Outworld: Awakening

"Adam? Adam. Wake up. How long do you intend to sleep? Adam..."

'Miss. Adelaide? How long have I been out for?' Adam thought as he slowly opened his eyes.

"Miss. Adelaide, what--" before Adam could finish his statement, the sun's radiance fell on his face, and he immediately shut his eyes. For the first time in a long while, he could feel the warmth of the sun on his skin, while a cacophony of noise reached his ears.

Slowly opening his eyes for the second time, Adam realized he no longer lay in the dark tomb; instead, he sat on a red leather chair in an unfamiliar room decorated with transparent windows.

"Are those clouds?" Adam muttered as he stared outside the window. Apprehension overwhelmed him, jolting him awake.

Before he could react, a familiar voice reached him, "Relax, Adam. I'm here with you."

Raising his head, Adam's gaze fell on Adelaide who sported a warm smile. She sat opposite him, still donning the same clothes from the necropolis.

"Miss. Adelaide, where are we? What happened to the kids? What--"

"One question at a time. Don't worry about the children. I told you earlier, I'd escort you to the outskirts of the Wazar Canyon. We are aboard a flying ship. Master said you had something better than this in your world," Adelaide injected, her soft voice buried among the chatting passengers.

'Oh. So this is their version of an airplane,' Adam thought as he lowered his head. He realized he wore a plain white upper garment which complemented his snow-white hair. He also wore a black cotton shorts, coupled with a worn, t.h.i.g.h-high leather boots.

While Adam stared at his clothes, Adelaide's voice reached him again, "Adam, what happened after I left?"

Adam raised his head, meeting Adelaide's gaze.

"What do you mean? What happened?" Adam asked.

"Don't you remember?" Adelaide asked, her brows furrowed.

Nodding his head, Adam admitted his ignorance.

Adelaide's brows creased further as she watched Adam, her mouth opened, yet she said nothing.

'Why is she reacting like that? Did something happen in the tomb? Damn it, why can't I remember any of it?' Adam cursed under is breath as he stared at Adelaide.

"When I returned, I found your unconscious body laying on the floor, covered in sweat. The seven coffins had disappeared, as well as the blood and runes of the heptagram. I couldn't even find the corpses of the heretics. You truly can't remember what happened?" Adelaide whispered.

"I'm sorry, I can't--" before Adam could finish his statement, his body trembled, and he shrieked involuntarily. With both hands clutching his head, Adam's shrieks echoed, drawing the attention of other passengers.

Alarmed, Adelaide rushed to his side, before placing her right hand on his head. At that moment, Adam's shrieks ceased, and his countenance slowly recovered.

"Are you okay? What happened?" Adelaide asked, unable to hide her concern. Her hand still rested on Adam's head.

With the distance between them non-existent, an alluring fragrance filled Adam's nose. Causing him to blush involuntarily.

"Thank you. I'm fine now. I don't know what happened earlier, but it seems the headache brought back my repressed memories," Adam said while turning his head to the side.

Adelaide's countenance brightened as she noticed Adam's reaction. Naturally, she knew he looked away because he was overwhelmed.

"Please tell me what you remember," Adelaide whispered as she slowly returned to her seat.

Meanwhile, the concerned passengers no longer focused on them, especially after Adam's expression returned to normal.

Wasting no time, Adam recounted everything he could remember, right from the moment Adelaide disappeared. He told her about the eerie changes that took place in the tomb, and the mysterious voice and display projected in his mind.

"Adam, be honest with me, is what you said true?" Adelaide asked.

Adam could see her quivering eyes, he could also see she tried her best to remain composed, but her shaking hands gave her away. Without saying a word, Adam nodded in affirmation.

Adelaide could barely contain her surging emotions. Her trembling hands curled into a fist, while she mouthed inaudible words. Although her gaze fell on Adam, he could tell she was in her own world.

"Miss. is this how it is for all the Awakened?" Adam asked.

His words brought Adelaide back to reality.

"Of course not. Even the Awakened are segregated based on their Blessings. Generally, they are divided into seven levels. In ascending order: E, D, C, B, A, S and Blessed. The Blessed, are the Awakened who have been granted unlimited access to the Blessings.

"Although some Awakened can have similar Blessings, they can't have the same level of access. However, exceptions exist. But the odds of it happening is a million to one.

"That you didn't get at least one skill or title is a surprise to me. Granted that my knowledge on the--" Adelaide paused as her gaze scanned the nearby passengers.

Confident that no one eavesdropped on their conversation, she continued, "My knowledge on The Omen pales compared to Master's, but I have never heard of a case as yours. Whether one awakens via The Blessing or The Omen, they would always receive a Title or a Skill. Often, some aquire both.

"The Skill or Title received is usually a representation of ones d.e.s.i.r.e. To be honest, I don't know what kind of Omen you have received. That its level is only 'E', is a big surprise to me," Adelaide whispered.

Facing the floor, different thoughts raced through Adam's mind. From Adelaide's explanation, he knew something was wrong. Although he did not panic, Adam could not hide his bitter disappointment.

'What's the point of being an Awakened if I don't even have the perks? But, why did the voice sound like that of a game? Is it because of gaming experience?' Adam thought.

In any other occasion, the game like voice would have fascinated him. But now, it made him bitter and angry. Although he could be considered an Awakened, he had the lowest level. Worse, he didn't receive any Skills or Title.

'Does that mean The Omen does not acknowledge my d.e.s.i.r.e for vengeance? No... No! I can't accept this.'

While Adam pondered his fate, Adelaide's voice drifted into his ears, "Fret not, Adam. Master is more knowledgeable than I am. I'm sure he will understand the peculiarities of your situation. We will arrive at our destination in the two weeks. That means you have four weeks to spare. You are way ahead of schedule."

Adam's brows creased as he heard Adelaide's words.

"Don't you mean six weeks?" Adam said.

"How long do you think you've been asleep?" Adelaide retorted.

Adam's mouth opened, tongue-tied, he couldn't say a word.

'Two weeks?! I was unconscious for two whole weeks...'

"Trust me, I am just as surprised as you are. If you hadn't woke up, I planned on violating Master's orders," Adelaide's said.

Adam had yet to recover from the shock of the news.

"If you feel hungry, let me know. Although the chair is not as comfortable as a bed, you can rest on it. Don't trouble yourself with matters out of your control. When you get to Wazar Canyon, I'm sure Master will provide answers," Adelaide said.

She donned a dazzling smile as she stared at Adam. From the corner of Adam's eyes, he could see several men gawking at her. Some muttered inaudible words under their breaths, while others took deep breaths to calm their pulsating hearts. Unlike the carefree men, Adam had bigger issues to worry about.

"Thank you, Miss. Adelaide. One day, I hope to repay this favor?" Adam declared.

"Oh. Is that a promise? That's a promise, right? You can't take it back. I'm anxiously waiting for that day," Adelaide said as she giggled.

Her dazzling smile coupled with her playful words calmed Adam a bit. Reclining on his seat, he closed his eyes while donning a smile.

'Two weeks. I wonder what awaits me in Wazar Canyon.'

Two weeks later.

Adam trudged under the radiance of the noon sun, he tied his white upper garment around his head, leaving his body at the mercy of the scorching heat.

"How long do I've to walk before I get to the Canyon? How can they ask me to wander in here alone," Adam muttered as he wiped the sweat from his face.

He stared at the vast expanse of desert surrounding him, and he could not stop himself from cursing. A fairly large flagon hung around his neck, while he held a white parchment which depicted a map of his location--The Wazar Desert.

On the white map, Adam's position flickered in red. And just ahead, the words 'Wazar Canyon' flickered in black.

Although the distance was non-existent on the map, Adam couldn't see the Canyon from his standing position. Which meant he had to travel farther into the desert.

"I wish Adelaide came with me. If not for her map, I wouldn't have ventured into this desolate place," Adam muttered as he drank a mouthful of water. Refreshed, Adam continued his journey underneath the scorching heat. Neither man, plant nor beast entered his sight, a testament to the harsh conditions of the terrain.

Later that day, the silver moonlight cascaded on the Wazar Desert. Howling winds echoed, bringing a terrifying cold along with it.

Adam, fully clothed, stood before a large canyon as he struggled to stop his chattering teeth.

"Finally. Even with my thick clothes, I can still feel the cold. It feels as if I'm standing n.a.k.e.d in the snow. Hmmm... Where am I supposed to find Mr. Vicar?" Adam's hands shivered as he stared at the map.

"You got here earlier than I expected. Adelaide definitely has a hand in this."

Adam flinched as he turned his head, he had almost let go of the map.

"Mr. Vicar?" Adam said as he started at middle-aged man who resembled Vicar Reeves.

'Wasn't he an old man? How did he suddenly become younger?' Adam thought.

"Congratulations. I didn't expect you to survive the Demonification process. Oh. That reminds me. Adelaide said you have already Awakened, is this true?"

"Yes. It happened--"

"When it happened is not important. Congratulations. You became an Awakened barely two weeks after surviving the Demonification process. I'm impressed, delighted and relieved, too. You have saved me a lot of time," Vicar's interjected.

"Huh? What do mean?"

Adam retreated instinctively.

"Let's head into the Canyon, we have much to discuss. This place will also be your new home. At least, until I'm done training you."

Before Adam could react, Vicar grabbed him by his waist. At that same moment, he jumped towards the depths of the Canyon.

While the howling winds echoed across the Wazar Desert, one could hear the screams of a young boy along with it.