When Allen saw Marcel's smug smile, the blood left his cheeks. "Well, well, well," Marcel chuckled as he scanned Allen with a glittering hunger. "Look who decided to attend the festivities. Puppet boy, I didn't think you had the bravery to show your face." Allen forced himself to swallow, smothering the surge of fear that was attempting to overwhelm him. Stephanie looked at him with a mix of hope and terror, her face pale and streaked with tears. The image of his sister fanned the flames inside him. He refused to allow them to have her back. With a hoarse voice, Allen shouted, "Don't touch her." That was all he could manage, but the words came out more frenzied than intimidating. Marcel laughed aloud, the noise echoing over the lonely beach. "How are you going to handle that? You? A sad nobody who has nothing except a few corroded nails?" Allen took offense at his sarcasm, but he wouldn't back down. He fixed his gaze on the men around Stephanie and the other girls, their faces
Through the little tunnel, Allen staggered aimlessly, the wet sand sticking to his perspiration-dampened clothing. Who was she? A rescuer? A collaborator? A further layer of stress was added to the already dire circumstances as uncertainty tore at him. The only source of light was the dim glow coming from the end of the tunnel, which served as a beacon to help them navigate the oppressive darkness. After what seemed like a lifetime, the passageway eventually opened into a little cave. Allen let out a gasp. He had never seen a face like the woman's. Her eyes were an unpleasant shade of silver that appeared to slice right through him, and her features were harsh and angular. Her hair fell down her back in a waterfall of glistening silver strands. "Who are you?" Allen croaked, smoke inhalation making his voice harsh. He felt a chill go down his spine as the lady studied him with intense intent and her silver eyes stayed mute for a time. At last, she spoke something in a melodious w
Around Allen, the world whirled, and he began to see images of long-forgotten past periods and incredible power. With the weight of Elara's cryptic words bearing down on him, he struggled to gather himself. Having stated, "Chosen," For what purpose were they chosen? Why not him? The strange walls of the cavern hardened, and the otherworldly light vanished to show a more normal light coming in through gaps high above. His fear faded and was replaced with a chilly dread. Elara had vanished. Neither she nor the hidden route going from the cave was visible. He was by himself. His lungs were stung by the fire's aftereffects, causing him to cough violently. He examined his arm, screwing up one eye at the pulsating discomfort. He had to figure out how to get out of this realm and return to his surroundings. But where should one begin? His eyes focused on the cavern's center, where a whirling vortex was visible. It surged with a strength he could almost taste, captivating and seductive. He
A new purpose was brought to life by the dawn light. He needed clarification. The Order of Obscura had been brought up by Elara. All that came up in a short online search were cryptic allusions to historical tales and conspiracies. He chose to face his family out of frustration. He entered as they were enjoying breakfast. His parents looked at each other nervously. But Stephanie seemed relieved. "Allen! You're doing OK." He looked at his parents, ignoring her welcome. "Why?" There was a coldness in his voice. "Why did you betray me?" Mr. Scott avoided looking at him and stuttered. Ever the viper, Mrs. Scott met his eye squarely. "Allen, we took the necessary actions. This power is more than you can manage on your own. You may be guided and kept secure by the Order." "Safe from what?" He sneered. "From you guys? You attempted to dupe a monster out of me!" Stephanie's eyes filled with tears. "They were afraid, Allen. Once again, the loan sharks threatened them. They believed that th
Allen slowly blinked, his vision blurry as he tried to piece together the fragments of the night before. The dim morning light filtered through the curtains, casting a soft glow on the unfamiliar room around him. With a groan, he attempted to push himself up from the bed, but a sharp, stabbing pain shot through the back of his head, causing him to wince and sink back down onto the pillow. Panic began to creep in as he realized he couldn't recall how he ended up here or what had happened to him. His heart raced, adrenaline coursing through his veins as he struggled to make sense of his surroundings and the throbbing ache in his skull. With a frustrated grunt, Allen clenched his jaw against the pain, his fingers curling around the edge of the sheet as he slowly dragged himself upright. As he surveyed the unfamiliar surroundings, his heart sank further into his chest. The room was devoid of any personal belongings or familiar touches, leaving him feeling disoriented and vulnerable. Panic
As the ladies advanced toward Allen, he couldn't help but feel a sense of mesmerizing awe envelop him. Their approach was graceful, each step deliberate and confident. The way they moved seemed to command attention, drawing him in despite his initial dumbfounded state.It was then that Allen noticed the striking detail of their attire. Their body-tight suits hugged their forms like a second skin, accentuating every curve and contour. What truly caught his eye, however, were their eyes. Each woman possessed a pair of eyes in a distinct color, and remarkably, their suits matched the hue of their irises perfectly.The effect was both enchanting and otherworldly as if each woman embodied a different facet of the spectrum. One had eyes the color of sapphires, her suit a deep, rich blue that shimmered in the light. Another had eyes like emeralds, her suit a vibrant green that seemed to pulse with life.Allen wanted to back away but then he turned and saw that there were two persons on each
Allen was taken aback at the sudden uproar of laughter by the members of the order. He looked at both sides bewildered only to see them still clutching their bellies as most of them sprawled to the floor. His face flushed red with a mixture of anger and embarrassment. "Do you think this a game!" David said after he managed to suppress his laughter. "I can't remember my illusion," Allen blurted out to the hearing of all the members of the order, ignoring David and their mockery, the desperation in his voice obvious. "But I'm willing to do whatever it takes to prove my worth. Just tell me what I need to do, and I'll do it."A man suddenly materialized in front of Allen, his eyes narrowed. "So you're saying that you can't even remember why you're here? That's not very promising."Allen shook his head. "I know it's not. But please, give me a chance. I'll do anything you ask."The man studied Alex for a moment, and then a sly smile crept onto his face. "Very well. I'll give you a chance.
The door creaked open, and the guard's footsteps echoed through the room. Allen held his breath, praying that the guard wouldn't find him.Suddenly, he heard a soft thud, and the guard cried out. He peered out from behind the shelf, his eyes wide with shock. The guard was lying on the ground, unconscious. Standing over him was a man dressed in black with a sword in his hand."We don't have much time," the man said, his voice low and urgent. "Follow me."Allen hesitated, his mind racing. Who was this person? Why was he helping him? But he knew that he didn't have time to ask questions. He followed the man out of the room, keeping low to avoid detection.The man made his way through the maze of corridors, dodging guards and security cameras. The man moved with stealth and grace as if he knew the system like the back of his hand.Finally, the man reached a small, hidden passageway. He pushed open a heavy metal door and gestured for Allen to enter.Allen stepped into the passageway, and t