John stood in the dimly lit chamber, the oppressive darkness around him broken only by the faint glow of the orb in his hand. His mind was a whirlwind of questions, but one dominated them all. As he stared at the silhouette before him—the man who had only moments ago called himself the Watcher—he could no longer contain his curiosity.
"What should I do now?" John asked, his voice trembling slightly, a mix of fear and determination coursing through him. "You said I have to confront my deepest fears, but how? Where do I even start?"
The man's figure, still shrouded in shadows, seemed to shift slightly, as if amused by John's question. "This place," he began, his voice low and echoing, "Is the Abyss. A realm beyond your understanding. It is a training ground, a crucible for those chosen to awaken their true potential. It was created by 'him' to prepare the chosen ones for what lies ahead."
John's eyes narrowed. The mention of this mysterious "him" piqued his curiosity. "Who is 'him'?" he asked quickly, sensing an important piece of the puzzle. "Why does he want us to go through this?"
The silhouette, still shrouded in darkness, remained silent for a moment before responding. "You are not yet worthy to know his name or his purpose," he said flatly. "Your focus should be on the trials that await you here. You must survive, grow, and learn."
John's heart sank a little at the dismissal. He was frustrated, but he couldn't afford to be reckless. "What are these trials?" he asked, trying to mask his disappointment. "And what is this orb? How am I supposed to use it?"
The silhouette seemed to shift again, and for a moment, John thought he saw a flicker of impatience in its movements. "The trials," Nexar explained, his tone even, "are challenges designed to test your mind, body, and spirit. Each trial is unique, reflecting your deepest fears and hidden strengths. As for the orb..." He gestured to the glowing sphere in John's hand. "It is a tool. A light in the darkness. It will guide you when there is no path, act as your storage when you have no pockets, and much more. But its true potential is for you to discover."
John held the orb tighter, its faint glow a small comfort in the overwhelming darkness. He could feel a strange warmth emanating from it, almost as if it was alive, waiting for him to unlock its secrets.
"What are these trials?" John asked, a mix of anxiety and determination in his voice. He was tired of the cryptic answers. "Why can't you just tell me what to expect?"
The silhouette's eyes seemed to glimmer with an unreadable expression. "If I told you, it would defeat the purpose," he replied calmly. "The trials are meant to push you to your limits, to force you to confront your deepest fears and desires. Only through struggle will you truly grow."
A heavy silence followed. John's mind raced as he processed the information. He was scared, but there was also a part of him—perhaps a deeper, more desperate part—that felt strangely exhilarated by the challenge. This was the change he had unknowingly been waiting for.
Finally, he asked the question that had been nagging at him since the beginning. "Who are you? And why are you helping me?"
For a moment, the man was silent, as if considering whether to answer. Then, he spoke. "I am Nexar," he said simply. "I am... a guardian of sorts," he said, his voice softer, almost contemplative. "I watch over those who enter the Abyss, guiding them through their trials, ensuring they do not stray from the path." He paused, then added, "But do not mistake my guidance for friendship. My purpose here is not to help you; it is to test you."
As john opened his mouth, a searing pain exploded behind his eyes, as if a thousand shards of glass were being driven into his skull. He stumbled backward, his vision swimming in and out of focus, the chamber twisting and warping like a funhouse mirror. He could faintly hear Nexar's voice, but the words were distorted, muffled by the pounding in his ears.
"Do not concern yourself with matters beyond your understanding," Nexar's voice echoed in his mind, though John couldn't make out the words. He could only sense the command. "Go now, to the teleportation altar in the distant corner of this chamber. Your first trial awaits."
Through the haze of pain, John spotted a faint glow in the distance—a raised platform, illuminated by a soft, otherworldly light. His vision blurred, but he could make out the shape of what looked like a teleportation altar. He tried to ask another question, desperate for answers, but before he could speak, he felt a sudden force. Nexar's hand, or perhaps something else, pushed him with a power that felt like a gust of wind, propelling him toward the altar.
John stumbled forward, barely keeping his balance, the pain in his head still throbbing. As he reached the altar, the light around him intensified. He could feel the ground shifting beneath his feet, and before he could react, he was engulfed in a blinding flash of light.
As John vanished, the chamber grew silent. Nexar stood still, listening intently. He heard it—a soft, almost imperceptible sound: footsteps. His eyes narrowed, and he swiftly turned, a blade appearing in his hand as if summoned from the shadows. He struck out, but his blade met only empty air.
From the shadows stepped a woman, her blonde hair cascading down her shoulders, her green eyes gleaming in the dim light. A crimson line slashed across her cheek, a bead of blood gathering before it traced a slow path down to her chin, glistening in light. Nexar lowered his weapon, his expression remaining impassive.
"Lily," he said flatly, his tone unamused. "Why are you here?" The woman smirked, wiping the blood from her cheek. "Always so cold, Nexar," she replied, a hint of teasing in her voice. "I came with important information, but if you're not interested—"
She trailed off, waiting for some reaction, but Nexar remained stoic, his gaze fixed on her. With a sigh, she dropped the act. "Fine. They've started to move. And from the looks of it, their destination seems to be…"
But before she could finish, the ground beneath them trembled slightly, a low rumble echoing through the chamber. Nexar's eyes narrowed as he sensed a shift in the energy around them. "We don't have much time," he said, turning away from Lily and staring into the darkness where John had vanished. "The trials have begun, and so has everything else."
Lily nodded, her expression grave. "The chosen ones will have to be ready. If not, everything we've fought for will be in vain."
Nexar remained silent, his gaze fixed on the darkness "I just hope he chose the right person" He finally said more to himself than to her.
As the chamber fell into silence once more, the two figures stood together, watching and waiting for what was to come next.