Chapter Two: ... What?

In another corner of the vast multiverse, there exists a planet much like Earth—except it is three times larger, and its inhabitants seem to have been ripped straight from the pages of a fantasy novel. Majestic Dragons, colossal Giants, elusive Elves, graceful Fairies, Mankind, and countless other races thrive on this world called Terra. Terra is divided into seven continents: Zhilakai, the Land of Golden Sands; Gelrakoth, the Frost Realm; Kraelion, the Dragon’s Domain; Aqualuna, the Moonlit Waters; Vryshire, the Mystic Woods; Septentrion, the Northern Lights; and Terraverde, the Green Land. As ages passed, these races advanced—so much so that their technology performed feats once considered miraculous. Yet through all their achievements, their belief in the Brilliance and Light never faded.

It is the year 2060, and on the continent of Terraverde, fate began to shift. In the capital city of Hanag, inside the finest medical facility—Spring Hospital—a young man sat upright in a VIP ward. His name was Nox Arur, and he was currently staring at the window like his life depended on it. At a glance, he looked calm. But his skin glistened with sweat, and his hands trembled slightly.

A beautiful nurse stood beside him taking notes, but he refused to look at her. Instead, he kept his gaze locked on the window. Don’t look, Nox. Don’t. Freaking. Look. He stared so intensely one would think he was trying to crack a divine riddle.

“Um… Mr. Arur, do you feel uncomfortable anywhere?”

Nox stiffened. If he didn’t turn around, he’d seem suspicious. If he did turn around… well… Damn it. He slowly turned his head—and instantly regretted everything. To normal people, the nurse was a cute brunette with a gentle smile. To Nox? She looked like a giant caterpillar with a human face and tiny human arms. His soul attempted to ascend, but he kept a poker face.

The moment she exited the room, he collapsed back into his bed and nearly sobbed with relief. Ever since he woke up from a car accident a week ago, he had been seeing horrific things. The first time he opened his eyes and saw something standing behind the physician, he immediately pretended to lose consciousness again. Life was easier with his eyes closed.

“When will you stop behaving like a child and get used to it? Tch. How annoying.”

Nox twitched. He glared toward the window. Floating there, as always, was a small swirling mass of darkness. It drifted lazily as if boredom was its default state. It had appeared the day Nox woke up. Claimed to be a god. Nox assumed he was hallucinating—except hallucinations didn’t follow you from room to room like unpaid interns.

Eventually, Nox reached two conclusions: One: this was all real. Two: he was extremely high. Being in a hospital made option two less likely. His coping method? Let the mass of darkness rant about “power” while he internally screamed. And whenever it insisted he get stronger, Nox always said: “Why would I need to do that when I can just pay someone else to do it for me?”

Today, though, was different.

“You know, human,” the darkness began, “you should have died more than a week ago. But since One used One’s power to keep your pathetic body alive, you’re still breathing… for now.”

Nox narrowed his eyes. “…What do you mean by that?”

The darkness drifted to the floor. “Human bodies are far too fragile. Even a trace of One’s power would destroy you. But because we are bound by contract, you can wield One’s power—but at a price.”

Nox waited.

“If you try to use One’s power without stored Ruach Ra’ah, your body will deteriorate… and eventually perish.”

Nox stared at it. “…Then I just won’t use the power. Simple.”

“AHAHAHAHA! Foolish mortal!”

The darkness shook in laughter. “Haa… listen carefully. Every second you remain alive, you are using One’s power to sustain your damaged body. As long as you breathe, you cannot stop using it.”

Nox’s expression went blank with horror. “…What is Ruach Ra’ah?”

“Oh, now you’re curious?” The darkness swirled smugly. “Ruach Ra’ah is energy born from wicked thoughts, dark impulses, and malevolent actions. It takes form as the creatures you see crawling around. Only One, One’s Vessels, and very rare individuals can absorb it.”

Nox froze as the truth hit him. “…So you’re saying I need to absorb those things?”

“Exactly!”

“NO. Absolutely not!”

“Tsk. Either that… or you die. Choose.”

Nox clutched his head as the memory of the caterpillar-nurse resurfaced. He nearly gagged.

“…What… who even ARE you?!’

The room temperature plummeted. Shadows twisted violently around the floating darkness.

“Hear Me, child,” it intoned. “You must not speak One’s true name lightly.”

Its form expanded, the air trembling. “I am the God of Chaos and Darkness… the Ruler of the Unknown. The name you are permitted to speak…”

The shadows condensed into a single swirling core. “…is Veil.”

It hovered closer, voice deepening. “And you… you are My Apostle.”

Nox blinked once. “…What?”