~ Chapter Sixty-Three: EXO ~

The Fallen

Random Rambles: Hi guys, I'm feeling on a writery roll lately, so with some luck I'll be able to update more frequently, however school and jobs have started again, I'm sure I don't need to tell you all that OTL Just want to wish everyone good luck with big exams or tons of homework, study well, work hard, you can do it- Fighting~! In times when you guys want to relax, I hope this story will help you do so ^^ saranghaeyo <3

***

I stirred in a dreamless sleep, before blinking my eyes open. When I did, I immediately shut them again. 

Nope. Not happening. Forget it! 

I crushed my eyes shut, unmoving, because what I saw when I had opened them didn't sit well with me at all. I could only hope that this was another dream, but I felt like I was awake - drowsy and still a little drunk with sleep. I shivered when I felt the wind and the mist trail over my skin and I rubbed my arms. 

I'm dreaming. That has to be it. This is a scary, vivid dream. That's all. 

Opening one eye first before the other, I noticed that my school uniform had gone and was replaced by a simple, flowy brown dress, made of soft and light material. It shone like it was dipped in the sun when the light hit it in a certain way, but there was no bright light here. The cloth was easily picked up by the breeze and flowed in many layers when I got up on my bare feet. 

When I went to adjust my hair, it was flowing down in cyan green tresses like a waterfall over my back. I was in semi-wolf mode. Why? and perhaps more importantly - Where the heck am I?

I stared at the vast landscape that looked so familiar, but was infinitely strange, while looking for any signs of life. In front of me was a crystal clear lake, rippling gently in front of a rocky mountain. The sky was a deep, azure blue, and amazing light peeked from the horizon, but never quite rose. Looking around now, it looked like the land was barren, but the water, dark trees and strange light made me think that that wasn't the case. The earth was darker here as well, sprouting natural rock columns at random across the land. 

One thing was for sure, though. I wasn't on the island anymore. Just looking at the sky was enough. I could still see the outline of what I thought was the moon, so big and so close by, unlike I had ever seen. For a moment, I thought that perhaps it wasn't the moon at all, but another planet. The stars were bigger here, too, both in size and numbers. It was a gorgeous sight, but I was frightened, because there was no one here, but me. 

I walked towards the water, trying not to startle when more rocks floated overhead, spraying me with mist. I shivered again when the breeze came, but I wasn't particularly cold. To be honest, it was rather pleasant. I stared into the lake, and as expected, my eyes were glowing amber gold, small fangs protruding from my canines. I didn't understand where I was, or why I was like this. I even tried to change back to normal, but it was like something prevented me to do so. The water rippled, distorting my reflection. This time, when I looked at it, I saw the image in the water change. 

I gasped upon recognizing a pair of green eyes, my face taking shape into that of a white wolf and I stumbled back. Upon hearing the soft rumble of a growl behind me, I jumped and scrambled backwards at seeing the white wolf right in front of me. 

"S-stay back!" I warned weakly, reaching around the dark earth in hopes of finding something to use to defend myself with, but there was nothing but sand. 

The white wolf eyed me shrewdly, its lips while slowly approaching. I looked around to see if I could escape, but if I ran away, where would I run to? Why can't I change into a wolf? 

How disappointing, I heard the wolf say out of the blue, starting to circle around me. You've forgotten completely, even though I've asked you - tried to force you - to wake up. The wolf snapped its jaws at me again, making me flinch and move away, the sand chafing my skin when I slid back. 

I won't hurt you, the voice then said and the wolf sat down in front of me as though it was scoffing, making fun of my panicked state.

"Right, like you hadn't hurt me the last time we met?" I retaliated. 

It's not my fault that you're stubborn, the wolf scowled and I swallowed. The animal stared at me, and I stared back, trying not to flinch or gaze away. Then it hit me. 

"You're not Miss Kumiho, are you?" I stated, rather than asked, and the wolf flicked its tail in annoyance. "Then who are you?" I asked when it didn't answer me. 

The wolf got up and walked towards me again. I flinched, but stood my ground. It really didn't seem like it was going to hurt me, but my guard was up. 

Do you know where you are? the wolf inquired, completely ignoring my question.

"Oz?" I guessed, unable to control my sarcasm. I let out a startled gasp when the white wolf growled loudly at me again. 

Follow me, the wolf said, turning around to head over the tall, barren trees. 

"Why? So you can maul me to your heart's content in peace?" I asked, feeling breathless. It wasn't really thinking that I would so easily trust it, was it? 

Just follow me. I need to show you something, the wolf persisted and took off on a sprint. It stopped in the distance and turned its head towards me. Come!

"Wouldn't it be easier if you just tell me what's going on?" I then tried. "If you have the answers, please, tell me." 

Come, the wolf sprinted off, leaving me with no alternative but to follow it. I grunted as I ran after it, still unable to change into a wolf, still unable to turn back to normal. It wasn't hard to keep up with the white wolf, even when the environment changed rapidly and I suddenly caught myself coming to a screeching halt upon seeing the wolf jump off a cliff and land on the water below- without falling in. The creature ran across the water as though the surface was solid and I hesitated. 

Hurry! I heard it call after me and I growled myself this time before closing my eyes and taking the leap. My arms and legs flung about, the butterflies in my stomach causing me to squeal. I landed with a thud, the water below me splashing, but feeling strangely solid. Knowing better than to freak out at this moment, I quickly ran to follow the wolf before I lost it. The wolf was agile and fast. I wasn't sure how I kept up. 

We eventually ended up in a large, floating platform, one that was eerily similar to the one I had seen in one of my vague dreams, but the earth here was scorched black and a gigantic crevice stood in the middle of it. Something told me that something must've stood there before, but there was nothing there. Nothing but another small pool of black water. The wolf stood beside it and waited for me to join it. 

Panting slightly, I curiously looked into the black water, but saw nothing strange. "Why did you bring me here? What is this place?" I asked, still wary of the wolf and making sure there was a healthy distance between us. 

There isn't much time, the wolf said again and I was seriously starting to lose my patience. It is taking me too much energy to wake you, and this is my final resort. 

"I don't understand," I huffed out of frustration. "You keep saying how you want me to wake up, but I'm already awake!" I argued and then realized where I was and groaned. "Sort of, at least. I mean, this is obviously just a dream, but I'm awake on the other side-," I started to ramble and quickly stopped myself. 

The wolf didn't seem amused at all. The animal snarled at me before it hunched over and leapt towards me. 

Look there, it moved its head to the black pool of water and I sighed before reluctantly complying. 

"There's nothing there," I deducted and jumped when the wolf barked viciously at me. 

Look closer!

I inched forward, gripping the moist earth to steady myself as I stared into the water. After seeing my reflection again, the water rippled, startling me when I saw two serpentine figures, one black as the darkest nights, and the other a pure white, like freshly fallen snow. They looked like wingless dragons to me - huge wingless dragons. They coiled and slithered over a sphere, a planet, I think. The white creature seemed benevolent, the way it moved around the world as though it was guarding it, but the black one, the one that reminded me of a horrid snake, kept trying to bite the white one. 

The image swirled and in the middle of the world suddenly stood a mighty tree, the white Draconian creature swirling around it majestically as a variety of symbols floated in front of it. I knew I had seen those symbols before somewhere, but I couldn't place them. I watched breathlessly when the white creature roared, as though it was aching and a big shadow swept across the lands. I blinked at the water, watching the images move like a dream-like movie. I glanced briefly at the wolf before concentrating on the water again. 

The world burned, but rose again and this time, there was no sign of the white creature. The tree stood tall, and alone, surrounded by twelve stars. The wolf jerked its head when it heard me gasp at seeing those stars fall when another shadow covered the world. Except this time, it went straight for the tree. I pursed my lips in worry at seeing the tree fall, the shadow swallowing it up, leaving nothing, except... 

I shook my head, my chest tightening and my head aching. The memory of me lying on a field somewhere, while throwing something away as a shadow approached, had entered my mind again, but I didn't know why. I was stunned when the shadow shape shifted into the black snake I had seen before. It wrung its serpentine body around something silver that came from the tree, my eyes widening when I recognized the dagger. The black snake hissed as its enormous body slithered over the earth, engulfing the world in its darkness, leaving utter destruction in its wake. 

I continued staring at the black creature that hissing evilly, until it had faded away, and all I saw was the black pool of water. I inhaled for breath, feeling like I was breathing for the first time. 

"What was that?" I demanded to know, my heart beating loudly in my chest. 

You still don't know? The wolf asked quietly, but its tone seemed disappointed. 

"Would I have asked?! Tell me what's going on!" I exclaimed, still sitting close to the pool. The wolf approached again, its green eyes staring intently at me. 

It is the history of this world. The memories that remained where the Great One once stood, the animal elaborated, but I frowned. 

"Great One? You mean that tree?" 

The Tree of Life, the wolf corrected with a rumble of a growl. This is where it once stood, at the center of the world, where it could protect it, the animal continued while I looked around. That pool is all that remains of its majesty, and if you still refuse to wake up, it will be the fate of the world you call home, as well. 

I snapped my head up at this, bewildered. "What?!" I sputtered, my eyes wide. 

It has already begun. Darkness is seeping through, your world can't keep up to the disorder of balance. It will disintegrate and perish, along with everything and everyone living in it, as has happened here, the wolf continued gravely, not even giving me the proper time to digest what it had just told me. 

"Wait, what?! Why would that even happen to my world?" I scoffed, feeling frustrated. "I don't understand any of this! Earth doesn't even have a Tree of Life!" 

Which is exactly why it is vulnerable. The shadow you saw desires power, above all else. It will not stop until it gains this power, and right now, it wishes to devour your Earth as it has this world. You think the sudden thunderstorms and earthquakes are mere coincidences? Fluctuations of nature? You are running out of time!

"This is insane!" I shouted. "None of this makes sense! You're a figment of my imagination, and this is one crazy dream- a result of too much stress! Are you honestly telling me that there is a shadow creeping about, off to destroy my world, until nothing but a puddle of water is left?!" I splashed the water with my hand in frustration, but the wolf stepped back calmly. 

Who says that that is water? it then stated and I startled once more. I slowly looked down at the black pool and gulped when I saw my wet hand. As I inspected the wet, black earth surrounding me, I flipped. Screaming, I scrambled out of the crevice while desperately trying to get rid of the blood. 

You're running out of time. You must prevent the black snake from its spiteful attempts to become a mighty dragon, before it's too late, the white wolf pressed on, while I was still shuddering at the excess of blood that stuck to my skin and nails. 

"This is ridiculous," I still argued, refusing to believe such nonsense. "Look, I'm sorry about what happened to this world, wherever this is, but this won't happen to my world. And even so, why would it? Why now? Why me? This makes no sense!" I stressed again.

It makes perfect sense, you stubborn creature! the wolf growled, suddenly leaping at me and pinning me down. Do you not understand? All of this is connected, it has everything to do with you! I am warning you, telling you to wake up to do something about this! Can you not see?! Time is running out! 

The wolf snapped its jaws furiously at me, biting through the fabric of the dress on my shoulder and pressing down on the ugly wound there. I hissed out of pain. 

It has already begun. The world you know will end for certain, unless you-

"Wake up?" I guessed, breathing heavily to bite away the pain. "Let's say I believe you, how could I ever stop this?" I then tried, seeing as this beast wouldn't quit. 

You'll have no choice, the white wolf started, growling as it pressed its snout at the wound on my shoulder and becoming quiet. It removed itself away from me, almost in regret. Find the heart. If you find the heart, you might save your home. 

"Heart? What heart? Whose? Davy Jones'? The heart of my firstborn? Will you stop being cryptic and just tell it to me straight?!" I huffed out of annoyance. "What am I supposed to freaking do?!" I yelled out loud, not caring anymore whether I would upset the wolf or provoke him to attack me. 

Remember! The wolf nearly howled. Find the heart. Wake up. Save your world from a similar fate as this one, the animal pressed with a scowl. You don't have much time, but it is not too late. 

"This world," I interjected, gesturing around me, "was it yours?" 

The wolf bowed its head solemnly, sitting down. Once upon a time, it replied, and I didn't know how to respond to such a grievous tone of voice. Take heed of my warning. If you do nothing, the shadow will come, it will succeed, and only blood remains. 

I think the bomb of information managed to settle in my head, but it was a long way away from being properly processed. All this time I had feared the white wolf, but now it only appeared as though it had been trying to warn me all along. Don't get me wrong, I still don't like the creature, and I'm still not sure whether I should take what it said seriously, but I do know this; one way or the other, I was royally screwed once more. I had longed for answers since the beginning of all of this, but this wasn't how I had pictured it. 

"What's going to happen from now on?" I suddenly asked, directing myself at the wolf. 

That is entirely up to you. What would you do if you had been given the chance to save the world from impending danger and destruction?

"Hand the job to someone else," I answered frankly, and if I didn't know any better, I thought for sure that the fearsome white wolf had smirked just now. "Who are you, really?" I asked again, but sighed when it gave me no answer. "This world," I then started, looking around again. "Does it have a name? Or is it as nameless as you?" 

The wolf side-eyed me, green eyes glowing as it sat down. 

Exo, it replied ever so softly, the name carrying tenderness as it was uttered. The wind picked up and played with the leaves and dust, the light of the horizon shining gently and just brightly enough to cast brilliant colors in the azure sky. The wasteland of rocky mountains and rough terrain looked beautiful then, as though the world's former beauty had never really died away. The wolf looked directly at me, its green eyes never once tearing away from my gaze. My eyelids became heavy then, and I started to nod off, my sight blurring, my senses numbing, floating on the wolf's voice before that too was no more but a whisper.

That was its name, it confirmed. 

This was once the planet named Exo.  

Home... 

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Nin-Nin
Hi guys~ my first original ebook is available on Amazon and I'm having a lot of feels. If you have the time, check out my previous blog post for more details - I'd appreciate the support <3 Thank you and have a lovely weekend! Love, Nin-Nin

Comments

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Wanderer_bj
#1
I don't even know how many times I have read this.😍
BeckyBooGirl
#2
Chapter 4: This is one of my favorite exo fanfic. I have read this story 5 or 6 times already and still love it like i did when I first read it❤
InspiritCarolyn
#3
This is one of those fics I can come back to again and again without getting tired of re-reading it. Each time I read it, I love it the same as the first time.
aonani_k
#4
Chapter 109: I finished it once again and as before, I enjoyed reading such a great story. Hope all is well. :)
aonani_k
#5
Chapter 2: It's been years since I read the story and today I just felt like re-reading it! Glad it's still here. :)
Sehixneeo
#6
Chapter 109: Argh, I will never ever forget this story. Ever. 🥺💛
Jaerin
#7
Chapter 109: This story will always be one of my favorite, a masterpiece 🤧💞❤️
Pxnellyxq #8
Chapter 107: WHAT IM LEGITIMATELY SHOCKED AND TEARING UP
Pxnellyxq #9
Chapter 100: why is the white wolf making me feel emotional :///
Pxnellyxq #10
Chapter 61: Stinky kumiho