The Forgotten One

Deep inside a castle, the flickering light of a single candle cast eerie shadows across a cramped room, revealing the contours of ancient stone walls that echoed the weight of history. The stone walls were adorned with tapestries depicting ancient battles and medieval scenes.

The air was heavy with a scent of dampness, and the only sound was that of the distant howling of the wind, like a mournful symphony that seemed to forebode impending doom.

In the centre of the room, a figure sat crossed legged in a perfect lotus position, their eyes closed in deep meditation. Clad in flowing white robes, the person's serene countenance belied years of practice and inner stillness. Deep wrinkles lined the person's weathered face, a testament to a lifetime of wisdom and experience.

Their face was illuminated by the glow of flickering candle light, casting a powerful aura around them. The flickering light played across their closed eyes, giving the impression of a person deeply attuned to the rhythms of the universe.

As the meditator remained lost in his state of tranquillity, a figure draped in a brownish red cloak entered the room with hurried steps. The newcomer was tall and imposing, however, his face was etched with worry, and he approached the meditator with a sense of urgency. His heavy cloak billowed around him, casting a shadow that seemed to swallow the candle light.

"Yo-your excellency, please pardon my intrusion. However, there came a troubling piece of news from the outer lands."

The person adorned in the brownish red cloak addressed the meditator, his voice barely above a whisper.

The meditator's eyes fluttered open, and they turned their serene gaze towards the arriving figure. Their expression remained composed, but a furrow creased their brows as they sensed the gravity of the situation.

"Speak. What news do you bring?"

The meditator said, their voice calm and measured. The newcomer took a deep breath and then proceeded to explain in a hushed tone about the impending trouble.

"Your excellency, the Thirteenth pillar, the Thirteenth pillar has completely vanished from the outer lands."

The newcomer spoke with bated breaths about the vanished Thirteenth pillar. His voice was low and gravely, resonating in the room as he spoke of dire tidings that loomed over the world.

With his each word, the tension in the room grew palpable. The candle flame seemed to flicker and dance in response, casting eerie shadows that danced across the walls. The meditator, whom the newcomer referred to as "His Excellency" listened intently, his borrows furrowing in concern as they absorbed the gravity of the situation.

"Vanished? How can that be?!"

The meditator spoke in a low and melancholic tone, the disbelief clear in his eyes. His mind raced with the implication of this news of possible impending doom. The pillars were ancient structures that held immense power and significance in this world.

The newcomer in the brownish red cloak was waiting for the response from the meditator, with his head bowing down. The meditator spoke as a wry sigh left his mouth.

"Huh, this could have far reaching consequences. Gather the council at haste. We must act immediately to safeguard the lands of the living and seek the audience for approval to dispatch the hunter."

Cryptic orders were given to the newcomer whose face clearly showed the disbelief of of the orders that were given to him. He couldn't stop himself from asking.

"Your excellency, please forgive me for my impudence. But he is the last of his blood line and still has not come to his age."

"I recognize that fact, however we can't let the troubles pour down towards the land of the living. His blood line is the only one that can seal the lair of the vanished Thirteenth pillar. We can't let those cursed beasts come out from the cursed outer lands. We must prevent it at any cost, even if we have to sacrifice the last living hunter from his blood line."

Equivocal words were spoken that was understood by the newcomer in the brownish red cloak. The dispatch of the last living hunter of a certain blood line being decided to seal the lair of the vanished pillar. Nobody being wiser to know how things would unfold.

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Darkness! All there was limitless darkness.

(What the hell is this? Am I dreaming?)

I couldn't help but ponder as such thoughts surfaced on my mind. The darkness enveloped me like a suffocating shroud, as if I had been swallowed up by a void that has no end. Panic surged in my body, my heart hammering in my chest as I realized that I was completely lost in this abyss like darkness that has no point of reference.

I tried looking around to find some source of light but everywhere I pointed my eyes, was darkness. I tried to move but I couldn't as if I was stuck in a position. My limbs felt heavy and unresponsive, as if I was being weighted down by an invisible force. I attempted to speak but I couldn't as if everything was being swallowed up by the never ending darkness.

I don't even know if I am standing up, sitting or lying down, it was a very strange feeling. I think I felt this same kind of sensation some time ago but where did I feel it?

(Perhaps in a dream. But what is this place? Why can't I move? What is going on? This feel so real, unlike the dream I had.)

Random thoughts kept appearing in my mind as this was the only thing I could do. I felt paralyzed by the emptiness that surrounded me as my mind was being consumed by a whirlwind of thoughts. But I think the most important thought I just realized was..

(Who am I?)

Somehow I even forgot my own identity.

(How can this be possible? NO!)

Fear gnawed at me, its tendrils creeping into every corner of my consciousness.

(Why is everything this unreasonable? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why?)

I feel like my thoughts are being messed up due to the fear of the unknown. I feel like I am not the kind of person who lets negative emotions break me down. But, I can't help it now, can I? I am in a God forsaken place that doesn't even have a smidge of lighting. I can't move, I can't see, I can't hear, I can't speak and I can't feel anything, nothing at all. I don't even know who I am!

(What if I would never find my way out? What if I was condemned to wander aimlessly in this abyss for all eternity? What if?!)

Negative thoughts kept creeping in my brain as my imagination painted vivid pictures of worst case scenarios, each one more terrifying than the last. Doubt and despair took hold of me, their grip tightening with every passing moment.

Moments turned into minutes, minutes turned into hours. Even moments felt way longer than it should last. I am not even sure how long has it been since I founded myself in this unknow region of nothingness.

I tired to remember how I had ended up in this desolate space but my memory was clouded, as if my past has been swallowed up by the darkness along with me. The lack of any familiar sensation or sound is disorienting, leaving with no clues to follow.

At last, I felt a sense of utter helplessness, as if I was at the mercy of the never ending darkness, a mere speck of insignificance swallowed by the vast expense of nothingness. Slowly, my mind started turning blank, all my reasoning leaving me behind and I felt like I was loosing my very self. Even tough I couldn't recall who I was!

All the tumultuous thoughts that was keeping me company till now, felt drifting further apart from me. As if my own thoughts were leaving me behind in this unreasonable darkness. My consciousness started to collapse under the weight of the never ending dark void that surrounded my entirety.

Slowly but surely, I was being succumbed down, being grinded down into nothingness in this all devouring abyss. I felt like giving up, as I was loosing my self, even tough, I couldn't recall who I was!!

"*****!!"

Suddenly, I heard distant sound, a calm and soothing voice being brought into my ears, lighting up my diminishing consciousness.

"*****, Stay strong *****!"

At first, the words didn't make any sense but I felt like someone was calling my name.

"Stay strong please *****! Everything will be alright! You will be fine, just stay strong!!"

The distant voice was mesmerizing and kept calling me, supporting me so I don't succumb to the hopeless situation. my clouded consciousness was getting clearer with each word. I don't know or understand anything but I was regaining my confidence back.

(YES!! I am the guy who never gives up easily to any kind of unreasonable situation! Like hell, some darkness can plunge me down to my knees. Like hell, some darkness can break me down! I will not give up, never! Never!!)

I felt like I was recalling who I was. Although I still couldn't remember my name.

(As always, I will survive this shitty situation. Better and braver, I will survive again and laugh on all of your faces.)

(I just couldn't give up, no I refuse to give up as if it is my Raison d'être!)

All of a sudden, I felt my soul being lit up, with unimaginable heat and energy. The surrounding darkness started diminishing at a lightning pace as the space all around was folding on itself. Everything was being engulfed by a blinding light. There was a sense of sheer chaos all around me. I was being thrown out towards an only point that felt lively.

(As always, I will have the last laugh!! On your face, shitheads!!)