The Path To Eternity

Chapter 1: The Unawakened's Challenge

"Mom!" cried a five-year-old boy, witnessing the horror unfolding before him.

Two zombies, with filthy pale white skin, purple-blue veins, and glossy yellow eyes, were tearing his mother apart as they fed on her flesh.

"Daniel... run," his mother, Rebecca, stuttered as she took her final breath. With a subtle thud, her head struck the ground, her body motionless, her eyes frozen in fear.

Daniel, paralyzed by disbelief and shock, tried to call out to his mother in vain. Dread finally overwhelmed him; he was petrified.

The sound of heavy footsteps echoed across the room as a third abomination entered-a unique specimen with pure white skin as hard as bone, hardened fingers like claws, and crimson red eyes. Its demonic face bore two horns protruding upward, while its ears were hidden within long black hair swaying ominously. With razor-sharp teeth, it turned its gaze toward the frozen boy.

Every instinct told Daniel to flee, but it was useless. As it advanced, Daniel braced for his demise, until an explosion enveloped his world...

~

Daniel jolted awake, gasping for air after reliving his mother's death yet again.

The seventeen-year-old sat up, sweat coating his bed. He glanced at his trembling arm and immediately regulated his breathing. In less than a minute, his body relaxed, but he sighed with regret, knowing it could have been prevented with his pills.

Looking out the window at New Dawn, one of the twelve floating cities, Daniel contemplated his journey and the upcoming day at the Academy.

His attention shifted to his AID (Artificial Intelligence Device) bracelet, which rested on his bedside cabinet." Alexa, what's the time?" He requested.

The metallic bracelet lit up and the holographic image of a woman was projected from it." It is currently, 5:59 am. The Academy starts at 8:00 am. Do you wish to have the preparations for your breakfast and bath made while you tend to your morning exercise?" The AI lady replied.

Daniel sighed." Have them prepared." He commanded and proceeded with his morning routine of grueling exercises which left him sweating up a pond.

As he took a shower Daniel gazed at his appearance in the mirror and couldn't help but frown with dissatisfaction.

He had jet black hair, light brown eyes, well tanned skin and a well carved physique that could rival the statues of the Greek gods. Yet, even with all his strength and overall masculine charm, he was still unsatisfied.

'You look like a man of strength. A man of power. Yet you couldn't even save your own mother. Even after a decade of training you are still incapable of awakening. You are a failure...' He clenched his teeth and punched the wall out of frustration. A spike of pain rushed through his fist.

This voice often surfaced to torment him with guilt, shame and self loathing. It was his self hatred. Hatred directed at his failure to become a Champion.

The Champions were individuals with the extraordinary capacity to harness and channel a cosmic force called Essence. Through a transformative awakening process, they gained an acute understanding of this remarkable energy, empowering them to cultivate unparalleled strength and abilities surpassing those of ordinary humans.

Their mastery extended to manipulating natural elements and even living organisms, capable of feats like pulverizing mountains with a mere strike or telekinetically shifting them. These remarkable abilities were made achievable through their dedicated cultivation of Essence.

'To become a champion, I must awaken. Only then can I pursue the path to my dreams. But it's been twelve years! Can I still awaken after so long?' he pondered, clenching his fist and averting his gaze from his reflection.