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I felt my heart pounding as I stepped onto the path that followed the river’s course. I'd heard stories of the dangers that lurked in these depths, and I was taking a huge risk even setting foot on the path. I cursed my lack of swimming prowess – if only I'd taken my lessons more seriously, I'd have more confidence in the river's depths. As I trudged along, I hoped that the men who had promised to come to my aid were well equipped – I knew I'd be in big trouble if they were not.
"Ring........!"
My heart raced as the communication comma suddenly rang. I thought, not now, please not now. I could feel the trepidation rising in my chest as I cautiously answered the call.
"Yes, J10 here," I spoke softly, a sense of dread washing over me.
"Huff..huff.. its bad, enemy...huff...got our position and they have snipers with them, run... get to meeting point ..huff..huff."
My stomach dropped, a pit of fear welling up inside me. I knew it was true - I had felt it before - but now it was confirmed. Something bad was going to happen and I was the one responsible. Suddenly, a loud bang and the sound of gunfire echoed in my ear.
"C3 ...C3 ....C3" ... followed by a click.
The line had gone dead. Dread filled my body as I realized I had screwed up. Big time.
I can feel the sweat dripping down my face as I crouch on the ground, bullets whizzing past me in a flurry of sound and fury. Adrenaline surges through me as I hear the heavy thud of rifles and the distant screams of men in battle. Taking a deep breath, I squeeze my eyes shut and reach for the detonator in my pocket, my fingers trembling with fear.
"Go to hell, you fuckers," I whisper as I press down on the trigger. There's a loud bang, followed by an earth-shattering explosion that sends me flying through the air. I'm surrounded by a wall of heat and dust, and for a few seconds my world is engulfed in chaos.
When the smoke clears, I open my eyes to find myself lying in a pile of rubble, surrounded by the remains of what used to be my enemies. I can feel the warmth of the sun on my face and the cool breeze blowing against my skin, and I'm overcome with relief.
I've escaped death this time, but I know that I'll soon be back in the same situation, surrounded by the same dangers. This moment of relief is only temporary, and I must remain vigilant if I want to survive.
My heart was pounding as I raced across the riverbank, desperately searching for a way to escape. I could hear the enemy hot on my heels and I knew I didn't have much time. Taking a deep breath, I leapt into the river, feeling the force of the water crashing around me as I sunk down to the bottom.
The water was cold and dark, and I could feel the life draining out of me as I fought to keep my head above the surface. I knew I had to find something to hold onto or I'd be carried away and never be found. So I frantically searched the riverbed, my hands grasping at anything they could find. Suddenly, I felt something solid, and I latched on to it with all my strength.
I had tied myself to a large rock that was heavy enough to keep me from floating downstream but light enough to be carried with the flow. I knew it was a longshot, but I had sent out a distress signal before I jumped in, so I clung to the hope that my location would be discovered before the enemy found me. As I drifted off into unconsciousness, my final thoughts were of regret, but also of peace, knowing that soon I would find solace in death.
.......
Unknown amount of time later,
I felt disoriented, and almost dreamlike, as I drifted in the inky blackness. I had been certain I had died, yet here I was, still breathing. My head throbbed painfully, reminding me how real this was.
I felt completely powerless; unable to move, see, or even feel my own body. In the depths of my confusion, I wondered how I could even be feeling a headache. I had, after all, just drowned myself to death, an embarrassing demise that I'd soon have to confront.
I don't know where I am, but I'm pretty sure I'm not in Kansas anymore! This place is making me go a bit bonkers, talking to myself like I'm some sort of crazy person. But I think I'm just tired, so I'm going to do what any sane person would do in a situation like this - sleep! As I drift off, my last thought is 'Where am I, and what kind of exciting adventures await me when I wake up? Zzzz...zzzz...zzz...'
////// JAK POV END \\\\\
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/////// Unknown Entity POV \\\\\\
She was an ancient being, born in an age long forgotten by most. In the silence of the void, she had witnessed the birth of countless universes and the emergence of life within them. For millions of years, she had watched in awe, learning all she could from these curious forms of existence. The entity had attained a great deal of knowledge and wisdom, but with it came a certain boredom. She had seen it all before, and the same cycle of birth and death, of moments of joy and pain, had become ingrained in her mind. It was then that she decided to break away from the path of the dignified sage and become something less dignified: an otaku.
She found solace in the culture of a certain world, and filled her days with entertainment and frivolity. But soon, even this was not enough and the entity grew bored. And so, in a moment of impulse, she spun a huge wheel of fortune, plucked from the cultures of the multiverses. At first, she was excited by the prospect of entertaining an unfortunate soul, and when the wheel stopped, she eagerly awaited to see who would be chosen. Little did she know that this simple act would be the start of a great journey, one that would forever shape her life.
The ancient being was delighted when the wheel stopped on her. She had never been so entertained in all of her long existence. She began to visit the person's universe regularly, watching as they struggled to make a life for themselves in a hostile world. The being found great joy in watching the person fall in love, get married, and have children. When the universe ended and the person died, she was saddened but not surprised. The being had learned that life is full of pain and sorrow, but also beauty and hope. And so she continued to visit other universes, finding new ways to give happiness and laughter to those who needed it most.
She had been wandering through the infinite void when she stumbled upon a soul that seemed on the brink of oblivion. She became intrigued by this mysterious creature, and, in a sudden whim, decided to save it and take it to the realm she had created in one of her other whims. As the soul descended into her realm, she watched entranced as a myriad of vibrant colors, sounds, and sensations enveloped it. Every detail of the realm seemed to be crafted with exquisite care, as if it had been sculpted with the finest brush strokes. She could feel the soul invigorated, its essence growing in strength and intensity until it seemed to be a part of the realm itself, an integral part of its beauty and allure.
Although she had saved the soul, she knew that it would never be the same again. It had been exposed to something greater than it could ever imagine, and now it was forever changed. She smiled as she watched the soul disappear into the realm, knowing that it would never be alone again.
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180. Epilogue -End
............Yuyun closed her eyes and placed her hands over the seed, her mind filled with thoughts of Big Sis Aashi and Big Brother Erick. She imagined their smiles, their laughter, and the way they had always protected her. The seed responded to her emotions, glowing brighter as tendrils of light began to weave through the air. The Life Tree’s core resonated with the seed, and the room was bathed in an ethereal glow. The Grand Elder and the other two female Elders watched in awe as the seed began to sprout. A tiny shoot emerged, growing rapidly until it was a young sapling with delicate leaves that shimmered like stars. "Whaaaammmmnnn...!!"Suddenly, the sapling released a burst of energy that filled the chamber, a wave so powerful it reached beyond the Life Tree, spreading throughout the Elven Tribe and beyond. The Grand Elder gasped, sensing the energy’s reach. “This... this energy is like what I read in legends, just like what the Mother of Tree Life gives,” she murmure
179. Life Tree’s Heart
............"We bought ourselves time… but I don't think that entity will stop its pursuit of us... We need to leave fast," Erick muttered weakly, his gaze dark as if sensing a foreboding. Aashi tightened her grip on him, her voice trembling. "Then we should really leave from here." "But... as you can see, I don’t have the energy to perform escape dimension travel...!" Erick reminded her of another dire situation they were in. "What should we do then, Master?" Aashi asked with a flustered expression, knowing she was also unable to do that."Booommn...!!" "Ohhh... no!" Another loud booming noise sounded, making Erick and Aashi exclaim in startled expressions. Fear gripped them, but before the entity could reach them, the amulet Aashi was keeping in her pocket came out and floated in front of them before shining brightly. "Isn’t this...!!" Aashi widened her eyes as she recognized it. Before she could say anything or the massive shadowy hand could reach them, the amulet activ
178. Life Threatening Situation
............Meanwhile, Erick closed his eyes, drawing his rest of the energy. "Whooosh...!!"His Origin Energy surged, surrounding him in a radiant aura of translucent light. The cracks in the void seemed to retreat from his presence as the energy reached its peak."Just a little longer..." he muttered, sweat dripping down his face. Aashi, noticing Erick’s aura growing brighter, redoubled her efforts. She leapt into the air, spinning the chaotic blade to create a vortex of energy that struck the Beast’s shoulder. "Come on, you’re not getting away this time!" "Graaaahhh...!!"The Mist Void Beast howled in pain but didn’t falter. It retaliated with a blast of its own chaotic energy, sending Aashi flying backward. She crashed into the void’s fractured ground, coughing but still holding herself up."Now, Master!" she shouted, her voice souded hoarse.Erick opened his eyes, now glowing with an ethereal light. He raised his hands, the origin energy swirling into a massive sphere abov
177. Last Stand of Mist Void Beast
............"Chaotic Swirling Blade!" Aashi shouted, her hands glowing as they formed the same chaotic amalgamation of a blade as Erick’s. "Swiiish... Baaaammnn...!" The Beast’s claws slammed into Erick’s barrier of energy, causing ripples to spread through the void like shattered glass. Erick pushed back with a burst of power, sending the creature staggering. "Now!" Erick commanded. "On it!" Aashi yelled, darting to the side with lightning-quick speed. She spun mid-air, coordinating with her Master, and both thrust forward together from both sides, pinning the Mist Void Beast between them. "Slaaashh..." "Graaaaahhhhh..!!" The blade struck the Mist Void Beast on both sides, slicing through its dark mist and eliciting a furious roar. The creature turned its glowing red eyes toward them, fury emanating from its very core. "GRRRRAAAHHH!!" The Beast retaliated, opening its maw to release a surge of void energy. Aashi and Erick dodged just in time, the energy narrowly m
176. Mist Void Beast
............Aashi hurried back to the Elven Stronghold, her heart pounding with worry for her Master. Even though the Stronghold was still standing, the air was heavy with the residual energy of Erick’s attack, and the sky above bore traces of the aftermath, with the strain of cracks spreading across the portal. She could see the Elven warriors, battered but still standing guard at the stronghold's perimeter, their bodies tense and senses heightened. Inside the stronghold, the Grand Elder was channeling her energy into reinforcing the protective barrier. The translucent dome shimmered like a fragile shell, barely holding against the chaotic forces outside. "Ms. Aashi, what is happening out there?" the Grand Elder asked, her trembling voice revealing the strain she was under from the overuse of her energy. "Master Erick is holding off the portal, but the situation has worsened. Cracks are forming in the world barrier itself. He’s… planning to gamble everything to stop it,"
175. Energy Fusion... Elemental Big-Bang...!
............The Grand Elder looked thoughtful and then nodded. "We are grateful for your help. Please let us know if there is anything you need." The elder Ramona bowed slightly, his curiosity about Aashi's master growing. The Grand Elder smiled at little Yuyun, who was also helping her tribesmen. "Can you look after little Yuyun? I will go assist my master; otherwise, your people's casualties will keep on increasing," Aashi said as she gestured toward Yuyun, who was nearby helping an old man drink water. "Hmm... please leave little Yuyun in our care. I will personally look after her, so please help our tribesmen!" The Grand Elder nodded, looking at Yuyun, and bowed in gratitude toward Aashi as she requested. "Alright." Aashi smiled lightly at her before gesturing for little Yuyun to come near her. "Little Yuyun, be a good girl and don't leave that pretty elder's side while I am away helping these people, okay?" Aashi sat down and patted her head as she spoke in a soft ton
174. Grand Elder of Elven Tribe
............Aashi gently pried Yuyun from her embrace, whispering soothing words to the frightened child. "Alright Yuyun, let's go. We need to save those big sisters and brothers over there, okay?" She placed Yuyun on her back and quickly moved towards the cries.Erick and Aashi turned and sprinted towards the explosions. Aashi headed to where the injured were, while Erick ran towards the Malice Creatures attacking the elven guards.As Erick reached the first defense wall, he saw the extent of the destruction. The once strong barrier was now a smoldering ruin, and dark, twisted Malice Creatures were pouring through the breach."Boom... Boom... Ahhhh...!" The elves were fighting valiantly, but they were clearly outmatched. Their traditional weapons and combat techniques were ineffective against the Malice Creatures, which seemed impervious to normal attacks.Erick moved forward, energy leaking from his hands, blades of wind and fire shimmering with a strange, ethereal light. "Let's
173. Destruction on Elven Region
............"Splash...!!""Whoa... how much energy did you put into that attack, Master?" Aashi asked in wonder, looking at the explosion and the water splashing over their shield."Not much, but enough to crush that annoying portal to bits," Erick replied, glancing down to ensure no traces of dark, foul energy remained. While the area was cleared, some fish-shaped Malice Creatures had been flung into the distance and were being erased slowly."Master, can you leave the rest to me?" Aashi asked, sensing her master's thoughts."Oh, okay. I'll take care of little Yuyun for you," Erick smiled and nodded before crouching down to pat the little girl on the head."He he... Big Brother!" Little Yuyun giggled, enjoying the affection."Okay then, watch how Big Sis handles those bad monsters!" Aashi said with a smile. She stepped onto the water's surface, running across it just like Erick, without causing any ripples."Boom... Bam...!!"Loud noises echoed as Aashi handled the Malice Creatures
172. Cleaning the Sea
............Aashi paused, listening intently. The sound came again, a weak cry. They immediately searched for the source and found what appeared to be the remains of a house, left in ruins after being devoured by the Malice Creatures. Beneath a pile of rubble, they lifted the debris and found a young girl, her body battered and bruised, but barely alive. Her eyes were shut, and her body quivered nonstop from all the pain.Erick immediately used his Origin arts to heal her and fed her a life-saving potion he carried in his storage. Before long, the little girl was cured, and her body returned to a healthy state, making Erick and Aashi sigh in relief.“It’s okay, you’re safe now,” Aashi said softly, lifting the girl gently.The girl coughed, opened her eyes, and whispered, “Thank you…”Erick knelt beside them, his expression softening. “You’re a brave one, aren’t you? Can you tell us if there are any others?” he asked, seeing the girl calming down.The girl shook her head weakly. “E