Nico found himself in a strange state. It was like he was aware but also not aware at the same time.
Was this what it felt like to lucid dream?
Surrounded by a chilling darkness that roamed as far as he could see - or sense -, he sighed.
Was this it, then?
Had the Grim Reaper arrived to claim his soul?
Strangely, out of his control, Nico's last thoughts shifted toward the cloaked figure, his grand reveal, and the grim story he had narrated.
If that person truly was as he said, then... Cedric had survived.
But, how…?
In all fairness, the brown-haired boy had not seen his best friend truly die.
However, that begged the question… how had Cedric remained alive after being pierced by the claws of the bear?
Furthermore, how had he not ended up as a delicious meal for the fearsome grizzly bear?
Feeling confused and very bitter, the countless memories he had of his first best friend manifested all around him, like little motes of light in the oppressive dark.
From fighting each other with sticks in mock duels, chasing the other around the village, peals of delighted laughter escaping from their mouths in endless waves… playing pranks on the other villagers, venturing into the forest to emulate the path of an adventure, and perhaps the most poignant of all… sharing their worries.
Especially when Charlotte was first born.
Nico had felt both excited and fearful at the prospect of having a younger sister. It thrilled him that he finally had a sibling, but he was also anxious about the responsibility that came with it.
The person he had confided such information to naturally happened to be Cedric.
The boy had helped him realise that his worry was a sign that he cared deeply for his sister and that he didn't want to mess things up.
This prompted him to raise his concerns with his parents, who were extremely happy to offer advice to help.
The same happened to Cedric whenever the advantage the Demons were slowly gaining in the war reached his ears. Nico had been there to reassure and help convince him that they could start to make a real difference in the war after they formed their Cores.
Unfortunately, it just wasn't meant to be.
The irony of the memory didn't escape Nico either.
He almost felt amused at the fact his best friend now sought to destroy the world, given how much he had cared for it before.
Imagining himself releasing a sigh, as the darkness seemed to creep ever closer, the brown-haired boy recalled how Cedric had said he had come across his closest companion arguing with his sister insisting he was dead.
A vague memory flickered to life.
***
"He's not dead, he can't be! I can feel it!" A little black-haired girl cried, her eyes red.
Opposite her, an older brown-haired boy stood.
His gaze was listless and dull, while his skin was pale as if he had seen a ghost.
Nico trained his vacant gaze on his best friend's little sister. She was just like another Charlotte to him… his heart splintered into more pieces, the fact that he had caused Cedric's death resounding in his mind for the umpteenth time.
"Vanessa…" he began gently, his voice thick with barely suppressed emotion.
"No, Nico! My heart is telling me he's alive. Elder brother is strong, if he's out there somewhere, I have full faith he will return to us!" The little girl, who appeared to be no more than ten, interrupted the brown-haired boy.
Her fists were clenched together, while her body shook slightly.
Judging by the internal war occurring within her eyes, it seemed she did not fully believe what she had just said.
A dull ache reverberated within Nico's heart. He did not deserve to look her right in the eyes.
Not after what he had done.
Still, the brown-haired boy had to grit his teeth and force himself, because he did not want Vanessa to be incapable of moving on… just like him.
Only by realising her elder brother was gone, could the little girl let time begin to heal a portion of the deep wound.
She was still so young. She had her whole life in front of her.
He would hate for all that to go to waste.
Nico gritted his teeth harder, the listlessness of his gaze receding, making way for sharp and deadly grief.
"Vanessa, listen to me closely. I'm sorry to say this, but Cedric is never coming back. His soul has most likely already settled in the Great Beyond." The brown-haired boy mirrored the little girl and suddenly clenched his fist.
A strong breeze ruffled through the village square, causing countless leaves from nearby trees to rustle.
As the din died down, his lifeless voice echoed again, making Vanessa flinch:
"You can hate me all you like, I deserve it. But please… live. Live for your elder brother, that was what he would have wanted. I'm sure of it."
A sad smile marred Nico's face.
"Live…" The little girl repeated, mumbling the word.
Her eyes clouded over as if recalling a precious past now long gone.
Silence passed between the duo for a moment before Vanessa snapped out of her daze with a jolt.
She clenched her teeth, her eyes brimming with fresh tears.
"I don't want to live without elder brother! For a world without him, is not a world I can call home!"
A shiver crawled down Nico's spine as he saw the endless hate, blame and pain contained within the girl's gaze.
"Vanessa, please. Don't do this, you still have your whole life ahead of you!" Nico's desperation peaked, the volume of his voice rising on instinct.
"No!"
"Vanessa."
"No!"
"Vanessa."
"I said, NO!" The girl screamed, causing a flock of birds to shriek as they flew into the air, disturbed by the unexpected sound.
Vanessa then turned around, her forlorn silhouette quickly receding as she ran home.
Her sobs echoed through the air, piercing the brown-haired boy's heart more than any harsh words could.
Nico slowly extended a hand in her direction.
After hesitating for a moment, he let it drop back to his side.
Whatever he could say most likely wouldn't reach her…
As he lifted his head and gazed at the bleak sky, a silent tear slid down Nico's cheek.
***
A bitter feeling welled up within Nico.
He had buried such memories at the very depths of his heart.
It seemed that even with his best efforts, Fate still made him remember… recall how he was the source of so many people's pain.
Maybe it was a good thing that he was dying…
What a cowardly thought, Nico laughed.
Transcendents knew how much of a weakling he truly was.
Staring at the encroaching darkness, he sighed.
He just had to go and pity himself at the last moment, huh?
What a stupid way for all this to end!
He wished this darkness would hurry and swallow him whole…
Yet, as time passed - did time even pass in this strange place? - Nico kept on remembering the chaotic madness within Cedric's gaze.
The black-haired boy's desire to bring ruin to Crelerath appeared as well.
Again and again, they consumed his awareness like a never-ending barrage of attacks.
Even as his surroundings turned chilly - the call of death now harrowingly strong - he continued to recall.
And, slowly, as he did, his resignation turned to doubt, which turned to contemplation, and then reflection…
Before finally, at the very brink of death, Nico's soul shone with a newfound desire.
Since he had inadvertently played a part in Cedric's descent into darkness, he was responsible.
Responsible for any of the future bloodshed caused by his former best friend.
It was a simple but crushing fact.
And so, to fight against the weight of that harsh truth, he would no longer let anyone suffer because of his cowardly actions.
He had had enough!
No more running away!
This desire shone bright and strong…
…A deep yearning to stop his best friend.
Suddenly resisting the darkness with every fibre of his being, Nico released a soundless scream.
Slowly, torturously, he continued, like a flickering candle about to be snuffed out.
Eventually… a pinprick of light appeared, then another, and another still.
Like a highly contagious disease, the light festered, illuminating the hopeless void.
The darkness seemed to hiss at its presence. It roiled like a malevolent storm, ready to unleash its rage.
Staring at the battle between light and darkness, hope and despair, Nico's awareness slowly turned faint, until eventually, it was no more.
Deep within the roiling darkness, a gaze pierced the lightless void.
It set its sights on the spot where Nico had last been.
As the blackness intensified, doing its best to resist the radiant brilliance, the owner of the gaze whispered, its voice mystical, archaic, and sinister:
"It seems your time has not yet come, boy. You may have survived with 'His' help… but make no mistake, a price is always exacted for cheating death. It may not manifest right away, but it is watching, lurking, waiting for the opportune moment. For He Who Cheats Death will always enter 'Their' gaze."
In the next moment, the darkness was no more.