Final Destiny: Rise of the Cursed One

Chapter 3: The Dragon Slayer

   The next thing I knew, I awakened once more...but not in the Abyss, as Kira called it...I awoken somewhere else. I felt...cold water gently moving along against my back, as the sounds of the ocean waves hitting a beach rushed into my ears. I found myself staring at a bright, blue sky...I knew it wasn't the Abyss. I slowly sat up to find myself on what the humans call "a beach"...or so I thought. The place looked like a war was fought here. The stench of rotten bodies and gasoline filled the air, as the beach was full of barricades. "The humans have been at war for nearly two centuries now." A female voice said...Sarah's voice. I turned my head to the left to see Sarah in her white dress still, standing and staring at the beach...except...she was different. She held...sadness in her eyes. The last I checked, her dark red eyes were...emotionless. "Come...we have much to do...let's start with your body." Sarah said as she looked at me. "Several of the humans here have met Kira, and other Sinners...but the humans here see Sinners and the Souless as the same thing...so you'll die looking like a Sinner if you don't do something about it." Sarah explained. "If you wish to live, you must consume the energy of other beings, otherwise, you will die...all over again." Sarah said as she walked off. I only stood up...she was right. I was basically a skeleton with skin walking. I only sighed softly. "I hope you like hunting." Sarah said...I could've sworn there was a slight teasing tone in her voice. Yeah....right. I thought as I followed Sarah. 

    I followed Sarah into a war torn city, keeping my head low, and my voice quiet. Everything was wartorn here. The buildings here were old, and they looked ready to give out at any moment. There were strange technology all over the street, such as vehicles the humans call cars, they came in all shapes and sizes. However, it was sad. It seemed like the humans were fighting a war they weren't going to win. "This city used to be known as Atlanta...the state we are currently in is called Georgia." Sarah said, glancing at me. "The humans here fought a large battle here last year...the end resulted in a nuclear bombing that nearly destroyed the Alliance...however, it destroyed the Souless." Sarah explained. She then stopped near an alleyway, where an old man was going through a dumpster, then she glanced at me. "Take his energy. He won't need it anymore." Sarah ordered. I gave her my deluxe are you fucking insane look. "Won't that...kill him...?" I ask. Sarah nodded slowly. "He doesn't have much longer to live. He was caught in the nuclear blast one year ago, so he won't live much longer." Sarah explained. "You'll just be ending his misery." I sighed softly at the cold words. Even if the old man was dying...it was a cold thing to say. "Normally humans can replenish their energy with food or rest, however, that one cannot because of the nuclear radiation in his blood...it's killing him. Take his energy and restore yours." Sarah ordered. I only closed my eyes and sighed, then I walked to the old man, slowly, but silently. Then I simply touched me and I felt a surge of energy rush through my body, my own boney fingers turning into...well...normal sized fingers. I was turning into a human again. I only blinked as the old man dropped dead...literally. I stared at the dead body of the old man and I shook my head. This is insane... I thought. Then I turned around and walked off towards Sarah. I stopped however, outside a window, looking at my own reflection. I had...bright blue eyes, and short, spikey brown hair. My face didn't look boney like before...it looked...well...normal. That's the best way I can explain it. I only sighed and shook my head as I walked to Sarah. "Now what?" I ask. Sarah stared into my eyes and nodded. "We find an old friend." Sarah said. "Come." Sarah said as she walked off. I only silently followed, as the feeling of regret rushed into my beating heart...a feeling I knew all too well. 

    After what seemed like an hour of walking, passing by ruined stores, toppled over vehicles, and dead bodies. Oh my god... I thought to myself. It was devastating for me. Was it like this all over the world? We finally stopped at a certain building. From what I could tell, it was an apartment building of some sort. I only sighed softly. "Come." Sarah said as she walked up to the door, knocking on it. I only followed her silently. Seconds later, an old man opened the door. He looked to be in his early fifties. He had long, blond hair with a scruffy blond beard across his face. He had faded blue eyes, and a certain smell to him...roses? I don't know. But he seemed older than fifty. "Sarah...?" The old man asked, tilting his head in confusion...then he glanced at me. "Come in. It's dangerous out here." The old man admitted. I agreed. I didn't wanna get infected by nuclear radiation. Sarah walked inside, and I only followed. Inside, strangely, there was only a bed, a stove, and a table with three chairs. Nothing else. I only blinked. The old man was wearing a white robe, something similar to a sash, like the greek gods of mythology wore...except...he was wearing armor underneath. "Leon, this is Merlin, the Dragon Slayer." Sarah introduced. I only silently stared at Merlin...for an old guy, he was tall. "Show him your shield." Sarah ordered. "Oh...right..." I said...then it hit me. I didn't have my shield...nor the gun...nor the dagger. My eyes widened slightly at the fact. "Summon it, you idiot." Sarah said, glancing at me. I sigh. Why don't you tell me how, bitch? I sarcastically thought...and then it happened. A seal of some sort formed in front of me...and Artemis appeared out of nowhere. Merlin's eyes widened, his face going pale; It was like he just saw a ghost. "You..." Merlin said. "What is your last name, son?" Merlin asked. I only blinked. "Taylor..." I answer. Merlin's eyes sighed softly. "....Artemis's grandson..." Merlin muttered. I only stared at him with confusion. "So...you're the Cursed One...then it's about time we caught you up to speed." Merlin said as he walked to the table. The shield vanished, and I silently followed. "The year is 2197. The world has finally fallen to the creatures known as the Souless...the humans have united themselves to fight the Souless...though they are desperately losing." Merlin explained. "The last person who fought against the Souless and truly won was your grandfather, Artemis." Merlin explained. "He sealed one of the world's greatest threats away...the Lord of the Abyss." That only made my eyes widen slightly. Wait what?! I thought silently. Wasn't he...the...guy who just...? Sarah only stared at me silently...studying me. She had to know of something...I only kept my mouth shut. "The world needs a hero, Leon." Merlin said. "I believe you are that hero." Something wasn't right. Someone was lying to me...but who? Who do I believe? I only nodded. "Take my car, go north, towards New York City. That's one of the last cities in America left standing, that has living civilization in it. Look for a man named Xeno, he can fill you in on the details." Merlin explained. I only nodded. "May the Goddess of Harmony watch over you." Merlin said. Something wasn't right...and I was determined to find out what.