Standing over the Queen's body, I slowly move my hair against her arteries and veins following Gheorghe's instructions till I reach her heart, and there I steel myself as I press my hair against the last section of the Queen's heart.
In that moment, I feel like all the bits of the universe that make up my body want to rush apart from each other, like a sandcastle struck by a storm. The pain is unimaginable, like a knife is slowly cutting every inch of my being right down to my soul. The pain travels and reaches places I couldn't even feel normally, making me aware of all aspects of my body.
The pain is great, but the destruction of my mind and senses that it brings makes my sense of self shatter. I hate this, I hate this, I hate this, I hate this, I hate this, I hate this, I hate this, I hate this, I hate this, I hate this, I hate this, I hate this, I hate this, I hate this, I hate this, I hate this, I hate this, I hate this, I hate this, I hate this, I hate this, I hate this, I hate this, I hate this. I want to run as far and as fast away as possible. I can't do this, it's all too much, I am weak, I am pathetic, daddy come and save me. Why did I ever even think I could do this in the first plac-
-20 years ago-
Location: Cursed Sky District of Căderea-dracului
Standing in front of us all, Avram says, "Elpída was once created as a glimpse into the future of humanity it had. It was a place where all of the greatest geniuses who had existed all over the world by the end of the 2nd cycle had gathered, all led by Basileia and her pupils, Celestial Vision. It is said Basileia had discovered her own energy source, which she could use however, allowing them to redefine the way technology was used throughout the world, disconnecting us from the limits of nature, much like in the era of Levav.
Through that, they were able to create masterpieces that we can't even decipher today. Basileia artefacts. It was truly a wondrous place where many dedicated their lives to live in, but more than that, it addresses the physical world. Unlike most other places at the time, which tried to gain development through the spiritual world, it sought development through a world that every single man could reach, regardless of his status as a Nightmare or human. It's a place where each of us is only judged by what our hands can make and what our minds can create. It's a place where Nightmares stand equal with everyone else, a paradise that lives far east from here, on the other side of Terrafide."
The crowd around me filled with intrigue at the words he spoke to all of us on that day, with one young child in particular asking, "Is it true that Elpída is that amazing, a place where we can live peaceful, exciting lives?"
"Peaceful? NOT A CHANCE! Elpída is a place far more advanced than modern-day society, yet it is a limited space. You must pay a ridiculous amount of money to even get in, and contribute heavily, or you'll be taxed to death, and own so much debt that they'll never let you leave till you sell your organs. You need either a sponsor or to develop at such a crazy rate that you'd have to exist without sleep for months on end, pushing both your soul and mind to their very limits. If you fail at any point, you're going to be looking for someone who can make your limbs into cursed items, so you can leave. Exciting, isn't it!"
Fear quickly overtook the faces of everyone around me, as the reality of Elpída crashed into each of their hearts. They all quickly tried to look for an exit or avoid eye contact with Avram, who they stared at, filled with passion before.
Looking at him in front of me, a small smile appeared on my face, as the words, "What a fool," slipped out of my mind.
"A fool?" he said as he stared into the crowd.
I quickly covered my mouth, and the with his fist pounding against his chest, he says, "There are countless paths to take in this life, and no matter which one you take you will face trials and tribulations, which will make you run, laugh, cry, despair, hope, love, and even rejoice, from garbage men to politicians will all face this no matter the path, and there is happiness that can exist at the end of all those paths. That's why, if I am going to go through all of that anyway, I am going to do it for what makes my heart flutter, for what brings me the same joy I had as a child sitting in front of my desk each day in class. I am going to take myself all the way to the moon with my allies and friends."
His words sent shock and confusion into the crowd as people mutter, "Moon?"
"That rock in the sky?"
"You must be crazy?"
"No one could ever reach that?"
"Not even Dragons can soar that high?"
"You're insane, Avram."
Smiling back at them all, he says, "What if I am? The very idea of living life as a Nightmare in this world is equally insane. Yet we all did it for thousands of years; that's why I won't ever back down from the impossible, for you have all shown me what's true.
One day, I am going to build a robot and fly up to the moon, and roam around building moon castles using all of the dust up there. It will be hell every step of the way to accomplish such a dream, but I am going to do it, with all the strength and power I have inherited from the people of this land, and even if I fail on the way, I will smile with those who came with me. So, please, who is willing to journey through the underworld with me so we can reach the heavens. Because I am sure when we do it will be an utter catastrophe to all our neighsayers."
The crowd around us all walks away, scattering in every single direction, yet my feet couldn't move; they couldn't walk away from his words. And as he walked up to me holding out his hand, he said, "So you three have decided to come with me, I see."
Turning my head to my left and right, I see Gheorghe and Wadim standing still beside me, shocked by his words. In an instant, he grabs all three of us and holds us into the sky, saying, "From today onwards, where family, now let's get going pronto to ELPÍDA!!!"
-Present-
As the pain surges through my body, I bite my lip to regain control over my flesh and say, "WADIM, REMOVE IT!"
He sends his mass of darkness against my heart into the Queen's heart, and the pain quickly courses through his body, but to a lesser extent, slowing down his progress.
I can feel it, his darkness moving through my hair, just a little longer, just a little lon-.
Vomit surges from my mouth as the pain intensifies to the point I feel like my body has given up on the action of breathing. I am going to suffocate, I am going to die, I can't handle this all, my brain is shutting down, just let me die already, JUST LET ME DIE ALREADY!
A strong grip lands on my waist, then, turning my head, I see Gheorghe hugging both of us by our waists, as he says, "Hold on just a little bit longer!"
His body soon gets wrecked with the pain, bringing tears to his eyes, yet he holds us both steady, then says, "NO MATTER WHAT WE WILL SEE THROUGH THIS PAIN TOGETHER!"
Wadim, smirking, says, "No chance are any of us dying today, we still haven't eaten enough of Avram's food."
I can see the pain moving through both of their bodies, forcing them into states that should break the will of people like them, of people like me. So much in my life should have broken me down before now, my father treatment, Avram and Xevi disgusting work load, the scarce meals we ate every day in Elpída just to survive for years, the shame and embarrassment of all the men in Elpída who played me, Elia verbal lashing, the despair that filled Avram after Xevi left and his wife died, the pain that was on Iancu's face every single day that I was unable to change.
It was all far too much for me, but it never broke me. Because you two have always been there experiencing it alongside my body, my mind, my soul. As long as both of you stand beside me, I know I can overcome anything.
From behind me, I hear in a voice unlike hers, one of a maiden, "I know you guys can do this."
As her words hit all three of our ears, we all let out a roar and say, "WE GOT THIS!"
Location: Soarele Blestemat, Hallways
Φ I still remember his words even today.
-20 Years ago-
"Avram, why did you choose those three to come with us? The Queen said that if we didn't get anyone to join, she would pay for us to hire people from abroad. That's why you gave such a dogshit speech."
"I know that, but if after hearing that speech those three still decided to come with us, then that means they have passion rivalling our own. What I saw in all three of their eyes is people who are prepared to die for this, yet have no intentions of letting their lives come to an end. In other words, the greatest we could ever ask for."
-Present-
Reaching the large double doors that lead towards the Queen Chamber, I rush inside and ask, "IS EVERYONE OKAY!"
In front of me, I see Ivana, Wadim, and Gheorghe lying on Elia with tears spilling down their faces, as she smiles softly at their unconscious bodies and says, "Don't wake them."
Seconds later, I hear Stelara say, "I always guessed there was a reason the Messiah made you the way you are, Avram. And today the seeds of your efforts truly bore fruit," as she turns to me with a smile.
In that instant, a tremor moves through the area, followed by another one, and another one, and as my body gets used to it, I smile and say, "Her heartbeat."
Location: Pinnacle of Balaur's Bones
Φ Angra holds both of his hands together and says, "You can't be here, you can't be here, YOU CAN'T BE HERE! Holistic battle arts Ultimate art; Spirit Canon Nova!"
A large mass of spirit energy builds in Angra's hand, and he shouts, "DIEEEEEEEEE!"
The mass shoots out of his mouth toward the castle, and in an instant, it is completely dissects into millions of small cubes that fly everywhere around Căderea-dracului.
And as Cyrus stares at the sight in front of his body entrance, Angra quickly vanishes from his sight as a large surge of wind pressure passes by his body. Turning his head, he says, "Was that Angra?"
"It seems she has gotten a lot stronger. How scary."
A demonic door appears in front of Cyrus, and seeing it crack open, Zahhak says, "Get you move on, it's best if we do not keep her waiting."
"Who?"
"Isn't it obvious the Queen herself?"
Name: Ivana Balint
Age: 31
Birthday: Sagittarius 20th
Hair: Green, straight, flowy and extremely long.
Eyes: Green
Height: 175 cm
Description: A Nightmare with light blue skin with her long hair wrapped around her body, that she is able to control. She is often viewed as a pushover who gets tricked by men all the time, yet she is a true sweetheart. Together with Gheorghe and Wadim she joined Avram on his dream of going to Elpída and swear continued allegiance to the Bogdan's wishing for their happiness.
Name: Gheorghe Dumitrescu
Age: 29
Birthday: Taurus 11th
Hair: None
Eyes: Purple
Height: 200 cm
Description: A giant monstrous-faced cowardly Nightmare covered in orange scales. 2nd son of the leader of Blestemate's Cursed Sea Region. His scales are harder than steel. Together with Wadim and Ivana, he joined Avram on his dream of going to Elpída and swear continued allegiance to the Bogdan's wishing for their happiness.
Name: Wadim Ceaușescu
Age: 32
Birthday: Libra 1st
Hair: White and short
Eyes: White
Height: 174 cm
Description: He is a pitch-black Nightmare whose right arm socket just radiates darkness. The darkness from his right arm can extend into shadows. He tends to have a large mouth, and loves to run it when ever confronted with any of his issues, he has an intense attraction to woman, and his failure to have one love him romantically has made him bitter in many way. Together with Gheorghe and Ivana he joined Avram on his dream of going to Elpída and swear continued allegiance to the Bogdan's wishing for their happiness.