Chapter 26

Darkness, a soothing warmth, the feeling of being embraced.

Was this truly the end?

Had Ryder's one mistake really led to his and Melia's end?

Such a rookie mistake… he wasn't fit to be a champion at all.

For a while he just stayed there, waiting for… well, anything to happen.

To see the great beyond, or have his mind blink out of existence.

That's not what happened though, no, quite the opposite.

He felt more and more alive, the sound of a crackling fire filling his mind.

Soon more sounds and scents began to fill his mind.

Wood being whittled away into a new shape.

The scent of grass and rain melding into one.

A light bubbling sound mixing with the crackling of the fire.

It was all so vivid… had he not died after all?

He was so very tired, but he had to be sure.

Had to know if he was still alive.

So he began to try to wake up, to force his body to work.

His body was still asleep, not wanting to work, but that didn't matter.

All that he needed was his eyes to open.

If he could get them open then he'd know for sure.

All he had to do was wake up.

Slowly his eyes began to open, a stream of light shining in and blinding him, making him wince in the process.

It was a good sign though, either he was alive or there was some life after death.

Soon though his eyes began to adjust to the light, new shapes and colors came into view.

He was still in the cabin.

He wasn't dead after all!

A few feet away from him, asleep but clearly breathing as well was Melia, she hadn't passed on either.

The fireplace was glowing with a brilliant orange flame, it danced and lit up the room nicely, warming Ryder's tired body in the process.

Hanging above the fire was what looked like a tea kettle, someone was here, preparing a drink of some kind.

Right, a figure had shown up and saved them, one wearing all black, Regis?

Ryder glanced around, now noticing what else had been keeping him warm.

A long black cloak had been draped over him, being used as a makeshift blanket.

It was surprising but made him smile a bit as he looked for the owner.

Yet that feeling sank as he saw who was sitting there, back faced to them.

It wasn't immediately obvious as Ryder had never seen them without the cloak before, but he'd recognize that sword anywhere.

Sitting in front of him was none other than Lord Hunter Shade, silently whittling something away as he waits for the water to boil.

Without the cloak it was easy to see some of Shade's features now.

He had unkempt black hair that reached just past his chin, it looked like he hadn't brushed it in awhile.

His skin was surprisingly healthy looking, with only one visible blemish being a scar under his right eye.

Those eyes, they were onyx in color but seemed to be just as cold as the weather outside, just looking at them sent a shiver down Ryder's spine.

All things considered, aside from his hair and eyes, this invader didn't seem to stand out that much in comparison to Aranea or Teach.

Had he been part of their forces Ryder probably would've missed him just like Melia.

Was this really the same Shade that killed so many?

There was a strange feeling in Ryder's heart as he gazed upon him, something nostalgic overtaking him, like deja vu.

Slowly Ryder began to try to sit up, his body still refusing to properly work, that's when Shade finally noticed he'd woken up.

He spoke up, his voice being surprisingly soft and caring unlike the battle where they'd first met. "You should rest longer, the drifter's spell is still sapping away at your strength."

"Spell?" Ryder asked, his voice hoarse and barely above a whisper as he strained to get it out.

Just uttering that one word felt like an impossible task.

"The thing making you feel like you're dead, it was a spell cast by one of the drifters in this area." he begins, pausing only to look at his carving from a new angle. "It knocks you out and slowly drains everything from you, mana, health, and memories, until only a hollow shell with an empty soul remains."

Shade stands up after finishing his carving and moves to Melia, resting the object next to her.

Slowly he brushes aside a few strands of hair, better revealing her face for Ryder.

There, covering part of her face, were pale white runes that seemed to be glowing ever so slightly.

"These are the markings of a real devourer, not what Teach did." His voice is a bit harsher in tone now, but it doesn't seem directed at anyone in particular.

Slowly he moves the carving closer to Melia, the runes seeming to react to it. "Don't worry, I'm not hurting her, this is just a treatment for such a spell… a counterspell of sorts I guess."

Shade now moves back and sits next to the fireplace once more, carving out a second one. "You're lucky I found you when I did, had it been anyone else and… well… I think you get the picture."

Ryder groans a little, trying to move but still being unable to as he looks around.

Reluctantly he lies his head back down, gazing into the crackling flame as he does so.

For a moment there's only silence as his mind begins to fade once more.

"Don't worry, you're safe here with me, I'll make sure you and your friend are safe." Shade says, not looking up from his carving. "Just rest up and recover your strength, the others will need you soon enough."

Though he doesn't wish to, Ryder can't help but close his eyes, the spell still taking its toll on his tired body.

A mixture of comfort and worry running through his mind as the darkness envelopes him once again.

Then, as he floated amidst the endless abyss, a new sensation overtook him.

One of cool ocean air blowing across his face, the smell of saltwater drawing him in.

Was he dreaming again? Perhaps seeing Teach's memories once more?

He did not know, nor did he truly care, for this feeling was bliss to him.

Whatever this was, he never wanted to truly wake up again.

A slight humming is heard, a curious song that begins to rouse Ryder as he opens his eyes.

Before him is a stunning sight.

White sands stretching out to his sides and behind him, looking as if they'd been untouched for centuries.

Deep blue oceans that looked like they went on endlessly, as if you could swim into their depths forever and never reach the bottom.

Above him the sky opened up, revealing an entire galaxy on display, the various hues of blue, red, yellow and green melding and creating a reality shattering sight as the stars danced magnificently amid the chaos.

Ryder couldn't even move, his eyes wide as he gazed at the scenery before him, trying to just take it all in.

That's when he heard the humming again and saw Vincent sitting on the beach next to him, humming some sort of song while gazing up at the universe.

There was something about the scene unfolding before him that just made it seem like this kid was special, like he was loved by the universe itself.

"Vincent?" Ryder asks, now forcing himself to sit up, noticing his armor was missing.

So where his weapons and any artifacts he had on him.

The child stops humming and looks over at him with a smile, lightly waving before looking back up at the universe.

Slowly Ryder adjusts his position, getting a bit more comfortable and trying to really figure out what was going on.

"Where are we?" he asks hesitantly, hoping the child would have some sort of response for him.

Vincent pauses and thinks for a moment before looking over and signing a single word.

[Creation]