Animator vs Animation: The Dark Web

Chapter 12: The Visit

The Chosen One stood over the town, who was settling for the night after a long day of vigorous work. He perched on a rooftop, his legs dangling down from the roof. The Chosen One watched as the townspeople exchanged each other good-nights and farewells, heading into their tents or their buildings for a relaxing rest.

The Chosen One tilted his head with a watchful gaze. As the broken-screen sky darkened and stars scattered across the sky, he flopped down to stare at the night.

Memories of a former best friend stirred within his head. Not only did The Dark Lord tell him about the dangers of the world, but also the beauty within it. Now, The Chosen One could see why. His shoulders softened as he rested his head above his clasped hands. Instead of worrying about the uproar of the Codeborn, he just needed a moment to watch the magnificence in a world full of anarchy.

A whistle rang out, and The Chosen One pushed himself up. Peeking down, there was The Second Coming, holding a lamp as he waved at him from below. Without hesitation, The Chosen One jumped from the building and launched himself into the air, surging fire from his hands and feet, and landing safely onto the ground.

With a wave of The Second Coming's hand, it was clear that he wanted to show something to him. Tentatively, The Chosen One followed behind, passing by sleeping townspeople.

As they walked together, The Chosen One wondered where they were going. The Second Coming pointed to a large building at the end of the street; an archive, rundown yet elegant. But The Chosen One still felt cautious, wondering more questions as he crossed his arms.

The Second Coming stopped and placed his lamp down, going to impersonate the people he was going to see. First, he acted sweetly, clasping his hands together and tilting his head. That was already familiar to The Chosen One–it was Lace White. Then he raised his arms up like he was pulling up a hood over his head.

The Chosen One got suspicious. The first impression was obvious, but who was the second one? But The Second Coming just brushed him off, scooped up his lamp, and continued his way.

The Chosen One tilted his head, his guard building back up like a wall. Even now that they resided in a town where he and his friends could be safe, his own instincts made him feel safer. Before suddenly, a feeling of suspicion made him jolt.

The Chosen One jerked up his head. He felt the feeling of something—or someone—coming his way. He snapped his head to the side, scanning one shadow to another throughout the street. Although nothing moved, the sensation of a presence lingered. Was it a virus monster? A townsperson who was exploring? Whether it was a dangerous presence or not, it just didn't feel... right.

The Second Coming glanced back and waved at him again, urging him to keep following. Reluctantly, The Chosen One took tentative steps, his head turning at one spot to the next.

Once they reached the building, The Second Coming jumped in excitement and ran towards the steps. The Chosen One slowly walked up the stairs as The Second Coming opened up the large doors. The inside reveals the dimmed, spacious archive of knowledge, lit up by candles on candelabras standing on all shadowed corners of the building.

Surrounding a desk in the middle of the room, three figures stood, one of them drawing on a large parchment of paper. The Chosen One recognized Lace White and Valhalla, which he gave a curt wave to.

The two were ecstatic to see them, with Valhalla running up and giving The Second Coming a hug as he set the lamp down. Lace gave an enthusiastic wave to The Chosen One, which he just nodded his head in response. And the third figure, a black hood over his head, glanced over to The Chosen One before suddenly freezing.

The Chosen One gave a suspicious stare at the hooded figure, his instincts rising. The hooded figure hesitated before he reached his hands to pull back his hood. The candlelight lit up his form, revealing a pink stick figure with a weary yet uneasy expression, as if haven't been asleep for days.