Chapter 3 : Death

“I came from a planet name Zenlia. Compared to your earth civilization, ours is already several thousand years more advance. We all spread all across the galaxy, inhabiting many planet and star system. However, after journeying far and wide we still haven’t encounter another sentient life form. It was then, a number of scientist band together and propose, if we can not find them in this universe then we shall search in another. The one who spearheaded the research was me.”

Gadriel then fall silent. He take a few step toward me, and suddenly out of nowhere a comfortable looking chair appear. He sat down and continued.

“After long years of research and innumerable failures, we discovered a location where there a tear in fabric of space and time, an anomaly thought impossible to exist. Excited with that discovery, we quickly build our lab and facilities there, with all the personnel you could even call it a small city. Our research then advanced quickly and before long our effort finally paid off.”

“We finally able to tear down the space time and reconstructed it to our will, making the travel through another reality possible. It was then we discovered Eorion and Earth. After sending our probe to both world we found that Eorion more fascinating than Earth, which only have human as sentient life form plus at very low level of civilization.”

Somehow I felt offended by his word. Low level of civilization. Indeed, by the look of it, his technology far superior than Earth. However, I thought sooner or later Earth will definitely catch up. Although the Earth was destroyed, other human still survived in space. The current Earth might be scorched, but I believe the other survivor will definitely returned to Earth and revive it back. Even if it will take thousand of years.

“I could understand that, on one hand there Earth which is a uncivilized planet with nothing extra to offer, and on the other you got Eorion with different sentient being in it. If it were me, Eorion would be more appealing than earth.”

Gladriel give a wry smile and chuckle.

“True, I was being insensitive. Please forgive me, Alva. It was not my intention to be rude. I hope no offense taken.”

Somehow he could see through me.

“No,no. No offense taken. I don’t mind. Please continue”

“Where were we?” Gladriel made a face trying to recall his memory.

“You were at the sending probe part.” I answered.

“Ah, yes. Forgive me. Look like the years have catch up to me. The memories of long ago feel so distant and slowly fading away.”

I raised my eyebrow.

“You still look great to me though.”

Gladriel let out a big laugh hearing my word.

“Appearance can be deceiving. I am not as young as I look. Now then, back to the story - We sent the probe to Eorion and discover the various sentient life form there. Not to mention great flora and fauna which fascinate our best biologist and zoologist. However our excitement does not last long. It was then we discovered the Gods. The being revered as gods, are also known as Ascended in Eorion. The clip you watched before was our first encounter with them.

After that our group opinion was divided, some against going to this world, some  push for a meeting with them and see what we could learn and a few propose to silently observe this newly discovered world. After a while without clear decision. I decided that we need a break and our success definitely call for a celebration.

The next day the whole research center celebrate and the news of our discovery spread far and wide. It was in the middle of our celebration an alarm sounded. Hurrying to our laboratory, we encountered a group of armed personnel. I do not know their affliction, maybe from a Conglomerate or maybe they just a simple mercenary trying to make a quick money from our research. I will never know. After getting stuck and exchanging fires with our security personnel. Suddenly the group was blown away to nothingness. Behind them stand a strange glowing man. It was then I realised my mistake. The tunnel is a 2 way route, if we could go there, then surely it not strange for them to come here. Activating the reality tunnel would take an enormous amount of energy, normally it would be impossible, however given their display of power - it not impossible.

After that, the situation goes from bad to worst. The Ascended laughed with childish glee and start blasting around wildly. It was a miracle that I alone survived the onslaught, the rest of my research group unfortunately did not. I requested backup from the surrounding galaxy and in a few minute several armada of our best assault ship arrived.

It was a ghastly battle, the Ascended managed to destroyed half of the armada before getting mortally wounded. Then he slowly retreat back to the reality tunnel. I made up my decision, the tunnel was too dangerous. While the armada and the Ascended was battling each other, I hide on my own spaceship, which I armed myself with experimental technology way superior than any other ship.

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I power up my ship experimental Reality Blaster - a side product of our group research. However since it just a experimental prototype it had a short effective range. I had to fire it point blank to be effective. So I flew my ship toward the opened reality tunnel and ram the back of unaware Ascended. I pull the trigger and saw the Ascended slowly got disintegrated. The blasted tunnel slowly lose the integrity and collapse. My ship fall into the tunnel, it was calculated I won’t be able to escaped in time. I thought it was fine. As long as I destroyed this tunnel. There won’t be another one. All other researcher have died. The research center will be blown out of existence in a short while along with the research data. As the space collapsing around me, by chance I saw the tunnel exit with blue planet Eorion shining at the center.

I direct my ship toward the exit and left the collapsing tunnel safely. However with it, my path back to my own universe was forever gone.

“..........”

I listened quietly through his whole story. It was quite a long story, however that still does not tell me the answer. Why did he save me?

Gadriel look at my face and said.

“Well, there just a bit more to the story. I will tell you the short version of it. Somehow I survived, then went to live with the human in this planet and eventually appoint myself as their guardian.”

“Guarding them from what?”

“Human is the weakest among all the sentient in this planet, without my protection at best they will only be prey for others. Under my protection, slowly human civilization advance, from a primitive caveman to currently Middle Ages equivalent of your Earth planet. At least now they can fend themself from other races. Aside from the Ascended.”

His face turned grim at his last sentence.

“Ascended rarely involved themself directly with other races, they often view those with limited lifespan with disdain. Anyway, in some rare instance some of them would came and wreck havoc. That when I came in. I am protecting the humankind from Ascended.”

I was astonished. The Ascended show almost godlike ability. How in the world could he oppose them?

“Time running out. I need to make this quick. Any question?” Gladriel threw his glance toward the timer counter. Look like time running out. I wonder what going to happen when it do. Then I better quickly ask my question.  

“Why did you save me?”

“I am weary. It nearly been 10,000 years since I protect the humankind. I am looking for successor.”

Again, the answer surprised me. I can surmised that I am supposed to be his successor and somehow I ignore over the 10,000 years claim. Next question.

“Why me? There should be other human in this planet. Why go as far as to pluck me from other universe?”

It was mind boggling to think of the effort Gladriel went through just to get me as his successor when other human are nearby.

“The others human won’t do. There are reason for this. As for why I specifically pick you from Earth, well the truth is, you got lucky, I picked you at random among the still living human.”

I was horrified. So the reason I am still alive now because I got lucky?!

“Quickly now, time running out.” He urged me.

“So what do you want me do?”

“Lots of thing, but not enough time to explain. I will send a guide to you when you reach 16 years old.”

“Huh? But I am 18 already.” I was puzzled.

“You will be 16. Again.”

“Again?” His word does not make sense.

“Yes, you see, I was only able to pull your soul to here. Your physical body already perished back on earth. So, what you need now is a new body. Don’t you worry, one of my newly acquired skill in this world was soul manipulation. While I can’t do much, transferring soul is still within my capability. I’ve set you be reborn as a human, but I do not know where you will end up. I hope you will somehow survive till 16, that is when I can detect your soul again.”

I was speechless, I thought he was some kind of scientist now he a magician too?

“It is time. Farewell Alva, till we meet again”

Then my body start disintegrating, particle of my body falling apart. I tried to scream, but there no voice coming out. There was no pain, ironically that made the experience much more frightening. My vision continue to darken and my consciousness fading. Dread filled me.

Is this death?

With that last thought my mind goes blank.