At first, nothing happened. The energy Leo gathered consumed his intent while his heart and Spark of the Void threw more fuel into the brewing fire. Yet, even when he tried to bring it all out and release his new creation, it just didn't work out. It was as if an invisible wall held him back.

Yeah, no. I know I can do this...

With a growl, he pushed harder, fuelling more and more Essence into the mess growing underneath his skin. For a moment, it kept on resisting, but thanks to a fresh surge of intent, the barrier shattered into pieces, giving the energy an out.

"Holy..." Leo muttered, watching a perfect blend of black-red liquid power slip out of his body. It slowly coiled around his fingers like a serpent, leaving goosebumps in its wake as an unnatural coldness settled over his skin.

Upon first look, the piece of Void energy might have seemed docile and calm, lazily resting on his hand. Yet nothing could have been farther from the truth.

Each second, Leo had to hold back the tiny bit of Essence from lashing out and escaping. Despite its size, it wanted to turn everything in sight into dust, to consume what was left, and corrupt all that tried to flee from its grasp.

Incomprehensible whispers followed the Void's demands for death and destruction. They sounded almost familiar, and the longer he listened to them, the more he understood.

They were begging for freedom. Begging to be let out in the world to fulfill their purpose. Or maybe 'demanding' was a better word of choice?

Doesn't matter. I ain't letting you out. Not today. He grimaced, wrestling his own power and dragging it back into his soul.

As much as he wanted to test his experiment's capabilities, releasing makeshift Void affinity inside the Safe Zone might not be a good idea. Holden definitely wouldn't be happy if he put a hole in his roof, and that was the best possible scenario.

It took time, a few minutes even, but in the end, the small coil of Void affinity returned to where it came from. Maybe it could have gone faster if his soul hadn't refused to take the energy back at the beginning. For some reason, it just didn't want to accept more Void's power despite never having such a problem with shadows.

Guess that's to be expected. Leo sighed, once more laying flat on the roof. I summoned it, but unlike with shadows, I don't have an official affinity for the Void. All I have are fragments that let me create this weird imitation.

Even though he had managed to summon Void aspect with a much better result than with fire, he knew something was still missing. There was some sort of emptiness in what he had created, a certain lack of a spark that should have been there from the get-go.

How did he know about this? Leo had no clue, but Nikra's shard could be the reason. After all, for now, he only possessed a single piece of the Old One, with two more still missing. In the end, they should be the key to the true power of the Void, as that was how he gained it in the first place.

'I doubt that's the case,' Nyx's voice suddenly rang in his head.

He quirked an eyebrow. I thought you had disconnected when I began my little experiment.

The feline huffed. 'As if... Even if I don't like you messing with this power, I won't leave you. I promised as much, so get used to it.'

The corner of his mouth lifted into a half-smile. You won't hear a complaint from me. He finished with a chuckle. Now, about what you said...

'Oh... Yes, I doubt you need more shards if you want to use the true power of the Void. They would help, that's for sure, but you can do without them at this point,' she explained. 'Remember, aside from your heart, you also possess an item bonded to your soul that resonates with the Void. And if that's not enough, your unique evolution is at least partially the result of the power you now wield. What you did a few minutes ago only proves that.'

Leo nodded slowly. I guess so. But what's missing then? I know you must have felt it too.

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'I have no idea, Leo,' Nyx muttered. 'This, you will have to find out on your own. My knowledge about Void's true aspect is limited to what Nikra knew, which is to say, not much at all. She pretty much told you more about it than what I inherited.'

Of course. He sighed, closing his eyes. I suppose I have to practice and then practice some more. Maybe, like you said, I can find the missing piece sooner or later. We have time, or so I hope.

'Time,' the feline repeated absently before falling silent for a moment. 'Leo? What do you want to do after all of this? After you find your family and save the Void child? I sometimes see the plans in your head, but none of them go that far.'

Leo furrowed his brow, claws drumming against the metal roof. Honestly? I have no idea. I was always good at making short-term plans, but anything for later? Not so much. There are just too many things you have to consider when looking that far.

'Still, is there nothing you would like to do?'

He shrugged. No. Not really. For now, let's just go with the flow. You can call me pessimistic again, but I don't want to fill my head with empty hopes again. Remember, while I don't want to live in the past, putting everything on the future can be just as bad if not worse.

'That's... an interesting viewpoint,' Nyx commented after a moment.

Yeah... Leo smiled. Anyway... I might as well go back to meditating. If everything Nikra said is true, it should also help with my affinity problem too.

'Good luck then. I will catch some sleep in the meantime. You should too. We have quite the journey ahead of us.'

I will, in an hour or two. Good night.

'Good night.'

----------------------------------------

"So you stopped by after all," Dylan noted as he stepped out of the room he shared with the cousins. "I didn't really expect ya to, considering all that happened."

Leo shrugged and motioned towards the stairs. "You're one of the few people I like here. Would be weird to leave without at least saying goodbye. Though you probably shouldn't mention this to Tyler."

"Aye. You're right," the older man chuckled as they walked down the corridor. "So London, eh? I can only imagine what happened to that place. It's bloody scary if I say so."

"Best not to think about it too much. We have enough negativity in our lives as it is," Leo sighed, shaking his head. "Whatever happened to London, happened, and that's it. I can't change that; only prepare for whatever is waiting for me there."

"Wise words," Dylan nodded as they arrived at the ground floor and carried onward to the exit. "I just wish we all could live by them."

He snorted. "Sooner or later, everyone will. Even I'm still working on following them."

The mage let out another chuckle but didn't say more. Not that he even had a chance, as the moment they left the building, another voice called out to them.

"Dylan! I see you decided to join us in our little farewell party," Frank bellowed. Along with Holden and Clara, the Fallen was waiting by the entrance.

"Not much of a party without booze," the only woman in the group grumbled.

Leo let out a short laugh as they all walked toward the golden barrier. "I don't think I found much of that since this shit began. Much less after the last Cataclysm."

"There's some in the cook's shop," Holden added to everyone's surprise. "What? I had to take stock of what everyone can buy with their job."

"Of course," Frank muttered dryly while Clara sniggered. "Shame you didn't mention it earlier. There aren't many occasions to get wasted nowadays."

"We aren't wasting Ether just so you can get drunk," Holden growled, but there was no real bite in it.

"Ruin my fun, why don't ya?" The Fallen scowled, stopping at the edge of the Safe Zone. "I, for one, think this occasion calls for at least a small drink."

"You sure that ain't just your hidden alcoholic side speaking out?" Clara cut in, a smirk on her face.

"Piss off."

"You wish," her smirk widened.

Not being able to hold it in any longer, Leo chuckled loudly. Despite everything he had gone through, he was happy to become a part of this group for even a short time. He didn't expect to make any friends here, but in the end, he ended up with a small party of people he could trust and talk to without almost any barriers.

"Well," he said, seeing that he had everyone's attention due to his outburst. "We all had our ups and downs, but I'm glad we met. I only wish things didn't have to end the way they did." He shook his head. "Anyway... Good luck. Make sure this place survives when I'm gone."

"Eden," Holden spoke up, taking a step towards him.

Leo raised an eyebrow. "What?"

"We've decided to give our little safe haven a name," Clara shrugged, also coming closer. "Eden. Maybe this time no one will kick us out."

"Hopefully." He smiled, and after a few firm handshakes, claps of the back and a brief hug from Clara, he turned to the golden barrier.

"I will see you all one day. Until then, take care."

Not giving them a chance to reply, Leo pushed past the boundary and sprinted away. Within seconds, he left Eden behind and with it, one of the most important parts of his life.

One day...