tex

A Hero Tale {Complete}

"Haha, the order thought you were far denser than this, Jenso. You're a lot smarter than you let on! Those good fer' nothin... ehem." Nexus put his drink down and exhaled. "You merely need to find yourself asking more questions, and challenging your morals. Much like that Vampire has insisted time and time again, with his peculiar sword calling the shots. You have all the time in the world now, to think on your mistakes, in this placebo of a heaven."

A Hero Tale {Complete}

"When I was a boy," Nexus started, moments after Jenso stopped, "I fell in love with a beautiful girl. Alexia. She was the most intelligent young woman I'd ever seen in my life. For years, I'd studied just to get a single chance to share my thoughts with her on multi-dimensional theory. I'd hold demonstrations, break new grounds with my research, and even impress the high counsels of Primeiria, the world where I hail from. Not once did she recognize me. Not once did she even pay me a passing glance, and it had always felt like everything I'd done was for nothing after each failure to get her eyes pointed in my direction. It was only after I'd stripped myself of the thought, when I began working for myself, slowing down, and making strides at a comfortable pace, that I became happy. It was also only after that, when the woman had approached me of her own accord, seeking my help." Nexus paused and lowered his cup. "Sad, isn't it?"

A Hero Tale {Complete}

"You're impatient," Nexus whispered, raising his hands and conjuring up a blue glass of liquid for himself. "I would offer you some, but my Ki has unfortunate effects on others," He sighed. Nexus sipped slowly and smiled with his eyes closed.

"Jenso, you go out of your way to help everyone else, and do what's best for the world, but you never take a moment to relax. To meditate. You're caught indefinitely between your morals and your pride, made a slave of heroism and righteous judgement. You remind me of myself, so vividly. Another curious thought. I think you're too obsessed with that idea- The idea that you can stop the order, or save everyone. It's not realistic, even less now than before. Even though you say it to me, you don't believe that it's all lost, do you. Perhaps you'd love to try and convince me to send you back, or force my hand, or anything at all, desperately trying to retake a test that you were doomed to fail from the start. Have you ever considered just... Studying?"

A Hero Tale {Complete}

Nexus shrugged. "I was hoping we could both learn a little about you, Jenso. I already know more than most, through observing you all this time, though," Nexus admitted, "You're exactly the kind of person I've been looking for- Somebody who I could call a friend. I sense that you may be worried that this is a waste of time, but... You should already know, there's no hope anymore. As long as you're still willing to throw your life away, and push forward on paths that all lead to your demise, I don't think we can really be... Friends."

A Hero Tale {Complete}

"That's behind you, now. There's nothing you can do about it anymore, so you have no reason to be so caught up in those nonsensical thoughts. Besides, if I sent you back now, you'd only find yourself dead again in moments. And this time, Yzeira would make sure your soul was in tatters before letting you die. If you're that eager to throw your soul away, then perhaps you've been on the wrong path this entire time." Nexus said, calmly. He patted the transparent ground and smiled. "Sit. Relax. Let's have a chat. We barely know each other, after all."

A Hero Tale {Complete}

"All I'd need to do is guide your ki back to your body. In theory, your natural regenerative powers would jump start your heart and reactivate your brain. But, I'm not going to do that. It's just a curious thought, heh." Nexus teased, sitting down and crossing his legs. "I think you need to relax."

A Hero Tale {Complete}

"Haha, maybe that's just it," Nexus quipped, "Perhaps you could go back. Your body is still in one piece, after all."

A Hero Tale {Complete}

"I did warn you. It was only a matter of time before Yzeira took notice of your shenanigans. I must admit, though. Seeing Rajaka without an arm has made this entire trek worthwhile, haha.." Nexus made himself visible to Jenso, wearing nothing but a loincloth, his mask, and several bracelets. "It's nothing to be ashamed of. If nothing else, you're far more interesting than anyone we've ever come across before. The fact that your soul hasn't been consumed by the void is... Stupendous."

A Hero Tale {Complete}

"Certainly," Nexus assured, "This must be confusing for you, being dead and all."

A Hero Tale {Complete}

"Fallen, eh?" A familiar voice called out to Jenso, pulling his body back into existence. The surrounding darkness faded in an instant, and he was shown a paradise of brilliant light and colors. Waterfalls spouted from the sky, and ended in the bright depths below what appeared to be a transparent expanse of soft grass, where Jenso found himself lying.

It was Nexus!