I never really thought there’d come a day when I hid from monsters in a sewage system, mostly because it never came to mind and it wasn’t the kind of thing to come up in a conversation.Anyway, bottom line is life is always full of surprises.Which is why as the stench struck my nose and the humidity caused my skin to crawl over, I could only be thankful for life.Yep, no need to think about it.Just be thankful that you are still alive…. Ugh, who am I kidding?This place reeks!I think I’m going to die.I can’t count the number of times I’ve wretched already.This is a new form of torture.The blue haired girl walked ahead of me with a steady gait while carrying Lincoln.How the hell are you not puking?This is so fucking emasculating.Okay maybe I’m focusing on the wrong things right now.Come on, man, get your act together.Hah, let’s do this.“Watch your step.” The blue haired girl suddenly said.Before I could get what she meant, I found myself falling.Shit.Splash… This is dis
“This doesn’t make any sense.” Leah remarked as she paced about. “The Fog appearing in a trial?... How is that possible?”I had already asked myself the same question and I had pulled up a blank thus far.“The Otherworldly projected in the trials are supposedly meant to be at a level where we can handle them with enough wits and skills. Based on my time here, there’s never been a recorded instance of the Fog appearing and making a move.”Wait, so it has appeared before?“Are you saying the Fog has appeared before?”Phoebe nodded. “Yeah. This should be the sixth time. The previous times, it only made a brief appearance before receding like a lie. In fact, the rumors were dismissed as an attempt to spark fear in cadets but now that it’s happened in a trial I’m in… I can’t help but recall them.”Based on how she was talking, Phoebe was definitely a year older than us.Why?... Because this was a new year and only a month had passed so far.There hasn’t been any rumor about the Fog appeari
( LEAH’S POV )Why?Why was this happening?How did everything turn out like this?Why were people so selfish?Just like what he did to mom, why do they always think it best to abandon those that were unable to act for themselves?How could they feel good doing such a thing?As human beings, weren’t we supposed to help each other?Weren’t we supposed to stand up for one another against the monsters that took everything away from us?So why would they still consider abandonment when things got tough or when the other person could no longer fight for themselves?Wasn’t it better to carry everyone along?Was it because it was easy?I guess the option of abandoning them and moving ahead was easy.But mom always said that something being hard doesn’t stop one from doing the right thing.Instead, those that choose to do the right thing even when it was hard were the true heroes and those that always chose the easy route, abandoning their comrades and acting out of selfishness were scum.Now
( Leah’s POV )A strange stench permeated the atmosphere.It was different from what I had to deal with in the sewers.No, unlike the sewage, the stench wasn’t because of the refuse.It felt like it was born out of the monsters that roamed the streets.Monster rats, zombies… Some moved in groups and the others moved solo.I didn’t plan on engaging them though.It was beyond me to attempt that with my condition.Unlike Jerry and Phoebe, I don’t have a Stigma to better my chances in a fight.Hah, I guess it doesn’t matter.I wonder when that thing plans to leave.Across the street from where I was, a giant rat with a pole stuck in it’s eye was on a rampage.Zombies didn’t escape it’s wrath as it gnawed on them with scraping metallic sounds following as it bit down on them.The scene was too gruesome to watch but I couldn’t turn away.My target was a building not too far from where it was.Based on its skyline, I made a bold guess.I might have a chance to scope the city from up there.J
Ugh, I can’t believe I’m still alive.I could have sworn that hit from Phoebe took me to the other side.The fuck did she pack in that punch?Was she planning on killing Leah?Crazy female!Hah, I guess it all worked out for the best.But then again, now that I think about it, Phoebe had a point.I’ve got only one working arm and Lincoln was unconscious.We are both unnecessary baggage that should be dropped.But Leah would never accept that.I knew her long enough to know that she’d rather put herself in danger for the sake of others.A worthy comrade.Heh, unfortunately, I’m only dead weight right now.I’m dragging her back from a chance at getting a Stigma.Was it selfish of me?I guess, but I only allowed it because I knew trying to convince her would be a waste of time.Hah, I hope she’s okay out there.Also, how come I don’t see Phoebe?Hmm, where did she go?Apart from an unconscious Lincoln and the occasional rats scurrying by, there was no-one else.She must be scouting the a
Fear.Primal fear.That was what I felt after seeing the fog.I could only make out shadows from a distance but even that was enough to cause my heart to palpitate strongly.I could hardly breathe but found it difficult to take my eyes away from it.Was that normal?It happened the last time and even now, it felt like it was drawing me in.Telling me to approach it.But the shadows… no, I’d be crazy to get closer.So I ran.Even when it was difficult to run, I didn’t stop.Because it was right behind us.I wanted to stay far away from it.I’m sure, Leah and Lincoln felt the same because they also ran like their lives depended on it.After all, it did.We only paused for short periods to catch our breaths before taking off again.Because of that, we got into trouble, not once but thrice.Several groups of zombies were after us.Thankfully, their speed bursts wasn’t enough to keep up with three scared humans.Yeah, that’s what we were.Scared and weak.But I hated that I couldn’t stand
When I learned about the Otherworldly, what came to my mind then was unspeakable entities incapable of being reasoned with.All they knew was death and destruction and they carried it out without fail.So it wasn’t like I was off the mark on that one.Of course, I never thought that they’d be capable of human speech.It never crossed my mind at any moment yet I experienced it twice.First the Faceless and now this… whatever it is.Both communicated with series of grating noises but weirdly enough, I could understand them.Was it a general effect?... Or just because this is a nightmare.“Jerry.”I turned back to find Leah, Lincoln and Phoebe staring at me weirdly.“Yeah?”“Who are you talking to?”“Don’t you hear it?”Their expressions answered it all.I was the only one that could hear it.For a second, I suspected it was my imagination playing tricks on me but I immediately shot that down.My imagination might be intrusive, but it wasn’t that intrusive.So there were only two explana
It was a standoff.Phoebe was already on the bridge, urging Leah to make a choice.Only two slots remained and it was difficult to pick.Or was it?... Honestly at this point, I knew it was hopeless struggling.We didn’t have much time anyway.Leah formed a fist but I’m sure she could tell that there was nothing that could be done.There was no going back now.Just as the standoff reached its peak, Leah spoke. “You guys should…”“Take Lincoln and go.”I had to stand up and do what I felt was right.Lincoln couldn’t be the one to stay behind and Leah had already done enough.I glanced at Phoebe but said nothing.I found it hard to blame her for acting on instincts.Even though it was a dream… no-one would want to experience the very real pain of dying.Especially with the high chance of dying in reality.Anyway, as long as I could hold on long enough for them to cross the bridge… I’d be fine, right?I wouldn’t be fine knowing Leah or Lincoln stayed back.My conscience would haunt me.“J
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
It was the first time Vampires became a thing.Once Creatures of folklore told around campfires in the old world, these creatures were tame compared to what was before them at this very moment.A few reasons remained as to why the Otherworldly abomination was called Vampire but two stood out.One was because these monster feasted on blood and the second was that they had insane regenerative abilitiesMore than that, the third and last one was their dislike for light.They thrived in dark place as the mines and even the entire tower was meant to be.It’s quite understandable why the higher ups wouldn’t want the Vampires reaching the heart, now, no?Unlike normal Otherworldly that just don’t like light, the light for Vampires was a lethal weapon that could deal incredible damage in proportion to the intensity of the light.Which meant if they got to the Heart and by some stroke of luck, succeed in destroying it, that would mean the entire tower would be destroyed without a chance to sav
There were many things to consider when it came to leadership.Both for those that sought to be leaders or those that searched for a leader.It was no easy task, rather daunting enough for those that dared to take the post of leader to actually do what they were meant to do.For Heralds, their leadership was absolute as long as it with the squadron they commanded.Before any other position, a Herald was considered first when a Squadron was to move out.The squad members of a particular squadron have the right to listen to their Herald over a captain or commander or even General.This was because the Herald was not just a simple position.One wasn’t just a leader, nay, they were also family.Such sense of camaraderie helped squad members look out for one another but also brought fierce competition as there were hardly squadron’s that listened to the Captain’s, commanders or Generals over their Herald.A position where one held the life or death of so many people.There had never been a
The All-seeing Eye would have never believed it would come across the Void Wanderer again, after all, ever since that day, the Void Wanderer was pronounced dead.It should have died but even in death, it seemed as though it wouldn’t rest until it had done what it wanted which was to cause chaos amongst them.You will never get away with this!... Your kind is already doomed!... Do not waste your time fighting against the inevitable. What you should do is swear your allegiance to the one who watches and accept his reign.[Bold of you to assume that I would waste my time having a conversation with you. Please… enough with the noise.]The All-seeing Eye wanted to say but before it had a chance to, space about it began to constrict, growing tightly about it until it could barely move in any direction.No!... You cannot do this!.... You cannot do this!Unfortunately, Lord had no more words to share with him and a moment later, his body exploded like a watermelon that received the full brunt
The Otherworldly were graded according to a system created by mankind after constant bouts with them.From E, it ascended thusly; E, D, C, B, A, S, SS and lastly Godspawn.Two things were used in the grading process.One was the destructive capabilities of said monster while the second was the utility of their ability.Which meant a flame monster could be lesser than a monster that can’t be seen simply because the monster that can’t be seen won’t be easily beat.For the flame monster, there would surely be ways to counter since it’s seen but the other… the first step would be to see it no?Other criteria was put into consideration as well, like how hard was it to kill one or like how fast were their regenerative capabilities.Of course this applied to most Otherworldly.Yes, most.The SS and Godspawn were different.They were a class that defied natural laws and created conundrums that defied everything humanity had come to understand.The difference between an SS and a Godspawn was t
It was a simple plan with a simple purpose in mind.Reginald, Veronica and Jeremy.These three had abandoned the pain and suffering from that time during the newbie massacre to come together for a singular reason.What was the reason you might ask?... It was purely revenge.Revenge for their fallen comrades that had died unjustly at the hands of scheming bastards that hid within the shadows.The fact that they had found out whom the perpetrators were made it all the more better.At least they wouldn’t move like headless flies.Now they could move with the desire to kill the one that caused them the grievance they were still suffering even as they sat in Jeremy’s room, talking with smiled on their faces.Leah hadn’t been fooled when she saw them smile and laugh so energetically.It was most likely because they didn’t want her to worry.Unfortunately, she no longer had eyes that could be deceived.Leah only listened to the hearts of those she communicated with and currently, as she list
Veronica sighed as she rose from her bed and walked over to the door to open it only to find her father standing outside.“Dad, you?” Veronica said.Her father nodded. “Were you sleeping?”“No… not yet.” Veronica shook her head in response.“I thought as much. Alright, let me come in first.” With that said, he casually entered without giving Veronica much of a choice to refuse or anything of that sort.She watched on as he sat on her bed and made himself comfortable before tapping on the bed.“Come sit.”Veronica pursed her lips before letting out a sigh. “still as intrusive as ever.”Sitting beside her father, she waited for him to talk.He pondered for a bit before he spoke. “how are you feeling?”“Fine.” Veronica replied.Her father glanced at her and after a bit of scrutiny, shook his head. “that’s a lie.”“If you already know, then why ask?”“To know if you are willing to tell yourself the truth.”“…The truth is too painful to accept.”Her father stared at her solemn face and aft
It all happened so suddenly.One moment, the thugs were trying to take down Jeremy and Marcus to take away their belongings and the next moment, they were writhing on the floor like worms that had salt poured in them.As they groaned and gasped for air, Jeremy looked on with an expressionless look on his face.Meanwhile, Marcus was somewhat terrified.Just what power had Jeremy used?He couldn’t even begin to fathom it.But then he wondered. If he had such an ability… wouldn’t Ria still be alive now?Wouldn’t he have been able to save Ria and ensure nothing happens to her?As that thought came, Marcus found himself pondering on it more and more until he could hardly think of anything else.Then he heard Jeremy’s voice. “This not power you should hope for.”His voice snapped Marcus out of his reverie, causing him to realize that he had Ben staring off into nothingness for a bit too long.Then he glanced at Jeremy who was staring intently at him.“how did you do that!” Marcus immediatel
“You heard about the fire?” Jeremy inquired with a raised brow.Reginald nodded. “It was a dangerous affair after all. It’s one of the few times when an entire floor was threatened. If anything had gone wrong, we would have seen casualties in the thousands.”“I agree. And that was just a side effect.”“A side effect, you say?” Reginald raised a brow.Jeremy replied. “Yeah. Apparently, Marcus only had to kill some mafia leader that had his hands on the black market on that floor, engaging in unsavory activities including drugs, prostitution and slavery.”“that… wait, you said the orb is a Vestige?” Reginald asked.Jeremy nodded. “it is.”“so how did he use it?... Aren’t Vestiges objects that only react to variance?... So how did he activate it?”“I have no idea.” Replied Jeremy in all honesty.He was also quite curious to figure out how it happened.It was a known fact that even ordinary Explorers could not use Vestiges because of their lack of variance.But Marcus managed to do so des