Upon opening his, he's greeted with the sight of absolutely nothing, utter darkness, without any ounce of light, that people talk about.
In the seemingly infinite darkness, memories started to stir in his mind, why he came to the village, his encounter with Albert and Catherine, the night he was chased, his sudden bout of courage and strength, how he fought to survive the ordeal but ultimately failed and die.
How, even after knowing that what he had gone through was merely a dream, a nightmare and nothing is absolutely true. And even knowing that his family is safe. He still couldn't forget the feeling of helplessness, seeing the face of his mother while the warmth of her body was drained bit by bit, watching his brother being stab multiple times, oh how he wish he was the one being stab, but what really hurt the most was seeing Faye with a look of despair.
From his perspective, Faye always has a smile on her face and laughing cheerfully. So, seeing Faye in that situation broke his heart. Although Faye was never harmed, it was both a blessing and a curse. The fact that she's unharmed was something to be happy about but that's just it. On the other hand, she would have to grow up on her own, with no one guiding her.
Ken couldn't imagine Faye surviving on her own in this cruel world.
'If this is hell, then you have successfully performed your job, inflicting the most painful punishment.' He closed his eyes even though he couldn't see anything from the beginning.
Time continued to pass, he didn't know how many days has it been since he woke up but he didn't care.
He's already stuck here nor can he asked someone how long is he going to stay here.
He just lay there and remained motionless. Remembering the appearance of his family, hoping he would not forget about them.
After staying for who knows how long, he finally couldn't stand the loneliness and opened his eyes again.
He still couldn't see anything in front of him, so he decided to turn around and was surprised that he saw a pillar of light at the end of his sight, he was baffled to know that a pillar of light exist in this infinite darkness.
After a bit of internal struggle, he choose to approach the light when he reminded himself that he's already dead, what could possibly go wrong.
The pillar of light looked small from a distance but as he got closer to the pillar of light, he realized how enormous it is. The pillar stretch upwards, seemingly without an end, the area it covered could fit a whole mountain inside it.
It took him quite a bit of time to arrive in front of the pillar of light, he looked up at it in complete awe for the majesty it possess, he felt the pillar connecting the heaven and earth, allowing him to ascend the residence of the gods.
Ken brought his thoughts back to the mysterious pillar of light, he walked around the light and carefully observed the pillar of light.
After taking a good look at it, he noticed some items floating inside, there's a sword emitting Holy light, a hammer crackling in thunder, a book, helmet, shields, fruits and more. Even though the items were floating, they were very organized, allowing him to see them clearly.
'Whew' he released the air he didn't realize he's holding in. 'I think I hit a jackpot!'
With light shining in his eyes, he carefully inched towards the pillar, never letting his guard down. Upon drawing close to the pillar, he stretch his hand, sweat pouring down from his forehead, the moment his finger and the light connect.
The light shook and the items started to spin, at first it was slow but as it continue to spin, it started to pickup speed and when the speed was so fast he could no longer distinguish the shape of the items, it started heading towards him, trying to devour him, if it manage to engulf him, he would definitely be shredded.
Frightened he tried to run away, but to his surprise, discovered that he couldn't move a muscle, shocked he forced himself to lift his feet, using every fiber of his being to run away. But sadly his attempt turned out in futility. Watching the tornado of legendary items slowly inching towards him, he thought with a bitter smile 'dying again even in death, how unlucky could I be?' and closed his eyes.
But the expected pain didn't come, the entire place was silent, like a graveyard in the night, curious as to what happened, he opened his eyes and saw the legendary items surrounding him in a circle. He stared at the assortment of items with widened eyes, but the most shocking part was that a small sapling floated in front of him.
It was emitting an earthly aroma, like the smell of a truffle but much stronger, it has three branches, each one with a vibrant little leaf swaying, as if trying to establish connection with him.
'Umm, hi?' he said with a raised eyebrow.
It swayed its leafs as if saying it understand him.
'Well, do you have a name?' he waited for it to make another action but it seems that it could only sway its leaves.
He hesitate whether to take it, because something terrible happen every time he touched something, so he was a bit afraid to touch the sapling.
Upon sensing his hesitation, the sapling extended its roots to him, as if saying that there's no need to be afraid of it.
'Ahh what the hell!' and reach out to it, throwing caution to the wind. He just hoped that it didn't have any malicious intentions.
The sapling swayed happily upon sensing his action. Holding the sapling in his hands, he looked intently at it, waiting if something terrible would happen.
Seeing that nothing happened, he heave a sigh of relief.
He glanced at the sapling in his hands and said. 'Looks like your going to accompany me from now on.'
Suddenly, a pillar of light descended and engulfed him completely, sending him out of this place.
~~~
Ken awoke with a start, he surveyed his surrounding and found that he's inside his hut.
'Whew, it seems I didn't die after all.' He thought, 'then what is that place.' He recall that dark place and the pillar of light, along with the assortment of items.
While deep in thought, something crawled in his hand, frightened, he flick his hand in reflex. But the thing was still clinging on his hand, so he shake his hand hard to throw it.
After a while of swinging, he realized that it won't let go of his hand, so he looked at it and saw the sampling in his hand. He heaved a sigh of relief knowing it's just the sapling, he said.
"I thought something weird is clinging on to me, turns out it's just you."
It shook its leafs as if claiming its innocence. He just gave a laugh at it's antics. His eyes suddenly widen, shock of what's happening in his hands. The root of the young sapling burrowed in his hands, then the roots started crawling from his hands, to his arms, then his heart.
After arriving at his chest, it punctured his heart with its roots and injected something on it.
When the sapling punctured his heart, he lost control of his body and fall down on his bed. But this time he didn't struggle, because there's no pain.
That's right, although the sapling punctured his heart, he didn't feel any pain, and the fact that he's still alive probably means the sapling didn't want to kill him. So, he just watch it.