Adam : From a man to a God

Tilda stood there, trembling, the cold air swirling around her as the adrenaline began to fade. She stared in disbelief at the lifeless body sprawled on the ground, blood pooling around it, glistening in the dim light of the alley. The sight was grotesque and surreal, a horrific tableau that twisted her stomach into knots. One man lay still, his eyes wide and vacant, while the other groaned softly, clutching his wound, desperation lining his features.

“No… no…” she whispered, stepping back is if physically pushed by the weight of her actions. “What have I done?” The realization crashed over her like a tidal wave, and she felt as if she were drowning in a sea of horror. This was not an incident with her parents; she had just taken a life.

Terror gripped her heart, squeezing it tightly as she processed the magnitude of what she had done. The flicker of darkness that had once seemed exhilarating now morphed into a suffocating shadow, creeping closer and closer until it engulfed her whole. “I… I killed him!” she thought, panic rising within her chest. “I didn’t want to… I didn’t mean to!”

Tilda pressed her back against the rough wall, the coldness grounding her in the present even as her mind spiraled. Her breath came in ragged gasps, each inhalation laced with the scent of blood and decay, each exhalation carrying the weight of despair. The horror felt visceral, a relentless grip that threatened to consume her sanity.

Her heart raced, pounding against her ribs as she turned her gaze back to the sobbing man on the ground. “What kind of monster am I?” The thought struck her like a knife; the darkness within whispered insidiously, teasing at her frazzled mind.

“Run. Get out of here,” she thought, her instincts kicking in as the sheer urgency to escape settled over her like a heavy fog. She turned on her heel, her body moving almost on autopilot as she raced deeper into the night, leaving the chaos behind.

But the echoes of her actions followed her, an unshakable shadow that clouded her mind. “Every step takes me further away from them... from my family...”She felt sick, tears stinging her eyes as the guilt began to sink its claws into her, dragging her further down into the abyss.

With the bleakness of the night pressing in around her, she ran aimlessly, not bothering to think about where she was headed. The weight of her choices bore down on her, a relentless reminder of the darkness that lurked just beneath the surface.

Suddenly, as she rounded a corner, she collided with something solid. Tilda stumbled backward, falling hard onto the pavement, her heart racing even faster.

“Whoa! Easy there!” a deep voice exclaimed, sounding startled.

Dazed, she looked up to see a man in a tailored suit, his expression shifting quickly from surprise to concern. “Are you alright?” he asked, extending a hand to help her up.

But all Tilda could think about was how her stained hands trembled even against his larger, smoother fingers. As she took his hand, flashes of blood and chaos flooded her mind, and her breath caught as if the air had been stolen from her lungs.Without waiting for her permission, he placed a hand on her shoulder.

The moment his skin met hers, a surge of energy coursed through Tilda, and the world around her faded. The new sensation overwhelmed her, and she felt herself unraveling. Memories spun around her like a chaotic storm, vivid and unrelenting, each one colliding with the next so rapidly that she could hardly comprehend what was happening.

She saw herself in school, pouring over a group project, the laughter of her friends echoing in the background as they worked together. She could feel the excitement and the hope of youth blossom within her, the belief that anything was possible.

Images shifted, darkening as she saw herself walking home one night, unaware when she'd unexpectedly bumped into a pair of robbers. Fear gripped her as she relived the panic of that moment, the sudden swirl of danger that lurked in the shadows.

But then the vision flashed to her fingers brushing against the golden bracelet, the artifact that had changed everything—a conduit for the powers now coursing through her veins. Tilda felt the intoxicating surge of energy wash over her as darkness encroached upon her heart, as that power tried to shape her into something she despised.

There it was—the scene of her parents, their concern heavy in the air, the conversation filled with love but also expectations. The struggle within her to be what they wanted, and the fiery anger that had taken over and consumed her entire being in an instant. The last confrontation, blood spilling out into the cold night, painted in harsh strokes of red, overshadowing all the light and warmth she had once known.

Tilda gasped, the overwhelming flood of emotions nearly knocking her off her feet. “Stop! Please!” she cried, her voice trembling as she struggled against the tide of memories he unleashed.

But the man didn’t flinch; he, too, felt the weight of her past, and understanding flickered in his eyes. He could see everything, and with every moment, he learned about her struggles, her fears, and her transformative journey—a rapid unspooling of her essence until it all settled like dust in the air around them.

Finally, the visions stopped, and Tilda was knocked back into her own reality, breathless and shaking. She blinked rapidly, trying to process everything she had just experienced. The man’s hand remained on her shoulder, grounding her in the present, but his expression was filled with a wisdom that transcended his years.

“You’re not alone in this,” he said softly, his voice breaking through her haze.

The weight of her terror and guilt suddenly burned within her, mixed with the knowledge that she had allowed darkness to take hold. “I—I don’t know who I am anymore,” she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper.

“I do,” he replied, his grip firm yet gentle. “You’re someone who has endured pain and loss, someone who has tapped into power that was never meant to be wielded without understanding. But there’s still hope.”

Tilda looked into his eyes, searching for a glimmer of truth amid her confusion. The memories of her past swirled around her, burdening her soul, but in this moment, there was an unexpected flicker of light amid the shadows.

“That’s not what I meant to do,” she said, her voice trembling. “I didn’t want to hurt anyone. I just… I just don’t know how to control it.”

He nodded, and for a moment, Tilda saw something in his expression—a depth of understanding, as if he could relate to her struggle. She met his gaze, searching for answers in his deep, understanding eyes. “You… you know what’s happening to me?” she asked, her voice shaky and fragile.

He nodded slowly, his expression serious yet calm, as if he held the keys to secrets she had yet to comprehend. “Yes, I do. You’re a power holder now, Tilda. That means you possess incredible abilities, but it also means you face unique challenges.”

“What do you mean?” she pressed, trembling slightly as the gravity of his words settled in.

“Power has a way of consuming those who wield it without understanding. It feeds on fear, anger, and chaos,” he explained, stepping closer and lowering his voice. “You felt it tonight—the darkness that surged inside you. But there’s a way to regain control.”

Tilda swallowed hard, the weight of his gaze making it difficult to breathe. “What do I have to do?”

“There’s an erasing process,” he said, his tone steady but grave. “To keep those you love safe and to protect yourself, you’ll have to make everyone you know forget about you.”

Her heart sank at the thought. “Forget? But… my family, my friends… I can’t just erase them from my life!”

“If you don’t, the darkness may consume you entirely,” he replied, understanding yet firm. “You’ll be taken to a place where you can learn to control your power—a world called DMR. It’s a safe haven for power holders, where you’ll be trained and guided in harnessing your abilities. But the first step is clearing the ties to this world.”

Tilda recoiled slightly, shaking her head. “I don’t want to erase them! They’re my family! They care about me!”

“I know it sounds harsh, but this is for their safety and yours.” He stepped closer, lowering his voice to a gentle whisper. “Do you want to risk hurting them again? The darkness inside you is uncontrollable right now. It’s better to cut the ties before it spirals out of control.”

She could feel tears prickling the corners of her eyes, anguish clawing at her throat. “How can I just disappear? How can I just forget everything I’ve ever known?”

“It’s not about forgetting; it’s about creating a new beginning, a chance to truly discover who you are without the burden of your past,” he said, sincerity radiating from him. “Besides, there will always be a part of you that remembers. You will carry their love with you, even if they can’t consciously remember you.”

Tilda felt a whirlwind of emotions—confusion, grief, and a flicker of hope intertwined, creating a cacophony of thoughts that left her feeling dizzy. She had never imagined such a choice would lie before her, forcing her to weigh the love for her family against the potential darkness that loomed in her future.

“Can you do it?” he asked gently. “Can you trust me to help you through this?”

Taking a deep breath, Tilda closed her eyes, remembering the warm laughter of her parents, the support of her friends, but also the weight of helplessness that had threatened to consume her. The streets began to feel like an endless maze, the shouting streets and shadows wrapping around her once more.

“Yes,” she finally whispered, though it felt like a concession. “I’ll do it.”

“Good,” he replied, a hint of relief washing over his features. “Let’s get you to DMR. It’s time to embrace your true potential, and I promise you’ll find a way to carve out your own future.”

The air shimmered as Kim led Tilda into the abandoned building, the ground beneath her feet echoing with an eerie stillness. Dust motes swirled in the dim light filtering through cracked windows, casting shadows that danced along the walls. Tilda’s heart raced with anticipation and fear as Kim stopped in front of a bare wall, turning to her with a serious expression.

“This is it,” he said, pulling a sleek, purple dagger from his belt. “I’ll need you to stay calm. Once I create the rift, there’s no turning back.”

Tilda swallowed hard, glancing around the empty room as doubt pulsed through her. “What if I’m not ready for this? What if I can’t control my power?”

Kim stepped closer, his eyes locking onto hers with a steadying intensity. “You are more ready than you think. We'll seal the darkness within you first. That way, you can focus on learning and growing at the academy. Trust me; it will be worth it.”

Drawing in a deep breath, Tilda nodded, her resolve hardening as she stepped toward him. Kim raised the dagger, its tip glowing with a sorcerous light, and swiftly sliced through the air toward the wall. The blade shimmered, leaving a trail of vibrant purple light in its wake, and as it completed the arc, the wall erupted in a swirling rift, a vortex of colors and energy swirling before her.

“Go,” he urged, as waves of heat radiated from the portal. “Step through, and remember, the darkness can be contained. You will learn to wield your power.”

Summoning all her courage, Tilda took a step forward, crossing the threshold into the swirling maelstrom. The sensation was like being pulled through water, weightless yet tethered by the gravity of her fears. Suddenly, she landed with a thud on solid ground.

As she looked up, she gasped. Tilda stood in the heart of DMR, a vibrant city that stretched out before her, teeming with promise and mystery. The skyline was dominated by four towering skyscrapers forming a half-circle, their glass facades reflecting the light in a kaleidoscope of colors.

“Welcome to DMR,” Kim said, appearing next to her with a knowing smile. “The population here is around nine thousand. This will be your new home.”

Tilda felt a mixture of excitement and unease. “DMR? It looks…different.”

“It’s a haven for power holders,” Kim explained, gesturing around. “You’ll find support and friendship here, but you’ll also face challenges. That’s why you’ll be attending PH Academy. You need to connect with your powers.”

As they walked together, Tilda couldn't shake her doubts. “But what if I’m not good enough? What if I can’t control my powers?”

“Everyone feels unsure at first,” Kim reassured her. “You’ll have the opportunity to learn about your abilities and how to manage them. Trust in yourself, Tilda.”

Soon, they arrived at PH Academy, a grand building crafted from white stone, adorned with greenery that cascaded down the sides, creating an inviting yet formidable presence. Tilda’s heart raced as they entered through the majestic doors.

Inside, fellow students milled about, laughter and chatter filling the air. Tilda felt out of place as they flowed through the halls, but Kim guided her with a steady hand.

“Your first class is history about relics and their connection to the gods,” he explained as they approached a classroom. “You’ll learn about the significance of our artifacts and how they shape our world.”

Tilda nodded, her mind racing. “And what about my other classes?”

“Next is biology,” Kim continued. “You’ll learn about the powers of the body of a power holder and how to harness your abilities properly.”

Walking into the classroom, Tilda was immediately surrounded by curious eyes. She felt both shy and exposed as she took a seat, but a few students offered friendly smiles.

“Hey, I’m Lila,” a girl with bright blue hair said, leaning across the desk. “You look new. Are you a first year?”

“Yeah, I am,” Tilda replied, her voice a little unsure.

Lila smiled encouragingly. “You’ll love it here. Just give it time! We all had our first day jitters.”

Tilda’s thoughts drifted as the lesson began, her gaze wandering around the room. She listened to the teacher discuss ancient relics, but doubts gnawed at her. *Could she really thrive here?* Would she fit in with the other power holders?

After history class, Tilda moved on to biology, where the teacher outlined the intricate workings of the power holder’s body. While the information was fascinating, she couldn’t shake the anxiety pooling in her stomach.

Finally, the day concluded with a training exercise led by Ms. Rose, a fierce instructor with an imposing presence. Tilda could feel her heart race as the anticipation built within her, revealing that she was both nervous and eager to prove herself.

As they prepared for the exercis. She felt a small surge of confidence in the enormity of this new chapter.

After the day concluded, walking out of PH Academy, Tilda felt a strange mix of exhilaration and dread coursing through her. She stepped through the main doors, ready to confront whatever awaited her.

But as she made her way home, an all-too-familiar apprehension swept over her. She had changed, and though she was out of the shadows of her past, darkness still lurked in the corners of her mind.

Tilda arrived at her new home, a cozy space within the city of DMR. As she stepped inside, the door swung open. To her shock, Kim was already waiting for her, leaning against the wall with an expression that held something important, something grave.

“Welcome back,” he said, standing up straighter. “We need to talk. There’s a secret about DMR that you must know.