Nikolai didn't know for how long he fell, as the island's darkness seemed to distort his perception of time. However, after he fell through the barrier, it regenerated itself.
The wound on his hand was still sizzling from the divine energy that invaded his body. The fact that the mute was another beloved of Celestia didn't surprise Nikolai, as everyone he hated was the same.
However, it was his greater grief that he was the reason for her awakening. Or rather, his act to get Sergio to move on was what triggered the mute into awakening her powers.
The words he said to hurt his dearest friend still lingered in his mind. However, there was an indisputable truth that even if Nikolai said them to make Sergio move on, he still didn't lie.
Sergio was his friend, but it's not like the alchemist knew him enough to consider him as one. However, Sergio attached to him after one month together said everything about the alchemist's need for people.