WALLACE GARRET
"Where am I?" I murmured to myself, my body engulfed in a sudden and piercing pain. It felt as if I was lying on a bed of sharp spikes, each one digging into my flesh and causing an excruciating sensation to ripple through every inch of my being.
In the darkness that consumed my vision, all my senses seemed to have abandoned me. There was no sight, no sound, and no smell to grasp onto. I was left in a void, with only the overwhelming agony serving as a reminder of my existence.
An intense headache followed, as if a relentless force was drilling into my skull, twisting and tormenting my thoughts. It was in this bewildering state that I recollected the last fragments of my memory—Elsie's selfless sacrifice and the descent into the abyss, where death awaited me.
"Have I died?" I pondered, contemplating the possibility of my own demise.
However, before I could delve deeper into the thoughts, the pain suddenly dissipated, and my vision cleared in an instant, revealing the enigmatic surroundings that enveloped me. It was as though I had been abruptly awakened from a spellbinding illusion, returning to a state of normalcy.
"Did I survive?" I whispered to myself, surveying the unfamiliar landscape that stretched out before me.
It was an entirely foreign place, shrouded in darkness yet illuminated by a subtle glow that indicated the presence of night. As I glanced upwards, I realised that the moon was absent from the sky, replaced instead by a mesmerising tapestry of swirling cosmos. The gas clouds of various hues and shapes painted the celestial canvas, providing the sole source of illumination in this mystical place.
Beneath my feet, the ground was composed of a velvety black grass that extended infinitely into the distance. Despite its darkness, the cosmic radiance above reflected off the grass blades, causing them to shimmer and gleam like tiny stars dotting the expansive landscape.
A chilling breeze swept through the surroundings, sending shivers down my spine.
As I turned my gaze to the left, my body froze in place, overwhelmed by the astonishing sight that greeted me. In the distance, several kilometres away to my right, stood an immense transparent glass wall that curved endlessly, enclosing the entire area.
Its towering presence had no discernible end in height or width, stretching infinitely. Within the colossal glass barrier, a faint reflection played out, akin to a colossal screen displaying various scenes.
Fixing my eyes upon the scenery reflected on the glass wall, I immediately recognised it—the sprawling black desert of Avaldur, bathed in the warm sunlight. The connection sent a jolt of recognition through my mind.
But just as swiftly as the realisation dawned upon me, the scene shifted and transformed. Avaldur vanished from view, replaced by the familiar sight of a mountain rising majestically above the clouds.
"Kipduff Mountain," I whispered, my voice laced with a mixture of awe and bewilderment.
Yet again, the scene underwent a metamorphosis, revealing a dense rainforest known as Robhurst Grove, its vibrant foliage teeming with life. Each transformation unveiled a different realm within Limbo, creating a profound understanding within me.
The moment I turned my attention to the right, mirroring my previous observation, I encountered another transparent wall. However, this time, no reflection of scenery adorned its surface. Instead, all that stretched before me was an abyssal void, engulfed in impenetrable darkness.
"This void… There's an unsettling emptiness emanating from it," I muttered, an uneasiness settling upon me.
Just as I contemplated approaching the wall that showcased the realms, a sense of foreboding gripped my senses. I instinctively took a step back, only to witness a formidable creature taking flight in the night sky.
It possessed the majestic form of a dragon, adorned with two colossal wings, yet it bore three ominous tails. Its skin, as dark as the pitch-black grass beneath my feet, shimmered and reflected the cosmic expanse above, setting it apart in a mesmerising display.
Determined not to draw its attention, I proceeded cautiously, treading forward with utmost stealth, determined to uncover the secrets of this enigmatic place.
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**
After hours of traversing through desolation, a glimmer of hope ignited within me as my eyes beheld the sight of a grand castle in this enigmatic realm. It stood alone, a towering sentinel amidst the emptiness.
The castle, massive and imposing, was crafted from intricately carved stone, its dark hues reminiscent of the dungeon in Avaldur—the tomb of the 9th overseer. Hollow windows punctuated its ancient walls, offering glimpses of what lay within.
As I approached the wooden door, anticipation filled my heart. Yet, before I could even raise my hand to knock, the sound of approaching footsteps reached my ears. Instinctively, I stepped back, allowing the door to creak open, revealing a figure standing on its threshold.
Tall and pale-skinned, this individual possessed an otherworldly aura. His long, white hair cascaded like a waterfall, and his eyes, devoid of pupils, shimmered like a starlit sky. Donned in a traditional black robe reminiscent of a bygone era, he exuded an air of ancient wisdom and serene composure.
"You have finally arrived, Wallace," he said, his voice bearing the weight of time and the depth of knowledge.
Startled by his familiarity with my name, I took a step back, my hand instinctively reaching for my weapon. Suspicion gnawed at my thoughts, suspecting this person’s affiliation with the void order.
But before I could draw my weapon, my body inexplicably froze, rendering me motionless as a statue. Panic surged within me until his soothing voice broke through the stillness.
"Calm down. I am not a member of that wretched order," he assured, his voice carrying a sense of tranquility.With a simple gesture, he released the hold on me, returning my body to its natural state.
Drawing closer, his gaze locked with mine as he began to explain the nature of our surroundings.
"This place is known as ‘Limbo’s Edge,’ the border that separates Limbo from the endless void. It stands as the outermost boundary, separating this labyrinth from the vast nothingness beyond. I am Nebeus, created by Nelchael and entrusted with the role of caretaker of this place," he elucidated.
As Nebeus spoke, his words resonated with my experiences, recalling the endless void on one side and the wall reflecting different realms on the other. This place seemed to exist in a delicate balance between the two.
Curiosity compelled me to inquire further, seeking to understand Nebeus’ role in this enigmatic domain.
"What is your role here?" I asked, my voice tinged with intrigue.
In response, a voice echoed within my mind, recognisable as the same voice that accompanied my descent into realms and the reception of blessings.
"My role is... this," Nebeus’s voice echoed inside my mind.
"I am the caretaker of this place, responsible for managing the entirety of Limbo. I am the embodiment of the ‘Will of the Overseers,’ as you would refer to it. I possess the ability to witness and comprehend every action unfolding within any route or realm. You may consider me the unseen orchestrator, working tirelessly behind the scenes," Nebeus answered, his words carrying the weight of his responsibilities.
Seeking clarity, I posed a question rooted in my growing understanding.
"Why, then, did you not aid in protecting this place or fighting the void order?" I questioned him, accepting his previous explanation.
"The simple truth is, I am bound to this place and unable to leave its confines. My abilities are limited, and direct communication with advertisers is beyond my reach. All I can offer are vague hints and subtle guidance," Nebeus explained, a tinge of melancholy colouring his words.
But in an instant, the sombre expression on my face transformed into one of hope and possibility.
"To think that you, a human, would be the first to set foot in this place Even the Heralds remain oblivious to its existence, as well as my own presence here," Nebeus explained, his voice filled with a hint of awe.
He continued, shedding light on the circumstances that had brought me to this mysterious place.
"While you may believe you met your end in the tomb of my master, that is not the case. I reached out to you, seizing a unique opportunity. The collapse of Avaldur created a temporary rupture in the fabric of space and time, allowing me to pull you into this realm."
Anxiety gripped my heart as I desperately inquired about Elsie’s fate. "And what of Elsie? Is she here as well?" I asked with urgency.
Nebeus’s expression shifted, tinged with a profound sense of sorrow, as he met my gaze. "By the time I reached out to you, she had already met her demise. She selflessly sacrificed herself to save your life, just before the manifestation of the space-time rupture. Her bravery spared you from Mrizem’s clutches."
His words pierced through me like a poisoned spear, filling me with a profound sense of despair. Memories of Elsie’s final moments flooded my mind, bringing tears to my eyes.
"However," Nebeus continued, his tone shifting to offer a glimmer of hope, "your other companion still lives. He unlocked the artefact containing Nelchael’s knowledge and dedicated himself to relentless training in order to protect this realm in your absence."
Relief washed over me as I thanked whatever forces may have been involved in preserving the life of my remaining ally.
"I have the power to send you back now, allowing you to resume your journey. For you, as a foreign presence, exiting this realm would be relatively simple. But is that truly what you desire?" Nebeus posed the question, his gaze fixed on me.
Lost in thought, I realised my current state of powerlessness. Severed from my spatial abilities, I possessed only my weapon and the Zen state. Returning now would only result in my eventual demise. I needed to grow far stronger and join forces with Kei to protect Limbo.
This realm, with its enigmatic creatures and phenomena, presented a golden opportunity. I could not let Elsie’s sacrifice be in vain.
"Sir Nebeus, I implore you to accept me as your disciple." I pleaded earnestly, recognising the invaluable opportunity that lay before me.
A grin of satisfaction spread across Nebeus’s face, as if he had expected this response. "That is precisely what I wished to hear," he declared, his eyes gleaming with anticipation.