The clash was like no other.After learning about the Headmaster coming for them, Jason and Philip prepared an ambush.The Headmaster was right when he said Philip had absorbed the essence of the Dreamer.Due to that absorption, he had shed his mortal coils and embraced his monstrous side without any fear.The Dreamer was a creature capable of pulling humans into dreams but for Philip it was slightly different.He was able to rewrite the fabric of reality, blurring the lines between the dream world and reality.A terrifying power he used to the best of his ability at this point.Using the tunnels as a backdrop, he created a maze with an elaborate structure and advised Jason to have the Vampires hide in wait for their prey.A brilliant plan, considering they had the upper hand.They would be able to spot the humans from a distance considering they’d be moving with torches but the Vampires managed to blend into the darkness.All that was required now was to wait and all would work out w
Where am I?Why's everything so dark?Am I dead?No wait... Ugh, my head hurts. Everything is coming back now... The last thing I remember was talking with dad. We went out for a walk and then… blank. Damn it! Why can't I remember anything? "Jerry!... Jerry!" Is someone calling for me?... Ah, it's rather faint though. It might not be me after all. It's not like Jeremy Walker was a special name. Most parents would name their kids' one-of-a-kind names to highlight their uniqueness, but it seemed like my father was too busy to do that. Not like I blamed him though, I also believe that unique names are a waste of time. It's not like it adds anything to you, just a form of identification. Hah, enough with the soliloquy… I need to get out. I tried to open my eyes but it felt like they were glued shut. What in the world? Fine then… I tried to move my hand to my face to help pry my eyelids open but my body might as well be lead. I couldn't move even as I kept on trying. It was
"Day 25 of the first month, Eos, in the year, 40AC ( After Civilization). "10 days since my team and I were commissioned to retrieve materials from the ruined world. I thought the mission would go smoothly, that is until We came into contact with an Otherworldly today. "They call it a Rottenling, a creature with no definitive features apart from its rotten flesh. "We were lucky that we met only two of them. This C-rank Otherworldly move in packs." I closed the journal in my hand as I tried to imagine what a Rottenling looked like. Of course, not much could be made out of the image with only rotten flesh as a definition. It still sounded quite scary and exciting regardless. I yearned to experience it for myself. Dad always told me stories about his encounters outside, even documenting them in a journal to keep me company whenever he wasn't around. Those were fun times, indeed. Unfortunately, it's been five years since he died. After a series of investigations, they wrote it o
I had no idea? A sharp pain tore through my chest, maybe because of the surge in emotions I kept bottled in for so long. "Maybe I have no idea… maybe I'm just a dumb teen harboring crazy ambitions…" "Jerry…" "No!... You are right. But one thing I do know is that I lost my dad when I was thirteen!... There was no warning, no signs… nothing!.. He left me all alone, without finishing the work he dedicated his life to. "All these years I've wondered… how would it be if he were still alive?... I asked myself why he had to die like that?... No matter what I thought, I couldn't get an answer." I felt a stinging pain in my eyes but regardless, I didn't blink. I stared Leila in her eyes while letting everything out. "Jerry, I understand how hard it is to move on but…" "No buts!... I deserve to know why he died!... And even more, I deserve to be the one to complete his work. Do you think he would be happy to see that his work was left unfinished?" Leila seemed to be affected as well as
"Jerry, I'm scared," Leila weakly revealed. She was like a damsel in distress as she hugged me tightly. "Why?" "You ask me why?... Are you asking that?" It was hard to figure out words in my current state so I stuck with the basics. It was easier that way. "I won't die…" "That's not something you can decide." She met my eyes before adding. "You don't understand the processes that come with the job of an Explorer." "Enlighten me." "The theory isn't what's important, it's what happens after, Jerry. I just… I've already lost a father figure… I don't want to lose my brother too." Darn it!... My heartstrings tugged wildly. It was dark but I could make out the contours of her face, and imagining her crying wasn't a big deal. Her silent sobs brought life to the silent playground and I was forced to act. I whispered while pulling her head closer. "I don't want to lose you too. But would you be happy seeing me spend each waking day with the pain in my heart?" It was a mean quest
Honestly, I didn't know much about the Tower.I've spent my whole life in it but that doesn't automatically make me a guru about it. I never really thought much of it too, since the outside world was more appealing to me. Sure, there were schools on each floor to educate children on the basic arts and sciences but I never attended. Not like those that went were better than me though… I dare say I would be one of the smartest in my generation, after all, I received tutoring from both dad and Leila. So it wasn't hard to understand those subjects but the problem came down to the Tower structure. Anyway, while staying with dad, everything I had was natural to have so I didn't think much of it. I considered it normal for the rest of the tower… that was until I moved in with Leila. Some might call me a spoilt brat but that's not an insult but the truth. I am a spoilt brat and that's all because of dad. Dad's position allowed him to enjoy the same status as those people in the Twelv
The elevator made a humming sound as it was turned on. It was made of transparent glass with an octagonal shape, The elevator floors and edges were lined with metals with the roof hooked up to a tough line that connected it to the higher floors. Quite some time had passed since I used one of these. The last time was when I left the 20th floor to move in with Leila.Right now I was in the elevator with Leila, heading for the 50th floor. After Leila helped to boost my confidence… hateful witch!... I felt much better about myself. With such a big supporter by my side, no obstacle could stand in my path to fulfilling my dreams. Don't worry dad, you can rest easy. I will finish what you started. Uhmm, where was I? Oh yeah. The elevator was located at the center of the floor, with enough room to fit thirty people at a go. Connected from the 101st to the 81st floor, it enabled the transport of people and goods between floors. This was the only way to move between floors and one ha
The time to part had come. I couldn't but sigh because even though I prepared mentally for this moment, it was hard to let go. Spending time with Leila, I realized that even though dad was dead, I still had someone I could call family. She did everything to make me forget but I always kept the memories of dad. But I was grateful. If not for her… there were several nights I couldn't sleep because the memory of five years ago kept coming back. Darn it… my eyes stung a little as I tried to hold back my tears. I turned to face Leila to say goodbye when her slender finger touched my lips. She applied no force but I didn't try to speak. For that brief moment, we met each other's gaze, and the world around us seemed to disappear. "Don't say anything. I'll be waiting for you so do your best and come out on top, okay." She spoke softly but her words resounded deep within my heart. With no words to respond, I merely nodded while smiling sheepishly. Wrapping my arms around her, I dra