Cyan's eyes sparkled with wonder as he gazed at the sight, his heart filled with peace and tranquility.
He placed his hands together in a prayer-like gesture, eyes closing as he whispered a silent prayer.
"Please grant these poor souls passage to the other side, help them find their way. Lannen,"
he spoke.
his voice calm.
collected.
He stood.
Determination washed over him.
He had to continue.
He turned towards the river one last time, then jumped onto the trees with Ninja-like agility, disappearing into the night like a ghost.
He travelled all night without breaking, eyes fixed on the horizon, heart burning with determination.
Trees blurred together as he moved with incredible speed, wind whipping past him like a rushing torrent.
At around 6 AM, Cyan arrived at his destination, guided by Orion's voice in his head.
He stood before a cave entrance, his breathing palpable, echoing through trees and bushes like a breathing beast.
Thick, warm fog swirled around the entrance, and he felt cold wind seeping out, a testament to the thick aura enveloping the natural dungeon cave.
After catching his breath, Cyan gripped the sword tighter, glaring at the cave entrance with intensity, determination written on his face.
The cave seemed to calling him in.
ORION: Initiating full body takeover, Cyan. Physiological state suboptimal for proceeding.
"What's going on?" He inquired.
ORION: Analysis indicates 49% success rate at optimal capacity. Current exhaustion and nutritional deficits reduce that to 18%.
" So what" he Yelled
ORION: You haven't consumed nutritional diet for three days. You're exhausted and hungry to raid a dungeon, especially Alone.
"If that's the case, I won't go in. Give me back control." he yelled.
ORION: Negative. Rest and replenishment required. Control transferred to ensure optimal outcomes.
"What are you doing... This is my body!?" he yelled.
Struggled to resist.
ORION: Your self-deception protocols are ineffective. I am an extension of your cognitive processes. Accuracy is paramount.
"Damn it!" , he growled, anger boiling over.
ORION: System override engaged. Rest now.
Cyan's eyes fell dark, and when he opened them, they switched from crimson to vibrant gold. It was no longer Cyan.
ORION: Suboptimal parameters necessitated intervention.
Former Cyan, now Orion, spoke.
voice detached and analytical, surveying the surroundings with precision.
The forest was bathed in warm, golden dawn light, trees casting long shadows.
The air was filled with sweet wildflower scent and birds chirping, their melodies intertwined with rustling leaves
"Information efficacy reduced by fifty percent post-control initiation. An...inconvenient reality," he spoke, his expression tinged with annoyance. He faced the cave, the aura around it palpable, like a force field.
The cave entrance loomed, its darkness pulsing with otherworldly energy. The air vibrated with intense magical power, calling to him like a siren's song.
ORION: Cave aura is...significant. Parameters indicate proceeding with caution is advisable. Adjusting protocols...
He noticed his vocabulary shift and paused, clearing his thoughts.
ORION: Prioritize task completion. Evaluate next steps.
He placed his hands on his chin, thinking. The morning light illuminated the forest.
Meanwhile, at the new Ranon, Randell, Marilyn, Ryan, Ryker, and Lyriel convened in a temporary council tent, discussing village reconstruction. Fatigue was evident.
MARILYN: Suggest we adjourn. Her face was calm, punctuated by a yawn.
RYAN: Morning already. Sleep's gone 😑.
LYRIEL: Surpriving you experienced this, our routine 😌.
RYKER: Couldn't agree more 😌.
MARILYN: Hmmmph, she agreed, nodding 😌.
Ryan and Randell exchanged a look 😅.
A brown-haired man entered, greeting the council with respect, removing his hat.
MAN: Horses are ready, young master. Fastest among 22 survivors.
RANDELL: Thank you, Mr. Eamon. They're fine. You may rest.
Eamon exited. Ryan stretched, yawning.
RYAN: "Guess it's time?"
RANDELL: "Yes, his voice low, gazing down."
RYKER: "Leaving, young lads?"
RYAN: "Back...to...Ranon..." his voice low, sad.
Silence fell. Expressions turned gloomy.
RANDELL: "Need to go. See if anyone survived...a chance..." he curled his fist, voice shaking. Please...
LYRIEL: "We won't stop you. Do what's needed."
RANDELL: "Okay..." he released his fist, bowed, and turned to leave. Pausing, he turned back.
"Are we going buddy?" He said, focused on Ryan, who nodded, approaching the exit.
He felt a sudden headache, his vision of Randell blurring.
"That's not good"
He spoke, his voice really low, as he placed his hand on his forehead.
"Buddy, are you okay? You look really pale," a faint voice whispered, like a distant echo.
To Ryan, Randell's voice was too faded.
Ryan then fell to the ground, "Ryan!!" Randell yelled as he rushed to his side, Ryan's last vision was his blurry friend rushing to his aid.
Meanwhile, Cyan woke up sitting under a tree, his back gently pressed against the tree trunk.
"Wha..."
he thought to himself as he opened his eye, blurry but his vision slowly returning to him.
his vision was welcomed by the serene greenery of the forest around him. It had been about 9 hours, with Orion using his body.
His hair gently brushed the wind in a calm demeanor.
" I can't believe this, That mother fucker took over my body, I will kill him if I ever get the fucking chance"
he spoke as he shook off the intense headache he felt.
The day had already passed by without him, the sun already setting a golden glow on the horizon, night winds already settled in.
The time probably somewhere around 6 at dawn.
The sun already disappearing.
"System report: health status optimal," Orion's voice spoke in his head.
"You fucking asshole, what did you do... This headache is insane. At this point, I will lose my sanity!" cyan yelled as he held his head with both his hands.
"Initiating diagnostics: full body takeover protocol executed. Sustenance and hydration replenished. 8-hour rest cycle completed," Orion spoke, his voice devoid of emotion.
"Not what I meant, asshole" cyan spoke as he held his forehead trying to ease the pain.
"First-time takeover consequences: experiencing standard neural interface adjustments," Orion stated, his voice flat and mechanical.
"Whatever, just don't ever do that again" cyan yelled out of frustration and annoyance. Suddenly his mind raced to his beloved sister's sword.
"Where's my sword?"
cyan looked around, then found it on the ground right next to where he was sleeping.
He picked it up and it was sheathed inside a wooden scabbard.
"Where on earth did you get this?" cyan thought to himself as he asked Orion. "
"Crafted per specifications. Fabricating clothing also completed," Orion spoke inside Cyan's mind, his voice efficient and robotic.
"My clothes?" Cyan thought to himself as he looked at himself, he was surprised by what he saw, the bloody and tattered clothes he wore before were completely repaired as if he wore a new set of clothes.
"Repaired and upgraded. Efficiency improved," Orion stated.
"Human hobbies are reducible to algorithmic processes. Fabricating now complete," Orion spoke, his voice logical and detached.
"I don't know what that means, but, thanks... I guess. Though they look weird? I somehow have familiarity with them, but I also don't?" cyan spoke, his expression 😐.
"Processes optimized. Expect no further adjustments. Energy reserves depleted," Orion spoke, his voice flat and factual.
"Whatever, now that we did it your way...." his voice switched vocals, a low, menacing growl that sent shivers down his own spine.
" It's my turn"
He spoke, his voice deep, cold, and detached, his eyes glowing with an otherworldly blue intensity.
He turned his head towards the cave entrance and gazed at it with a fierce determination, the darkness seeming to pulse with an evil energy.
END OF CHAPTER 25