- Beginning 1.1 -
o-0-o
Today, everything went south faster than a roller coaster on steroids. Started off normal, with me dragging myself out of bed at the usual time, only to find the house deserted. Dad, usually a late riser, was up at the crack of dawn. He mumbled something about thugs from ABB causing trouble at the docks and bothering his workers. Classic Dad move – he never lets anyone mess with his crew.
It beats the alternative, though – the dark days that followed Mom's passing. I wish I could catch Dad's fire when he's angry. It might come in handy dealing with the mess that is my life. But hey, I'm not cut from the same cloth.
So, I roll into school thinking the day can't possibly get worse. Spoiler alert: it does. The unholy trio, featuring the delightful Sophia 'Effing' Hess, Madison 'Queen Bee' Clement, and my former BFF Emma Barnes, decides to make me their morning entertainment. Today, it's mostly Sophia leading the charge. I don't know what her deal is – maybe she stepped on a pile of dog crap or something. If that's the case, I wish I could have witnessed it.
Anyway, Sophia takes her usual awfulness to new heights. I'm not sure how to describe it – she's just being extra awful today, if that's even possible.
Sophia, being the beacon of kindness that she is, decided to give me a parting gift – a well-placed elbow to the gut as I tried to make my grand escape to a classroom. Looking back, I realize hiding in a classroom wouldn't have changed much. Predictably, no one cared enough to stop and ask why I suddenly crumpled in pain.
In a nutshell, by the time the day crawled to an end, I found myself donning extra layers to conceal the colorful bruises generously gifted by Sophia. Thankfully, it's winter, so I can chalk up the layers to the biting cold, sparing me a few curious glances from onlookers. That Hess, calculating as ever, made sure to target spots I could easily cover up.
I let out a heavy sigh. Dad would be the perfect confidant for this nightmare, but I immediately shake my head, dismissing the thought. Dad needs to focus on his job; I can handle this mess solo. I don't want a front-row seat to the replay of his pitiful state after Mom's passing. Let him have his distractions; I'll manage.
Leaning back, I gaze at the evening sky, snowflakes slowly dancing in the darkness. Some even land on my face, their cold touch a sharp contrast to the invisible battles fought during the day.
Damn, it's freezing out here. If I had known it would be this bone-chilling, I might've just camped out at home. Scratch that, though; staying home would only give my brain more fodder to stew over. I need to find a way to defrost my mind. I can do this.
But where should I go? The docks are a no-go with Dad there. The library might be an option, but then I'd have to strip off my coat, showcasing my new bruises for the world to see. Is there nowhere I can just chill, both literally and figuratively? I need a solo spot.
A light bulb moment hits me. What about Captain's Hill? Nobody in their right mind would trek up a freezing mountain at this hour, which makes it the perfect hideout. Plus, I'm willing to bet the view is worth the frostbite.
Alright. Gotta stock up on some snacks and drinks before heading to my icy fortress. Sticking close to the base camp should keep me out of trouble. Time to turn this day around.
o-0-o
Regret is my middle name right now. Who thought it was a genius idea to hit up a mountain in the dead of winter? The wind is on a mission to freeze me solid, and I'm pretty sure I've never been this cold in my life.
But, the view is something else. Exactly as I suspected. With almost no clouds, the night sky is putting on a show. Stars twinkling like they're in competition, and hey, there's the Milky Way, casually flaunting its celestial charm. If only I had a camera to capture this. I'd love to show Dad — and Mom, too — what they're missing.
Wrapped up in my makeshift cocoon of snacks and soda, I sit on the bench, the cold wood sending shivers up my spine. The bag of chips crackles in the quiet of the night as I open it, the smell wafting up in the crisp air. Taking a sip from the soda, I can feel the chill from the can seeping into my fingers.
As I nibble on the chips, my attention shifts back to the mesmerizing night view. The stars, like diamonds scattered across a velvet canvas, captivate me. I can't help but wonder, what thoughts cross the minds of those who chance upon a spectacle like this?
Do they marvel at the vastness of the universe, feeling the weight of its mysteries? Or perhaps, like me, they find solace in the quiet beauty of the night sky. I picture couples sharing whispered conversations, friends laughing, and solitary individuals seeking a moment of solitude.
Lost in these musings, I almost forget the biting cold and the bruises hidden beneath my layers. The night sky becomes a sanctuary, a refuge from the chaos of the day. If only for this moment, I can forget the troubles waiting for me down below and embrace the quiet wonder of the universe above.
"Oh," I breathe out, awestruck by the celestial display unfolding above. A meteor shower, a cosmic dance of shooting stars streaking across the night sky. When was the last time I witnessed such a spectacle? Was it in the days when Mom was still alive, when Emma was my closest companion, and Dad hadn't fallen prey to the clutches of alcohol after Mom's passing?
I can't pinpoint the exact moment, but I'm certain it belongs to a chapter of my life painted in hues of happiness. As I watch the meteors carve fleeting trails through the darkness, a rush of memories floods my mind. There was laughter and warmth, a time when life felt simpler and the universe held a promise of endless possibilities.
Counting the meteors streaking across the night sky, my mind inevitably drifts to a question that has likely occupied the thoughts of many: is there life out there? If alternate Earths exist, then surely other forms of life must be scattered across the vast cosmos.
Scion is often brought up in this context, the golden man of mystery, the first Parahuman. Yet, concrete evidence eludes us, and theories about him being an alien remain unproven and fantastical.
As the meteors continue their celestial dance, I ponder the perspective of extraterrestrial beings on Earth and humanity. Would they regard us with fear, disdain, or perhaps fascination? The complexities of human existence might seem alien to them, our triumphs and tribulations mere blips on their cosmic radar.
It occurs to me that understanding the thoughts of beings from another world might be as impossible as capturing the essence of a shooting star in my hands.
"Huh?" I stammer, the strange noise escaping my lips echoing the puzzlement in my mind. Amidst the meteor shower's celestial ballet, an inexplicable sight unfolds before my eyes. Two small lights engage in a mesmerizing dance, swirling and colliding in a cosmic performance that defies any logical explanation. My limited knowledge in astronomy screams that meteors simply don't move like that.
A sudden realization hits me like a bolt of lightning. "Holy... are those UFOs?" I breathe out, my disbelief turning into a curious mixture of excitement and nervous energy. If only I had a handycam to immortalize this surreal encounter.
The dance in the sky takes an unexpected turn as one of the lights blinks out of existence. The remaining light, now more pronounced, seems to grow in intensity. "Wait a second, it's... heading here?" I murmur, the realization settling in as a knot forms in the pit of my stomach.
The mysterious light intensifies, casting an ominous glow that stretches across the landscape. In the face of impending doom, my feet feel like they're encased in concrete, refusing to budge. I stand frozen, unable to tear my eyes away from the growing celestial fireball hurtling toward me.
A sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach accompanies the realization that escape is impossible. Panic grips me, and I can only manage a breathless, "Oh, shit." The serene night has turned into a heart-pounding spectacle, and I'm helplessly rooted in place as the impending impact becomes undeniable.
Time seems to stretch as the fiery mass grows nearer, its glow casting an eerie light over everything. The once tranquil hill is now a battleground between the unknown and the familiar. My mind races with a myriad of thoughts, but all I can do is brace myself for the imminent collision, the weight of the moment hanging in the frozen air.
Then, everything explodes.
O-0-o
Am I... dead?
A weightless sensation envelops me as I float in an ethereal realm, questioning the very fabric of my existence. The memory of the meteor hurtling toward me remains vivid, triggering contemplation about the potential devastation it could have wrought. Recollections of news stories about basketball-sized meteors causing shockwaves flicker in my mind. If that's the case, there might not even be a trace of a body for Dad to mourn. A small comfort, perhaps, as I navigate this uncertain afterlife.
Terrified yet strangely curious, I wonder about the nature of my consciousness in this strange space. Will I be aware even in death? What sights await me if I dare to open my eyes? Despite the fear gnawing at me, a strange sense of curiosity propels me forward. With a hesitant breath, I open my eyes, and the fear gives way to an overwhelming sense of awe.
Before me unfolds a breathtaking scene, beyond the scope of earthly imagination. Intertwining lights of hues unseen on Earth stretch out in all directions, weaving a mesmerizing panorama. The lights converge toward a focal point, pulling me gently in that direction.
Surprisingly, instead of panic, an unexpected calm washes over me. Perhaps it's the beauty of these lights, wrapping around me like a warm embrace. It's a feeling I thought I'd long forgotten—the comforting warmth, as if I'm being held by my mother. Despite the uncertainty of my circumstances, my heart remains oddly tranquil.
If this is the afterlife, the sheer beauty before me challenges any preconceived fear of death. In this ethereal realm, I find solace and a strange sense of peace. As the lights guide me toward an unknown destination, I can't help but hope that, in this new existence, I'll find the reunion with my mother that I've longed for. There are so many untold stories, so many things I want to share with her since her untimely departure.
A heavy silence lingers in the vast expanse of the unknown. The breathtaking lights continue to weave their cosmic dance, but amidst the beauty, a weighty realization settles in—what about Dad?
The thought pierces through the serene calm that has enveloped me. While I'm drawn into the mesmerizing lights, a pang of concern tugs at my heart. What about the man who has been my anchor through the storms of life? What about the father who may now be left with the unexplainable absence of his only child?
Guilt mingles with tranquility as I grapple with the unanswered questions. Will Dad wonder about my sudden disappearance? Will he search for me, hoping against hope for some sign of my existence? The thoughts gnaw at me, threatening to overshadow the surreal beauty of this afterlife.
"No!"
The word echoes through the cosmos, a desperate plea reverberating through the celestial beauty that surrounds me. I can't accept this fate—I don't want to die. The thought of leaving my father alone in the wake of my inexplicable disappearance is unbearable. I still want to live. I still want to be a part of the tangible world, with its messy emotions and undeniable connections.
"Take me back! Take me home!" I scream internally, the echoes of my plea blending with the cosmic dance of lights. In this surreal realm between life and whatever comes after, I curse at the unknown forces that led me here. The desire to return to Dad, to the warmth of familiar embraces and the ordinary struggles of existence, consumes me.
In response to my desperate demand, the fireball that had struck me earlier emerges from the opposite direction with an alarming velocity. Fear tightens its grip on me as I brace for another impending collision. The impending impact, however, doesn't materialize in the destructive force I anticipated. Instead, just before contact, the fireball erupts into a mesmerizing explosion of light.
The once-fiery mass undergoes a spectacular metamorphosis, transforming into a shape both unfamiliar and otherworldly. Before me now stands a colossal figure made entirely of light, a being of majestic radiance. The celestial giant exudes an aura of profound energy, transcending the familiar bounds of earthly comprehension.
As I fix my gaze upon this luminescent entity, a wave of awe crashes over me. The earlier fear and confusion that clung to my thoughts dissipate, replaced by an overwhelming sense of wonder. It becomes increasingly clear that this ethereal entity is no ordinary force; it is something that exists beyond the confines of my understanding.
The radiant giant suddenly explodes in a burst of blinding light. The luminous eruption engulfs me entirely, wrapping me in a celestial embrace. My surroundings dissolve into brilliance, the intensity of the radiance overwhelming my senses.
As the cosmic explosion envelops me, I feel a strange and profound connection to the very fabric of the universe. The boundaries between self and the cosmic forces blur, and for a fleeting moment, I am part of the cosmic dance of light and energy.
The brilliant spectacle becomes an all-encompassing force, and my consciousness slips away like a leaf caught in a cosmic current. The last thing I register is the overwhelming glow before everything fades into an indistinct void.
o-0-o
I gasp, my eyes snapping open in the dim light of a familiar room. My breaths come in uneven intervals as I struggle to orient myself. The ceiling above me looks all too familiar—it's my room, and I'm lying in my own bed.
A quick assessment reveals that my clothes are damp, clinging uncomfortably to my skin. It dawns on me that I must have been sweating profusely. But the disquieting residue of the dream lingers, casting a shadow over the tangible reality of my room.
I glance at the clock; it reads three in the morning. The digital display does little to dispel the lingering unease. I sit up, my mind still a whirlwind of thoughts and images from the vivid dream. Was it all just a product of my subconscious, a bad dream with no bearing on reality?
As I ponder, a sudden realization jolts me into alertness. How did I get home? When did I get home? The memory of those two mysterious lights in the sky floods back, and I remember one vanishing into the darkness. But as for the other one...
"Ack!" I clutch my head in pain, a sharp ache radiating through my skull. Frustration builds as I struggle to recall anything that happened after the lights disappeared. It's as if a fog has settled over my memories, obscuring the events that followed. The throbbing headache only intensifies the sense of disorientation, leaving me grasping at fragments of a puzzle that refuses to come together.
Feeling the persistent throb in my head, I decide to head to the bathroom in search of aspirin. Careful not to disturb my sleeping father, I navigate the familiar terrain of our home with quiet steps. I steal a glance at the living room; Dad lies on the couch, television still flickering with some late-night news. Classic Dad, dozing off mid-program.
In the bathroom, I head straight to the sink. Opening the mirrored cabinet, I locate the aspirin tucked away on the top shelves. Popping a couple of pills, I swallow them down with a gulp, hoping for a quick reprieve from the persistent headache.
As I stand there, a quick self-assessment in the mirror reveals a tired face staring back at me. Feeling like a rag, I decide a splash of water would do wonders. I turn on the tap, and the cool water splashes over my face, the sensation bringing a refreshing jolt to my body. It's as if the water washes away not only the physical exhaustion but also the lingering residue of the unsettling dream that still echoes in the recesses of my mind. I take a moment, watching the droplets fall, and when I glance back into the mirror, I find a slightly revived version of myself staring back.
I scoop the water once again, relishing the refreshing sensation as it cascades over my face. Droplets fall like a gentle rain, offering a momentary escape from the remnants of the disconcerting dream. The cool water provides a revitalizing touch, awakening my senses from the lingering fog of sleep.
After the impromptu splash, I reach for the hand towel. Drying my face with deliberate strokes, I catch my reflection in the mirror once more. At first, everything seems ordinary, the familiar contours of my face staring back at me.
And then, my blood runs cold.
Staring back at me is something that looks like me but not me at the same time. Its appearance mirrors mine in every detail—except that its entire body is covered in intricate, glowing reddish-colored lines. These lines weave a mesmerizing pattern across its form, emitting an otherworldly glow. The eyes, where my reflection's eyes should be, are instead glowing with a light as intense as the sun.
A shiver courses through me as I stare at this uncanny version of myself. The bathroom seems to hold its breath, the air charged with an inexplicable tension. It's as if the very fabric of reality has momentarily unraveled, revealing a distorted reflection that defies the laws of the mundane world.
Fear and disbelief intertwine as I continue to meet the gaze of this surreal doppelgänger, trapped within the confines of the bathroom mirror.
A chill courses through my veins as the surreal reflection in the mirror comes to life. Ever so slightly, its lips move, forming a subtle smile that sends shivers down my spine. The eyes, glowing intensely, fixate on me with an otherworldly gaze that seems to penetrate the very depths of my being.
A sense of unease settles in the room as the silence stretches, broken only by the soft hum of the bathroom's ventilation. The distorted version of myself continues to smile, its intention is beyond me.
"A..." I stammer, taking a hesitant step back. As quickly as my feet can carry me, I bolt out of the bathroom, the unsettling reflection still etched in my mind. The boundaries between the ordinary and the inexplicable blur as I race back into the safety of my room upstairs.
Slamming the door shut behind me, I feel a rush of adrenaline coursing through my veins. Panic takes hold as I mutter to myself, "What the fuck! What the fucking fuck!" The expletives spill out like a desperate mantra, an attempt to grasp the reality of the inexplicable encounter.
I lean against the closed door, my breaths coming in rapid succession. The echoes of my own swearing fill the room, a feeble attempt to drown out the lingering unease. The ordinary contours of my room offer a stark contrast to the surreal experience in the bathroom, but the fear lingers still.
As my heart continues to race from the bizarre encounter in the bathroom, I suddenly hear footsteps approaching from outside my room. A knock follows, and my dad's concerned voice breaks through the tension, asking, "Tay, honey, you alright?"
Relief floods over me at the sound of his voice. I need to reassure him, make everything seem normal. "I-I'm fine! I was just a bit... startled! There was a cockroach, and I was surprised!" I hastily respond, concocting a white lie to conceal the inexplicable encounter with the mirror.
"Cockroach? Huh, wonder where it came from," Dad muses. "But, are you sure you're alright? You dashed off upstairs like Road Runner!" His tone carries a hint of jest, an attempt to lighten the mood and show his concern.
I manage a smile, trying to match his attempt at humor. "I'm fine, Dad. I'm... going back to sleep. Don't want to be late to school."
"Alright, then. Sweet dream, honey," Dad says, his voice carrying the warmth of a parent who cares. But then, as if a thought strikes him, he adds, "Oh, and Taylor, you should've told me you're that talented in cooking. I've never tasted an apple pie as tasty as the one you made."
The words hang in the air, their weight settling on my bewildered mind. What did he just say? My attempt to dismiss the compliment as I mumble, "I-it's nothing, Dad, I just followed the recipe!" feels hollow. I'm absolutely clueless as to what is going on. "A-anyway, good night!" I say, a shaky smile masking my confusion as I hurriedly jump onto the bed.
As the door closes behind me, I hear Dad's response, "Okay, good night, sweetheart," followed by the familiar sound of his footsteps receding downstairs. Left alone in the silence, I sit on the edge of my bed, staring at my hands as if they hold the answers to the inexplicable.
I don't remember ever making an apple pie for him. Scratch that, I don't even know how to make one in the first place. A wave of unease washes over me as the discrepancy between Dad's words and my reality becomes increasingly apparent.
"Just..." I close my eyes, feeling a sense of terror creeping in. "Just what's happening to me?" The question hangs in the air, unanswered. If this is all just a bad dream, I would like to wake up from it very soon, escape the disconcerting reality that seems to be warping around me.
o-0-o
A/N: The scene where Taylor encounters Nexus directly mirrors the scene where the protagonist of Ultraman The Next first encounters Ultraman.