It felt forceful.Unlike Gerald, Philip’s presentation was almost like he was trying to shove his love for science down our throats.Gerald showed genuine excitement while Philip had a somewhat crazed look.It was easy to tell who was a better presenter.… ugh, fine, maybe I’m biased.But you can’t blame me!The asshole is plotting against me so it’s natural that I won’t be able to see anything good from what he’s doing.But for real though, Philip was weird.“He looks crazy.” Leah said as she stared at the doctor’s back.“I know right.”I couldn’t agree more!“What do you think he wants to show us?” Reginald asked at the side.Lincoln chipped in. “No idea, but I don’t think there’s anything that can be greater than the Bionic armor.”“Are you just saying that because Philip is plotting against me?”“Not really. I just don’t feel like there could be anything greater.”“Hah, fine. Let’s just watch. No use talking about it.”We were soon led to the next level of the Labs.The moment the
As I kept my eyes on the throbbing brain of the Dreamer below, a sudden exclamation jolted me from my thoughts.“Doctor Philip what do you think you are doing!”I turned around to find Gerald pointing at Philip with a terrified look on his face.Turning over, I noticed Philip standing next to a lever with a creepy smile on his face.“You can’t blame me, Gerald. This is all in the name of science.” Philip said with crooked smile.“Science?” Gerald muttered. “Step away from that lever, you maniac!... Touching that thing will endanger all of us.”“It would?” Philip feigned ignorance before revealing a toothy grin. “For science.”BamHe gripped hold of the lever at which point a deep sense of foreboding washed over me, causing goosebumps to break out on my skin and my hairs to stand on end.Gerald moved to stop Philip but he was too late.Philip pulled the lever down after which the alarm went off.[Warning, warning. Suppression chamber for the Dreaming Mind has been compromised. Evacuate
I watched Gerald’s head get crushed under Doctor Philip’s shoe.It was a gruesome sight no matter how much I tried to deny it.Even my Stigma found it difficult to keep my nausea at bay as well as my tendency to panic.The blood mixed with flex and brain matter was splattered across the floor while Gerald’s headless body lay on the ground motionless.I trembled at the horrid situation.Instinctively, I shifted my attention to the shoe that had caused the poor man Gerald to lose his head.I gulped as the black shoe smeared with the red blood and pinkish brain matter rose after committing the crime.At the same time, a crazed laughter was heard. “Haha, you bastard!... You thought you could stop me!”Stuck in a hallway, bearing witness to a gruesome murder while awaiting potential death, very few cadets managed to keep their calm.Fear, shock, terror… as long as it was a version of pure unrestrained fear, they experienced it completely.It only took a moment for the hallway to turn rowdy
[Leah’s POV]It wasn’t my first time seeing such a gruesome scene play out.Though it wasn’t, it was still hard not to be disgusted.Even more so when it was at the hands of an Instructor.I caught a familiar smell from him.Maybe it was because of my heightened senses, but it was easy to tell… Doctor Philip was close to the Otherworldly in more ways than one.His aura was pungent and his appearance was enough to drive home the madness he was experiencing.Just how were we supposed to deal with this?I glanced at Jeremy.Initially he was behind me but I guess that hurt his pride and now he stood ahead, shielding us from the danger Doctor Philip posed.Maybe if we work together, we can take down the crazy man.I instinctively glanced about, taking note of a few faces that had also received a Stigma after the first two Nightmares.Of course, Richard was one of them.He wasn’t a bad guy per say but that didn’t mean I liked his guts.He never tried to form bonds with anyone.Instead, ever
[Captain Rodger’s POV]Damn it!Why did I leave in the first place when I knew something like this would happen?Shit, I should have never left!That bastard Philip!Could he really not control himself at the end?How could he do something so crazy as to sanction an excursion just to get to Jeremy?Is that how bad he wants the boy?Fuck, what am I thinking?... That crazy bastard would do anything to get what he wants.Tch, I kicked against his employment when he first arrived but because of the intervention of those bastard, the Starks, I could only watch as the cadets were placed under potential risk.I actually thought he would behave himself since a lot of people were wary of him due to his terrible reputation of experimenting on children and Otherworldly in an insane bid to figure out the connection between species.How wrong was I?That bastard had actually turned his attention to something else, the Dreamers Brain.Just what did he do to allow it manifest the Fog in the Nightmar
This is bothersome!Hah, I guess complaining about it now is pointless.Let’s just take it as a fated event, maybe I could learn a thing or two from this.Anyway, I should say something before these guys skin me alive with their eyes.“Ahem, you can’t say stuff like that Richard.” I calmly replied with a stoic expression on my handsome face.Richard grinned back. “But it’s not like I’m lying. The Doctor only acted crazy because of your ability to communicate with Otherworldly.”“It’s true?”“Wait, he can’t actually talk with those monsters?”“Unbelievable.”“How is that even possible?... Aren’t they mindless creatures, those Otherworldly monstrosities?”As expected, the group following Richard reacted surprised after hearing what h had to say.At best it had best rumors before now.After my ability was reported to the authorities, Captain Rodger’s tried his hardest to suppress the news from getting out to protect me.Unfortunately, the report had already spread quite a bit before he c
I glanced in the direction I heard my name and found Lincoln running toward me with a brimming smile on his nerdy face.“Brother Jerry!” He called out as he barely made it to where I stood before pausing to regain his breath.I waited patiently for him to recover before finally asking. “Is everyone okay?”And by everyone, I meant him, Leah and Reginald.For now, I’d prefer keeping the number of people I should worry about to a bare minimum.Too much and I might crash my brain cells.“Yeah sure. Regi is down there with Leah and the rest of the council members, they are currently holding a meeting.”Richard suddenly spoke up. “Who called the meeting?”“One of the council members. She says her name is Veronica and she seems quite upset that Brother Jerry was chosen as Interim leader even though he wasn’t present.”“Hmm, she must be one of the newcomers that weren’t there during the assembly.”“Okay, I have to ask, how long has it been since we got in here?”Because it feels like I’ve mis
Number 2.That was the number on Veronica’s attire.Maybe that was the reason she thought herself special.Obviously since I could figure out why the numbers on our uniforms existed, it was easy for others to guess it as well.So that meant she was doubtful even though Doctor Philip had said it himself.She was doubtful that a powerful Otherworldly like the Dreamer had it’s sights on me.But was that a thing to compete in?At the end of the day, we’d all still be dead yet she insisted on being petty and focusing on minor details.It was pathetic and honestly quite annoying.I could give up my role of leader to anyone but not a bitch like her that couldn’t understand the situation properly.“Is it because you have some weird ability to communicate with them?” Veronica suddenly spoke up. “Is it so special in the first place?... Those are monsters and the fact that you can communicate with them means one thing and one thing alone.”I snorted. “And what’s that?”“That you are a monster yo
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