It didn't take long for Mei and me to persuade the Founder about the imminent benefits of the blessing we sought. The meeting, where we discussed our plans and convinced the one leading our cause, unfolded like a diplomatic dance of persuasion. The promising expansion of our influences seemed inevitable, but even in the face of this triumph, a lingering unease persisted, whispering doubts and uncertainties in the depths of my mind.
The ability Mei helped me control, the mist that responded to my commands, felt like a vast and untamable force slipping through my fingers like uncontrollable smoke. It was as if I were trying to master a furious ocean, with waves challenging my complete dominion. The idea of granting permission to my past self to assist in my own plans brought emotional complexity, an intrinsic dilemma between unbridled ambition and caution.
Despite these doubts, I stood firm in front of the Founder, offering him a tempting vision of the power we could achieve together. He knelt before us, a gesture that, while a manifestation of loyalty, evoked mixed feelings in me. It was a tangible sign of our dominance but also a reminder of how relationships in this cosmic game were fluid, changing as swiftly as the currents of a relentless tide.
In the blink of an eye, a new bond formed, and the mist that united us enveloped the Founder's face, consuming him like a hungry shadow. His eyes, once filled with determination, acquired a grayish hue, indicating the fusion of his essence with ours. It was a surreal scene, a silent ritual that redefined the trajectory of our shared destiny.
I realized that this time, Mei acted without consulting me, revealing that our connection had reached a deeper level of understanding. The expansion of our control was underway, but the lack of prior communication generated a duality of emotions. The mutual trust we shared became evident, but the autonomy of her actions also highlighted the unpredictability accompanying this new chapter in our journey.
As the Founder rose, his newly intense gray eyes gleaming, I could sense the presence of another pawn being added to the cosmic chessboard we were beginning to draw. Every move, every choice, traced invisible lines that would shape the fate of everyone involved.
"Let's limit him. I don't want additional problems," I communicated mentally with Mei, seeking to ensure that our control was applied judiciously. Expansion was necessary, but prudence dictated that certain restrictions be maintained to avoid unwanted complications. Mei nodded with a head gesture, indicating her agreement with my decision.
As power consolidated, the pieces on the board moved in harmony, each contributing to the cosmic symphony we were orchestrating. The grandeur of our plan began to reveal itself before our eyes, and yet, that unease persisted, like a lurking shadow in the recesses of my mind, waiting for the right moment to manifest. The game was far from reaching its conclusion, and I knew that every choice, every forged alliance, would shape the course of our destiny in unpredictable ways.
The meeting called by the Founder of the Order of the Horizon was a true congregation of power, an assembly that transcended the ordinary to enter the realms of the extraordinary. Elders, wise bearers of ancestral knowledge, and junior members, handpicked promising youths, composed the select group gathering in the grand council chamber. The atmosphere vibrated with a palpable energy, each individual exuding an aura of strength that, even for me, in my privileged position, was undeniable.
The hierarchy of the Order always took into account my position as the Bearer of the Mist, a singular being with unparalleled powers. However, there was something automatic in the courses they took, a plot woven by forces beyond my understanding. Mei and Shen, my closest allies, skillfully steered the myth of the Primordial, feeding it with elaborate narratives that echoed through the corridors of the Order. I increasingly saw myself as a passive observer, consulted only when necessary, a piece on a board whose rules escaped my control. An uncomfortable sense of automatism began to envelop me, as if I were being led by invisible tides.
In that meeting, I kept my eyes closed, a conscious choice to disconnect from visual stimuli and delve into the depths of my own thoughts. Distant voices discussed the intricate details of the blessing we sought, but a growing unease began to dominate me. An inner voice, whispering and persistent, questioned the apparent ease of the entire process, as if destiny were paving a path that was too smooth to be true.
"This doesn't feel right, it seems too easy," I murmured mentally to myself, a statement laden with uncertainty and suspicion. I, who always sought absolute control, began to feel the ties of doubt tightening around me.
While voices in the room continued to weave plans and strategies, I distanced myself from the concrete discussion, seeking to understand the subtleties of what was unfolding. Mei, with her unwavering sagacity, and Shen, with his subtle manipulative power, moved like pieces on a cosmic chessboard, anticipating moves and solidifying alliances.
The meeting continued, the murmurs becoming a symphony of discordant voices. The vision of the Order of the Horizon at its peak was impressive, but I wondered if, at the core of this grandeur, there was a fragility escaping general perception. The automation of events was like a distant echo, a constant reminder that, even amid apparent power, I was entangled in a cosmic dance whose steps escaped my control.
With my eyes still closed, I delved deeper into my thoughts, exploring the root of the discomfort that enveloped me. It was as if decisions were being made by invisible hands, and my influence was only a pale shadow in the vastness of forces at play.
The atmosphere in the council chamber changed, becoming as dense as an imminent storm. A presence, an ancestral echo, made itself felt, and I opened my eyes, not to see clearly but to perceive the nuances of power filling the space.
"The Primordial is with us," announced the Founder, his voice resonating with an authority that transcended mere vocalization. The news brought with it collective reverence, a recognition of the divinity that had become the epicenter of our quest.
The aura of the Primordial permeated the room, a blend of ancestral power and transcendence. Mei and Shen were aligned, their gazes reflecting the reverence everyone felt. The blessing we sought was within reach, but I instinctively knew that the apparent ease was only the calm before an impending storm.
Events unfolded like a cosmic tapestry, each thread interwoven with the intertwined destinies of those present. In the center of this web of forces, I felt the plot extend, revealing the complexity of a game whose rules continued to elude my understanding.
At the height of the meeting, as energies converged to a culmination, I realized that, even with all my power, there was something more extensive, something beyond logic and control that I sought so much. The discomfort persisted, but now it was tempered by a reluctant acceptance that, in this cosmic game, I was just a piece, and the board extended beyond the limits of my vision.
The council chamber became a stage where destiny unfolded, and I, once a skillful manipulator, was now facing a spectacle whose plot transcended my comprehension. The approaching storm promised unimaginable challenges, and as I gazed at the uncertain horizon, I knew that, in the end, the true measure of control lay in our ability to accept the uncontrollable.
Not that I had any objection to control, but the discomfort was growing. From the beginning of this incarnation, everything seemed to come too smoothly. I sensed the absence of personal growth, a stagnation that made me question my own essence. Amidst so many achievements and influence, I returned to a 16-year-old teenager, whose life had been taken over by the one who ironically granted me everything I now possessed.
"This can't be possible..." I sighed deeply in thoughts, melancholy enveloping me. At the peak of this discomfort, I retreated to my usual void, closing my eyes and plunging into the depths of my own mind.
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There, the scene unfolded, a memory that I had always tried to forget. The past, like a persistent shadow, emerged before me. The vulnerable teenager, lost in the whirlwind of events that, even now, continued to shape my present.
The silvery brightness of the moon gently entered my room, creating an ethereal atmosphere, as if the void itself conspired to bring forth forgotten memories. Everything reconstituted before my eyes, receding five years into the past, when my room boasted a familiar atmosphere. My younger self slept, oblivious to the impending events that would trigger indelible marks on my existence.
My body floated in a spectrum between dream and reality, touching the ground with ethereal lightness. The replay of that fateful night began, revealing the events that led to the scar I carried. I approached the bed where my younger self lay, contemplating the scene like a spectator of a known tragedy. The need to understand what happened on that night still lingered, an unresolved enigma resurfacing on my journey.
I walked towards the window, eager to glimpse once again the beam of light that marked me. I sat on the edge, observing the nocturnal vastness spread out before me.
The imposing skyscrapers of the 113th floor dominated the skyline, with the colossal dome of New Eden standing out, pulsating with palpable energy on that peculiar night.
Perplexity persisted, for even as I relived that crucial moment, the underlying truth eluded my understanding. I stood there, awaiting something that might never come, hoping for a revelation that would elucidate the mysteries of that fateful night. However, nothing happened, and the sensation of being observed, of being the target of an indefinable presence, grew more intense.
"What the hell... how is this possible?" I whispered, perplexed, clicking my tongue. In the blink of an eye, I returned to my current state in the meeting room. Mei, dedicated, was conducting the blessing ritual on other members and elders of the Order. A bitter taste filled my mouth as I realized that by enhancing Mei's abilities, I was strengthening her dominion and purpose, which opposed mine. It was an agonizing paradox: I desired to destroy her, but unintentionally, I fed her power. The monster that could consume me fed on my own ambiguity, a dangerous dance between conflicting forces.
Perplexity enveloped my thoughts as I gazed at Mei, inwardly questioning how I could accomplish anything without her abilities. The position I held demanded the absolute control she provided, an undeniable dependence. However, as I looked at her, I noticed the cynical smile adorning her face, a reflection of the intimate knowledge she possessed about me, a constant reminder of my greatest adversary—my former self.
"How can I do anything without your abilities? Especially in this position I'm in?" I pondered to myself, while Mei watched me with astute eyes, as if understanding the complexity of my dilemmas. This smile, however, stirred an uncomfortable feeling, for I knew that behind it lay my own executioner, a previous version of myself.
Amidst this mental game, another question arose. If Blackwell's plan was to make me evolve, why would my past self collaborate to destroy these very plans, being the mastermind behind Blackwell? It was an intricate web of unanswered questions, a labyrinth of uncertainties that only increased the complexity of my understanding of the situation.
"Until now, I've never analyzed this in a more cohesive way," I thought, delving into my own questions. Uncertainty hung in the air, obscuring the motivations of my former self.
"If my energy consumption is no longer an issue in this situation, especially because I'm not in control..." The realization that my own abilities were indeed out of my domain brought discomfort. Mei, with her meticulous control, guided every aspect of my capabilities. I had become a mere spectator, a puppet in the skillful hands of the entity that had once been me.
The growing discomfort echoed in the silence of the boardroom as I stared at Mei, seeking answers in a tangle of questions. The enigma that surrounded me seemed never-ending, leaving me uneasy with the truth that was still to be unveiled.
Mei's control over the blessing expanded, weaving her intricate influence throughout the Yulong council. Enveloped in this dominion, I was once again drawn into the endless whirlwind of meetings that seemed to transcend time. The sense of automation persisted, as if I were a spectator in my own destiny, a puppet manipulated by the invisible threads of the entity that somehow was a fragmented extension of myself.
In the face of this scenario, a growing urgency in my mind cried out for answers, for a deeper understanding of my own existence. I forced my mind to seek the core of all that surrounded me, and then, like an epiphany, the answer emerged. Mei, Shen, my incarnation, everything was part of an experiment, a scheme contrived for the continuation of life. I was a project, an experiment in prolonged life that somehow sought to transcend the limitations of mortality.
"...you are part of a small life continuation experiment..." Mei's voice echoed in my consciousness, reinforcing the harsh and ruthless reality of my creation. I wasn't simply a celestial entity; I was an orchestrated creation, a work of art designed to prolong the flame of existence.
The revelation, though familiar, brought with it a bitter sensation. It was like tasting the sour flavor of truth, a constant reminder that my existence was tied to experiments and manipulations, and I was just a piece in a cosmic game that I barely understood.
"Damn, this..." The sigh escaped involuntarily from my lips, expressing the complexity of emotions that now enveloped me. Each thought was a reflection on the very nature of my existence and the obscure motivations that drove it.
"Damn." I stared at Mei, whose eyes conveyed seriousness and profound knowledge. It was as if she could decipher the darkest corners of my soul, a spectator of the internal agony I experienced. It was in this moment of discomfort that her words resonated like a persistent echo.
"Do you feel fear, Aidan?" Mei's question hung in the air, carrying with it the weight of all the uncertainties and conflicts inhabiting my mind. The gaze of everyone in the room converged on me, representing pieces carefully manipulated by Mei in the grand cosmic game unfolding. It was the revelation of my humanity, of emotions that, although intertwined with divinity, continued to pulse in my fragmented being.
"Your bitch!" The words escaped my lips, laden with frustration and despair, as I took a step back, frantically waving my hand in an attempt to draw the mist back into my body. However, at that moment, the truth cruelly revealed itself – I had no control over the mist, nor over Mei.
"Took longer than I imagined, Aidan," Mei proclaimed, casting me a discerning look adorned with a cynical smile that revealed the dominion she now held over me.
"What happened to the '8 Primordial,' Aidan?" Mei inquired, maintaining her intriguing smile, her eyes fixed on me as if reading the darkest corners of my soul.
"This damn thing, it was all part of your damn plan, wasn't it?" I exclaimed, feeling that the situation I was in strangely echoed experiences in New Eden.
"You really thought you could somehow anticipate what I planned for a lifetime? Evelyn was right, your body needs to evolve through Chaos, but I'm tired, and I don't intend to wait for that to happen." Mei uttered her words with dominating confidence, moving towards me. My body, however, was immobilized; I couldn't move, and without control over my mist, I was simply... nothing.
The feeling of powerlessness enveloped me like a dark cloak, a prison from which I had no escape. Mei's words echoed, resonating like the harbinger of a destiny I already suspected to be inescapable. The cosmic chessboard was being manipulated by hands that paradoxically were my own hands, but now controlled by a corrupted version of myself. What remained for a fragmented being devoid of its mist?
My eyes closed slowly, as if shutting those portals to the world could block the unfolding inevitability before me. A betrayal, a painful echo of past deceits, but this time, there was no one else to blame but myself. I gifted Mei with what she desired, inadvertently offered the keys to my own prison, and now I was immersed in the dark consequences of that choice.
Upon opening my eyes, I was greeted by the unmistakable sight of Mei's red hair, like fiery strands dancing in the air. She kept me captive, skillfully manipulating my own mist against me. It was a cruel irony, the mastery I once wielded turning against me in a symphony of betrayal.
"Don't nurture that hatred, Aidan. Your life has always been in my hands," Mei whispered, sliding her delicate hand across my face. Each touch was like an electric wave, making my body tremble in response, as if recognizing its true master.
I refused to utter words, staying in the same position I had faced against Evelyn Blackwell. At this moment, I was devoid of any means to help myself, an agonizing passivity that enveloped me. Mei gently lifted my face, but my eyes remained closed, as if darkness could hide the impending inevitability.
"I must reclaim what is mine, once again," declared Mei, her hand finding my forehead. The cold touch was a prelude to the approaching storm. "But this time, I don't intend to repeat the same mistake. You must die."
I was invaded by the cold of the mist that, once, only obeyed my commands. Now, it became a voracious entity, advancing mercilessly over my body. Every cell, every fiber, was torn apart by the treacherous mist. I could feel the breaking of bones, the rupture of veins, and the destruction of organs, all being consumed by the darkness that I, once, controlled. I was on the threshold of life, powerless before the inevitability of my imminent end.
The sensation of disintegration was accompanied by a cacophony of internal voices, a choir of laments and sighs from those who once were part of me. Each cry echoed into the void, as the mist infiltrated every pore, dismantling what had once been a vessel of life.
My thoughts became disjointed flashes, memories dancing like fleeting shadows. I remembered the arduous training, the battles won and lost, the faces that crossed my path. But now, everything seemed distant, as if it belonged to another life, another existence.
The pain was sharp, but not just physical. It was a pain that transcended the flesh and embedded itself in the soul, an agony echoing in the deepest corners of my consciousness. Mei, now, was the reaper leading my journey into the unknown.
As the mist consumed what remained of my essence, flashes of familiar faces passed like fleeting shadows. The face of my mentor, the laughter of battle companions, the expression of love from someone who, for a fleeting moment, had touched my heart. Everything dissolved in the vortex of mist, like pieces of a puzzle being thrown to the wind.
The darkness intensified, but strangely, there was no more pain. I was immersed in emptiness, an absence of sensation contrasting with the previous agony. I floated in a sea of darkness, free from the constraints of the body that had once been mine. It was an ethereal existence, lost in a limbo between what had been and what could have been.
As my being dissipated into the mist, a final reflection emerged. In my quest for control and power, I ended up succumbing to the very essence I believed I could master. Betrayal came not from the hands of others but from my own arrogance. My destiny, sealed by the mist I once commanded, now embraced me in its final silence.
And thus, in the twilight of eternity, the mist that once was my ally became my executioner, closing the tumultuous narrative of Aidan in an eternal silence.