ALISTER (Tales of evolution)

A Glimpse Of Evil

“That’s sounds tempting, but sadly, there won’t be a next time” the man said, looking down on Alister, his aura, murderous.

Alister, looking helpless, a faint smirk escaping his lips. “don’t be so sure about that” he murmured.

Tharros’s eyes widened as he watched the man’s relentless assault on Alister. The sound of cracking wood and crashing debris filled the air, and Tharros heart sank. He knew he wasn’t strong enough to match the man’s inhuman power.

Instantly, there was a gush of blood, and the man’s leg which was placed on Alister’s shoulder fell to the ground, decapitated.

The man’s gaze shifted from Alister to Tharros. “ah!, that’s right, I forgot about you….Devil!!”.

Fear gripped Tharros’s chest, threatening to paralyze him. But he refused to give in. He scanned the area, searching for an escape route.

The man lunged for Alister’s demise, but Tharros swiftly intervened, throwing a sword that sliced the man’s leg clean off, Tharros moved swiftly, grabbing Alister’s hand and pulling him away. “Come on, Alister! We need to get out of here!”

As they fled, the man gave chase, his summoned lightening raining down. Tharros expertly dodged and weaved, avoiding the attacks. But he knew he couldn’t keep this up for long.

That’s when he remembered his self-protection magic. Focusing his energy, Tharros conjured a shield around himself and Alister. Forcing the lightning to bounce off the magical barrier.

Seizing the opportunity, Tharros brought out a rectangular piece of paper which had an incantation written on. “Hold on!” he shouted.

As he slammed the paper against the ground, there was a bright flash of light that enveloped the surrounding, forcing the man to close his eyes.

On opening his eyes, Alister and Tharros were both gone. A smile escaped the man’s lips “Teleportation magic hun, not bad.” “I shall let you live this time, I look forward to fighting again, Alister!.”

Once out of the man’s range, Tharros carried Alister until they reached a small cottage. Breathless and shaken, they collapsed onto the couch.

Alister’s eyes held almost no sign of life, as he slowly grasped for air.

IN A BLUR THE FLASH BACK ENDS AND WE SEE THARROS AND ALISTER IN THEIR NORMAL POSITION’S.

Alister’s eyes widened, his interest peaked.

“so what you are saying is that all that happened to me?” he asked, trying to relate to the Tharros’s explanation.

Tharros replied, his face edged with seriousness “exactly”

“Hmm!”, Alister placed his hand on his jaw, trying to add things up. “but if all you say is true, why don’t I remember, and what about the past nineteen years of my life, wasn’t that real?.

Tharros expression although serious had a little sad expression on it, “you see, after we escaped the man who nearly killed you, you were at the verge of death, your wounds were too deep and Severe so you came up with a plan, you used the last of your manna to turn your self into a child, you summoned my sister Elara and gave her an orb to seal your manna within your body.”

Alister interrupted “ wait a minute, I turned my self into a baby?”

“Yes, it was the only way to ensure your survival. After all that, my sister took you to the woods where she sent you to the mortal world to heal” Tharros explained.

Alister’s brow narrowed, seeing sense in Tharros’s words.

“so where is your sister now?” Alister asked.

Immediately, Tharros’s expression went depressive“ I don’t know!” he replied his voice soft. “After taking you to the woods, she never returned”.

Alister’s eyes turned sympathetic, “I’m so sorry to hear that”

Tharros, cheered himself up“. So ,do you have any more questions?”

“yeah , just one actually, do you mind telling me where on Earth I am” ? Alister asked.

Tharros smiled, “you still don’t get it Alister,…this isn’t Earth!!” he said, his hand grasped the door handle, his eyes locked onto Alister’s. With a deep breath, he turned the handle and pushed the door open. A blinding light burst forth, swallowing the room whole. The air seemed to vibrate with an otherworldly energy, making it hard to breathe.

Alister shielded his eyes, squinting against the intense radiance. The light was unlike anything he had ever seen – pure, unadulterated, and mesmerizing. As suddenly as it began, the light began to dissipate, revealing a landscape that defied explanation.

As the contrast settled, Alister’s eyes adjusted, and he stumbled forward, his mouth agape. Tharros stood beside him, a knowing smile etched on his face.

“Welcome to Altheoria,” Tharros whispered, his voice barely audible over the pounding of Alister’s heart.

Alister’s gaze wandered, drinking in the impossible sights before him. Rolling hills of iridescent grass stretched toward the horizon, punctuated by crystalline spires that refracted light into miniature rainbows. The sky above was a light shade of blue, with clouds that seemed to shimmer like stardust, and inhabiting them were creatures not yet to human knowledge.

“This…this can’t be real,” Alister stammered, his mind reeling.

Tharros chuckled. “Ah, but it is. Altheoria, the realm beyond the veil.”

As Alister walked toward the door, the world outside began to reveal its secrets. Strange, glowing plants sprouted from the ground, emitting soft hums that resonated with the air. Creatures unlike any Alister had ever seen flitted about – winged beings with feathers that shimmered like opals, and creatures that seemed to be crafted from pure light.

The air itself vibrated with magic, an energy that resonated deep within Alister’s chest. He felt alive, connected to this mystical realm in ways he couldn’t understand.

“Tharros, how…?” Alister began, but the question died on his lips.

Tharros’s smile grew wider. “Some secrets are meant to remain hidden, Alister. For now, simply behold the wonder of Altheoria.”

As Alister stepped across the threshold, the door creaked shut behind him, sealing the world he knew behind. The sound echoed through his mind, a reminder that there was no turning back.

He stood at the edge of a new world, one that promised secrets, magic, and mysteries beyond his wildest dreams. Alister’s heart pounded with excitement, his soul thirsting for the adventures that lay ahead.

Alister Wondered through the lush, emerald grass, his mind reeling with wonder. Every step revealed a new magical creature, each more breathtaking than the last.

To his left, a Luminari fluttered about, a creature with the build of a dragon fly, just larger, it one eye, its delicate wings shimmering like stardust. Its slender body glowed with a soft, ethereal light, illuminating the surrounding grass.

Ahead, a pair of gazlirian grazed on the grass, their coats shining with an soft, iridescent glow. Their antlers seemed to be crafted from glittering silver, and their eyes burned with an inner light.

As Alister continued, he spotted a mischievous Pixie darting between the blades of grass. Its wings were a blur of color, shifting between vibrant shades of purple and green. The Pixie’s laughter echoed through the air, a joyful, tinkling sound.

Just then, a deafening roar shook the air, sending tremors through the ground. Alister spun around, his heart racing, and his eyes widened in awe.

Before him stood a majestic black Dragon, its scales glistening like polished onyx. The dragon’s body was sleek and powerful, with muscles rippling beneath its scales. Its wingspan stretched wide enough to cast a shadow over the surrounding landscape as it flew by.

The dragon's eyes burned with an inner intensity, shining like two glittering obsidian stars. Its snout was long and pointed, with nostrils that flared as it breathed. A crest of sharp, ebony horns adorned its forehead, and its jaws were lined with razor-sharp teeth.

“Incredible” Alister said to himself as he watched the dragon fly by.

Just then, Tharros voice called from behind Alister.

Alister looked back, Tharros standing, his face edged with seriousness as the gentle breeze washed against their skin and blew their hair and clothes,“Alister… you might not remember this now but,… you once asked me to accompany you in becoming the strongest, and that’s what I’ll do!”

Alister, remained calm, a smile grew on his face, although he had no idea what Tharros was taking about “ In that case, where do we start.”