Chapter 26: The Past
"Who... who are you?"
"I am you, Alex, from a future that you can't remember. There's no time to explain everything now, but I need you to trust me".
"Trust you? Why should I?"
"Because I've seen the darkness that awaits us, and I've come back to prevent it. Our lives are in danger, and I need your help."
"Our lives? What do you mean?"
"There are forces at play, Alex, forces that seek to destroy everything we hold dear. But together, we can stop them. I'll guide you, give you the knowledge you need. We can change our fate."
"Change our fate... How?"
"Let me show you my memory"
---
In the depths of Alex's consciousness, a shadowy realm unfolded—a surreal landscape that mirrored the fragmented memories of his second soul. It was a place where time was a malleable construct, and the echoes of his future self's betrayals resonated like distant thunder.
Alex's Future soul, a specter of his future self, navigating a desolate, twilight realm. In this ethereal space, he encounters fragmented memories of his past life, each one marked by a betrayal. These betrayals come from various quarters—the government he once served, trusted friends, clandestine organizations—each a jagged shard in the mosaic of his fractured existence.
In one battle, he faced a former ally who had become a relentless adversary, wielding words as sharp as blades. In another, he stood against an entire government agency, their faces hidden behind masks of indifference. Each confrontation left him drained, but he had to press on.
His first mission was a success—a covert operation that prevented a catastrophic terrorist attack. He became a celebrated hero overnight, but little did he know that his dedication would soon become a curse.
As the sun dipped below the towering skyscrapers, casting long shadows over The Core, Alex walked through the bustling streets, his every move watched by the ever-watchful eyes of the government. The weight of his success and the expectations of the nation bore down on him.
Days turned into weeks, and the euphoria of victory waned. One fateful evening, Alex was summoned to the very government agency he had served with unwavering loyalty. He arrived, expecting commendation and honor. Instead, he was met with icy stares and accusations of treason.
Stripped of his rank, his identity erased, Alex became a fugitive in the city he had once called home. With no allies and no place to turn, he embarked on a desperate quest to uncover the truth behind his betrayal. The government's power was vast, and their reach extended into every corner of The Core.
Alex's journey led him through the underbelly of the metropolis, where he encountered a clandestine network of rebels who had suffered similar betrayals. Together, they pieced together the sinister plot that had cast him into the abyss of betrayal. He learned that his successful mission had inadvertently exposed high-level corruption within the government.
To cover up their own misdeeds, the government had framed him for crimes he didn't commit. They had erased his existence, leaving behind a trail of false evidence and manipulated records. But Alex was determined to reclaim his life and bring the real traitors to justice.
In the shadows of The Core, he trained with the rebels, honing his skills and preparing for the ultimate showdown. His journey would lead him to confront not only the government but also the dark secrets hidden beneath the gleaming facade of the metropolis.
As the city's neon lights flickered to life, painting the night in a surreal glow, Alex knew that the path ahead was treacherous. He was no longer the patriot he once was; he had become a symbol of resistance, a beacon of hope for those who had lost faith in their government.
----
Future Alex drifted through the ethereal realm, caught in the relentless ebb and flow of time. Shadows danced around him, shaping themselves into phantoms from his past. They were the faces of those he had once trusted, the ones who had turned their backs on him in his future life. The pain of those betrayals still haunted him, even in this fragmented state.
As Alex delved deeper into these memories, it became evident that something or someone had tampered with the recollections. Critical details were missing or obscured, leaving Future Alex with only a vague sense of who betrayed him and why. It was a frustrating puzzle that eluded easy solutions.
He watched as memories played out before him like disjointed scenes from a surreal play. In one, he saw a close friend handing him over to government agents, a betrayal that had cost him his freedom. In another, he witnessed a secret organization using his skills for nefarious purposes, leaving him morally adrift.
'Is this... is this really my future? Can it be avoided? How can I trust this shadowy figure, my future self, when I can't even remember these events clearly?'
As he watched the memories unfold before him, a deep unease gnawed at his consciousness. The blurred recollections seemed to taunt him, like faded glimpses of a nightmare he couldn't fully grasp
Amidst the fragments, the second soul detected a recurring presence—a shadowy figure that seemed to lurk at the periphery of every memory. This enigmatic manipulator, the architect of the blurriness surrounding the betrayals, left behind cryptic messages and riddles.
"You cannot trust your own recollections, Alex," Future Alex's voice echoed through the void. "Your memories have been altered, and the truth has been veiled."
The Metropolis, once a thriving hub of civilization, now lay in ruins. Its towering skyscrapers were reduced to smoldering rubble, and the streets were filled with the acrid stench of destruction. Fires raged unchecked, casting an eerie glow over the devastated landscape.
"They destroyed it all, didn't they? And for what? To eliminate me? To bury their own crimes? This is madness."
As the echoes of his future self's voice resonated through the ethereal realm, Alex felt a flicker of hope amidst the chaos.
"If there's a chance to alter this bleak future, to unveil the truth, I can't let fear or doubt hold me back. I'll need to tread carefully, gather information, and perhaps... Live longer".
Amid the chaos, Alex struggled to stay conscious. He had been wounded in the ambush and had narrowly escaped with his life. But as he hobbled through the decimated city, he realized that there was nothing left for him here.
The government, in their relentless pursuit of him, had triggered a cataclysmic event that had razed the metropolis to the ground. It was a stark reminder of their ruthlessness and their willingness to sacrifice everything in their quest to silence him.
As Alex moved through the wreckage, memories of the city he had once called home flooded his mind. He remembered the bustling streets, the vibrant nightlife, and the sense of purpose he had felt as an assassin serving his country.
But now, all that remained were the echoes of a shattered past. The metropolis was no more, and with it, the life that Alex had known. He had become a fugitive, hunted by the very government he had once served.
Despite his injuries, Alex knew he had to keep moving. The government's forces were still out there, and they would stop at nothing to eliminate him. He needed to find a way to expose their corruption, to reveal the truth about their betrayal.
Until One day:
Alex Being Ambushed and Die with Metropolis Disaster and calamity
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone