6 Chapter 6 – Despair (1/2)

What is true despair? Is it something sinister beyond the imagination of the ordinary, or is it something mundane. Common to the point of it occurring daily, but is chosen to be overlooked.

...….

Conversations and bickering of immortals were resounding through the consciousness of Adam's soul. He felt like a man trapped in a box with people talking all around him, but all he could decipher were muffled voices.

Soon, a warm feeling embraced him. It was an enveloping feeling which made one feel safe and secure.

However, before he could begin to enjoy it a 'plop' resounded through every crevice of his soul. Like the dropping of a huge stone into a small lake.

Excruciating pain. Unendurable pain that would leave a person writhing in agony, perforated every inch of his soul. His soul was being forcibly expanded because it could not accommodate whatever was dropped into it.

This was not the end of the suffering but just the beginning. The 'stone' began to dissolve and spread itself over every inch of the soul. It was like an acid that invaded. Eroding through the impurities of the soul.

Constantly filling the confines of his soul to the brink of explosion. The soul would expand to accommodate the 'acid' and then again be filled to the brim, constantly in a cycle.

It was easier at the start as his soul, which was being purified, was compressing.

Soon, that ended, and the only way left was for his soul to expand.

Tear! Rip!

Unable to keep up, his soul started tearing. But the acid from the stone was like a parasite that clung to his soul.

Just as his soul was about to begin dissipating beyond repair, the acid released waves of energy that began healing the soul faster than it could tear. Seeming to want the consciousness of the soul to go through unending pain.

A few moments passed.

As if in utter derision of the torture that Adam's soul was going through now…three more stones were dropped into his soul in sequence.

Realizing what was about to happen, Adam panicked. If one 'stone' was already able to send his consciousness teetering on the brink of extinguishing from the pain. What would these three more do to him?

What could he do though? All he had were his thoughts and he still hadn't figured out where he was or what his current situation was. With all of this confusion and suffering assaulting his mind, the stones began dissolving. 'Watching' this, Adam gritted his 'teeth' and prepared for the inevitable.

As if in response to his resolve, a pain unlike any before assaulted him. Enduring the pain for what seemed ages. He finally blanked out.

......

Complete darkness.

Two thin slits of light appeared in this boundless darkness. Slowly enlarging in an oval shape.

Adam opened his eyes.

A Pair of Shimmering green iris with diamond shaped cuts in it was on full display. His eyes could put even the most perfectly cut gemstones to shame.

Adam was still in shock from his previous hellish experience. ”what was that? That most definitely wasn't a dream. The last thing I can remember before that is being hit by that joke of a bus.”

”I must've been brought to a hospital. Maybe that's what the surgery to save my life felt like.” He quickly came to the most logical conclusion.

His opened eyes, however, were about to tell him an entirely different story.

”Green skies? No. that's a canopy of many huge trees. I'm in a forest.” crepuscular rays shone through the cracks in the leaves. The overgrown trees blocking the skies created an illusion of a green sky. It was a truly enchanting site.

Thump! Thump!

Rhythmic vibrations rocked his body. Pulling himself away from admiring the view, he realized that he was moving but his body was horizontal.

Turning his head, the upper torso of a giant woman came into view. She was clad in finely crafted royal blue leather armour. It was plain light armour but a single glance would be enough to realize the quality of it was exceptional.

A worried expression was playing on her beautiful face. She was fair like snow with an oval face. Her cheeks were slightly hollow, further accentuating her chiselled jawline and shapely cheekbones.