Nero opened his eyes and slowly looked around.

His mind was a haze, his shallow breathing echoing in his ears. His body felt warm and fuzzy, and yet exceptionally cold.

There was something familiar about this place.

He glanced forward.

Sitting in front of him was a strange person.

With an exceptionally strange and wide smile on their face.

This person was exceptionally handsome and beautiful, with golden locks of hair and magnetic bronze eyes that reflected his visage back into his own eyes.

Nero frowned.

He had no idea who this person was.

But he knew where he was. He was in his old room, back in Gor.

His frown deepened.

It all seemed so real.

"Who are you?" He began.

The entire situation was bizarre. But he remembered the process that had brought him here.

Lucy's ritual...

'Could this be...?'

The... person before him chuckled.

Much to Nero's surprise, their voice was deep and masculine despite the more effeminate look,

"That is quite the strange question, Nero. I've been known as many things. But I like being called Eli at the moment. Call me Eli, Nero."

Nero grimaced. The urge to get as far away from this person filled him.

An instinctual fear.

"How do you know my name?"

The person waved their hand dismissively,

"Word travels fast, you know. But that's besides the point."

Eli glanced around the room,

"This place is rather... simple."

Then he turned to Nero and smiled, this time more meaningfully,

"I caught your gaze earlier. You seemed rather frightened, Nero. You have nothing to be afraid of. I do not believe I am your enemy."

Nero frowned, "Doesn't seem that way to me."

Then his eyes widened,

"You!"

Nero trembled as the fear in him spiked through the roof.

'That... That was this guy?!'

The entity he had almost caught sight of was this strange, beautiful man?!

Nero grit his teeth as he tried to rise up and run.

But he found himself fixed to the spot, unable to move.

A feeling of panic flushed through his body.

Those strange brazen eyes seemed to contain depth he was incapable of perceiving..

Seeing his obvious panic, Eli chuckled,

"Relax. There is no point running now, is there? After all, I'm the one that brought you here. That creep, Mephistopheles, surely moves fast. He's even placed his nasty scent on you."

Nero sighed in defeat,

"You are the one that made this maze. Why? What do you want from me?"

Eli smiled softly,

"Nero, I'd like to tell you a story. I pray you listen..."

Nero fell silent.

'A story?'

Eli nodded, the smile never leaving his face,

"Yes, a story. A strange, strange story."

'It's not like I have much of a choice either way, do I?' Nero thought to himself.

He let out a shaky sigh then nodded.

Immediately he did that, however, he regretted it.

'Damn it! What if this being is actually evil and wants to infuse my soul with madness?! Crap!'

Regardless of his thoughts, Eli cleared his throat,

"A long time ago, if an endless field of dreams, there existed two birds— a Dove, and a Raven."

"The Dove was much smaller that the other birds. But it was pure and good. With white feathers and golden feet. However, the Dove was not a truthful bird. It was a liar."

"The Raven on the other hand, was a carrion. A beast of predation and a mighty stain on this field of dreams amidst the pearly white clouds."

"One day, the son of the King of the field of dreams was killed."

"All the birds of the field of dreams fell to despair, for the King had declared their execution if the killer was not found in three days."

"And so, the birds of the field of dreams went to the purest, most righteous bird they knew. The Dove..."

Eli paused for a moment then turned his gaze to Nero,

"The Dove told all the birds that the son of the King was killed by the Raven."

The smile on Eli's lips slowly faded away as he continued,

"The other birds, enraged by this, set out to the Raven's nest. But the Raven had gone out on a hunt. And so, they destroyed his nest. They killed his kin and devoured his young."

"Upon returning, the Raven learned of this transgression. In a fit of rage, he declared war on all the birds of the field of dreams and the Dove."

"In three days an three nights, the Raven made good on its promise, setting the field o dreams ablaze with carnage, murdering every bird until it was just him and the Dove."

"In their final moments together, the Raven asked the Dove,"

"Why do you lie? Because of your lies, my family was executed and everyone else is dead. You destroyed the field of dreams. You are evil."

Eli paused for a moment and sighed,

"Nero, what do you think the Dove's reply was?"

Nero frowned.

The story he had just been told was rather odd.

Instead of answering the question, Nero instead asked a question,

"You said the Dove was a pure bird. And yet it told lies. That doesn't sound like pure, righteous bird to me."

The smile on Eli's face turned very pleased as he nodded,

"Indeed. Indeed, it doesn't, Nero. The truth is, the Dove is neither good, nor is it evil. Just as the Raven is neither good or evil. They simply are what they are. The Raven is a killer, and the Dove is a liar."

Eli's gaze turned focused,

"Humans, demons, even the Divine One... We ultimately cannot deny our nature, Nero."

Nero's eyes narrowed, "What are you trying to say?"

Eli shook his head and rose to his feet,

"One day, you'll certainly understand me. For now, you'll have to think about it a little. When you get into the city, we might be able to meet. Still, I'm glad we had the chance to meet, Armageddon."

Nero trembled slightly.

Seeing the strange, terrified look on Nero's face, Eli smiled,

"You need not fret, Nero. Everyone already knows who you are. Your existence is inevitable."

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