Shadowbound Ascension: The Necromancer's Journey

Aiden could not forget the things that he saw from the system that was imposed on him. The glimpse of power that he succeeded to watch was the vision that was energizing and scary at the same time. The thought to control masses of zombies, of having such strong armies, had excited and alarmed him at the same time. Perhaps, though, it was at this moment that the images were most vivid to him, because there was always something that occurred to recall him to the real world.

The ring tone of his phone echoed through the silent house making his apartment feel lonely. Aiden grabbed it to glance at the screen, then some familiar numbers appeared on the screen. It was his sister, Emma She was walking close to the car.

"Hi, Emma ," Said Aiden as gently as he could to not spook her.

"Aiden you have to come to the hospital, it's mom, she's been taken ill… Adsian was suddenly overwhelmed with feeling of sorrow when he heard Emma's voice and knew instantly that it was something serious that had taken her to the hospital.

"I'll be there right away," Aiden echoed, and as he said those words he reached out for his jacket before finally leaving the house.

The drive to the hospital was sort ofentiary vague , Aiden's thoughts were consumed with a blend of both apprehension and regret. He had become so engrossed in training, in the effort to make himself more muscular, that he lost sight of purpose for such training. It was with his mother that he had found solace throughout his entire life right from the moments when he faced life's greatest challenges. It was even unimaginable to imagine of losing her and that thought was a very gruesome feeling.

When Aiden reached the hospital he found Emma sitting outside their mother's ICU. Her eyes were red and her face was pale, which told me that she had been working very hard.

"She is okay?" asked Aiden with so low tone, which was barely audible.

"It has worsened" the doctors have said. They do not know how many days my mother has left," Emma said crying.

Silver eyes flashed and determination ignited within his features as Aiden tensed his fists to clench them tightly hearing helplessness within himself. This was not a battle he could address with power or determination. It was a fight he cannot control and that fact endeared a painful sting deeper than any physical pain.

In the room, their mother was literally lying on the hospital bed, her beautiful face has lost its liveliness and glow. He walked towards her cautiously, then, taking her thin hand into his own. Her eyes closed slightly and then opened wide; she could barely smile to see him.

"Aiden. .. you're here," she whispered so low, that I could barely hear her.

"Yes, Mom I am here "Aiden said as he brightened up despite the tightness he experienced in his throat.

For a few minutes, they sat without saying anything to one another or moving from their positions. Aiden could now discern, the suffering his mother was going through just to open her eyes. It was a bitter reminder of the fact that life is very unpredictable as it was.

"Aiden.. I need a promise from you that… you'll look after Emma," his mother said softly, tears filled her voice.

'You'd better not say such things, Mom, you are going to be alright,' Aiden said, but he could only feel the emptiness of the said words.

His only consolation was the weak and affectionate grip of his mother who could only look at him unarmed and smiling. "You're good son Aiden, I've always proud of you. But as I said you need to strong. For Emma, for yourself."

Aiden only managed to nod his head because the Williams' sympathy hurt in a way that made him feel as if he was choking on bile. He wanted to make her a pact and tell her that the entire situation is not a tragedy and will somehow get better. But, in his heart, he was aware of the facts. The only thing that was left for him now was to attempt to get the best out of the time that he had.

During the day Aiden moved from sitting beside his mother still feeling an amalgam of emotions. The system had shown him how great he could be in command of it,but now, how great is that ability when he could not even save his own mother? It is depressing and puts into the minds of people that the person is useless and cannot be of any productive use.

Emma went to sleep after she made it a point to spend sometime with her as the evening was getting darker, Aiden was left to himself. There was no movement or sound except the harsh sound of the heart monitor in the hospital room where they were taken. Aiden looked at the floor and clenched his fists, he shook from anger and agitation.

And then, as if it was in reciprocity to his internal chaos, the system came to life.

[New Quest: Strengthen Your Resolve. Thus, all your efforts should now be in the physical and mental training in response to what awaits you ahead of you. Reward: +5 Strength bonus, +5 Willpower bonus, 500XP.

Aiden opened his eyes for a moment, and the words began to rewrite themselves in front of him like offering of fresh life. It seemed that the system was prodding him forward, go on no matter how bleak everything appears to be.

[New Notification: Special Quest Activated – 'For Your Loved Ones. '

As the system went on, Aiden's heart felt the beat of panic.

[Special Quest: 'For Your Loved Ones' – Become stronger and use your powers to protect the people close to you. You can't fail. Rewards: New Skill – Soul Bonding for Advanced Necromancers and 1000 Experience Points.

Soul Bonding? Just the name seemed to be packed with the power and it was easy to understand what was at the stake. The system was presenting him with a chance, a point toward which he could build himself up, for himself, for her and the kids. This is as if the system had picked the desperation in him, the urge to get busy doing something, no matter how little it was.

And for a moment Aiden got up from the chair looking much more determined. He had to get out for he could not sit around and feel sorry for himself all day. His mother's condition was deteriorating and he had to be strong, stronger than he has ever been. If there was even a slight opportunity that he could be able to make sure his family is safe, he will grab it.

As Aiden left the hospital that night his thoughts seemed to be far sharper than they had been for days. The visions, the system's quests, his mother's condition—it all pointed to one undeniable truth: he had to rise to the rank of perhaps an influential figure not necessarily for his personal benefits but for those whom he had affection for.

The future was unclear and the authority he needed – overwhelming; but, Aiden was persistent. The system had provided him a reason on his existence a means for him to move forward. He would struggle harder, go for even more, and accept the authority of the necromancer at whatever cost.

But now, it was not only for the need for a living or in the pursuit for success – it was for family. Aiden would cover his mates at any cost regardless of the blackness that would come with taking such a decision.