Project Eliora

I felt a chill run down my spine as I opened my eyes. I found myself back in the same bland, sterile room. It dawned on me that I had taken control of her body. I took a brief moment to consider whether there was anything I wanted to accomplish before she took over. Unfortunately, my mind was blank, and I decided to wait patiently until she took over again.

Today was the day. The day I had been dreading and preparing for all my life

The Chosen Day

I moved slowly, as if my body was resisting what was about to happen. My actions were sluggish and slow, a diversion from the norm. My fingers trembled as I got dressed in a long gown that extruded from the top outward. The bottom was only a few metres from the ground, and the dress was a mix of golden and silver colours that made me stand out instantly.

As I looked at myself in the mirror, I couldn’t help but feel like I was putting on a costume for a play. But this was not a play; this was my fate. As I paced my breathing, I knew it was time to leave. Delaying any longer would only cause panic.

A knock stopped me in my tracks as I approached the door. My heart skipped a beat as I wondered if they had come to check up on me already. I opened the door to find her standing before me—the person I had not seen since the night at the fountain, which was half a year ago. I felt a rush of anxiety hit me, and my body trembled under its weight. If I was caught interacting with her, this would cause serious problems with the plans.

“I have somewhere to be”

I said this as I tried to move past her, but she caught my arm.

“Please just hear me out”

She said that, and I sighed, turning back to her.

“Please make it quick”

I said this as I led her to the seating area.

“Do you remember who I am?”

She asked, and I nodded.

“If you are truly Nyla, then that means you are my mother.”

“You are right about that,”

She said, unable to keep still.

“What do you want then?”

I asked, curious about her sudden appearance.

“I want you to run away with me”

She said that, and I felt my heart skip a beat. What did she mean by that? Why today of all days? I was taken aback by her request and struggled to comprehend the reasoning behind it.

“I understand that it may sound stupid to you, but I’m exhausted from all of this”

She said this, coming closer to me. Though I was tempted to step back, I refused to show any fear. She took hold of my hands, and I could sense the desperation in her touch.

“I have a ship prepared for us. We can leave and start a new life together.”

I shook my head.

“I can’t.”

“Why not?”

She demanded, her grip on my hands tightening.

“I cannot risk angering the Deity”

I replied calmly.

“So you’re willing to just give in and let it possess your body?” she asked incredulously.

My eyes widened in surprise. How did she know? Who had told her?

“And who told you about this?”

I asked, attempting to maintain a steady tone.

“You really think I’m going to tell you that?”

Her eyes were flashing with rage as she responded. I realised that she couldn’t comprehend my actions. The purpose of the Chosen Day was for the Deity to transfer into a host’s body, creating a perfect being. This cycle had been repeating for millennia, and it was necessary for our ultimate goal.

“I have to go.”

As soon as I released Nyla’s hold on my hand, I felt her rage and frustration radiating off of her. Given that her only daughter was about to voluntarily submit herself to the deity, it made sense. She was desperate to stop me from making what she saw as a grave mistake.

“I am inviting you to come to the event”

As soon as I finished speaking, I left her alone in my room, closing the door behind me. I didn’t want to force her to leave, so I left the choice up to her. As usual, Zillah was standing outside, patiently waiting.

“Zillah, please stay and help Nyla with anything she needs. You are free to act on your own accord”

“Yes, Eliora”

Before I left, I looked Zillah in the eye and could see that she understood the deeper meaning I was trying to convey. Then I stepped out into the open air and took a deep breath. It was refreshing, especially compared to the stifling atmosphere in my room. The sky was overcast, as if even the heavens were aware of what was about to happen.

Even though there weren’t many people there, I could feel their gazes on me. They all knew what day it was, and they knew what my role was in the Chosen Day ceremony. But I didn’t let their stares bother me. I made an effort to maintain my composure, but I couldn’t help but feel like a spectacle and a pawn in someone else’s game. I was already running late, so I picked up the pace while walking.

—

The roar of the crowd could be heard coming from behind the stage. I felt an almost palpable excitement as a result of the murmurs and cheers, which sent a chill down my spine. Soon the announcer’s voice would boom through the microphone and call me up on stage. The moment I had been preparing for all my life was finally here—the day I would be crowned Queen of Solanas.

But there was something much bigger happening that not many could comprehend. At the height of the sun, my life would be irrevocably altered. At the exact moment when the sun was at its zenith, I would cease to exist. The deity would take the place of my physical body, my essence, and everything else that made me who I am. It was an unimaginable experience that I couldn’t quite wrap my head around. What would it feel like to actually let go of myself and let the deity take over?

“Eliora”

I was startled out of my reverie by Bethany’s voice, and I immediately turned to face her. She flashed me a charming smile and walked over to me.

“Today’s the big day. How are you feeling?”

Her eyes were beaming with excitement as she asked.

“Perfectly fine,”

I answered while feigning confidence. I couldn’t let anyone know how nervous I really was.

“That’s impressive”

Bethany remarked.

“If it were me, I’d probably be a bundle of nerves by now.”

So, it was normal to feel that way. For me, however, there was no room for nerves. As I looked back at Bethany, a sense of longing filled me. I wanted to meet with the others one last time, just to see them before my life would change forever. Strangely, despite the fact that I hadn’t spoken to some of them since our training, a bond had grown between us. It had grown into a familiar connection over the course of our time together. I had come to indirectly know them—their mannerisms, skills, strengths, and weaknesses.

“What type of bond was this?”

I asked myself. It was a bond that went beyond just being fellow trainees; it was one that had developed through our shared experiences.

“Where are the others?”

I asked Bethany, hoping to catch a glimpse of them before the ceremony.

“I have no idea”

She replied with a shrug.

“Most of us met up earlier, but I guess we all had different things to do.”

I felt a sense of disappointment wash over me, but I knew I had to come to terms with the possibility of not seeing them again.

“Tell them I said thank you. it was fun”

I said this to Bethany, hoping she would pass on my message.

“Eliora”

She said this, smiling at me.

“It has been a pleasure, my queen.”

My queen? It was a title that I still had trouble getting used to. I reached out and shook her hand, but it felt like more than just a formal gesture. Depending on what happens today, this could very well be the last time I see her. The thought of it made me feel melancholic, but I pushed the feeling aside and watched as Bethany walked away, leaving me alone.

The announcer called out my name, and I took a deep breath and focused on the task at hand. I straightened my posture, ensuring that every movement I made exuded grace and elegance. My movements were precise and measured. Every step was carefully calculated to produce an aura that depicted a strong and fearless leader. My gown flowed effortlessly with each step, the fabric whispering against my skin.

As I stepped onto the stage, my eyes scanned the audience. The crowd seemed to stretch past the horizon. The concept of social classes was something that had been eradicated from our society long ago. Regardless of a person’s place in society, they all received the same level of respect and had access to the same resources. Even those of us Children of the Deity who were running for the position of Queen were not given any special treatment, as we had to pay for our own accommodations using our allowances.

But this does not apply to the one in the position of queen.

Becoming queen meant that my personal life would be sacrificed for the greater good. As queen, I would have access to a large palace, four nutrient-filled and balanced meals a day, a plethora of assistants, and the exclusive celebrity status that came with the title. But at what cost? The formality that came with the title would keep people at a distance, only wanting to keep things professional.

There was also the issue of the deity who would live inside my body. The thought of having an entity take control of my being was unsettling, to say the least. These thoughts had been haunting me for weeks leading up to this moment, and now that it was finally here, I couldn’t ignore them any longer. I looked past the crowd and into the horizon, feeling the warm light from the sun on my face. It was a moment of solace amidst the chaos of the ceremony. I took a deep breath and cleared my throat before beginning my speech.

“Greetings, my people”

I hated all of this.

“It is an honour to be before you now”

I was sick

“Today, a new era will begin for our people as I take up the mantle and become queen.”

I was tired

“As one of the Children of the deity, I have undergone several experiments and exercises. The culture and practises of our people have been embedded in me, and the Deity itself spoke through the elders that I meet the requirements to lead you all.”

I looked out at the sea of faces, trying to take in every detail. As far as the eye could see, the crowd was packed closely together in rows upon rows. Their eyes shone with hope and expectation, and I could see the excitement and anticipation in them.

“I embrace this crown as a sign of service rather than one of power”

As I spoke, I could feel the pressure of their hopes and expectations mounting, the weight of the responsibility almost suffocating me.

“Although we, the Solanas, have faced challenges and failures, we have also had incredible success and produced astounding discoveries. There is still so much that we can learn, so much more to explore, and so much more to discover.”

Becoming queen was not something I had ever imagined for myself, and the thought of leading an entire civilization was almost overwhelming.

“No matter where our journeys lead us, I will spare no effort to see that our civilization prospers and advances, that we stay united in our quest for knowledge and advancement, and that we never forget our common history and culture”

My thoughts strayed to Nyla’s proposal and the gravity of the issue that only a few knew about. I knew I couldn’t just run away, no matter how difficult the situation might be.

“I am here as your queen to help you, to hear your worries, and to work for a brighter future for our empire”

I was aware that the path ahead would be difficult, but I was committed to seeing it through.

“So let’s advance collectively, with hope in our hearts and resolve in our spirits. Let us raise our voices so they may reach the heavens in honour of today, the day it all changes, and make a commitment right here and now to the promising future that lies ahead.”

I concluded my speech, and the ovation was immense and deafening, a testament to the immense crowd that had gathered to witness this momentous occasion. I couldn’t help but wonder how many of them had come out of genuine support and how many were there simply out of obligation or curiosity. But on the other hand, I was aware that I couldn’t satisfy everyone. All I could do was focus on leading my people to the best of my ability.

Despite my scepticism, I felt a sense of pride and success as I descended from the stage. After all, I had been chosen as ruler for a reason. My leadership skills had been deemed the best among all the candidates, and it was my duty to use those skills to guide my people towards a brighter future.

I had a busy schedule ahead, with numerous public appearances and events to attend, but these were all due to happen past the peak of the day. Hence, it was my cue to leave for my next engagement. As I made my way towards the obelisk, the sound of my footsteps was the only thing that broke the silence around me. I encountered no one on my way there since everyone was at the ceremony.

When I reached the edge of the water, I hesitated for a moment, knowing that I would have to walk through it to reach the structure. I took a deep breath and waded through the cool water, feeling the hem of my dress get soaked in the process. As I approached the entrance, I knelt down and bowed my head in reverence, waiting for the deity to arrive. It did not take long before I heard the sound of his footsteps.

“Rise.”

He commanded, and I stood to my feet and looked at him, waiting for him to speak.

“Follow”

He said that, and I followed him into the hollow area, watching as he sat down on his throne and gestured for me to stand before him.

“Do you want to face punishment?”

He asked with a firm voice, and I found it an interesting question to ask.

“Why do you ask Deity?”

“I notice all of your mannerisms, even the slightest changes. You looked at me instead of bowing, and I can’t help but wonder if you think your new position as queen gives you the right to act this way”

He explained, and I felt a smile creeping onto my face. So he had noticed my intentions.

“Is that a reason for punishment?”

I inquired with a sense of amusement in response to his assumption.

“If you believe that your new position grants you immunity, you are gravely mistaken”

He warned me, but that was where he was wrong.

“I have not gained immunity; I have only gained the strength required to push forward”

I retorted, my voice steady. There was one thing I wanted, and I would not leave without it.

“The strength to finally kill you”

I said, my eyes blazing with fury, and he was silent, his expression unreadable, even for much longer than usual.

“Seems I left you speechless”

I said, taunting him.

“I am just wondering what brought about all of this”

He said it, his tone calm.

“You are trying to say you do not already know?”

“Exactly. I gave you everything. I made you queen; you are the most dangerous and highly skilled person on this planet; you have my guidance and blessing; and you are on your way to becoming a perfect being. What more do you want?”

He spoke, raising his voice.

“I never wanted any of this”

I said this with a hint of anger present in my voice.

“There is nothing you can do to change that”

He said this, his tone unwavering; however, I was not going to back down.

“What do you think a perfect being is?”

“There are many theories on what a perfect being actually is, but something that is common among all of them is that the being in question possesses all possible levels of perfection. Beauty, knowledge, skills, their entire existence is perfect”

He spoke with a tone of authority, and I listened attentively, his words painting a vivid picture in my mind.

“Most will say that perfection is affected by the perception of an individual; it is a fabricated standard. However, to become a truly perfect being, that constraint must not apply; the being must be perfect in all ways and in all eyes”

It was a profound thought, but I couldn’t help but ask with my voice dripping with sarcasm.

“What about you? Do you think you are a perfect being?”

“I am perfect in nature; my entire being has been such, and it will forever be perfect.”

He responded without hesitating. His claim was so outrageous that I couldn’t help but laugh.

“A perfect being? Well then, your claim is strong, which is why me killing you will prove that you are not perfect,”

“Do you actually think you can defeat me?”

“I have prepared myself for this for a long time”

I replied confidently.

“Even though I die, that will be a huge detriment to you, won’t it?”

He paused, his expression changing from confidence to irritation.

“Stupid girl, do you really think I am going to kill you?”

He said it with disdain.

“Then you plan to inhabit my body forcefully, then?”

I said, my smirk growing wider.

“Why does the self-acclaimed perfect being require a vessel for his survival? Is that not considered a flaw?”

I added, my voice taking on a challenging edge. Suddenly, multiple tentacles emerged from behind him, pointing menacingly towards me. It seemed I had pushed a nerve.

“This is your last warning Eliora”

He warned me, but I had had enough.

“Sorry, but I have done listening”

I could sense the tension in the air as the deity and I stared each other down. I wondered what he was thinking as he sat on his throne, arms crossed, his face unreadable. I suddenly felt a presence coming up behind me. I quickly turned my head and saw a fast-moving threat coming my way. Without a second thought, my body sprang into action, and I leapt into the air just as the additional tentacles crashed into the spot where I had been standing. I landed back on the ground, my eyes still fixed on the deity.

As I sprinted across the shimmering surface of the Lumen, the subtle vibrations caused by the writhing tentacles rippled through the liquid, alerting me to their presence. With quick reflexes, I was able to anticipate and sidestep a surprise attack from one of the snaking appendages. The tentacles were cleverly hidden beneath the iridescent Lumen, and I knew that I had to leap out of the liquid to avoid being caught at a significant disadvantage.

I had two options: to go around or over the Lumen to reach the Deity. I had to move quickly because I needed to put an end to this battle as soon as I could, while I was at my best. The longer it dragged out, the worse it would be for me. I knew that the deity was trying to wear me down and avoid a direct confrontation by using just the tentacles. He knew me from the inside out, but I too knew the way he thought and processed things. If I could properly capitalise on that, I knew that I could come out on top in this fight.

As I made my move towards the deity, I saw a flurry of tentacles come hurtling towards me from all directions. I leapt into the air to get away from them, but I was aware that this wouldn’t keep me safe for very long. He was quick to anticipate my move and made all of the tentacles rapidly turn upwards, trying to catch me as I was still in the air. I deftly dodged and spun my body around to avoid the incoming attacks.

I managed to grab onto some of them and use them as a means to launch myself over to him. However, a tentacle latched onto my leg, and before I could do anything about it, I felt myself being thrown against the side of the structure. The impact forced the air out of my body and caused the area around me to crumble. As I frantically attempted to stand up, a sharp pain started in my leg and quickly spread throughout the rest of my body. Looking down, I saw that several tentacles had ripped through my skin and into my flesh. In a desperate attempt to free myself, I grabbed onto the tentacles and began pulling on them with all my might, tears streaming down my face as the pain became too much to bear.

My ordeal, however, was far from over. As more tentacles continued to cling to my arm and back, it became increasingly difficult for me to move. My body contorted in agony, my vocal cords straining as a guttural scream escaped my lips. The tentacles had ensnared me, lifting me off the ground with a sickening jolt. The pain was excruciating, pulsing through every fibre of my being. I knew that I was at my limit and that I had to find a way to break free before it was too late.

“Let’s see what caused this troublesome behaviour of yours”

I was filled with a sense of dread as the deity began scanning through my memories. I needed to stop this, or everything would have been for nothing. I had to fight back to resist his invasion, no matter the cost. I dug my fingers into the tentacles that had ensnared me, wincing at the sharp pain as I tugged with all my might. Each tug felt like a knife slicing through my flesh, but I gritted my teeth and kept going, refusing to give up.

“So you are still able to fight on”

Finally, one by one, the tentacles began to come loose. It was a slow, agonising process, but I persevered, pulling them out and wrapping them around each other until they came free with a sickening squelch. The relief was immediate, but it was short-lived. I was a mess; my body was wracked with pain, and my energy was drained. Every inch of my body throbbed with agony, but I was determined not to let that self-proclaimed perfect being sit idly on his throne and mock me with his nonchalant expression. Despite my weakened state, a sadistic smile crept onto my face as I spoke with a menacing tone,

“I am going to kill you.”

The deity’s response was equally infuriating.

“Try all you can; there is no way you can defeat me.”

I had a plan, and I also knew better than to underestimate him. I took a deep breath to steady myself and then launched myself forward with all the strength I had left. The tentacles sprouted from the deity’s body, attacking me from all directions. They spread out, covering a much larger area, making it nearly impossible to avoid. I came to a complete stop and considered my options. I had to act fast if I wanted to survive this. Without warning, I leapt back into the wall, using my momentum to spring off of the tentacles and create distance.

However, the tentacles persisted in their obstinate pursuit. They came at me with incredible speed, slamming into the wall behind me with bone-rattling force. Dust and rubble exploded into the air, obscuring my movements. I could barely see where I was going, but I knew I had to keep moving. I smashed through the extremely thick wall, carving out a small cave to protect me from the onslaught of tentacles. The walls shuddered and shook under the barrage of attacks, but I stood firm, bracing myself for the worst. I took a deep breath and then another, preparing myself for what came next.

When the initial wave of attacks subsided, I emerged from the rubble, ready to take the fight to the deity once again. He looked unimpressed, but I knew better. The tentacles were still a major threat, and I had to find a way to neutralise them. I suddenly leapt into the air and grabbed hold of one of the tentacles with both hands. I could feel its slimy texture wriggling against my skin, but I held on tight. I then wrapped it around the others to make a bundle, tearing it in half with a grunt of effort.

I wasn’t done yet. With fierce determination, I grabbed onto the other pieces of the tentacles and pulled with all my might. The tentacles ripped out from their origin points, falling to the ground in a grotesque heap. I felt a surge of satisfaction as I watched them wriggle helplessly on the ground, unable to do any more damage.

A click on a device strapped to my wrist meant that it was ready, and I stood before the self-proclaimed deity.

“Now then, nothing can stand between me and you”

I said it confidently, but his response was calm and collected.

“Impressive, little one”

He responded with a hint of condescension in his voice. I charged forward, leaping into the air to deliver a powerful punch to his face. But in the blink of an eye, he was no longer sitting on the chair but was standing behind me. I crashed into the throne, destroying it, but I quickly regained my footing and watched as he walked around the room.

“Do you think that would kill me?”

He said it, his voice filled with amusement. I quickly grabbed a sizable piece of the shattered throne and hurled it towards him. He simply flicked his wrist and swatted it away, but that was my plan all along. The chunk acted as a decoy as I used it to conceal my approach. I was about to strike him when he suddenly reached out and grabbed me by the collar. I tried to struggle and break free, but his grip was too strong. He then lifted his closed fist above his head and brought it down with incredible force, slamming me into the ground with a sickening thud.

The impact left me disoriented and reeling with pain. My mouth filled with the taste of blood, and my body was beyond its limits. The injuries I had sustained from the tentacles only added to the agony I was feeling. I tried to move, but every inch of my body screamed with pain.

“Is that all?”

He asked, his voice dripping with contempt, and I could barely manage to respond.

“I can still fix you”

He easily combed through my memories as he dove into my mind.

“I see. Some massive changes are needed.”

He said it, his voice cold and clinical. I knew that my plan had worked, though, and it came when I needed it. A faint beeping sound caught my attention, and it was coming from the device on my wrist. With a sadistic smile on my face, I looked up at the arrogant being towering over me.

“Got... you”

I muttered. Summoning all my remaining energy, I stood up and lunged away from him.

“So you really do have an energy core here?”

I said, barely concealing my excitement.

“And how did you figure that out?”

He replied, clearly irritated. I paused for a moment before answering, trying to savour the moment.

“There are multiple energy tubes coming into the Obelisk; I always found it odd, so I began tracking energy signatures a while back, but what I found weird was that the data never made sense. That’s when I came to the realisation that the energy was being stored.”

As I continued to speak, a grin spread across my face.

“What was interesting was when I found out that whenever you moved, there was a slight change in the energy patterns. I discovered that this entire room acts as a conductor for you, which is why you are so strong. Extreme activities, like, for example, you trying to scan my memories without your appendages, cause that pathway to show up, which has a direct link to the core.”

He listened intently.

“I am thoroughly surprised by the level of planning that went into this, but do not tell me you want to destroy the core.”

“Exactly”

I replied, unable to hide the madness in my eyes.

“That would be foolish. If the core is destroyed, all that stored-up energy will be released simultaneously and destroy about half the planet in an instant.”

“I know, but as long as it means your death, then I am all for it.”

“Madness”

The deity murmured under his breath.

“Just watch me.”

I replied, my confidence growing with each passing moment.

“There is no way I am allowing you to reach it”

He said it, his voice cold and menacing, but I laughed at his naivete.

“Don’t worry, they are going to do that for me”

I said it with a mischievous glint in my eye.

“They?”

The deity repeated himself, confusion evident in his voice.

“For someone who boasts about being a perfect being, it seems I have to spell things out for you all the time. Have you not wondered where the guardians are?”

A smug look appeared on my face. He looked up, and we both watched in awe as a massive ball of energy fell from the sky, landing inside the pool of Lumen. I could feel the vibrations in the ground as the core began to crack, and a large amount of energy spilled out, destroying the entire lower section of the obelisk. The incredible energy sent me flying through the air, and the sound of the collapsing structure echoed in my ears.

The air was thick with dust and debris, and I felt like I was drowning in a sea of darkness. As the debris pelted me, I realised that I was trapped under the rubble and couldn’t move. It felt like a million knives were being thrust into my gut, and every movement I made seemed to make it worse. The pain was unbearable, and every movement I made sent ripples of pain throughout my body. I felt my vision begin to fade, and I knew I was losing consciousness. The darkness seemed to be closing in on me, suffocating me, and making me feel as if I was being swallowed whole. My eyelids felt heavy, and despite my efforts to stay conscious, I could feel myself slipping away.

I slowly regained consciousness, and I became aware of a gentle hand wrapping around me.

“Thank goodness you are okay, I was worried”

“Nyla”

As I looked down at my abdomen, I saw the stitches that had been applied with Lumen. I could make out the guardians in the distance up ahead, their imposing figures silhouetted against the ruins of the once majestic Obelisk, which had stood tall and proud just moments ago but was now nothing but a pile of rubble.

“Why didn’t you tell me this from the beginning?”

“There was little I could do without alerting him; even communicating the plan to them took an excruciatingly long time, but it was worth it in the end.”

All the clues I left All the memory training I did for myself was to be able to hide these tiny events from him. It took years. But now...

“Is he dead?”

With her voice barely above a whisper, Nyla responded.

“I couldn’t find another body”

My heart sank. Could it be that he had survived the massive explosion and was now out there? The mere thought of it made me nervous and sent shivers down my spine.

“Are you sure?”

I asked, desperate for a glimmer of hope, but Nyla hesitated before confirming.

“Yes, I’m sure.”

This was bad.

“The core is okay as well, the energy is no longer sipping out of the crack”

It was made even worse. If he were still alive, he could draw energy from the core and become even more powerful than before. I needed a way to get rid of the core permanently. My body was radiating a dull throb of pain, but I knew I couldn’t let that stop me.

“I need to go”

I announced, trying to stand up, but my legs failed me, and I fell back into Nyla’s arms.

“If I don’t make my next public appearance, people will worry. I don’t want that.”

Nyla had a shocked and worried look on her face.

“You can’t do that in your current condition”

She protested, but I shook my head and stood my ground.

“That’s why you’re going to be there with me”

I said firmly

“Right now, every other thing can come later—the core, the deity. My people are what comes first.”

Nyla paused for a brief second before nodding in agreement.

“Okay then, but first, we are going to need a lot of lumen”

With her help, I managed to stand up, and she acted as a sturdy support for me to lean on. The weight of the recent events washed over me as we moved closer to the guardians. Zillah took off her faceguard to reveal her face to me for the first time. Her stunning dark hair and green eyes were a testament to her beauty, but at that moment, her concern for me was more evident.

“Are you okay?”

She asked, her voice filled with worry. I appreciated her concern and nodded in response.

“I am, thank you”

I replied in an effort to reassure her, and I noticed the other guardian walk over to me.

“I still have doubts about what was done here today. Do you really think everything would be better with him gone?”

He asked, and I took a deep breath, feeling the weight of responsibility on my shoulders.

“It has to be I will make it better”

I said, trying to sound confident. I knew it would be difficult to persuade him. He had been chosen to protect the deity, and his loyalty to him was unwavering, just like how Zillah was chosen to protect me, and her loyalty was toward me. I always thought that he would stand in my way, but Zillah took care of it. I was not sure how she had managed to convince him to help us, but I was going to thank her later on. He and I had a stare-down, each trying to gauge the other’s intentions, before he finally seemed to relax.

“You can call me Adriel since I never told you my name”

He said this, releasing the tension.

“Adriel, huh?”

“Don’t take this to mean I trust or believe in you now all of a sudden. I am just giving you a way to easily call my attention if it is needed”

He added, making it clear that his scepticism of me still remained. I nodded in acknowledgement. It was a start, but I knew I still had a long way to go to earn his trust. As I began walking away with Nyla, leaving them both behind, I couldn’t shake off the feeling that there was still an issue to resolve. The core and the energy it contained were still problems that needed to be addressed. Even if I were to use it as the power source for the entire planet, it would take centuries until it was depleted. The magnitude of the problem made my headache worse with the effort of trying to solve it.

But I had to set that issue aside for the time being. My focus had to be on my people, and I had to make an appearance at the next public event to reassure them. The core and its energy could be addressed at a later time.

—

I discovered that there were still many puzzle pieces missing as I tried to piece together what had happened. However, I had a theory that could potentially free everyone from the loop. Although difficult, it was still conceivable. With this newfound hope and information, I knew it was time to head back.

Eliora’s eyes were slowly dimming. All the senses I relied on to navigate my surroundings were gone, and the vibrant colours that were once my window to the world began to fade until everything went black.