SL Chapter 17 Shock


    Once again, Eric found himself within the void. Though now, the word ''void'' couldn''t do justice to the place. It was lacking. The mist, or gas, was everywhere. It was light, allowing him a visual glimpse into some of the nearer spheres of memories, but it was still there nontheless.


    But, something attracted his attention, something related to the spheres. They were moving. Previously, they had been locked in place, yet now, they were moving, as if in orbit of something. With a thought, his spiritual body was propelled upwards, all the way above the myriad spheres until he reached a suitable height, allowing him to take in all that was below him. He hadn''t been able to notice it before, but now he could see that even the mist was moving, rotating around something with the spheres. And what they were rotating around was a sphere of flames. They were bright, yet he didn''t feel any discomfort from the brightness. There was also a warmth, one which was both familiar and unfamiliar at the same time.


    So, he decided to get closer. And the warmth was increasing with every inch of space he closed between them, yet it failed to reach the point of scalding even when he came close. It was akin to a mother''s embrace, welcoming him with open arms. When he reached closer to the sphere, he was somewhat taken aback to discover that it was acting as a shell for the figure in a fetal position within it. The figure was in the shape of a humanoid, yet made of flames.


    "Mother! Are you in there?" Eric shouted out, holding a budding hope that she was there. The figure opened its eyes. He couldn''t see any such features upon its face, yet he was certain that it had opened its eyes. It gazed at him from within the sphere before reaching out with an arm, stroking his cheek gently, yet Eric was certain that there was only a small inkling of his mother within.


    In reality, his body, that had been seated upon the bed, had its closed eyelids let out silent tears.


    Back within his spiritual space, the memory of his mother doing the exact same action superimposed itself upon the reality before him. A mixed bag of emotions warred within him before ultimately, a measure of relief was the only one left behind. Atleast some part of her had still managed to survive, right?


    Though, he still couldn''t let go of the small pang of disappointment within his heart. Ultimately, a sigh, one filled with lonesome energy escaped his lips before he willed himself to exit this space.


    Upon appearing back in the real world, he wiped away his tears, and then, mentally prepared himself to call upon his power only for the rudimentary bot in the room to notify him of the arrival of a package. At first he was puzzled, but then he remembered the boss lady''s last words.


    With a verbal acknowledgement, the door slid open and a trolley rolled inside, with another bot pushing it. Atop it, there were some neatly placed items in a bag.


    After it left with the trolley, he opened the bag and retrieved the items within, which were composed of a cream white shirt, a black tie, a black suit, and a pair of black pants, dark glasses, coupled with black shoes and stockings. Another extra item was also discovered. It was a communication bracelet, one which made him thank the boss lady within his mind. It seems that she had paid attention to the details. Now he wasn''t going to have to fork out another amount from his meager savings in order to buy another one of these things.


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    He ran his fingers along the fabric of the suit, finding that it was made of a material that was soft, yet seemed to be resilient.


    ''This has to be expensive, right? Would it be mine even after the job is finished, or will I have to return it?'' such an idle thought crossed his mind even as he started picking up the shirt to get himself dressed.


    Once finished, he booted up the communications device, and urged it to scan his body, presenting him with a hologram of his current appearance.


    ''I look like a damn secret agent. My hair needs some combing... But otherwise, I look perfect. Maybe I could make some attractive girls swoon if I were to walk within my neighborhood dressed like this?'' He smirked even as the hologram copied him exactly, as if he were simply looking into the mirror.


    "Clothes do make a man" he whispered before heading for the door. The directions for his destination were already within.


    As he walked through the narrow hallways, he met very few people, who were obviously not dressed as doctors, or nurses, making him wonder what his room had really been. Had it been a hospital ward, or a hotel room repurposed into a makeshift ward?


    Finally, after some time walking, he finally reached his destination, with the doors sliding open automatically, and his heart jumping into his throat at the multiple gazes that were directed his way. For a moment, he wanted to squirm under such scrutiny, but resolved himself by taking a large breath, and making certain to project an air of calm stoicism.


    Everyone within the room, which was a dull yellow with red velvety sofa sets, was either standing, leaning against the wall, or sitting down. Each was dressed in the same black ensemble as himself, with the women also wearing pants.


    A woman stood up from the sofa, one whose beauty was also exotic, yet lacking the refinement of the boss lady. It was essentially a pale imitation. She was shorter than him, yet not by much. Long orange strands of hair cascaded behind her back, and her same colored pupils were radiating intense worry, as if she truly cared about him.


    "Are you okay?"


    ''What a great actor!'' He exclaimed inwardly even as his vigilance was raised mentally. She arrived just before him, giving him a once over, as if truly searching for any signs of injury. For Eric, this was the most awkward moment of his life as he stood petrified, not knowing how to react. Even though it was all a facade, he had never in his life, had a girl fawn over him as his mother had done during his younger years.


    "I-I am okay." He finally managed to say, almost stumbling upon his words.


    In the quiet room, a scoff sounded from a dark haired woman leaning in the corner, who had a bundle strapped upon her back. Her gaze was radiating a chill as she gazed upon the orange haired woman before him. Her name was Lanaley, while the orange haired woman was called Frida.


    Lanaley was a woman with an icy gaze, one which served to keep everyone away from her. Even the beloved madam Selena had been rebuffed.


    "As they say, a suit maketh a man!" commented Allan even as Frida went back and plopped down onto her previous seat, with her mouth shaped into a pout. It seems like Lanaley''s scoff had rubbed her the wrong way and broken her acting.


    "It depends on the person, arrogant fool. He''s as thin as a bean pole. How can you even insinuate that he looks better?" scoffed Jeffrey. It seemed that the chubby man had started disliking Eric.


    "Lad, you most definitely look more handsome than before."


    "Thank you, madam Selena. It also seems that that outfit makes you look younger." That earned a chuckle out of the woman.


    Before any more conversation could continue though, a clap from Iris put a stop to that and attracted everyone''s attention towards her and the boss lady, who was seated upon one of the single seaters in the room overlooking everyone. Then, she pointed at Eric and said, "He will be your leader starting from today."


    ""What!?!?""


    A collective exclamation by everyone within the room, save for Iris and the boss lady herself, rang within the room. Eric, the chosen one himself was in disbelief, wondering whether the Rabid dog was playing a joke upon him.


    "No way! How could he be the leader?!" shouted out Allan, his face vividly showing signs of cramping due to the ugly expression he was forcing upon it.


    "Surely you must be joking! Do you really believe this greenhorn can lead us? He doesn''t have any quality that would make any of us confident in following him." spoke Jeffrey in a cold voice.


    "Jeffrey! This is the second time that you have blatantly insulted Mr. Bosingwa here. If there is a third time, believe me! The punishment won''t be something you could handle. Also! We need all of you to make a spiritual oath, one related to the mission... And do take note. When I said that he would be the leader, it hadn''t been a suggestion, or something that required your input. He has been chosen, so bear with it."


    That got everyone quiet. Then came the spiritual oath, which essentially entailed swearing upon your anchor to bind each and everyone to the boss lady, with the duration lasting until the end of the anniversary party.