Chapter 9: A dreamless void

In a world where shadows reigned, there existed an abyss, an endless space of pure Darkness. It was a stretch of nothingness that seemed to swallow everything whole. There was no sound, no scent, and no sensation of time moving. It felt as if existence itself had paused, and all that remained was the thick, heavy silence of the void.

"Where..am... I.? What is..this place?"

When I opened my eyes, I saw only Darkness. At first, I felt alone, lost in a vast emptiness where even thoughts faded into obscurity.

My body, which had experienced immense pain just moments before, now felt remarkably light. I could not remember the wounds, the bruises, or the scars that had marked my skin; it was as if they had been erased, leaving only the smooth surface of unblemished flesh. I tried to remember how I had ended up in this place, but my mind seemed foggy, as if my memories were swimming just out of reach.

"Oh... I remember now." I mattered to myself floating in this endless space. "I dead didn't I?"

I asked no one in particular. I was alone afterall. In pure Darkness.

As I floated in this strange, quiet void, I wondered if I was dreaming or if I had truly dead. Questions raced through my mind like swirling leaves caught in the wind. Was I dead? Was this the afterlife? The more I pondered, the more anxious I felt. But just as my worry began to build, a flicker caught my attention.

"Huh? What's that—" I said, seeing the something on the corner of my left eye.

A small, dim light glowed in the distance. It was hardly more than a spark, but it offered hope. Instinctively, I felt drawn to it, as if it was a beacon calling me home. I moved towards it, though I could not tell how. There was no ground beneath me, yet I felt the pull of the light guiding me onward.

What is that? It's familiar—

The light grew brighter as I approached, revealing shapes around it. I soon saw that I was not alone.

Shadows danced at the edges of the glow, shifting and changing like mist. They seemed alive, swirling in a way that felt both frightening and fascinating.

From among the shadows, a figure emerged—a young man with striking features. He had dark hair and deep-set golden eyes that sparkled with curiosity. He looked at me as if he had been waiting for my arrival. "Welcome," he said with a warm smile.

I blinked in astonishment. "Where are we? What is this place? Who are you?"Question, after question but he only smiled more as I asked

He exhaled softly, "This is the Void, a space between worlds. It is where live. My home to put it simply"

I suddenly felt a strange bond with him. I had lost something too, though I couldn't remember what it was. "I don't even know how I got here," I admitted, my voice barely a whisper.

"You came through the darkness. And well from almost dying in the Overworld" He gestured widely, indicating the vast emptiness surrounding us. "But there is something you must know. You have the power to shape this place with your thoughts. The light you see is created from hope, desire, and memory. What do you wish to find? "

What do I wish to find? I still don't know his name — I was cut mid thought as he answered.

"My name is Aza, Alter"

" Wait— are you reading my mind?"

" No, And Yes. This vold connects us to one another. Whatever you think I hear. The same can be said for me"

Oh.. that's more reasonable I guess.. but still...

"So what are you trying to tell me huh?"

"That you can finally use magic, Alter."

"!! Wait?! Are you serious?"I shouted with joy that I thought I would never have.

"Kuha-ha-ha, Yes, you can."he answered with that ever present smile of his

I pondered Aza's words. My heart swelled with a mixture of emotions; I didn't know what I truly desired. I thought of the pain I had felt earlier and how having it disappear had felt so liberating. But lurking beneath that freedom was a longing, deep and shadowy—what if I could reclaim what I lost?

"I want to remember," I finally said, my voice steadier. "I want to know why I woke up in the woods. "

Aza, closed his eyes. "I wish I could help you with that, but something is holding me back from doing so. "

"Oh.." I mattered, disheartened.

"Give it time Alter, it's still too early for you to worry about that "

With that, he reached out his hand.

I hesitated at first but and I took it. As soon as our hands connected, the dim light brightened, illuminating a path before us. We moved forward, and each step sent ripples of energy through the air. The shadows twisted around us, revealing fleeting images and sounds that danced at the fringes of awareness.

We entered a small clearing. Where a small white dot stood

" Go to it, Alter. Now"

I nodded, my heart racing as I drew closer to the small star?

It showed a young girl, my sister, with bright eyes and a teasing smile. My chest tightened as I recognized her. "Alexander..." I whispered, the name feeling foreign on my life

As I watched, I felt a rush of warm nostalgia interwoven with a deep ache of longing. I remembered the bond we shared, the laughter that filled our days. But then, like a shadow creeping in, I recalled the accident, the day she was lost to me forever. Darkness engulfed me again as I felt tears welling. I had hidden this sorrow deep within, afraid to face it.

The memory flickered, and the clearing began to fade. Panic washed over me but Kael gently urged, "I may not be able to show you much, but Hold on to her. She is your strength. "

As the bright glow brightened, I pushed forward, and suddenly the light enveloped us completely. The abyss around us faded, and in its place, I felt a sense of belonging—a connection to the world I had longed to rejoin.

What just happened — I thought to myself

With a loud rush, the light washed over me, and in an instant, I was pulled back, enveloped in warmth. I no longer sensed the abyss. Instead, I felt solid ground beneath my feet and a gentle breeze against my skin.

Opening my eyes, I was back in the world of the living, the memories clearer than before. I had emerged from the abyss.

"Where..am I? And you—"

"Rest, Alter. It's me, Eilas...I almost lost you for a second"