SORRY FOR BEING LATE. BUT MY FATHER'S WOUNDS ARE HEALING. SO I WILL TRY TO UPLOAD DURING THE FREE TIMES. I'M WRITING THIS CHAPTER FOR THREE DAYS NOW. JUST DOING SENTENCES LITTLE BY LITTLE. AND I APOLOGISE ABOUT THE SPACING. THE APP JUST REMOVING THE SPACING. I DON'T KNOW WHY. I'M SO SORRY.
When Deku closed his eyes few moments prior he entered a realm that's only could be described as a dream or some sort. The reality is vast and the explanation of this state is still unclear, or better say indescribable. Even for the gods who's responsible for each realms. But it's there and he's experiencing it or traveling it. But Deku could sense his hands on Eri even after he broke the realities and enter the realm of the unknown. It lasted for a minute before he was separated from the reality and fully started to sink into the abyss of the realm and Eri' final touch left his fingertips. The answers he wanted cannot be achieved without risking this. It's not like there's any danger awaiting him. But entering randomly on every realms or realities may have it's own consequences. Life of those realms will be in trouble if he invaded their realities. Why that happenes is unknown, but he knows that there is danger for him or them. It just shows how much knowledge out there that can be learnt but can't see through.
The suffocating environment of the camp hall left him only to replaced with open air and cool breeze. Maybe the movement causing it. Whatever it was, he only mind a particular thing. The energy of the provider. The man who's responsible for his strength. Just as he drifted here and there, his eyes were closed all the while and his mind was focussing. The tragedy struck was mighty and distracting and that's why he realised how much a relationship or feelings for another person might drive you in paths that maybe forbidden or foreign or most importantly unrealistic.
But Eri is much more than a simple human girl in his heart. She's his little sister who doesn't mind his differences and accepted him as a guardian or big brother. It's not like he doesn't see his family such ways. It's just that, he is dead for them. Why bother them with his presence. The possibility of seeing a dead man ends up horrendous and that's another reason he never gone back.
Now that little sister' state fuelled his urgency and made him drift into the unknown. Not unknown for a rider, but it's too much to explore. 'You'll open your eyes and I swear you will see the world again. Unlike before, I'll keep the promise' his own words ringed in his brain and that's why he knows that he have to do more than he could do.
So he finally opened his green eyes which immediately focused on to the dark abyss ahead. But the abyss wasn't the only sight. He found himself drifting inside of a tunnel like formation. It consists of every vibrant colours which was in the form of aurora and they elegantly dances around as he moved forward. But they aren't simple formation of aurora, but various realities moving opposite or close by one another. The realm gates the small purple or pink dots scattered across the aurora and they are possibly over trillions. Trillions are just a mathematical explanation. Deku' knowledge somehow proved that numbers are not even a single percentage of what's out there. Maybe there's another dot of reality where everything he seen experienced would fit in and there's probably another trillion numbers of them outside that reality. Brain won't process that much process. Maybe a human brain would burst because of the knowledge that they aren't supposed to know.
Deku however wasn't brainstorming on anything. He's just keeping on pursuing his mission. Sure he was in fantasy realm once. But the realities drifts around and maybe that reality also shifted or it's entrance was lost with other infinite numbers.
Thankfully, Izuku has a part of the source he seek inside him and let that energy somewhat guide him. So he did just that, keeping his senses sharp and eyes peeled. There's another knowledge of his own reality and that's why he's breathing in relief. His time here won't effect his reality the slightest, so he can wait around for how longer it requires. So he did.
For Eri' sake, he tried to see through all the possibilities. He may have wandered long enough, because there is something other than what he's looking for. He could sense from afar. But he needs a lot of concentration, to pinpoint the exact direction the source of the energy. It felt like something familiar and belongs to him, but just like the answer he's seeking, the source also remained unknown. Unknown in a sense that, he knows what it is but can't tell exactly what.
Just like that, his distance lessened with his journey forward and that familiar energy never ceased to lose its strength and rang like a bell in his mind. Somehow he's attracted towards it even though he's in search of someone else.
Countless realities passed by him, but turned out non of them consists of the two energies he's searching for. Maybe it's far. Maybe the journey might take a lot of time. Maybe eons. Even if a century passes, there's probably no way he's too late to re-enter his own world. That's a relief.
Just as excepted, it did took him a while but didn't took centuries to come across the white blinding hole on to his left. Deku floated in front of it and it didn't take a while to figure out that he's here. The place fascinated him the most. Or better say attracted his curiousity. All the way across the tunnel, he don't recall seeing another identical colour to the portals. They were all black, purple or pinkish, except this one. It's almost like the light of sun in disguise of white flames. Whatever the odd behaviour of the portal is, Deku slowly reached for the entrance. As the white light slightly grazed him, the familiar feeling overcome his senses. It's almost like he remember where he experienced it, but somehow could not recall.
Taking a deep breath, Deku dived into the white unknown. The colours of the tunnels disappeared due to the intensity of the light, and the suction of the portal had even more bigger vaccum than the tunnel he of realities. But the suction wasn't capable of causing any damages like a blackhole. It was just strong enough to knock someone out. But he ain't a man with weak physique or willpower. So it did him nothing.
White. Everything and all around. Pure blinding white. At least for a minute he entered the portal. But soon enough the vaccum seemed losing it's strength and eventually it ceases with a sudden halt as he managed out of it. Whatever the place was, it took him some time to regain his senses. As he did recovered, he saw the opposite of what he saw before. Instead of an even white space, he could only see darkness spreading as far as he could see. Well, he could only see darkness and cannot scale it's size.
But that doesn't mean it consists of nothing. The air was fresh and the place was warm and welcoming. Well, if he was a mere human, maybe this place would be the definition of deafening silence. Or the vastness of nothingness. No. Deku no longer a weak soul comes under the list of humanity. He's the spirit of vengeance, who scale one' innocence. So he could see through, even the nothingness. And so he did reached out for the source which dragged him all the way here. But unlike before, the energy was all over the place, scattered almost. So all he could do is look out for something unusual.
In the darkness, his green glowing eyes searched for anything. As far as the progress goes, there's only darkness in the results. Even though he's looking out for something that attracted him, the urgency in him was still there. Eri. She cannot be die under his watch. If she does, even though he hate to think that way, he sure will hunt down every sinners in the universe and murder them savagely. His anger is the definition of infinite. The more he loose it, the scarier his domination will be.
But, he likes to think positive. He always did managed to do something. Even though he was a weakling before, he survived the torments that hurted him. If he doesn't give up like that, sure will Eri open her eyes. In order to do just that, he will dig out the answers he's looking for. Deku nodded at his own thoughts, cementing them solid. His spirit has to be tough enough. How long he could just keep mourning, when he could find a way to save her with that time. So he did the obvious, breathed in and out.
Finally letting go the negativity in his heart, he's thinking like the Ghost Rider once more. And soon that turned out to be the wisest thing ever. Maybe it was the key. Because, he spotted something in the darkness out of the corner of his eyes and it sure was white. Deku slowly looks around and soon he's facing the energy that attracted him. The powerful aura it had mirrored his own. Deku didn't waste a tiniest amount of time before he was sprinting straight towards it. The white energy was a ball and it was getting bigger in a perspective that tells it was already were the same size but, getting closer. But either way Deku was running to it.
But thing seemed difficult when the sphere moved away from his reach, real fast. Fir his mortal form, running as fast as a moving car is the limit. Sadly the sphere was faster and the distance between it and him grew bigger. He could try his best only to fail. And that's a no go. He needs to be near it and for that he has to be faster just like it.
Black smoke rising again, skin charring exposing the dark skull and green fire inside. And little by little he was getting faster and faster as his transformation progressed. Even the Rider was awakened, chasing after the white energy with the speed which helped him get closer. Nothing could be stand a chance when he is the rider. Even the globe could not outrun him. Just in a few seconds, Rider reached out for the globe with his right hand and he sure was about to catch it. Nothing could stop him now. He thought at least.
The sphere soon let out the familiar blinding white light he experienced in the portal a minute ago. The dark surroundings lightened up and vanished. He didn't even got a hold of it, before it just did that. What did it did? What even it? But one thing was sure, there is a vaccum in it as well and revealing it to be another portal. However something strange about the portal. It produced the same energy as himself. And the portal itself seems to be fire. White fire.
Eventually the suction lost its strength and the white light grew less blinding. Almost as if it lost that glow or light, whatever it is. It was just a few seconds before the fire portal exit was visible ahead. The rider could see something blue outside. And it didn't took any time to wonder, before he was thrown out of the portal and he sure was few feet high up in the air. Before landed, Rider looks around only see the vast sea horizon. White clouds and blue wavy water. And looking down there was an island and he's just falling on to it from a hundred feet or so.
This reality was identical to the one he's from. It looks a lot like the earth he's familiar with, but it sure was someplace else. Another earth probably in another universe. But that doesn't change the fact that he's falling from insane heights. One could die from the fall and there won't be much of the dead body to carry. However, that's not a concern here though. The Rider can easily survive a fall from the sky. A hundred or so height is just a child's play.
Deku came down and eventually landed on his two legs, kicking up sand upon impact. The fire skeleton slowly looks around to sense the source and what he found was surprising. Soon he reverted back normal and looks around. The answer he's looking for is finally here. Just few meters away and he could sense the he was looking for. It's surprising, though. An energy he discovered midway guided him here, the place he wanted to be.
Deku didn't wait around to soak in the beauty of the ocean and the greenery of the island. He had one goal in mind. One target. And that goal is in arms reach. His footsteps was fast and didn't let the sand slow him down. He walked over the sand and entered a treeline which wasn't dence or dark. He could see across it and that's how he spotted something bluish on the other side.
TIME SKIP (FIVE MINUTES LATER)
Deku looks at the beach house just few feet away and he didn't miss the presence of the man he's looking for. Deku can't believe the man lives here. Last time he saw Blaze, the man was inside a dark area. But now? It's opposite.
"So, I finally found you." Izuku muttered.
The house itself wasn't huge or small. It was decent. Blue and white paint gave it a beachy look and Izuku could only imagine how comfortable the place is. As he was looking up at the house, something bouncy hit his leg, which attracted his attention and he looks down. It's a yellow beach ball. The he heard faint sounds of something digging continuous on the sand. It wasn't hard to realise, they are footsteps and belongs to multiple people. Some fast paced while other few walking.
"Oh, come on. I love kayaking." A female voice whined.
"Lilian, stop. It's just way too dangerous out there. It's just a matter of moments before those creatures curious about your Kayak." Another matured feminine voice said.
"Oh please, the Orca' are wholesome. They're just vibing out there. Stop being scared, Mom." The girl said once again.
Izuku slowly looks the way the voices come from and he picked up the sight of a family approach him. They still haven't noticed him though. Deku then saw the man he was searching for. And he was walking on the left of other to females, one in her teens and other an adult. They wore beach outfits. Girl' bikini' and the the man shorts. The man held a sleeping boy on his hand while a little girl was in front of them and searching for something. She's probably searching for the beach ball and eventually her round glistening eyes landed on the ball and a bright smile appeared on her face. She wasn't even paying anything other than the ball any attention and that's why she didn't see Deku standing there. She quickly scurried over and crouched next to the ball and was about to pick it up before her eyes caught a glimpse of his metal underside boots.
The small girl stiffened and slowly and fearfully looks up at Deku. Meanwhile the two females kept arguing. "Oh yeah? Is that it? They're wholesome? Really. Of just see through their tricks. Bunch of brainless creatures. I'm pretty sure they aren't as friendly if provoked." The old female said.
"Oh,sure. Just admit you're a scared of them. I'm pretty much happy hanging around with a shark. A small jelly zapped you doesn't mean I too have to be afraid or every existing creature out there is dangerous. Grow up." The teen said.
The woman dramatically gasped. "Oh you're so grounded, young woman. No surfing for a week, and forget about the kayak. I'm gonna shred them." The woman said making the girl huff and groan.
"Yeah, whatever." The girl muttered and looks ahead. But then her eyes picked up the sight before their eyes. A man man clad in dark outfit staring down at her little sister and the said girl is froze on the spot. Lilian' eyes widened in shock and her expression change was noticed by her parents and they looked the way she's looking at. Blaze' eyes widened also. Realisation hit him and before he could do anything, Lilian bolted straight towards the boy he recognise.
"LILIAN, WAIT." Blaze called out but it only stopped his wife from running after her. The small boy woke up hearing him and started to cry as well.
Deku raised a brow looking down at the panicking girl. He doesn't know why she's acting such a way. "GET OFF OF HER, YOU." he heard a female scream and looked up only to see a fist about to make contact. Deku seen better swings, so he just caught it in his gloved hand. Lilian' strong fist got caught in a stronger palm, which cannot be break free. Lilian breathed in and out and her blonde hair fell in front of her face and that didn't help her hide the shock appeared on her face. Lilian jumped back freeing her hand and stood in front of her little sister protectively.
"Don't you dare look at my sister. Fight me if you want." Lilian said protectively and aggressively.
Deku raised a brow and raised both his hands. "If I'm supposed to attack any of you. I would have." He said.
Lilian slowly eased her posture but still not dropping her guards. "Then why are you even here? I'm sure it's not easy to wander into an isolated Island in the middle of the sea. It's far away from land." Lilian said.
"I'm not lost. I'm in the right place." Deku said and looks behind her. Blaze and his wife who' now holding the child came and stood next to Lilian. His wife looks at the both males and she couldn't pinpoint who the stranger is.
"Hey, kid. Been a while, huh?" Blaze greeted. His children and wife looks at him and then Deku. They never seen this boy before. He never mentioned about a young friend he got. So they don't even know if they are looking at a bad guy or not. They seen bad guys who acts like a good guy in stories or in TV and they sure wanna know which category he belongs in.
"You know this guy?" Lilian asked looking at her father and mother. The woman shrugged saying that she doesn't know. Blaze smiled at them and nodded.
"Sure I know. But that's a tea time story if you ask me." Blaze said not loosing his enthusiasm and that calmed them down slightly. "Come on, kid. I'm sure you are confused just like them." Blaze said and put a hand on his shoulder. Blaze is still taller than him or them. The tallest human in their group. Deku is the second tallest.
"Come on Sam, our guest staying for a tea break. Possibly Dinner." Blaze annouced.
"Wait, wha.." before Deku could argue, Blaze patted his shoulder.
"No concerns. It' alright." Blaze reassured.
HALF AN HOUR LATER
Deku sat on the couch facing Blaze, who sat opposite. It's awkward here. Only Blaze is acting comfortable. Deku could sense the females literally brainstorming in the kitchen. They are just discussing, who he really is. "They're curious. It took a while for us to settle down. Bad folks exists everywhere if you ask me." Blaze explained.
"But, I thought you were always alone." Deku said. He's asking it because he cannot see through the soul of Blaze and read him.
"Was. I was alone. But I thought it's worth going for some happiness." Blaze said.
"Okay. But are they were with you when we met for the first time? Or the time played games?" Deku wondered.
Blaze nodded. "It' been almost 17 years since I last saw you. But I'm not surprised that you only saw few months ago according to your time. You haven't changed one bit." Blaze said.
Deku heard it and recalled one more thing. And that is, Blaze looks younger than before. "But you're younger than I remember. How?" Deku asked.
Blaze chuckled. "I just wanted to live again, so I wished it before I gave up my powers to you." Blaze said.
Deku nodded. Well he knew again backwards is common between the multiverse, but he wasn't aware of what Blaze said. That means he still haven't learnt everything.
"Do they know?" Deku asked. Blaze know what he's talking about though.
"They knows about the legends of the Rider. They only knows I had powers but not specific." He replied.
Before their conversation continue, Samantha, Lilian and the small girl entered the room. The boy wasn't with them though. Samantha placed the tray of five cups of coffee on the table and looks at Blaze who nodded them to sit down. But none of the girls sat next to Deku and they chose their seats next to Blaze. Deku didn't mind it though. He understands that type of mentality. like imagine a dude showing up all of a sudden who immediately welcomed by someone of your family and you don't even know the person.
"So, John. You never mentioned you had a young friend." Samantha started the conversation.
"Sam, I'll let him do the honours of introducing himself." Blaze said and took a cup from the tray. Soon three pairs of eyes looks at him.
Deku wasn't nervous or anything. Just lost with all the information. "So, I met mister Blaze a long time ago. I'm Deku. It's pleasure meeting you all." Deku introduced himself.
"Deku? Such a strange Name. No offense." Lilian comments out of nowhere. She also took a cup of coffee and sipped. His first impression wasn't the best so she's a bit cold.
"None taken. And actually Deku means Useless if you're wondering." He replied. What's the point of hiding anything.
"Useless? Why is your name like that?" Samantha wondered.
Deku shrugged. "I got that name when I was a kid. My friend gave it when he figured out I'm just a weakling." Deku said.
"That sucks if you ask me." Lilian said.
"Okay, okay. Just continue with the introduction shall we. Now do the same for Izuku will ya." Blaze said.
"Izuku, who?" Lilian asked.
"My real name before I chose to keep my name Deku." He explained.
They nodded. "Okay, I'm Samantha Blaze. His wife and these two are Lilian and Bonnie." Samantha introduced herself and them.
Deku nodded and took a sip of the coffee. It tasted good though. "Now, say how do you know this kid, John?" Samantha asked.
Blaze sighed and emptied his cup in one go. "It's just something you won't believe." Blaze said.
Lilian' eyes twitched. "At least you could try." She snapped.
"She got a point. You never told us anything about this kid. At least make things less confusing for us?" Samantha said. Blaze looks at both of them and nodded.
"Before I've been out here in this world, I used to be around other realities and I had a duty." Blaze started. Before any of them could ask anything, Blaze continued. "The legend of the Ghost Rider ain't limited to myths or fiction as people believe. Like you believe." He continued.
Lilian and Samantha stared at him as he said that. They had that 'dont bullshit' look on their faces. "Yeah, the aliens are real. And Thanos wiped out the universe. Now what other bullshit your gonna say?" Lilian doubted him.
"I'm gonna say it's real." Blaze said confidently. But he didn't let her speak before he started again. "I was one of the Rider' and I been one for a long time and I don't know why I forgot everything. Even my name." He said and this time they are listening him closer, even Deku did the same. "But I couldn't find anyone else who could become the Rider and it took a lot of time. But I eventually found another reality and during my stay there, I sensed a weak soul. A dead soul who had a lot to accomplish but couldn't because of the circumstances. That soul wanted to be a hero and I saw how pure he was. His name was Izuku Midoriya and I chose him. First he was against it, but eventually he realised how messed up the world really is." Blaze finished and there was a silence. "There, the long story short. Deku is the same boy I chose and turned him." Blaze added.
Samantha, Lilian and Bonnie stared him with mouth wide open and looks at Deku, who nodded in confirmation. Lilian shook her head and rubbed her temples. "Which side I woke up on?" She groaned.
"What did I said about you won't believe me." Blaze said.
Samantha looks at Blaze and even though he's smiling, he sure is not joking. Well how could someone come up with them stories if it never happened? So she decided to trust his words. Her John never lies and she hope it doesn't get proven otherwise.
"Yeah, if you say so. But I want some proof. If the legend says the Rider is a fire humanoid, turn into one. Then I'll believe you." Lilian said.
"You sure don't fall into tricks. But trust me. This time things are different. I can promise, the Ghost Rider is scary looking figure." Blaze said eyeing Bonnie who wasn't as bold as her big sister.
Lilian scoffed. "And I take that as a cover up. I believe things I see." Lilian stubbornly said.
"Have you heard the Rider is capable of diving deep into someone's mind?" Deku interrupted them. He was serious and Blaze knew what he's trying to do.
Lilian looks at the white haired boy and she saw his green eyes glow. That alone shook her. The three females looks at the glow amazed and stunned. It's not normal for a human to do all that. Bonnie scooted closer to her big sister and hid her face nervously. "Isn't it true that you ventured deepest area of the ocean one day and your parents don't have a slight clue of what you saw back there? The thing that keeps you closer to the tides?" Deku asked and Lilian' whole demeanor changed and her eyes widened in shock. The secret she hid very well. How does this boy knows that?
"W... what di... what are you talking about?" She stuttered and blaze and Samantha looks at her and figured she's definitely hiding something.
"You know what you saw. And isn't that enough to prove who I am or U turn into the Rider right here and now?" He asked.
Lilian shook her head. "Okay..okay I believe you. But didn't you dare say it out loud." Lilian shouted flailing her arms. Lilian saw Samantha' look and looked away. "Don't ask me. I'll tell you eventually." She said. To divert attention Lilian decided to start another conversation.
"So you being the rider and all. Why are you here anyway? What's the reason?" She asked.
Deku sighed and looks at Blaze. "I need answers."