Darkness. It was still all around him. Even when he opened his eyes, Ryan still couldn't believe he was conscious. It was eerily silent just as before. Until...
Hello.|
Like a jolt of electricity, Ryan's mind was suddenly slammed with information.
Close your eyes. It will hurt if you see the outside world in the state you're currently in. I would advise that you begin to attempt to circulate force energy into your eyes to begin to develop their constitution. While you do that, it would be beneficial to you to begin to do moderate physical training, such as destroying trees and rocks with blows, extending force energy outside of the body, and gaining flexibility and comfort with a specific type of weaponry. I can conjure energy forms to show you certain movements if need be.| The voice slowly receded, coming to a stop finally. An awkward silence appeared between Ryan and this unknown voice, and it lasted for quite some time. Eventually...
"I'm sorry, but what the hell are you talking about? I won't even bother asking who you are. You won't tell me, I know that now."
SMACK
Ryan's head jerked to the right, having sustained a blow from an enemy he couldn't see.
Shut up and listen. You won't know much for a while. That's just how it is. Try to Awaken and maybe then you'll get some answers. For now, just do what I tell you. Do you have any survival instinct?|
{Am I getting bullied by a spirit? Seriously?}
Again, I can hear your thoughts. I'll choose to ignore that comment for the time being. For now, think of me as your instructor. Your friend, Nicolas, has also been chosen to be put under my tutelage for now, but neither of you are guaranteed to stay for long. As of now, this darkness that you see surrounding you is what those of us in higher places call The Night.|
Another jolt of electricity hit Ryan, but this time he found himself losing consciousness once again. Before he completely lost awareness, he heard the voice tell him one last thing.
After this, you will have six months until the first wave. I hope that I'll be able to meet you again.|
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{The Witch's knell toll once, oceans rot and boil; twice, fire is cold, dark is light; thrice, God is born of the Night}
- an excerpt from a torn epic found preserved in the Library of Limits, an area bound by the intersections of several universal ley lines laid down by the predecessors of modern gods, The Ancients. It is generally accepted by most scholars that the "Witch" that is being referred to is $#(*(#, *((# @((#@^ $.
- Anoxus, Wise Serpent King
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Ryan came to inside of a cold, dark body of water in what seemed to be a cave. The walls were made of deep black rock that looked similar to obsidian. The water was shining a very faint green, and felt slightly soothing to the touch. Splashing around for a second before catching his bearings, Ryan slammed his elbow against a rock sticking out of the side of the pond wall.
[HP has been reduced by 3]
The small cut that had already begun bleeding started to slowly close up as Ryan watched it with his own eyes in disbelief. This water had regenerative properties! Ryan was aware enough to understand that the messages that he had been hearing in his head were part of a "system", in which he somehow gained more strength through completing certain tasks. If the voice he was speaking to earlier was telling the truth, he couldn't waste much time. Knowing he had a number of HP, but couldn't see any kind of indicator terrified Ryan.
{How much damage would it take to kill me?}
Thinking of that, he remembered the stats screen he had seen before he had fallen unconscious the first time. Focusing on that memory, he recalled briefly seeing what seemed like words formed from thin tendrils of nearly translucent, blue energy. Suddenly…