Hunter of the Evernight
Chapter 383: A simple truth

Chapter 383: A simple truth

"That must be Ashtyx," Alex remarked, his gaze zeroed in on the giant floating rock at the center of the cavern.

Its golden luminescence was enough to cause anyone looking at it to stare for a little while longer, watching as its dust poured down intermittently, filling metal bowls kept below.

"It’s beautiful." Arwen couldn’t help but mutter as she stared at it with Alex nodding in agreement.

"Indeed, it is."

"But it’s rather strange."

"Hmm?"

He glanced at Arwen, seeking an answer to her sudden statement.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean Ashtyx, it’s in a strange state."

"What state?" Alex inquired with a frown, throwing a glance at the floating rock to see if he could pick up on any anomalies.

"Well, unlike most things I’ve come across in this dream, its state seems quite different yet remains the same."

"How so?"

"All things present in dreams are usually illusory, which allows one understand that it’s not real but Ashtyx... that floating rock seems to straddle the line between reality and illusions."

Alex paused, taking a moment to gather his thoughts before sparing another glance at Ashtyx. "So what you’re saying is that the Ashtyx we are looking at right now is real?"

"And illusory, yes." Arwen nodded.

"How are you sure?"

"I may not have any control over dreams again but I have interacted with them enough to tell apart things like this." Arwen confidently replied.

Alex remained silent as he shifted his attention to Ashtyx, the crazy thought of trying to pilfer it from the dream running through his mind.

It would save him the trouble of having to face off against an Emperor he knew nothing about but as quickly as the thought came, he shot it down.

Even if Arwen’s assessment was correct, what were the odds that he would be able to take Ashtyx away from the dream?... What if she was wrong and it was just an illusion?

The variables were too much to consider and the danger a glaring unknown which caused Alex to no longer pay any mind to the matter, instead shifting his focus to other pressing needs.

"I didn’t come across Elena on my way here, what about you?"

"Not at all."

"Then we’ll have to find her. Let’s..."

"I don’t think that would be necessary. She’s on the balcony."

"You saw her?"

Arwen shook her head while pointing behind Alex. "She’s standing there right now."

Alex glanced back to find that indeed, Elena, or rather, Princess Berenice was now standing on the balcony, her gaze transfixed on Ashtyx.

She looked regal, almost detached from the normalcy and mundane aspects of the world, her very skin glowing with a faint light that though imperceptible to the normal human eye, was quite clear to those capable of utilizing their spirituality.

Just as Alex began to contemplate approaching her, another person arrived on the balcony, his existence almost on par with the Princess’s own.

His golden hair and bright blue eyes caused Alex to draw parallels between him and Adam with Arwen experiencing a brief crush due to his incredibly beautiful appearance.

The Princess and the man seemed to converse with Alex having to remain content with reading the latter’s lips, as the Princess had her back to his position.

He spoke like an average man despite his existence being above what could be considered average, speaking of world domination and the role the princess would play in it.

Alex quickly guessed the relationship between the two, quite experienced when it came to recognizing a man in love.

As the man leaned in closer to kiss the princess, Arwen suddenly tapped Alex’s shoulder, speaking up as she did. "Alex, we have to go."

"Wait, I feel we might be close to solving a piece of the puzzle that is the Emperor’s true identity."

"Alex, we have to go now or we’ll die." Her words were filled with a deep sense of dread causing Alex to glance at her, then realizing she wasn’t looking at him, glanced at where her eyes were only to find Ashtyx’s glow flashing ominously.

Fear gripped his heart at that moment as he immediately grabbed Arwen’s wrist and tried to make a getaway by snapping but alas, his Power hadn’t reached the extent of affecting dreams which meant, they were stuck.

The glow ceased for a brief moment at which time Alex realized there was no escaping this after which...

Flash

As the bright gold light erupted like an omnidirectional solar flare, Alex watched as everyone it touched turned to gold dust.

Arwen, clearly terrified, embraced Alex and buried her face in his chest, unwilling to watch as it touched them both.

Seconds before it went past them, Alex swallowed his pride and pleaded. "Nyx, help!"

The next moment, a thick darkness erupted from his shadow and swallowed them both.

***

A mocking laughter was the first thing he heard upon waking up to find himself in a place devoid of light with darkness so thick, it seemed to come alive.

Well, well, look who came crawling back, begging for my help?

Nyx emerged from the darkness, its grin wider than usual as it stared at Alex.

Alex clenched his jaw but made no attempt to refute Nyx’s words.

Taking a deep breath, he muttered. "Thank you."

No, no, don’t thank me just yet. This time around, there shall be a price to be paid.

"You..."

I will tell you one simple truth, Alexander Regulus and that is, I do not wish for you to return.

"We signed a contract!" Alex loudly said.

Of course, I shall abide by it.

"Then..."

But that doesn’t mean I won’t try to make you rescind its contents.

"Keep dreaming," Alex remarked coldly. "Nothing will make me change my decision."

Kekeke, you sound so sure. I wonder if you’d sound the same after your memories are taken from you.

"NYX, DO NOT CROSS THE LINE!" Alex bellowed as he rose to his feet, coming to stand before a creature so vast, he could never understand its depths.

Nyx remained silent for a time, its sinister mocking smile still etched on its featureless face before it then spoke.

10 years. I ask for 10 years of your life on Earth as payment for saving you.

"You’d best kill me right now."

Do you think I won’t, Alexander Regulus?... It’s as simple as erasing your identity and leaving you to start afresh. I don’t have to kill you outrightly.

"You would have done that if it would serve your goal properly. But you didn’t, so stop with the bluff, Nyx, I have proven my worth and you know it."

Fine then. 5, 5 years of your life on Earth and you get to choose which memories I take.

It was Alex’s turn to remain silent as he pondered Nyx’s words.

Even though Nyx wouldn’t kill him, there were ways to deal with him, that much was certain.

He couldn’t strain the relationship they had any further else it would be difficult to come back once his mission was complete.

So taking a moment to breathe, he replied with a clenched jaw and fist. "My high school years... you can take them."

Kekeke, good one. I thought you’d opt for your baby years but I guess losing those would mean losing the only memories you have of your late mother.

"Just shut up and take them before I change my mind." Alex angrily remarked while glaring hatefully at Nyx.

Nyx chuckled then extended its hand, it turned into shadowy tendrils that surged into Alex’s mind, ripping off the memories he’d given as payment.

Once they were done, Nyx retracted their hand and remarked.

Nice doing business with you.

"Can I leave now?"

Of course, your ’friends’ are waiting for you.

Alex closed his eyes, waiting to be sent back only for Nyx’s annoying voice to be heard again.

Ah yes, next time, if there would be one, you won’t get to pick what 5 years I’ll take. I will decide that.

"..." Alex resisted the urge to punch Nyx as he knew it would have little effect, so all he did was glare and curse inwardly.

What’s so great about Earth anyway?... There are several beautiful women that would be willing to be yours as long as you choose to be with them, that Nadia child is a great example. Why stay hung up on ordinary people?

"SHUT THE FUCK UP AND SEND ME BACK YOU FUCKING BASTARD!" Alex erupted causing Nyx to cackle maniacally before disappearing as silently as it had arrived.

The next moment, Alex was swallowed by the darkness, transported back to Evernight.

Moments passed before Nyx emerged again, muttering softly.

Soon, Alexander Regulus, the Ark shall be our home.