Dark… it was so dark.
Everything around him was full of gloom.
Yet, it differed slightly from the oppressive blackness of the void, possessing an ever so slight azure sheen to it.
It was still incredibly harsh and suffocating, especially the deafening silence. However, as he tried to breathe, the action seemed to send off a wave of effervescence.
…Bubbles?
How strange…
What was even stranger was the guilt, resignation, and despair nestled within his chest. As well as the stomach-churning sensation produced by falling through a bottomless abyss.
How inexplicably and utterly odd.
As he sank further and further into the depths, he flailed his arms, hoping to find purchase to stop his descent.
Unfortunately, in this cold, dark, terrifying and empty space where life seemed not to exist... that was all but impossible.
He was alone… as he always had been.
What a bleak thought to have.
Though, he couldn't entirely be blamed.
After all, his surroundings were nothing but gloomy.
Just then, a light beneath his feet caught his attention. It was tiny at first, no more than a speck.
But as it neared, it grew brighter and brighter until it dispelled some of the dark, azure-like abyss.
In the next moment, a massive maw snapped shut, darkness then fully clouding his vision.
***
A soft breeze blew through the Augustus Empire.
The wind carried with it a lingering scent.
One that reeked of change.
And rightly so, for the many youths across the whole Empire had just finished their first taster of real hell in this dark, oppressive and grim world.
The numerous Ceremonies conducted across an array of Dungeons in the Human Territory, each housing different environments and challenges for the aspirants to overcome, finally came to a close after ten gruelling days.
Usually, the Emperor would grant a public holiday that lasted several days in celebration of the intrepid youths who had successfully ascended.
Unfortunately, those who desired a respite from work and an opportunity to spend a day off with their families were in for a sudden shock when the Monarch announced the cancellation of such festivities.
Emperor Augustus had given a vague excuse, citing it was not right to celebrate when so many were losing their lives on the daily.
While it had not been stated outright, these subtle changes were enough to give a hint to the common populace that the War was not going well.
In fact, by the looks of it, it seemed to be getting worse and worse.
Still, for those who had achieved success, it was a period of joyous celebration. A time when they could bask in the fruits of their hard work and dire effort.
The opposite was also true. For those who had failed, the spell after the Awakening Ceremony served as a time of great gloom, regret, and despair.
In a certain building located within the Inner Circle, a lone boy slept unaware of all of this. It had been three days since the Ceremonies had come to a close, yet he still showed no signs of waking up.
His long, chestnut hair reached down to his eyebrows, covering the patch of discoloured skin resting on his temple. His once juvenile features no longer seemed as innocent, doubtless marred by the struggles of life.
In addition, his cheekbones and jawline appeared to be sharper and more defined as well.
Whether that was because of the intense stress the youth had experienced inside the Dungeon, or a consequence of training his body so hard that he had shed some fat, it was hard to tell.
Either way, in this space where the gentle beep of a life machine reverberated through the white-washed room, and the drawn fuchsia curtains allowed specks of warm sunlight to pierce the glass pane, Nico's silhouette seemed strangely peaceful.
Regrettably, that sight only lasted for a brief moment.
The brown-haired boy shot up with a gasp, his eyes wild with terror.
His mind flashed with the images of the deep, dark, azure abyss.
A shiver crawled down his spine, goosebumps erupting all over his skin.
'W-What was that?'
Nico panted.
Confusion, fear, and terror swirled deep within his gaze.
His heart hammered in his chest, producing an audible thump that he felt could be heard for miles.
Why had he dreamt of falling through a bottomless abyss?
And why did that eerie place resemble the very depths of the ocean?
Filled with many questions, as his head throbbed with a dull ache, Nico scanned his surroundings urgently.
A sigh of relief soon escaped his lips.
Observing the white-washed sterile interior, and listening to the intermittent familiar beep coming from the machine beside his bed, he quickly understood he was in a hospital room.
Leaning his head back on the headboard, the brown-haired boy slowly waited for his heartbeat to calm.
As it did, a flood of memories streamed into his mind, containing recollections of a frigid ever-shifting labyrinth, arachnids encased in pale armour, and his brief clash with their overlord.
The cloaked figure, whom he now knew to be his former best friend, also made an appearance in his mind.
By the end of it, an equally bittersweet and equally desperate feeling settled to life in Nico's chest.
He was honoured to have a stalwart companion like the half-blood who had saved his life, but he was also slightly sad that Leon had gone back and risked his life to rescue him.
Still, the warmth in his heart trumped that sadness many times over.
Alternatively, the brown-haired boy's desperation had to do with Cedric.
More specifically, a determination to prevent his former best friend from destroying this world. And, if Nico could help Cedric return to the light, then all the better.
However, if he still refused to listen… Nico would have to steel himself and do something he previously deemed unthinkable.
In any case, his priority was to get as strong as possible, as quickly as possible, to either stop the black-haired boy or convince him of the error of his ways.
To do that, he would need the aid of a Mana Core.
'Speaking of… have I ascended?'
A twinge of anxiety rippled through Nico's chest.
He took a deep breath, placing a seal on his bubbling apprehension as he gazed down toward his navel.
The boy frowned.
'Huh?'
A white hospital gown covered his figure, while a set of wires connected his chest to the machine beside the bed.
That wasn't what caused him to frown, though.
No, instead, it had to do with the numerous vibrant motes dancing in the corner of his vision.
'What the…?'
Nico entered a daze, watching the mystical kaleidoscope of colour with extreme fascination.
There were red, light blue, grey, earthy brown, silver, gold and purple particles swirling in the air.
To him, it seemed as if they were joyously celebrating something.
Peering closer, he noticed a greater concentration of these particles near his midsection.
Nico froze, his eyes slowly widening at the sudden realisation.
This… this could only mean one thing.
Nico's breath hitched in his throat before a flood of emotion overtook him.
His eyes turned slightly damp.
The young boy paid that no mind, however, as he squealed internally, appearing as if he were a child who had just received the thing he desired the most.
A broad grin filled with relief, delight and jubilation graced his weathered face.
He pumped his fist gleefully into the air.
A few minutes later, Nico calmed down enough to cross his legs and force himself to lay still.
As the intermittent beep continued to break the occasional silence, the young ascender closed his eyes, began meditating to clear his mind and prepared to inspect his newly formed core.