'I could spend a lifetime wondering about the stars. If only I could grow wings and fly amongst the maze of stars.'
The milkyway galaxy was in full view. The stars twinkled and the moon shone with its ever brilliant light.
Tonight, Amaranthus stayed late in his office, and thanks to its height, the clouds below failed to obstruct the beautiful view.
After sending off Centinus and Andara, Amaranthus grew restless shortly after. His heartbeat had been at a constant one-ten bpm, and he had yet to find the cause.
In his restlessness, he decided to write all the unspoken topics of the company, the faction and its enemies, so that in the event of his disappearance or death, his two successors could accurately make decisions.
With great power, comes the envy of others. Naturally, his faction and he himself gained many enemies.
The world was still fragmented, but there were indeed organizations similar to his that had developed to a similiar level. The only unique thing about him and his faction, was its undying loyalty and unity.
He had found spies attempting to infiltrate mamy times, but the funniest thing happened in every occurrence.
They were essentially "converted."
The warmth, and welcoming hearts of his people swayed even the spies into being a part of it.
After making a speech about how important every member was, he chose to meet every single one and one by one, they gave him information about the organization they had come from, of their on volition of course.
The Unfading Heart Faction was more than ready to conquer its nearby lands, he wanted to take everything step by step, so that they remained steady.
...
At around midnight.
Amaranthus sat at his desk, quietly writing. The scribbling sound of pen on paper resounded in his quiet room, accompanied only by the soft purring of solus.
The restless feeling was still there, and his heartbeat was now at a constant one-sixty. If he didn't know any better he would've thought he had been poisoned.
As he stood up, he felt adrenaline rushing through his veins. He could almost hear how his blood rushed like a river within him.
He could no longer keep himself steady, he reached our for his backpack and weapon as he laid on the floor. After he managed to grab them, he didn't realize he had passed out.
...
"Ahh!" Amaranthus screamed out as he sat up in his bed. Beads of sweat covered his forehead.
He looked down at himself, only to realize that his clothes were damp beneath the sheets and blanket.
He grabbed the edges of his blanket and flipped it, only to see knee stumps with blood pouring out. His blood pressure spiked and he passed out again due to the distress.
Hours later his body jerked, a feeling of danger caused him to awake in a panic.
He jumped out of bed and reached out for his weapon. He vigilantly looked around the room, only to see nothing amiss.
"Am I going crazy?" Amaranthus questioned himself as he put the blade away, his knees hurt a bit while he walked to the bathroom to freshen up.
He looked down at his legs as he recalled the nightmare he had the night before. Bewildered, he continued his morning routine.
...
The days flew by.
He eventually conquered the world. Months, into years.
His heart grew uneasy.
'I never wanted to conquer the world. What's going on?' His voice echoed within his mind, it was nothing but a whisper.
He eventually found a woman who he built a life around. Years, into a lifetime.
'My heart is too empty to pursue that sort of fulfillment. What's going on?! Why am I going against my believes??!!' His voiced firmly echoed.
He carried his grandchildren, as he gave up everything to stay with his wife and children.
'No! No! I refuse to accept this! What kind of bullshit is this?! I would never give up! I still want to find my parents! My brother and sister! I don't want to give up!'
He laid on his deathbed, his wife pale and cold to the touch, laid beside him.
'Wake up! Wake up! You fool, you are going to fail!! WAKE UP!'
I'm so tired.. It was a good life.
'AHHHHH! Fuck off! I WON'T YIELD! WAKE UP! I CAN'T LEAVE THEM ALONE! MY PEOPLE STILL NEED ME!!!'
His vision started to fade as a deadly silence occupied his mind.
'I.. REFUSE.. I.. R-refuse.. I can't.. fail..'
Endless darkness, like an everlasting nilhility.
A small flame flickered within the darkness, it's pale gold flame defying the encroaching darkness; almost as if it were alive. Or close to death.
The more the darkness tried to snuff it out, the more brazenly it burned. The oppression almost acted as it's fuel source.
It grew, and grew. It's heat warping the darkness as it started to light the space surrounding it.
The Unfading Fire raged!
*BOOM*
The darkness cracked and turned to ash as it was consumed by the rageful fire!
"I will not fade into nothingness." A firm and guttural voice echoed within the empty space.
...
*Gasp!*
Amaranthus gasped for air as he opened his eyes.
A dark forest full of giant trees greeted his sight, as an unnerving silenced stuffed his ears.