The void is a dark and miserable place. There is no way to describe it.
After I was beheaded, my soul seemed to have been encased. I feel trapped yet I can move freely, I can do anything yet I can do nothing.
All of my senses were cut off. It was almost as if I were drifting into space with a naked body. I was alone.
Well... almost. The system still seemed to be usable to an extent. Occasionally, I can hear a ping and a small message may appear to remind me of my deteriorating health. Other than that, it was total silence.
Time seemed to have lost its meaning. The only thing I could do was think. Too many things have happened in one day and I need to properly process the whole situation.
I was the chosen one. Everything I decide will be the fate of humanity, the cornerstone that holds the weight of an entire race.
But why had Ezekiel betrayed me?
This was something I could not understand. Ezekiel had been, for the longest time, a friend and a comrade. We worked together and have been partners since I could remember. It wouldn't make sense for him to betray me and all of humanity.
Unless... he wasn't human, to begin with?
Perhaps Ezekiel was working with the angels to begin with? Or he was a remnant of some other race? What was he doing when he was gone? Why didn't I suspect something earlier?
There were too many thoughts happening at the same time, but I had time. There wasn't much to do in the numbing darkness anyway.
After some time, I calmed down. The past had happened already, and there was nothing I could do. However, I came to a simple conclusion.
Ezekiel did not care about humanity's survival.
Did he not realize the consequences for humans because of such actions? Without me, humans will no longer have many of the traits caused by my blessing. Did he not know that the demons would no longer protect humans?
Perhaps this is my thoughts due to the hatred that I developed towards him. His nonchalant attitude towards me in the fight was laughable. It was as if it was all planned.
Ezekiel knew what he was doing. There was no doubt about it. He knew the consequences of his action, but deep down I tried to deny it. The more I thought about it. And the more I thought about it, the more clearly Ezekiel's face was etched into my head.
Sometimes I would re-imagine the fight. Think about ways it could have ended. But every time, it was the same outcome.
I had no way to win.
Ezekiel's stats were on the same level as mine. No. It was even higher. His techniques were completely flawless. It was as if the whole existence of his fighting style was to counter my technique. As for how he knew my ultimate moves, even I had no clue. They should have been knowledgeable to only me.
As I lay in thought, time slowed. The seconds would pass by ever so slowly, lasting for hours, days, months, and even years. Bit by bit, I began to lose my rationale. It was becoming more and more difficult to think properly and list out reasonings for my existence. Slowly, I began to lose my sanity.
My fortitude stat was never high, to begin with. Every human's statistics in the system would increase through their actions and rewards from the system. The higher the stat, the stronger you become in that aspect. As someone who was revered as a hero, I have never suffered such a setback.
My blessings that I had to increase my stats were gone. And my fortitude was naturally at an all-time low. Even thinking took time as my intelligence stat is lower than before. It was getting harder and harder to even remember who I was. As my memories faded away, I tried my best to not forget key details, the most important information stored within my mind.
And Ezekiel, that face was imprinted on the front page of my memory textbook. With all my rage, shame, and anger placed upon it.
In the end, I couldn't take it anymore. The darkness took over as my mind wandered...
February 22, 2024 - 9 Days before Doomsday
The smell came first.
It is a familiar scent. The kind that you get when you return home after a long time. Of course, it isn't anything pleasant. My nose filled with the smell of old used clothes and spoiled food that was no doubt being left in the open somewhere in the room.
I can hear the cars below. The timely car horn sounds in the distant morning traffic, the muffled footsteps of people above, below, and to the side of me in other rooms.
The touch of a mattress, the soft pillow against my head, and the occasional cold breeze from a vent in the room made my head a little clearer.
And finally, I opened my eyes and sat up. I was on a couch pushed against the wall in the middle of a modern apartment. The window on the left side was left slightly ajar.
No wonder there was a breeze.
A small table and stool stood directly in front of me. A small kitchen against the right side wall, without a doubt the source of the rotten smell.
2 doors were on the ride side of the couch along the wall.
The living space is cramped. Almost too cramped. There is no decoration or large furniture, and the walls are completely barren. I slowly stood up and looked around. This apartment is where I lived in the past.
A dream? No. It's too realistic to be a dream. Had I perhaps gone back in time?
Still, in my confused state, I tried to walk to where the bathroom is, the furthest door to my right. However, before I can get to it, the door between the couch and the bathroom opens.
Daril Dagonet is standing there, wearing a bathrobe and bunny slippers.
Wait, but I'm Daril. If Daril is standing in front of me then who am I? A ghost?
Confused, I stare at Daril when he suddenly looks at me and calls out:
"Good mornin-"
I run to the bathroom door and quickly close it. I stand in front of the sink, staring at my hands. I did not want to raise my head and see the mirror. But as I inspected the my body, my heart sank.
As I slowly raise my head, I see a familiar face, a face I know all too well.
I became Ezekiel Gavi.