Chapter 11,
Blinding Yellow Lights
Zephyr's POV
Many years ago, our family's very first ancestors were both born in a poor family who lived in the slums. Those were the days when humans are slaved and sees as the lowest creatures more lower than animals or parasites. As years and years, to different generations passed, until the Noitazilivic Era, or the era of the "New Humans" came. Humans learn to create bioweapons, and even higher technology almost at par with the 'Greater Humans', who are known for the most advanced, but one of the rarest race.
In this era, traditions of the Zilch family were past down from generation to generation without coming to a halt.
The Zilch name was known very well for they are great at illusion manipulation and illusion resistance. Not only that, they are also known for their high amount of Magical Powers and Mana inside their bodies and how freely they can manipulate it.
Our family was hated not because of the meaning of the word Zilch, but because we're exactly what our last name meant. Everyone in the family hated the fact that they are born under our bloodline. Since I was a kid, I've seen this as a blessing from the Ancients. But after knowing our family more, that words sounded disgusting to my ear. Blessing? This family was cursed, that's how you put it!
Everyone hated me so much. In fact, it didn't bother me. What bothered me was because my family was too strict with me. They would not let me sleep until I finish the task they assigned me with.
The first stage wasn't that hard. He would want me to train my body physically and mentally to prevent external injuries or mental exhaustion and mind manipulation. He would command me to do push-ups, pull-ups, squats and much more for a hundred times or two.
The trainings got harsh. He would tell me to train my sword and weapon welding skills to enhance my power. That wasn't much, expect for the main part. I have to fight one-on-one with him and I have to hit him even just once to be able to stop the training. My father was a great fighter and also well-known if it wasn't for the family that he was born with. Because he could doge my attacks, I couldn't hit him and get any sleep.
Our lesson would start at seven, and he would always wake me up by beating me into a pulp until I wake up. Because of the harsh training, I wasn't able to give time to myself. I can't train or even take care of myself.
At the third, and last one, I was only told that I will be participating in crossing the Labyrinth of Dreams. He don't care if I find a lover there even if there's four or five of them as long as I bring no shame, but glory and fame to our family by defeating high-ranked and wealthy families. That was it, basically.
Everyday, he trained me day and night, barely giving me a time to rest and removed the aching pain in my body. He would only use magic to heal my body by injecting Mana inside me.
Everyday was hectic until it was already time for me to cross the Labyrinth of Dreams. They gave me a form to answer some kind of biography of myself and such things like birthday, ability, possessions and much more.
There I thought that if I grouped with the humans, I would kill them immediately and wipe them out. In the test at Room 1, sixty-five percent of the murders we're by me. I annihilated almost all humans in the game.
At the room two, I met a kid with a couple helping him. I was looking for a teammate that time to join my group, but I ran into them, of all people. The one looked like a High-level Hunter and a Dual-Ability User and try other is a Time Manipulator. I just thought that I could have them in my team so I helped them out.
In an unexpected turn for events, he became my boyfriend just for my life making me feel pathetic and all. Who would've thought I would make a guy my boyfriend? How about the polygamy my father talked about? This one's were just disgusting to begin with.
Knowing that he's that strong, I wanted to take advantage of him being my boyfriend to cross this Labyrinth of Dreams in the easiest possible way as soon as possible. Fortunately, he was a dumb one. I could just play him around my fingers and get him to do what I ask him to. This guy was a weird one, indeed.
Right now, I would just want him to just kill this bird with his terrifying power, but this stage is required to finish this labyrinth. There is no excuses or shortcuts in this road.
This bird in my front really annoys me. He stated that he was like me, and I won't deny that. What annoys me is what he said. He told me that he was as cold at me, but now, he was too kid for his girlfriend. This one's different. This is a guy who's my boyfriend and he's not even my taste. How the hell did it even tuned out this way? I hate this bird to the bones.
Third Person's POV
Touching the bird's head, Zephyr froze and a hologram appeared right on top of him projecting his memories. It was another of his childhood.
"Father, where's mother?" A young Zephyr asked.
"Look for him in the kitchen. She said she'll be cooking your favourite," his father said while gently patting his head.
The kid went to the kitchen and saw his mother there. Her mother has a long black hair, untied. Rays of light and a faint breeze was blowing into her hair giving her more of a great impression.
"Mom," Zephyr called out as he came running towards her and giving her a hug.
"What is it, my dear?" She asked.
"What are you making?" He pointed at the pan on the stove.
"This? I'm frying chicken. After this, I'll make you your favourite fried noodles. You can go play first," she said while she pats the kid's head.
The kid went on his way to his room to fetch out his toys when he heard something fell. Is sounded like a metal falling. After those, consecutive metals making strong contact with each other was a replacement for the past sound.
Checking the place, he saw his mother being cut in the stomach and different strikes was also inflicted in every part of her body until she dies. The kid who was watching can't do anything but let his tears fall towards where the gravity leads it. Blood of his mother was even splattered on his face.
"Mom!" He called out drawing the attention of the one who killed his mother, but it left with just a grin on his face making fun of the kid.
Running towards the direction, he hugged her mother who was already lifeless from the multiple bleeding wound and deep cuts.
Eljeric, who was spectating, was shocked seeing it. He knows that his family were all gone by the looks of it, but he never knew it was like this. For someone like him, this was a bit too much.
Before the illusion could continue, it disappeared and Zephyr came back to reality. The place was quiet and so is Gella.
"Is that it?" Gella kept herself quiet at the side.
The couple was silent. Eljeric couldn't say a single word.
"What?" Zephyr questioned as if nothing happened, neglecting everything that happened.
They kept silent, lost for words from the shock. Eljeric gathered his courage, and broke the endless silence, "Anyways, we should go next," he pointed at the yellow bird.
The bird looked unique in a way—her feathers were glowing like gold in the sunshine, giving the feeling of warmth and comfort to those it shines through. It's not looking at anyone, but it is in front like a golden statue.
Tj, by himself, walked without a word in front of the bird and touched its bright feathers, to start off. Different from the others, its hologram has a bright border and seemed blinding. The bird shows the happiest memories and pasts that's experienced by the player.
The boy was smiling genuinely, staring at the lady before him. It was Lyka. To have someone in his life like her, his life's too perfect. Moreover, Tj does not have any family to turn on, that's why Lyka can only be his home.
"You look too happy, it's annoying," Lyka frowned.
"It's all your fault," Tj chuckled.
The two flirted as the illusion ended. Lyka, who was annoyed, had her expression changed into embarrassment. To her, it was something unbelievable. She thought that the happiest part of his life would be likely with his late family.
After the illusion, Tj skipped to her location, feeling embarrassed, but still dared to hold Lyka's hand. Second to Tj, Zephyr had no illusion, so they had to skip him and let Lyka go after.
Surprisingly, the yellow bird glowed too bright for anyone to see. Opening everyone's eyes, nothing miraculous happened. Similar to Zephyr, Lyka showed no hologram on top.
"Your heart's too bright. You cherish every second, every moment you have. Your feelings are too genuine that I cannot chose any great memories to show," the yellow bird explained.
Lyka just nodded, losing her joy. Finally, a decent bird that shows only happiness, and she's here just to be excluded? How unfortunate for her.
Coming next to her, Eljeric lastly came after. He hesitated for a second before touching the glowing bird. Coming in contact, the hologram appeared on top and showed his memories.
"You okay?" A familiar guy asked.
It was Yuki beside him, smiling as he stared at the door, ready to enter and see what's inside.
Taking a step and opening the door, the whole family welcomed him with bright smiles. It was Yuan, Eiji, Keine, Yuki, and Krypton, who was still unfamiliar for him that time.
A bright smile curved into his lips. It was the day he was welcomed into the Neolicus-Feiguil Household. The house is big and bright white. A complete set of chairs and a big table fit for the whole family, different rooms for them and a living room, too much for them even if they're complete with a big couch and TV. He was on tears, but happiness was still overflowing inside him. He was grateful for his family and everything they did for him.
The illusion ended with Eljeric in tears, but faintly smiling from sincere happiness.
"Eljeric, you're adopted?" Tj dumbly asked.
Lyka gave him a smack as he groaned, "How numb of you!" she exclaimed.
"Sorry," he whispered.
Eljeric replied with a smile," Well, yeah, but I'm pretty sure my older brother, Yuki, has his blood running in my veins," he explained.
"What?" Zephyr was perplexed.
"My body cannot take all this magic I have, and to maintain it, I have to change vessels. But I cannot leave my body, I'm not a ghost or some sort. They let me die and injected my brother's blood into me. His blood's kinds special, you know." he replied.
Zephyr nodded, understanding his explanation. He faintly 'smiled' at Eljeric and pointed at the light blue bird next to us. It's blueness is like the sky's and it's eyes are like the deepest of the ocean's.
"What do you think of this one?" Tj gulped, asking Lyka for her opinion.
"Maybe another bad one?" Lyka was sweating, all right.
Eljeric took a deep breath, slowly stretched out his hand towards the bird before stopping midway. He stared at it's eyes, as if it was something familiar.
"This bird..." Eljeric was about to finish, but the bird flapped it's wings abruptly and made weird noises.
"Ah! That bird? That one doesn't talk, if I'm not mistaken," Gella stated.
"Oh?" Zephyr stared carefully, analyzing the bird, "weird, huh?" he faintly chuckled.
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