--- [Alex’s perspective]
The void in my hand activates…
It crawls up my arm, and my whole body tingles.
I point my hand towards the Emperor, and the void stretches out and wraps itself around him.
Just a moment later, it disappears…
But…
He’s still there!
This is exactly what happened to Illian, except he was somehow absorbed by it…
Why didn’t it work on him?!
“Good. You have potential for sure.” – Emperor
The void slithers further up my arm, and over the shoulder.
It goes up my neck, and down my chest.
“Unfortunately, you’re still 1000 years too young to even think about challenging me.” – Emperor
He slaps me across the face, and the pain is so intense my power deactivates instantly.
Even with the power of that thing, I still didn’t even stand a chance…
“Go on… Hate me. Grow strong. Then one day, when you’re ready, come back. When that day comes, let’s have a real fight.” – Emperor
He opens the door and points at his personal guard.
“Escort him out of the palace. Make sure he’s safe.” – Emperor
“Aye, sir!” – Guard
My head…
It’s spinning…
…
…
…
--- One hour later
I shoot back up.
“Where am I!?” – Alex
I scan the area…
Looks like a hotel room of some sorts…
I look out the window as I walk up to it.
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I’m near the palace…
The last thing I remember was freaking out over what the Emperor told me, then the creature from my dreams appeared again.
I think I tried to fight him, but even with the creature’s power, he was still way too strong.
After he knocked me out, they must have carried me here.
My head still feels so fuzzy; what did he say again?
That he is the evil one?
How can that be?
He’s not the one that killed my brother.
He’s not the one that kidnapped my friends.
He’s not the one that attempted to kill me.
They did that, not him…
Was he lying?
But what for?
Why would he paint himself as the villain when he’s not?
To motivate me?
No…
That doesn’t make any sense either…
Nothing makes any sense!
I want to go back and talk to him, but there’s no way they’ll let me in.
Actually, no…
There’s no point in me going back anyways.
I don’t know why, but he’s lying.
He has to be.
If I were to go back now, he’d just spew the same bullshit as before.
Whatever his reasons for making himself out to be the villain are, he’s not going to completely change his mind about it just because I go back for a second conversation.
I might not know why, but what I know for certain is that he is good, and they are bad.
It has to be true.
Because if not…
If The END aren’t evil, then…
Then…
My entire body starts quivering and my knees give out.
I fall to the floor and tears start welling up in my eyes.
If they’re not evil, then…
Then…
Then I took my best friend’s life for no reason…!
I slam my fist into the floor and grit my teeth as I wipe the tears away.
No!
I can’t go thinking stupid shit like that!
Illian was evil, Seth is evil, everyone from The END is evil!
They’re all evil!
But…
What about Leanne?
She saved me multiple times; even from Seth himself…
No!
Her too!
She must be trying to trick me or something, it’s the only thing that makes sense.
It’s all a ploy to lure me out somewhere where they can take my life too!
But…
What if I’m wrong?
What if the Emperor wasn’t lying?
What if Leanne wasn’t lying?
What then?
Am I just going to live with my delusions because I’m scared of the truth?!
…
I stand back up and look outside the window.
The palace is so big…
Everything a person could ever need and more is in there.
Wouldn’t it be nice if I brought my mom here and we lived there with my father?
She would never again have to work a day in her life.
She wouldn’t have to worry about food or water or when I will return with money ever again.
I could quit being a hunter, and just live a peaceful life with her.
She wouldn’t even have to worry about my safety!
Imagine that…
That would be nice…
…
But I can’t.
Seth killed my brother; justice needs to be served.
I can’t allow myself to give up until then…
But also, what if Leanne is right?
What if the Emperor is just as horrible as I’ve been told?
Am I just going to let him continue his reign of terror while knowing I might be the only one who could do anything about it?
I…
I don’t know…
Maybe?
I never wanted any of this…
I fall down once more, and tears start properly running down my face, making it hard to even keep my eyes open.
I just want my friend and big brother back!
…
Why me?
Why do I have to be the one who carries the grief of losing his loved ones, and the burden of revenge?
Why does the well-being of so many others have to lie on my shoulders?
What did I do to deserve any of this?
Why…
… Me?
I take a deep breath and once again wipe away the tears.
I don’t know what to think, and I don’t know what to feel.
I don’t know if I’m right, and I don’t know if I’m wrong.
All I know is that I need to get my shit together and figure it out!
Leanne said she’d stay at the place the F-rank exam was held for a week…
I guess my first course of action should be to meet her there and listen to what she has to say.
