Doors

Under the cloudy gray sky, a beautiful young man commanded attention.

His alabaster skin radiated a flawless charm, contrasting elegantly with his locks of charcoal.

As a gentle breeze caressed his untamed tresses, they danced in harmony, revealing glimpses of a pristine white T-shirt beneath the black shrug adorning his body.

The fallen leaves, scattered on the ground, seemed to join in the ethereal ballet, adding an enchanting touch to the scene.

While his left hand casually found solace within the confines of his pant pocket, his right hand clasped the delicate bouquet of Forget-me-nots with a firm tenderness.

Noah's gaze rested upon the tombstones ahead, his eyes held an intense, almost transcendent quality.

His gaze seemed to pierce the veil separating the earthly realm from the eternal, silently unraveling a story that only he could fully understand.

For moments that stretched into eternity, Noah just stood, like a figure suspended in time.

The world seemed to hold its breath, awed by his presence.

Even the wind hushed its breath, perhaps out of reverence for the profound solitude that consumed him.

The world, instinctively aware of the sanctity of this moment, dared not disturb his solemnity, sensing something stirring within—something it dared not awaken.

A sigh escaped Noah's lips as he approached the tombstones.

With measured steps, he slowly lowered himself into a squatting position, one knee gently touching the ground.

Determined, Noah began the task of clearing the dirt that had settled upon the neglected slabs.

Instead of reaching for a handkerchief, Noah opted to use his own hand, as if seeking a more intimate connection with the engraved names.

His fingers traced the weathered inscriptions etched upon the stone: Aurelius Grey, the son of S&A Grey.

The dates followed: Born on February 29, 1968. Passed away on June 6, 2003.

Adjacent to it, on the right side, stood another slab bearing the name Aradhya Grey, daughter of Calliope Vrirta and H. Her dates followed: Born on May 7, 1969. Passed away on June 6, 2003.

Ethan's hand, gentle and comforting, found its place upon Noah's shoulder as he offered his presence. "If you need your time, I can..."

"No, it's fine," —Noah interrupted, his voice unusually heavy with undetermined emotions. "It's fine.

It was not fine.

Placing the delicate bouquet of Forget-me-nots on each memorial, Noah rose to his feet. "You were his friend, right, uncle?"

Ethan nodded, his gaze drifting towards the graves as memories weighed heavy upon him.

With a melancholic sigh, a bittersweet smile played on Ethan's lips as he spoke softly, "He was my best friend."

"These graves, they are merely symbols. Their bodies were never found", Ethan continued, his voice trailing off.

"Tell me more"—Noah let out.

"What kind of guy was he...how did he ..."

***

Perched upon a worn graveyard stone bench, Ethan's voice filled the solemn air, weaving a tale that Noah couldn't help but absorb. The weight of each word hung in the space between them, as if eager to be heard.

"Your father, Noah, he was a force of brilliance and madness intertwined—a crazy genius, if you will," Ethan began.

With a heartfelt chuckle, he continued, "While we all dreamed of becoming heroes or hunters as children, Aurelius was different. He had a curious mind that was captivated by the wonders of science, far more than by the allure of magic."

Ethan's gaze turned distant for a moment, lost in an elusive memory, before he spoke again. "Doors...that's what he used to talk about. He was enthralled by them, obsessed even."

His words carried a hint of wonderment and bewilderment, "Have you ever heard of doors, Noah?" Ethan asked, his eyes drifting to some unseen horizon, as if trying to uncover buried fragments of recollection.

Noah's brows furrowed in confusion as he sought clarification,"Door? Like a literal door or a gateway?"

Ethan, contemplating the question, gestured towards the eastern horizon where the sun rises.

"Hmm," he pondered, his eyes fixed on the distant point.

"If we address stories as archaeological sites, and dust through their layers with meticulous care, we find at some level there is always a doorway. A dividing point between here...", Ethan's finger swept towards the western horizon where the sun sets,"and there."

This time he gestured to himself—"us and ...", his words trailed off, as his eyes looked towards the tombstones, "them."

"Mundane and magical. It is at the moments when the doors open, when things flow between the worlds, that stories happen."

"Wh-"—Before Noah could ask, Ethan added, "That's what your father used to say"

"He used to believe that there is more than just one... er how should I put it? Hell ,heaven.. past, present "—Ethan mumbled to himself.

"He used to believe that our world is not the only one. That there are other worlds out there, universes infact"—Ethan let out.

Noah, sensing the gravity of the conversation, attempted to lighten the mood—"Sounds like my father was quite the fascinating character", he remarked, a lighthearted tone tinged with genuine interest.

A warm smile gently graced Ethan's face as he replied, "Indeed, he was. He dedicated his career to the study of spells as a Spellsciologist, and he possessed a remarkable gift for creating spells."

Leaning in closer, Ethan's voice lowered as he shared a tantalizing detail. "In the later years of his life, your father worked under the Central Union. He was tasked to craft a spell of extraordinary nature—a spell that could bridge the gap between two distinct places. He collaborated closely with a renowned figure, one you might have heard of. Alaric Cross himself was his guiding presence during that time."

Noah's eyes widened in shock, his voice trembling with disbelief. "What?!! Alaric Cross?! Are you referring to the current leader of the Central Union?"

The words tumbled out in a whirlwind of astonishment.

Such a reaction was justified, after all, Alaric Cross was a name which breathed power and authority itself.

Alaric Cross, The Blood Warlord, SSS+ rank, the strongest human in human domain.

An appreciative smile graced Ethan's face, witnessing Noah's awe-stricken reaction.

However, the smile soon faded, replaced by a grim expression as Ethan's voice lowered further. "But there's more. It's rumored that your father's creation went beyond connecting two places. It was said to bridge the very fabric of existence, opening pathways to entirely different worlds"

"And I think he succeeded"