47 Escalation

I made an excuse and left the bathroom. Told Six that I'm suddenly feeling very tired. He said something to me as I left, but I couldn't understand him. He spoke in foreign words unfamiliar to me, a language not of the world I knew.

I rush my clothes on and hurry to my room, trying to remain as calm as I possibly can. The scenery on the way back is now so different that finding my way gets difficult. Every time I pass someone, whether it be a servant or a guard, I avert my eyes. Every single one of them looks like Demons, with their blood-red eyes and dark flesh, malformed teeth and sometimes even limbs, they make me want to run in the other direction. But I can't let them know that something is wrong. I have no idea what would happen if I do and I have no desire to find out.

With cold sweat drenching the body I just bathed, I somehow made it to my room, and while I would love nothing more than to just lay on my bed and hope that when I wake up this all turns out to be a dream, I am reluctant to even stand near the bed as it now has a look and texture akin to a moldy sponge. Compared to this, I much rather sleep in the Corrupted Woods. There, at least the grass still looks like grass and trees still look like trees, though they might try to strangle you in your sleep.

I remain in the center of my room, not wanting to touch or be near anything, not even the walls, feeling like they might suddenly pull me into their solid mass. All that surrounding me now are the moonlights filtered through the windows, not pale and serene like I remember them and is instead a sinister and eerie crimson. The light makes me feel so uncomfortable, that I feel like I might lose my mind if I stand in it for too long.

In this discomfort, I distract myself with my thoughts, thinking to myself how and why this is happening. At the moment, the most obvious answer I can think of is the H.U.D. All of this began when I turned it off and if I had to guess, the world only looked like what it was, what I would define as normal, because of the H.U.D. It may be how I was able to communicate with the people of this world as well. Through the H.U.D., I was able to understand the words spoken to me, and somehow, I may have inadvertently been speaking their language as well, like how Six was saying words I don't understand in the bath. But wait, in that case, why can't I understand the words of the Demon Champion I encountered at the eastern fort, the Warrior I finished off at the top of the mountain. He spoke an unfamiliar language as well, one that, if my memory serves me right, sounds somewhat familiar to the words spoken by Six in the bath. My H.U.D. was certainly turned on back then, and that was also before it showed any signs of malfunctioning. So why, why couldn't I understand him?

I pondered the question for minutes, pacing around the room as I try to ignore my surroundings. The answer eventually arrives, and it is a sinister thought that makes me scared just thinking about it, yet it comes to mind regardless.

It might have to do with the summoning ritual. That was my conclusion. They summoned us here as Champions, ones that will fight for their cause. Compared to them, we are extremely powerful. A single one of us is worth a thousand of them. That meant that it is imperative that we see the summoners as friendlies and their enemies as our own foes. The H.U.D. made sure that we would align with the summoners and no one else, as we could communicate with no one else.

However, with the H.U.D. off, I now see the world as it is, a world mired in the 'Corruption', and I myself, at least in body, succumbing to the effects. So in the end, are we all 'Corrupted'? Has the world ended already without anyone realizing it? No, that's not quite right, something doesn't make sense, there's something is missing here. But what is it? It's nagging at the back of my head and I can't quite put a finger on it.

...

...

......

"Yes, that's right. If everyone's 'Corrupted', why are they fighting against each other? What's all this about? I don't understand. Are we being lied to?"

Of course, even as I ask the questions at empty walls, answers aren't going to come bouncing off them. The only answers I am getting are 'maybe', 'perhaps', and 'I don't know'. More importantly, what do I do about this? This isn't going to last for the rest of my time in this world, is it? Damn it all, I should never have turned the H.U.D. off. That was so stupid of me, just messing with that without thinking. Now I can't even turn it back on because I need the H.U.D. to be able to access the option in the first place.

I tuck myself in a corner, and though I have tried calling out to Michaela for help, there is no response. It seems that along with my H.U.D., I have lost all access to my skills and creatures as well, even the ability to communicate with them it seems.

What do I do? What do I do? What do I do? Damn it all! Damn my stupid self! I can't believe I just screw myself over like this. This is the absolute worst!

As I curse myself and my stupidity over and over again, I eventually grow tired, and in that corner, where the crimson moonlight barely reaches, I fall asleep.

***

In the middle of the night, my eyelids snap open. Inadvertently, I have fallen asleep, but with the things that need taking care of hanging onto my mind, I seem to have unconsciously kept myself from falling into too deep a slumber.

In my room, there is a small desk, and within the drawer, there should be some paper along with a pen and a well of ink. Without the H.U.D., I probably can't effectively communicate with the others. Even if they can understand me, I, on the other hand, cannot understand them. My assumption is that the H.U.D. not only allowed us to understand the spoken language of this world but somehow also makes us speak it or translate whatever we say into it without our notice. Most likely, it is one of the effects of the summoning ritual. I seem to vaguely recall the princess expressing relief over the fact that I can communicate with her the first time I met her, so it's likely that she was counting on this part of the summoning ritual to work. However, with written words from our own world, perhaps they can read them, provided that the H.U.D. doesn't do anything to mess with what they see on paper that is.

My other curiosity is whether or not this H.U.D. would appear different to someone else. I mean, clearly, this is the H.U.D. based off of the one seen in Elysium Online. Is it designed to be this way? Or more likely, is it merely appearing as something most familiar to me? Knowing now that this H.U.D. also alters one's perception, I'm putting my money on the latter case. With that said, let's put this aside for a moment, I'm getting sidetracked.

With the paper and pen obtained from the drawer, I start to write down what happened to my H.U.D. and that I can't understand them, as well as my own theory as to what I think it is. Hopefully, this can explain to them clearly what is going on with me. Then, there's the fact regarding the current state of the world, or perhaps, the state of the world as it has always been. Looking at the blood-red moon and they sky swirling with chaotic colors, while I can't say for sure, they sure do invoke the same feeling as those of the Demons and the Corrupted. Heck, if I am to look myself in the mirror right now, I am pretty sure that I would mistake myself for a Demon, if I'm not already am one. So then, are we all Corrupted, or are creatures of this world just that ugly in nature? And if we all look like this, why does the H.U.D. only shows me a different version of the Beastkins but reveal the ugly, Demon looking, forms of those of the other races? Why does it only translates the Beastkins' language, but not that of our supposed 'enemies'? Perhaps it is as I had guessed just a few moments ago, that this is another trick of the summoning system used to bring us here. It tricks us into allying with those that summoned us and have no choice to take the summoners' word for it as we have no way of speaking to anyone else.

I wonder if the princess is aware of this. She did say that she and her court magician had only a surface understanding of this summoning system, so maybe not, but she does have a habit of hiding things from me, so I can't rule the possibility out. I am also questioning if the 'Corruption' is even real, or if it's just a trick to make us fight.

...

...

......

"Who's there!?"

I spoke without turning around after feeling a presence via a set of light footsteps within the room. However, after getting no reply, I feel a sense of danger and quickly turn around with grimoire in hand, trying to summon something to no avail.

In front of me, I find a being that I can only describe as separate from the rest of the world as it appears to me now, an existence that appears neither Demonic nor Corrupted, but somewhat ethereal. As she moves closer, her pure white hair flows behind her, and when the crimson moonlight shines upon the silver strands, they do not turn red, but instead, it is the moonlight that becomes pale and white. On her head, she wears a pair of curved, spiraling horns, horns akin to that of a goat's, and her eyes are pale blue, like how the sky should look alongside a bright sun. This girl, I've seen her before, twice in fact, both time by the river bank if I memory serves me right. She was the one who handed me the 'contract' for the [Snow Liger], Timothy, and I believe that it was after meeting her that my H.U.D. started behaving oddly.

Seeing her, one thing sticks out like a sore thumb, and that is the fact that she looks no different from how I remember her, form the times I saw her through the H.U.D. It is as if my H.U.D. had not altered her appearance to me, or perhaps, it could not.

In her hands, she clasps a flat rectangular piece before her chest, holding it dearly before extending it towards me. Like with Timothy, she brought me another 'contract', and like with Timothy, the moment I receive it, she extends her hand towards my head. Seeing that coming, I quickly shrink away.

"The cycle must end."

The 'cycle', that is what she just muttered. I vaguely remember her saying it as well the last time we met.

"What 'cycle'? What do you mean by it? Come on, you can't expect me to get it just by saying the noun without any explanation."

Tired of constantly getting no answers, I grab onto her shoulder, the contract I received kept in between my fingers. I stare into her eyes to find answers, only to find them glazed and staring into space. It's as if she's asleep, as if she's sleepwalking. I proceed to shake her, but there is no change, and as I begin to get frustrated, I find her small, almost fragile fingers upon both sides of my head.

My vision starts spazzing out and colors start flying all over my sight. It is a sensation so overwhelming that I can't help but feel nauseous. Soon, it becomes difficult to even hold on to my consciousness and my mind starts fading to black.

***

Upon opening my eyes, a blue sky greets my vision, and shining through the window, warm yellow sunlight. Pushing myself from the floor, I find in my hand a [contract], proving that what occurred last night was not a dream.

After getting up, I scan the room, and all appears to be normal, what I consider to be normal at least. And as I look around, I find my sight to be somewhat cluttered. Focusing on the corner of my vision, I find there to be two bars, one green and one blue, representing Hp and Mp. The H.U.D. appears to have been restored, and I can more or less guess who had done it.

I turn my eyes towards the [contract] in my hand. Twice now, that girl had brought these to me, but I still don't know what she wanted. 'Cycle', is the only keyword I got out of her, something that seems to be the hot topic of the moment. Turning the [contract] over, I find it to be the one belonging to the [World Devourer Woods] of all things. Like the time with Timothy, the girl has brought me yet another [contract]. What is she after? Is something I am unaware of going on in the background. Well, I'm sure there's nothing I can do about at the moment. Lately, no, it's been like this since the moment I've entered this world, this entire time, I feel like I'm running around in the dark. I know next to nothing about this world, everything that happens feel overwhelming and beyond my understanding, and I have to cope with that while fighting for my life at the same time. Sometimes I feel like just giving up and just charge on ahead blindly. It's so much easier to just do whatever someone else tells you to without having to think of anything. But, that won't do, will it? I'd just be following my old habits again, the habits that lead me to my lonely dead-end of a life.

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"What to do? What to do? Gotta figure it out..."

A knock comes from the door just as I fall onto the bed. The bed feels soft, nothing like the texture it had last night. Now it feels so nice and comfy, I don't really care what it is in its true form. If I can't see or feel it, then it practically doesn't matter. What matters is what I'm feeling right now. Speaking of right now, I better get to the door.

Swinging the door open, I find the princess waiting with Merida by her side. She seems tired and I spot bags under her eyes. She must have had a rough night.

"Good morning, Aurelius."

"Good morning to you too, princess. You don't look like you've had a good night though."

"Yes, well, I had to meet with several of my father's counselors and members of his court. The discussion in regards to what to do with the invading Dragonbroods dragged on for a while. The good news is, however, that we were able to come to a consensus. Anyways, shall we go get breakfast?"

"Sure, breakfast sounds nice."

Side by side I walk with the princess towards the dining hall, and as we walk, we continue our conversation.

"So what's the plan?"

"We'll be moving the capital further into our territory, effective as soon as I announce it in a moment. From that point onwards, this city shall be the frontlines."

"Sounds like a sensible move."

"It is the best we can do at the moment. However, there are some concerns about the new location. You see, the capital will be moved southwards, to a sizable town neighboring farmlands and ranches."

"Seems like a pretty good place to be."

"It is, at least the supply of food will not be a problem, which is why the location was chosen. However, the lord in charge of the territory... He can be said to be a rival of mine, certainly a man with enough influence and support to depose me from the throne. Of all things, he opposes the use of Champions, spreading the idea that the Beastkins should resolve the current calamity with our own strength without relying on the Champions of unknown origins."

"Can you win without the Champions? I was under the impression that things were pretty desperate here."

"It is! The lord is merely a fool who had never even been near the frontlines, much less seen it! He likely thinks that the reports of our desperate situation were merely exaggerations."

The princess' ears and tail stand stiff as she goes on about this lord and I think I can hear a faint growling if I lean in close enough to her.

"You have to pardon Her Highness. She and Lord Remus had a, let's say, somewhat strained relationship."

"I think 'somewhat' is an understatement, Merida. The princess here looks like she's about to bite someone's head off."

"Well, enough about the ignorant fool. No, rather, Aurelius, I recall talking about wanting to see you last night. Do you remember?"

One by one, beads of cold sweat start to roll down my back as the sleep-deprived, cranky princess stares me down. I had completely forgotten about that because of what happened to me last night.

"Y-yeah, sorry about that. I fell asleep while waiting."

"No, that's quite fine, I didn't have time to seek you out either last night. I just wanted to know if I kept you up waiting."

Looks like she's not mad me and is just generally cranky from her lack of sleep. That's good; one less trouble to deal with.

"Anyways, what I wanted to tell you... I'll get straight to the point. I would like you to take charge of the kingdom's army."

"Wait, the entire army?"

"Indeed. If my father were to pass away, then you would be king, and your supporters will mainly come from the soldiers on the field. As such, I believe it will be a position most fitting, don't you think?"

Me? Commanding the army of the entire kingdom? If I am going to be blunt, I say that I wouldn't give myself that position even if I am the last man remaining. I am simply not qualified, for responsibility so great.

"Now hold your horses here princess. Just because I'm stronger than the average soldier, that doesn't mean I am fit to lead."

"Worry not, the position is merely a decoration. You will be provided with the most trusted and capable advisors to aid you."

"Then why even put me in such a position in the first place?"

"To make a show of power and authority. If all things go well, it will show that the soldier will follow you to wherever you may march, that you are both certainly the right man to follow and the Champion that will lead us to salvation. Surely it will do more than enough to silence even the most ignorant of lords."

As she speaks, something in the princess' eyes sends chills down my spine. There is something very cold in her gaze, a frigidity I have not felt before.

"Will the noblemen even allow it this kind of power play?"

"They have no choice, my father, His Majesty had already agreed to it."

"But... but will things actually go as well as you've planned. Plan go awry all the time, you should know that. Betting it all on one thing, it's better to-"

"It WILL go well, so long as you win. That is what you intend to do, yes, Aurelius? You said it yourself, right, on that mountain top, that you will save this world. That's why you can't lose here, right?"

What is going on? It's like she's a completely different person now. The princess I know wasn't so cold and relentless, was she?

"C-can... can I have some time to think it over?"

Inadvertently, my voice trembled. Upon noticing it, the princess' eyes widen as if she was made aware of something, and then cast her sight downwards.

"Very well, but you don't have much time. I'd like to have everything organized before the Dragonbroods arrive. You have until tomorrow."

She relents, for now, but I have a feeling that regardless of what I say, she'll go ahead with it no matter what. Somehow, she'll force it on me, that's how headstrong she can be.

As I break away from the princess, planning to head back to my room, Merida leans towards me subtly, enough to not be noticed by a casual observer.

"The king is said to be not long for this world."

That brief message grants me some clarity on the situation. All of a sudden, I can feel the desperation in the princess' cold gaze.

I turn back to the princess, only to find her already walking away. I do not go after her. Right now, I don't have the answer to her predicament, none other than to comply with her wishes, to agree to this all or nothing plot of hers. Something such as this... While I don't deny that sometimes we do have no choice but to bet on such methods, and indeed we did in the final battle against the [World Devourer Woods], I want to rely on it as rarely as I would rely on winning a lottery to pay my bills.

***

End of Chapter 47