The light grew brighter, engulfing Leo in its intensity. It felt like a comet had passed through him, leaving his senses overwhelmed. His instincts kicked in, and he closed his eyes tightly against the unbearable glare. For a few moments, it was as if the entire universe had been reduced to a single, blinding moment of radiance.
When he dared to open his eyes again, Leo found himself standing in an expanse unlike anything he had ever seen. It was a bright, endless space, filled with a pale light that seemed to have no source. Beneath his feet stretched a clear, glassy ocean that reflected the brilliance above. The water was perfectly still, as if frozen in time.
He rubbed his eyes furiously, hoping to dispel the surreal image before him. But no matter how many times he blinked, the view remained unchanged.
"Is this... real?" he murmured, his voice trembling as it echoed into the emptiness. "Where am I?"
He turned in every direction, hoping to find something—anything—that could ground him in reality. But the endless horizon offered no landmarks, no clues. Just the same vast, luminous emptiness as far as his eyes could see.
"Did I actually die?" His voice wavered as he spoke the question aloud. "Or is this... another dream?"
Leo clenched his fists, staring at his hands as if they might hold some answers. He pinched himself repeatedly, each sharp sting confirming that he was, indeed, awake. But the pain brought no clarity. The strange world around him remained as enigmatic as ever.
After what felt like an eternity of standing still, his thoughts turned elsewhere. Surya. The name drifted into his mind, unbidden, tugging at his heart.
"I hope Surya's okay," he whispered, his face clouded with worry. The thought of his younger brother grounded him, reminding him of what truly mattered. Even in the face of uncertainty, his love and concern for Surya burned bright.
With nothing else to do, Leo began to walk. The water beneath his feet rippled faintly with each step, though it felt solid enough to support him. There was no clear destination in sight, yet he pressed on, driven by some instinct he couldn't name. Each step seemed to echo, the sound swallowed by the endless expanse around him.
Minutes turned into hours—or so it seemed, for there was no way to measure time in this strange place. The scenery never changed. The endless ocean, the blinding brightness, and the silence stretched on, unbroken.
"Is this some kind of punishment?" he muttered, his voice heavy with frustration. "Am I stuck here forever?"
Finally, he stopped walking and sank to his knees. The sheer monotony of the place was maddening, but his body refused to feel tired. Strangely, he wasn't hungry, thirsty, or even fatigued. Yet his mind felt like it was unraveling.
Lying down on the water, he closed his eyes. "Maybe... if I sleep, something will change," he said to himself, though he doubted it. The memories of his life played on repeat in his mind. His family's tragic death, the love he found in his foster family, his bond with Surya, the bullying he endured, the strange visions that plagued him—they all came rushing back, each memory sharpening the ache in his chest.
It was too much. Despite the stillness of the world around him, his mind was a storm.
Eventually, exhaustion overtook him. Though his body felt no fatigue, his spirit was worn thin. As sleep claimed him, he floated on the endless ocean, adrift in a sea of dreams.
---
When Leo awoke, it was to the sensation of sinking. His eyes snapped open, and panic surged through him. He was no longer on the surface. He was deep underwater, surrounded by an endless expanse of blue. The light from above barely reached him, casting the depths in an eerie, muted glow.
Instinct took over. He kicked his legs and paddled with his arms, desperate to reach the surface. But no matter how hard he swam, the ocean seemed to pull him deeper and deeper. His chest tightened as he held his breath, the pressure mounting with each passing second.
I can't breathe... The thought clawed at his mind, growing louder and louder. His vision blurred as panic threatened to consume him. He needed air, but his lungs burned with the effort of holding on.
Finally, he could hold it no longer. His body betrayed him, forcing him to exhale. Bubbles escaped his mouth, rising to the unreachable surface above.
And then, something miraculous happened.
Leo took an involuntary breath, expecting water to flood his lungs. But instead, he felt... air. Cool, clean, and refreshing, as if he were breathing on land.
"What...?" His voice escaped him, muffled but clear in the water. "I can breathe?"
He stared at his hands in disbelief, his earlier panic replaced by awe. The realization hit him like a wave. Somehow, he was alive, breathing, and speaking beneath the ocean.
"This is insane," he muttered, his voice tinged with wonder. "Am I dreaming? Or is this place... magic?"
Before he could ponder further, a light appeared in the distance. It was faint at first, but it grew brighter and brighter, piercing through the depths like a beacon. Without thinking, Leo swam toward it, drawn by its warmth.
As he approached, the light engulfed him, and he felt his body being pulled upward. It was as if the ocean itself had decided to release him.
---
When he opened his eyes again, he was back on the surface. The endless, reflective ocean stretched out before him once more, unchanged. Yet something felt different.
He sat up, taking in his surroundings. That was when he heard it—a sound, faint but unmistakable. It was a melody, soft and haunting, as though someone were playing a flute. The sound floated on the air, filling the emptiness with an unexpected beauty.
"What's that?" Leo whispered, his heart inexplicably calm despite the strangeness of it all. The music called to him, and before he realized it, his feet were moving. He followed the sound, each step bringing him closer to its source.
After what felt like an eternity of walking, he saw it: a massive gate standing alone in the vast expanse. It shimmered with a golden glow, intricate patterns etched into its surface. The music was coming from beyond the gate, the melody resonating deep within him.
Leo hesitated, his hand hovering just inches from the gate. "What's behind here?" he murmured. His heart pounded in his chest, equal parts fear and anticipation.
Summoning his courage, he pushed the gate open. The music grew louder, enveloping him completely. As the gates parted, a blinding light poured through, and Leo stepped forward, leaving the endless ocean behind.
---
Inside, the world was unlike anything he had ever seen. It was as if he had entered a dreamscape—a place where the sky was painted in swirling colors, and the ground shimmered like glass. In the distance, a figure stood, playing the flute. The music was achingly beautiful, each note resonating with an emotion Leo couldn't quite name.