Beyond The Absolute
Chapter 1 The Start Of An Absolute
I wake up, and as my eyes flutter open, a wave of panicked realization washes over me. My inner thoughts race Oh no, I'm going to be late for school! Panic grips my chest, propelling me out of bed with urgency. I quickly slip into my school uniform a crisply ironed white shirt, a navy blue tie, and a matching blazer adorned with my school's emblem. I can feel the fabric constricting slightly as I put it on, a daily reminder of the institution I'm part of, even if it often feels more like a prison.
I hastily brush my hair and splash some cold water on my face, attempting to shake off the remnants of sleep. After a quick breakfast just a bowl of cerealI grab my backpack, its straps digging slightly into my shoulders, and step through the front door. The smell of fresh grass and the sounds of chirping birds are briefly comforting, but the looming specter of school and its challenges plays on my mind like a broken record. My inner thoughts echo again Didn't I just escape this yesterday?
As I walk towards school, each step feels heavier than the last. My mind fills with dread as I anticipate the same unkind faces and dismissive remarks that have become all too familiar. Man, what will they have planned for me today?
Upon reaching the school, I take a deep breath, but my optimism is shortlived. The moment I walk through the gates, I hear familiar jeers. "Oh look, it's the loser again!" Two of the bullies, Jake and Tommy, stand there like stone gargoyles, their sneers as sharp as their looks. Jake, tall and muscular with an intimidating presence, sports a messy haircut that draws far too much attention to his piercing blue eyes. Tommy, on the other hand, has a wiry frame, but what he lacks in size, he compensates for with a cocky attitude and a twisted smile that makes my skin crawl.
Today feels particularly cruel as they decide to corner me. I remember the last time, and my body tenses involuntarily. In an instant, they pounce, their fists flying each punch resonating with a sickening thud against my skin. I fight back, but it's futile despite my desperate struggle, it only seems to fuel their amusement. I can feel the sting of pain as one of Jake's punches lands hard, painting my vision with flashes of darkness. I see stars, feel the warmth of blood trickling from my lip, and groan inwardly at the sight of Jake's black eye swelling from our last encounter.
As the school day drags on, the sun begins to set, casting a warm but unwelcoming glow over the school grounds. The final bell rings, slicing through the air like a lifeline, and I muster the strength to stand up, my heart still racing. I try to calm myself, but their laughter follows me outthe echoes of relentless bullying clawing at my psyche. "See you tomorrow, loser! You know you'll always be our favorite punching bag!"
I storm home, slamming the door behind me in a fit of pentup rage and frustration. My heart races, and I hug my arms around myself, desperate for comfort, but it feels as though I'm only enfolding despair. I scream into the empty room, "Why me!? Why do I have to go through this hell!?" In a sudden burst of anger, I slam my fist against the glass window. Pain flares through my hand as a crack spreads through the pane, and blood starts seeping from my skin, pooling on the floor beneath me. I collapse to my knees, the overwhelming weight of hopelessness crashing down as I sob uncontrollably. Why did this world give up on me?
Just then, a glimmer catches my eye a bright light erupts from behind the broken window, illuminating the dark room like a beacon. Curiosity and fear war against each other in my mind. I slowly approach the window, peeling apart the remnants of glass, but my excitement quickly turns to disappointment. Instead of a way out, I find nothing but a vast emptiness, a void that seems to stretch into eternity.
Then, a voice resonates in my mind. "So, you're the one who called for me?"
Surprise shakes me to my core. "Show yourself! Who are you?" I demand, stepping back, desperate for a face to match the voice.
"Your questions reveal your longing, but I shall answer them nonetheless. For your first question, my form doesn't exist in this world, I'm afraid. And for your second question, my name has been lost to time, but you can call me Axeryth."
"What do you mean you doesn't exist? How can you speak to me then?" I ask, puzzled.
"You really don't grasp it, do you? This is telepathy. But if what you seek isn't merely peace, then dig deeper. What do you truly desire? A normal life in this world? Step through the door of the absolutethe world of absolutesa place where your dreams come true, a realm where anything is possible."
Suddenly, memories flash through my minda haunting recollection of a girla presence that was once so vibrant.
She is there, a silhouette against the backdrop of fading light, her appearance strikingly beautiful yet tainted by pain. Her long hair, once vibrant, now falls lifelessly against her pale cheeks. A dark pool of blood collects beneath her as she coughs violently, crimson droplets staining her chin as she clutches the gaping hole in her chest.
"Listen closely… I don't have a lot of time left…" Her voice, though weak, appears strained yet resolute.
Tears stream down my face, and I desperately plead with her, "Please don't go! Please don't leave me…" I hold her fragile form in my arms, feeling her warmth slip away.
She gazes up at me, eyes shimmering with a melancholy brightness. "You know that's impossible now… If I could pause time for just one moment, I would relive our best moments togetherthe laughter, the warmth, the love… Those memories were truly the best moments of my life." A soft smile graces her lips, and she sheds a single tear before going limp in my embrace, her eyes losing their once vibrant light, plunging me into an abyss of grief.
"No! You can't leave me all alone…" I cry out to the empty ether. Has this world truly forsaken me? Was living a peaceful life so wrong?! I shout into the void, my voice cracking with anguish.
-End Of Flashback-
It's always the same here.., If what you say is true about this world, then I'll take that chance! Determination fuels my spirit as I make the decision.
"If you have the resolve to step into this new world, then you'll be just fine. I'm certain of it. Now, in this new realm, the world of absolutes awaits you!"
Scared, I reply, "I understand perfectly. It has always been the same here, but if there's a chance for it to be different, then I'll embrace that opportunity."
And with that, I step forward, the ground dissolving beneath me as I launch into an ethereal void, finding myself falling through the sky, the rush of wind sweeping past me, the thrill of the unknown coursing through my veins. What's happening!? I exclaim in confusion as the world around me shifts at an unimaginable pace, an exhilarating uncertainty engulfing me.
To be continued...