Captain Benu's face remained calm. He looked at me for a while before turning and speaking.
"I hope you do find what you seek. This, purpose.
That aside, what Gal and I need from you now is your help."
"My help?"
I blinked.
What help could I possibly offer to the likes of Captain Benu and Commander Gal?
As the question gyrated in my head, Captain Benu removed a tiny black ball from his pocket.
Upon throwing it onto the ground, black smoke came to be. It twirled in the air before forming a whirlpool.
Without a word, he stepped through and was swallowed by the swirling black smoke.
I too, after some thought, stepped through.
Emerging on the other side, a tunnel with luminous blue walls stretched before me.
Captain Benu was already walking towards a black metallic door when I quickened my pace to catch up to him.
Noting that I was right behind him, he continued,
"Consider it a sort of payment for not letting you be wrongfully executed."
He made it clear.
Then his voice became firm as he said,
"Ten years ago, two days before the Day of Shadows, all the elite units of the current top five kingdoms were called in for a private meeting by their respective rulers.
The meeting was held deep within the Ocean Palace of Kingdom Melo.
Back then, the Hitter was my superior.
I thought the meeting would be about how the kingdoms were going to strengthen their bonds, for so many years they did not seem to see eye to eye—refusing entry of civilians from other kingdoms and the like.
However, deep into the gathering I soon came to learn that our rulers were plotting something henious or rather devilish;
The eradication of Kingdom Terath! "
He took a breath before he continued,
" The reasons were, as they put it at the time:
'The nightmares are the most powerful and callous of our kind. As such, letting them exist any further is akin to keeping a time bomb and hoping it won't explode. Therefore, we must do away with them.'
Yes, just as you are thinking, it was fear that brought about such thoughts.
Many methods of carrying out the heinous task were brought to the table.
One of them being, suggesting the commencement of free trade among kingdoms and slowly exporting poisoned food to Terath.
Or using the advanced medical technology of Kingdom Melo to engineer an epidemic, then distributing poisoned medicine, and many others.
In conclusion, it was decided that Terath would be destroyed in an all-out war.
But to make sure the reputation of the top kingdoms remained positive in the eyes of the people and future generations, they had to create a reason why they were going to war with the Kingdom of Terath.
And this was where we came in, the elite units of the top five kingdoms."
He remained silent as he clenched his fist.
Then he spoke in a lamenting tone,
"I won't lie and say I was forced into it.
I was old enough to understand the situation, and I chose wrong."
The revelation left me at a loss for words.
A feeling of shock and rage overwhelmed me.
So the nightmares were the actual victims this whole time?
Recalling all my interactions with them, the pieces seemed to fit the disgusting puzzle perfectly.
After a while, he continued.
"After our victory, the Voldmoth Kingdom obtained from the battle two relics of great significance to the Kingdom of Terath: the Nightmare Supreme Core and the Nexus key."
Supreme Cores were mysterious relics that brought about the existence of all Emontarions.
It was from them everyone drew energy. From childhood to adulthood and ultimately till death.
Simply put, they were the foundation of creation and could easily become the foundation of the destruction of an entire race.
"Luckily, after a vote, it was decided that the Nightmare Supreme Core be thrown into the Nexus Abyss–an otherworldly dimension opened by the Nexus key–to prevent anyone from possessing such destructive power.
And now, 3 weeks ago, with the help of Commander Gal, I was able to steal the Nexus key.
It's in our possession, and we hope that you or the other brave souls we've already sent, can retrieve the Nightmare Supreme Core.
" Perhaps returning it to the survivors and letting their race breed perfectly once more will be enough to end these senseless fights."
Tap! Tap! Tap!
"Naturally, I would have entrusted this mission to the late elite unit, but just like their predecessors, they were the higher-ups' dogs."
Late? The captain has moved on just like that?
That was my first thought.
Then I observed his stature and analyzed the situation.
Captain Benu is a man whose hands are already stained with the blood of countless innocent lives, and taking more in an attempt to atone for his sins was perhaps easier.
How pitiful.
Such is the man this world had molded.
"Plus, candidly, I cannot leave.
The nightmares may see that as the perfect opportunity to attack Voldmoth kingdom."
Reaching the door, he extended his hand and, with some effort, pushed it open.
Bright blue light burst from the room, blinding me for a while.
After blindly stepping in, my eyes gradually adjusted, and I saw the source of the light.
It was a shimmering circular blue portal.
Above it floated a circular object vibrating from time to time.
It was the Nexus Key!
"You've made it, friend."
An old voice spoke from behind the portal.
A smile appeared on my lips, for it was familiar.
It was Commander Gal's.
Walking out and standing just in front of the portal, he spread his arms.
Without hesitation, I ran towards the silhouette's embrace.
After a few seconds, Commander Gal whispered in a muffled voice,
"I'm sorry, friend, for not having told you everything earlier. I... I..."
I pulled back and said with a smile,
"It's okay, sir. You kept your word, and I'm thankful for that.
Besides, it's only natural that I help you out after you've done so much for me."
Recalling Mr. Fiction's words, I added,
"You scratched my back, so I'll scratch yours."
A while later, having been told everything I needed to know, I stood in front of the portal clad in a tight grey shirt and loose grey pants.
Up close, it exuded an energy I was unfamiliar with.
It was as though it was rejecting and accepting my existence at the same time.
As I urged myself forward, Captain Benu suddenly spoke from behind.
"Wait."
I turned and saw him walk over.
He extended his right hand, which held his legendary black half-mask.
"Here. Whenever you feel scared, wear this.
I assure you, you'll have all the courage in the world to face the dangers within the Nexus Abyss."
I looked at the glistening, perfectly curved object, debating whether I was worthy of wearing the mask that had been passed down from generation to generation.
Behind Captain Benu, Commander Gal, enveloped in blue light, gave a simple nod.
And so I accepted it.
A rare smile played on Captain Benu's lips.
"Stay safe.
You and a select few are this world's final hope for peace."
With those words, as well as the weight that came with them, I stepped through.