CHAPTER 183: AWAKENING

Deep inside the cliffs of Linuxinina, a silver-haired girl with magenta eyes and a veil appeared from thin space, her feet clenching onto the land below. Her dark dress fluttered in the wind. Her eyes wore a mask of despair and anguish, a pain she could not control.

Trying to speak, the mysterious girl uttered as she waved her hand upward.

"Shall the prophecies of Alaunus come into fruition? Or is it a hoax to all dwellers of the soil below?"

At an instant, she hoisted her arm at the peak, pointing her corrupted fingers at the dragon. Tears of remorse and sadness welled up on her corrupted face, noticing from a large distance, the wanderers fighting the dragon.

Then, a magenta stream of light opened up and coiled around the approaching humanoid creatures in a vicious storm, aiding them in their climb to the mountain. Furthermore, voices from the group resounded around the expanse.

"We shall serve The Ending with grateful smiles." One said,

"Let them not get away." Said another, with visors pointing upwards.

"Yes, your majesty," They all said in unison as the silver-haired girl departed.

Suddenly, the blanket of grass that once covered the earth got torn and ruptured by a green and cyan explosion, uprooting a giant castle hidden beneath the soil. Every tree rocked back and forth as the mountains and cliffs began to crumble into a pile of debris before her eyes. Yet despite that, the castle remains hung in the air like a rope, not even surrendering to gravity.

As she watched the chaos unfold around her, the mysterious silver-haired girl attached a magenta stream to the spider-like creatures. The pink luminance encircled the flashing clouds, spiraling into chaos. Afterward, she took her leave and vanished as she painfully spoke with all the diminishing energy she had.

"Soon, once the dust of this mighty battle settles, you two shall witness the truth they ALL have been trying to cover up."

. . .

(Back at the floating citadel.)

The vortex of storms slowly departed.

Forward, they saw battlements levitating, and downward, a city embedded in the ancient ground. Towering stone structures rose up on the rolling hills, with floating trees, rocks, and dead logs hanging in the spire of chaos.

"Sergil."

At that moment, Asahi and Aletha resolved the battle by sheathing their swords.

Their fearful eyes watched as the dragon stopped encircling the peak, soaring through the debris. Her wings cast a shadow that covered the peaks like a blanket, swiftly approaching Asahi and Aletha. As they floated, they looked downward and saw crumbling rock unveiling flowing roots.

Emerald light came and went, surging with energy.

The dark clouds breached through the tempest, flashing to blue skies, and revealing the entirety of Linuxinia shimmering on the horizon.

The sun hung high over the horizon, and its distance shone on the glittering watery expanse.

As rogue waves crash and slam into the walls of water made from Kendra and Toivo, Asahi and Aletha look heavenward, seeing the dragon, Adeline, soar across the citadel. The beautiful dragon, with blue scales and black skin, decided to latch onto a podium, forming a discussion with the wanderers.

"Tell me, why are you here? And how did you know that name?"

Aletha clutched onto the ground as the debris soared in a vortex. There were many questions surrounding her mind related to Sergil’s past and how the dragon transformed. She couldn’t understand how these memories coursed through her mind, let alone the Prophecy Book and how that came to the peak.

"I’ve seen him," Aletha said as she dug into the very depths of her fragmented memory. "I’ve seen him and you."

The dragon fell silent. It first tried to flap her wings at Asahi, but then Aletha stepped forth, stating.

"The Prophecies. The prophecies from Alaunus. I have seen them." She took a moment to recollect in her mind. "There were many instances. But it was only Alai and I who understood them. Asahi has barely any clue about these writings."

"No." Asahi intervened. "It’s not just you. Far underground. I can’t recall it fully, but I DID see prophecies."

Just before Asahi and Aletha could settle a debate, the dragon, Adeline, chuckled at their interaction and said.

"Ah, so it appears two have made it to the peak... as the prophecy suggests. Hmm, I see now. You two have scaled the mountain graciously.. And I have watched every movement. For see, I have great visions." As the dragon moved side to side humbly, she continued.

"Now, about the book." She said, "I have seen this book appear in my abode. Although I can grasp a familiarity with it, I don’t have a full understanding of these supposed Prophecies."

"What book?" Asahi mumbled, clueless about the happenings in Alai’s house.

"It’s Alai’s book."

Suddenly, memories of the antagonistic figure bubbled in Aletha’s memory.

How Alai showed her the book, how all the prophecies were written down; The story of his climbing and the prevention of a prophecy, and how it was impossible to evade it. And how the book reached the peak.

All the prophecies, including her visions, floated in her mind starting from...

(The Owners shall make their endeavored return to this world and... shall wipe the tears of this world dry.)

And,

(A magical tornado shall raze the land of Happiness.)

Finally,

(At the peak of the deceased king of Linuxinia, the two original owners shall return and wage war against ---- only then shall this world...)

These prophecies from the book all urged Aletha and Asahi to learn more about these inscriptions. Quickly, they asked.

"What are the last five prophecies?" Aletha asked, knowing the important ones bolded in ink.

"The final prophecies recorded in this book hint at an apocalyptic scenario," Adeline said as she itched her wings, her cyan eyes glittering beneath the sickly hue of black. "An arrival so daunting, so fearful, that it shall shake the very foundation of the world. And it’s approaching quickly."

Stuck in the situation of meeting a dragon that once was human, Aletha and Asahi decide to exchange questions for an answer.

"Is it true?" Aletha asked as the winds brewed viciously. "...that we are the original owners of this world?"

"Indeed," Adeline answered casually. "Shall you question your ability? For you two have scaled the peak in full force, and have yet to conquer the dragon."

As silence continued, both of them noticed an error. They have indeed conquered a dragon through friendship. And yet, the dragon DARED to say they had yet to conquer her. Striking this and noticing this error, Asahi asked.

"Isn’t the dragon referring to you?" He said as he grabbed the book from the floating podium.

Adeline shook her head in disapproval at the suddenness of her abrupt, scared answer.

"No,"

Afterward, a loud reverberating roar sounded across the entire expanse of the world. Its scream had grazed every crevice, geyser, peak, and town in Linuxinia.

A gargantuan roar rattled the earth below.

Asahi and Aletha’s eyes widened at that howl, feeling a sense of dread course through their veins.

"What... is that?"

Just before they could grasp the situation, robotic spiders emerged from the roots of the mountain, with humanoids climbing up the peak. Phthonus was seen exiting the frame of what seemed to be a portal, with Kali, Alai, Ubel, and a few to support them. Asahi, confused, asked Phthonus as the dragon reeled back.

"How did you get up here?" Asahi mumbled as the whole group approached the stone hallway leading to the floating citadel.

"Thanks to Cosima," Phthonus added as she and he stepped forward. "She betrayed The Promise and decided to work with us, knowing the situation that would unfold. It is thanks to her portals that we were able to reach you two. Alai is down, getting healed by a maid. Kali is up here, willing to help you both out. And Kendra and Toivo are defending the city with their water magic."

"I wouldn’t call it betrayal. But rather, assistance." Cosima said as she brushed her silk purple hair.

"Really?" Aletha questioned as yet another roar resounded on the ground.

"And what about the dragon?" Kali said as she encircled one of the roots unearthed from the land below.

"She is on our side," Asahi replied, sweat drawing over his face. "And her name is Adeline."

"ADELINE?!" All yelled in unison.

"The Protector? The legendary warrior who saved hundreds of lives from the angels?" Ubel said. "THAT WARRIOR... is the DRAGON?! The ones from the history books?"

"Yes. Indeed." She said as she closed her jaw. "I have transformed into a dragon because of the Angels that invaded this world back in the War of the Wish." As she saw more people emerging from the circular portal’s frame, Adeline continued.

"It seems the threat is more severe than I ever thought it was."

With fear hammering in their hearts, the Queen of Linuxinia greatly asked.

"Will you two be alright?" She said as she and another conjured up a green luminance.

Asahi and Aletha, struck with insecurity and a palpable sense of dread, clutched their blades clueless of what was going on, and the dragon lay on her belly.

"Yes."

Suddenly, another cry howled out from the glittering horizon.

The air hung thick and still.

Asahi, Aletha, and the others slowly turned their heads to the glittering ocean.

A collapsing vignette unveiled beneath the clouds; a silhouette of epic proportions. The palpable chill in the air was a breath of oblivion; destruction in its wake. In an instant, a purple laser shot forth, targeting Asahi and Aletha. Adeline shook her head then waved her tails, saying,

"Aboard me, wanderers," She invited as the clouds thunder, "An even greater threat is awakening from the horizon."

Aletha, having second thoughts, grabbed her blade and asked Adeline.

"Is this safe?"

Feeling the weight of the world upon them, Phthonus and the others, including Aedline, gave a thumbs up to them as the distant roaring from the titanic beast sounded in the ocean.

"No time for caution. Its roar is making rogue waves." Ubel said as he retrieved his claws. "If Kendra and Toivo weren’t there, the city would have been flooded. We must take caution. If you can’t fight the monsters, I will surrender my life to The Prism."

"Surrender your life?" Aletha asked. "What do you mean?"

"As I said, NO time for caution," Phthonus warned. "We must find a way to eliminate the beast fast. Intruders are bound to sabotage your attack."

"Aboard me swiftly, wanderers," Aedline said as she extended her wings. "This world is losing its patience with you."

Struck by the spectacle of the situation, to be surrounded by all these caring people and creatures, it would seem to them that they were a gift; a bright treasure to this world.

Now with the weight of the world fallen into their grasp, Asahi and Aletha chose to climb up Aedline, suppressing their every thought of slipping and falling off. Every breath felt heavy, laden with the unspoken dread of what was to come. Whoever this beast was, it was a greater threat than Adeline ever was.

Waves started to ripple in their slow movements. Phthonus, Ubel, Kali, Pridia, Rinnea, Joshilyn, and even Emine watched as the dragon that carried Asahi and Aletha soared vividly across the villages bound to the earth. It flew rapidly and efficiently, gliding across the lily pad water.

However, their descent wasn’t to be taken lightly.

Kendra, who felt like the whole city was on her back, started to falter. Her hands and luminance flickered in struggle, feeling everything push down on her. But Toivo, however, stepped forth and formed another wall of water, winking...

"I’m glad that you joined me, Kendra." He said as they pushed the tsunamis back. "You are an efficient young woman. I’m glad Acheros has raised you well."

As Kendra nodded and smiled, remembering the white-haired man and Asahi, just as they almost missed it, Aedline soared toward the ocean with Asahi and Aletha, with light glimmering like a floating star.

Although the sun hung high, its luminance felt overshadowed by a blanket of clouds.

At first, they thought the tendrils were the dragon itself. But suddenly,

A giant purple luminance shattered their perspective.

Quickly, the dragon fell down, crashing back into the peak. Asahi and Aletha held on tight as it came stumbling over. They clutched the dragon’s skin, seeing Phthonus and the others, along with spider-like devices surrounding the peak.

As Asahi and Aletha arose from the crashing dragon, abruptly,

"I got this," Phthonus said as he extended his hand down into the earth. He ripped one of the roots attached to the ground, tore the grass surface, and spilled it all out, unveiling strange geometric constructs. This, with its shiny surface, only hinted to the wanderers that...

"The Prism?"

It was the Prism that caused his magic to shine.

Suddenly, THE DRAGON’s shriek of agony echoed across the expanse. Asahi and Aletha returned to the peak, revealing a flurry of individuals and spiders encircling the shattered summit.

"What are they?" Aletha said, screaming as she crashed back down to the castle.

"The Promise!" Phthonus yelled as his hand was engulfed in luminance, "They’re using their cannons to attack you!"

"The Promise?"

A green luminance shone behind them. Kali, who had been healing Aedline, grabbed onto a green strand. But just as they finally got up,

(PEW)

Another beam of magenta light shot and sabotaged the group. The luminance from the explosion rattled the very soil.

"Again?"

Alai, who looked healed, supported them by forming red blossoms all over the field. Ubel tried all that he could, and Kali, who showed her healing powers, grabbed Asahi and Aletha and pulled them upward.

"The battle is not over." She informed the wanderers as the loud guttural voice of THE DRAGON echoed across the fields. "Zeru has secured the establishment in Clearstar. Our magic is coming back. Get aboard on Aedline. I have healed her. GO!"

Feeling the sense of urgency ripple from their actions, Asahi and Aletha expressed with sweat droplets. As they saw the colossal being emerge from the horizon, they noticed the sun had been covered, revealing what looked like lesser creatures of that same breed fleeing in the water.

The hum grew in intensity, a discordant chord that tore at the senses, causing the air to thicken and warp.

The wind blew furiously, the tension of the battle slipping.

"Be careful of Wrailezan Soldiers and devices." Kali and Phthonus said to Asahi and Aletha as Aedline flew upward.

And so, they pursued THE DRAGON once more.

. . .

After evading blows with the devices, Asahi and Aletha looked down and saw that the entirety of Linxuinia and its people were fighting and battling the Wrailezan Soldiers. A bright and vivid array of colors showered the spectacle, with Aedline dodging beams of radiance left and right.

"Magic. Their magic is back!" Aletha said as Aedline soared down the blanket of clouds.

Due to the emergence of the massive size of THE DRAGON, it formed yet another massive tidal wave. But Kendra and Toivo, who had looked exhausted, decided to merge their powers to block the tidal wave from hitting Linuxinia City, protecting its people. As they soared away from the docks and into the sky, Aedline mumbled beneath her breath.

"Asahi, Aletha, Owners of this world..." She said as she dodged beam after beam of purple lethal luminance. "Prepare your wits. Prepare your skills. We are going to take an ascent."

Nodding their heads, Asahi and Aletha braced themselves on Aedline. But just like before, beyond the ripples of smoke and debris, emerged glowing white cracks that spread across every corner of Gincad. Just like in the past, Asahi’s vision narrows to the memories of the calamity.

Glowing pink cracks, white luminance, and the engulfing ceiling of light; it festered deep into Asahi’s mind. And now, it has come to this. If he and Aletha allowed the cracks to expand, the world as they knew it would cease to exist.

Luckily, from the peak several thousand meters away from Asahi and Aletha, he said the following,

"Let’s do it."

His fingers touched the Prism of Creation, and with it, molded his very existence into it, extending out to Asahi and Aletha.

"I shall sacrifice myself."

Alai, who had appreciated Phthonus’ actions, started to question his motives.

"Phthonus, is this really necessary?"

An earthquake of giant magnitude shook the mountain in protest. Phthonus gave a nod to everyone and requested.

"For Asahi and Aletha..." Another orange strand shot up to Asahi. "For everyone."

But then, just as that wasn’t enough, a red luminance shot out to the wanderers. Alai, having held her hand on The Prism, decided to lend Asahi and Aletha her powers. Following that, Ubel shot up his cyan beam at the wanderers and Aedline, mustering up a gargantuan cluster of energy. Then a green luminance, from both Isa and Kali, came into being.

Soon, even more people lend their powers to Asahi and Aletha. It started with Kendra, Toivo, Pridia, Joshilyn, Emine, Chloe, Jesica, Zildian, Canyon, Rinnea, Aurelia, Dina, and even more, all with their respective colors and shades. A massive circle of colors surrounded Asahi and Aletha, representing the convergence of all powers from everyone in Linuxinia.

The world watched in anticipation as Asahi and Aletha got back up on Aedline, pursuing THE DRAGON.

It was at this point that Wraileza and The Ending were no longer tolerating their flight any longer. As soon as they knew it, they sent all their forces at Asahi and Aletha, in hopes of stopping them from reaching THE DRAGON.

But with all their combined magic, Asahi and Aletha, with all the power they had, took them all down as they yanked Aedline’s ear. Quickly, she shot blue beams of light from its maw, shooting at the cannons firing from the shoreline.

The world cheered as Asahi and Aletha defeated the invaders. But suddenly,

(PEW)

Yet another light shot at the wanderers. Asahi and Aletha, having all the help in the world, felt a sudden shudder boom inside their very bones.

"Aletha," said a soft masculine voice. "Remember my tale. Remember my life. Remember..."

As the sight of a green-haired man came into her vision, Aletha’s mouth suddenly flew open.

"Sergil..."

And then, another deep feminine voice echoed across both their minds.

"You can do it, Buttons! I know you can." This voice, this deep, yet friendly voice...

"DRIMI!"

Phantoms of both characters blended into the scene, with both Aedline and the DRAGON coming into view.

But the power wasn’t enough. The two were still falling, getting pummeled by the mechanisms and creatures of both The Ending and The Promise.

Just as they thought it was over,

Arriving at the peak, the sight of a green-haired man emerged from the pulsating heart-like object, The Sealed Beatific. He had a brilliant crown and round golden eyes, a vast presentation of power and weakness.

"For the future of Linuxinia," Sergil said as cracks emerged in the corner.

"For the future of Linuxinia." Everyone said as their magic focused on this one spot. Following this encounter with the man, out of the blue, a green luminance shot forth from the peak, razing all creatures from below. This led to Asahi and Aletha smiling, knowing that the whole world has got their back.

. . .

Using the blue beams of light and their blade, the two unleashed storms of energy out to the wretched group of individuals and beasts. Everyone was fighting for their grasp on the wanderers; both The Promise and The Ending.

Mountains slowly started to sink. The purple flames were imminent, but that never stopped them.

"You two, clutch onto me tight," Said Aedline as she prepared her wings to soar. "We are going to make a remarkable ascent."

"Understood." Aletha and Asahi nodded in agreement, holding onto their blades.

As Aedline flew up and dodged incoming debris, they soon passed beyond the ceiling of thick storming gray clouds, chasing the sky up above. The speed of such an ascent was almost dizzying, almost transmutating. But before Asahi had given up, the voice of Telos echoed in his mind.

(Don’t falter now, young one. Remember your past.) Clenching tightly onto the dragon, during their rapid ascension, Asahi and Aletha were provided with visions; flickers of recollections.

. . .

Tiny magenta eyes, soft white scales.

She was but a small dragon at the time, a pet for the Adtraic family.

Asahi recollected the memories of young Aletha and him finding this rare specimen. Then, rushing to their parents, they were all fulfilled with the promise of this dragon. That it shall thrive.

Over time, she grew and became intelligent, loving everyone and helping people, including Acheros and Achlys... bringing prosperity to several kingdoms. But as time expanded, Alaunus lost control and nearly destroyed Gincad. Instead of killing her, they put her into slumber, a millennia-old sleep. It was only now that they realized this colossal dragon was.

"Alaunus!"

. . .

As the prophecies said, Asahi, Aletha, and Aedline soared upward, piercing above the blanket of clouds, and they saw the white skin of THE DRAGON climbing seemingly endlessly. But that was just the size, its neck.

Noticing how close they were to the creature, Aedline took a detour and soared a little bit further away.

"Where are you going?" Aletha asked.

"We have to breach inside this mighty being," Aedline replied. "...and destroy the core of her heart. Only then may she finally rest in peace and transform back."

"Heart?" Asahi and Aletha said as their hands clutched onto the clouds. "You mean we have to go inside the beast?"

Finally, after all the turmoil, the wanderers reached the top of the clouds. The winds blew roughly.

"Alaunus." She said as her black wings extended. "Alaunus Adtraic will soon end the world if we can’t reach the heart."

The climatic situation escalated, and their eyes pointed upward at the sky.

Every single star in the sky shone with the exact same luminance, as if affected by the world. All sparkling colors, all nebulae, everything in the cosmos shone equally, behind the colossal wings of Alaunus.

They were at her limit, and if they were ever to reach further, they would be out of the atmosphere. After having looked heavenward, Asahi and Aletha saw even more cracks emerge in the world. This was their first and only chance to do it, to climb on the dragon and enter her insides. Or else all shall perish.

As they witnessed Alaunus lift her dragon head and release a world-trembling roar, Aedline dashed to her light-speed, beyond the atmosphere of Gincad.

They reeled back in shock as they saw a floating cyan ball of light gaze at the world below. Furthermore, they watched in awe at several luminescent strands intertwined on each equalized star. It was almost as if the entire universe were connected to the world.

(TICK)

(TICK)

The clock of this world’s demise began to tick.

(TICK)

(TOCK)

All the world could do now was watch and hope for Asahi and Aletha to reach the heart.

(TICK)

Even The Promise and Ending and enemies couldn’t do anything about it.

(TOCK)

All watched and prayed for Asahi and Aletha, as the white shimmering stars in the sky glimmered violently; all creatures watched as well.

The world fell silent.

The hum of silence turned into a roar.

The winds picked up, all heading straight through Alaunus’ throat.

Then, climbing downward, Asahi and Aletha reached the heart of the creature. They unsheathed their blades and stared at it, recalling everything they had done together. But it was time. Asahi and Aletha approached the heart, and with an agreed swing, they both swung their swords and pierced through Alaunus’ heart at the same time.

A white luminance matching the intensity of a supernova shone afterward. Rays emerged through Alaunus’ crumbling and breaking body, before finally...

(BOOM!)

The glow on all the stars slowly returned to normal. The lethal luminance immediately sank back into the depths, and the cracks in the world started to fade away.

Although they were finished, Asahi and Aletha noticed a silver-haired, magenta and blue-eyed girl staring at them with tears. Without any explanation, a smile formed on her face, and she descended with the wanderers back into the world.

Although Asahi and Aletha landed safely. The mysterious girl plunged through the waters, never to be seen again... for now.

The clouds rolled back, the sun shone vibrantly, and the world celebrated and cheered at Asahi and Aletha’s success.

All members of The Ending in Linuxinia mysteriously vanished, while The Promise teleported and phased out, enduring and accepting of their defeat.

The Battle for Linuxinina ended with victory.