Nihil

"Okay, how about this place called Nihil?"

After the bombshell he had received, he had decided to continue asking what he could before he began. He had found out that most his age wouldn't ask him many questions seemingly because they did not possess his maturity and curiosity so they often asked him questions you'd expect from people that young. He had found out that from their second ascent and going forward they had to collect enough ether in their cores and then they'd summon the trial with their glyphs, a marking present under every awakener's, skin located on their glabella. What he also found out was that their glyphs could relay information to them about themselves. He knew there was a lot he wasn't taught by those in charge and that was probably because they didn't expect anyone with frightening potential to emerge from them. he imagined the more fortunate folk were given all the necessary information they required.

"This realm was created from the essence of the pantheon of creation."

"Juxtaposition much,"

The fragment did not respond to him; however, Casimir didn't mind. He thought a realm with a name that meant nothingness to be made from the essence of a deity that was responsible for "somethingness" was irony played out in real-time.

'Unless the purpose of this realm that was birthed from his essence, was that it was the birthplace of our powers then?'

That made sense he could see how.

'And nothingness was a symbolic gesture of the blank canvas that creation often worked on then.'

At that moment he thought saw almost a twitch of a smile on the lips of his face. Was he imagining it? Did the fragment of death just show delight in his revelation?

"I will remind you the longer you stay here the more time passes back in your realm."

"That does not bother me I have no one waiting for me."

at least no one I know of.'

Casimir continued.

"How about from my second… ascent do we get to speak for so long?"

"No, oftentimes I do not meet those that have already begun their ascent."

"Then how do people in the realm of the living know about the past, and all these important stuff-like fables, and what not if they can't ask you when they are much older."

"When you ascend you are met with a vision of the past. In this vision you are either a spectator or you are absorbed by it and you witness the events firsthand, it is one of the many ways in which trials are taken and upon completing your trial you will be given certain knowledge dependent on your fate and your trial's difficulty."

Casimir remained quiet, a lot was missing from that answer and he felt it was because he hadn't awakened yet. He was also sceptical of the power of "fate." The majority of his life revolved around him being powerless against events he was often swept in. So, he had developed a loathing for all things destiny related.

"Fate is something powerful I presume? I mean if not even the gods could fight it then what more of us right?"

However, the fragment didn't respond but rather stood up.

"Let us begin your trial child."

Casimir was caught by surprise. Wasn't he supposed to be the one deciding that?

"Hey, I thought you said I decide when,"

"Yes, it is you who does however the longer you remain in this realm the more the power of nothingness influences your soul, you are far too weak to remain here for as long as you have and my power can only protect a mortal for so long."

"I see…"

He wanted to protest but he was also feeling a bit uncomfortable by the minute.

"Now I will use my power to show you your glyph child."

Just then the warmth he had felt when he fell asleep coagulated right below his sternum. The sensation did not end there, the warmth travelled towards his glabella and just then he could envision the little marking that shone ever so brilliantly under his skin. Information about himself went into his mind instantly.

Name: Casimir Nagid

Fable: none

Aura: none

Soul Core rank: none

Origin [null]: none

Abilities: none

Artefacts: none

Heritage: none

He was surprised to find his name had been incomplete this whole time. He wondered where he got Nagid from.

"You shall now begin your trial child; may your fate be greater than your fault."

As the fragment said the last part the scenery changed. Casimir was no longer in the realm of nothingness but found himself in a room. It was cold. He tried to stand up but found his legs were bound, he was trapped, held prisoner once again. He then felt very disoriented by the sudden change in location and it didn't help that he couldn't see. Had he gone blind? He let his hands wander the floor to understand more about where he found himself. The floor was smooth, very smooth actually. He assumed he was on marble or tiles whatever it was he didn't like it one bit. The silence didn't help calm his mind. How were sixteen-year-olds supposed to face such trials? His mind went into overdrive to try and work out why children underwent such insurmountable tasks. He was panicking, why? He stopped.

'Wait why am I panicking?'

He asked himself trying to understand the reason he had suddenly and unknowingly lost his reasoning for a moment there. Something was amiss and he had to find what. Now he had regained his cool he began thinking.

'Okay so this must have something to do with me obviously, but what? I have never been a slave in my life and I don't think that's the reason for the chains then what a prisoner?'

Just then he heard what sounded like bars rattling, a door opened to reveal a man wearing black robes with gold accents. His skin was pale as winter's moon and his gaunt frame made him look like he had been drained of his life by a vampiric monster. His black orbs of eyes landed on Casimir.

"So you have woken? Very good the ritual begins soon fallen do not worry I have brought you escorts so you need not worry about being too weak to walk."

Just then two large burly men walked in behind the sickly man.

"Your people will remember you as a traitor but worry not, we will teach our children of your sacrifice in this bloody war albeit one that your nation has lost."

The henchmen unlocked the cell and picked him up. He wanted to retort, to say something, but nothing came out. He knew he was in trouble and he had to do something.