powerful voice echoed in his head.

  “I’ve been waiting a long time for you Nier. My name is Thanatos, the god of death. I vow to bring a swift end to your enemies. Release me from my shackles and let me crush those that stand before you!”

All the pain that Nier had once felt, turned into feelings of anger and power.

  “Come forth, Thanatos.”

  “A wise decision.”