Chương 179: Chapter 165-Chosen Bon Voyage

Gilded halls, beautiful paintings, and what is best described as an offensively rich scent describe the Imperial Palace. Well, that and a whole host of other things that I really don't want to get into. The ivory paneling, the high-class chairs, and- I said I didn't want to get into it, but the way this Solar is decorated is pretty nice. Makes it hard not to think about it. Damn it! What I meant to say is the lounging space is neat and tidy. As expected from Carina's attention.

Carina takes the teapot and pours me a cup." So, you're leaving today?"" Yup, and so are you, right?" I ask as I take a sip." I suppose so. The Imperial Knights will be here soon. I asked them where we're going, but they were quite tight-lipped," she says as she stirs her tea." Probably for the best. You are the star witness for the upcoming trial. I'm almost certain that a whole legion of Purists are looking for your head."" Thank you, Carlos. That makes me feel so much better," she says with a sarcastic smile."

Sorry.

Let my mouth work faster than my mind. Don't worry about it. If anybody does come for you, you'll have the Imperial Knights to protect you. I hear they're strong," I say with a joking tone." At the very least, they're careful. Hiding me until the trial will certainly increase my odds of survival. Although I am a bit unhappy with having to leave this place. They have amazing tea here," Carina says as she takes a sip." I actually helped pick some of those out," I say as I gesture at the tea bags."

Lucia would be proud," she says with a warm smile." Not much to be proud of."" Nonsense. You're The Chosen One. Although now that I think about it… She might have been more worried than anything else." With a soft chuckle, I nod my head. Mom was always a bit of a worrywart. Carlito, don't climb that tree. Carlito, careful; The stove is hot. Carlito…" Have you been back since… then?" Carina asks." No. Been busy," I [Lie]." Maybe when all this is over, we can go back together. Pay our respects.

What do you think about that, Carlos?" she asks as I sink into my cup. Before I can answer, a knock echoes through the room. Before long, a woman in the church's robes enters with a bow.

"Apologies for the intrusion. I am to check on the lady's wounds," the healer says as politely as possible.

"It seems I'll have to cut our meeting short. Until we meet again, Carlos," Carina says as I stand up.

"Do be careful out there, Carina," I say as I go to leave.

"Thankfully, this will be our last session. It would seem that the effects from the magic circle have all but faded. It's honestly miraculous how quickly it has deteriorated. It's almost as-" the healer says right before the door closes. Bags packed. Body ready. Mind half asleep. Alrighty, I am ready for this trip. Well, I better be. Considering that Professor Stargazer is actively drawing the magic circle on the chalkboard. I mean, if I really forgot something, now would be the absolute worst time to realize that.

With a quick pat-down, I go through everything I own. Baggy? Check. Picky? Check. Stabby? Check. The Chosen Blade? Check. Hmm. Must not be important if I can't think of it.

"All right. Now listen up. We will be arriving right at the entrance to the facilities on Iseparar Island. This is the longest teleport I've done in a while, so there might be some abnormalities in transport, but do not worry. I have done this hundreds of times with merely minor errors," Professor Stargazer says to the class. The door suddenly opens as Professor Outis and Axel step through.

"Hope we're not too late."

"Of course not, Professor Outis. You're right on time. It's a pleasure to see that you would be able to join us, Axel. I hope you're ready to learn." The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement. I didn't realize he was feeling well enough to join us on the trip. Well, at least he looks better. No more purple in his eyes, and there's an air of relaxation around him that wasn't there before. Hmm. I wonder.

Straining my eyes, I focus until a blood-red string floats listlessly from his chest. Good. His string of fate is normal. I think that's how it's supposed to look. Axel meets my gaze and gives me a small nod. I respond with a smile.

"Are you ready, Charlatan?" Penelope asks as the glow from the magic circle begins to grow.

"As ready as I'll ever be. By the way, what are the errors she's talking about?" I ask as the light envelops the room.

"Oh, just simple things. An error in speed, elevation, and-" The white light fades.

"And what?" Looking to my side, I do not find Penelope. In fact, as I look around, I seem to find no one at all. The only thing there is the sandy floor of the beach, the sound of waves, and the unmistakable heat of the Southern Isles. Gods, I have not missed this. With a sigh, I look out at the endless ocean. Well, at least I didn't get left behind… I really hope this is the right island. Taking a step forward, a coconut falls right into my hand. Huh, lucky. Taking Stabby, I slice off the top half.

No point in wasting too much energy. I'll just sit here on the beach and wait for somebody to show up. Taking a sip, I kick my shoes off. You know… maybe this trip isn't going to be so bad. Loosening my tie, I look out at the open sea as the sun shines high in the sky. A faint glimmer of white flickers as the waves push it to shore. What in the hells is that? The faint glimmer lands half-buried on the beach. My brain is telling me not to mess with things that seemingly wash up on shore.

I mean, it could be dangerous. So, my hands are already digging out the glimmer. Within a couple of seconds, I find a white pocket watch. What is something this expensive doing out here? Not complaining, but it is curious. Turning the watch over, I find two letters inscribed on it.

"A. S. Are these initials?" I ask out loud. Well, I always wanted a pocket watch. How do I open it? Is it this button? With a simple squeeze, it swings open. The moment it does, a blinding white light burns into me, and I mean burns.

"Let me out! I've had enough. I want to get out! Please… just let me out," my voice echoes through my mind as burns crackle across my face.

"You've forgotten one important thing. You're up against The Chosen One," my [Lies] bounce through me as my body begins to shake from pain.

"Oh, come on! It was only a hook! Get over it!"

"I lose. I've been losing. I can't stop losing. I… lose no matter what," my voice, on the verge of tears, is seared into me.

"What are you going to do, kill me?! Fucking do it! I dare you!" With all my might, I try to move the stopwatch and, subsequently, the beam of blinding white energy away, but my body won't listen. Why can't I move? Come on, move! It hurts!

"I see you, Shady. No matter what face you wear, I'll always find you." The voice echoes as my eyelids melt away. Something. Anything. I can't take it anymore! Make it stop! The energy cracks the edges of my fingers. Another jolt of pain floods through me as my hair falls out and the edges of my horns begin to burn away.

"Watch your step. This place is rife with traps. Trust me, I know." My vision blurs. My hand falls straight off my wrist, taking the pocket watch with it. The beam of energy cuts straight through- I sit up from the sand, shaking. My body is covered in sweat. Looking down at my hands, they're still there. In fact, they're perfectly fine. Carefully, I touch my face, expecting a horribly melted mess, but that's not what I find. I'm fine? What the fuck, but it felt so real… The pocket watch?!

Scrambling to my feet, I look around for any sign of it, but it's nowhere to be found. That's impossible. I had it in my hand. It… killed me. I couldn't have dreamed that up, could I?

"Blue, are you there?" I ask.

"Yeah, what's up, CJ?" Blue asks as the blue gem from The Chosen Blade glows.

"Didn't I just die?" I ask, unsure of even my own words.

"... What are you talking about? You didn't die. You just went to sleep on the beach," he says with a hint of worry.

"Went to sleep?"

"Did something happen, CJ?" Blue asks as I look down at my perfectly healthy hands.

"No, nothing. I think I just had a nightmare. It must be. I'm fine," I [Lie] as I begin to walk down the beach.

"You're showing signs of stress," Brown chimes in.

"It was a really bad nightmare," I [Lie].

"I suppose it was," Brown says with her usual tone. If it wasn't a nightmare, then what else could it have been? I mean, I died. I really died. It felt so real. My face being seared off, the way my horns burned away, and my hand… With delicate movements, I open and close my hand. It fell off, yet it's right here. There's no other explanation. It was a nightmare.

"CJ?" Hopper asks as he steps out from the treeline.

"Took you long enough. I was starting to get bored," I say as I walk over to him.

"Sorry, the forest is filled with monsters. Had to take the scenic route in order to avoid them. The rest of the group isn't that far off. We should get there before nightfall."

"Nightfall? It's barely…" I say as I watch the setting sun.

"Barely what?"

"Nothing. Let's just get going. I don't want to be stuck out here any longer than I have to," I say as I search the beach one last time for just another glimpse of that white pocket watch. Yet there is nothing. Not a glimpse or a glimmer. Just sand, ocean, and the setting sun. Nothing to prove what I saw. Yet everything to prove that I've lost my mind. Shaking my head, I let go of those troubling thoughts. I'm on vacation, and I'm sure as fucking hells going to enjoy it. No matter what happens.

This is going to be a good trip.