Chapter 32 : Genesis

Chapter 32: Genesis

Under the dimming moonlight, Pabat Mountain stood silent to common folk, but to those blessed with senses beyond mortal understanding, an ethereal symphony emanated from its peak. There, where Comere sea hung suspended in mid-air, stood a singular tree of impossible grandeur. Its presence defied comprehension, its size beyond mortal measure. One could not discern whether the mountain supported the tree, or if the mountain itself was merely an extension of this ancient being.

Millennia had passed, yet Genesis—as ancient texts named it—remained undiminished, its crown piercing the heavens as it had since time immemorial. Those who dared traverse these treacherous heights were neither weak of will nor gentle in spirit. Countless had attempted to erase this mighty sentinel, wielding weapons both mundane and mystical. Swords, spears, and implements beyond description—all had failed to uproot this titan from its ancestral perch. The mightiest warriors had managed only to claim branches as trophies, proof of their prowess against this unconquerable entity.

Around Genesis's base, peculiar creatures called Necroxi plants swayed in their eternal dance. These beings, sporting hands that served as feet, performed their mysterious ritual—digging holes only to fill them again, their movements synchronized to an ancient rhythm. They sang and prayed through the night, their voices carrying secrets of ages past.

Beneath the red, Within nothingness,

The Mother stirs, yet ne'er she takes.

Not bound by gods, nor men of dust,

She reigns beyond both time and trust.

From whence all breath and being came,

Yet none may claim her by a name.

She is the first, the evermore,

The genesis of ancient lore.

No chains of fate her form do hold,

Nor spoken prayer, nor scripture old.

She watched the birth of day and night,

A witness, when HE said let there be light.

So heed ye well, O thou kin,

For she doth wait, where all begins.

A mysterious mist began coalescing around Genesis, causing the dancing plants to halt their eternal performance. They gathered around the tree's massive trunk, witnessing an occurrence unprecedented in their collective memory—spanning thousands of years before even the first Necroxi took root.

Through this otherworldly fog stepped two figures: a handsome young man with eyes like the endless sky, and an ethereal beauty whose crimson gaze pierced the silver moonlight. Their very presence seemed to ripple through reality, as if they had crossed some cosmic threshold into this sacred space.

The Necroxi trembled, their eyeless forms sensing these unfamiliar visitors. Though lacking traditional sight, their awareness penetrated even the darkest shadows with supernatural clarity.

"Where are we, Anira?" Conrad surveyed their surroundings, his enhanced senses screaming warnings of danger. Even the night felt foreign here, as if they had stepped into a realm beyond the natural world.

Anira's hands rose in prayer-like formation, summoning a protective mist that expanded outward in an instant.

Ability: Mist Barrier

"My lord, this place radiates danger," Anira cautioned, her voice taut with concern. The Arcane Veil's instant transmission had been risky, but necessity had driven their journey. Her primary concern remained her master's safety.

Hum..

The harmonious yet unsettling chorus of the Necroxi plants struck Conrad and Anira like a physical force. Their collective voice carried ancient wisdom and otherworldly dread in equal measure.

This sound... it freezes my very soul, Conrad thought as the temperature around them plummeted. The night air seemed to stop at the tree's perimeter, creating an unnatural stillness.

The barrier dissipated without warning. Anira's reaction was instantaneous.

Ability: Mist Sword Yoru (Grade - Unknown)

Dark steel materialized in her hands—a katana with a crimson hilt, its blade drinking in the moonlight. She assumed a defensive stance Conrad had never witnessed before.

Her battle stance... this must be grave indeed, Conrad realized, his heart raced against his ribs. Controlling his emotions, he followed her lead as he also pulled out Kopis in his hands.

Ability: Conqueror's Arrow Kopis (Grade - Gamma)

They stood back-to-back, weapons ready, as the Necroxi resumed their haunting performance.

"Beneath the red, Within nothingness,

The Mother stirs, yet ne'er she takes..."

The familiar verses tickled Conrad's memory. "Anira, what's happening?"

"My lord, maintain your focus. Their song entrances the unwary—these aren't mere plants, but former living beings," Anira warned, her eyes scanning their surroundings with predatory intensity.

Conrad observed the eyeless creatures with their hand-feet with growing horror. "Anira, you know something about this place?"

"I once heard tales from a priest... I never believed them true," she replied, her usual composure replaced by unprecedented gravity. "This tree... it may be the legendary Mother Tree Genesis mentioned in the Holy Qubile."

Qubile... why does that name echo in my mind?

Time seemed to congeal around them. The air grew thick and heavy. The Necroxi froze mid-motion, nearby trees ceased their gentle swaying, and reality itself appeared to hold its breath.

Conrad's fingers numbed and reddened in the supernatural cold. An inexplicable dread crawled up his spine. "Anira...?"

He turned to face his companion, her dark thick hair flowing like liquid shadow. But as he was about to approach her, a thought came to him in an instant: Where did her sword go? Wasn't she just holding it?

Through the dense foliage, illuminated by moonlight, something watched them. Conrad's enhanced vision caught a glimpse of crimson eyes staring unblinkingly, like those of a porcelain doll. The darkness concealed its true form, but instinct told him to remain still.

Why have they stopped praying? The lyrics... Mother's song... what were the words?

"Mother?" Conrad searched for Genesis, its massive form still dominating the landscape with impossible majesty.

"Boy, you're lost... this is no place for the young," an elderly voice cut through his thoughts.

"Who are you, old man?"

"Who are you, kid?" the white-bearded stranger countered, gathering branches for a fire.

"I'm Conrad."

"Conrad, what brings a youth like you to these dangerous heights? Wild beasts roam these slopes," the man advised while arranging his kindling.

"I'm not alone. I have my part—" Conrad's words died as he realized Anira had vanished.

"Where did she go?" He scratched his head in confusion. Something's wrong. This old man might know something.

"Old man, have you seen a beautiful woman with crimson eyes wearing a corset dress?"

The stranger ignited his fire and began roasting something on a stick. "No idea."

How did I lose her while standing still?

"Sit, kid. The cold will claim you otherwise. Share the fire's warmth on this beautiful night."

Conrad settled before the flames, their heat seeping into his chilled bones. Exhaustion tugged at his consciousness.

"You never said who you are, old man."

The stranger's gaze flickered between Conrad and the fire. "It doesn't matter."

"I'm more curious about what you are. Normal humans don't reach these heights."

"As I said, I wasn't alone. My partner helped me," Conrad replied carefully. Best keep the details to myself.

"Well then, we should find your partner. These mountains harbor dangers, and the Genesis tree has claimed many victims throughout history."

"Then I must hurry... I need to find her," Conrad stood, suddenly alert to the urgency of their separation.

"Darkness surrounds us. Wandering alone invites death."

Conrad's sapphire eyes met the old man's with unwavering resolve. His heart ached with worry for Anira. Though he knew her strength, unease gnawed at him.

"Good night, old man. Until we meet again," Conrad offered a warm smile. The stranger remained silent, the fire casting half his face in shadow.

Say something, at least. Conrad turned to leave, then thought better of it. Perhaps I should ask for provisions.

"Old man, could you—" He turned back, finding the man frozen in the same position, staring directly at him. His expression was blank.

Then, with excruciating slowness, the man's reddish lips began to curl. The smile stretched beyond natural limits, skin pulling taut as unnatural wrinkles formed across his features.

Ice filled Conrad's veins as cold sweat soaked his shirt. Terror paralyzed him as he watched the old man's transformation.

Hum…

A choir of voices vibrated through the air.

"...Not bound by gods, nor men of dust,

She reigns beyond both time and trust..."

Before Conrad could process the situation, writhing branches shot forth to ensnare him.

"No... help me, old man!" Conrad cried as vegetation wrapped around his legs, dragging him across the ground toward waiting roots that seemed to hunger for his flesh.

"Anira... where are you..." Conrad screamed, watching helplessly as the silent figure of the old man grew distant.

Kopis? Where is it? What's happening? He struggled against his bonds but found himself powerless.

"So this is the end..." Conrad's expression went blank as darkness claimed him.

"My lord...?"

A familiar voice pierced the void. Where am I?

"Huh? Ani...ra...? Are you alright?" Conrad found himself lying on the ground, head cradled in Anira's lap.

"Yes, my lord." Her crimson eyes were clouded with exhaustion, her beautiful features drained as if she'd weathered a great storm.

"Were you crying?" Conrad asked, noting the mud on his damaged clothes. Not a dream after all. But what happened after...? Did Anira save me again?

A small smile crossed his lips.

"I was so worried, my lord," Anira's voice quivered as fresh tears fell.

"Hey... now... stop crying, Anira," Conrad felt ashamed at causing her such distress.

Anira clutched him tightly. "Please don't leave me again. I'll protect you no matter what. Please don't die. I can't be alone again..." She sobbed into his shirt.

"I'll be here... forever, okay? So no more tears," Conrad reached up to pat her head gently.

After she calmed, Conrad asked, "How did you save me?"

"It wasn't me, my lord. I was as lost as you. The tree... it pulled you back from nothingness," Anira explained.

Conrad frowned. "This tree?" He gazed at the colossal Genesis, surrounded by curious Necroxi plants.

"They look rather creepy..." Conrad smiled.

"Huh? Aren't they adorable, my lord?" Anira lifted one of the creatures, its arm-legs wiggling as she beamed at the unusual being.

Conrad's smile widened at her restored cheerfulness, then paused as ancient whispers reached his ears. His gaze returned to Genesis.

My imagination, perhaps. Yet I could have sworn I heard something trapped within the tree itself.

Conrad stared at the massive trunk as moonlight bathed the scene in silver radiance, wondering what just happened to him.