Cherreads

Chapter 2 - The Smile That Wasn't Real

Scene1: Fading Memories

The wind was gentle—too gentle. A soft golden light spread across the land as Elyon stepped through the hills toward the village of Divine land. From afar, it looked exactly as he remembered it: rooftops shimmered under the sunlight, smoke curled lazily from chimneys, and the fields swayed in rhythm with the breeze. Laughter drifted on the air, the kind that felt pure and warm, and for a moment, it seemed as though time itself had stopped moving.

He paused at the village entrance, his boots pressing against old cobblestone worn smooth by years yet still strong. This path had carried him here once before, during days of war and pain. Now, it was only peace—an unsettling, too-perfect peace. A small voice broke the stillness. "Elyon!" A boy ran to him with arms wide, clinging to his waist with joyous laughter. Behind the boy, people emerged from houses, fields, and narrow lanes—farmers, smiths, children, mothers. "You came back," the boy said. "We knew you would," an elderly woman added through tears. "You promised," another voice whispered.

Elyon smiled faintly, though a strange discomfort stirred within him. Every face shone with warmth, every hand reached toward him, every eye glimmered with gratitude—and yet, something was wrong. The wind had stopped. The trees were still. No birds sang overhead. The sunlight felt heavy, not bright. The voices were too perfect, too clean, like rehearsed lines on a stage.

He gently pulled back from the boy. "What time is it?" he asked quietly. The boy tilted his head, his smile turns into a emotionless face. "Why didn't u come... You would have saved us ."

Then came a sharp, cracking sound, like glass breaking. Only a voice full of scream hears. Everyone was screaming." You were our hope our Hero. Why didn't save us. ".The boy froze mid-breath, his expression twitching before a black line split across his cheek—and with a whisper of wind, his body crumbled into dust.

 

Scene2: Village Hidden in Illusion 

One by one, the villagers followed. The woman with tears in her eyes, the farmer in the back, the child holding a flower—all shattered into black ash that scattered soundlessly. Buildings dissolved, the sky dimmed, and the entire village evaporated. Everything turned red... walls seem like bleeding. Elyon stood alone in a vast field of ash and bloodless corpses. For a long moment, he said nothing. Only his cloak soaked in blood and it stirred as a cold wind replaced the gentle one from before.

Armored boots approached behind him. The elite squad arrived, their steps heavy and cautious. The captain knelt. "My lord, we are sorry. Divine land has murder by someone ." Another soldier stepped forward, holding something in his gauntleted hand. "There's no one alive. Someone brutally killed everyone." He handed Elyon a pendent.

Elyon instantly recognized the pendent. It was given by a girl. She was the fan and also took training under Elyon. She was supposed to be newly candidate for the Elite squad. Elyon had a great bond. Elyon ragged out with overwhelmed energy

Scene3: The Dazzling Pendent 

Elyon stared at the message, his eyes darkening. "Don't tell me… she was here too.?" *Elyon said with a red in his eyes.*. He looked to the sky; the wind had stopped again, and the light dimmed further. The silence felt heavy—not empty, but as if something was listening.

The pendent burned cold in his palm. He wore it and began walking across the field of ash without another word, his soldiers following in silence. Far beyond the blackened hills, unseen by any of them, something shifted in the air—a faint shimmer, like a tear in space. It did not move. It only watched. A soldier tried to ask but the leader stopped him. "Not now" *leader whispered.* Elyon kept circling and stopped after few rounds. He took out the pendent and hold by its thread and the crystal started to swaying. It started to shine, a dazzling beam flashed on everyone eyes. For a moment all eyes blanked out.

Finally glow of light dimmed. Elyon was not there. A soldier noticed from the sky. " Leader look over Sir Elyon is in sky." *soldier said point toward the sky* Elyon came down wearing the pendent. But now its look different. Even Elyon's eyes become white completely. "I've seen through a glimpse of past. I couldn't see his face but somehow it looks familiar. My people I'm sorry I was unaware. I know I broke your trust. I was your Protector. I am bowing myself to you. I have seen how that bloody bastard. I will make sure. I will avenge you all. " * Elyon gave god like speech.*

 

Scene 4: The Girl's Final Echo

The pendant pulses softly in Elyon's hand, casting a faint sapphire glow across his face. His breath catches as the world around him begins to shift — the Divine Land materializes like a memory half-forgotten, half-sacred. The air is still, heavy with silence, and the wind moves like a whisper of something ancient.

In the center of this ethereal space, a girl sits alone beneath a pale tree, her back slightly hunched as she writes in a worn journal. Her hair sways gently, touched by the wind, but her expression is distant — not sad, not afraid, just… resolved. Her voice is barely audible, but it carries through the vision like a prayer.

She closes the journal slowly, her fingers trembling as if sealing her final truth. Then, a scream — distant, raw, and haunting — slices through the quiet. She turns sharply, her eyes wide for a moment. But when she sees the shadow approaching, she doesn't run. She doesn't scream. She simply stands, facing it.

 

Raven's silhouette emerges from the mist, dark and towering, his presence almost mythic. The girl looks at him — with fear in her eyes. She understood its last moment. In front of her was a monster. He will never space her life. Grace. Her voice is barely a whisper now, but it carries the weight of everything she's ever felt. It was heavy aura that she felt its already sucking her energy, courage of standing

"Help me Elyon...." *she screamed with fear*

Suddenly a blade cut through her chest, covering her in blood. In next second she was being healed, she was confused. But in next moment she was being beheaded again. Its became a never ending cycle for her. And then, the vision begins to fracture. The Divine Land cracks like glass under pressure, shards of memory scattering into the void. Elyon gasps, falling to his knees, the pendant burning in his grip. His eyes are wide, filled with something between grief and revelation. He clutches the pendant like it's the last piece of her soul — the final echo of a girl who chose to face the storm.

"She was calling me.... for my help." *he said with a disappointed and angered look* .The leader come to him. "My lord when we had arrived here we found a circle... It was a mark of Eternal domain. We are actually we think that its someone from outside... from somewhere in space. I heard that Hoomanoid Creatures are capable of performing this art. We are sorry my lord we couldn't become much capable as you are.... We cant protect anything without. " *the leader said with a sad and hopeless expression and started to cry* Elyon put his hand on his shoulder. "Dont worry This time i will be careful."*Elyon said with brilliant smile.*

Scene5: Aura Farming

The whispers should not have reached him. They were low, carried only between armored men who thought themselves careful. But Elyon heard them all the same — every word striking sharper than any blade.

"What if he is stronger than our Sir hero?"*a soldier said in front of Elyon*

The words echoed, venomous, burning into him. His hand clenched around the pendant, the sapphire light inside flickering violently. His chest rose with a ragged breath as the air around him thickened. The wind stopped moving. The earth seemed to wait. His immense energy spreads everywhere

"Then, without warning, the ground erupted. A magical circle started to form... Yes its an Eternal domain"*Narrator ne full ekdam maze lete hua kaha* (Narrator said like he was enjoying this)

A vast circle of shifting glyphs ignited beneath Elyon's feet, spreading outward like cracks of molten fire tearing across the land. The Eternal Domain had awakened — but this time, it was no measured display of divine balance. It was chaos incarnate, his frustration gtiven form.

At that moment soldier knew they were cooked.... "We can withstand here..... runnn.... OPEN THE PORTAL"*leader realised and scream to escape from here.* The portol opened everyone gather here straight jump to portal.

"Eternal Domain..... Region of Thunder" From the blackened heavens, lightning poured in torrents.Each strike left the scent of ozone and smoke, splitting open stone roads and reducing ancient trees to cinders. Bolts chained endlessly, a storm that gave no pause, as if the skies themselves sought to obey his rage.

"There was no water droplets.... just pure lighting..."*Editor sahab ki thodi si tipadi*(Editor's comment)

"Bursting Flame" followed. The trembling ground split apart with deafening cracks, great fissures opening like the earth itself had been wounded. Lava burst upward in violent geysers, molten fire clawing its way into the air. Whole patches of land collapsed into searing pits, consumed by fire that burned with the hunger of a thousand suns.

"Hori maiya... Pani ki jarurat hai hame....Mahol toda garam hogya" *Editor invaded again*

"Frozen Terren...."*Elyon shouted with a evil laugh*

The searing heat was smothered in an instant as a killing frost swept through the domain. Flames sputtered, froze, and shattered into crystalline shards. Lava rivers solidified mid-flow, transformed into monstrous black-and-ice spires that jutted from the earth like jagged teeth.

The three attributes collided and devoured one another in a storm of contradictions — fire against frost, thunder against silence, life against death. And at the center of it all stood Elyon, cloak whipping violently in the unnatural winds, his hair glowing with streaks of lightning, his eyes two sun of burning white.

The soldiers staggered, their hearts pounding as their very souls trembled. They watched the scene of destruction from the base. Their auras bled out of them, pulled toward Elyon like moths dragged helplessly into a furnace. To the common eye, it would look like blessings pouring from the faithful to their god. But to the elite, it felt like suffocation — like the life was being stolen from their bodies.

Through it all, Elyon's voice rose above the chaos — a declaration that made even the storm itself fall silent for a heartbeat:

"I am the chosen one! No shadow, no false god will ever take my throne!"*Elyon declared*

And then, just as suddenly, it ended. Elyon snaps his finger. A black sphere appeared sucking everything within its space.

The thunder died. The fires guttered out. The frost cracked and melted into nothingness. The Eternal Domain collapsed into silence, leaving only a wasteland of charred stone and shattered earth where once there had been life. Everything was back to normal

 

"Wow kuch jada hi hora ab... Aura farming karne ki koshish hori kyaa... Kya matlab meine hi likha hai ye wala part" *editor sahab bich mei bolte hue*(editor interrupted again)

 

Elyon stood alone in the ruin, the pendant dim once more in his hand. His chest heaved, but his face betrayed nothing. Slowly, almost gently, he raised his head and let a faint smile curl at his lips.

 "Forgive me,"* he whispered, voice soft enough to be mistaken for prayer. My anger burns too fiercely for this world."*Elyon was apologizing* He was sorrying what he just did now... His angered burst out

And as the last echoes of thunder faded into silence, his soldiers, hidden beyond the portal, could not decide whether they had witnessed the wrath of a savior… or the birth of a tyrant.

When the portal finally stabilized and spat the squad back into the world outside the Domain, the soldiers collapsed to their knees. They were all terrifying in fear. Their body was trembling with fear, armor clattering against stone. Some clutched their throats as if they were still suffocating, others wiped blood that leaked from their noses and ears.

Even though Elyon had stopped, his aura followed them like a curse. The very air outside the portal felt Even they were not present there. They can sense his threatening immense aura from the base, heavy with his presence, every heartbeat echoing like it was still chained to him.

"We… we weren't even inside anymore, and still… it felt like he was here."* One soldier dared to speak, his voice cracked with terror*

"That wasn't divine light. That was… something else."* Another whispered, unable to meet anyone's eyes:"*

The captain silenced them sharply, but even his own hand was trembling around the hilt of his blade. He remembered Elyon's smile — calm, apologetic, almost tender — and that expression haunted him more than the thunder, fire, or frost.

"I'm sorry I lost myself... Dont need to fear.... It was my fault i shoudnt reacted this much."*Elyon tries to calm his squad*. He realized he was much loosen himself. Hey again raised his hand. A glowing sphere of light is emerging. It shoot towards the sky. A light warm lovely vibe emerged. It was blessing from him. Soldier loved it. Their fear had gone completely. All them were blessed with his power.

"Mates Lets get back.."*Elyon said to his sword* Portal opened, everyone jump to portal and returned back to base. The soldier who said that 'is someone who is stronger...' had apologies to Elyon. Its alright,"*Elyon said with a smile*..... "But now....Listen everyone u all are my Elite Squad that I created for people's protection.... We need to find who killed my beloved my people..... All of you.. Im counting on you.....*Elyon gave his speech but the scene now shift to someone who was repeating the same words*

"....find the person for me. We have to do justice to our people...blah blahh blah"*a unknown girl said with some sarcastic tone. She was on the hill, seeing everything. There was one more person a unknown boy.

"Aaila... Ye dono kon agye ab... Aur Elyon ne inhe notice nhi kiya... Noob Elyon" *Editor ki tipadi jaruri h* (Editor commnet)

 

Scene6: The Eternal Flames

The tension in the air was almost tangible as the newcomers stepped onto the ground, the faint hum of energy vibrating beneath their feet. She smirked, glancing at Elyon from afar, her eyes alight with mischief. "Well, well, look who's pretending to be brave," she said softly, her voice carrying just enough mockery to sting, though only the boy seemed to notice. The others chuckled quietly, joining in the silent amusement.

With a flourish, she pulled out a Purple Apple, its surface shimmering as if it held the essence of the night sky itself. "Watch closely," she whispered, planting it into the earth. The ground trembled beneath them as the apple burrowed roots into the soil, twisting and writhing. Within moments, a tree erupted skyward, its branches writhing like living tendrils. A subtle glow began emanating from its bark, absorbing every trace of lingering energy from the surroundings, as though the tree itself were hungry.

The boy stepped forward, dagger in hand, his movements precise and deliberate. "Stand back," he muttered, almost to himself. With careful motions, he stabbed the tree from four side, the metal sinking into the bark. Immediately, the tree responded, lighting up with a vibrant violet glow, its brilliance reflecting off every droplet of rain that had not yet fallen.

 

Clouds above churned unnaturally fast, gathering with an ominous energy, and soon, purple rain began to pour, each droplet glowing faintly like liquid gemstones. Lisa couldn't resist. She leapt forward, twirling beneath the first drops. "Ohhh, Zayn! Look at you, all serious and boring, Say something.And here I am, dancing in magical rain!" she teased,... futher she said "u should also have fun likrrrrrr..." She fell of the groud while teasing him. Enjoying her laughter cutting through the charged atmosphere.

Zayn groaned, tightening his grip on the dagger. "Lisa, this isn't a game. Focus," he muttered, though a flicker of exasperation—and maybe even amusement—crossed his face.

"Actually ye londa kudh se hi bolta h..... Itna low bologe kon sun payega..." *Editor's interruption is back*

Lisa stood up and twirled closer, hands on her hips, her voice dropping to a dramatic whisper. "Oh, don't act so tough! You think stabbing a glowing tree makes you scary? Please… you're practically glowing more than it is!" She said with clapped on his back.

The tree pulsed in response, glowing brighter as if reacting to the rain and Zayn's stabs. Lightning-like sparks ran along the branches, illuminating Lisa's laughing face. She danced around him, pretending to dodge imaginary attacks. "Careful! The purple rain might melt that serious face of yours!"

Zayn's patience thinned, but the corner of his mouth twitched involuntarily. "Lisa… just stop."

"Awwww.... Stop? Stop?! No way!" she squealed, spinning again. "You're too funny when you're serious! Honestly, I think the glowing trees is more interesting and enjoying then you.... hahhahaha!"

"Poor Zayn bhai... "*Editor full maze lete hue*

The purple rain came to a sudden stop, the last droplets steaming away as they kissed the ground. The tree stood tall and glowing, its roots pulsing with absorbed energy. Then the earth rumbled, splitting open with a thunderous crack, and from the jagged fissures burst a torrent of fire, clawing its way toward the sky like a beast finally unleashed. The flames should have consumed everything, yet they smashed against an invisible wall that rippled and held fast—the barrier woven around the tree.

 

Lisa's eyes lit up, her laughter bubbling over the roar of the fire. "Ohhho! Our little tree gave birth to a volcano, and what do we have to save the day?" She clapped, half mocking, half delighted.

 

Zayn said nothing. He pulled her back, stepped forward , his dagger catching the glow of the flames, reflecting streaks of violet and crimson along its blade. His movements were calm, deliberate—almost too slow for the other around them. The barrier shimmered violently, distorting the fire within like a caged storm, daring him to approach.

 

Lisa cupped her hands to her mouth, calling out in a sing-song voice, "Careful\~! One wrong move and—*poof!*—you'll be the first man in history to roast marshmallows with your own face."

 

Zayn ignored her. His grip tightened, and with a swift flick, he spun the dagger in his hand. The motion was fluid, almost mesmerizing, as though the weapon was an extension of his very will. Then, in a heartbeat, he slashed the blade forward, carving a streak of light across the barrier. Sparks exploded where steel met magic, the air humming with a sharp, electric crack.

The barrier rippled, resisting, but Zayn didn't stop. He struck again—four precise cuts, each faster than the last, each blow ringing like steel on glass. His movements blurred, the dagger flashing in arcs that seemed choreographed yet deadly, a dance of destruction etched into the very air.

Lisa whistled, leaning lazily against a root. "Woohoo!, well… look at him go. Who knew Mister Serious had style? Its hard to admit but Im impressed!" She winked at him through the violet light. "Almost makes me want to cheer for you… almost."

With a final strike, Zayn drove the dagger straight into the center of the barrier. For a moment, time seemed to freeze—the flames behind the barrier surging upward, the dagger glowing white-hot, the air splitting with tension. Then, with a deafening crack, the barrier shattered into fragments of light, dissolving like glass dust in the wind.

 

The fire roared outward, no longer trapped, but instead of consuming everything, it bent and flowed around Zayn, as if acknowledging his dominance. He pulled the dagger free, spinning it back into his grip with a flourish before lowering it to his side. His eyes stayed cold, his breathing steady—untouched by the storm he had just broken.

Lisa clapped again, louder this time, her grin stretching ear to ear. "Ohhh, that was marvelous! The fire bows to you, the barrier breaks for you, and you don't even smudge your hair. Admit it, Zayn, you practice that in front of a mirror."

Zayn gave her the faintest glance, his expression unreadable, and turned back toward the still-glowing tree. The crowd might never know why the fire had been called, but the sight of Zayn neutralizing it—stylish, ruthless, and untouchable—was enough to etch this moment into memory.

"Dark Sphere....." Lisa move forward her hand and form a dark energy that revolved along her hands. Its like a darkness that steal all the light around him. There was catch... "Whattttt! even dark sphere have a difficulty to absorb the Eternal Flame." *Lisa groaned* *.... "Hmph... So i guess i have no choice.... Divine Absorption  " Atmosphere trembled... It was seen that light and darkness come together, her other hand was covered with hope, a light that ate the burnings. She moved her hand closer, its was high flow of energy. Area around them tensed with wind storm. Even wind surrendered to her.

"Aaila Wind ne kya 3 cups coffee galat li... Mei toh gatki hai" *Editor nhi sudherga* (Editor's interruption is permanent)

A fusion of faith and despair began. Both power merged and form a giant ball. Finally flames had admitted his defeat. "Phew... That was cool na...." She was pinning her finger on his cheeks. A portal opened. A red in black figure was approaching them. "Elyon bro... We captured the Eternal flames..." Zayn said clearly, like he literally spoke load this time.

"Hmph!...This isnt fair. He spoke to you. My lord! I want justice....." she was pouting with cute expression on her face like baby. "Well he is bit shy u know...Thank you guys..." *Raven smiled softly with a drop of happiness in her eyes*...." Chal be!!.... emotional mat kar ab" *Lisa was smiling too *

 

 To be Continued.....

 

 

 

 

 

 

Scene69: Author and Editor ki Baat chhit (Btw its imp)

Author's entry :" Raven smiled... Areee ye kya hora... Zayn bhai bhi toh unke sath.... Editor bhayu smile karra tha type karna bhul gya kya... Teri salary cut kar dunga"

Editor: "Hattt!... Badaa Tu salary deta h jaise merko.... Aur haa dosto aage jada kuch nhi hua h they left.... nd went back to their place"

Editor: "Toh ik bhot chize ajeeb si lagri hongi jo bhi padhra hoga... becuz ham log koyi explaination story nhi dere hain ik.... but wait karo... Abhi plot ki sirf starting hui hai.... We have planned lot of things for future Arcs... "

Author: "Abhi sirf ham log hamara concept, characters introduce karre hain toh bs aap wait kariye har ek chapter nayi chizo aur character se aate rahenga. Jo apko pasand aa sakte hain or maybe not"

Author & Editor : "Thank you all for those who have read... and this is just a beginning" (smile smile)

 

 

 Arigato~

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