Aetheric Chronicles: Reborn As An Extra

Alex and the Queen stood at the edge of the devastation, the once-vibrant heart of the forest now reduced to a barren, scorched wasteland. Smoke and ash swirled in the air, carried by a faint breeze that failed to cut through the heavy silence.

Both wore solemn expressions, the weight of what had transpired hanging over them like a shroud.

The Queen's multicolored eyes were fixed on the desolation ahead, but her thoughts clearly lingered elsewhere. Her fists clenched and unclenched at her sides, betraying a turmoil she didn't voice. After a long pause, she broke the silence, her voice laced with an edge of both curiosity and disbelief.

"Who exactly are you, boy?" she asked, her gaze shifting to Alex. "How do you yield this much power when you're this weak?"

Alex didn't respond immediately. Instead, he let out a soft chuckle, shaking his head as if the question amused him.

It was exactly on point after all.

"Me?" he said, glancing at her with a faint, almost self-deprecating smile. "I'm just a weak young man trying to survive."

The Queen narrowed her eyes, clearly unconvinced. She studied him for a moment, her expression unchanging.

Yet, she didn't press further.

Everyone had their own secrets.

And this "weak young man" had not only saved her life but also the lives of her children and his own people. Had he not warned her beforehand and taken action...

Her mind wandered to the horrifying alternative.

If she had used the last resort—self-destructing herself and the core of her world—it would have killed everyone, including her children. The world itself would have ceased to exist, its destruction sending catastrophic ripples through space.

She shuddered inwardly at the thought but kept her composure.

However, she would still do it - she couldn't allow her core to fall into the hands of those people...

As if reading her thoughts, Alex spoke, his voice calm but cutting through the tension.

"At least things ended with the least casualties, right?"

The Queen didn't reply immediately, letting out a soft, contemplative "Hmm…"

Alex turned his gaze to her, glancing from the corner of his eye with a small smile.

"Thankfully," he added, "there were no mishaps this time around."

The Queen looked at him sharply but didn't respond, though her expression softened slightly.

He had a point.

Though she didn't fully get the last part.

Alex took a deep breath, his thoughts shifting inward. He had accomplished what he'd set out to do. The brainwashed warriors had been freed, their sealed memories unlocked in the process. His own people were safe.

He had dealt a significant blow to the Black Star Lord, and while the enemy would undoubtedly retaliate, Alex now had critical intel he didn't possess before.

It wouldn't be easy to face them again, but it wasn't impossible. He had seen what they were capable of and knew their weaknesses. Not to mention the fact he had powerful allies on his side now.

That alone tipped the scales slightly in his favor.

As he stood lost in thought, the Queen's voice broke through once more.

"Well," she said, her tone shifting to something sharper, almost teasing, "putting all that aside… how are you going to compensate me for breaking my core?"

Alex turned to her, raising a brow. For a moment, he said nothing, his expression unreadable. Then, he chuckled softly, the sound carrying a hint of mischief.

"Come on," he said, shaking his head. "We both know it wasn't destroyed at all. I just shattered it."

The Queen arched a brow, but Alex continued, his voice steady and confident.

"The essence inside it simply returned to where it belonged," he said, his tone almost casual, as if discussing something trivial.

The Queen's lips pressed into a thin line, her expression unreadable. After a moment, she sighed and turned back to the wasteland before them.

"Hmm," she muttered again, though this time with a hint of reluctant acceptance. "Alright, since you know it that much, I'll let it go this once."

"Right, thank you for your benevolence," Alex replied amused. "But..."

"How long will it take this to recover?" He asked his gaze pointing at the destruction before them.

If he isn't mistaken, it would probably take years for even a plant to rise here.

"Hmm... In fact, it would have taken 3 or 4 decades to restore this place. However, thanks to your actions - which are breaking my core and letting some of it merge with the earth, I can deduce it will take a decade at least and 2 decades at most."

"Eh? Is that so?" Alex was surprised. He didn't expect his unintended actions would end up helping them again. Guess it was a blessing in disguise.

The Queen gave a slow nod, a faint, almost gentle smile curving her lips as she turned to face Alex once more.

"You know, boy," she said, her voice carrying a peculiar mix of curiosity and amusement, "was the face you showed me back then your real appearance? And the name you gave me… I get the feeling you tricked me. There's no way someone like you could've fallen for my hypnosis so easily. "

Alex's smirk faltered ever so slightly. He had been expecting this question sooner or later. After all, she wasn't a fool. She had seen the "other Adrian" with the main group while he had been off on his own, acting alone. It was only natural that she would notice the inconsistencies.

For a moment, he said nothing, his eyes lingering on the ashen earth before them. A subtle pain flickered in his chest—a quiet ache he chose to ignore.

Finally, he exhaled softly and turned to meet her gaze.

"Yes," he admitted, his tone even but laced with a quiet seriousness. "I tricked you back then."

The Queen raised a brow, her expression unreadable as she waited for him to continue.

"As for the rest," Alex added, his voice lowering slightly, "I'm not sure about a lot of things myself yet. So… I'll keep those answers to myself for now."

The Queen studied him for a long moment, her gaze sharp and probing, but ultimately, she nodded. She didn't press further, recognizing the limits of her benefactor's trust. Everyone carried their secrets, after all.

Still, a thought began to form in the back of her mind—a question she hadn't considered until now.

"Could it be…" she mused softly, almost to herself, "you and that other you are twins? Or perhaps… one of you is a legendary doppelgänger?"

Alex glanced at her from the corner of his eye, his expression flickering with something unreadable before he turned back to the wasteland.

"That's for me to find out," he said simply, a faint smile tugging at his lips.

The Queen tilted her head slightly, intrigued but respectful of his boundaries.

"Well," she said at last, "whatever the truth is, I suppose it doesn't change what you've done here today."

Alex didn't respond, but the slight tension in his shoulders eased, and his smile softened.

For now, that was enough.

The two stood in silence for a moment longer, the barren landscape stretching endlessly before them. It was Alex who broke the silence this time.

"You know this is not the end yet, right?"

"...Yes."

"Will you help me then? To fight against them?"

"...Yes."

The Queen's multicolored eyes glinted coldly, a sharp edge cutting through her otherwise serene expression.

"Since they dared to do all of this," she began, her voice carrying a chilling resolve, "we have to pay them back in kind. I won't be satisfied until they feel the weight of what they've done. And the same goes for my children."

Alex couldn't help but chuckle, the sound low and genuine. "Ha. Right. That's how you taught them after all, isn't it?"

The Queen allowed a rare, fleeting smile to cross her lips. "Perhaps."

For a moment, the heavy silence returned, though this time it felt different—charged with purpose rather than despair. Slowly, the two turned to face each other.

Without warning, the Queen's towering, three-meter form began to shimmer. Her imposing figure shrank gracefully, her height adjusting until she matched Alex's. The transformation was seamless, almost ethereal, and as the glow around her dissipated, she extended her now slender hand toward him.

Alex hesitated briefly before reaching out, clasping her hand gently in his own. The handshake was a silent pact, an unspoken agreement between two unlikely allies.

As their hands met, Alex quirked a brow, his lips curving into a sly grin. "I didn't think you'd ever match heights with me. Was it to make me feel better?"

The Queen's eyes narrowed slightly, though the faintest hint of amusement played at the corners of her mouth. "Don't flatter yourself. I simply thought it appropriate."

"Sure, sure," Alex replied, clearly unconvinced but not pushing further.

They released their grip, the moment lingering just long enough to solidify the bond between them.

The Queen took a step back, her gaze drifting once more to the desolation surrounding them. "This alliance is temporary, you realize," she said, her voice quieter now but no less resolute. "I have my people to rebuild, my children to protect. But until those who caused this pay for their actions, you can count on my strength."

Alex nodded, his own expression hardening. "That's all I need. Together, we'll make them regret ever stepping foot here."

The Queen turned to him, her multicolored eyes meeting his with a rare intensity. "You have my word, boy." Discover exclusive tales on My Virtual Library Empire

"And you have mine," Alex replied, his tone lighter but no less sincere.