Cyber Chronicles 2: Prime Voyage

Chapter 28: Present

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm orange glow over Kon Guardio, Lincoln realized that it was time to return to the inn. Thoughts swirled in his mind, and he yearned for some quiet time to ponder the recent revelations about Alvanian and the Obsune character that he'd seen in his dreams for many years. The city's streets were now aglow with the soft illumination of charge-infused lamps, creating a serene and magical ambiance.

Lincoln's contemplative journey back to the inn led him through the enchanting streets of Kon Guardio. The residents, wrapped in the gentle embrace of twilight, went about their evening routines, their energy orbs guiding their way.

As he continued down the path, Lincoln came across a delightful confectionery, its tantalizing scent weaving through the alien atmosphere like an enchanting melody. The bakery's interior was a testament to the culinary craftsmanship of this distant world, showcasing a mesmerizing collection of treats that resembled miniature works of extraterrestrial art. Delicate stellar-swirl pastries, luminien honeydew éclairs, and an array of other delectable and exotic wonders beckoned to his senses.

Lincoln decided to indulge in a simple yet delightful dinner. He carefully selected a couple of pastries, each a small work of culinary art. As he bit into them, the flavors exploded on his palate, a harmonious blend of sweet and savory that offered a moment of pure delight amidst the mysteries of Alvanian.

With pastries in hand and a sense of contentment, he continued his leisurely stroll back to the hotel. The city's charge-infused lamps illuminated his path, casting intricate patterns of light and shadow. It was a serene and magical night in Kon Guardio, a perfect backdrop for his contemplations.

Lincoln returned to the inn, the soft amber glow from the lamps casting a warm hue across the reception area. The friendly receptionist, with her brown hair and light green skin, greeted him with a welcoming smile.

He returned the smile. "How's your day been?" he asked, making an effort to engage in conversation.

She replied in a cheerful tone, "Oh, it's been quite nice, thank you for asking. How about you? What did you do today?"

Lincoln leaned in slightly, his eyes bright with enthusiasm. "Well, the highlight of my day was visiting the Titan shrine," he began. "And afterward, I had lunch at this fantastic eatery known as 'The Etherial Bites.' The food there was really good."

Her eyes lit up at the mention of the restaurant's name. "Ah, 'The Etherial Bites'! That's one of our city's gems."

Nodding in agreement, Lincoln continued, "It was a cozy place, and the flavors were amazing. I just took a leisurely stroll around the city after that."

She smiled warmly. "It sounds like you've had a great time exploring our village. You know, it represents Obsune in many ways."

Lincoln's curiosity was piqued. "The titan king? How so?"

The receptionist's brown hair cascaded gently over her light green skin as she began to explain. "Obsune was a very different titan. His time as king was quite dramatic. Many changes happened during his rule, leading to the loss of everything he held dear, including his status as a king."

Lincoln furrowed his brow, taking in this new information. "What happened?"

She continued, "We don't know. Obsune's rule was relatively short, and he was replaced before his natural end. The fifth titan king, Voridian, became the king after Obsune. However, the reasons behind this replacement remain a mystery. No one knows what the big disaster was. No titan we've connected to has told us, and no one has ever drawn a connection to Obsune."

Lincoln nodded thoughtfully, taking in the story. "So, Kon Guardio represents Obsune before those events took place?"

The receptionist nodded, her blue eyes reflecting a sense of reverence. "Exactly. Kon Guardio embodies the spirit of the titan king as he once was, a loving, humble, and peaceful titan before circumstances changed him. The harmony, peace, and serenity you experience here are a reflection of the titan king's earlier character."

In his dimly lit room at the inn, Lincoln found solace in the darkness that filled the space. The curtains were drawn tight, casting the room into almost complete obscurity. It was in this comforting darkness that he often retreated to collect his thoughts.

Sitting on the edge of the bed, he reached into his pocket and took out the small stone, ModCytron. It lay in his palm, a curious artifact that had guided him through many puzzling situations. As he stared at the stone, a sense of unease washed over him.

"What are you, ModCytron?" he whispered to the silent object, his voice barely audible. It'd stuck with him for so long, and yet, it's only communicated with him once, during the most dire of circumstances. Lincoln knew that it was ModCytron that had warned him not to share certain things with Aytrex; he'd recognized its presence.

"It's like you're trying to tell me something," he thought aloud, his mind drifting to his encounters with Obsune and the recurring dreams that had troubled him for years. "But what? What connection do you have to all of this?"

The stone stayed silent, leaving Lincoln alone with his questions in the dimly lit room. He couldn't shake the feeling that ModCytron held a deeper meaning, and he was determined to uncover its mysteries, despite the puzzling silence that surrounded it.

"It's like you're trying to tell me something," he thought aloud, his mind drifting to his encounters with Obsune and the recurring dreams that had troubled him for years. "But what? What connection do you have to all of this?"

In the midst of his contemplation, the room suddenly grew even darker, and a familiar presence enveloped Lincoln, this time with a heightened intensity. His heart quickened as he whispered, "So, I was right."

A voice, one he had come to recognize, emerged from the abyss of darkness, its tone grave and serious. "People with the potential to communicate with titans are exceedingly rare," it began. "No alvan knows the trigger. You'd be exploited. Council members are extremely loyal, as you can see in Aytrex. There's no doubt he would've reported everything."

Lincoln's eyes darted around the room, searching for the source of the voice. "Are you saying I have this potential?" he inquired, his voice tinged with uncertainty.

"That isn't something I can confirm," the voice replied, its words measured.

"Of course..." Lincoln muttered, a hint of frustration coloring his tone. "Your memories will give you an advantage... Perhaps," the voice continued, cryptic in its response.

"Perhaps?" Lincoln questioned, his patience wearing thin. "You speak as if memories aren't a sign."

"They aren't a sign," the voice clarified. "Your spirit is just unstable."

"What do you mean by that?" Lincoln pressed, eager for more information.

"You may have made a connection with Obsune without either of your consents when you received your ability," the voice explained.

"How? I was all the way back on Earth," Lincoln countered, his confusion growing.

"Because Obsune died on Earth," the voice revealed, a revelation that sent shockwaves through Lincoln.

"That's not possible... Alvans discovered Earth, not the Titans," Lincoln protested.

The voice offered a cryptic response, "There's a lot that Alvans don't know, and I'd cease to exist if I were to tell you more than this. You'll have to find out on your own. Or you'll have to ask the cursed king yourself."

With those enigmatic words, the room was bathed in a soft light, and the presence faded. Lincoln felt the stone back in his pocket, its secrets buried once more, leaving him with a million questions and a growing sense of the mysteries that shrouded his existence.