As the executioner's blade descended, Aric's world faded into darkness. He anticipated the cold embrace of death, an eternal void devoid of sensation or thought. Yet, instead of oblivion, a soft luminescence enveloped him, accompanied by a profound sense of weightlessness.
Gradually, a faint light pierced the darkness, growing brighter with each passing moment. Warmth spread through his being, and he became aware of a rhythmic sound—a heartbeat, strong and steady.
'Where am I?'
he wondered, attempting to open his eyes.
His eyelids felt heavy, but with effort, he managed to lift them.
Opening his eyes, Aric found himself in an ethereal realm where the very fabric of reality seemed fluid. The surroundings shimmered with hues beyond mortal comprehension, and time felt both infinite and fleeting. He stood upon a surface that rippled like fluid.
A gentle breeze carried a whisper,
"You stand in the Domain of the God of Time and Balance."
Turning toward the voice, Aric beheld a radiant figure materializing before him—a fragment of the deity, exuding both warmth and authority. The being's form was both defined and amorphous, shifting between shapes and colors, embodying the essence of time and equilibrium.
"Aric ,"
the fragment intoned,
"you have been brought here for a purpose beyond your understanding."
"Who are you and how do you know my name "
Confusion marred Aric's features.
"Why me? I am but a condemned soul."
The fragment's gaze softened.
"Your possession of the Abyssal Gene marks you as unique. It is a trait feared by the gods, for it holds the potential to disrupt the very fabric of existence."
With a wave of its hand, the fragment unveiled a vision,a tapestry depicting the betrayal of six gods against the seventh, the God of Time and Balance. The scene unfolded in vivid detail, revealing a celestial council where jealousy and ambition brewed.
"Eons ago,"
the fragment narrated,
"the six conspired against me, fearing the equilibrium I maintained. They sought dominion without constraint, leading to my fragmentation."
Aric watched, entranced, as the vision portrayed the treachery and ensuing chaos. The harmonious balance of the cosmos shattered, giving rise to turmoil and disorder.
"But why show me this?"
Aric questioned.
"Because,"
the fragment replied,
"within you lies the remnants of my essence. The Abyssal Gene is a conduit to restore balance."
Time in this domain flowed differently,ten years here equated to merely a minute in the mortal realm. Over this decade, the fragment imparted profound knowledge to Aric, delving into the intricacies of the Abyssal Gene. They explored its origins, potential, and the responsibilities it bestowed upon its bearer.
"Seven millennia before your time,"
the fragment revealed,
"seven bearers of the Abyssal Gene emerged. Each met a tragic end before realizing their potential, their souls now scattered across the continents, awaiting awakening."
Aric absorbed this revelation, understanding the gravity of his mission. He envisioned the souls, dormant and yearning for release, their potential untapped due to the fear they instilled in the divine.
"Seek them,"
the fragment urged,
"awaken these souls as specters. They will be your allies in the quest to restore balance."
A sense of purpose ignited within Aric.
"How will I find them?"
"Their essence calls to yours,"
the fragment explained.
"Trust in the connection you share. The Abyssal Gene within you resonates with theirs, creating a beacon that will guide you."
As their time together waned, the fragment imparted a final instruction.
"I shall reside within you until your awakening ceremony, masking your gene's presence. Beyond that, your path is yours to forge."
With a serene smile, the fragment began to merge with Aric, filling him with newfound strength and resolve. The fusion was seamless, like two halves of a whole reuniting after eons apart.
Suddenly, Aric felt a pull, drawing him away from the domain. The ethereal surroundings blurred, and a familiar sensation enveloped him,the warmth of life.
"Remember,"
the fragment's voice echoed,
"balance must be restored."
Gasping, Aric awoke in his infant body, the familiar surroundings of his childhood home greeting him. The soft murmur of voices, the scent of herbs, and the gentle touch of caretakers with the Khyronix emblem on their attire ,all sensations he had long forgotten.
"This time,he vowed silently, I will not falter."
Aric's journey of rebirth had begun, with the weight of destiny upon his young shoulders. The knowledge and purpose bestowed upon him in the divine realm simmered within, awaiting the moment they would be unleashed upon the world.