"No. I didn't. This is just a minor setback. I can still salvage the situation. Once I find out where I am, then I will find a way to escape and-"
"You are in our mind. Our memories and potential futures to be exact. This place is more dangerous than tier 2 beast. The only way you can survive is by avoiding going into any memories or seeing futures you shouldn't. You almost died back there with those void creatures. But don't be too alarmed, they are in your future."
Kharon scratched his ethereal head as he asked, "If they are in my future, then I should be worried. They will take away everything from me! The world is in grave danger. Do the Gods know about this? How can I... we avoid it?!"
The rhythmic beat of vast, shadowy wings echoed through the silence, each stroke cutting through the air like a whisper of darkness. The winged Kharon looked at him as he smirked. Their purple eyes met as Kharon watched himself plummet faster with a flap of his wings.
"Hey! Wait for me! Where are you going now?!"
Concentrating on his body, Kharon felt his aether enveloping his body in a thick blanket. He shut his eyes as he felt himself being propelled through the void. The power of the distant worlds called to him as he was pulled from all angles.
His ethereal body was ripped from all sides as he was once again unravelled. His thoughts were scattered across the void as they floated around aimlessly. He was nothing. Fragmented thoughts. A scattering of memories, knowledge, instinct—each piece struggling to think.
'Why... is this happening... to me?! I... need to regain... consciousness- as quickly... as possible! Who knows what... the Association is doing right now... The Null Order may be in danger. This... all happened... because of my negligence! Even if... it endangers m- I will find out the truth of the matter.'
Slowly, the fragmented pieces began to reunite as they converged. Their form morphed and shifted until they fully reformed into Kharon. He felt his inner mind grow sharper as new knowledge flowed into his brain. More memories became whole as his soul grew stronger.
'I have grown stronger from reforming myself? Is this a symbolic transformation...? I remember an angelic ability... And my tier 3 abilities as well... What is happening to me?'
"You are growing and changing. It is a human thing to change. Once you ascend to tier 2, you will rarely ever change. So hurry up and find yourself. A form that you are willing to spend eternity in. But less about that now. I have paved the way for you. As much as I dislike being stuck here while you get to live, I can't let 'Him' do as he pleases."
"Can you tell me who he is?! It would really help if I knew. Maybe I have a few memories that can reveal any weaknesses. Surely you know a few."
"I do. But I am not telling you. It would only speed up his reawakening... The less you know, the better. Now go through the memories and futures I have laid. It may take you years. Or even decades to finally complete them. But you must if you want to return to the real world. Also don't forget that you are a wielder. Your mind moves extremely fast."
Kharon crossed his hands as he watched his winged self frown. His deep, purple eyes scrutinised every move he made as he said, "My mind moves fast, but the actual time in the real world is quite slow. Just like how I can go through tens of plans in less than a second. Even if I spent years within the confines of this place, it may only be a few weeks or months in the real world."
The winged Kharon rolled his eyes as he whispered, "Good luck."
Smiling brightly at him, Kharon replied, "Thank you. I will complete them in less than a decade. Will you be waiting here for me?"
Kharon looked at his winged self expectantly as he shook his head.
"When you are done going through all the memories, you will either return to the real world or become like me. A spectator who must watch from the backseat. For our sake and the sake of the whole world I hope you succeed. But don't forget, there is always a price to pay."
An invisible force grabbed hold of Kharon as he was pushed downwards. He felt himself slam into something as he slowly blacked out.
Looking at this, a melancholic expression appeared of the winged Kharon as he whispered, "Your emotions... will be the price. And for that, I am sorry."
...
A strong, pungent smell lingered in the air as Kharon awoke from a pile of bones. He looked around as he saw the ethereal glow of floating souls and spirits. In the far, seemingly infinite distance from a dark lake, was a gate. Hundreds of billions of souls were all pouring inside as Kharon stood agape.
'What is this- Could this be the Underworld?! I remember coming here a few times from my memories. But the reason is still unclear to me. Was it to try and retrieve someone's soul? Is that even possible? It is easy to retrieve the souls of mortal creatures because they aren't worth much. But the souls of angels and demi-god are nearly impossible to retrieve...'
The distance between the ground began to increase as Kharon floated up towards a few souls. He stretched out his hand, but as he reached out towards one of them, he felt his body freeze. As he tried again, his body flew back on its own.
'What is this? Am I not allowed to interact with souls? Would there be repercussions? But I am in a memory. Could it be that this is my future? Will I be sent into the Underworld?! Does that mean I will die?! No... I didn't come from the same place as the other souls. It seems like I forced my way here... It doesn't matter. My goal may be to reach the gate...'
Kharon began flying at great speeds as he saw the distance to the gate decrease. But as he blinked, he realised that he was still stationary. He turned around as he saw more souls pouring in. But as he did, his body began descending as it walked towards the edge of the lake. Waiting in a small boat was a tall, frail man. In his hand was a long stick which went infinitely deep in the water.
Reluctantly, Kharon approached the man as he tried communicating.
"Umm, hello sir. Could you please help me cross this river? It seems like I am unable to float across. But your boat may allow me to get across."
Kharon waited patiently for a response as the man looked at him with cold, dead eyes.
'Do I have to pay him? I remember Aidan saying something about mythologies... The ferryman is always paid in mythologies or something. Maybe I will have something to give him...'
As he reached into his pockets, Kharon pulled out a few golden coins. Their bright luster was lost in the dark, gloomy atmosphere of the Underworld. As he offered them to the old man, he opened his long, bony fingers. The coins dropped soundlessly into his palm as he turned around.
Kharon quickly jumped into the little boat as the man began rowing. Each movement was slow and weak, but as he looked up at the gate, Kharon noticed that they were approaching rapidly. His eyes lingered on the man as he wondered.
'Could he be an angel of death? That would make sense seeing as he is in the Underworld. But why is he here in the first place? Surely there aren't many people who cheat death and arrive here right? He probably has to wait for aeons before seeing anyone living.'
As he concluded his thoughts and looked back up, Kharon stood mechanically. His eyes widened with fear and awe as he looked at the gates of the Underworld.
'It is big... really big... How did I know it was a gate?! It is infinitely wide in all corners! My mind can barely handle it!'
He walked off the boat as he absent-mindedly waved at the old man who swiftly vanished. Seeing the countless souls floating from closer made Kharon tremble. He watched as the souls of powerful wielders and beasts all entered the welcoming gate.
'You can outrun fate, cheat time, but death... death waits, and welcomes without judgment.'
Kharon approached the gate slowly, but with each step he took, he felt himself unravelling. He went from a slow walk, into a steady jog until he began sprinting. Each step tore a part of his being as he got closer.
'I need to see what awaits me in death... before I leave this memory or potential future. How can I prepare for the unknown...?'
One step remained, but Kharon never took it. He scattered like ash in windless silence, and the Underworld held its breath — eternal and unmoved.