Illumes POV:

I'm stuck in this place with no way out. I have no idea what's happening. No ideas about what this place might be either. The closest thing I could compare it to would be the Garden Of Eden that I've read so much about in books.

After what happened I was dragged into some mysterious place again, this sucks, what is this shit! I can't even use these stupid powers of mine to resist nor was I able to avenge Shadow... I wasn't even able to give my bro a proper burial, out of everything, that's my biggest regret. No, my biggest regret would be not being able to protect him until my last breath.

I feel that I should have been the one to save him but that idiot used his life and saved mine. How ironic, the protected saved the protector. That dumbass!

As I continue to dwell on my thoughts the strange person walks in but this time they are surrounded by a strange light that resonates with something inside me, my soul feels drawn to this light...

The Traveler: " I see that your light within has been as restless as you are."

" How'd you... Who are you? You better tell me real soon unless you're willing to get a beat down!"

The Traveler: " Me. I am... of no significance. Instead of asking about who I am, maybe you should give a thought to who YOU are."

"Who I am? What are you talking about? I'm me, ain't no doubt about that. Quit being weird, stop beating around the bush, what the hell is going on?"

The weirdo walks around and checks out the flowers in the garden as he speaks...

The Traveler:" Ah, I almost forgot that you are quite a temperamental little boy. I think I should make this a quick explanation then."

"Start. Talking. Douchebag."

The Traveler: " Patience young one, no need to rush, in this space we are at a standstill, nothing moves us nor do we move anything. Everything here has no concept of time. In fact time does not exist here."

"What the? Wait if time doesn't exist, why are you checking out those flowers huh?"

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

The Traveler:" Caught your attention? Very well, I shall continue. Maybe starting with what... who you are or what we are rather. No need to linger on the properties of the flowers, they are but flowers, that is all. Anyway in simple terms we are all powerful beings of Light. If you want to put it in human terms we would be something akin to Angels, Celestials or Gods but those terms are inaccurate."

"Angels? Gods? What the hell? There's no way that's true. It sounds like you're just full of yourself. You're thinking too highly of yourself weirdo."

The Angel: " Oh really? Says the one who believes he is a judge of life and death."

"What? When have I? I never decided who gets to live or die, I'm not God."

The Angel:" Oh but you are a god of sorts and it seems like you have also forgotten that you wanted to end that fire users life along with the water user. And I think you are rather forgetting about your dear friend Shadow too, who you have claimed that you would give your life for. Yes, that is definitely not what one would call a judgement of life."

" Stop mentioning Shadow or do you want to die and is that sarcasm I hear you asshole? You wanna fight?"

The Angel:" Oh I would love to perform a little bout between us but at this point in time you are far too behind with your own power and even one as lowly such as myself could defeat you, easily in fact."

I chuckle: "Oh you wanna test this little theory of yours?"

The Angel:" It is not a theory or an assumption but a fact. You are far too weak for your own good at this moment. You should have been able to defeat that Pyro boy without as much as breaking a sweat. You would have been able to protect your friend and defeat all those in front of you with a blink of an eye."

I am so confused right now, this self-proclaimed angel says I could have beaten them all and easily. How could I? I know I said things in the heat of the moment but there's no way I could've defeated that monster in front of me. There's no way I could've beaten Pyro. I am in a calm state now and thinking about it, even with these powers of mine, I couldn't have done anything against him if he went all out. Even more, he had backup. I felt it, when that guy that looked like him arrived, I felt immense strength emanating from him. It's weird, my instincts were telling me to run but I was too angry to listen.

If I had stayed there, I would've been killed. So this person, this angel right in front of me saved my life. And now he is saying that I could beat them easily? But how? Maybe I should give listening a try this time.

"Okay so if what you're saying is true. How would I have beaten them? How would I have protected Shadow? Tell me how?"

The Angel:" Oh? As soon as the protection of your friend is mentioned, you jump in? That's a trait you need to give up on. He is dead after all... or is he?"

I'm surprised and excited when I hear that, maybe there is hope that my friend is alive, maybe this angel knows something that I don't. Maybe I get to see him again...

"What you just say? What do you mean? Is he alive? Is Shadow alive? What do you know? Tell me, tell me!"

The Angel:" That is exactly what I have been talking about. How would you know if I am lying or not. I could have just said that to acquire a reaction from you. However I will not confirm or deny any truths behind your friends death, at least not at this point..."