The Against All Odds

CH 12 - Hope

Leo is confused when he finds himself trapped in perfect darkness. He was standing on a surface that seemed like surging black water, but it was all just a deep black color.

"Where is this? What's going on?" leo muttered in a voice that sounded so small in that dark silence. He fumbled around her, but there was nothing he could feel but emptiness and total darkness.

As he tried to recall what he had last experienced, all the information felt hazy. The world of Erder, King Sullivan, and his memories filled with mysteries seemed so distant and faint. Leo is in a state of uncertainty, not knowing where to go or what will happen next.

"Lo."

Inside the mysterious darkness, the familiar voice crawled Leo's ears, calling out his name. Hearing that voice, Leo's heart pounded fiercely, his chest began to clench and tears began to flow down his face.

"Sister?" he exclaimed, Leo's eyes searched for the source of the voice. And among the darkness came a woman who exuded such a strong beauty and longing. Elara Demhian, Leo's long-lost sister, stands before him.

Elara had the same alluring face as her sister, with shady blue eyes, long decomposed white hair, and a smile that radiated warmth. She was wearing a flowing dress with a striking blue color, contrasting with the dark background that enveloped them.

Leo tried to step closer to his brother, but his weak body did not allow it. In the darkness that enveloped them, he finally collapsed slowly, both of his hands supporting his fragile body. The 25-year-old man's crying voice filled the dark room, reflecting his despair. In a trembling voice, Leo admitted, "Sister, I. I can't." Tears streamed down his cheeks as he crawled and knelt on the floor of the not-so-dark water, "I can't live without you." Her tears caused waves in the water.

However, Elara's soft hands that had a pretty face and eyes that shone with tenderness slowly raised her sister's face full of despair. Elara smiled warmly in the darkness, giving a wordless answer. While the setting of their place was the dark space that enveloped them, the atmosphere was filled with a deep sense of sadness, like a scene reflecting a wounded heart.

Then, Elara stood up slowly with her sister still falling in front of her. "There is no need to cry, after all, you will always be waiting for your presence, Leo," Elara said in a soft, hopeful voice. "In this world not in another world, we will definitely get back together." Leo was silent at his brother's words, but there was a hint of calmness creeping into his heart, even amid the darkness that surrounded them.

Soon Leo began to realize the meaning of his brother's statement, his eyes widening in confusion and hope. Tears began to fill the corners of her teary eyes. "What does brother mean? Is brother still alive?" His voice was soft, filled with a mixture of hope and disbelief.

Leo's gaze changed, like a bright ray of hope in the darkness of his sad heart. She felt a great urge within her, an urge to stand up and approach her brother whom she had been looking for a long time. Leo's heart was filled with warmth and love when he was finally able to stand up, his heavy steps walked towards Elara, and they hugged each other tightly. In that embrace, their world of mystery and darkness seemed to converge, creating a moment of meaning and happiness.

Elara gently stroked Leo's hair, a gentle vibration felt in every touch of her brother's finger. "Now accept the strength you deserve" he whispered softly, "Be the strongest, Leo. This world is not the same world as our old world."

Leo felt a deep urge in Elara's words. His heart responds to the call, knowing that in this world, strength is the key to survival. She looked at her brother with eyes full of determination and hope. "Sister, promise me we'll be back together soon."

Elara smiled gently, their eyes united in a strong agreement. "That's a promise of both of us" he replied steadily.

They continued to embrace, lamenting the limited time but also grateful that they were finally together again. In that embrace, the mysterious world around them seemed to disappear, leaving them in a moment of sincere and meaningful happiness.

Until finally, Leo fully realized and out of the dark place, and also out of a glimpse of the memory stored in the Menhir Bastion. In the surroundings, the noisy sounds of the rock spinning along with other strange sounds rang out filling the air, creating a drastically changing atmosphere. A dazzling purple light radiated through the pond surrounding the Menhir Bastion.

"Leo! Get away from there!" Belladona's shout breaks the noise, forcing Leo to try to understand the situation.

While keeping his hands touching Menhir, he looked up at the stone. The last part of the Menhir Bastion had stopped spinning, but what was striking was not the silver light as before, but rather the blackish purple light emanating from the rock and radiating through the entire pool water surrounding it.

Belladona kept shouting, trying to get close to Leo. "Leo, hurry up, take your hands off and go!" He looks very worried. Right at that moment, the inscription 'Nythorian Faction' began to be etched clearly on the stone, as if to be an affirmation of the events that were happening. Leo understands the meaning of all this and what he has to do next. According to him, this was the 'power' meant by King Sullivan and his older brother.