NOVEL NEXT Chapter 32: The stage is yours
In the ancestral world, Vacuros trudged ahead, his living suit, the mysterious purple Paradox, coiled on his left shoulder like a serpent; its head changed unceasingly-a sign of its strange, changing nature. The land had turned into desolate expanses of snow around them, with white swallowing the once-familiar terrains to endlessness.
The wind howled like a restless spirit, carrying with it a biting cold that formed a misty fog, forcing Vacuros to shield his face as he pressed on. The air was bitterly cold, sharp enough to cut through even the toughest celestial beings, a temperature so fierce it could freeze the unprepared in their tracks. Yet Vacuros strode on, his immense resistance and Purple Paradox's innate ability to absorb any form of energy, endured the brutal environment.
After a few moments of treading through the icy mountains and perilous hills, Vacuros noticed something strange: the lifeless forms of Rehinoceroses lay strewn across the snow. Their massive bodies were unmoving, contrasting with the life around them. "Hum," Vacuros muttered under his cold breath, his voice barely over the wind. Paradox, almost as if he knew what was in his mind, replied with cool exactitude: "Not really. I can still feel the energy. And judging by the surging intensity, this incident appears to have something to do with it."
Vacuros knelt, his fingers brushing against the icy fur of one of the fallen beasts. With every step, he moved on methodically, examining them, lifting a body from time to time and sending it rolling down the cold, frost-laden ground. Suddenly, he stopped, his breath hitching as his fingers fell on a Rehinoceros that was still faintly warm. His eyes widened with the realization, a spark of urgency starting to fire within him.
He sprang to his feet, his fists clenched as a surge of determination welled through him. Paradox, always so attuned to his emotions, extended part of its fibrous form-a thin, rope-like appendage that pointed sharply leftward, swaying in an organic manner, as if the flagellum of some creature sensed its next meal. "Yes, we are close. I can feel the energy strongly now," it said, its voice a steady hum within Vacuros's mind.
Without hesitation, Vacuros launched himself in the indicated direction with a blur of power and speed. He ran across the snow with the eagerness of a child chasing a favorite treat; the force of his stride sent plumes of snow flying in his wake.
As he reached the source of the disturbance, his eyes fell upon a terrifying sight: a Primordial Ape, its towering form standing thirty feet tall, its body thickly covered in snow-white fur that blended seamlessly into the wintry landscape. In its massive hands it clutched the torn halves of a Rehinoceros, the creature's lifeless body grim evidence of the beast's strength. The eyes of the ape, shining a pure, eerie white, locked onto Vacuros with a primal intensity that sent a cold shiver down his spine, a sensation he hadn't felt in years.
"Rrrrroarrr!" The thunderous roar of the ape echoed across the frozen expanse, shaking the very air. Tossing the torn halves of its prey aside like a child discarding an unwanted toy, it turned its full attention to Vacuros.
Before Vacuros could act, the sound of crunching snow drew his attention. From the opposite direction, another figure approached. It was Nyxander, commanding in his presence as he strode confidently through the cold. His hoodie and mask had vanished, leaving his face exposed to the elements. Vacuros's eyes narrowed as he took in Nyxander's appearance. His old comrade now stood two feet taller than him, his form imposing, and like Vacuros, he too was in a bond suit, its design radiating strength and authority.
The tension in the air grew thick, like a coiled spring ready to snap, as the three figures exchanged silent, calculating glances. Finally, Nyxander broke the stillness, his voice cutting through the icy silence with an unsettling cheerfulness. "Wow, you've gained things too," he said, his tone almost playful, as if they weren't standing on the brink of chaos.
Vacuros, ever the man of few words, replied with his characteristic, low-throated, "Humm," a sound that carried more weight than words ever could.
Three hours ago, in the pit, the air hummed with unspoken tension, thick as imbalance that could be tasted. The green walls on both sides glowed, casting an eerie light and painting this grim scene with shades not quite right. Nyxander and the last Rhinoceros stood, locked in a predator's gaze, as charged space between them bore silent witness to their intent. The Rhinoceros charged forward, its steps rumbling like distant thunder. Fearsome in speed, Nyxander was unable to bear waiting anymore, his impatience rising like a storm.
"Sorry, I really don't think I could wait any longer," he muttered, the sharp edge of his voice breaking the tension. Then in an instant, he was moving-faster than even the Rhinoceros's gaze could follow. Suddenly, everything was silent, a stillness heavy with implication.
"Mooorrr.rr," the guttural cry came as its head tumbled from its neck, rolling across the ground like a discarded relic. The body collapsed in the opposite direction with a thunderous thud, raising a gust of dust that danced chaotically in the dim green light.
"Finally, I can take a break," Nyxander sighed, his voice husky with exhaustion. He fell onto his back with a forceful thump, his breath coming out in a relieved whoosh. Leaning on his arms, he gazed up at the dark pit ceiling, his mind drifting. Then, a voice broke the fragile silence.
"Hah, I almost forgot about you," Nyxander said, his eyes narrowing at the dark patch of suit on his chest. "Don't feign it as if you're surprised-I already knew about you before coming here," he added, tugging at the fabric as one would a new piece of clothes.
"I got caught," the suit replied, its voice carrying a resigned sigh. "I tried to act indifferent until I figured you out, but it seems that was pointless. From what I've seen, you're different from the others who have come here before you-especially in how you handled those primordial beasts."
Nyxander leaned his head back, and his eyes tracked the dark ceiling above. "There's something that's been bothering me since I arrived," he said, curiosity and frustration combined in his tone.
"What's that?" the Eternalsilk asked, its voice calm, yet interested.
"I get it-why all these primordial beasts are here, to eat you. What's confusing me, though, is their corpses. They looked. miserable."
The suit was silent for a moment, then replied in a sad tone. "That's because two different primordial beast races went to war over who gets to eat me. I've been hiding in this pit for longer than I can remember, trying not to draw attention.
Unfortunately, a primordial ape discovered this cave by chance. I let my guard down, floating above the soil, and it saw me. I tried fleeing, but it was too quick. Since I have no powers without bonding with a host, I couldn't do anything. It held me in its hand, prepared to eat me, but before it could, a primordial Rhino knocked it to the ground, likely because of some grudge. Thousands of Rhinos then came, filling the cave full. That's how the war started."
The voice behind the suit grew softer now, almost sorrowful. "In the confusion, I broke free, weaved between their legs, a ghost. Then a few of the Rhinos realized this and chased. The ones you defeated were the few who chased."
"I see," Nyxander muttered, his head nodding in a slow pace as he struggled to rise from the ground, brushing at the dust coating his garment. "What now?"
"We need to complete the rite," it answered.
"And how do we do that?" Nyxander said nonchalantly, stretching his limbs.
"By giving me a name as recognition. That will finalize our bond," the suit explained.
Nyxander fell deep into thought as he furrowed his brow in an attempt to think it over. "Since you can cancel any source of energy, I'll call you Nullpoint," he finally said.
The instant the name had left his lips, the dark gray of the suit fabric responded. Its threads pierced his skin, coursing through his veins like molten metal. Nyxander gritted his teeth, his very organs seeming to tear apart with searing pain. He collapsed to his knees, breathing ragged and labored.
"Are you okay?" Nullpoint's voice asked, tinged with concern.
"Yeah," Nyxander gasped, forcing himself upright. He staggered toward his self-made hide bag resting near the wall, its fabric bearing the marks of his earlier battle. Picking up the cross bag, he slung it across his chest.
"So, from what you've said, there's an exit in the opposite direction," he said, his tone resolute.
"You were already on the right track," Nullpoint confirmed. "We just need to move for a few minutes before reaching it."
As they walked toward the exit, Nyxander stopped every now and then to take out the shining Essentia crystals from the heads of the Rhinoceros, their glow illuminating the path like ghostly lanterns. Their footsteps continued, propelled by determination, while the weight of their shared movement lingered in the air like an unspoken promise.
BACK TO PRESENT
Nyxander took a few steps closer to the scene. The tension around the three hung in the air, thick and choking, like a storm cloud refusing to dissipate. He turned to Vacuros, his voice steady yet edged with urgency. "Hey, buddy. Why don't we take this guy together? It's glaringly obvious that this guy is stronger than us individually, but teaming up could guarantee us victory over it," he said, gesturing toward the looming ape.
But Vacuros' lingering misconception about Nyxander clouded his judgment. His gaze turned icy, cutting through the air like a blade. "Hmmm," he muttered under his breath, the sound barely audible but laden with disdain.
Nyxander watched him, confusion spreading across his face like ripples in a still pond. "What's that supposed to mean?" he asked, raising his hands to shoulder height, signaling his incomprehension.
Purple Paradox, still coiled on Vacuros' left shoulder, interjected, its sharp voice slicing through the thick tension. "Sorry to interrupt your masters' conversation, but what my master meant is that he saw this prey first. And don't try to act almighty, you petted servant," it decoded Vacuros' words with a smug tone.
Although Nyxander didn't put much weight on the snake's words, Nullpoint was instantly provoked. It shifted and morphed from the fabric on Nyxander's chest, its transformation fluid and menacing. "Who are you to say that to Master Wildcard?" it snapped, its voice vibrating with indignation.
Hearing this, Nyxander's face dulled with exasperation. "What's the difference between you two?" he muttered inwardly, shaking his head.
As Nullpoint tried to lunge forward, Nyxander quickly tugged at the thread-like connection between Nullpoint's fabric head and his own garment. "Stop," he commanded, his voice firm yet calm. Nullpoint twisted, disappointment written in every fiber of its being, but reluctantly retreated.
"Are you sure about this? Are you sure you're up for this?" Nullpoint questioned, its voice tinged with doubt, attempting to sway Nyxander.
"Don't worry," Nyxander replied, his tone soft but resolute. "There are some things that can only understand through actions rather than just words." He patted his battle-worn attire, as if steeling himself, then turned to Vacuros. "The stage is yours," he said, gesturing toward the primordial ape.
Vacuros, with little hesitation, stepped forward like a warrior accepting a sacred duel. His body radiated determination, even as the ape's towering form loomed over him. The beast let out a deafening roar, the sound reverberating like thunder across a stormy sky.
"Rrrrroarrr!" the sound echoed, its power palpable. The ape spread its massive hands wide, the gesture both a challenge and a show of dominance. The force of its roar sent a gust of wind surging forward, whipping toward Vacuros and Nyxander, carrying with it the weight of raw, unbridled power.