The Fall: Beginning of a New Era.

That's the result of you training that pathetic body, kid...

Immediately after my question, a heavy, distant voice echoed in my head, answering with indifference. The weight of his words and contempt overwhelmed me for a moment...

Hey, pathetic is a bit of an exaggeration, isn't it?

But I still managed to answer, trying to look as casual as possible, not wanting to break my expression. What was wrong with being a bit thin? But, ignoring me completely, the voice continued.

Unlike the girl, you weren't yet ready to start synchronizing with the akhasic records. You were in a sorry state before you met me. Regardless of whether the two of you had congenital synergy or talent, you wouldn't do anything with that body. It would only slow your sister down... Or do you intend to be a leech?

Ah, that last part pissed me off, so much so that I couldn't stop my body from shaking and my expression from darkening. How dare he compare me to a parasite! A fucking parasite?

All right, so that's how you want to play it... we'll still meet one day; don't forget that.

I'm looking forward to it...

Meanwhile, I noticed a movement outside... It was Ariella hugging me. This immediately snapped me back to reality and made me bite my lip!

Fuck! I must have looked pathetic now, losing my composure like that... Realizing this, I took a deep breath, looking out of the window next to the bed, before turning to her and returning the hug as gently as possible so as not to hurt her, snuggling my head into her shoulder.

"Fuu... I'm sorry, I ended up getting annoyed by a flat fly. I'm fine now..." 

"... Are you sure?" 

The concern in her hesitant voice brought warmth to my chest. It was funny that, no matter how invasive Ariella was, she was always there for me.

"Yes, I am. It won't happen again." I smiled as I brought her closer, not wanting to let her get away.

"Hmm" 

I felt her approval, along with her warm breath on my neck, as she snuggled even closer into my arms. It hurt a little, but that was okay.

We stayed like that for the next few minutes, basking in each other's warmth, before I broke the moment with a sigh as I pulled away a little and looked into her dark eyes. She looked as beautiful as ever, with her loose black hair and small but engaging facial features.

"You must be curious about what happened at dawn, aren't you?" I asked, already knowing the answer, so I continued my explanation with his nod.

"That was part of the Akhasic records. The records that bear witness to and record the development of the universe!" " 

"What? What did you just say?!" My calm words brought shock and confusion to her.

"The records are the ones that record the development of the universe. We're part of it now; that's what I said, Ariella." I repeated again, my heavy voice conveying the seriousness of the situation as I looked into her confused and shocked eyes. But inside, I was struggling to maintain my expression as I saw her reaction. She was so cute.

It took a while before she could speak normally again, but I waited patiently, watching her reaction closely with curiosity.

"How... How do you know that, Alex?" She asked hesitantly.

"... Well, an annoying fly told me." I forced a smile as I began to tell her everything I knew, she deserved it. Everything the entity had told me since I met him that day a few months ago...

And my biggest regret. Something I could never put right...

.

.

.

Friday, around 11 at night. It was at that moment that the point I regretted most in my life began... He made a point of engraving it in my mind...

The city lights flashed frantically as I drove deeper and deeper into ABC São Paulo, the muffled sound of electronic music invading the car every time a window opened at the corners. It was as if the city was alive, breathing in the chaos of the late night and early dawn. 

Drug dealers operated in the open, offering their low-quality products to addicts. Beggars fought over pieces of garbage near the bars, and jacks whispered threats to their prey in the dark, empty alleys for fear of being caught. They knew they wouldn't have a good ending.

Low-level prostitutes offered their bodies at every corner with knowing smiles, showing off their bodies to passing luxury cars. I went no exception when I had to stop at a corner.

Seeing them crowded around my Mustang GT, fighting to get my attention, stroked my ego. They kept coming, looking for an opportunity.

I didn't look at any of them. But I chose four lucky ones among them to play with that night. They understood what their roles were, mere trophies to show off and use, but they didn't care about the promise of what was to follow. Money and Status then quickly began their work, already in the car.

I wanted to let go. Nothing made sense anymore. The constant weight of the demands, the poor performance in the championships, the distance from my family, all of this blended into a spiral of anger and self-pity. All I needed was to turn my head off, if only for a few hours.

And nothing better than a place where everything was release, "hidden" from everyone's view. As long as a certain limit was maintained...

When I arrived at the place with my toys, it was already dawn. An industrial shed is hidden on the edge of the central zone.

There were no signs, just a line of people as lost as I was in front of the security guards. The sound of the bass shook the ground, promising temporary refuge. I got out of the car, walking straight past everyone to the bouncer standing directly in front of the door, while I fixed my pants, followed by the half-dressed prostitutes.

I handed a folded wad of cash to the bouncer, who didn't even check; he just let me through. He knew what I meant and escorted me to the VIP area.

Inside, it was like another world. Strobe lights painted unfamiliar faces in flashes, while the loud music drowned out any coherent thought. The smell was a mixture of alcohol, sweat and something more acidic. Bodies danced together, frenetic, disconnected. And between them, the whispers of drug dealers offering their "solutions".

"Hey, do you want something very good?" A man appeared out of nowhere, his voice almost inaudible against the beat of the music. He held a small bag with colored pills. "This will take you straight to paradise"

"Paradise." I laughed. The concept seemed so far away, but at that moment it seemed like an invitation I couldn't refuse. I took what he was offering for a good sum and distributed half among the prostitutes, heading for the VIP area, where I swallowed the first dose with a shot of vodka. Then another, another, etc. I soon lost count...

Everything was a blur.

I remember the flashes. Laughing out loud, as if everything was fine. Dancing with strangers. A kiss that started in the middle of the dance floor and ended in a dirty bathroom. More pills, more drinks. The hours passed like seconds, and the only constant was the feeling of emptiness that I was desperately trying to fill.

That's when I walked into that bathroom, no longer knowing who I was. Two girls were there. They were laughing, perhaps as disconnected as I was. I can't remember the details, just the feeling. The smell of alcohol in the air. Their laughter turning into something more tense; desperation. My mind screamed at me to stop, but my body acted on its own.

The next thing I remember is the next morning.

I staggered out of the shed, my eyes burning with the light of the rising sun. The morning silence was deafening after the cacophony of the party. I got into the car, driving as if I could escape the headache and guilt that was beginning to creep to the edges of my mind.

And that's when it happened.

A miscalculated turn. The crash. The sound of metal against metal. Muffled screams.

When the car came to a stop, its front crumpled and dirty with blood, I saw it. The body of a man lying on the ground, a woman a few meters away. Between them, a baby carriage crumpled and turned on its side.

My vision went black. But suddenly, a hand grabbed my shoulder, making me look up.

I don't know if it was due to my physical and mental state, but I couldn't see anything about the person holding me. However, that was the least of my worries, but everything got worse when the man spoke with amusement and disdain.

"Did you have a good time, kid? This is just

 the beginning." 

His crooked smile was the only thing I could see. Before my nightmare began...