Chapter 31: The Dark Cave

Chapter 31: Chapter 31: The Dark Cave

"You know what? I don’t really care for your reasons. Don’t look for me again. You’re no cousin of mine. Your whole family is no family of mine." I opened the door. I needed him out. I needed to leave soon. I know perfectly well what would happen tonight. It’s the wave of the first awakeners. If I could successfully awaken my superpowers I would be able to protect myself and Penelope better. I also needed to enter my space. Something in that mountain was calling out to me. "Chris, you may have planned some grand scheme in your head, but you failed to notice that the only player in your game was yourself. You were never qualified enough for a game with me. You’re goal to take my company? Don’t you get it? A goal that will never be reached is nothing but a dream. And you? You’re the dreamer." I said. God it felt good to say those words.

I always restrained myself for the sake of family. If my parents knew what these bastards did to me in my past life, they would have rolled in their graves.

Chris’ face was ashen. He always considered himself some kind of master. All those self-help books really fucked with his mind. He clearly didn’t understand the difference between affirmation and arrogance.

"Very well cousin, from this moment forward, you and I share no blood ties. Even if you beg, I will never help you again" Chris said. God, he’s so dramatic. Acting like he some kind of underground king. Someone has been watching too many mobster movies. Clearly.

He walked away without a word. Good. That’s exactly what I needed.

Once I made sure he was out, I entered my space. The first thing I noticed was the fog. Although it was at a distance, it was in perfect view.

"Ziki, are you there?" I asked. Hoping this cheeky little administrator would answer me.

’Yes master, how can I help you?’

"Is there something in the mountains?"

’Scanning....Master, no breath has been detected in the mountains’

If no breathing is detected, the what is calling out to me?

"Ziki, you mentioned before that I could bring others into my space via physical touch. How many can I allow entrance to?"

’Master, as many as you would like, so long as they have physical contact with you the moment you enter the space.’

"I see. Hey, I am going to head into the mountains now, are you sure their is nothing there?" I asked again. I just couldn’t shake this feeling that something was waiting for me up there.

’Sigh. Master, I already checked twice. No living breath has been detected. You may enter at ease’ This Ziki had a bad work attitude.

"Who is your supervisor? I need to write an email regarding your performance."

Ziki’s voice sounded much more polite as it said ’Master, I apologize about my attitude before. I am currently experiencing...personal issues.’

What the hell is this system talking about. Personal issues? What kind of excuse was that?

’Master, feel at ease. I have scanned the surroundings multiple times. You can enter the mountains without fear.’ This time, he sounded almost cheerful.

"Alright then" was all I answered before I walked towards the mountains.

I wasn’t sure where exactly I was heading, not exactly sure of my destination. All I knew is that something up there was calling to me. I kept hearing it in my head. Like a humming. A vibration in my soul. Telling me what way to go.

After what felt like an eternity of walking, I found a hidden cave near the top of the mountain.

I walked into the cave, cautious as ever. This cave was dark and cold. What surprised me was that there were already lit torches on the walls. This was unordinary. Who was managing the upkeep of this cave?

As I walked close, I saw a what looked like a golden birdbath in the center of the cave. Filled with crystal clear water. Then I heard it, drip drip. I looked up to see water falling down from what appeared to be stalactites. After all that walking, I suddenly found myself thirsty.

As if a man possessed, I reached out to form a shovel shaped with both my hands. I dipped into the fountain and brought water to my mouth. This was was sweet. My behavior became irrational. I felt like a man starved of water. I kept drinking, gulping down this delicious water.

Just when I was about to reach for another scoop, I saw something shiny in the corner. I walked towards it and noticed it was a black egg.

"Is this edible? I am hungry.." I murmured while I reached out to pick up the egg. I had to use both hands. This was definitely no ordinary egg.

"I should save this for when we are really out of options. Maybe this is enough to feed our group."

’hsssss’ I heard myself saying. I looked closely and saw my left ring finger and palm were bleeding. Looking closely, it seemed this egg cut me. Just when I was going to examine this egg further, I felt excruciating pain all over my body. I put the egg down and crouched to the floor. Calling out to Ziki.

’Master, what is happening? What did you do?’ It asked in an accusatory tone.

I manage to say through gritted teeth "nothing, this egg cut me and then I felt this pain"

’Master, this egg would not cause this kind of damage. Think clearly, what did you do before?’ It asked again.

What did I do before? nothing. What could I have done before grabbing this egg. All I did was walk in, drink water and pic-

wait, drink water. I drank that sweet water.

" I drank from that golden bird bath. The water falling from the stalactites. Is it poisonous?’

’scanning...scanning complete. water identified. purification water.

Instructions: When consumed orally, it will expel any impurities found within the human/beast. Pain level may vary depending on amount of impurities found in the body. ’

’Master, it appears you have drank purifying water. you’re body is currently under maintenance.’ The system sounded so chirpy as it said this.

"Well, do you know how to ease this pain?" I asked again as I bend my body in a childlike pose trying to control the pain.

’Master, sit in a meditating position and breathe.’

I did as followed. But this pain was just to unbearable. I kept taking sharp breathes. Just what the hell is going on here.

’have you tried breathing?’ Ziki asked me.

What?

Just what the hell was this system asking?

’Master, I’m talking about a breathing technique. I am going to a meditating manual and it says you need to do a breathing technique. let’s see....inhale for 8 seconds, hold for 4, exhale slowly. start all over. okay, c’mon, let’s start. one...two...three....’

Finally, when it was over I stood up. I reeked. Not even the dead smelled as bad as I did right now. "I need a shower" I said exhaustedly. Walking back towards the bamboo hut was easier than I thought. I carried myself towards the shower and cleaned myself. Once I was done, I laid my head on my bed and rested. Luckily, this space had a super neat time frame. 1 day here was 1 minute outside. I could rest for a bit and then head out. Penelope and the Ryker family were waiting.