Jaden was in a dilemma, carefully weighing the options laid out before him. He knew Arcanis was only interested in using him, and didn't care about his feelings. However, he needed to have a little control over Arcanis, and making this deal could give him just that. The terms of the deal would have to work in his favor too, so that he could gain enough power to be able to uncover the secret behind his father's death. It was an uphill task because apparently the forces at play were way beyond his current level.Jaden was acutely aware that Arcanis could read his thoughts, which meant the he already knew his decisions before he made them. "It's no use," Jaden sighed, running his fingers through his hair, revealing his gray eyes. A newfound determination shone in them, and he looked directly at Arcanis with a wide grin. "Let's do it," he declared, his grin widening."Good" Arcanis replied."But," Jaden interjected, "I'll agree to your terms only if you agree to mine. And you can't just c
Jaden felt his consciousness slipping away, the familiar voice of Arcanis growing distant as darkness enveloped him."No... I can't stop... I have to keep going," Jaden screamed inwardly, fighting to stay conscious.Gradually, everything turned black, and a profound silence surrounded him. He felt detached from his senses, as if suspended in nothingness. "It's so quiet... Did I fail? Am I dead?" Jaden's voice echoed in his subconscious, filled with uncertainty."You've gone far enough," a deep, familiar voice echoed through the darkness."Dad?" Jaden's voice rang out, puzzled by the presence of his father in this ethereal realm.Slowly, Jaden opened his eyes, greeted by the fragrance of flowers and the gentle rustling of trees. He found himself lying on his back, gazing up at the night sky adorned with shimmering stars.Rising up to sit, Jaden surveyed his surroundings, trying to make sense of where he was. The lush trees embraced him, their branches swaying in harmony with the breez
During the grueling training, Jaden had lost all sense of time, feeling utterly drained both physically and mentally. His determination and the constant urging of Arcanis were the only things that kept him going.As he struggled to comprehend how long he had endured in that desert, Jaden couldn't help but question Arcanis. His brows furrowed in confusion as he asked internally, "Where did you take me, Arcanis?"The perplexity on Jaden's face was unmistakable; he knew that everything he had experienced was undeniably real, evidenced by his wounds and overwhelming exhaustion."A space between realities. Time behaves differently there," resonated Arcanis's deep voice in his mind.Jaden fell into a brief silence, his furrowed brows reflecting his attempt to grasp Arcanis's explanation. Frustrated, he snapped in his mind,"Just speak in a way I can understand, damn it."Arcanis sighed internally, exclaiming, "This child is clueless." He longed to facepalm if he weren't bound within Jaden's
Jaden felt his head spinning, trying to process all the overwhelming information dumped on him by Arcanis. The system notification only added to his confusion."What the hell!" Jaden's eyes widened in fear and disbelief, replaying Arcanis' words in his mind."Jaden! What's wrong?" Miss Thompson asked, growing increasingly concerned.Jaden felt as if his soul was leaving his body. He turned to face Miss Thompson, his eyes devoid of life."I'm going to die," he shrugged, his voice empty.Miss Thompson furrowed her brows, filled with curiosity and confusion."What do you mean?" she asked, hoping for an explanation.However, Jaden remained silent, staring blankly into space."Is this about the other person inside you? Is he saying something? Jaden, please say something!" Miss Thompson urged, shaking him in an attempt to snap him out of his trance."Get yourself together!" Arcanis' voice boomed in Jaden's head, breaking his daze."I always knew you wanted to end my life, but why go through
Arriving at the base of the towering building, Alex hastily put on his shirt while Jaden impatiently rushed him. People passing by couldn't help but stare at Alex, his well-built physique for his age drawing their attention. Some girls even giggled as they glanced his way, clearly impressed by his physical appearance.This was a direct result of his awakening and the rigorous training he had been dedicated to. It seemed his efforts were paying off, evident in his sculpted body.Jaden cast a disgusted look at his friend. "Show off," he sneered.Standing on the sidewalk, vehicles whizzed past them. Jaden retrieved his phone from his pocket and opened a map, zooming in with his finger to mark a gym located roughly five hundred meters away.Alex, peering over Jaden's shoulder, found the situation peculiar. "What's your lazy ass going to do at a gym?" he asked teasingly.Jaden gazed into the distance as the morning sun bathed them in its warm glow. People bustled about, some jogging with e
Jaden lay facedown on the ground, his mouth pressed against the dirt, pain coursing through his body. With a groan, he attempted to rise, but his movements were hindered. Beside him, Alex wore a worried expression as he extended a helping hand.Suddenly, the soft chime of the system resonated in Jaden's mind.[Quest 1 successfully completed ✓][+2 status point added to speed]A notification from the system appeared before him, confirming his quest completion."I did it! I completed it!" Jaden exclaimed with jubilation, only to be immediately struck by a surge of pain.He had completely forgotten about his twisted ankle. He shifted his gaze downward, compelled to inspect the injury."Jaden, don't look..." Alex cautioned, but it was too late. Jaden's eyes fixated on his foot, horror reflected in his gaze. His foot was grotesquely twisted, assuming an unnatural position."Jaden, hold it in... Don't f**king scream!" Alex warned, observing Jaden's horrified stare."Jaden, don't!" he urged
The gym exuded an air of sophistication, with state-of-the-art equipment adorning its spacious interior. People were scattered across the facility, engrossed in their workouts. Some occupied the various machines, while others engaged in traditional bodyweight exercises, creating a symphony of movement and determination.As Jaden and Alex stepped into the gym, their eyes danced around, absorbing the lively atmosphere and the flurry of activities unfolding before them."I've never been to a gym like this one before, but I'm already loving it," Alex exclaimed, his face adorned with an infectious grin. His gaze wandered, not just taking in the impressive surroundings but also subtly appreciating the women who diligently worked on their fitness.Jaden, however, couldn't help but feel a tinge of annoyance at Alex's light-hearted demeanor. "When did you turn into such a womanizer?" he scoffed, his tone tinged with disapproval.Arcanis chimed in with his usual sarcastic remark. "At least he's
He had never experienced the stability of a town long enough to foster meaningful connections, someone to rely on besides his father. A confidant, a companion who would understand his unspoken words and share laughter in the simplest of jokes.Alex's mother had departed this world when he was just a tender three-year-old. Memories of her remained etched in his mind—the warmth of her smile, the tenderness with which she scooped him up in her arms as he reached out to her.Though the years had slipped by, he could still recall her frail figure, confined to a sick bed, her once-vibrant countenance now eclipsed by pallor. Her feeble voice struggled to form words, and her weary eyes fought to stay open. Eventually, she succumbed to her illness, leaving Alex and his father behind.Since that heart-wrenching moment, their lives had been defined by constant movement. They were nomads, fleeing from an elusive threat, forever uprooted.Such was the tapestry of his upbringing—wandering from city