"Hurry, the seal will not hold for long. If this thing gets free, we are all screwed!"
"Fuck, just where did something come from?"
Many unknown people were panicking as they all rushed toward a large black orb that had many talismans around it. Inside the orb was something sinister, something that should not be set free.
That thing opened its eyes.
’Huh, where am I? I cannot move. Did I lose? Did I die? That cannot be. All that hard work just to die? Yenna, Wren, the slimes?’
His mind was becoming foggy and fading away. He was ceasing to exist.
But even as he slowly died, the voices from outside were still reaching him.
A tall man in holy armor walked in. His posture was calm but carried power. His facial features showed experiences from past battles.
"Sir Alexander! We are struggling to seal it. The seals keep breaking. At this rate, it will free itself."
The man walked toward the orb, and the dark energy bounced off him. His every step carried a powerful presence. He reached the orb, and the energy from it was stronger, but it still did nothing to him as he touched it without a care in the world.
"Rest now, child of darkness."
His power enveloped the orb, suppressing the evil coming from it, and it was finally sealed without any issues.
"Wow, as expected of Sir Alexander. No wonder he is one of the strongest knights on the continent."
"Yeah, I wish to be just like him one day. And then I will kill all the evil in the world."
The praise was so much that Alexander got annoyed and walked out without saying a word. Though, something was not quite right. His hand, it looked hurt.
’Such a vicious thing. I hope not to see it again.’
Back in the orb, Vell continued listening until finally, only silence remained.
’Alexander? What is going on here? I am being sealed for what?’
His mind could not think anymore, and his existence was fading fast. Just a few milliseconds before he vanished, something pulled him back and pushed him back to consciousness.
He woke up fully, gasping for air. It did not take him long to realize just how much pain his body was in due to the power from earlier. It was painful, but it was not as bad as other times, so he bore with it as he sat up and looked around.
The cage was in a room that was made of all tree veins. It was as if they were inside a huge tree. Beside him were other cages with Yenna and his kids. He did not bother yelling, as he could tell they were fine. Otherwise, they would not be locked up.
’I am still so confused about what that was. Could that be what that figure meant by who you are? Just, what am I? Has my life been a lie this entire time? That cannot be. There must be something else going on here. There just has to be.’
His thoughts were all over the place, and his gasps became harder. There was too much information, and his injured body just made things worse.
The room then began to warm up as a figure came walking from behind him. Her presence was embracing, but he knew that it was simply a mask. He could feel the overwhelming mana coming from her.
As she walked past him, not paying him any attention, he was shocked at just how beautiful she was, unlike anyone he had ever seen. Her form was tall and regal, and her features were sharp yet ethereal. She looked almost human, but there was something otherworldly about her. The way her skin seemed to carry the soft texture of bark, the subtle green veins that showed signs of life beneath her surface.
Her attire appeared to be woven from living foliage, a flowing gown of leaves and vines that shifted gently as if in a breeze only she could feel. Her hair, long and dark, was threaded with delicate flowers that glowed faintly. Her eyes, piercing and ancient, seemed to hold the weight of centuries.
’Who the hell is this? I am too tired and in pain for this.’
He was annoyed, and the woman spotted this with a gaze, smirking as she continued walking. She sat elegantly on her throne, her head leaning against her hand and one leg on top of the other.
Her smirk was gone. All that was left was a gaze that saw right through Vell, as if he were an open book.
’She is giving me the creeps. I need to get the hell out of here. Huh, I cannot use my mana?’
She smiled, noticing the change on his face.
"Hey, having some trouble there?"
Her voice was so calming, soft, and alluring.
His attention shifted to her, but he said nothing. He just stared at her, still trying to use his mana, but it was no use.
’These veins are blocking my pathways. It is annoying, but at the same time, fascinating.’
"You do not even want to acknowledge my presence? My feelings are hurt."
She tried to pull the sad play, but he really did not care. One glance at her, and he knew what she was up to.
’Tch, do I have no choice but to speak with her? She might get annoyed and kill me, so I guess I have no choice. How annoying.’
He sighed heavily, his body still aching, as he finally spoke.
"Alright, you have got my attention. What do you want from me?"
The woman chuckled, and her laughter was light and melodic.
"So you can talk. How delightful," she said, leaning back in her throne. "I was beginning to think you would prefer to sulk in silence."
"Cut the games," he snapped, and his patience was wearing thin. "You clearly sent that thing to fight me. So what is your angle?"
Her eyes gleamed with amusement.
"Straight to the point, I see. Fine."
She leaned forward, and her expression turned serious.
"We need your help. Our home is dying, and we cannot do it alone."
Then her expression softened a bit.
He thought about it for a little, seeing how genuine her words sounded. Then after a few seconds, he gave his answer.