I couldn't see a thing.

It wasn't as if it was dark, quite the opposite. The surrounding area was blindingly white. It would make me assume there would be pain resonating in my eyes, but no, it was gentle. There was no pain, everything felt simply comfortable.

I barely felt conscious, everything didn't feel real. It was surreal in that sense, how I could barely think, yet there wasn't an ounce of worry.

Everything was just...

Calm.

Yet, in the distance, I could see the strange shadow of what seemed to be a person and some object behind. The light cloaked their image, along with some strange fog. Even if I squinted, I couldn't see it any better. Suddenly, without warning, there was movement. No, none in the limbs or anything, but what seemed to be a mouth upon the face of the strange figure.

"Please..."

This voice rang out, being the only thing I could hear. It was strange, it sounded human, but at the same time, it missed something important. At the same time, it felt like I had heard it before... yet somewhat different. It was like that of recent nostalgia. I couldn't place where it came from. It was as if the voice surrounded me, even if where it seemed to come from was so far away.

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

The words spoken continued, yet some things seemed to be blocked from my hearing.

"...ease... I beg... save u..."

Whatever was happening, confused me to no end. This voice seemed to echo from every direction as the foggy image in front of me became slightly more clear. The being in question had extremely long hair. Even if I looked down, I couldn't see all of it. They definitely appeared human, maybe leaning to female? They were still far away, I wasn't even sure if what I was seeing was truly what I believed. It was strange, and all the same, I felt calm.

The voice continued.

"Don't let... th... sacrifice... go... waste...."

I could barely even understand what they were saying... let alone what's actually happening here. Perhaps me being so calm is the most menacing part about this all.

The golden fog suddenly became much more intense, everything becoming much less vivid. It surprised me to be sure, but still, I didn't truly feel it.

"Protection... let you be protected... terrible curse... farewell...."

And then, everything was gone.

...

I woke up. Maybe it was immediately after, maybe I slept for several hours. Either way, I awoke in a cold sweat.

You have obtained skill: Divine Protection

Then there's that.

That sort of message isn't really new, but the fact I gained a skill is.

... considering the fact it's completely dark, I'm going to say it's night. I guess there's no point having torches or anything lit if everyone going to be asleep. You know what, I should sleep too. Considering what's going on, it's going to be a long day tomorrow. I'm sure there's a reasonable explanation...