Days after their training began, Ishkar went on once again to check upon his pupils. As such, he went on and traversed the sandy landscape and arrived by the crimson lake. By now, it had been six days, and nearly a week has passed since the two went on their own paths.

Arriving by the lake, Ishkar watched the crimson waters. It was still and calm now, contrary to its situation days ago. If he knew anything, he knew that Ajax's training was nearly done.

It was quite the miracle. In their clan, this process was exempt for people of higher standings. Not only that, but those people also take months to emerge out, or sometimes never.

But it seems Ajax was about to make history.

As for Samael, well, Ishkar still has no idea of the boy's condition. Samael was as still as a sleeping person and has made no noticeable changes.

Ever since he slept, he has been sleeping without end. He has barely moved in his absence, and this does worry Ishkar a little.

After waiting a few more minutes by the Crimson Lake, Ishkar rose to his feet as he began to walk towards the exit.

But then his feet halted as his ears flinched.

There was a small sound. A small stir in the calm lake of crimson.

Turning to look at it, he saw nothing but the same scenery as earlier. It was like looking at a mirror of blood.

Shaking his head, Ishkar resumed his exit.

Swish...

Ishkar took a sharp turn as he jerked his head towards the lake. This time, he was sure he heard something.

Approaching the crimson lake with hastened steps, Ishkar intently watched the undisturbed lake with great focus.

And there it was.

Ishkar's eyes widened as the lake trembled for a brief second. It's still surface rippling under the tremors before returning to its previous state.

A minute after that, it happened once more, this time stronger than before, as the grains of sand in the ground shook.

Then again, and again and again, it occurred. It's interval shortening each passing second it happened. Before long, Ishkar released a maniacal laugh as he watched the surface of the lake.

It was time. Unbelievable? Yes, but there was no doubt he's finished.

Laughing like a frantic maniac, the lake resumed its quakes as each interval became seconds apart.

Then it occurred.

The entire lake shook violently as sand and dust fell down from the walls. The cavern creaked and the flames of the torches dwindled as the great lake of crimson began to stir.

It's surface appeared as though it was boiling as it swirled like a hurricane, fierce and unforgiving.

Then everything stopped.

The tremors vanished; the turmoil in the lake was gone.

Watching this with great focus, Ishkar spoke. "Come and rise up, Ajax; it's time to see your progress."

As he did, the blood-red waters rose up ever so slowly, causing a great disturbance as it rippled far.

As that crimson water began to fall down, Ajax's figure can be seen emerging from its grasps.

As Ajax strode forward, his eyes shifted towards Ishkar, and for a moment, it looked as though it was blazing red.

Stepping out of the lake, Ajax's skin billowed steam, filling the cave with heat.

"Welcome back, Ajax," Ishkar said as he stood before the man. "Not bad, huh?"

Looking at the lake, Ajax saw his reflection. "Not bad."

His body had gone through a through a severe transformation. He was now taller, and his stance was far more sturdier than before. His skin became full of life, along with his dark hair. Now, each part of his being was filled with muscles, and his eyesight had improved.

Within the embrace of the lake, Ajax endured the most agonising moments of his life. He felt his bones break, his skin burn, and his flesh gnawed off by the unforgiving waters.

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But he persisted. He would be lying if he said he did not consider giving up a few times when it felt as though it was too much to bear. But he persisted and stood steadfast against the currents of change, and now here he is, stronger than ever.

"Now then, are you ready to face your first challenge?" Ishkar asked.

Shooting a look over his shoulders, Ajax asked. "Where's my armour?"

***

Footsteps echoed in the air as Samael walked forward without stopping. He did not know where he was or where he was going.

The place was dark. It was truly the first time he experienced darkness in a long, long time. This veil of Void... He cannot see through.

Yet he did not feel threatened or afraid of it. In fact, he felt nothing. He felt... devoid of emotions. So he wandered.

He walked and walked and walked and walked and walked.

And walked even more.

He has been walking for so long that he has lost his perception of time. This place... It was vast beyond his comprehension.

He did not know what direction he was heading in or where his final destination would be. But nevertheless, he kept going.

What made him keep going? He did know either.

Just what was this place?

It was familiar yet mystical. It was cold yet warm.

But he will keep walking.

So he did.

Each step he took changed nothing. Yes, what he did was meaningless. Did anything even have meaning at this point?

He did not remember anything from before he got here. Only the darkness accompanied him.

What did the light look like?

What did the wind feel like?

What did the sound of rushing waters feel like?

He has forgotten.

It felt as though aeons have passed. Yet not a second had gone. It was odd.

So he kept going once more.

Walk, walk, walk, walk more, and walk more.

Sleep, fatigue, boredom, and loneliness felt... unimportant.

What was he doing again?

Oh yes, walk.

Walk again.

Thousands of steps yet no clear objective. Did he have any reasons why he walks?

Come to think of it... It felt like he was looking for something. But what was it?

Ah yes, walk again.

Each step he took felt closer than the last. Each step he took made the darkness feel lighter. Each step he took felt stronger than the last.

What was he looking for again?

Was it an object?

A person?

Whatever it was, he can't remember it.

Time to walk more.

Walk and walk and walk and walk and walk and walk. Endlessly, without stop, without rest.

However, this time he felt odd. As if someone were watching him.

He doesn't feel like walking anymore.

So he stopped.

Samael's eyes twitched as it gained a sense of clarity. Yes, he wasn't stopping because he felt it but because he had arrived.

He was where he needed to be.

Turning around, a figure can be seen across him. It was the same man bound in chains. It was him. His fighting spirit.

It stared at him, unblinking. It had no real form like before, and the chains around its skin were binding it down.

"Hello," Samael said, his voice echoing throughout the entirety of the endless abyss. "I'm guessing I passed your test."

The figure remained silent for a long while before a voice answered back.

"Yes."

"Was it necessary?" Samael asked as he sat down, levelling with the figure.

"It was."

"Is it now?" Samael asked.

"I needed to know if you were strong enough. But our last encounter, you had some help."

"I don't think so," Samael replied.

"Why is that?" The figure asked.

A small smile formed on Samael's lips. "Because you and I and the Void are one."

The figure remained silent. But somehow, Samael can feel it was satisfied with his answer.

"Yes, you are right."

"But was it necessary to remove my memories and beliefs?" Samuel enquired.

"It was... the only way to see if your will was more than a belief."

"I see," Samael replied. "So what now?"

"I suppose—"

"Wait, I want to talk for a while," Samael interrupted.

"About what?" The figure asked.

"I know you're bound to protect me. But aren't you lonely?" Samael asked. "It's empty here."

The figure remained silent once more before replying. "Are you lonely?"

"No," Samael answered.

"Then I am not," the figure said in return. "I've said it, haven't I? Me, you, and I, we are all one. The only reason we can talk is because you're not strong enough to remove these chains."

"So in the end, I'm the problem, huh?" Samael muttered.

"No, you're Samael. You're the important part," the figure said. "Without you, we won't be here."

"But where is he?" Samuel asked.

"You know," the figure spoke.

"Yeah," Samael replied.

"Why do you wish to know?" Another voice asked as a entity made of darkness emerged from the depths.

"Nothing. It just felt wrong without you here," Samael said.

"I'm always here," The Void said.

"I know," Samuel said as he smiled.

"But aren't the Void and I already merged? Why can I talk to him?" Samael asked.

"While you and the Void are indeed one—like us, the Void isn't just another part of you. It's sentient, and it has a mind of its own. You can think of it as another personality you possess," the figure answered.

"Oh well, let's get this over with. I'm pretty sure they're waiting for me," Samael said as he rose up when he remembered one thing. "Wait, who's the other voice I hear at times?"

"Oh that? That's me... another part of me. I'm fairly sure you've encountered him several times with Ishkar," the figure replied.

"Why is it so complicated?" Samael asked.

"Don't worry, a time will come when me, him, the Void, and you will finally be whole," the figure answered. "That time is near. I can feel it."

"That feels lonely," Samael answered. "It feels like you'll die. I'm not fond of death."

"It's not; we'll always be here, with you," the figure said. "Besides, being one is our biggest mission."

"Alright," Samael said as he approached the figure. The Void did the same as the sea of darkness began to devour them.

In that serene darkness, the figure asked.

"Why are you so persistent? You could have stopped. This is your home after all."

A smile formed on Samael's lips. "Would you have stopped?"

The figure fell silent. Yet, before the darkness devoured them, the figure asked once more.

"Why do you keep going?"

As Samael's consciousness began to drift, he answered one final time.

"I don't know why."

Seeing this, the figure smiled as its appearance morphed to that of Samael.

"Somehow that answer suits us."

Samael chuckled. "Yes, yes, it does."