FATE (Volume 1)

Chapter 7: ​🇮​ ​🇸​​🇪​​🇪​ ​🇵​​🇦​​🇮​​🇳​

Jacob sat in the darkness, his eyes gone, his head pounding, and his heart heavy. He had failed. He had failed himself, his friends, and what he had considered his family. The Council of Archons had won, and he was left to rot in this dark cell. The sound of footsteps echoed outside his door, and Jacob braced himself for the worst. The door opened, and a figure stepped inside. It was one of the Archons, the same one who had taken his eyes. "Ah, Jacob," the Archon said, its voice dripping with malice. "It's time for your punishment to begin." Jacob steeled himself, trying to prepare for whatever was coming next. But nothing could have prepared him for what happened next. The Archon raised its hand, and Jacob felt a searing pain as his body began to change. his right hand twisted in different angles, into a seemingly huge chunk of wood, he began to scream, begging for things to stop there, but the Archon, as cruel as he is, twisted his fingers even more, his bones cracking and reforming until his arm was barely recognizable; Entangling his whole arm into a piece of wooden plane. After it was done, Jacob was gasping for air, trying to calm himself down in the severity of the situation. "Shame be upon thee, rebellious one," it spat, before turning to leave. As the door slammed shut behind it, Jacob was left alone in his cell, his body broken and battered. He knew that this was only the beginning of his suffering, and he couldn't help but wonder what other horrors the Archons had in store for him. Jacob's mind raced as he tried to process what had just happened. He was now blind, his arm twisted and contorted into a grotesque shape, and he could feel the weight of the heavy sign hanging around his back. The Archon laughed cruelly before disappearing, leaving Jacob alone once again in the darkness. The young man's thoughts turned to despair, wondering how much longer he would have to endure such torture. He knew the Archons would not stop until they had broken him completely, and the thought of that possibility was unbearable. As the hours ticked by, Jacob heard footsteps approaching again. This time, it was a group of guards who entered his cell. "Come, rebel," one of them sneered. "It's time for your public shaming." Jacob was dragged out of his cell and forced to march through the streets of Upper Genesis, the sign around his neck announcing his shame to the world. People jeered and threw things at him as he passed, adding to his humiliation. Five long days he marched, with no food or water to sustain him. His body weakened further, his vision never returning, and his arm still trapped in its twisted form. On the sixth day, Jacob collapsed from exhaustion, unable to take another step. The guards picked him up and tossed him into a new cell, this one even darker and more oppressive than the last. And yet, despite everything, Jacob refused to give up. He clung to the memories of his friends and the love they shared, using those feelings to fuel his determination to survive. Somehow, someway, he vowed to escape and make the Council pay for what they had done to him.

Several days have gone by, Jacob, who was numb of all senses, and is mentally unstable at the time, scratches off the walls, a haunting reminder of his turmoil. They had publicly tortured him, taken off his vision, twisted his arm, killed off his friends, made him carry a sign, his own blood - being boiled from the inside out was just one of the Archon's cruel tricks. They had not given him any food nor water in the past few days, and it feels like his flesh is eating itself, one of the many torture devices of the Archons too, that was... He wheezed as his lungs collapsed last time, but he couldn't die... He wanted too, but he couldn't. He tried banging his head on the wall, but that had only caused his head damaged but alive... No matter what he does, he still lives... Never in a million years would he think that death was such a sweet relief, he wanted to die but he couldn't... But now, he wanted to frown but he couldn't. He had gone mad, driven by his own psychopathic thoughts of death and relief, he relentlessly scratches on the walls ever so often, his nails giving out each scratch on the wall, he wanted the sweet relief of death, but it would not come to him. "Why does this have to happen to me?" he says shakily, his voice weak... The lack of Celestia evident. "The sweet release of death, how hard can that be? HOW HARD?" his voice trembling as he bellowed, his own crooked voice echoing through his own cellar. He had gotten used to this, dwelling in the dark, nothing that he can see in the never-ending misery.  Jacob's mental state continued to deteriorate as the days went by. He had lost track of time, and the constant darkness had made him forget what the light even looked like. His sense of touch was all but gone, his skin crawling with the feeling of imaginary insects burrowing underneath. The only sound he could hear was the faint echo of his own breathing and the occasional distant noise from outside his cell. His voice had become hoarse from screaming, his throat parched and dry. Despite this, he continued to call out for help, hoping against hope that someone might hear him. One day, he suddenly stopped shouting. He had realized that his cries were futile, that no one was coming to save him. In that moment, he decided to accept his fate. If death wouldn't come to him, then he would go to death. With renewed determination, Jacob started to scratch at the walls once again, his nails digging deep into the stone. He wasn't sure where he was going or if he would even survive, but he didn't care. Anything was better than staying in this hellhole forever. As he clawed his way through the darkness, Jacob's mind began to wander. Memories of his life before the Archons flooded his thoughts – his family, his friends, the sunshine on his face. For a brief moment, he forgot about the agony he was in and let himself get lost in happier times. But soon enough, reality came crashing back, and he was faced with the bleakness of his current situation once again. Undeterred, Jacob pushed forward, his resolve strengthening with every passing moment. Even if it meant his demise, he needed to escape. It became harder and harder to breathe as he moved deeper into the tunnel. Dust filled the air, making him choke and cough. His eyes burned from the particles in the air, but he kept going. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, Jacob saw a glimmer of light ahead. Hope swelled within him, and he quickened his pace. As he emerged from the tunnel, he found himself in a vast open space. The sky above was a sickly yellow color, casting an eerie glow over the landscape. Jacob shielded his eyes, squinting towards the horizon. There, he saw something that made his heart race – a figure, small and far away, but definitely human. Without hesitation, Jacob stumbled toward the figure, calling out for help. His voice was barely audible, but he hoped against hope that the person would hear him. As he drew closer, Jacob realized that the figure was a man. He was dressed in tattered robes, his hair disheveled and dirty, atleast, that was what he could make out of... his eyesight was doing him no favor, being slashed countless times had made it even worse. When he finally noticed him, his expression changed from indifference to shock. "Who are you?" he asked warily, taking a step back. Jacob opened his mouth to reply, but his parched throat made speaking difficult. He croaked out his name instead, hoping he would understand. To his surprise, the man's expression softened. "Jacob," he repeated, his voice full of emotion. "I'm Ethan. We've been looking for you."

Jacob's eyes widened in confusion. "Looking for me? Why? How did you know my name?" he asked, his voice still hoarse from disuse. Ethan approached him slowly, a mixture of caution and compassion in his eyes. "We've been searching for all the people who rebelled against the Archon and the Nexus, in other words, recruiting people for our rebellion." he explained. "Your name was on a list we found. We've been trying to find you for months." Jacob's mind reeled as he tried to process this information. Months? How long had he been trapped in that cellar? It felt like an eternity ago that he had given up all hope. "How did you end up down there?" Ethan asked, gesturing towards the hole in the ground. Jacob shook his head, trying to clear the cobwebs. "I don't know," he admitted. "I was running from the Archons, and I must have fallen through some kind of trapdoor. I've been stuck down there since." Ethan's expression turned grim. "You're lucky to be alive," he said bluntly. "Most people who were taken by the Archons didn't survive. But we're here now, and we'll do everything we can to help you." Jacob felt a wave of relief wash over him. He had been so focused on escaping his prison that he hadn't thought about what would happen next. Now, he realized that he had no idea where he was or what the world outside was like. "What's happening out there?" he asked, nodding towards the horizon. Ethan shrugged. "It's not bad," he said honestly. "The Archons have taken most of the rebels. They're rounding up humans and celestial entities, putting them in cellars. We're part of a resistance group, trying to fight back and free our people. If they don't stop now, we might have to go to war with the Nexus and the Archons." Jacob's heart heavy with this news, he knew that he had to join them. He owed it to himself, and to those who had suffered because of the Archons. "Take me with you," he said firmly. "I want to fight back too." Ethan studied him for a moment, then nodded. "Welcome to the resistance, Jacob.", they began walking, Ethan assisting him with every step, he couldn't see anything they were going... Then suddely, Jacob stops, he sobbed relentlessly with no end... remembering his suffering, his friend's dying bodies, the Archon's mockery, and all that had been hell, Ethan immediately wrapped his arms around Jacob, holding him close as he let out all his emotions. He couldn't imagine what Jacob must have gone through, trapped in that cellar for so long, surrounded by darkness and hopelessness. It was a miracle he was still alive, and Ethan felt a sense of responsibility to help him heal. "It's okay, Jacob," Ethan whispered into his ear. "You're safe now. You're among friends. We'll take care of you." Jacob cried for what felt like hours, his body shaking with grief and exhaustion. Ethan held him the whole time, offering what little comfort he could. Eventually, Jacob's tears subsided, and he pulled back, wiping his face with his sleeve. "Sorry," he mumbled, embarrassed. Ethan smiled kindly. "There's nothing to apologize for," he said. "You've been through hell and back. It's only natural that you'd feel overwhelmed." He looked at Jacob closely, taking in his gaunt features and haunted eyes. "We need to get you some food and water," he decided. "And then we'll get you settled in. You can rest as much as you need. We'll take things slow, okay?" Jacob nodded, feeling a tiny spark of hope ignite within him. Maybe, just maybe, he had found a place where he belonged. A place where he could start to heal, and maybe even find a new purpose in life. With Ethan's help, he stood up, and together they walked towards a nearby tent, ready to take the steps towards what seemed to be the first motion to war and rebellion.

As they enter the tent, Jacob is greeted by a group of people who introduce themselves as members of the resistance. They welcome him warmly, offering him food and drink. Jacob takes a seat, feeling a sense of camaraderie that he hasn't experienced in a long time. These people understand what he has been through, and they are fighting for the same cause. Ethan sits beside him, explaining their plan of action. "We've been gathering intelligence on the Archons and the Nexus," he says. "We know their weaknesses, and we're working on a strategy to take them down. But we need more people like you, who are willing to stand up and fight." Jacob listens intently, feeling a sense of purpose growing inside him. This is what he has been missing all these years - a reason to keep going, to keep fighting. One of the women in the group, a fierce-looking warrior named Lila, speaks up. "We've heard rumors of a hidden underground city, where the Archons are keeping many of the humans and celestial entities they've taken," she says. "If we can find a way in, we might be able to rescue some of them, and also gather valuable information on the enemy's movements." Jacob's ears perk up at this. "I think I might know a way in," he says, remembering the map he had seen in the cellar before his blindness. "I saw a diagram of a network of tunnels that led to a hidden entrance. It was old, but it might still be useful." Lila's eyes light up with interest. "Show us," she says, reaching out to touch Jacob's arm. "Can you describe the map to us? We'll need to know exactly where to go." Jacob nods, trying to visualize the map, it would be more useful if he can draw it, but since he can't see, it makes every task difficult. He describes the layout of the tunnels, the twists and turns, and the location of the hidden entrance. Lila listens carefully, committing the details to memory. "This is perfect," she exclaims when Jacob finishes. "We'll send a team to scout it out, and if it checks out, we'll launch a full-scale attack. Thank you, Jacob. You might have just given us the key to winning this war." Jacob feels a surge of pride and satisfaction. He has finally found a way to contribute, to make a difference. And with these people, he knows he isn't alone anymore. He has found a family, a team, a cause worth fighting for. 

"Jacob, I know I'm not remotely close and you might not trust me... But, may I ask what happened?, when you were captured... I mean." Lila said, looking empathetic. Jacob tears up again, remembering his friend's sacrifice and the torture of the Archon, "They killed my friends, made me blind, twisted my hand into oblivion, and cursed my flesh to eat itself... Now, I swear on my team's name, I will slaughter them all." his eyes full of tears and his fist shaking as it clenched, he clenched his other hand... though that resulted into pain as the bones fractured even more, he howled in pain, this startled Lila and she panicked. She scrabbled over a handbook and began chanting incantations hastily, her hand glowed. By the time the pain stopped, Jacob, who was suffering from all the curses that the Archon gave upon him all disappeared - Lila healed them all. "Feel any better?" asked Lila, placing her palm to Jacob's shoulders to calm him down. "I... I feel better!" exclaimed Jacob in happiness, though his happiness was short-lived as he realized he still could not see. "I still can't see" said Jacob, his back slouched as he sat on a chair-shaped rock. "What did they blind you with?", asked Lila, leaning forward. "My sword... they blinded me with my sword, I call it 'Blade of Humility', I don't think I have it at the moment", "can you check if I have it on me?" asked Jacob. Lila nodded, scrabbling in Jacob's tattered and dirty uniform, but found none to no avail. "Nope, none here" said Lila, Jacob, sighing, then frowned in dismay; just as he thought that the situation couldn't get any worse, he had remembered something... somethings actually, "THE PRODIGON STONE AND THE NEXUS CRYSTAL!" he said, standing straight up immediately. "WHERE IS IT?" he says as he gropes around his uniform, not feeling anything anywhere. "Whoa, you're telling me you had two powerful artifacts just like that?" said Lila in awe, he furrows his eyebrows, "No, Link had 'em before he died." as he continued searching his pants. "Link? as in, THE Link?", now Lila was flabberghasted. "Yeah why?", "That guy is the son of the Watcher of the Quartz Clock, right?, he's the heir to the Nexus' Order's third guardian", now, Jacob was interested... His eyebrows furrowed even more as he frowned, "Well, hate to break it to you, he's dead because of me.", he turns back, staggering as he tries to get back to their camp, "I- I'm sorry, I didn't mean it that way" Lila said, catching up to Jacob as she supported his step. Jacob, on the other hand, sucked his teeth as sign of frustration, he turned back to Lila: "Ethan mentioned that this group was formed by the Paradox. Where is he?", "You know Paradox?" said Lila, curious. "He's my friend's older self... which doesn't make sense, if his younger self had already passed away, why hasn't he, I don't know... ceased to exist?", responded by Jacob harshly with an aggressive shrug, "Time doesn't work here like that, everything can exist here in the Upper Genesis.", Jacob found this nonsensical: "What do you mean?", Lila sighs, "What I'm saying is that, everything can exist here at the same time. This isn't reality with a bunch of Time Rules, though, if the Paradox were to go to Reality... There only, he would cease to exist", she explained. Jacob thought deeply, making sense of Lila's explanation. "I see." he responds coldly as he turns back to resume his walk towards the camp. Lila sighs in disbelief, Jacob, why are you like this?, she thought quietly as he watched his new friend walk silently across the blue, vibrant grass.