Guardian of the Gate

"This…" Alex narrowed his eyes upon seeing the familiar-looking tree symbol on the gate.

Before he could comment, however, he was cut off by a voice.

"It's been a while since I had visitors."

Alex whipped his neck in the direction of the voice to find a beautiful man, wearing a white robe, seated on a rock with an apple in his right hand.

Golden hair, sparkling blue eyes, a well-built physique, and looks that could only be described as godly.

Alex furrowed his brows as he stared at the figure.

Just like before with the mysterious woman, Alex's senses were screaming at him.

It screamed louder than back then.

"…Who are you?" Alex asked after collecting his thoughts.

"Shouldn't you know since you made it all the way here?"

"I should?"

"Hmm…" the golden-haired man pursed his lips before gesturing with his palm. "It doesn't matter. Allow me to introduce myself.

"I am Adam, Guardian of the Gate of the Human Wheel."

"Guardian?... Gate?... I'm sorry but I don't understand." Alex muttered confusedly.

Adam ignored Alex's questions as he continued. "I am here to guide you on your path to godhood."

"..." Seeing as how Adam wasn't willing to answer his questions, Alex swallowed his curiosity. "So what now?"

"Your domain will be decided by your fate and trials will be given to prove your worthiness."

"Trials?"

"With great power, comes great responsibilities. Either good or bad, you have to prove that you are worthy enough to wield power." Adam casually explained.

"Why didn't you… Ahhh!!!" Before he could inquire why Adam hadn't answered his previous questions, Alex's expression distorted as he dropped to his knees, groaning loudly.

He grabbed his left wrist as he experienced a burning sensation on his palm.

It felt like fire was burning his insides as he struggled to hold back his screams.

It persisted for some time before it lessened allowing him to regain himself.

By the time the process was done, Alex was drenched in cold sweat and his breathing was quite ragged.

"What was that?" He asked heavily.

"Your domain has…" Adam had barely completed his sentence when Alex screamed out again.

This time, he held his right hand as the burning sensation returned.

By the time it was over, Alex was twitching on the ground like someone that had just suffered severe electrocution.

Adam had a strange expression on his face as he slowly got to his feet.

As he walked, he mumbled something incoherent until he finally got to Alex.

"Show me your hands."

Alex could barely make a sound as he struggled to look at Adam.

Feeling impatient, Adam crouched down and pulled out Alex's palms.

As he stared at them, he turned wide-eyed as he muttered in utter disbelief. "How is this possible?"

He watched as the symbol on Alex's right hand fused with the one on his left, creating a completely different symbol.

Alex took a few deep breaths to get himself back together before he asked tiredly. "What happened?... Did I fail?"

"Fail?" Adam muttered in utter disbelief.

It was the first time Adam revealed an expression ever since Alex arrived as he stared at the latter's palm. "You somehow managed to enter this Wheel despite being a half-blood. No, it doesn't make any sense… How is this possible?"

"I don't understand…Halfblood?"

Adam didn't bother to respond as he increased the force of his grip on Alex's hand.

The latter tried to break free but it was pointless.

A moment later and a crisp crack was heard.

"Ah!!!" Alex screamed as his hand was broken by Adam.

A moment later however and just as the day switched to night, the pain disappeared like a lie.

Heaving, Alex scowled. "What the hell are you doing!"

"You… you are more than an Anomaly," Adam remarked in a solemn voice. "You are an Error, a Bug that shouldn't exist!"

At this point, Alex began to wonder if he had made the wrong choice in picking a Wheel to enter.

Now that he was here, how was he to save himself?

A moment later, his worries disappeared like a lie as Adam's eyes shone like pearls.

"You…"

"Maybe… Just Maybe." Adam muttered as he rose to his feet. "I will allow you to unlock your potential for godhood on one condition."

With perspiration covering his forehead, Alex inquired. "What condition?"

"When the time comes… You will know."

"Alright," Alex replied without hesitation.

Adam furrowed his brows. "You accepted quite easily."

"Indeed, I did." Alex had a sly smile form at the corner of his lips as he added. "Did you think I'd bargain?"

For some inexplicable reason, Adam felt weird meeting Alex's gaze.

For a moment, he wondered if he made a mistake.

Wouldn't it be better to take him out now and save himself the potential danger that might erupt later?

Just then, Alex felt the sudden build-up of energy causing his hair to stand on end.

His expression remained unchanged, however.

It was Russian roulette as he met Adam's gaze.

Just as the energy reached its peak… it died down like a lie.

Adam had made his decision.

Taking a deep breath, he decided to take a gamble. "Your domain will be called… Evernight. Merging the Domains of Night and Shadow, you will be the pioneer of a new path."

"Thank you." Alex casually replied like he expected the response, however, his thoughts told a different story.

'I have no idea what you are saying… But it sounds good so I'll take it'

Adam turned away and made his way back to the rock he sat on previously, once again making himself comfortable.

Alex on the other hand sat up before checking his hand.

On the right there was nothing, on the left, however, there was a symbol of a half closed depiction of the Nighteye with an elongated shadow underneath.

It gave off an eerie vibe but Alex felt strangely drawn to it.

In a low voice, he muttered. "Intriguing."