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
What’s going on?Some crazy guy is here to find out what makes me tick?It sent a chill down my spine.After Lincoln, Leah and Phoebe acted weird upon finding out what now seemed to be my unique ability to understand the Otherworldly, I knew something was wrong.But not so wrong as to become a science specimen!I’m a human, for crying out loud.Who would want to carry out experiments on a human?Darn it, should I have hidden it?But I had no idea it would cause something like this to happen.Now, my eyes were starting to adapt to my environment.I saw them then.Captain Rodgers stood at the door to my hospital room and I could barely make out the other party.The white lab coat stood out the most but that didn’t help with figuring out the person’s identity.Was he a scientist or a doctor?“Make him tick?... He is not your lab rat. He is a human being just like you.” The captain suddenly said.“Huhu… Then why can’t I understand the Otherworldly?” the man on the other side had a weird v
The door closed and I was left all alone.For the first time, I couldn’t stand the loneliness.I felt unsafe.Like an enemy could burst in any moment now and take m away to some lab for experimenting.I shivered instinctively.It was disgusting though.I wasn’t strong enough to protect myself even now.All I could do was listen to orders and hope that they’d leave me alone.Tch, this sucks.What do I do now?It’s impossible to stay lower than I already am now.Or does he mean I shouldn’t take part in any trials?Hah, this is troublesome.Just then, there was a knock at the door after which Leah walked in, accompanied by Lincoln and Reginald.“Hey.”Leah flashed a sad smile. “Hi.”Lincoln waved while Reginald acknowledged me with a nod.Why was he here?“How are you feeling?” Leah asked as she walked to the side of the bed and sat down.“I’m not sure how to feel.”Leah pursed her lips. “I couldn’t stop her. Captain Rodgers wasn’t around that day. It was some weird scientist. If not for
Years after dad’s death, a particular thought kept coming to mind.That a member of the Twelve Great families was the reason for his sudden demise.It was no exaggeration to call him one of the most influential people in the tower.He must have had secrets involving their dirty work, after all, dad always disparaged them.Whenever he had chance to mention them, only disdain and disregard for their title.So needless to say, it was easy to infer that they might hold similar feelings for him.Which was why on my list of suspects regarding his death, the Twelve Great families were at the top.So I already knew that at some point, I’d have to clash with them.Of course, I didn’t expect it to be so soon.Especially now that my life was in danger from unknown angles.“Nice to make your acquaintance.”Richard Stark.He had his roots in the Stark family, one of the Twelve.I didn’t know much about them, except maybe that before dad died, he referred to them as the weakest amongst the Twelve.
Ugh, it’s so hot.Why does it have to be so hot?We were in the third week of the Month of Zephyr when Flavo Stella was at its peak.Which meant, temperatures in Haven were at an all time high.It wasn’t strange for diseases that thrived during hot periods to run rampant but honestly I’d prefer that to the incessant sweating I had to endure.I’m literally drenched… okay, maybe I’m exaggerating but still!Hah, fuck this.Anyway, 2 weeks have passed since I got discharged from the clinic and thankfully nothing serious happened.During this period, I found out that the incident with Lincoln during the first trial when I thought he was communicating with the Faceless was a misunderstanding.He was talking but he didn’t know that the Otherworldly could hear him.Unfortunately, he wasn’t forthcoming on the meaning of what he said that day.It sounded personal and even Reginald seemed to know something about it but he also kept quiet.With no choice, I had to let things slide.Richard also c
It was close to lights out, after having dinner, I was forced to stay back with Leah, Reginald and Lincoln to discuss how we’d go about the excursion meant for tomorrow.Judging from their reactions, I could tell they were worried and I couldn’t blame them, I was terrified!Unlike them that were unrelated, I was the main target.I had to watch over my back at every moment and sleep with one eye open.Honestly it was nerve wracking but we had no choice.We couldn’t stay back in the hostel since the bastard Philip decided to make the excursion compulsory for all First years.If we ignored it, he’d have a reason to attack us and that is something we cannot give him, no matter what.I won’t let him have his way!So I’ll go with the others.Since we won’t be the only ones going, there’s no way Philip would do anything crazy.He’d at least control himself till he can get a one on one with me and that’s something that’s easy to avoid.So there’s no need to be so worried…I think.“Big bro.” L
“Hmmph, I didn’t think the Twelve were so bold now as to infiltrate the academy whenever they wished now.” The muscular man said with hint of disdain.Even though I had a rather biased opinion of him, after all, he was the asshole that shifted my nose during the first trial, I was rather thankful that he was here now.“T…thank you.” I barely got the words out but neither of them paid attention to me.Neither the woman with an eye patch of the muscular man.Both had their eyes on the assassin, almost like as though they were scared of taking their eyes away from him.“You are getting in my way.” The masked man spoke softly.If one was none the wiser, they would think he was calm.Well, he was actually.A calm killer, that is!Fucking bastard wanted to kill me!Damn it, why is this happening to me?Was I dumb for showing off my ability to communicate with the Otherworldly?But even I didn’t know that I could do such a thing until recently.Ugh, this is so annoying.“How about you tell u
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