Chapter 14
Avnas followed the faint whispers of voices ahead of her. Although she couldn't understand the language being spoken, she could sense that the words held a deeper meaning. The sensation was akin to hearing someone screaming in the distance, trying to warn her about something dangerous. However, to gain a better understanding of the warning, Avnas knew that she needed to get closer to the source, which was an apparent contradiction. But she had no choice but to take the risk.
"These catacombs are quite ancient," Alex murmured, carefully observing the walls of the catacombs. It had a surreal quality, as if it belonged to a world far beyond the realm of humans. "Could this be an Elthien ruin?"
"No," Lynas replied. "These ruins do not belong to my ancestors."
Lynas spoke confidently, fully aware of what an Elthien ruin would look like. The city of Era'lias, which served as the capital of the Elves, was an ancient metropolis that boasted magnificent architecture and impressive designs for which the Elthien were known. It was one of the oldest cities in all of Equidaeria, if not the oldest. Yet, this whole catacomb had nothing that resembled an Elthien ruin. It was old, that was clear, but just how old? That was the question.
"I doubt this is a human structure," Lynas added. "It looks way too old to be one."
"Agreed," Alex replied. "Yet, these ruins have something in them; can you feel it?"
Elian pressed her hand against the damp and chilly walls and whispered to herself, "It feels like it's breathing."
"I don't know if that's intriguing or creepy," Lynas said as a shiver ran down her spine.
Avnas disregarded the voices around her and fixated on a green, pulsating light at the end of the vast tunnel. She was drawn to it like a moth to a flame and walked towards it. "Can you hear it? The whispers?" Avnas muttered while the rest stared at her, confused.
"What voices?" Alex asked Avnas, but the white-haired woman did not reply. Avnas was focused on deciphering the messages conveyed by the voices. However, it didn't indicate that Elian, Lynas, and Alex were unaware of what was happening at the end of the tunnel. They also spotted the gradual emergence of a green light from the darkness.
"Look!" Elian pointed at the end of the tunnel. "There's a light!"
As they made their way through the dimly lit corridors, it wasn't long before they arrived at a massive circular chamber. The chamber walls were lined with ancient and barely visible images depicting scenes of what Avnas and the rest believed to be a battle. Intricate hieroglyphics were also etched into the walls, telling stories of long-forgotten civilisations. However, what truly got their attention was a large obelisk in the middle of the chamber, surrounded by a green aura that acted as a shield, or so it appeared.
However, for Avnas, the obelisk bore a striking resemblance to the red one she had encountered previously. The one she seemed to be the only one capable of seeing. Her pondering was quickly cut short as she heard a man chuckling nearby.
"Finally, I meet you face-to-face," Beralth exclaimed, his face beaming with joy and excitement as he circled the obelisk, his eyes fixed on Avnas. It took him a few moments to grasp that the Dark Elves had met their demise at the hands of the white-haired woman, an outcome he had fervently hoped for and even anticipated. "You've killed those Dark Elves. You're truly an Ellbarien."
Avnas frowned deeply. It was the second time she had heard that name or that term, and she had no idea what it meant. Thankfully, Beralth seemed to notice the confused look on Avnas's face, and with a grin, he pointed at the walls around the chamber and asked. "Do you know where we are?"
"Not the faintest idea," Avnas replied as she glanced around her. Her passive skills were on high alert, yet they failed to detect any signs of danger emanating from this person. In fact, he appeared to be nothing but an ordinary old human, but his grey hair and wicked grin gave off an unsettling vibe.
He is way too calm. He is genuinely not afraid of me at all. Soon, Avnas's senses were assaulted by a pungent odour—the distinct stench of decomposing bodies—and she wasn't the only one who perceived it.
"Master Avnas," Alex whispered as he pointed at the dozens of bodies lying on the ground near the obelisk. All of them looked as though they had been drained of blood from the inside. Their faces were pale, their eyes gone, and their mouths left open as if their last moments were of pure horror.
Beralth's chuckle reverberated through the room. "This place is old. So old that if I were to tell you exactly, you wouldn't believe it."
"Oh, please tell me more," Avnas whispered with a taunting tone of voice, slowly gazing at Beralth.
"This chamber was made thousands of years ago, a door for an ancient race to use, a gateway to a place where gods lived."
Avnas was slowly moving, keeping an ear out to hear whatever information this strange fellow was saying; however, she was also paying attention to the voices, which seemed to have gone quiet for a while. Her eyes quickly noticed a child kneeling before the obelisk, her two tiny hands touching it. Avnas couldn't see the girl's face, but she recognised it as the prince's little sister. What is she doing here? Why is she so quiet? Avnas thought before sensing Beralth's eyes on her.
"The ancient Elthiens refer to it as the Heavens, while the Althos call it the beyond—both accurate names for what it was, a place where gods are born. According to legends, the Althos created it over 8,000 years ago during their Great Dominion. A time in which they ruled over this vast world not as kings or queens but as living gods. Only to see it fall when they were defeated by the Elthiens in the Great Defiance War."
Beralth then sighed deeply, almost as if he were weeping. "The legends said that, in a desperate final attempt, the Althos's gods brought down the Beyond, sealing the Elthien's gods and themselves within it for eternity. Shattering this world into pieces."
Avnas frowned; that last part wasn't the same as what Lynas told her, and it appeared that even Lynas wasn't sure to believe whatever Beralth was saying.
"And what does it have to do with me?" Avnas strolled towards the side, attempting to get closer to the young princess. However, Beralth was not fooled and knew precisely what Avnas was trying to do. Nevertheless, Beralth did not intervene and was pleased that Avnas was moving towards the obelisk.
"More than you can ever imagine. You heard them, the voices," Beralth whispered, making Avnas freeze in place. "Those whispers you can't make sense of. You heard them, didn't you?"
Avnas's eyes narrowed, but Beralth smiled before briefly glancing at the structure in the middle of the chamber.
"My travels have taken me to hidden and ancient caves and ruins, where I have stayed for a long time. Contrary to the legends, the Althos did not create the Beyond, nor were they expelled by the Elthien. No, there was an unforeseen event that took place there. Something happened that forced the Althos and Elthien gods to close the Heavens. Trapping them inside, for all time."
"That's a lie!" Lynas quickly snapped. "My ancestors expelled them from the Heavens!"
"That's what the Elves of today say. That's the fantasy of those—how do they call themselves? Ah, yes, High Elves, tell your people," Beralth mocked as Lynas hissed. "And like maggots on decaying flesh, you all greedily swallow it without hesitation."
“Osh´ta Uhmene!“ Lynas gripped the bow Avnas gave her and tightly clutched her hand around it. Avnas, for her part, was taken aback and bewildered by such an unexpected response. It was surprising to see how passionately Lynas defended her culture and people, considering her initial indifference towards old tales and legends.
However, Beralth simply scoffed at Lynas's reaction. "You don't even know your own history, Leanii."
"You—!" Lynas's face morphed into pure anger before Avnas stopped her from killing the only source of information she had.
"Enough!" Anvas exclaimed as the green-haired elf girl hissed angrily. "And we should take your word without hesitation as well?"
Beralth smiled at Avnas's reply. "No. But I am different from those who claim to know the truth. I can show you!"
"And how, may I ask?" Avnas asked.
Beralth then stared at Avnas, his old eyes looking directly at her. "Only a god can walk in that place—only an Ellbarien. An Outlander can see the key and open the door. The obelisk of blood. You have seen it, haven't you? Standing before you, like a formless figure. You are just like the previous ones who came into this world. You want to know the truth about why you're here. What brought you here? You can find the answer to those questions if you simply help me enter the Beyond."
Avnas found herself deep in thought after hearing Beralth's words, contemplating the various possibilities for uncovering additional knowledge. So far, she had no idea what the Elthien or Althos truly were. According to Lynas, the Elthien were the ancient progenitors of the Elven race. And the one responsible for defeating the Althos.
But it seemed the truth was more complex than that. And it had yet to link to why Avnas and other players from Antherion were there.
However, despite the value of Beralth's words, Avnas had little trust in someone like him. After all, Beralth had shown little regard for human life, and this conclusion came from Avnas herself, who had witnessed the worst of humanity back in her old world.
He is standing on top of dozens of human bodies, walking over their corpses and ignoring the blood on his feet. He is not to be trusted! Avnas shook her head after hearing that voice echo inside her mind.
But soon, a soft murmur filled the air, emanating from the princess, who knelt on the floor, her fingers gently caressing the ancient obelisk. "Elaine... Elaine..."
Pure shock washed over Avnas, rendering her incapable of any immediate reaction. Her intense gaze locked onto the small girl, and in a split second, she materialised behind her. "How do you know that name?!" she demanded, her tone dripping with dread.
How does she know our name?! How does she know who we are?! Avna's mind was racing with millions of possibilities and worries.
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Kill her! Destroy her! She can harm us! She knows! Avnas froze as that thought came to her; she did not want to hurt a child. Never a child. But the question remains. How does the princess know her real name? How could it be possible?
“How did you know that name?!” Avnas again exclaimed, her desperation evident in her voice. Avnas closed in on the girl with determined steps, her heart pounding and her mind split in two, one swearing she would never hurt a child the same way she was hurt and another wishing harm on those who could harm her—a very twisted mind. But Avnas reached out to grasp the girl’s hand, trying to get a reaction from the princess. But the moment Avnas touched the girl’s skin, she sensed something rushing inside her. Then, the young girl swiftly turned her head towards Avnas, her eyes captivating and devoid of colour; it was as if Avnas were staring into the void. Avnas was taken aback by the sheer intensity of those dark, almost unearthly pupils that seemed to pierce through her soul.
Avnas found that she could not move her hand, no matter how hard she tried. It felt as if some force was pulling her towards something. What it was, Avnas could not say. What is happening to us?! Avnas had no idea why she suddenly felt so weak and out of strength like something was blocking her power. However, that wasn't what worried her; the obelisk in front of her started changing colour. From the initial green hue, it gradually transitioned to a deep shade of red. And with that, voices began to be heard, not as a whisper but as if they were right next to her, screaming and shouting for her to help them.
Now, Avnas understood why the pull was so strong like arms pulling with desperation. Whoever, or whatever, brought her to that world emitted an urgent plea, their presence palpable in her mind as she touched the red obelisk, their silent cries echoing in her ears, and the unrelenting scent of desperation filling her nostrils. It was all so visceral and real that Avnas was overwhelmed and fell to her knees.
"Master!" Elian rushed towards Avnas, worried that someone as powerful as her could not move or speak.
"You!" Alex pointed his wand at Beralth. "What is happening?!"
"It's happening," Beralth ignored him as he stared at the obelisk intently. "The path! And the door is opening for me!"
“What is happening?” Whispering softly, Lynas observed the aura emanating from the obelisk becoming more powerful. Panic surged through her body, compelling her to escape, yet her feet remained rooted to the ground. With a sense of urgency, Lynas raised her voice and yelled at the rest, indicating that something was amiss.
However, that was not possible. Now, Avnas was not necessarily afraid but utterly dazed, as she was genuinely trying to comprehend what they wanted from her or what they were attempting to warn her about. Avnas knew it was essential for her to understand.
The chamber fell into an unsettling hush as if trapped at the heart of a tempest, anticipating a momentous event. Suddenly, a blinding light enveloped Avnas and the others, followed by an earth-shattering explosion. The palace ruptured, sending debris flying, while a radiant brilliance pierced the heavens above.
Everyone in New Altes saw the light. Everyone saw the power of the explosion.
But what it was or what caused it was a mystery for them.
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Avnas found herself surrounded by absolute darkness, unable to discern anything around her. However, there was a strange sense of calmness in the air that she couldn't quite explain. Despite the absence of light, she felt no fear or danger. In fact, she felt quite peaceful and warm, almost as if she were wrapped in a soft blanket. It was an unusual experience but one that she could not help but find strangely comforting.
"Where am I?" Avnas whispered to herself, hearing how her voice became an echo.
Soon, a soft light appeared in the distance, and a smooth, tender voice spoke to Avnas.
"Should I call you Avnas or Elaine?" The voice asked, and soon Avnas began to hyperventilate. Hearing someone use her name has never made her feel at peace. It only brought horrible memories to her. Thankfully, and quite surprisingly, the foreign presence seemed to feel her anxiety.
"Peace, child. I am not a danger to you."
Avnas heard a voice that seemed to be a blend of multiple voices, neither distinctly female nor male. As she listened more closely, she realised it was as if several people were speaking at the same time. Suddenly, she found herself in a vast expanse of pure white. She couldn't see any walls, floors, or ceilings around her. It was as if she was simultaneously standing in a space that existed everywhere and nowhere. The endless white void stretched out in every direction, and Avnas felt a sense of awe and wonder at the boundless space surrounding her.
But she looked at herself and gasped in horror. She was not in Avnas's body but in her human body.
“What is happening?!" Horrified, Avnas's scream echoed through the air as she frantically attempted to conceal her naked form. All the power and confidence she once possessed vanished, leaving her weak and vulnerable. She was back to being her usual, powerless human self.
"Please! No! Don't make me weak again!" Avnas sobbed before a calm presence arrived. She could not see it but knew it was there.
"Forgive me, this is the only way I can speak to you, using your consciousness to establish a connection with me," the voice spoke softly, now sounding like an older woman, a mother if Avnas could describe it in words.
Avnas looked around, but no one was there. "Who are you? What am I here for? What happened to me?"
"I understand that you may have many questions, but unfortunately, I may not be able to answer all of them as I have limited time. It's important for me to keep moving, as I don't want to be found out. However, I want you to know that I appreciate your understanding and apologise for any discomfort my actions may have caused you."
Avnas sensed guilt and sorrow in the voice. But still wasn't sure how to feel about, well, everything.
"Who are you?" Avnas asked softly, not liking to hear her frail human voice.
"I had many names to my people. But for you, I am Albarien, and I am your ally," Albarien said. "I am the one who brought you here, just like many before you."
Avnas looked at the nothingness of the vast, endless room before her, wondering if that was true. "W-what? You're the one who brought me into this world?"
"Yes."
"You brought the others before me? The other players?" Avnas asked softly, wondering if this person called Almarien was God or something like that; at this point, she was ready to believe in anything.
"I did, but those who came before you weren't anything like you."
"What do you mean?" Avnas asked, slowly looking at the nothingness before her.
"They were unfit for the task I wanted them to do. Mistakes were made by them and me. However, among the many errors committed in my desperation, I was able to find you. A unique individual, not at all like the rest."
“I-I still don’t understand. What makes you think I am unique? There is nothing particularly unique about me. I am just me," Avnas whispered, her voice barely audible, as a sense of nakedness and sheer terror washed over her, burdened by otherworldly demands of a being she couldn't see.
"You're more special than you realised," Albarien stated.
"Those who came before you—the Outlanders, the Ellbarien, or Players, as you may better know them—I called upon them to help me and aid my people. I needed beings capable of using different settings and approaches to what this world offers. And what better than someone who plays games? But they lacked purpose. Most of them lost their way in their hubris and vanity. Being in a new world with so much power blinded them to the faults they carried. That was my mistake; I should've considered who I called. But at first, I couldn't choose who I could bring here. And my mistakes have shaped this world forever."
"Wait, do you know what players mean? What a game is?" Avnas asked suddenly, and even though she could not see Albarien, Avnas could almost sense a nod in her direction.
"Yes, I know about the game you played. The game all of you played, Antherion."
Avnas asked with surprise, "How does a god know about a game? And how can a god summon players from a game into another world?" Avnas wasn't sure if she was prepared to know the answer or how such a thing could even be possible.
“Imagine surpassing the realm of gods, where you can gaze beyond time and space and witness countless universes teeming with life. Imagine, for a second, seeing things from other places, other realms, and other dimensions. The prospect of learning from other worlds was so enticing that it became customary for me to live among them for short periods."
Avnas was unsure if she understood what Albarien was telling her. But then, a genuinely ridiculous thought came to mind. "Wait, that means you played Antherion. You went to my world and played the game."
"Yes, I did. I was curious about your world and these VR-MMORPG games. Truly, I was fascinated by how humans could create worlds inside those little boxes they called computers. I am ashamed to say, but I spent more time there than I wish to admit."
Avnas couldn't truly comprehend it; the idea of God playing an online game was laughable and ridiculous, yet Avnas believed it.
"Yet, believe me, calling the help of a mortal being from another world to help my people was something I never thought I would do."
Avnas took a deep breath, trying to let that information sink in. It was truly a lot to digest, but at the same time.
"You said you call players to aid you and your people. But help you with what?"
"To prevent the destruction of this world, this realm, this universe, and beyond."
Avnas wanted to inquire, but suddenly, a loud screeching noise echoed throughout the vast, endless space. It was like a metal chair being dragged across the floor. Then Almarien whispered softly. "I must leave soon. I can't allow them to locate me. Or you."
“Who are they? What is happening?!” Avnas demanded, feeling even more anxious and frightened than before. However, when Albarien replied, her voice seemed distant and feeble, as if this celestial being were gradually losing their ability to speak.
"They were foolish kids who thought they could control them. They were desperate to have their power, but they were oblivious to the fact that they were being controlled by them. I am doing everything I can to protect this place and keep them at bay, but I am growing weaker. Avnas, you are the last person I can call for help. There is no one else. You're the last. I have no more strength left."
Avnas felt a sudden surge of energy inside her like a blazing fire taking over her body. As she looked down, she realised that she was no longer in her human form but had transformed into her character. But what puzzled her was the strange mark on her palm—a small, intricate tattoo that seemed to hold some unknown significance. What could it mean? Avnas pondered, sensing that control and that raw power inside her again.
"I shall give you something—a part of me—what's left of me. Find the other obelisks; they will grant you more of me and answers to your questions. Only then, when you know all the truth, when you know how powerful they are and their possible weakness, will you be able to face them."
Avnas couldn't believe her eyes as she watched the room walls crumble under intense pressure. Suddenly, a mysterious figure emerged in the distance, shrouded in an aura of an enigma. Avnas could sense the unearthly beauty of the being despite the distance, which was unlike anything she had ever seen before. Its features were so alien yet captivating that Avnas couldn't help but feel her heart skip a beat.
"Don't waste time. You can't face them here. Find the gate and leave this forsaken realm. Return to the mortal world and find me again."
Those were the last words Avnas heard before darkness took her.
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Avnas's eyes opened slowly, sensing the warmth of sunlight touching her skin. Confusion overcame her for a few seconds as she stood up quickly. She felt her body; fear of being in her human form came, but it slowly drifted away as she saw her long wings and all the details of her character.
We are here, complete. We are strong, not weak! The sound of Avnas sighing in relief filled the air. Still, her joy was short-lived as she realised her camouflage abilities had been completely lifted.
“How?" Avnas frowned, a mix of confusion and concern etching across her face as she recalled the peculiar encounter with that being. It was hard to say what exactly happened or who this Albarien was. Was it truly a god? A celestial being? A sort of dimensional being? Avnas had no idea; honestly, no one could blame her for feeling overwhelmed. Yet, her attention shifted entirely to her current location, leaving Avnas worried.
Avnas could hardly believe her eyes as she gazed upon the land before her. It was a place that seemed to exist only in the realm of imagination, like a surreal painting or a vivid dream. What initially caught her attention were the imposing towers that dotted the landscape, each resembling an obelisk but grander in size than anything she had ever seen. These towers appeared shrouded in a veil of golden clouds, which gave the impression that they were floating or resting in the midst of an ethereal mist. Despite their grandeur and magnificence, an unmistakable sense of abandonment permeated the atmosphere, as if these structures had been left to decay and wither away for thousands of years.
Yet, they looked relatively modern, perhaps even futuristic or alien-like, if Avnas could admit it.
"Is this what they called it—the Heavens or the Beyond?" Avnas mumbled to herself as she stared at the view. But then she hissed as she looked at the mark on her hand. It was glowing brightly. "What is this?"
Avnas looked troubled but sighed deeply. "If I am here, then that means that the rest are also here, somewhere," She knew that before leaving this place, whatever this place was, she had to find them. And she could discover more information about who they were and who Albarien was.
However, Avnas knew that something was out there watching her, so she had to be quick and follow Albarien's advice and leave this place as soon as possible.
"I guess soon I shall meet this unknown enemy and why I am so unique. But truly, I don't even know if I should trust Albarien."
Careful, we can't trust them. Only ourselves! Only we can decide!
Avnas sighed deeply. "I doubt listening to my schizophrenic side will do me any good either."
With this said, Avnas spread her wings and flew to the first large building she could see.