Cherreads

Chapter 12 - 12 : Awakened panic

In a strange world covered by a dark purple sky

the air howls with layers of silence and terror

atop a massive castle rising above clouds of darkness

Barion lies stretched on a throne made of bones and solidified magma

surrounded by statues of unknown creatures

staring forever into nothingness

his eyes are closed

his calm face does not reflect what is inside him

until suddenly his body trembles and fear appears on his features

inside the dream

he stands in a shattered world

fires burning from every corner

and a few steps away a mysterious man stands tall

his eyes unclear

his features distorted

but the aura around him is pure bright and terrifying at once

then without warning he attacks

Barions defenses are crushed his throne explodes his authority shatters

and at the final moment before the mans hand pierces his chest

he wakes up

Barion rises in madness

hah

his breathing accelerates his grip tightens on the throne until it cracks

his voice roars like a flood

bring me the seer immediately now

after minutes

the hall door opens and an old trembling man enters

dragging a dusty gray robe

he kneels instantly before the throne lowering his head nervously

my great lord Barion nightmare of worlds you summoned me

Barion looks at him with burning eyes

yes listen carefully I will tell you a dream and I want you to interpret it word for word

he narrates the dream slowly heavily

while the seer grows more terrified with each word

when he finishes the seer lowers his head and speaks barely audibly

it is an omen an omen of disaster my lord what you saw indicates that someone from the Celestine race will one day be your end his name is

before he finishes

Barions eyes glow

in an instant his gaze moves like a blade

piercing the seers neck

the head flies and falls to the ground without resistance

Barion stands with the weight of his غضب speaking with a voice that shakes the palace walls

me defeated I Barion nightmare of the seven worlds by a Celestine

he crushes the ground beneath his foot

impossible I will tear them all apart none will be born capable of defeating me none will even be allowed to grow

he grits his teeth whispering

I will watch them and bury any threat before it becomes anything

next scene Celestine planet inside a secret warehouse

a strange silence fills the place only wind passes through small openings

Alberto stands before the plate he received from one of his sons removing the thick cloth

he stares at it then slowly touches it running his fingers across its strange shining surface

it is still intact no crack no vibration the energy inside it is dormant but present

he kneels opening a small toolbox scanning the edges carefully

exactly as I expected it is interactive responds only to a specific energy a very rare type

he pauses staring at it like a piece of destiny

but the real question who is the chosen one it will respond to

he looks at the sky through a nearby window

and who will be its hope and who will be its nightmare

the scene closes on a faint glow beginning to pulse within the plate as if awakening

scene Arios family house dining room after sunset

everyone sits around the table warm food filling the air laughter and cheerful talk

but

in the corner Arios is silent

his eyes lost in his plate not speaking not participating

Hels notices first whispering to Alberto

Arios has not said a word since morning

Alberto looks at him briefly without interfering as if sensing this silence is not temporary

next scene backyard near a massive blue tree

Arios walks slowly to his usual spot

he sits hugging his legs resting his chin on his knees

he looks at the calm star filled sky breathing slowly as if his thoughts are heavier than his body

everyone around me has something special my brother my father even the children

and me I have not moved since I was born I am just a burden

his eyes shine with a restrained tear

why am I here in this world a world that does not show mercy to the weak am I a mistake

suddenly everything stops

the air freezes sounds vanish time itself halts

in front of him a transparent window appears glowing strangely

unknown system connecting to host

potential candidate Arios son of Alberto

do you accept activation yes no

Arios eyes widen

what is this who is talking to me

a voice emerges not human

if you choose yes your destiny will change forever but everything has a price

if you choose no you will remain as you are forever

his breathing quickens

is this my fate

the window waits

he whispers

I accept

the screen vanishes

a new message appears

activation complete

you are now a system user

you cannot go back

a voice within

connection successful the beginning approaches

Arios runs inside shouting

mother father you will not believe this

but they see nothing

they laugh it off

he realizes

you cannot see it

he runs to his room

am I the only one

a voice responds

because you are the chosen one

a new window appears

first task will be sent soon prepare

hope returns to his eyes

but also something deeper

a long dark path has begun

later his brother Elios declares

I want to join the outer forces

Alberto agrees instantly

days later at the spaceport

farewells happen

Elios leaves

Arios whispers stay alive

time passes

then

night falls on Celestine

the sky tears apart storms rage

fire and ash rain from above

Barion descends

people scream destruction spreads

he massacres without mercy

no logic only hatred

at Arios house

Alberto prepares to fight

Hels escapes with the children

the planet burns

the king is killed brutally

Alberto runs carrying the plate

he opens a portal

but Barion appears

the plate is destroyed

the portal closes

Alberto fights and dies

protect your sister

Hels runs

she falls

Barion approaches

he kills her in front of Arios

Arios screams endlessly

then

a masked man appears

rescues him

launches him away

the planet explodes behind him

a system message appears

mission complete user Arios successfully transferred to new path

he loses consciousness

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