Hunter of the Evernight
Chapter 321: Sigh

Chapter 321: Sigh

/3 days later/

Elena walked down the cobblestone streets dressed in a simple white gown and a long brown jacket, her thoughts a veritable mess.

Occasionally, she’d shift her gaze, taking in the busy streets of Thebes with carriages driving past and pedestrians making their way toward unknown destinations.

It all seemed methodical like it had been practiced several times before, and perhaps that was the case as Elena didn’t miss the occasional pixelation that would take place at certain times.

She’d long since been aware of it, of the fact that the Will of the World was adjusting her worldview and the world to ensure reality didn’t break completely.

Of course, Elena couldn’t blame it for putting her in such a mess since indeed, it was its meddling that caused the doppelganger phenomena but even then, she was angry, and rightfully so.

The world seemed to ignore her existence, moving at a steady pace, leaving her behind to contemplate the essence of why she lived.

Was it for the sole purpose of dying once again?... Or was it for something more?

She couldn’t be sure and the murmurings plaguing her senses made it difficult to make coherent thoughts.

They buzzed like flies and though she could hardly get what was being said, she could sense the dissatisfaction in the voices.

She was supposed to be on a mission for them yet, here she was, doing something completely different.

’You can die.’

Elena suddenly paused, gripping her head as a memory from a few hours prior arose.

Biting down on her lower lip, she resisted the fear gnawing at her senses as she arrived at her destination.

It was the pub she’d woken up in the first time she opened her eyes in this familiar yet unfamiliar world.

Hesitant at first, she decided to step in, pushing open the door to find it quite busy with patrons enjoying themselves, discussing recent events while indulging in watered-down alcohol and spicy meat.

However, as soon as they noticed her existence, there were looks of confusion at first as they tried to figure out who she was but then... there was a pixelation and everything changed.

Smiles adorned their lips as they greeted her enthusiastically, repeating the same statements as last time.

"My wife loves what you gave me last time, maybe you could give me another?"

"My kid is feeling much better, I’m grateful."

Elena offered no response as she slowly made her way to the bar, taking an empty seat with the barlady remarking with a smile.

"Would you like the usual dear?"

Elena had long since realized she needed no form of sustenance to survive but with a desire to feel real, she obliged. "Yes."

The barlady nodded as she went in the back and emerged with the same dish as last time.

Elena slowly ate, savoring the non-existent taste of the food as she struggled to keep calm.

But she couldn’t.

The more she tried, the more her lips quivered and then her palms got sweaty and finally, when she could hardly take it anymore, the irresistible feeling of existential dread came upon her, and in a fit of panic, she arose from her chair, darting out of the pub before a word could be said.

The patrons watched her leave, perhaps in a bid to stop her, some even rose but then, the pixelation returned and they found themselves questioning why they had gotten up.

Same with the bar lady when she found the half-eaten plate of food.

She glanced around, her expression quite complicated as she pondered on how and why the plate was there.

Meanwhile, Elena ran down the street, her destination unknown as she didn’t stop even for a moment, once again, her superhuman capabilities taking center stage.

Then finally she arrived, hunching over as she sought to catch her breath before looking up at the towering walls of Thebes.

Imposing as they were, they appeared as a cage to Elena who wanted nothing more than to be free.

Slowly she approached the walls, reaching out when she’d gotten to arm’s length only to find that she couldn’t touch the wall.

An invisible barrier kept her at bay, one different from the enchantment placed over Thebes to protect it from attacks.

Elena remained in that position as seconds went by before she formed a fist and without hesitation, began to punch the barrier until her fists bled but that didn’t stop her as she tried to use her head to smash against the barrier only for a gloved hand to hold her back at the last moment.

Trembling, she turned to regard Alex who stood behind her, dressed in a noble attire with a black suit and shoes with a top hat, gloves, and a silver inlaid cane to match.

"You wish to die?" Alex calmly inquired as he retracted his arm.

Biting down on her lower lip as her eyes turned red with tears, Elena replied. "You’d still kill me. Either way, I die... so why did you stop me?"

Alex said nothing as he held her gaze for a little while longer before shifting his attention to the wall behind her.

He came close and Elena found herself closing her eyes only to open them back as she realized Alex didn’t intend to harm her.

He had his hand on the wall, a feat that eluded her perhaps a result of her connection to the city that made her unable to leave.

"You wish to join my organization... but you can’t even leave this city." Alex began.

"... I don’t know what to do. I’m so confused, I’ve only been around for how long?... and yet there’s so much to do and think about. And then the voices... Shut up!" Elena exploded, her chest heaving as she stared at nothing in particular.

Alex stared at her, unsure of what to make of the sudden outburst.

Silence persisted for a bit longer before Elena turned to face him yet again, tears streaming down her cheeks as she muttered softly. "Help me."

"You know... you somewhat remind me of myself." Alex remarked calmly as he reminisced for a bit.

"What?"

Pursing his lips for a moment, Alex shook his head as he replied, a faint chuckle escaping his lips. "Never mind that."

Then before Elena could probe further, he remarked. "I can’t claim to say that if you come with me, all your problems would be solved. No, I’m not some omnipotent deity that can fulfill all wishes."

"Then..."

"But I will give you a chance... a chance away from this city to forge your path and all I ask in return is your allegiance to me. So tell me... will you take my hand?"

Alex stretched out his hand and waited, exchanging looks with Elena as she chewed on his words.

It felt like an eternity but was merely a few seconds before she made her choice.

And so, slowly, she reached out and held Alex’s hand with the latter barely concealing his approval.

"Welcome to the club, Elena. I look forward to working with you."

Elena offered no response, merely nodding as Alex snapped his fingers and in a flash of black and white, both left the great city of Thebes.

Moments passed before a sigh reverberated through where they once stood, a sigh filled with exhaustion and an overwhelming sense of gloom.

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