Rifts.
When they appeared, everything changed. The world was no more like before.
The Ancient Call came along with the Rifts and whispered the murmurs of Ancients into their ears. Initially, no one noticed them, because just after some time, these strange murmurs disappeared like they had never existed before.
However, what happened next was something which remained etched in the hearts of all of the humanity like a dead stone.
Suddenly, people went missing. They just disappeared without any trace. Only thing which remained behind was their memories. As soon as the mass hysteria spread, people started to follow the Calls and soon the Ancient Runes appeared, which further guided them to the Origins of the Call.
Call, Origin, Comprehension.
These three words became the most important three words for all the humanity, because not following these words could very well mean the same fate as the others who didn't exist anymore.
countless scientific and philosophical theories started to spread about these murmurs. some considered them as the divine blessings by the dead deities and not responding their Calls could very well be considered as a blasphemy. while some other people considered it as the interference of some extra-terrestrial powerful beings.
However, as time passed, things turned out in a very twisted and cruel manner.
It was came down to whether or not you are Claimed by the Call or the Ancient's as [Descendant].
Being a Descendant meant, you are qualified to inherit one of their Lineage and spread their name, by responding to their Calls. However, that brought its own dangers of mysterious magical words which appeared behind those Rifts.
And Rifts are the root of everything.
These are the mysterious pathways which connect Earth to other magical worlds…
And Flame was seeing one such Rift…
With its other end being the Earth…
Flame felt all his exhaustion suddenly disappearing as he saw his journey almost coming to its end. The painful arduous journey which had thought him so much and made him realize of things which he cared.
In this time, he realized how much he loved his mom and how much he missed her scolding. He realized how much Lucy meant to him and what difference it made without her. he realized how big of a price, one must pay for their wishes to be fulfilled.
He lost his hand, he lost his mind, but he didn't lose his hope.
He knew, if he were to persist like how he has been doing till now, the ancient's will definitely bless him. he will be able to go home again.
"!" suddenly, Flame flinched as he saw the grip of the little snake tighten around his neck.
Tak!...Tak!...Tak!
And soon, he flinched again as the sound of the elegant footsteps echoed in the underground chamber.
They were calm and gentle as though each and every step was taken with utmost care to not disrupt the serenity of the air.
Just then, clarity finally began to fill Flame's mind. he realized how many things he just missed to notice in that Rift. In fact, the existence of a Rift inside another Rift didn't made any sense. it was impossible!
However, things had escalated already. The soft warmth of the orange stone walls suddenly receded. The chamber suddenly felt colder, it was like the temperature has decreased to a dangerous degree while the sound of the elegant footsteps echoed louder.
Tak!
As the footsteps finally stopped before the Rift, the room suddenly shifted. The orange glowing walls suddenly shrunk, hiding their weak orange glow from the air of the unknown presence.
Before the huge tear in the space, the room was enveloped in a white light. There, a pair of white horns shone with a binding light. they were settled on a beautiful wool of silver hair which contrasted sharply to the pitch black attire of the humanoid figure.
The horned creature was around the height of imposing 200 cm with a snow white flawless skin and an elegant astute posture. Its face looked like a sculpted piece of art, devoid any imperfections and unblemished.
However, the most enchanting part was not his face. Instead. It was his eyes.
Flame suddenly felt a very strange urge to rip of those shut eyelids and find the wonder hidden behind them. he almost felt himself enchanted by the horned figure's beauty.
But his eyes were steeled with resolve as he saw the white snake slithering across the sphere of white radiance, almost camouflaging her existence from the world.
Meanwhile, Flame picked up the ancient pair of daggers which he got from the robes of the skeleton with his only hand.
He didn't had any time to ponder over the strength of the daggers as he was already at a heavy disadvantage. He was missing a whole arm! And an opportunity to use the full lethality of the pair of daggers.
Which could be very the factor of life and death for him.
However, Flame was desperate.
He wanted to leave this place and quickly cross that Rift…even if that didn't led him to earth, he knew that it was his only lead.
He cannot miss his only chance to live.
Flame picked up the pair of daggers with his remaining left hand using the thin aged thread. The thread was strong enough to hold the weight of the both daggers as Flame used the thread as a hinge and swayed.
His sharp eyes instantly noticed the small frown which appeared on the beautifully sculpted face as it sensed the unknown presence within its space. It slightly turned its head down while keeping its eyelids shut and gazed at the camouflaged infiltrate.
And Flame, didn't miss that.
Seizing his only opportunity, Flame lightly pushed the thread upwards and picked one of the daggers, allowing the other dagger to fly in air.
He channeled all his strength in his leading leg and gathered the momentum to plunge the dagger forward.
his left hand drew an wide arc as the dagger sharply cut through the air, magically cutting the blinding white radiance along with it and tore through the black fabric, drawing out fresh blood from the opponent's shoulder.
Flame didn't stop as he continued his momentum and pivoted onto his leading leg, and did a sharp 180 degree turn.
His legs groaned as though something had broken within them, but Flame ignored the pain and grabbed the other flying dagger hinged by the thread.
the thread instantly grew taut as Flame forced all his remaining strenght in that one last attack.
only one attack.
and he could go home.
Suddenly, Flame felt the time around him move slow. The cold air grew colder.
Flame ignored all the distractions and brought down the dagger.
His left hand instantly plunged forward, aiming at the soft portion between the horned creature's neck...
Clink!