"Let's see what magic this holds, shall we?" I muttered as I pulled one of

the diary pages of the miner captain, specifically the final notes the

captain wrote—the one that disturbed me greatly.

I made sure to hide the diary in the house and only take the most

confusing ones. Nonetheless, I decided to go to the villager rivers and sit

by nearby benches, alone and away from villagers' whispers and hawklike sights on me. But I made sure not to stray too far off, lest I trouble

my mother like I did the other day. Plus, I brought the crystal for other reasons later.

I started reading the final page and deciphered its meaning as much as I

could.

It took me quite a while to understand or more precisely theorize the

perplexing letter. At first, it didn't make any sense. It felt like mumbled

words uttered in complete nonsense. But the more I studied this poemlike script, the more I began to broaden my insight on the matter. I

started to see the light behind this diary.

For example, the words mentioned:

"I had no choice, help me, oh great Dragon! Help me grant my desire!

Oh great Samel! Take me to your home! To your Realm"

At first, I had no trouble assuming the writer in this case. It was very

obvious in the book, suggested by his psychotic demeanor changes in

the earlier days, the way he treated his men, and then proceeded to kill

them ruthlessly without second thoughts. All this proved this moment.

However, the last note was completely different from the rest. This might have been his final stages of madness, but it seemed like his

whole personality switched to a new one, more fitting to say that he was bewitched by another entity.

In some cases, there is a sort of disease plaguing the world. They call it the Demon Matra or the steps of demon hood in proper translation. As the name suggests, this includes the main steps of transforming into a demon of the NetherRealm.

The process includes four stages;

Stage one: psychosis and mental change. This captain in his diary is well-proven enough for this process. The human begins in mental

deterioration where he or she starts to see things that aren't there or

succumb to his shadow. Provoked by his other half to take over the

original and become anything other than their former self. Other

symptoms include atypical findings like fever, fatigue, nausea, and

vomiting. Symptoms that would otherwise be considered nothing more

than a normal disease or infection.

While as dreadful as it sounds, this process is reversible through mental

recovery and medication. However, promises aren't that high, especially

with the fact in mind that they can transform into the second stage at any

given moment. Stage one can last a week, months, years. Sometimes,

one can't even tell if they have changed at all in the first place.

What makes this process extremely dangerous is how unpredictable it

can be.

The second stage is where the demon transformation begins completely.

The being not only continues in a mental shift but a physical as well. Their

skin begins to change into a more demonic or devilish nature. Horns and

thorns begin to grow out of their bodies like tumors. Sometimes the

change can harbor into something completely different, like animals or

behemoths. The process is truly heart-wrenching, and from here on out,

it's completely irreversible, and the best decision to make at this point is

to finish it at the mercy of the Maidens.

The third and fourth stages are much the same, only varying with the

demon's new form. In short, they become fully-fledged demons. Any of

their human natures are gone and wasted. Bloodthirsty, fiendish, and

cunning creatures who devote all that is good. Only a shadow of their

former self who harbors pure evil will. Their bodies disintegrate into a

demon, giving them immense newfound strength and power to benefit

from.

However, interestingly enough, there are some exceptions to the Demon

Matra.

For example, Stages 3 and 4 B: a typical case for vampirism in

which the vampires will continue to live as their former selves. They

retain the same mental self with few psychic changes such as a lust for

blood and fear of the sun.

Another exception is Stages 3 and 4 C: a typical case for the Iron Legion,

which is more categorized for the orcs specifically rather than humans.

Like vampirism, they harbor a lust for honor, battle, and war. Indeed,

quite the case.

And finally, Stages 3 and 4 D: a typical case for the Infinity Slayers, the

balance of all. This is the least understandable of all since any

information regarding their existence is almost gone by now. But some

suggest they aren't far from Stages 3 and 4 A.

At any rate, this captain is a typical case of the first path, the simplest of

all. This is evident in later text. There are also signs of resistance,

hinting at his fighting back against whatever is controlling him. A commonly

occurring symptom.

But something struck me the moment I continued to read the text. He

seemed to beg some kind of demon god for his desire to come true. I

assumed at first it was for riches and glory, but later it contradicted it.

For now, it remained vague and perhaps will remain forever.

Moreover, the name of this god is one I am not familiar with. Samel... I

have never heard of this name. Yet something tells me I ran across it

somewhere.

I don't know the man, therefore there is nothing for certain to confirm his religious status. Though I assume much that he wasn't a

big supporter, given how he hated the system. But there may be an exception. It's not necessary to hate god because you hate the system.

So, the identity of the god remains unknown, unless I find the identity of

the man himself. Which in the current case is impossible. If I were to

know, I must go to the United Republic City, retrieve old records, and

hope to find something.

I assumed as well that he must have been talking to whatever entity via

the crystal. But how and why still remain a mystery until now.

"It's coming soon! The Eternal nightmare is upon us! The end of all

things!

I can't! Control! This! Body! Beware of the Executioner! He must not--"

This part was unfortunately the most confusing part of the diary. Here, I

can note how the captain suddenly shifted from his supposed demonic

state to this... resisted state?

I don't even know where to begin to theorize about this letter.

For a moment, the captain seemed to praise some kind of end. Eternal

nightmare and the end of all things.

"As at the end of the world?" I asked myself in mystery and a subtle hint

of fear coursing through my blood, reminiscing the old events again and

again.

What are the odds of such events happening here again? I can't

determine... all I can think of is this as a dice game of chances.

If that's the case, then why am I bothered with this letter and getting

overworked so much?

I saw the end. I witnessed it. Felt it! Survived it...

Survive... Is that even a possibility?

I honestly cant tell... and don't think I have the guts to admit it...

Something caught my attention in this letter; the following shift in the

captain's behavior. Not only that, but the way he was writing completely

changed as if a new person took over the writing for mere moments.

This was evident by the words: "I can't control this body!"

Someone possessed him. Or the captain took back his body for a few

seconds and warned us. From the executioner...

Who exactly is that?

I assumed at first that this must be something only understood during

that era. Some kind of code or abstract concept that can't possibly be

grasped by the likes of us.

But I found that hard to believe with the following letters. So many

questions, yet not even a possible answer to think of...

The Foot of Kabbalah! It's -------- machine!

You all must ---------------------- continuum.

Kabbalah, now that's a word I haven't heard in a long time. The tree of

Kabbalah, usually consists of ten or eleven nodes symbolizing

different archetypes and lines connecting the nodes. The nodes are usually represented as spheres and the lines as paths. The

nodes represent encompassing aspects of existence, God, or the human

psyche. The lines usually represent the relationship between the

concepts ascribed to the spheres or a symbolic description of the

requirements to go from one sphere to another. The nodes are also

associated with deities, gods, values, angles, celestial bodies, or a

combination of them.

I knew since the old times the tree was heavily associated with the theme

of self-growth and achieving higher evolution that transcends human

boundaries. I find it no surprise that this world is heavily connected to

this principle as well. But it begs the question, the Foot of Kabbalah. Is it

physically here? Or in a metaphorical sense?

Until now, I don't recall anyone or read any books associated with the

word Kabbalah. Perhaps there are things in this world unfamiliar to my

past world. Terms or concepts that never came to light, or simply didn't

exist.

The other part of the sentence remains incomplete or scribbled away as

if it was intentionally not written for more hints. But the word "machine"

piqued my curiosity once again.

There is a saying, or a poem to be exact. It goes like this:

"In the age of oblivion, a man sought the ocean to find his decree.

A bottomless ocean, in a bottomless sea.

In hope of finding the answer to his needs.

The man crossed the oceans and stars for eons to pass the tail.

But neither could the stars nor the moon scale the meek desires.

For it was insufferable and futile to seek.

He swept the ocean, nevertheless, determined to find the timeless end.

Until his journey took him to the foot of a great golden tree. Beneath

a great wall.

There, he found a machine that soars the skies above.

Where his future settled in ready.

But a sacrifice is needed.

To cast away the shadows of doubt and regret. And leave their

penance.

To be granted a neoteric destiny. The gift of abundance."

I heard this poem somewhere, foretold by an envoy in a nearby bar.

The poem is much longer and more tuneful than this. I only provided the

shorter version. As the text states, it spoke of a legend of a sailor who

sought beyond the stars and seas in search of the answer to his destiny.

Determined and motivated, he found himself at the foot of a great tree

where I assumed some lift took him to the peak of the great walls and

there his journey came to an abrupt end.

The moral lesson behind this poem is the heavy price paid at the end of

the journey. Where I believe he cast away his identity and past life

behind in replacement of another. But memory carried along, forever

trapped in his mind and damned to remember the guilt.

I can't help but feel this diary, specifically, this part about the machine, is so related to the

poem. It certainly can be one big, large coincidence. And certainly,

suspicious since the man never mentioned a sea in his diary. But I just

can't shake this feeling off. I know it in my bones, it's related.

How and why remains unanswered. Or oblivious. The poem never stated

what the man wanted, but everyone just assumed he wanted to change

fate. And the captain in the diary on two occasions never coincided with

the theme of fate. Finally, there is this executioner. Who remains the

unsolved mystery?

Inspecting and interpreting this diary and its connection to the poem, I

could only assume this letter must be some kind of prophecy.

Whatever this executioner is, it certainly doesn’t spark a calming

redolence. Rather, it hints at signs of jeopardy and danger.

If that were the case... is he related to the eternal nightmare?

Demons? The old ones? The war between the republic and the

imperials? And more importantly, when?

Given how old this letter is, this so-called darkness could be anything

that had happened.

I recalled anything abnormal that occurred during this over two hundred

years old diary. There are certainly major events that took place, such as

the night elf genocide, the downfall of the perfect church and the rise of

Assayer, the great war between the republic and the white imperials, and

the harmonic convergence.

Other events I managed to recall but to be frank, they are minor

compared to the earlier ones I spoke of. While indeed, the downfall of

the perfect church and the rise of the great war did spark a change in this

world, they are nothing compared to the swirling abyss and the almost

eradication of the Nordic tribes in the western mountains, which just

emerged a hundred years ago.

For the time being, it's silent, the hollowed ones are yet to be seen, but

they remain under the watchful eyes by the other kingdoms.

Could it be? Or am I just assuming too much?

I really can't tell which is which; after all, this whole diary could still be

fabricated by the madman, blundering random words unknowingly.

But still, I can't help myself from feeling a sense of doubt about this

madman's prophecy. Part of me wants to believe this senseless, and

another wants to reject it.

If you give this kind of knowledge to anyone from my old world, they

might otherwise ignore the signs like it's nothing but apocryphal poems.

If you give it to anyone here in this world, they could either feel

frightened of how legitimate this information is, or much like the last,

ignore it.

Give it to someone like me, and I will believe every word it says.

I wonder... was there such a prophecy in my old world? That which

foretold the upcoming end?

I certainly haven't seen any sign or read anything that would hint at such

a cataclysmic event.

I sighed with woe out of sheer lack of unveiled knowledge of both the

diary and once again, the tragedy I witnessed.

"Perhaps it's better to remain secret rather than simply revealing it," I

muttered while looking up at the post-meridian bluish skies amidst

winter.

Even if the truth were to spill out... what's next? What can be done? Or

rather, what's going to happen to the world before the state of

annihilation? How would people react to such enlightenment? Accept it?

Or fight it?

How ironic... I ask myself the question when I know there is no point to

such an end...

"But she lives!

The cycle-

Please, help her!

Yet another vague clause of this time, seemingly concealing the

identities of whoever this girl is. She lives. And she needs help. To be

honest, I suspected he might have called out any of the maidens. Since

the people of this world are so infatuated with the maidens, like

Christians to Jesus, like the monks to Buddha.

But what maiden or who exactly remains a mystery. It could be any,

enough to cast away this upcoming eternal darkness. But we are talking

about a diary of two hundred years, the maiden surely must be dead,

right? Or... could she still be alive?

"What a fucking loophole," I said ironically.

There has been no sight of a maiden over the last seven centuries, with

most assumed hidden, trapped, or dead.

This part, however. for some reason, it speaks of hope. It seems as if he is or was hinting at a second chance if even fate permitted that. i find that hard to believe....

And not to mention, the cycle....

This further misleads the note to a point where nothing begins to make any sense. But somehow, this cycle and the mysterious girl are somewhat related... I just don't know how and why...

What does it mean of a cycle? What cycle?

Can it be... rebirth?

The ship is gone, they're moving it to-------! That's where it all must end!

Stricken again with the enigmatic text, this time with an additional thesis.

A ship? What kind would it be? A spaceship? A sea ship?

As I came to learn more about this world's revolution premise, it has

achieved quite the industrial evolution, be it architectural or scientific

advancement. Especially with the White Imperials, as they managed to

This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.

create a balloon airship known as a zeppelin, in French called a dirigible.

However, this invention was later, prior to the diary date. So, any human

connection is out of the picture. I assumed this must be some outworld

connection, be it demons, old gods, or literally anything, even aliens. At

this point, it could be anything. It all makes no literal sense. Just another

fantasy tale born out of a child’s imagination. And I am here stuck in the

playground.

There is this one record of an old ship that went missing a hundred years

ago. A group of rapacious pirates went in search of a so-called

Abaddon's throne. An old kingdom now rotted and wasted on an

abandoned island where it serves as the gate to the underworld. There

once housed the king of the underworld, Galamorach, Iron incarnate,

now defeated by the Infinity Slayers many moons ago.

They went northwest beyond the seas and never came back. Some

believe that a sea monster must have killed them. But even such an

assumption was never confirmed, mainly because there was no trace of

their ship destroyed along the sea. Thus, it's safe to assume that a

leviathan must have killed them all. Though who is really to confirm

such suspicion but the survivors themselves? Perhaps they were

swallowed down by the many swirling abyss before it revealed itself to

the world. Or something worse...

“Little girl, it's ok. Your pain is ignored by a little pill.”

I presumed he was still talking to the same girl who I assumed to

be a maiden. One distinct feature of the sentence is the pill. In this

world, potions and magic are the main sources of pharmaceutical

inventions and practices of healing. Pills and intravenous drugs are yet

to come to light, though it doesn't seem far off from achieving since the

industrial revolution has progressed much earlier than it's supposed to

. Or indeed they could have already but we are unaware of such

development.

I wonder what treatment was meant for this little girl. It certainly doesn't

categorize as a simple medication as in herbs and potions. Could it be

extended further than potions or magic? Or this so-called medication is

a dolor rather than a reliever?

----------------------------------------

I have read this diary over a hundred times now, wasting hours on end

trying to decipher this ridiculous verse that speaks utter nonsense.

Why am I so conflicted about this? Why am I trying so hard to solve this

mystery all alone?

What secret motive is driving me to uncover the dark secrets of this

world and beyond? Not long ago, I was still repressed and depressed,

shuttered and muttered in madness, until I eventually gave in to the

sorrow that plagued my mind for so long.

And here I am, lively and determined as if I had regained or been

replaced with the spirit of a vigorous lioness.

What's going on with me? Am I having some kind of identity crisis?

No... I have been so resolved to find an answer to this diary. It

could only mean one thing...

I am searching for an answer...

"What if..." I frowned as I started to hypothesize even further.

"H... Hey.... Makas...."

I was suddenly cut from my inner thoughts by none other than Jill, a

a good friend of mine.

"Oh! You are here, Jill."

Jill was a young girl with brown hair, styled in two pigtails that reached

her shoulder blades. She had dark hazel eyes and was dressed in a white

and brown knitted dress, lovingly made by her mother for her seventh

birthday.

Jill is perhaps the only friend I have in this village who wouldn't call me

a freak, magician, or cursed child.

She wears a small piece of fabric around her waist, which is also tied in

a ribbon, though at the back rather than the front. Ruffled at the sleeve

ends, the majority of her dress is light in color; the laced section above

her hips is of a darker shade. Her shoes are simple, covering up to her

ankles.

My experience with friends is fairly limited. I have always had

trouble making friends in the first world. Most of the time, people would

ignore me out of concern for their own. I was never invited to parties,

hang out, birthdays, or anything else. So, I didn't know whether

she was a friend or not.

However, she is the only kid in the neighborhood who pleasantly

enjoyed spending good talk time with me. This is something I wasn't

fond of back in the old days, given how friendless a person I was, but

this was certainly a nice change after a long period of absurdity and near

frenzy.

Besides... I enjoyed talking to her, even as an adult masked in the body

of a child. While she is a shy girl, at certain moments she reminded me

of the past.

"You can sit down, Jill, it's fine."

"Ah! Rig-right!"

She sat next to me on the bench, bashful and uneasy. A typical introvert

with social anxiety, you would normally expect. But even with such a

character, they tend to hide their true self, apart they are scared of

showing to the true world, something I related to a lot back then.

You just have to pick the right topic to talk with them, from there trust

develops slowly.

"Thank you for yesterday." I interrupted the silence. She was startled for

a moment, then;

"Ah! N- No Makas," she said quietly while turning her head away. "I

didn't do anything..."

"You certainly did, Jill." I tried to motivet her spirit, but she seemed to

feel guilty rather than appreciated.

"But dad told me... you made it back alone."

"Yeah, I did. But simply because I was lucky, I found my way back. But

if I didn't, the rescue squad would have found me, and I would have

survived regardless."

"R... really?" she said timidly.

"Yeah, for real." I gave a quick smile to cheer her up. "Besides what you

did back there, standing up against Sayar was a heroic act. I would have

loved that scenery how it went."

"Th... Tha...." she uttered while her cheeks bloated red out of

embarrassment.

"You're welcome." I simply added.

Eventually, she gave a sweet child smile while looking at me. That

appealing beam of a child that any onlookers, whether mother, father,

villager, or kids, would relish. A smile I wish I could give to my mother

of her true child and not of a cursed one.

I was envious of her.

Unnoticed, my smile abated as I looked down in despair, reminding me

of the hell I was brought with and who carried it along.

"Ah! I brought the book you asked for!"

"Oh! Right, that."

I quickly was brought back to reality. She must have taken notice of my

sudden sorrowful attitude.

From time to time, she wondered about my depression. She would

constantly ask worryingly. I would quickly renounce it as nothing, but

she isn't a fool not to notice. But I would never reveal my dark secret to

such an innocent child. I can't bear seeing her face tore down to agony

while she is working so hard to restrain that smile of he

I would rather have her live in ignorance than find out the horror of

Reality.

I mean.... when you think about it.... it always has been like this...

As for why I called her today aside from thanking her, I wanted an

expert opinion on a certain matter.

"Before I ask you some questions, I want to show you something."

"Oh! Okay.... but why do you need this bo.." Jill quickly vacated her

distressing character and gasped in astonishment.

"THAT'S A DRAGON CRY-"

"JILL, KEEP IT QUIET!!" I quickly covered her mouth with my hand,

hoping not to gain the attention of any spectators.

I explained to her that we don't want any surrounding scrutiny, or we

will get in trouble, after which she understood. I took my hands away,

only to see her cheeks bloated with red. She shifted away for a moment,

embarrassed, and took a deep breath.

"Anyways, let's talk quietly as much as we can, alright?"

"Oh! ah.... okay sure." she turned back looking apologetic.

It's easy to forget that I am still talking to children in my current state.

They don't exactly have the demeanor of an adult. Like I am...

"So.... I guess you already know what's that?" I asked, straight to the

topic of discussion.

"Yes, I do. It's a dragon crystal gem." She looked intensely at the crystal.

I gave her a further detailed look at it. "But that's not any normal dragon

crystal."

"It's a one rare dragon crystal," she said after a short moment of silence,

gawking while absorbed by the fragrance of the crystal.

"From the looks of it, I assumed much," I said as I took back the crystal

after she handed it back. I hid it in my pocket for the time being.

"Where did you find it?" Jill asked curiously, showing signs of worry.

"Long story but in short."

Once again, I told my tale to Jill this time, since she is a good friend to

trust. But without intel the details of the diary, the crystal's action on me

and the captain. And the spider.

"A dragon corpse here? Near the village?" she said with excitement,

filling her mind with wonders.

"I said keep your voice down, Jill."

"Oh right! Sorry."

"It's fine, anyways. I called you here because I wanted to ask you about

these crystals in general."

"General?" She grew confused.

"I haven't read anything related to dragon's origin except in history. I have yet

to reach their part in cryptozoology, which further explained their

essence. I assumed you already know well enough about them?"

"Oh! Yeah, but I didn't understand what you meant by their essence."

"In your book. By any chance, did they explain what dragon crystals are? And where they come from."

"Oh! I think I get you, hold up."

She quickly opened her book, "Ultimate Guide to Understanding

Cryptozoology." A book that explained some monsters and beasts that

roamed the earth, their origin, where they are found, weaknesses, and

strengths.

i have read a little bit about them but never managed to finish it. Since

the book itself was big and time-consuming. Therefore, my antedate

knowledge is not worth depending on.

But for Jill, she almost memorized the book by heart. Since among all,

this was her favorite subject, the study of monsters.

"Here!" she called out after finding the proper page. "There are a couple

of texts explaining their origin.

"Please read them," I asked kindly while listening to every detail she

mentioned, making sure not to forget anything of particular use.

"Elemental dragons are by far the rarest breed of the ancient dragon

species. They are considered by many as the superior ones above their

kin and most powerful. Yet any traces of these dragons by the current

age are either gone or disappeared beyond our reach. What remains of

their former forms have dissipated into dust and ashes. Retaining only

their crystal form. Some can be found buried anywhere in Land's

Beyond. But most commonly, beneath mountains and volcanoes. Yet the

odd chance of finding it remains low."

"Any details of these Elemental dragons' anatomy told in this book?" I

asked.

"Ahm... let me check," Jill uttered in doubt and chagrin. "I don't see

anything. It's written here; since nobody was found or conducted any

sort of study. There is no way of determining the dragon's anatomical

structure."

"Expected.... they won't exactly share such detailed information in a

book." I muttered in annoyance.

"Sorry..." Jill looked saddened.

"No... don't blame yourself. its fine..." I shook my head in denial. "Anyway, go on

please."

"Ahh! Yes..." Jill retracted her curiosity and continued to read. "The

Crystals in general are described to be the shadow former of themselves.

When they die, they said to be reincarnated into these fragment gems

that constituted their former powers. The crystals can vary from different

elements, fire, water, earth, storm, etc.... or, as one whole elemental

crystal."

"Like the one we have now."

"Yes......"

"And I take it the reason you freaked out earlier is that this is an

elemental one?"

"Y-Yes.... wait! You knew?" Jill looked astonished.

"Well... Vaguely, I assumed much back then in the cave the moment I

saw it."

"This is very, VERY rare Makas!" Jill stood on the bench with her two

legs bent down while looking at me in fascination. "Unlike the other

gems, this one is special and if I am not wrong, it's the most powerful

crystal of all forms."

"Yeah.... figures." I said quietly.

The white imperials were said to possess a few of these elemental

crystals aside from the normal ones they already had. Giving their

fearsome power potential in manipulating these gems into their own

technological war devices to fight and ensure victory. This was all

possible due to the dragon mines that delved very near to their

homeland.

The united republic is said to possess a couple of these elemental crystals,

although to a lesser extent. And are given to specific people to be

protected and used in the battlefield for specific goals. Unnamed ones.

The lack of technological advances depleted their strength to even

further backward in war, yet they continue to fight back.

"Never mind the power it holds." I cut the silence after a brief dismay

glare at the crystal. "Is there in the book that explains how the crystals are

formed?"

"Yeah, there is, but just a little." She looked upset at the meager

documents available.

"It's alright, any data written is important." She smiled at my alleviating

words. "Give me what you got."

"Okay, here we are." she took a deep breath and started talking;

"The origin of these crystals as in how they remained in crystalized forms or how physically were made remains unknown, the

scholars decided to study its powers as a current priority. They reached a

conclusion after countless studies and research that crystals are physical

manifestations, like skeletal remains you can think of the dead dragon.

All of their powers are resonated inside these materialized gems. We can

manipulate these gems to our own will for magic, invention, science,

and evolution. However, not all the gems are of the same potential.

Some vary in sensitivity and duration. usage and etc..."

"But still.... a mind can still act without a soul," I added after I started to

overthink again.

"Huh? How's that?"

"If, for example, someone betrays you and leaves you behind. It's only

logical you would act angry and selfish, regardless of your soul and how

it will interpret it. That is if you didn’t figure out that this person was

going to betray you in the first place. In this state, the unconscious

would control the better of us.... Jill?"

Jill looked saddened as if being struck by sharp, throbbing words.

“.... Will.... Will you b... Bet-”

“Jill, I didn’t say I. I said someone else. I would never.”

“Really?!”

“I promise.” I let a small smile cheer her on. “You are a good kid- i mean. you are a good friend. That's the last thing I

would ever do.”

She smiled back in return.

There is no easy way to talk about philosophical topics with children.

How stupid of me to blabber like that.

“Anyways, like I said, it's really a question of doctrine rather than actual

evidence.”

“If only there is a way to talk with the crystal...”

"Actually, you aren't wrong.”

“Wh- What?! Did I say something smart?” Jill looked stunned by her

own analysis.

“Well... you see, I didn’t get out of the cave by myself....”

You could tell Jill was curious, and her eyes widened with interest.

"Really? What happened?"

"I... I can't explain everything, but I felt a connection to the crystal. It's

as if it communicated with me, showing me the way out. I can't fully

understand it, but it's like it had a consciousness of its own."

Jill's eyes grew even wider, and she seemed both amazed and frightened

by the idea.

"Wow! That's incredible, Makas! You can talk with the crystal!"

"I don't know if it's talking, but there was definitely some kind of

communication. It's all very strange."

"And you said it showed you the way out?"

"Yes, somehow I just knew which way to go, and the crystal guided

me."

"I wish I could do something like that too!"

"It's not something you can force, Jill. It just happened, and I'm not sure

why."

As I said that, I remembered the strange sensations I felt when I touched

the crystal. It was like a surge of energy running through me, connecting

me to something greater than myself.

"Anyway, I wanted to show you the crystal because I thought maybe

you could help me understand it better."

Jill's face lit up with excitement, and she nodded eagerly.

"I'll do my best, Makas! We can study it together and see what we can

learn."

"Thanks, Jill. You're a great friend."

She blushed a little at the compliment, but her smile grew wider.

"You're a great friend too, Makas. And I'm glad you trust me enough to

share these things with me."

I felt a warm feeling in my heart at her words. It had been a long time

since someone had called me a friend and meant it.

"Let's keep this between us for now, though, okay? I don't want anyone

else to know about the crystal."

"Of course, Makas. Your secret is safe with me."

We spent the rest of the day discussing the dragon crystal and

speculating about its origins and powers. Jill had some interesting ideas

and insights, and I was grateful to have her by my side. Even in this

strange and mysterious world, I was starting to feel a sense of belonging,

a connection to someone who understood me. And for now, that was

enough to keep me going, to continue my search for answers, and to

unravel the mysteries hidden within the diary and the dragon crystal.

I proceeded to explain to her how I managed to get out of the cavern and

return home under crystal guidance.

"So! It spoke to you?" Jill asked in a tizzy.

"I think it's more fitting to say it responded to my desire or wish."

"To return back to the village?" Jill asked, worryingly.

"To be specific, Mom..."

"I see..."

Jill looked a bit saddened but relieved that the wish was more human

rather than a self-centered one. I assumed she wanted the wish to be

more involved with her.

I knew for quite a while she had a thing for me, thanks to Mom,

Margaret, and Winfred. Their teasing was obvious enough to convince

me of my assumption. However, I can never answer her wishes, for the

person she fell in love with isn't who she thinks she is.

No... he is a completely different person. What you are seeing now, Jill,

is just a mask, a shell, to hide the ugliness and the curse that I was born

with.

To hide from you... from the true horror.

I don't deserve love, yet I have plenty, and yet I feel guilty even more.

I wish I could just end it all...

"Anyways!" I bounced back from my ordeal and proceeded to ask her to

continue too.

"I am sorry, Makas... but that's kind of it..." she looked defeated.

"I see... And it's alright, you helped out a lot." I gave her a jaunty grin,

trying again to subside her saddened mood. Like magic, she recovered

quickly.

"Hey, a question," I called out to Jill. She raised her head in perplexity.

"Where do you think all the dragons in the western mountain came

from?"

"Huh?!" She stuttered in wonder. "Why are you asking that? It's not like

it's rela... actually, it might be... just don't know how..."

"Quite the mood swings, aren't we?" I teased her a bit.

"I am not!!" She sounded a little frustrated. "Anyways, I don't know...

maybe from the forbidden lands and beyond?"

"Hmmmm... Perhaps..." I started pondering the validity of the

possibility.

"Wait... you aren't thinking of going there!?" Jill asked pessimistically.

"No, don't worry. Just the topic about dragons reminded me of it."

That was a lie.

Jill sighed in relief, knowing the dangers lurking in those mountains,

from Wyverns, Frost trolls, and hollowed ones. Going to the western

mountains is a suicide mission and not for the faint of heart.

Yet... there is that infinity-order stronghold. Not too far from here. And

if the rumors I read are correct... then...

"So, what are you going to do with the crystal?" I was brought back to

reality by Jill asking eccentrically.

"Oh!... I really have no idea... I think I will hold on to it a little longer."

(Wait... why did I say that?)

"Yeah, better keep it safe before someone gets their hands on it. Also,

you deserve it!" Jill said cheerfully with resolution.

"Oh... yeah, I guess so..."

Do I really? I just happened to find the cavern accidentally. And came

across the crystal beside a lost lamp, and succumbed to his lustful desire for

power and greed. Called out by the crystal to beseech him. Just as it did

with me...

Have I already become under the spell's effect? I didn't have the words

to spell "I don't need it," whether the desire or simply possession.

What is going on...

"Makas... can you make a promise?" Jill asked hesitantly.

"If I can, sure, what's up?"

"One day, let's all go to the republic city when we grow up." she said

playfully while giving the most innocent child a smile.

"Why the republic city of all places?" I asked, baffled.

"So we can discover ourselves out there!"

"Discover ourselves..." I looked at Jill flustered while she gave the most

passionate reaction.

"Yeah! Like staying in this village, no offense is really pointless. I want

to go and explore the world. See what lies beyond those woods! And

finally, find our purpose in this world!"

"Purpose..."

"Yeah! Like I know a lot about monsters' weaknesses and strengths, I

might go and teach adventurers how to fight them in the Academy! Also,

how you are reading a lot of books, you can go to the republic city and

learn literature and become a writer!"

"I... I see..."

"I mean you can also become an adventurer; your name matches well...

Why are you sad?" Jill took notice of my dolor act.

"Oh! I am not really, just thinking of the endless possibilities ahead of

me. After all, it's a big world."

"Aha, yes!" She seemed to buy off the fake smile I bearded so much

until now. That always managed to pull off onlookers' doubt and

suspicions. Except my mother, who always saw through me but not until

the very end of the tunnel.

"We can also bring our parents to the city so they can have a proper life

than this stupid village, you know!"

"Ahem... Sure... but that's not right, Jill."

"Huh?" She was puzzled by my answer. "What do you mean?"

"You first have to talk to your parents about this topic, if they are willing

to accept your wish. And their wish to go with you to the republic city,

in the first place. You can't make decisions alone yet, for the time being.

After all, we are still kids, and like I said, endless possibilities are

waiting ahead of us."

Jill just stood on the bench, looking as if she saw something so

abnormally inhuman.

"Earth to Jill, are you there?"

"Ah! I am fine... it's just..." Jill turned her face down, looking red. "You

sound like an adult..."

"Yeah... Hahaha... I get that a lot."

"I think it's cool..." She was trying to compliment me as she rebounded

back to her introverted persona.

"My Mom says the same... so, thanks..." I let out a small laugh, trying

to correct the mood back. "Anyways, like I said. Take your parents'

consent into consideration."

"I will..."

Jill's reaction quickly disheartened as she looked down the river current.

"And it’s a promise."

"Hah?!" Jill was shocked.

"We will go to the republic city, together. And discover ourselves there."

"Hehehe..." She gave a charming laughter and spoke blithely; "Yes, let's,

Makas,!"

I couldn't do anything but smile back at her as we watched the tiny snow

falling down on us.

It's cold... like the upcoming fate that shall befall us all.

All meanwhile, I couldn't shake away the feeling of dread and desapir as i read the letter.

The ominous name...Samel, the eternal nightmare beckoning the unavoidable end. the countless obvious warnings this simple madding diary beseeched us. Whether for hope or escape, i couldn't tell. it all meant meaningless for me.

How can I resist the wicked visions everywhere I go? Where I hide and when I forget? they always tend to come back one way or another.

A constant reminder and an uncurbable scar that shall pierce and bleed my skin and soul for the longest I can remember until one day. my memory ceases to exist.

How long until that fateful dream comes... and how long left before the sun no longer rise and the night looms forever...

it's coming. the hollowed end...