An Illusion of Will

Chapter 79: Astral Walking

The sun was still rising, casting a warm, golden hue across the unfamiliar shore. Al's surroundings were a mystery; he couldn't discern which beach or continent this might be. Luckily, he couldn't feel a single emotion devoid of any inkling of anxiety or stress. 

Yet, curiosity pulsed through his mind as he observed the vibrant, otherworldly entities that danced in his periphery.

Among the lively, colorful assembly, a green toad perched, its legs neatly folded, its eyes serenely shut. It held an aura of distinction amidst the dynamic, ever-moving tapestry of its astral kind.

Abruptly, the toad's eyes flickered open, fixing on Al with an unmistakable intensity. Their gazes locked in a peculiar communion, bridging the gap between mortal and astral.

Then, in a voice that was too loud for its size and with a strange clarity, the toad demanded, "Stop that! Why are you looking at me like that?" Al's lips curved into an uncertain smile, like a person practicing the art of smile before a mirror. He took measured steps towards the enigmatic toad, vocalizing his curiosity. "You can talk and see me,".

The toad responded in kind, its tone nonchalant, "Yeah, so what of it? You can too. What's the big whoop?"

Al extended a courteous introduction, his approach making up for his odd staring putting the toad at ease. "I would greatly appreciate it if you could enlighten me about my precise whereabouts, and perhaps guide me towards the closest location were people are," Al inquired, his words calm and composed.

In response, the toad rolled its eyes before offering its insights, explaining that they currently resided in Southwestern India and gesturing towards the general direction where human presence was rumored.

Al expressed his gratitude to the astral creature before setting forth, determinedly heading in the indicated path. As he moved away, the toad called out, arresting his steps. "Wait!" Al pivoted on his heel. "What is it?" he inquired, his tone steady and tranquil.

"If you're able to perceive the astral realm without an astral body, that's known as astral walking. It usually signifies impending demise." Al absorbed this information, his mind processing the weight of the toad's words. "Are you suggesting that my astral body has already met its end?" he asked, searching for clarity.

The toad shook its head and then said. "Maybe. All I can share is that those who embark on astral walking tend to have mere weeks, or at most, a month left before their final breath."

Al expressed his gratitude once more to the toad for sharing its information and resumed his journey, his steps suddenly felt unusually light. He cast his gaze downward, only to realize that his twisted knife, Midnight Abyss, was missing. 

The separation had been abrupt "Was that figure really the true form of Midnight Abyss?" Al thought as he walked.

He strolled along, lost in thought, a peculiar sensation tugged at his senses from the right. He turned to behold a colossal elephant crafted from radiant light hurtling toward him, its grandeur and luminosity appeared like a small sun. Yet, Al's countenance remained serene, untouched by the impending marvel. He met the creature's eyes with a tranquil gaze and pressed forward, as though the Light acolyte were but a passing firefly.

Perplexed, the light-wrought beast halted its charge, mere feet from where Al stood. At that moment, a figure emerged from Al's right from the embrace of the trees. Draped in a flowing white robe, the man appeared around his late 40's and bore a rectangular cloth draped across his shoulders.

The man's astonishment was palpable, his gaze fixed on Al's retreating figure. The realization that the stranger had invoked the presence of a Deva, only to halt it with a single, unwavering stare. "Wait!" the man's voice echoed through the wilderness as he walked to close the gap between them. Al turned, meeting the oncoming figure with an impassive gaze.