The Atlantean Compensator 15 All Is Lost...No

He later told Muruem that he declined, she didn't know whether to be happy or more confused about it but she lived with it.'

'Herald got back to writing his novel and learning songs on guitar, drawing and whatever he could do to get the feeling of his previous life before the surreal 10days he just lived.'

'But as time went on, and days went by...

He noticed that the touch he usually had, that made him special and feel special...was gone!!

His drawings no more satisfy or impress him. His playing on the guitar sounds really robotic..

As if it has no emotions at all.

He who masterred his ability to control and let out his emotions the way he wants...'

'And last but not least, his relationship with Muruem got cold.

For some reason, he doesn't feel like flirting with her whenever he got the chance, her confusion only kept growing as she noticed how Herald's behavior and even works changed..'

'Herald after weeks, knew exactly what is wrong...'

'Sacrificing his powers not only made the power itself go away, Herald sacrificed in the process every thing that contributed to his awakening.

Guiado took away any "Atlantean" talents and genes he had...'

'Herald when realising it, regretted the moment he declined Guiado's offer...

It was not worth it, staying and losing what made him, him..

It was not worth it, sacrificying the great man he was coming to, to the inferior man he always feared to be...'

'He really, really wanted to get back to that moment, and reply otherwise...

As he was desperately standing in front of the same sea that he once stood in front, and looked on those same big rocks he once thought they're weak..

They're still standing soundly, and strongly. They didn't run away and only got tougher by time.

"A coward, i am... I failed."

'As he turned to get back to his cold home..

With his head to the ground and feelings of defeat.

He bumps into a tall man wearing all black, a big coat reaching into his long legs... and a hat big enough to hide all his had and half his face.'

... "You're destroying yourself even after sacrificing your powers."

'Herald, shockingly, gets back few steps and gazes at none other than Guiado himself..'

Herald. "....Guiado!!

...You came here to mock my current situation?"

Guiado. "Your decision made me as disappointed as you are now. I have nothing to laugh about

especially if it's a dear one."

Herald isn't used to Guiado expressing his feelings, he smiled and said.

"...You already know what i think of Guiado, you're probably in my head right now.

Guiado. "I am not, you're no more an atlantean. Me being in your head will damage you.

Even further, you got corrupted badly Herald. the damage is even bigger in that case"

Herald. "...Not an Atlantean you say...

*Herald laughs a hysterical laugh, but you could feel the misery it held within*

...Yes i am aware, you stole everything that i thought i acquired, you took away the real me Guiado."

Guiado. tips his hat down and replies.

"...You should've known better, i expected you to know better.

You had all the potential to be a great... "

Herald. "Enough! Guiado...

It's time i accept and make the best out of what's left in me.."

Guiado. "I hope, you'll make better decisions moving onwards."

*HERALD WOKE UP!!!*

'He's halting so bad as if he was a thirsty dog.

This without any doubt was the worst nightmare of his life.'

'Muruem woke up as soon as she heard her man and realised he had a nightmare.

She tried to calm him and hugged him, telling him that it's just a nightmare...

Herald, knew that this is not just a nightmare constructed by his subconscious, this was the future that awaits him if he declined.'

'It is highly possible that it's just his fear of it being true that transformed into a dream like that. That fear is big enough to let him believe it as a prophecy.'

'Muruem after calming Herald, adviced him to get back to sleep again,

it was only 5Am. of the 7th day.

It means..

Herald hasn't yet made his decision. This, ringing in his head made him feel really, really relieved.

Muruem got back to sleep but he didn't.

He was feeling...Happy?!!

Happy that it was not a reality, that there is time to save himself.

He couldn't sleep so he went to the roof, for a fresh early morning air.

The scene could not get any more ironic...

As Herald was looking so thoughtfully towards the sky and the next buildings,

Guiado was standing on top of the tallest building, and seemed to be standing asleep..

A very manglike scene.

Guiado woke up when sensing that Herald looked at him, and quickly transported to where he is.

Guiado. "..I did not expect you to wake up in such early time and come here, now you'll think am a homeless judging from the scene.

Anyways, I came in here so early because your decision is to be very important Herald. I hope you made the right decision. "

Herald. "I did...

The past week has been like hell to me, this hell will not end either ways...

I accept my fate, my Atlantean duty. I accept your offer Guiado."

Guiado. with a smile tips his hat again and says.

"Well done, I'll leave for now and give u an additional day. I know you'll have to say goodbye to your loved ones.

Tomorrow at 7Am. I'll come pick you up near the neighboors exit.

Be on time or i might come pick you up in your sleep."

Herald. "Don't worry, i am forever on time..

God's willing"

Chapter end