CHAPTER: 6 "Eclipse"

Weeks went by like the flow of a river, the Vaisa and the factory building still looked depressing, but there was a change in me that made my life not as colorless as before. I was found happiness my day to day life.

I no longer felt the need to prove my existence, my purpose of life. I felt free from the monotony of life, but the more free I felt the more empty it was for me. I couldn't understand what it was, just that the feeling of fulfillment I got by proving my existence day to day wasn't found anymore.

Isn't it ironic? No matter how much a human yearn for freedom, they always find themselves trapped by one thing or another. It's as though we're made to seek out our own shackles, willingly trading our liberty for the comfort of familiarity our daily suffering brings.

Well, that's what I want to because I am happy right now, happier than I ever was, maybe happier than I ever will be.

Reaching home, I saw Nicole working on the books her unconventional short hair completely messy, but to me it still looked good, I once again opened the book, this time it was the final chapter of the story.

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Final chapter- Forgotten conquest.

The conquest was still a long way, and Carnus surely knew something that other Nephilims didn't, though burden by the weight he summoned the second generation of Nephilim to build a tower. A colossal tower reaching Heavens, naming it Peniel.

Despite his ambition he looked not that keen to rush the work and each passing day made him frown even more.

As days went by the third generation of Nephilim flourished, though small in stature compared to their predecessors, they had the blessings of being immune to the corruption that plagued their ancestor caused by the Great Eye.

After a span of a century, Peniel neared completion, it's silhouette a symbol of Carnus's ambition.

Before entering the hollowed halls of the tower alongside his loyal kin, Carnus made a decision of leaving behind the third generation. Deeming the involvement of the future generation too dangerous and unjust. Thus, they bid good-bye at the foot of the tower.

Before entering the halls Carnus felt a gaze from above the sky, the origin unknown to him, but he knew what it was since the gaze was from a being that everyone believes in, a being whom even God revered to 'The Presence' 'The Great Eye'.

As the Nephilim's ascent near completion, The God, discerned their plot. Sacrificing all records of his existence, the God gained the authority of Creator, offering his own essence in exchange.

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In this act of punishment, the tower became a prison trapping the second generation within its confines, transforming them into soulless monstrosities.

Carnus already transcending mortal bounds, evaded a fate of becoming a mindless monster, but was still trapped within the tower's grip.

Atop the unfinished tower, by his desolate throne. He gazed towards the dying God whom he hated, towards Heaven which he sought after. His eyes now fixed upon the divine realm he once coveted, now lack that divine presence he once felt.

In silent lamentation, he wondered why? Grappling with the futility of his ambition amidts the hole left by the now dead deity.

"Why go to such lengths only to perish?" He implored, his words echoing in the void, unanswered by the absent God.

For the only God of this world has breathed his last, leaving Carnus to confront the harsh reality of his lone quest.

Thus, came his end, his own Forbidden Paradise.

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As the final words of the story faded from the pages, I realized I have completed the book, I was confused. That's it? This is the end?

Suddenly, I felt the world go silent, an eerie silence descending upon this world. Panic gripped me when I realized that the noise of bustling life outside my home had faded into silence. The once familiar sound of people and cabs bustling on the road vanished along with the presence of Nicole working on the book downstairs, leaving no traces behind. I was all alone.

Looking out of the window, I was struck with horror as the world outside was slowly being consumed by an encroaching darkness, eclipsing the once warm embrace of the sun.

As I raised my head higher towards the sky a grotesque spectacle greeted my gaze — a colossal distorted eye composed of writhing mass of maggots and twisting tentacles gazing over this world.

Attempting to steady my trembling hand, I tried to grab onto anything, almost collapsing from the shock.

The small book I had recently finished took on a life of its own, it's pages unfurling to reveal newly forming text, as if inscribing itself real-time.

[In the quite of the fading world,]

The text brought shiver down my spine. Frantically I fled, fleeing from this encroaching darkness, a scream full of madness escaping my lips. Desperate to evade both the looming eye and the darkness it heralded, I screamed for help.

[As our memories slip away, let us cling to hope.]

Though, the book no by my side I could feel the text.

I ran as fast as I could but wherever I went darkness followed.

[Though darkness now reigns, let us believe that the light will return. So do not fear.]

Wherever I looked no sign of life could be seen. Only the gaze of that large, hedious distorted eye hanging on the sky could be felt over the desolate landscape.

[For even in the depths of despair,]

The text persisted, as if mocking me for my futile attempt. Suddenly my will to run vanished.

While the darkness tried to swallow me, I clunged to the remnants of this shattered world. But with each passing moment, the darkness grew thicker. The Vaisa, the emotionless factory building that was so disappointing and depressing to me few months ago now felt like a part of my life I couldn't let go of. As the darkness completely enveloped me, I opened my eyes in the empty void. Realizing what I had perceived as reality was merely a recollection, a fragment of a past long gone, the only one left behind being me and that large, hideous eye above me.

At first terrifying me now it was the only company I had, but even that Eye departed from this void. My mind gave up on living, and as echoes of my memories faded little by little, I surrendered to the darkness, surrendered to my mind which couldn't bear this loneliness and finally as I closed my eyes, I heard the conclusion of the book.

[For even in the end of the world, oblivion is our own desired Forbidden Paradise.]

The conclusion echoed in the plain of nothingness. No one sentient enough to understand the words, but to me it was my conclusion, my end and my own "Forbidden Paradise."