[A Few Hours Later]
I sat alone, in a confined space.
It felt very similar to a detention center, but considering the situation, I couldn't complain too much about anything.
These people were well within their rights.
According to what Ciel had explained to me, after we both confirmed that our realities were indeed different from each other, they weren't the Nether Cult.
Their true identity was the 'Outgroup'—popularly known as Outers.
They were indeed perceived to be the enemies of this world and its factions, but for good reason. I had no cause to think they were evil, and after confirming that my reality was different from theirs, Ciel decided to show more courtesy.
At this point, I was mooching off them.
'I'm confused and in a strange place. I need them more than they need me.'
Besides, they could kill me at any moment. I was at their mercy, so it was better to cooperate.
'But, wow… this feels unreal.'
Aether did tell me about the nigh-infinite branches connected to the stem and then the Root. I never knew I would be crossing branches anytime soon.
'Is this what Legris is after? He must have done this with [The World].'
That meant he was up to no good!
If he got rid of me, he must have gotten rid of the others that would prove to be threats to him. Neron and Kuzon were a definite.
'If they're out of our reality, then what happens next? Who'll be able to stop Legris?'
I had faith in my friends, but I couldn't put them in such obvious danger—especially where Legris was concerned.
I knew about Neron's history with him and how dangerous he was. We still didn't know his goals, making the threat he posed much more dangerous.
'I need to get back… and fast!'
>CREAK<
The door to my room opened and a man entered.
"I apologize for the wait and the inconvenience." He gently spoke, a calm demeanor on his clear face.
'Neron… and he's alone?'
The room has a large table at the center, with my chair on one end and two chairs on the other. I had expected Ciel to be the one here—perhaps with Neron in tow.
But to think he came alone…
"If you're wondering about Lady Ciel, then she has gone into meditation. She won't be able to attend to you now." He took his seat opposite me.
"I'll be representing her and the Outgroup as the Team Leader."
So Neron was the leader of the Outgroup? Why wasn't I surprised? However, if he was the head, then who was Ciel?
What was her position in their organization?
"Firstly, I would like to apologize for my team's behaviour. You suddenly appeared in our base and it didn't make matters better that you have the face of our enemy."
When he put it that way, it was even a surprise that they didn't eliminate me quickly. Never before had I been thankful for the fact that I could communicate with them.
If we spoke different languages, things would have devolved far quicker.
"I should be the one thanking you all. You were understanding enough to give me a chance to explain myself. Even now, I'm sure a good number of you are still suspicious of me. Thanks for giving me the benefit of the doubt."
"Well… we weren't really giving you a chance to explain yourself." Neron muttered, scratching his black hair a little.
"We were just being cautious. If we knew we could take you, we would have eliminated you as soon as you showed up."
I instantly gulped at his cold statement. How lucky was I that they considered me a threat big enough to cautiously approach?
"O-of course, we're deeply sorry for how we treated you. Ciel has explained the details to me, so I'll fill you in on what you want to know. Hopefully, we can share information and benefit from this conversation." Neron gave a strained smile.
Clearly, he wasn't used to it.
Still, even though this wasn't my world and the people here were different, Neron seemed the most similar to the original. He was just as level-headed and courteous.
It would be safe to assume the same of his strength.
"Yeah, I hope we can get along too. And I also look forward to sharing information with you."
I didn't know why Ciel was meditating, or what the other members were doing, but it was most likely the wisest choice for Neron to be here.
He was the best person I could be comfortable around.
"The only issue is where to begin." I added with a sigh.
I was completely lost.
Based on how they sounded, and how everyone was different, I could deduce that this alternate reality had a different history from mine. The people here lived different lives too.
If I was ever to comprehend this reality, then I would have to throw out any of the preconceived notions I had about my world.
"Why don't we start from the very beginning? The most important parts, of course… like the reason behind the ongoing war and the purpose behind our existence."
It seemed there was a lot to cover.
"Please tell me what happened here." I bowed slowly, ready to be enlightened.
Neron nodded and began to tell his tale.
Believe me… I could never have imagined it being this crazy.
*
*
*
Everything I knew ended up being false.
The Apostles Of Aether, led by Merlin, were neither apostles nor were they on the side of Aether.
They were the Nether Cult. Or rather, they seemed to be—though the people in this world simply referred to them as the Cult Of Darkness.
Unlike the story I was told, Ciel was the lone hero in this story. She sacrificed her life to stop Merlin and his comrades from bringing darkness upon the world.
With her dying breath, she sent herself into the cycle of reincarnation, determined to keep protecting this world even after death.
This was the catalyst of this world's history.
The beginning of a very crazy story.
*
*
*
[A/N]
Jared finds himself in a reality that eludes him.
What secrets are there in this world and will he be able to return home? Keep reading to find out.
