Cold.
That was the first thing Kael felt as soon as he walked through the rift. The type of cold that made his very soul shiver.
Opening his eyes, Kael noticed he was floating in what seemed to be the void. A place surrounded by darkness so potent that Kael could see nothing, not even his own hands.
He floated for what felt like only seconds before a chill crept over his skin, his instincts warning him that he was being watched.
But looking around was pointless, after all, there was nothing but endless darkness in every direction.
Mother is watching
One of the voices in his head informed him, this time a lot softer than usual, sounding almost reverent.
Kael wasn't sure what it meant, but he didn't have long to wonder. Because just then, a pair of familiar eyes opened in the void.
Different from the darkness around them, the eyes held what seemed like swirling galaxies within.
Kael froze.
He had seen those eyes before.
Back on the bus… the girl in that dream.
The eyes locked on him and for some reason, Kael could somehow feel that she was smiling.
How? He had no idea.
The darkness shifted as she moved towards his floating form, with stars appearing all around him.
Soon enough, Kael felt his feet touching what seemed to be her palm. Looking down, he could see a cluster of stars below his feet, making it seem as if he was literally walking on them.
He didn't notice it, but the soul chilling cold he previously felt had completely disappeared.
"W-who are you?" He said... Or more accurately, he wanted to buy no words left his mouth no matter how much he tried.
Don't worry. All your questions will be answered… soon enough.
Her voice was heard directly in his mind just like in his dream. Something that he didn't mind, after all, he already had three loud ones, what was one more?
Listen closely, Child. She started, the Abyss will soon pull you for its trial so we only have a few minutes.
Kael's brows furrowed slightly as he tried to form a response, but again, nothing came out. It wasn't that he couldn't speak, it was like the concept of speaking no longer existed here.
For now, I'll leave you with a gift.
Kael instinctively backed away as her eyes drew closer to him, but the stars beneath his feet pulsed—holding him in place.
Her eyes narrowed slightly and again, he could feel the sorrow she felt, almost like she didn't want whatever was to happen but she had no choice.
It will hurt.
Before Kael could react, a single star emerged from the her being and slowly floated toward his chest.
Kael felt its heat long before it touched him and when it did, he let out a scream that resonated from his soul...
Or he would've, if he could.
The pain was unlike anything he had ever imagined. He felt as if his very soul was being torn apart. Not a single coherent thought could be formed in his mind.
Kael wished, no prayed, that this pain ended soon. Even the embrace of death would be a relief from this pain.
The agony was so intense that his mind, unable to comprehend it, collapsed into unconsciousness.
Endure, little one....for your journey has only just begun.
_________
Gasp!
Kael let out as breath returned to his lungs. His eyes snapped open and he was immediately greeted by the night skies that hung above.
A canopy of massive trees blocked direct view of the sky, while letting a bit of moonlight through.
Kael pushed himself off the forest floor and looked around, assessing his surroundings. The pain from whatever that entity did to him had completely disappeared as if it was only an illusion.
Looking around, he spotted a couple other candidates also waking up. Opposite him was the golden haired Lioren boy who calmly sat with his eyes closed.
He seemed to be doing a meditation of some sorts, completely unbothered by the sudden transition from day light to night.
Not far off was the brown-haired boy, already awake and huddled near the base of a tree, trembling. His wide eyes darted around anxiously, as if expecting something to lunge out from the darkness at any moment.
Kael didn't recognize the other seven candidates but he still took a moment to observe each of their faces.
Most of them were still groggy, either recovering from the transition or struggling to comprehend their current situation.
A soft chime rang in the air.
Kael instinctively flinched, as did a few of the others. Then suddenly, without prompt, a translucent screen materialized before each of them.
[TRIAL OF NIGHT]
Primary Objective: Survive for 7 Nights.
Secondary Objective: Hidden.
Note: System Access Granted. Speak 'Status' to begin.
The words faded out one by one, replaced by a glowing timer in the top corner of the screen:
[Night 1 – 00:03 AM]
"N-no way it's that easy, right?" One of the candidates, a girl who seemed no older than seventeen, spoke up.
"No," someone spoke up, causing the candidates to all turn towards the voice.
It was the Lioren boy.
He calmly stood u, calmly dusting the dirt off his trousers and walked towards them. Even though the moon light struggled to get past the trees, it illuminated his face just fine, making him appear even more radiant.
"It's not easy," he continued. "It never is. If the Abyss says seven nights, it means we'll be hunted for seven nights."
A few flinched at the word "hunted" but Kael had no reaction since that was obvious enough, so he just silently watched.
The Lioren boy's gaze swept across the group, scanning each of their faces. He paused briefly on Kael, then continued as if saving his face for later.
"I'm Aelric Lioren," he added after a beat. "And unless someone else here has a better idea, I suggest we work together."