21 Interval 6 – What won't we do for love?

-Kingdom of Night, Year 4199-

I looked at myself in the bathroom cabinet mirror, wondering if what I was about to do was a good idea. Go away, finally leave this city aside, and discover what's outside.

I am scared, I have no idea what I will find, I will leave the safety of a familiar place and head toward the unknown. I will leave a place with guaranteed water, food, shelter, and resources and embark on a journey.

I will leave Novi behind... Probably not for long, if I die on the way, I will see Novi again, if I succeed, I will see Novi again. If this is all just creations of my mind and I've gone completely crazy... Well... I just hope that in the end my mind keeps this madness and shows me what I want to see.

"Are you ready to go?" Manah asked.

Without taking my eyes off the mirror, I focused on the little girl dressed in red standing next to the bathroom door, right behind me.

"Not yet, be patient." I answered.

"Of course, just don't take too long, we have a pact, don't we? I will do my part, but only if you do yours." Manah replied, swaying from side to side with a big smile on her face.

Sighing mentally, I focused on my reflection again. Hump! Pact! I must have gone crazy, look at me, making magical pacts with hallucinations. How low have you fallen?

I did my best to get ready for the trip, taking a few steps back, I checked if everything was in order. I took a shower and did my best to cut my hair and shave.

I also wore clothes not very different from the ones I picked up at the store when I woke up in this city, luckily, I managed to find a similar store.

I was wearing a camouflage military cap, a black long-sleeved t-shirt, black military pants with lots of pockets, black military boots, reinforced brown leather gloves, a nylon belt with a metal buckle, black knee pads, and elbow pads and to finish, a jacket with a camouflage pattern similar to the cap.

Other than that, there were holsters to carry my weapons and ammunition.

There was only one thing missing, hanging from the collar of my jacket, there was a pair of sunglasses, I grabbed it to hide my eyes. I don't know if it was due to drinking, lack of sleep, and how much I cried recently, but my eyes were red, redder than I expected.

I put on my glasses and faced myself in the mirror again, I spent a few seconds in silence before smiling hesitantly and striking a pose with the index fingers of both hands pointed at my reflection and thumbs raised.

I remained like that for a while, before the corner of my mouth trembled, followed by my arms, the tremor became bigger and bigger, and I could hear my teeth grinding. I was shaking so much that I couldn't maintain the pose.

My God, I look horrible!

"AAAHHH!" With a scream of rage I grabbed the sides of the bathroom cabinet and ripped it from the wall, the rusty screws creaked audibly, while the wall tiles cracked and broke with loud cracks, falling to the floor soon after.

Without thinking, I threw the cabinet to the other side of the bathroom, where it collided with the wall, leaving a series of cracks in the tile, the cabinet mirror shattered, sending a shower of shards onto the floor.

Breathing heavily, I looked for something else to vent my anger on, I grabbed the faucet and ripped it from the sink, using it as a club to break the sink, with a series of angry screams, and I reduced it to a pile of pieces.

Throwing the faucet away I ran towards the toilet and kicked its box out, sending it to the other side of the bathroom where it broke next to the cabinet I threw earlier.

I looked around for something to destroy, but slowly, my breathing calmed down, adjusting my posture. I finally realized what I had just done, I saw the destruction I caused here, and I changed my focus to my hands as I slowly opened and closed them.

What the fuck did I just do?!?

Since when am I so strong?!? I destroyed the bathroom, but I didn't feel tired from the effort I put in and I didn't hurt myself at any point! I'm not saying I couldn't do it, but I expected to have more work and injure myself in the process!

I came out of the bathroom with quick steps, and outside, I found Manah staring at me with a big mischievous smile.

"I see you have discovered one of the effects of our pact." Manah spoke provocatively.

"Effects? What the hell are you talking about? You are nothing more than a hallucination! This pact didn't change anything about me!" I retorted.

"Is that so? The mark on your chest says otherwise." Manah replied in an amused tone as she walked around me.

The mark on my chest? I tugged the collar of my shirt and widened my eyes at what I saw. I hadn't had a tattoo before, but there it was. The tattoo depicted two children touching their cheeks, with their faces merging in the center, the faces were surrounded by a circle, and from both sides of the circle came out a pair of wings.

"What the fuck?" I whispered to myself, but judging by Manah's response, she heard me.

"This is your mark of pact, proof that you sacrificed something valuable to you in exchange for power." Manah finished, opening her arms and spinning in front of me.

I raised my cap and smoothed my hair nervously, while laughing dryly, "Hahaha! Good joke! If what you say is true, then what kind of power have I gained?"

"Your senses have been heightened to superhuman levels, you are also faster, stronger, and more resilient. But don't go around thinking you're a god, if you try hard enough you can knock down a wall, bend metal, and maybe even lift a small car, but you can still be killed by an angry mob or someone with enough bullets." Manah shrugged.

I took a few steps back, placing one hand on the living room table to keep myself upright.

"Seriously? And what else can I do? Shoot fireballs?" I scoffed.

"Yes, another advantage of our pact is that you now possess great magical power."

"Nonsense! Magic doesn't exist!" I exclaimed, swinging my other arm. But the moment I did that, I felt a tingling sensation in my left arm, as if I had been shocked.

This tingling increased, followed by extreme heat. Suddenly, my left arm was covered in red flames up to the elbow, the moment I stopped swinging my arm, a fireball the size of a basketball shot out of my hand and hit a bookshelf full of books on the other side of the room, creating an explosion of flames.

"Holy shit!" I screamed as everything was turned to ash.

"Do you believe me now?" Manah asked with a childish smile.

"This… This can't be real! Magic doesn't exist! There must be an explanation for this!"

"Whether you believe in magic or not doesn't matter, because the proof is in front of you." Manah replied, pointing to my hand.

Slowly, I raised my flame-covered hand in front of my face, I turned it from side to side, analyzing it. The flames didn't hurt me and didn't burn my clothes, other than that, the only thing I felt different was the heat, but it was tolerable.

"Magic… Does magic exist?" I muttered impressed.

"Yes."

"Psshhh! Hahaha! No, no, no! This is not happening! I'm dreaming, aren't I? I passed out drunk on the couch and now I'm dreaming about all this, aren't I?" I asked with a nervous smile, waiting for Manah to confirm my questions.

However, the girl just stared at me.

Slowly my smile and hopeful face disappeared "Holy shit... This is real..." I muttered as I wiped the sweat from my forehead with my free hand.

"I'm glad you've finally come to terms with this, but I recommend we leave soon as the flames are spreading." Manah spoke, pointing to the place where my fireball exploded.

"Hang on? What?" But my words died in my throat as soon as I saw what Manah meant.

The fire had consumed the bookshelf and books, and was now spreading to the curtain and carpets, this sight also made me realize that my arm was still engulfed in flames.

"Fuck! Shit! Damn it!" I screamed, swinging my arm, but instead of putting out the flames, it only spread the fire.

"Wait! No..." Manah screamed, but it was too late.

In one motion, I shot a fireball toward the kitchen, soon the wooden cabinets and counters were on fire, and another fireball flew into the bathroom, exploding with a blast.

"Shit!" I rolled on the floor, trying to put out the fire on my arm, but instead, the fire spread to the carpets, soon the table was also on fire.

"Stop!" Manah shouted again but I ignored it.

Looking around, I finally spotted something that could help me. A bucket full of clean water that I use for drinking. Fuck it! I can get more later!

I ran towards the bucket in the corner of the room and dipped my arm in the water, I was blinded by the huge cloud of steam that appeared soon after, but a few seconds later, the absurd heat I felt disappeared.

I removed my arm from the bucket and sighed in relief to see that my arm and clothing were unharmed.

"You ignorant fool, look what you have done! Get out of here now!" Manah screamed, only this time in the voice of a grown man.

I backed away surprised and scared at this sight, but as soon as my back hit the wall, I realized the situation I was in. The apartment was on fire! Everything was on fire! The kitchen, the living room, the bathroom, my bedroom, the floor and the ceiling!

Looking around hurriedly, I saw the backpack I would use for the trip next to the couch, without wasting time, I ran towards the backpack and put it on my back, grabbed the guns that were next to it, and put them in the holsters.

But just as I was about to run away I heard a noise.

FFFSSSHHH!

I panicked upon hearing this familiar noise, since Novi was gone, I moved all of our supplies to this luxury apartment, food, water, weapons, ammo, and everything else, including the dynamite that was left.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a box in the corner of the room, and there were a few dozen red cylindrical objects with their fuses lit. Eyes widening, I ran towards the apartment's front door.

It was as if the world had gone into slow motion, I saw the flaming pieces of the ceiling falling around me, the flames slowly consuming the furniture, the curtains being turned to ash.

Looking to the side, I saw Manah running too, with her mouth open and eyes wide in despair.

I reached for the door and turned the handle, pulling the door open. I was surprised for a moment when I ripped it off the hinges, but putting that aside, I threw the door away and broke into a sprint, running towards the stairs.

Halfway up the stairs, the dynamite finally exploded.

BOOM!

-XXXXXX-

CLAP!

CLAP!

CLAP!

"Congratulations! We haven't even started our journey and you almost killed us, you ignorant fool!" Manah said, clapping her hands sarcastically.

I slapped myself in the face at the sight in front of me, we fled to the other side of the city, but even so, we saw the building on fire.

The fire spread to the other floors and now the entire building was collapsing, slowly the large building tilted to the left, the noise of the creaking steel beams echoing throughout the silent city.

Finally, the building toppled, hitting others around it and spreading the fire even further. Mentally sighing, I left this disastrous sight behind.

Well done Alan! Unfortunately, you won't be able to use the excuse of 'I was drunk.' You bastard! Son of a bitch! Useless piece of...

I raised my fist and squeezed it tightly, doing my best to contain my anger, I didn't want to do anything else stupid. I lowered my shaking fist and took a deep breath.

Count to ten, Alan, count to ten. What would Novi think of you if she saw you like this? She would be disappointed... Novi... I think there's no harm in paying one last visit before leaving.

"Hey, where are you going?" Manah asked, running after me.

But I ignored it and just kept walking.

-XXXXXX-

"Hi Novi, it's been a while, hasn't it?" I asked with a nervous smile, my mouth cracking with barely contained sadness.

But there was no response, the familiar field of lunar tears remained the same, and the cross marking Novi's grave was still there.

"Sorry for not visiting you more often. I've been busy, you know?" What am I doing? It's not like she's going to respond.

"You know, I have something to tell you and you probably won't like it. It's another one of my stupid ideas. I will go on a trip, a long trip." Seriously, stop! You're just hurting yourself.

I clutched my cap in my hands as I licked my lips hesitantly.

"It will be dangerous, I will probably have to cross kilometers of forest, and I will also have to deal with dangerous terrain and animals. If you are curious to know my destination... Well... I'm heading towards the Amazon Rainforest." I could see Novi shaking her head in disapproval.

"I know, I know. It's a stupid idea, but listen! If everything goes well, we will see each other again, but if everything goes wrong... I think we will also see each other again." It's almost over, Alan, just endure a little more.

"I think that's it, I have nothing more to say. I love you Novi, our time together was wonderful, and I hope you are at peace wherever you are. Until we meet again." With my final goodbye, I placed a lunar tear in front of the grave.

It's done, I'm leaving everything behind, the full moon in the sky being the only witness to what happened here, bowing respectfully in front of the grave, and I turned around, heading down the hill.

"Don't worry, you'll see her again, I'll make sure of that." I heard Manah say next to me.

-XXXXXX-

Here we were, on the highway leading out of the city, the full moon in the sky lit our way, the cracked asphalt highway suddenly seemed so threatening.

Must be because of the vegetation surrounding it on both sides, I decided to check my backpack one last time, I grabbed the biggest one I could find.

I know I should travel lightly, but considering the situation I'm in, I prefer to be prepared.

Binoculars, cutlery, and a small pan to prepare my food, a sleeping bag, a canteen full of water, food, ammunition for my guns, the dynamite that was left, there were only four. Extra clothes and a rope.

I kept my weapons, knife, and machete in their holsters and sheaths; I put ammunition in my pockets and belts to make it easier to reload my guns.

Other than that, there were items of emotional value, things from my old life, my wallet with my money and documents, my dead cell phone, and the key to the hotel where I was staying.

I think I'm ready. I put the backpack on my back and faced the road in front of me, I was about to walk, but I stopped as a feeling came over me.

Fear. I was afraid. Taking a look back, I realized that I was leaving a safe place behind. Would it be too late to go back?

"You're not having second thoughts, are you?" Manah said beside me.

I stared at the child-shaped thing and it stared back at me with red eyes and a smile too big to fit on a child's face.

"No... No... Let's start this trip. Where should I go?" I asked as I finally took a step forward, releasing a sight, I didn't know I was holding. I felt like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders.

"To the Amazon rainforest." Manah responded as if I had asked the obvious.

"I know that, but how do I get there?"

"I have no idea." Manah shrugged.

"Seriously?!? You insisted on this ridiculous trip and you have no idea where I should go?!? Could you at least point in a direction?!?" I exclaimed, pointing a finger at the thing.

"I'm sorry, but I can't do anything about it, but maybe the people who don't age will know." Manah responded playfully.

"People who don't age?"

"Yes, as the name says, they don't age. If you can find one of them, maybe they can tell you where to go." Manah said, bouncing around me.

Hm... I remembered all the information Novi gave me about these people, which wasn't much. As soon as everyone started dying from the disease and they realized that a certain group of people didn't age or get sick, the people in that group in question disappeared. How should I find them?

While I was thinking about how to proceed with the situation, I decided to ask Manah a few questions.

"You're not a hallucination, are you? I don't think so, you said things that I found difficult to believe, like the pact in exchange for more power and magic, but after all the strange things that happened, I have my doubts. So what exactly are you?"

Manah stared at me for a few seconds before smiling from ear to ear, squinting her eyes and placing an index finger in front of her lips.

"This is a secret." Manah whispered as if there was someone else here listening to us.

"Is that so? Can't you give me a hint?"

Manah shook her head negatively.

Damn it!

"OK. Next question; the pact we made and the mark on my chest. What does all this mean exactly?"

"A pact is a contract between two beings where one of them sacrifices something in exchange for supernatural powers, they are usually made when both parties are close to death to escape their end, but they can also be made normally...."

As we walked, I listened to Manah's explanation. The part about supernatural powers caught my attention. I saw how strong I got from the little freak out I had in the bathroom, and apparently, I'm a wizard now, if the fire I caused means anything.

But I wonder; What else can I do?

I tried to focus and feel something different. I felt embarrassed doing this. What kind of results did I expect? This wasn't like a movie where I would learn to use my magical powers on the first day. There must be some kind of technique.

Or maybe not, since I was feeling a sensation similar to when my arm caught fire. It was a kind of tingling that ran through both my arms, I felt slight spasms in my arms and fingertips.

Raising both hands in front of me, I saw what appeared to be bright white lighting flowing down both of my arms, the noise of electricity was audible. I had to hold myself back from panicking, but again, I wasn't being hurt.

I brought my hands closer to each other, with fingers extended and aligned with the opposite hand. Suddenly, the lighting shot out of the fingers of my left hand and connected with those of my right hand.

I didn't know how to handle this, I brought my hands closer, making the lighting shake and crackle louder, sending sparks everywhere, and then I moved my hands away, stretching the lighting, making them more stable in my hands.

I saw an old, rusty car in my path; I pulled my right arm back and pushed it forward, pointing it at the car. I saw a blinding flash of white light accompanied by a rumble like thunder.

As quickly as they appeared, the flash and noise disappeared, and what I saw was the car with its left side completely melted and with a large hole in its center.

I let out a happy and nervous laugh at this result.

"Good job! You learn fast! You did the right thing in accepting the pact. " Manah spoke, clapping at my display.

"Heh! Thanks! I didn't think it would work." I responded embarrassed.

"Magic requires study and practice, but you will soon learn that there is a good deal of instinct as well. But I believe we must return to our previous subject."

"Yes! Right! Tell me more about the pact."

"Well, picking up where I left off. As a human, you paid a price for the pact to be complete, the price may be something physical or abstract, but don't worry; you will not die of thirst due to losing the ability to drink water, if that were the case, the pacts would be useless."

"Did I pay a price? I don't feel anything different." I replied while feeling my body.

"A pact mark appears at the location where what was sacrificed for the pact to succeed originally stood. In your case, the mark appeared on your chest, above your heart."

My eyes widened when I realized what Manah meant. My heart! I sacrificed my heart! What have I done to myself? How am I still alive? What is this thing talking to me right now? I shouldn't have accepted the pact!

Alan, you idiot! You stupid! You bastard! Your... Your... Your... AAAAHHHH!

The world blurred and distorted, and I heard an annoying buzzing noise as my head swam. I braced myself on my knees to keep from falling, but that wasn't enough to calm me down as I soon began to hyperventilate. Damn it! I think I'm going to vomit.

"Hey Hey! Calm down, you may have gotten stronger, but that doesn't mean you can't die! If you die, I die too!" Manah exclaimed scared, stopping in front of me.

That didn't help!

"BLERGH!" I spilled the contents of my stomach.

"What the fuck did you say?!?" I exclaimed, wiping my mouth with my sleeve.

Manah backed away with a face of disgust and disgust, but soon she spoke.

"Listen, the pact is much more than a simple exchange, our souls and destinies are linked now. If one of us dies, the other dies too." Manah spoke slowly, looking away from the vomit on the floor.

"Why me?" I asked.

"Sorry, I do not understand..."

"WHY ME?!? OF ALL THE PEOPLE IN THIS WORLD, WHY ME?!? DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA HOW ABSURD THE SITUATION IS?!? YOU APPEARED TO ME OUT OF NOWHERE! TALKING ABOUT PACTS AND A WAY TO BRING NOVI BACK, BUT THAT DOESN'T EXPLAIN WHY YOU CHOSE ME! WHAT IS SO SPECIAL ABOUT ME! WHY DID YOU SHOW UP IN FRONT OF A DEPRESSED DRUNK IN A CITY IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE?!?"

Manah backed away, frightened by my demands, but I continued demanding answers as I approached.

"This... This is due to two reasons..." Manah stuttered, looking away.

"SAY IT!"

"I was dying..."

"WHAT?!?"

"I was dying! Most of my power was sent away from this world, I was on the verge of death!" Manah replied.

"BUT THAT STILL DOESN'T EXPLAIN WHY YOU CHOSE ME!"

"Didn't you hear what I said?!? Our souls are linked, for the pact to be successful, both parties need to have souls, and you were the only person with a soul at the moment!" Manah exclaimed, her voice changing to that of a grown woman this time.

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY THAT?!? THAT I WAS THE ONLY PERSON IN TOWN WITH A SOUL?!?"

"No, you foolish, ignorant human! I made a pact with you because you were the only being with a soul in this miserable world!" Manah countered; her voice even more distorted.

I was paralyzed by this information, hundreds of thoughts running through my mind as I tried to process the words of the thing in front of me.

"I see you still don't understand. Let's say there is another being who could make a pact with me, but he certainly won't accept it, which ended up leaving me with only one option. You. Do you finally understand what this means? You are the only human on the face of the Earth. I don't care how you feel; I don't care what's going on in that weak mind of yours. All I care about is that we have a deal, and I hope you do your part, so I'll do mine."

As soon as Manah finished speaking, she turned her back to me and disappeared.

Me? The only human on the planet? Where did everyone else go? They died? Did they leave the planet and go explore space? No! No! No! That's not possible! This has to be a lie! This can only...

I fell to my knees while holding both sides of my head. That's not possible! That's not possible! That's not possible! That's not possible! That's not possible! That's not possible! That's not possible! That is not...

"PPPSSSHHH! HAHAHA! That's hilarious! It has to be a joke! What are the odds?!? What are the chances of that happening?!? Why me?!? Why me?!? All I wanted was to live in peace! All I wanted was to be with Novi! All I wanted was... Novi... Novi... Novi... Yes... Novi... I made a deal, didn't I? Don't worry Novi, we'll see you again soon..."

I stood up determined, it was as if all doubts had been removed from my head. I knew what I should do! I need to find the people who don't age! They can tell me where I am and how I will get to my goal.

I just need to move on! That's right, move forward without giving up! And if someone gets in my way... Well... I think I have enough bullets to deal with the problem...

Returning to my walk, I couldn't help but notice my reflection in a car window. My eyes glowed red...

-XXXXXX-

"Day 1: You know, I decided to take a diary and a pencil during my little trip, it helps me be aware of the passage of time and keep my mind straight. Moreover, the first thing I have to say is... What the hell happened?!? I'm exhausted! My legs are killing me! It was as if I had walked for miles without stopping. When I realized, I was walking through the streets of an abandoned city, but I'm sure I didn't turn around; the city I'm in is different. I took refuge in a gas station so I could rest. How did I get here? I don't know, this must be the effect of a tired mind working on automatic, I need some sleep."

"Day 2: I woke up feeling much better, I ate some fruit for breakfast and continued on my journey, luckily there was an old map at the gas station, it was extremely worn and all the city names were erased, but the highways are still there. I will use it to guide me from town to town until I find someone."

"Day 4: I see a city in the distance, I'm currently taking shelter inside a truck container in the middle of the road, it's not the most appropriate place, but that's what I found at the moment. Strangely, Manah no longer appeared to me. For a moment, I thought I imagined everything that happened, but when I tried to use my magic, I ended up shooting a fireball by accident, so I think everything happened. Shit!"

"Day 7: It happened again! This time I "woke up" staring at a wall inside a flower shop, or rather, what was on the wall, a painting of a Lunar Tear. This reminds me of Novi... Novi... Novi... NOVI! WHERE ARE YOU NOVI?!? We... WE WERE SO HAPPY TOGETHER! NOVI!"

"Day 10: What the fuck did I write on the 7th day?!? Have I finally gone crazy for good?!? Or... Or is this some consequence of the pact? I would like to ask Manah more questions, but no matter how many times I call, she refuses to show up. Leaving that aside, I decided to practice my new skills in my moments of clarity. I punched a brick wall until I could make a hole my size, I bent an iron pipe with ease, and I ran across a city at an absurd speed, but I felt exhausted in the end, at least all the things I carry with me feel lighter now."

"Day 15: Someone was here. I found the remains of a camp in a clearing in the middle of the forest between two cities, the remains of a campfire, and tent marks on the ground. Next to the tent marks, there were tire tracks, they looked recent. Maybe I should follow them. Changing the subject, I'm getting better with my magic, I can shoot lightning and fireballs with ease, it's almost natural. An advantage of the pact perhaps?"

"Day 22: Hello! Is there someone here?!? I'm looking for someone! A very special woman to me! Has anyone here seen her?!? Her name is... Her name is... Her name... AAAAHHHH!"

"Day 28: How long did I walk?!? Where the hell am I?!? I was following the tire tracks, everything was fine until suddenly... I can't remember anymore... I was lucky to wake up at the right time, as I was one-step away from falling off a collapsed bridge. I need to find out where I am; luckily I still have my map!"

"Day 35: Good news; I found the tire tracks again! I also discovered something interesting about my magic, every time I use magic, strange marks appear on my skin, due to the repetition of the marks, I think it is some kind of alphabet, but I don't recognize it. For a moment, I thought I had caught the same disease that took Novi from me... Changing the subject! As I tinkered with my magic, I discovered something new; I can create and manipulate water and ice, shoot magical projectiles, and use magic to heal myself! This just keeps getting better."

"Day 39: Flowers, dragon, song, watchers, dragon, prince, empire, intoners, goddess, gods..."

"Day 40: I blacked out again, but when I woke up, I couldn't help but smile, I saw a city in the distance. And guess what, I saw a truck entering the city. This means there's a person in there! Finally! I will finally find someone! There are so many things I would like to ask! So many things I would like to talk about! However, before doing that, I decide to take a shower and shave in a nearby river, the first impression is what counts after all. I disassembled my weapons and stored them in my backpack, but I kept my revolver hidden in my clothes, I prefer not to scare anyone, but I also don't want to be defenseless. Although thanks to my magic, I don't know if I can be considered defenseless, as I discovered how to channel it into my machete and knives. Ha! I would like to see the look on these people's faces when a flaming knife cuts them... Well, I think that's it! If you're someone who found these records next to my corpse... Well, I hope I've gotten far on my trip and entertained you. With all my things packed, I approached the city and as I write this, I smile even more as I hear the sounds of civilization."

END OF CHAPTER