At World’s End

Back on Earth again.

My shovel being able to dig me from world to world is something I’d never thought I would get used to. And yet it almost feels like second nature now.

All these new things are happening so fast. I’m not sure if it's really even the right path yet.

But I must press on.

For the safety of my brothers, and perhaps our future together in this new world.

Standing here I realize; in this decaying lab as the floor beneath me bends with each step. I can see this world is as doomed as it was before I found my place in the other.

I wouldn’t call this change a sad one. Moving forward is what I’ve always done after all.

It’s like moving away, to a better place, a safer one to live out the rest of my life.

I’m certain that’s what I want to do after all this is over.

Together, me, Lala, Gil, Dr. Creeks, and Eryth will live happily after together in her fantasy world. And maybe we’ll finally give that special place a name.

I believe our future together is bright, a light brighter than the darkness cast on us by the withering. I’m feeling hopeful, it feels like it’ll be over very soon.

But for now the daydreams can wait, I must press onward.

…

I’m looking for a master key card. Dr. Creeks needs it to power the facility. It could be a big help to all of us, so this mission is important.

This room isn’t the same as the one I left in the fantasy world; this room looks like it was once a much larger habitat. However now it's gone and withered away. The side of the habitat has been ripped away opening up into the mouth of a pit. Looking over the edge, I notice the swirlings of dark particles below, at its center a figure appears to pull in the darkness.

I grasp the shovel, attempting to conjure up some magic. But the attempt is futile. It seems being on Earth really diminishes my use of magic entirely.

Whatever I do, I mustn’t engage with that thing. Without my magic I’m just a brave kid with a shovel, I lack the oomph to dish out some damage.

I turn my sights upward. The blue of Earth’s skies. A beautiful color, one that feels more heartwarming than the one in the other world. The untainted sky gives me hope.

Stepping away, the glare of a reflective lens catches my eye. They look to be the spectacles of a late scientist, among other things a few burnt bones lay strewn about.

But as luck would have it, laid flat on the floor beneath the bundle of odd bones is none other than the master key card.

“Well that was easy.”

Pocketing the key card, I head deeper to the lower depths of the facility. Each step through the dark hallways draws a chill down my spine. The fear of whatever is lurking ahead scares me, and yet I keep walking on.

I’m still definitely afraid, it's just… I have to do this, I’m the only one that can.

I flex my fingers again, attempting to conjure some electricity, this time managing just a slight spark. Nothing volatile enough for combat but that’s more than before so at least I’m improving. A quick snap of my finger creates a small jolt across my body, shocking me in the process.

My hair sticks up as my body becomes full of static.

ZAP–

Tapping the metal of the shovel causes my static to transfer into the shovel instantly.

I could probably use this to stun someone, and maybe in the other world completely paralyze someone. Now I just gotta think of a name for it… maybe hmm… Stun Gun….Static Spear…Static Strike? I’ll workshop it later.

My path deeper leads me to a room full of tvs. The screens hang off the walls covering everything in black mirrors. In the center of the room some sort of device appears to be linked to all the screens via a large collection of wires spread out all around the room and up the walls. Upon that table there’s a key card swiper.

Might as well give it a try.

BEEP–

The swiper makes a quiet beep, and lights up a green light. One screen turns on in the room. It looks like a control panel of sorts… I could probably use it to return power to this room, and maybe even other ones too.

Clicking through the screens, and swiping the card again sends the controls into an activation sequence. And slowly screens from the room’s top to bottom begin flickering on.

Some screens remain unresponsive, others begin surveilling areas from across the lab.

That’s when an amazing graces the television screen. My brothers, Lala, Gil, running through the halls. Lala dragging Gil hand in hand.

My hope turns to concern as other monitors begin to show signs of wandering withered beasts from within the facility.

They’re okay, but I just need to reach them.

With the power mostly back on, maneuvering the halls should be much more a breeze than before. Living without lights really goes to show how much our eyes rely on it to see.

Running, crashing through the doors deeper and deeper into the lab. I stumble upon a group of wandering withered monsters.

I must kill them!

Grasping hold of the shovel I charge, the shovel’s blade headed toward the torso of the fragile ashen monster.

It connects cutting the zombie in two. Its body breaks apart collapsing and vanishing upon touching the ground. The two other grouped up demons stand almost stunned that one of them has been defeated so easily.

SNAP–

A spark of static electricity springs from my fist, more than before, my hairs stand up as I channel the power into the shovel. With my hand hovering over the metal I can feel the energy just waiting to be discharged. And I give the potential energy some kinetic force. Spinning around like a helicopter twisting into a swinging attack on the two remaining withering monsters. Laying their bodies to rest once again. I continue deeper.

I keep running.

Only stopping for moments to catch my breath.

I must save my brothers from a horrible fate.

Jumping down staircases deeper.

Slaughtering all monsters that block my path.

With every kill I feel a bit of electricity surging through me, my magic evolving from them, almost like a reawakening of power.

Maybe the withering monsters are like undead mana potions, fueling my magic. With every kill I get more exp, and with that more mana to my magic pool.

These zombies barely withstand one strike from me now, and with just a small added spark they disintegrate almost instantly. I thought they were just weak. But rather, I've become much stronger.

SNAP–

CRASH–

My shovel strikes true again, deleting the foe, this time the withering monsters begin to flee.

I snap my fingers again, this time it's not just static but a full on current of electricity comes bursting from the spark. Leading that spark into the shovel creates a lightning bolt ready to pierce my enemies.

As they run, I throw the spear of light, sending it through their bodies with ultimate precision. As the shovel bolt grazes them they disintegrate into nothing.

THUD–

The electrified shovel slams into the wall, a smaller arc of electricity still remains connected to my snapping hand that touched the shovel.

So I snap again.

SNAP–

In a near instant I am pulled to the spot the shovel was launched to. In the process crashing into the wall as well. Breaking the foundations of the wall and falling through into another room.

OOF–

“Ok, this is epic.” I mumble out, now laying in a pile of decayed metal.

This room I’ve crashed into looks to be some sort of observation deck or a balcony of sorts. A large glass window overlooks the pit, but levitating just ahead is that thing from before.

With withered metal and earth swirling around it, the figure's form appears almost… familiar.

Floating in the center of it all is…

Almza.

…

No, it's just another withered monster.

END CHAPTER 18