Chapter 3- First Loss
Zephyr could only admire how unexpected his wife is. In a world where he knew everything, only she always managed to surprise him. Her unexpected side was one of the main reasons he fell deeply in love with her, and deep down, he enjoyed that trip a lot more than he expected.
"Best of three?" He muttered. "Well, since we are free and we don't have anything to do. Sure, why not?"
"Yayyy! I love you so much, Zeph!" She hugged him tightly. "This time, it will be even more of a challenge!"
"Bring it on, princess."
"Hehe…" Giggling to herself, Astra swayed her hand again, and Zephyr disappeared from sight in an instant.
***
The second world Zephyr was sent to was called Kesepko. A world that lives in eternal darkness with no sun. All the cities and settlements within it rely on what is called as 'Lunar Grace' to get light and survive.
All these settlements were surrounded by large doms that seal them inside and away from the harm of the outside world.
Zephyr found himself in the body of a young boy, and the goal was the same… Get to the peak. However, this time, he knew his wife would make it harder.
And harder it was.
Within the first day of his existence in that world, the city he was living in was attacked by monsters from the outside world. Breaking the dome and invading the place. Zephyr found himself weak against dangerous, rabid monsters who attacked and killed everything in their way.
He ran, and with his skills and intelligence, killed several monsters and started gaining strength.
"RAAAAAAH!"
Zephyr dodged the large claws as he grabbed the wooden spike and shoved it into the monster's eye, penetrating its brain. The monster fell to the ground dead.
"Ptuh… You really went far and beyond this time, Astra." Zephyr smiled as he absorbed the monster's Mana and looked around him. People were running everywhere, crying and screeching. Dead corpses lay everywhere.
The awakened tried to contain the situation, but things were completely out of control. Zephyr kicked the dead monster away and tried to leave.
"Hehe, I didn't do anything out of the ordinary. These invasions happen all the time in Kesepko. It's a daily occurrence, you could say." Astra said.
"And so coincidentally, it happened the moment I came to this world. Magnificent."
"You should move, dear husband~ They're coming your way."
"ROAR!!!!"
"You won't get any cookies when I get back," Zephyr said with a difficult smile as he started running when he saw a horde of monsters rushing his way.
"WHAT?!!! Not my cookies!!!"
Zephyr ignored the complaints of his wife and how she was throwing a tantrum as he focused on the brutal battle ahead. With his wooden spike, he tried to find a way to higher ground where he could see the city better. He passed through the masses, stabbing every creature in his way.
However, even with his experience and inhumane calmness, he couldn't really avoid injuries. Monster claws, bites, and everything else started piling on his body as he found himself surrounded from every direction.
"Tsk." He clicked his tongue as he smiled. "I'm kind of stuck."
The number of monsters was simply far too much for him to completely avoid. So, he decided to have a different approach.
As he was about to move, he suddenly heard a noise above him. Quickly, his eyes shot up, and he saw it there… Monsters had somehow climbed the dome and reached the Lunar Grace suspended above the city.
It was akin to a Light Bulb created out of Mana and magic. Yet, that same light bulb was being attacked from every side. Monsters jumped at it without care in the world, cracking its outer shell with continuous hits.
Until…
*SHATTER*
The glass layer burst violently, sending shards in every direction. At the same time, the Lunar Grace's light shone with an extremely bright light. It was so bright that the people who looked at it were instantly blinded.
"AAAAAAAH! MY EYES!!!"
Those who stared up fell to the ground, crying as steam rose from their faces. The light burnt their corneas beyond fixing. Zephyr realized that the moment the glass shattered, and quickly looked down.
The monsters around him started falling one by one, being burnt by that light, while those who climbed up there fell to the ground like flies, burnt to a crisp.
"So hot." Zephyr blinked. 'I need to get out of here, or I will be burnt alive too.'
With that, he started running. Navigating his way through the burning city, Zephyr saw the large hole in the dome that the monsters invaded from. That was his exit and the only way to survive, so he rushed there.
Monsters weren't coming in anymore due to the bright light inside that was cooking the entire city like a massive oven. It was a blessing and a curse for Zephyr.
However, right when he was about to leave, suddenly, a hand stretched from the blinding darkness outside as it grabbed onto the metal shell of the dome. Zephyr stopped immediately as he watched the creature walk in.
A massive monster, towering over him with ease, walked in. It was incredibly large, with a body that seemed to be made out of a very strong and thick hide. The creature appeared to be a hybrid between a bear and a wolf, and it seemed incredibly hungry.
"..."
"Ohoh? What am I seeing right now? Is that my husband speechless?" Astra asked with a mischievous tone.
Zephyr could only purse his lips as he wiped the sweat building up on his face. "You know what? Fair enough. You knocked it out of the park with this one, honey."
"Rrrrrr…" The monster growled lowly as it locked into Zephyr.
"So, what are you going to do, honey?"
Zephyr didn't reply as he stepped back. The monster watched him carefully, completely focused on him.
'I cannot outrun this thing. It could easily catch me within seconds. So, what can I do with a few seconds?' Staring around him, Zephyr's mind wandered. He thought of countless possibilities and countless ideas. All lead to one single outcome… death.
"RAAA!!"
And there was no time to think of a proper plan, either as the bear rushed toward him with its mouth wide open. Lunging at him, the boy could only quickly roll to the side and try to run. The creature changed direction and chased him.
Its speed does not fit its large body whatsoever.
So, Zephyr decided to make it way harder for it. Rushing inside one of the buildings, he dashed toward the second floor. Meanwhile, due to its large body, the monster took a few seconds to break in as it moved after him.
"Hah… Hah… Hah…"
'My body is already being heavily affected by the burning Lunar Grace. I can't really keep running for long. I'm going to break down soon.' He looked behind him at the approaching threat.
Whether he survives this bear attack is debatable. But, surviving the literal burning sun hovering above his head was simply not possible unless he left this city immediately.
Reaching the highest floor, he waited for the monster to arrive. Zephyr felt his skin being burnt under the light, and he could only bear it. This was his only choice.
"RAA!!!"
Eventually, the monster made it to the location as it barged into the rooftop without hesitation. It didn't wait for a second before attacking.
It had been angered that its prey had tried to escape.
"Yeah, get closer." He muttered as he stepped back till he was standing near the edge.
"RAA!!"
"Not yet…"
"RAAAAA!!!"
"Not yet…"
Zephyr waited and waited, even though the monster was barely inches away from him. Then…
"Now!"
Zephyr turned around and jumped. The monster, with all the momentum it built up, couldn't stop itself.
Zephyr twisted his body as he grabbed onto the ledge, watching as the monster leaped above him.
"RAAAAAA!!!" The monster realized what had just happened as it quickly tried to grab onto the ledge, only for its claws to scratch against the wall. As it was falling, it slammed its paw into Zephyr's back.
"...!" The boy's fingers slipped as he ended up hanging with one hand. Meanwhile, the bear fell dozens of floors before it crashed into the ground violently… Dying on the spot.
"Hng…" Zephyr clenched his teeth as he swung his arm, grabbing onto the ledge with both hands again before he forced himself up and rolled on his back.
"Hah…" He breathed heavily, his body feeling extremely weak, and his head very dizzy. The Lunar Grace had affected him heavily.
Taking a moment to regain his strength, he finally forced himself to his feet as he started limping down the stairs. The temperature of the city was increasing rapidly, and because of how enclosed it was, that heat seemed to condense at a lower level than he expected.
Zephyr's vision started wavering, and his body started refusing to obey his control.
He could barely reach the lowest floor before he dropped to the ground, unable to move.
'Damn… It seems I won't be able to make it.' He thought to himself. 'My body isn't strong enough.'
Realizing that, Zephy stopped resisting as he laid on his back.
"Fine, this one is your win." He said with great difficulty. "It was a pretty damn good idea, Astra."
"Hehe, I had to show my husband that I'm not easily defeated." She said. "You still almost won if you had a bit more time."
As he heard those words, Zephyr was transported back to the Divine Garden, where his wife welcomed him.
"This was a quick one." He rubbed his head. "Oh well… We said it's a best of three, no?"
"Absolutely." She winked at him.
"Fine, I'm going to get a bit more serious now."