William quickly slipped into a dream.
In a haze, he found his consciousness in a strange place.
Around him was an endless darkness, so oppressive it felt as though even breathing was being stifled.
A chilling atmosphere filled the air, whispering ancient secrets and eerie tales.
William opened his eyes in the pitch-black void, a sense of alertness rising in his chest.
What is this place? he wondered, his instincts urging him to stay calm despite the growing unease.
He moved cautiously through the darkness, making an effort not to make a sound, afraid of disturbing something he shouldn't. His footsteps echoed unnervingly in the silence. As he groped forward, his fingers brushed against a cold, metallic door.
Gently pushing it open, he was greeted by a faint crimson glow, like light emanating from the depths of hell.
Before him was a square hall. In its center stood a pitch-black stone monument, exuding an air of mystery and antiquity. Feeling slightly reassured, William steadied his steps and approached the monument, sensing it might hold some answers.
By the eerie crimson light, William made out a line of bold characters etched into the stone: "Prison of the Abyss: Containment of the Abnormal." The powerful strokes exuded a sense of authority, as if declaring the solemnity and enigma of this place.
Could this be some kind of underworld? he thought.
Reaching out, he lightly touched the carved letters. His fingertips felt the cold, rough texture of the stone, sending a shiver down his spine. Deep scratches marred the surface, as though clawed by something sharp. William grew even more cautious, wary of triggering any hidden mechanisms.
A deep rumble reverberated around him, as if the earth itself was groaning. The ground trembled beneath his feet. Looking around, he saw the decrepit hall transform into a prison—walls covered in peeling paint, rusted iron doors, and an oppressive, suffocating aura. Swirling white mist rose from every corner, advancing toward him as if to crush and engulf him.
The next moment—
"Ah!"
William shot upright in bed, gasping for air.
Looking around, he saw the familiar wooden cabin. Bright sunlight streamed through the window, carrying the fresh scent of dew.
Morning had come, and the events of last night—the attack and that strange dream—seemed like distant memories. The cheerful morning sun had a way of lightening his mood.
He gently opened the wooden door to find Baker sitting at the table in the living room. Dressed in a loose, dark robe, Baker was arranging the contents of a medical kit.
"You're awake, William," Baker said warmly, smiling as he glanced up.
"Good morning, Mr. Hendler," William greeted him, marveling at the strange feeling of addressing someone who was both a stranger and a close family figure.
"Just call me Baker. No need to be so formal, my child," Baker replied, his smile broadening. He seemed to be in particularly high spirits.
"Today is a special day—the village's Awakening Ceremony is happening."
"Awakening Ceremony?" William frowned slightly, frustrated by how his amnesia left him clueless about everything. He had to keep asking questions, like someone newly born into this world.
Still, William didn't feel frustrated. Perhaps it was the restful sleep, but he found himself brimming with energy—both physically and mentally.
It was strange. After all, he had only just recovered from a severe injury, nearly strangled to death by that "Shadow Wraith" last night. Even he thought his nerves were unusually resilient.
"It's a tradition of this land," Baker explained as he finished organizing the last piece of equipment and closed the medical kit with a dull thud. "Every year, newly grown adults in the village receive the blessing of the magic potion. It marks your formal acceptance as part of the community."
"Is it an important ceremony?" William asked.
"Of course, it's important," Baker replied, his tone suddenly solemn. "During the ceremony, you'll receive bless from the lord of these lands. It contains a mysterious power, and in rare cases, grants special abilities. I intended to wait a while before telling you, given your memory loss, but after last night, I think you've realized this world isn't as simple as it seems. Some things…" He shrugged, leaving his sentence unfinished.
Baker's words brought back memories of the Shadow Wraith and the strange dream from last night. William chose to remain silent, merely nodding in acknowledgment.
"Get ready," Baker said, standing up and giving William a reassuring pat on the shoulder. The sunlight streaming through the window cast a long, thin shadow of Baker's figure on the wooden floor. "The ceremony takes place at noon. The village elders will be there. Have some breakfast first, and I'll take you there later so you don't get lost."
"Got it," William replied.Baker brought over two ceramic bowls from the kitchen, each filled with steaming oatmeal. He placed one in front of William. Floating in the porridge were pieces of carrot and potato, and a thin layer of cream rested on its surface.
"Try it. I added some honey," Baker said, handing William a wooden spoon.
William took the spoon and stirred the porridge. The steam carried a gentle aroma of milk and honey, with subtle hints of carrot and potato. Clearly, this wasn't something every household in the village could afford.
He scooped a spoonful and brought it to his mouth. The temperature was perfect, the sweetness of the honey blending harmoniously with the earthy flavors of the grains.
Even in this poor village, Baker's skills as a doctor seemed to afford him a slightly better standard of living. Though, compared to the other villagers, it was hardly extravagant.
"About last night, I'm sure you have a lot of questions," Baker said, setting his spoon down. "The thing that attacked you is something we call a Shadow Wraith."
William paused mid-bite, focusing his attention on Baker.
"A Shadow Wraith is a serious threat to ordinary people. It has no physical body, yet it can influence the real world. They usually appear at night or in dark places, feeding on human fear." Baker's voice dropped to a low tone. "They love to target people who are alone in the dark, wrapping their cold tendrils around the victim's neck until they've drained their life force completely."
Instinctively, William touched his neck, the memory of the suffocating sensation from the night before flashing through his mind.
"But the Shadow Wraith isn't the worst of them," Baker continued. "Their weakness is clear—strong light renders them powerless."
"That's why it disappeared when you came in with the oil lamp," William said, recalling the faint howl he'd heard.
"Yes, my boy. I must apologize for my carelessness. I was out for far too long last night… I'm just grateful I got back in time, and even more so that you're awake now. If something had happened, I'd have never forgiven myself."
Baker's wrinkled face showed a twinge of guilt, his hands trembling slightly.
"But the Shadow Wraith is just one of the more inconspicuous creatures. This land is home to far more terrifying, unimaginable monsters. Some have grotesque bodies and can move silently in the dark; others wear human disguises and blend into crowds. They are all cursed beings, eternally hungry for the blood and flesh of the living."
"Why do these things exist?" William asked, his brow furrowed.
"To answer that, we'd have to go back a long time," Baker said, lifting his bowl and taking a sip of the now slightly cooled porridge. "Legend has it that a great calamity descended upon this land in ancient times. That disaster twisted everything, altering the very rules of the world. Some say it was divine punishment, while others believe it was the result of a vast and sinister conspiracy. Whatever the truth, it was after that calamity that these monsters began to appear."
"And how have humans managed to survive in such an environment?" William asked.
"Through wisdom… and power." Baker's gaze grew deep and contemplative. "After today's ceremony, you'll understand. It will grant you the ability to fight against these monsters. Its power protects us. That's how we've been able to build villages and towns on this land."
William sat in silence, digesting Baker's words. The calm, warm light of the morning seemed almost ironic against the dark truths Baker had just revealed.