The dreams that visit me in my slumber are somewhat dimmed by the spirits I drank.

And I awaken with a mild sense of loss.

In the moment, it seemed reasonable to spend my memories to feel something other than despair. But now, in waking, I realize the emptiness left within me.

I leave the room and find myself before the bar. The smell of food floats through the air. And I observe a fairly large number of people eating.

In the abyss of this world, there is a perpetual twilight that makes it difficult to determine day from night. But, for me, this is the beginning of a new day.

The bartender from the night before flashes a friendly smile.

"You look good," she says.

"Hah," I laugh before sighing.

"Will you be having a meal?"

My eyes note the payment crystal, and I feel some aversion.

"No," I say. "I think I'll go catch some rats."

She smirks knowingly.

"By the way," I ask. "Did you happen to see an old man pass through here?"

An eyebrow lifts, "A lot of people of all ages come through here. I may have seen him."

Some excitement stirs in me.

I go on to name him and give a general description of the elderly man.

"Hmm," she humms. "Didn't hear the name. But, I think there was a man that fits your description. He came and left shortly before you arrived."

I think momentarily before asking, "Did he mention where he was going?"

She looks at me sympathetically, "I didn't talk to the man. But, he was talking to the pilgrims."

"Pilgrims?" I echo.

"Yeah," she points to a table with several somber men and women eating from the menu.

"Thanks," I say before turning to the group.

Curious eyes watch me make my way across the room. I disregard them and continue to my destination.

Cautiously, I come into their territory. "Um," I mumble. "Excuse me."

The pilgrims look at me without surprise.

After a moment, I realize that I should continue.

"I'm looking for an old man. I heard that he was speaking with your group."

I look dumbly from one pilgrim to the next, trying to figure out who's the leader of this band of average-looking men and women.

A voice sounds out from the group. "Will you also challenge the gate?"

I need clarification as I look at the man.

"Gate?" I ask. "What gate?"

Indifferent faces meet me. "It is the way."

I feel uncomfortable with the indirect way these people are speaking.

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"What is the way?" I ask.

The faces look among themselves.

"Go to the land of snakes."

I scratch the back of my head, "Eh, thanks."

I turn from the odd bunch and walk back to the bartender.

"I take it they didn't have anything helpful to say," she comments.

"No," I pause. "I'm not sure I'd say that. Can you tell me of the land of snakes?"

She makes a cocktail for another patron before turning back to me.

"Hmm, land of snakes? They could be referring to an island to the East."

"Island?" I ask with some reservations.

"Ah," she says, as if realizing something. "You're still young yet. There are ways to pass over flowing water. All you need is to find a shade to ferry you across."

I feel reassured. "Where should I go?"

"Wander along the shore. If something doesn't eat you, a shade will find you."

I sigh, "I don't even know why I should chase him. He left on his own."

The bartender chuckles, "It's good that you have a goal. Those without purpose are the first to fade."

I share in her laugh. When in hell, why not?

"Thank you," I say in parting.

"Good luck."

Finally, with resolve, I exit the odd building hidden within the abyss.

For a time, the purple light stone brings vitality to the world. But, such luxuries are fleeting.

The city that was my home fades as I journey ever eastward.

The wilderness is full of life, and I find prey to fill my belly.

I settle down with three dead rodents at a campfire in the woods. The skills taught by Michael are invaluable to my survival.

Though larger than a normal rat, these creatures barely satiate my hunger.

Still, it is enough for now.

Day and night are in perpetual twilight. The only telling of time determined by my waking and resting.

The world's geography is different from the one I once knew.

Relics of the old world seem supplanted into this realm of shadow. Only there to show what's been lost.

I fail to notice the sounds in my reverie until I am upon them.

Before me, a young woman is on the ground. A man raises a weapon over his head, ready to bring it down.

The pair are as startled by my appearance as I am by theirs.

Still, I have the mind to move to intercept the man. My aluminum bat raised defensively over the woman.

"This doesn't concern you," the feral man snarls.

I ignore the man and check on the woman's safety.

At this moment, I realize the woman's peculiar black eyes. The darkness consumimg the whites of her eyes along with the iris.

Her fear is obvious.

"What?" the man barks. "You want to be a hero? Get real."

The man postures aggressively with a primitive hatchet.

A cold sweat runs down my back as I feel his killing intent.

The moment seems so long that it will never end. And then, our weapons collide.

I have the advantage of range. But I need to gain experience in close combat.

Sparks shed from the bat and axe's blade.

I can sense the man's frustration as I land a hit on his hand. His grip failing.

"You just want her legacy, right?" he spits. "You're just like me."

I need clarification on the man's words. But, I rebuke him, "I'm nothing like you. Get lost."

The man seethes. But ultimately, he lowers his weapon and turns away.

I remain vigilant as I watch him disappear into the abyss.

The young woman, already on her feet, looks at me with complicated eyes.

"It's alright," I assure her.

My eyes shudder when they meet her abyssal black ones.

"What," I ask out of curiosity, "did he mean by legacy?"

The woman trembles at my question, and I find myself backing away to ease her nerves.

"Never mind that. Are you alright?"

She nods, and her hands steady.

"Thank you," she says meekly.

I smile, "Of course."

We stand in awkward silence before I nod my head and move to continue on my journey.

"W-Wait," she says hesitantly.

I look into the black pools of her eyes questioningly.

"Yes?"

She lifts her hands as if to reach out. But lowers them. "Nothing..."

I look at her oddly before returning to myself and moving on.

I don't get far before realizing the black-eyed woman is following me.

I'm in no particular hurry and find myself curious about her.

"What's your name?" I ask after turning back to my shadow.

She looks like a ghost as she answers, "Samantha."

I nod my head and reply, "I'm Will. Do you want to go with me?"

Despite her ominous eyes, I see her break into a relieved smile.

"Alright," I say. "Let's go."

We travel on until I decide to take a rest. The brown-haired Samantha looks fatigued as well.

Before camp, I hunt the plentiful game and stock up on firewood.

We sit across from one another, both staring into the fire.

I can't tell if she's looking at me. But I feel uncomfortable as I sit across the fire from her.

"How long?" she asks.

"Sorry?" I question.

Her eyes, now definitely looking at me, tell me what she means.

"I don't know," I say. "Not long. Few days, I think."

We stare through the fire in silence for a moment.

"How long for you?"

Samantha's attention focuses on her hands as she thinks.

"I don't know."

"You lost all of your memories?"

She nods.

"Well, did you make new ones?"

She hesitates, "I have. But, they aren't good."

I nod my understanding.

"Let's get some rest," I say before restocking the fire with wood.

I don't sleep easily. She may be my companion now. But, I hold some degree of vigilance.

The dreams that haunt me are tinged with a darkness I'm unfamiliar with.