Chapter 1 Part 3
314Please respect copyright.PENANABh7ZH7Ov2f
Erik: "That's Drearygeist. His real name is Damian, but he prefers to go by that alias, for reasons known only to him."
314Please respect copyright.PENANAQIP2zhrYN4
Ava (Concerned): "But why? Did something happen to make him so somber?"
314Please respect copyright.PENANAizHMlqmDBi
Erik: "Unfortunately, I don't have any insight into his history. Nobody does. His motives and past are shrouded in mystery."
314Please respect copyright.PENANALwaRjSrv5c
As Damian soared away towards his destination, Ava couldn't shake her curiosity. She glanced toward her teammates, who were engaged in a discussion about their next course of action. Lena's gaze met Ava's, and she responded with a reassuring smile and nod. Ava reciprocated the gesture, her determination evident, as she picked up her rifle and set off in pursuit of Damian, seeking answers.
314Please respect copyright.PENANA4QS9vt8Nh0
Erik, noticing Ava's departure, became increasingly concerned.
314Please respect copyright.PENANAe0zDQbjAPa
Erik (Concerned): "Whoa! Whoa! Where is she going?"
314Please respect copyright.PENANAjE7BQiryhr
Lena: "She's on a quest for answers. You could say curiosity got the better of her." She added a smirk to her words.
314Please respect copyright.PENANAJCsvlPsBzK
Erik (Worried): "You don't mean she's going after Damian, do you?"
314Please respect copyright.PENANAm8gxUext9y
Lena nodded, her expression conveying determination.
314Please respect copyright.PENANA1hbUkobcLp
Lena (Determined): "Indeed. So, let's not waste any more time. She might need some backup."
314Please respect copyright.PENANATI8ZfnTAlX
With that resolve, Lena readied her weapon, and the two of them prepared to follow Ava into the unknown.
314Please respect copyright.PENANARPKjqnf8ca
Meanwhile, Damian had reached his destination, an apartment complex on the city's outskirts, nestled alongside a freeway and the picturesque beach. Landing gracefully on the balcony, he made his way inside through the door. Damian entered the living room, taking a seat and placing the object he had acquired from the vault on a small coffee table. With a mere thought, his attire transformed into a simple t-shirt paired with gray sweatpants, and he slipped on a pair of crocs for comfort. Leaning back, he took a few deep breaths, contemplating the need for a new costume.
314Please respect copyright.PENANAJWxY7nOOEV
Damian's thoughts were abruptly interrupted by the sound of the front door being forcefully pushed open, revealing Ava, who had entered with her laser rifle trained on him. Despite the tense standoff, Damian met her gaze with an unflinching expression, seemingly unafraid of her weapon.
314Please respect copyright.PENANABByc4884jk
Ava (Determined): "Alright, Damian! I want answers."
314Please respect copyright.PENANAZ6m5Gfh4Cn
Damian (Annoyed): "You could have knocked..."
314Please respect copyright.PENANA3M9cXsSULw
Ava remained unamused by his casual response but took note of his remark.
314Please respect copyright.PENANAJoiktblrtj
Damian (Annoyed): "What is it that you want answers about? And you'd better be planning to replace that door..."
Ava remained determined, her grip on the rifle unwavering.
314Please respect copyright.PENANATLyGDKa2Id
Ava: "I want to know your backstory, and I'm not leaving until you tell me!" She clutched the rifle tighter.
314Please respect copyright.PENANAEH0ohJwNcX
In response, Damian rose to his feet, his gaze unwavering as he pointed toward a wall, sending Ava crashing through it. Despite the shock of the sudden impact, Ava quickly regained her composure and attempted to stand. When she looked up, she found Damian standing over her, his presence imposing.
314Please respect copyright.PENANAD3A4wlF8nh
Damian knelt down to her level, locking eyes with her as he spoke.
314Please respect copyright.PENANAnEOU0ixVgK
Damian: "That... was for breaking my wall."
314Please respect copyright.PENANAmh3rojJSTx
With a display of telekinesis, Damian lifted Ava by her neck, choking her in a show of aggression.
314Please respect copyright.PENANAHsPBsXkuZB
Damian (Aggressive): "And this is for aiming an illegally modified rifle at me and trying to force me to divulge personal information!"
314Please respect copyright.PENANAQ0IxyWkNn8
Moments later, Damian released his grip, allowing Ava to drop to the ground. He took a few deep breaths to regain his composure, extending a hand and helping Ava to her feet.
314Please respect copyright.PENANA1HqdpdyybD
Damian (Calm): "And finally, my apologies for getting aggressive..."
314Please respect copyright.PENANAirxZjqL3ob
Damian guided Ava back into the living room and gently seated her in a chair. Picking up her dropped rifle, he examined it with a mixture of interest and indifference.
314Please respect copyright.PENANAYGhpqO7MUo
Damian: "An Aimbot 1022 Z-tech Laser Rifle... quite fascinating. I would inquire about how you came to possess this, but that's not my concern."
314Please respect copyright.PENANAvbrVPtKDSx
Placing the rifle next to the chair where Ava was seated, Damian made his way over to the couch and took a seat.
314Please respect copyright.PENANAaUrbn2W0Pm
Ava (Injured): "W-what...? I thought you were going to kill me..."
314Please respect copyright.PENANAI7NqusBSJP
Damian: "No, Ava. While you did intrude into my home and attempt to coerce me into sharing information, and your friends are strategically positioned to ambush me at any moment..."
314Please respect copyright.PENANAlVLZqV7aFc
Ava's eyes widened in shock at his revelation.
314Please respect copyright.PENANAbLje91Ofxs
Ava (Shocked): "They are...?"
314Please respect copyright.PENANAhb8gkfjhIe
Damian nodded, and with a snap of his fingers, Erik, Lena, and Jasper materialized inside the apartment instantaneously. They landed unceremoniously on the floor, quickly assuming defensive stances, ready to engage. However, Damian exerted his telekinetic control, restraining them in mid-air, preventing any immediate action.
Ava was taken aback by Damian's responses, but she sensed an opportunity to connect with him.
314Please respect copyright.PENANAVHiivShyt5
Ava (Trying not to sound nervous): "H-How old are you, Damian?"
314Please respect copyright.PENANAAC4Atwlcrj
Damian (Unhesitant): "16."
314Please respect copyright.PENANAZU7Soa8GRo
Ava glanced over at her restrained teammates, a bead of sweat forming on her forehead.
314Please respect copyright.PENANAbUVVc5XV7N
Ava (Clearly Nervous): "I-I'm 18... Do you have any parents?"
314Please respect copyright.PENANA3OzRXveeWC
Damian (Unhesitant): "No, I was created as an experiment by multiple individuals. I don't have specific parents."
314Please respect copyright.PENANAqS2oHZDWj7
Ava (Still Nervous): "D-do you have any f-friends?"
314Please respect copyright.PENANA2kTSY6DbqQ
Damian (Unhesitant): "No."
314Please respect copyright.PENANAPcW58ZhBH0
Ava's concern grew, and she began to empathize with Damian's isolation.
314Please respect copyright.PENANA2QybY5uWiy
Ava (Concerned): "That's so sad... It must feel pretty lonely."
314Please respect copyright.PENANA23kTp53aVU
Damian (Hesitant): "Y-yeah... It gets lonely."
314Please respect copyright.PENANAm7UTbCX411
Ava pressed on, her curiosity and empathy driving her to seek more answers.
314Please respect copyright.PENANAuCXngwAqJ3
Ava: "So... why? Why are you called Drearygeist? What happened?"
314Please respect copyright.PENANAXjcmHmz6WQ
Damian opened up, his voice tinged with a sense of melancholy as he recounted the events of the past year.
314Please respect copyright.PENANADSl7eHFvFG
Damian: "I... Well, a year ago, this place wasn't the hellscape you see today. It was peaceful, safe. There were no wars, no violence—just a sanctuary for those who wanted to escape reality, to evade the chaos of the world. But, as is often the case, human nature took over. Someone had to be in power, someone had to impose their 'order' on everything. The metaverse succumbed to chaos, and now every day is a constant battle."
314Please respect copyright.PENANAo4ClBgwYoM
He paused for a moment before continuing, his voice filled with determination.
314Please respect copyright.PENANApnUYGfcI82
Damian: "I couldn't stand by and watch this place, with its limitless potential, crumble in the never-ending struggle for power. I decided to act, to reclaim its lost peace by any means necessary. I wanted to make them feel the pain—the pain I felt when I witnessed this utopia's destruction. So, I do to them what they did to this place. I dismantle everything they built, making them experience the anguish of loss. And I'll eliminate anyone who stands in my way."
314Please respect copyright.PENANA3zgNDXYpMB
Ava and her restrained team remained silent for a prolonged moment, absorbing Damian's words. Eventually, Ava broke the silence.
314Please respect copyright.PENANAslbKwwngoD
Ava: "So, you were here before any of us... You witnessed the creation of this place and its inevitable downfall."
314Please respect copyright.PENANAS9rXTwdNJs
Damian: "That's right. This place was a virtual paradise with a few cybernetic enhancements. It was incredible... until people like you arrived, craving power and control. When I tried to stop it and restore its former glory, they labeled me as crazy. No one understands... No one has experienced what I have. In just a year, this utopia turned into a dystopia."
314Please respect copyright.PENANAdudbtG8Hta
Ava had absorbed Damian's words and, despite the complex situation, began to empathize with his plight. She recognized the need to find a way to reason with him.
314Please respect copyright.PENANALOm0ckY1Uf
Ava (Sympathetic): "Listen... I understand how painful it must have been to witness this place descend into chaos. But this isn't the answer... I'm not here to stop you."
314Please respect copyright.PENANAMDsaLEyIl5
With a struggle, Ava managed to stand up from the chair.
314Please respect copyright.PENANAwbkFTORre6
Ava: "But please... just reconsider."
314Please respect copyright.PENANADcfdiV6cOG
Damian shook his head, his resolve unwavering.
314Please respect copyright.PENANAVoUpvireFG
Damian: "While I understand your perspective, I know that if I don't take action, this place will continue to deteriorate rapidly. I have to do this... I need to impart a harsh lesson that they won't forget for generations. Peace won't come without them first experiencing pain, whether it's physical or mental."
314Please respect copyright.PENANAO6VDIt4XLk
Damian lowered his hand, releasing Ava's teammates from their telekinetic restraints. He then stood up and retrieved the item he had taken from the coffee table.
314Please respect copyright.PENANAoevoYpf1sK
Damian: "And this right here... This will help me achieve that. This is the system's source code file. It was being held by the system's moderators in a highly secure building, quite some distance away from the city."
314Please respect copyright.PENANArGpLXaaPWr
Erik, being the experienced hacker he was, was visibly shocked. His eyes widened, and he began to tremble.
314Please respect copyright.PENANAbVkpJUbXmb
Erik (Terrified): "H-How did you get that?! That building is the most secure one in the metaverse! There are guards literally everywhere! There's no way in, and sure as hell no way out!"
314Please respect copyright.PENANAvR6YbIcq8b
Damian remained unwavering in his determination.
314Please respect copyright.PENANA4CLllWkAZv
Damian: "I easily eliminated the guards... and I haven't encountered any moderators. But even if I did, they wouldn't be able to stop me either."
314Please respect copyright.PENANATYfeFe8LSp
Ava attempted to reason with him, her voice filled with concern.
314Please respect copyright.PENANA1l1mZP1ZUM
Ava: "I don't know what he's talking about... but that doesn't sound good. Listen, Damian, please don't do anything irrational. Just think about this."
314Please respect copyright.PENANAsWYaAbLJG1
Suspense filled the air as a heavy silence settled. Damian tightened his grip on the file. In a sudden and tense turn of events, Erik swiftly drew his laser pistol and fired a shot at Damian. Damian reacted with incredible speed, materializing his katana and expertly deflecting the blast. At the same moment, Lena, seemingly appearing out of nowhere, attempted to strike Damian from behind with her own blade, but Damian quickly spun around and blocked her attack, all while maintaining his hold on the file. Their blades clashed, Damian effortlessly fending off their combined assault.
314Please respect copyright.PENANAlAj6QftEh9
Damian continued to skillfully defend himself against Lena's attacks. With a swift and precise movement, he slashed through her blade, cutting it in half. However, Lena was not deterred and quickly drew another blade, retaliating by slashing Damian's katana in half. Damian tossed the broken katana to the ground and, with a burst of energy, his hand became enveloped in electricity, forming a blade-like weapon around it. The intense duel between Damian and Lena persisted, their strikes and parries a blur of motion.
314Please respect copyright.PENANAI6MP3X6sVi
Meanwhile, Erik and Jasper recognized the urgency of the situation. They quickly gathered the injured Ava and her rifle, then rushed out of the complex to ensure her safety.
314Please respect copyright.PENANA5zKK0cqjlJ
Damian exerted his strength, gradually pushing Lena back, but she showed remarkable resilience, refusing to yield. The intense battle raged on until Damian decided to disperse his electricity blade. With a swift motion, he pointed toward the window, propelling Lena through it with force, causing her to crash and land outside.
314Please respect copyright.PENANA6rFCpbFjZU
Damian followed suit, leaping gracefully through the window and landing on his feet in front of Lena. As Lena swiftly drew a butterfly knife and attempted a rapid upward slash, Damian's lightning-fast reflexes allowed him to evade her attack. In retaliation, Damian executed a slashing motion, leaving a cut across Lena's face, leaving her momentarily stunned.
314Please respect copyright.PENANAMWHcY3Ri5u
Lena, however, was not one to stay down for long. She quickly regained her footing with a graceful backflip and, upon landing, released several smoke bombs, shrouding the area in thick smoke.
314Please respect copyright.PENANA1KbbTgKoyC
With little effort, Damian swatted through the thick smoke, his movements fluid and precise. He materialized another katana, poised for a lethal strike. Lena, despite her injuries, acted quickly. She caught the blade with her bare hands, her determination overcoming the pain and making her palms bleed.
314Please respect copyright.PENANAAbKLDl3rYs
In a split second, Lena disappeared and reappeared behind Damian, launching what appeared to be a deadly punch. However, Damian was not to be outdone. He spun around swiftly, retaliating with a powerful punch of his own. Their fists clashed in a fierce battle for dominance. Ultimately, Damian's strength prevailed, and with a rapid roundhouse kick to Lena's face, she was knocked unconscious, collapsing to the ground.
314Please respect copyright.PENANAI2iHXLFdya
To Be Continued..
314Please respect copyright.PENANAeqIe1PThvy