Battle of the immortals

CHAPTER 3 Journey into the Eternal realm

Royce took a moment to gather his thoughts before addressing the figure before him.

"First, let go of my  hand right now!" Royce demanded, forcefully pulling his hand away from the figure's grasp.

"Secondly, when we first met, you showed no sympathy. All you did was tell me to sit up while I was in pain. I've never encountered such disregard. How old are you?" Royce questioned, his frustration evident in his tone.

As Royce spoke, the figure's appearance shifted, transforming into flames that flashed toward him. Startled, Royce quickly ran for safety to the back of the tree.

"Mind your words, young man. I have no age. I exist in eternity," the figure responded sternly, its anger palpable even in its fiery form.

"What do you want from me?" Royce asked, his voice laced with fear.

"No questions for now. The danger is approaching," the figure replied.

"Fine. At least tell me your name," Royce kept disturbing, seeking some clarification to his confusion.

"I am Aethon Seraphel," the figure declared, his voice carrying the weight of eons.  "I am the seer of realms unseen, the guardian of the universe. In the realm of existence, I am the thread that binds the mortal and the immortal."

"As a seer, I see beyond the veil of time, studying the patterns of destiny that shape the universe. My eyes pierce through the darkness, illuminating the path of those who seek truth."

"Though my form may seem like an illusion, my presence is eternal. I am a guide to the lost. Through me, the mysteries of the universe are revealed, and the secrets of the soul laid bare."

"I am Aethon Seraphel, and I walk the realms of existence with purpose and clarity, always vigilant in my duty to safeguard the balance of all creation."

"Wow, that's quite a description," Royce remarked, still keeping his distance from  Aethon behind the tree.

"There's no time," Aethon responded urgently, its tone emphasizing the imminent threat. "Darkness is descending upon the city, and you have been chosen by the power of the Eternals to save humanity."

"What do I get out of it then?" Royce questioned, seeking reassurance of his benefit.

"No more questions, Royce," the figure replied firmly, its voice brooking no further inquiry. "Now is the time to act. Darkness looms heavily, and only you can stop it.”

Before Royce could react, the figure dashed towards him with incredible speed. In a flash, the figure grabbed Royce's hand and whisked him away without letting him say a word.

As Royce and Aethon landed in the city, they were surrounded by a magical world. The city was full of tall buildings made of shining crystal and glass that sparkled in the sunlight. The people who lived there were unlike any Royce had seen before. Some of them had wings and flew gracefully through the air, while others had only one eye or one leg but moved with beauty and grace.

Despite their strange appearances, the people of the city were kind and welcoming. As they passed Royce, they greeted him with smiles and chanted "Enchanteur!" in admiration. The city itself was incredibly clean, with streets that shone like marble and buildings that glimmered in the sunlight.

As Royce and Aethon moved through the city, Royce's eyes widened with amazement at the sights around him. But deep down, a sense of fear gnawed at him. "Where exactly is this guy taking me to?" Royce thought to himself, but before he could voice his worries, Aethon spoke. "Focus," Aethon said, his voice cutting through Royce's thoughts. Royce was shocked to hear Aethon respond to his inner worries.

As they walked, Aethon became more serious and focused, urging Royce not to make eye contact with anyone. Royce hesitated, then removed his hand from Aethon's grip. "Where exactly are we going?" Royce asked, his voice trembling with uncertainty.

Aethon pointed towards a tunnel ahead. "That's where we are going," he said firmly.

Royce looked around, but couldn't see anything. "Where? I can't see anything," he replied, as he looked around, pretending not to see anything, his anxiety rising.

"That tunnel. We are going there together," Aethon replied, fixing his gaze on Royce.

Royce shook his head defiantly. "No way. I'm not following you into that tunnel. Why are you after me? What's your problem?" he demanded, stepping back.

Aethon's response was calm but firm. "Do you want to leave? You are free to go," he said.

With arrogance, Royce turned to walk away, but no matter how far he went, he always found himself back in front of Aethon. "You're back. Thought you wanted to leave?" Aethon said with a smile, the first time Royce had seen him smile.

Royce knelt immediately and grabbed Aethon's robe. "Please, I'll do whatever you want. Just let me go. I can't go into this tunnel. I'd rather work as a coffee boy than go in there," he pleaded desperately.

Aethon gently took Royce's hand and spoke in a calm tone. "Royce, this is your destiny. You have no other choice. The fate of the world rests in your hands. It's time for you to save it.”

Aethon pulled Royce up immediately, grasping his head with both hands and staring directly into his eyes. "Are you ready, Royce?" he asked with intensity.

"Yes, I'm ready," Royce affirmed, straightening himself up.

"Are you ready, Royce?!" Aethon shouted once more, his expression unwavering.

"Yes!" Royce shouted back, his face filled with determination.

The two of them jumped into the tunnel, and Royce immediately noticed how dark it was inside. However, at the far end of the tunnel, there was a faint glimmer of light. With Aethon leading the way, they began to move forward.

"Where are we?" Royce asked, his curiosity getting the better of him.

Aethon glanced at him and replied, "Let's keep going. I'll give you details later."

Royce felt a surge of frustration. "You need to tell me things. You can't keep me in the dark," he insisted.

Aethon's response was sharp. "You talk too much. Can't you just keep quiet? When it's time, I will let you know things."

As they continued through the tunnel, Royce couldn't help but notice how scary it felt. The walls seemed to close in around them, and the air felt heavy and stuffy.

The tunnel's walls began to tremble, sending vibrations through the ground as Royce and Aethon pressed forward toward the faint light ahead. Royce's voice quivered with fear as he asked, "What's happening?”