Shit! Am I going to die here?'
Time dilated as the wraith inched closer and closer to me.
Some say that when they are facing death, they often will see their whole life flash before their eyes. But for me, I didn't.
It was most likely due to me already witnessing my entire life earlier when I regained my memories.
Instead, I saw something different, like a dream I saw a distant world, a utopia.
In that world, there were devices that could instantly transmit messages across continents.
They were not afraid of the dark, as devices could shine sustained bright light at just a press of a button.
It was alien[home].
Before I could see more, I was dragged back to reality, facing the wraith once again.
However, seeing that scene of a distant world, I felt my heart being filled with something.
It was painful, gripping me tightly.
I didn't know what it was, but it filled me with determination I never had before. A determination to live.
'I must survive! No matter what, I must live!'
Using all the brain power I could, I commanded my body to move.
In that slowed-down world, my body slowly started to tremble. Bit by bit, it obeyed my command, eventually moving, but it was not enough.
'At this rate, I will still be killed! Move dammit!'
Now, the wraith was directly in front of my head, its mouth opening to reveal two rows of razor-sharp teeth.
I, on the other hand, barely managed to move a few centimeters away, still within its biting range.
"Bang!"
Breaking through the slowed-down world, a gunshot rang out.
Piercing through the air like a streak of white light, it hit the back of the wraith's head.
It did not manage to kill the wraith, only breaking the crown protecting its head, but it caused the wraith to jerk forward, throwing it off its course.
And that was enough.
Time resumed back at its normal pace, I barely managed to dodge, falling hard onto the ground.
Not wasting any time, I rolled my body in the opposite direction of the wraith.
'I'm... I'm alive!'
Though I avoided death once again, it wasn't over. I picked myself back up once more, putting as much distance between me and the wraith.
Covered by a hail of gunfire, I successfully escaped its attacking range.
The wraith, filled with bullet holes and half its body melted, could no longer continue. It lost speed and crashed onto the ground, the blue life pumping within its veins slowly dying out.
It was over.
I survived.
'Yes, I survived—'
"Thud."
I passed out. My body laying on the ground motionless besides some shallow breathing.
Bram and the rest finally arrived at both Victor and my side, taking out a golden charm.
Gold light fell onto both our bodies, healing our wounds.
Having only suffered bruises and scrapes besides the wound on my arm, I was healed quickly.
Victor, on the other hand, having suffered severe injuries, took longer and his wounds didn't completely disappear.
But at the very least, we all survived.
We survived this awful night.
***
My eyelids feel heavy.
My body sore all over, and my right arm still hurt like hell.
Opening my eyes, I woke up to an unfamiliar ceiling once again.
'Don't tell me I am in the hospital again...'
Sitting upright on my bed, I scanned the room.
Luckily my mother wasn't here, I can't imagine how stressful it would be if her son, who had just lost his memories, was found to be seriously injured and hospitalised again on the same day...
"Sigh."
Breathing a sigh of relief, I turned my attention back to the situation at hand.
The room I am in is most definitely not a hospital room. It was too clean... and private to be one.
It looked more like the bedroom of an inn or hotel.
Judging from the light outside, it was most likely noon of the next day. Assuming that I did not pass out for more than one day already.
'I should see if there is anyone outside.'
"Hello! Is there anyone out there?"
Shouting out loud, I looked at the door in anticipation.
"Thud. Thud. Thud."
The sound of footsteps could be heard. Judging from the sound, it had to be from someone big.
'It is probably that huge guy that kept shouting 'Hey!' the other night.'
The door creaked open and, just as expected, that huge man walked in.
"Hey! Kid, you're finally awake huh."
"Yes, I am Mr...."
"Bram! Call me Bram."
"Ok Bram."
'It seems his manner of speech is as imposing as his size...'
"First thing, I would like to thank you for saving my life yesterday."
Sitting on the bed, I bowed my upper body downwards towards him.
I am truly thankful for his, no, their help. If it wasn't for them, I would have surely died yesterday.
"Secondly, how is Victor?"
"Hmph! Victor... he will need to rest for a week or so, thanks to the healing charm he won't sustain any longer damage except for his arm. He most likely won't be able to use it properly ever again."
Upon hearing this, I felt my heart drop. The reason why Victor was that injured was partially my fault.
Feeling guilty about it, I wanted to bury my head in the pillow, not being able to look Bram in the eye.
"Sigh. Don't feel too guilty about it kid, after all, these are all risks that come with our profession."
"But still..."
"If you want, you can go to apologise to him later. But now we have other matters to attend to."
Nodding my head, I looked back up at Bram, waiting for his next words.
Just then, the door to the room opened once more.
Stepping into the room was a tall man with a deep gaze. He had long, straight navy blue hair that reached just below his neck.
He carried an air of nobility around him. Though his frame was less big than Bram's, the presence he had was at least three times more imposing than Bram's.
"Bram, is this the guy that was caught up in the wraith incident?"
He spoke in a commanding tone toward Bram while staring straight at me.
"Ah boss, yeah, this is the kid."
"Tsk. How unfortunate. When I heard that you were involved with a wraith, I had expected you to be spiritually inclined, but it seems like I was wrong... Explain to me the situation, I don't have all day."
'This guy... Who the hell does he think he is to speak to me like that...'
I was slightly annoyed by how he treated me, but I ignored it, considering the fact Bram called him boss.
"To begin, a few days ago my friend, a former professor at Blackwell University called Graham Hensley, performed a ritual to summon the wraith and I was his assistant."
"Where was this done?"
"At Professor Graham's house at Ironford Street, Blk 63. Furthermore, while he was summoning the wraith, he seemed to be chanting something, it was like a mantra of sorts."
"Tsk. Another power-hungry zealot playing with the supernatural."
'Can I punch him just once please...'
Putting on a smile to hide my annoyance at his remark, I continued to explain the story.
"Graham said something about obtaining a portion of enlightenment or something, but he was killed by the wraith immediately after that--"
"Wait! What did you just say?"
'Why is he suddenly freaking out? Did I say something wrong?'
"Huh? Graham died right after?"
"No no, the part before that. Was what he said 'Road to enlightenment'?"
"Now that you mention it, yes. That is what he said."
In that moment, the atmosphere instantly turned heavy, like a formless pressure was pressing down onto me.
"Take me there, take me to his house now!"
Both Bram and I were surprised by the blue-haired man's sudden outburst, flinching in surprise.
"Boss, what is happening?"
Bram, as perplexed as I, asked the blue-haired man.
"You don't need to know. Just get this guy to bring me to that house right away!"
Bram, letting out a soft sigh, turned towards me, his gaze soft and slightly pitying.
"Kid, can you walk?"
I nodded in response.
"In that case, could you lead us to his house right now?"
"Yes."
"In that case, let's go!"
Turning around, the blue-haired man stormed out of the room.
'Sheesh, does this guy have issues or something? Does he need a psychiatrist?'
I mused to myself before getting out of the bed.
Following Bram, I made my way down the room, going down a spiral staircase. Once we reached the second floor, I realised that we were actually in the Braveheart Bar. However, what surprised me was that there was now a giant hole in the front of the building.
'I hope I don't have to pay for that...'
"Oh, by the way, do you have the key Victor gave you?"
Bram looked at me, trying to find the key.
"Oh yes, here."
Reaching into my coat pocket, I brought out the rusty key and handed it to Bram.
Walking forward, he placed the key into an invisible keyhole, turning it. The air surrounding the key started to ripple, forming a door which swung open, revealing the physical world.
"Hurry up! We don't have time to waste."
Stepping into the door, the blue-haired man disappeared. Bram then gestured for me to follow suit.
'At last, I can finally return home...'
Taking a deep breath, I took my first step into the door, letting the light envelop me, returning back to the physical world.