Where... Am... I...

I thought to myself, as i opened my eyes, only to find myself surrounded by a cold darkness, that seemed to encompass all there is, and stretch on for eternity.

And in this darkness filled world, i find myself all alone, only accompanied by the coldness of the void, never to see the presence of any other.

And no matter how much I searched, all i could ever find was the nothingness of the void i was in.

Alone in this vast darkness, my life began to play out, or the lack there of, for the times to come.

Floating through the never ending eternal darkness of the void, all sorts of question soon began to flash through my mind, as time went on.

Questions concerning who i was, what was this place i was in, for what purpose was i even born, would i ever leave this place, and so on.

But for all the questions that i had, none could be answered, for the time being.

And though i was confused, at my own existence, i still continued to stride forward. For i held hope that i would one day be able to escape, even if it took lots and lots of time, as the only thing i lacked not of was time.

Thus, the time passed, and with each passing moment, i grew, discovered and experienced a lot of things, about myself and the void itself.

Soon. I can feel it. The day i escape from this place draws near.

I thought, as i continued to traverse through the darkness. A sense of thrill and excitement slowly building itself up within me, at the thought of escaping this void and going to the world that lay outside.

I wonder how the outside world is like. Would it be the same as here, full of darkness, or would it be different? I hope its the latter.

I thought to myself, feeling nervous, thinking about how the outside world would be like.

Though, i was brought out of my mind, as i felt the presence of something approaching me.

Ah! Voidlings.

I still remember the time when i first met these pesky little creatures.

At the time, it had caught me off guard, as its existence was a surprise to me and proved that i never truly was alone in this void.

It was the first time i met someone other than myself..., and also the first time i nearly died.

-Sometime in the past-

Hah! Another day, another failure at my attempt to escape.

*Sigh* This is frustrating, honestly. Sometimes i wonder if it even is possible to escape.

I thought to myself grimly, but the next moment i shook myself out of it.

No! I can't think like that! No matter what, i must never give up!

I encouraged myself, after my previous failed attempt.

As no matter how much i fail, the time would come when i succeed. But if i give up halfway, i would never succeed and all my work, all i had ever done till now, would have been for naught.

Frustrated, yet not giving up, i continued to float through the void, ever so slowly, to calm myself.

And in the midst of my thoughts, i failed to notice the ripples in the darkness that seemed to be headed towards me. Not knowing that this was going to be the turning point in my life, moving forward.

Unknowing of what was happening, or what was going to happen, i continued brooding. As no matter how determined one might be, after continuous failure, one after the other, it is bound to dishearten oneself.

But my time was soon cut short when a feeling of dread suddenly engulfed me, with my mind screaming at me to be aware of a danger i knew not.

And with the state my mind was in, i began to panic before i even knew it.

All i could think about was to survive the upcoming danger. Even though i knew not what it was. But at the moment, i was not myself. For i was dominated by my instinct, to kill any threat that stood in my way and survive.

It was scary in a way if i think about it, for i knew that i was still myself, yet was unable to do anything. As in my mind, the only thing that mattered to me, was to live. And the concious, rational paet of me was locked away in my mind, with only my instinct remaining.

Was it for the better that things played out the way they did, or was it not? This was something i had no answer to, even now.

And whether i liked it or not, at the moment, i needed it to survive. For, the moment i entered my frenzy zone, the enemy in the shadows showed itself.

Purple glowing eyes that lacked intelligence, scales that covered the whole body, a large tail at the body's end, and a pair of claw-like hand that though did not connect to the body, still followed its command.

And though i was not in the right state of mind, the arrival of this creature was enough to put me in a state of shock. As in my whole life, never have i ever met another being, and always thought myself to be alone in this void. But seeing the presence of another infront of me, proved me otherwise. And from this point, i knew, i was not alone.

Though in this moment of shock, where i stayed unmoving, the creature used this chance to attack me. Bringing its claws down upon me, leaving me with a deep wound on my chest. But it also brought me out if my stupor, as i once again realised the danger i was facing.

Taking a step behind, i made some distance between us, and brought my hand to my chest where i was struck, checking the damage it had done to me.

Soon, a sound of crooked laughter came from the creature. It was laughing at my misery, and also taunting me with its laughter.

Enraged, i no longer cared about the pain, abd rushed forward. As in that moment, all i could think about was to kill and return the pain it had given me, a thousandfold.

And so began my first ever battle, that marked the line of the beginning of the long list of many to come.

And like one might expect, it was a  hard fought battle, with the both of us going all out, doing all we could to end the other's life. Delivering blow after blow, each leaving severe damage to one another.

Though at the moment, it seemed unimportant, as all they cared about now was to make the other suffer, till one of them drops dead.

But soon, after a well fought battle, with each covered in numerous injuries, the time had come. The time to end it all, once and for all. And the both of us knew it, as after the injuries we received, none could continue for long. And so, a decision was made by both, without them even realizing it, to end the fight with one last strike, containing all they had left.

One last strike, to end the fight, and to decide the victor.

So, with all the remaining strength i had left, i struck him hard and fast, as did he.

But as luck would have it, he fell, and i came out a victor. A new man, reborn. For i knew that my life would not be the same as before. For i knew that my life would not be the same as before.

And thus began my journey, once again. But this time, with renewed passion and a new sense of determination brought about by the will of fire ignited within me.

-Back to present-

Ah! Sweet times they were. But, looking back now, i have grown a lot since back then, in terms of both experience and power.

I thought to myself, as a purple flame emerged out my hand and shot off, hitting the enemy that was approaching and ending the threat, before it even arrived.

The void.

A place filled with eternal darkness. From where the vilest of creatures are born and exist in.

A place where i was born in, and have lived my whole life. Searching, and trying to escape this darkness filled void. To find the purpose for my existence, and as to why i was born.

And now, after such a long time, i have finally achieved what i sought out to achieve, since the beginning.

As the time has come. To finally leave this cursed place behind, and wander out to the world that lay outside.

Finally! FINALLY!! The time has finally come, for whence i can escape. And step out to the world outside.

I thought to myself, with excitement slowly filling my entire body. As after spending my whole life searching for ways to escape, upto now, i can finally leave this place, once and for all.

Thinking about all the things i had experienced till now, i kind of felt somewhat nostalgic, looking back now. But this was not the end of my journey, for i knew that it was just the beginning of the many i would soon experience. And i could not hesitate to make my choice now, after all i have done to get here.

So, taking in a deep breath, i calmed myself down. And started channeling my energy, as i let it build itself up within me, slowly but surely, until i could no longer hold it in.

Then, releasing all the built up energy i had within me, in a burst of power, i knew that i had succeeded. As numerous/countless cracks in space began to appear in the darkness, indicating that i had broken the veil that held me in. And now, i was free to leave.

Though, as i took a step forward, a sudden wave of dizziness began to wash over me. And before i knew it, i was already out cold, and falling through the emptiness of the darkness of the void, until my body landed on one of the cracks that i had created, pulling me in towards itself, towards a new place that i would soon call home.

In a land far, far away, there exists a place in this distant land, where there lies a forest known for its beauty and serenity. Where there lives many creatures of fae, ranging from the smallest of pixies to the largest of dragons, from the weakest of gnomes to the strongest of faes.

And in such a wonder filled place, there lays a man deep in sleep, somewhere in the forest deep within, on a bed of beautiful flowers that seem to comfort his sleep.

It was like the forest, or the world itself, was taking care of this man to the best of their abilities. Like he was a child born of the world, and needed to be served, by all there is, to make sure nothing discomforts him.

Or so it seems, if one were to see this scene happening before their own eyes.

Though, to the man, it mattered not what was going on out in the world, if others saw him or not, for all he seemed to care about at the moment, was his beauty sleep. As it looked like he had, and would be asleep for the time being, and no force in the world could wake him up.

Peace and calm were etched onto his sleeping face, which when coupled with his silvery white hair and beauty filled looks, would make any who lays their eyes upon him to be filled with wonder, and think of him an angel that has descended down upon the earth from heaven itself.

And when the glorious, bright light of the sun fell upon this angelic man, his already ethereal beauty was further enhanced.

It was like the world itself was trying to showoff his magnificent beauty to all that lay their eyes upon him.

And to those wondering who this man is, i would be honoured to tell. But to those who have been with us since the beginning, i am sure you can already guess the true identity of this man.

Yes, this is the same man who we knew from the void, and have been following after, this is the same man who spent an eternity trying to escape the prison, where he was born, and the same man who broke through the veil of darkness that surrounded the void, to now end up in this land full of wonder. Which, with his ever curious nature, would become a sight to behold for him, when once awakened.

Though, it seems that it won't take long before he finally awakens. So, without any further ado, let us be on our way, and continue this journey forward.

Why... Do you want... To leave this place...

Resounded a voice in my mind.

It was a question that one of my past foes once asked. And it has been stuck with me since then.

Every time i asked myself why i was so eager to leave, my answer would be to see the world outside. To explore and live through it.

Which in truth was one of the reasons as to why. But, the real reason was to find purpose. To know the purpose for my existence and as to why i was born.

Though, each time this thought crossed my mind, another always followed behind.

Does my existence even mean anything? Do i even have a purpose in life? Was i just... A meaningless existence?

Each time i thought about it, i was scared. Scared to admit it, infront others and to myself. For, the moment i admit it, accept it, i feel like my life would be lost, and i would be just someone without any meaning, whose entire existence was just to exist.

So i hid these thoughts and feelings of mine deep within me, never to emerge again. And masked my concerns and worries under a false facade, to bring about a sense of security. Even though i knew that it was fake. But at the time, i was not ready to face my fears, and decided to just hide from it.

In the end though, when i laid my eyes upon the light of the world outside, i saw hope. Hope, to find my purpose, and a reason for my existence. And at this moment, all the thoughts and feelings that i had hidden away deep within me, emerged and hit me like a storm.

This was the answer. The answer to all the questions that i ever had, and so much more. It was a calling, and i was ready to answer, to finally face my fears that i had long since hidden.

Though, the moment i stepped forward, a wave of dizziness rushed over me, and before i knew it, i fell unconscious, not knowing of what happened afterwards.

Where... Am i? What happened?

Did i... Fail?

I thought to myself, confused and uncertain, as i find myself floating about in an endless sea of darkness, where the cold radiates all over, and engulfs me within itself.

It was like i was back in the void all over, yet at the same time, i knew that this was not the same place, for a sense of unfamiliarity rose within me. Which confused me even further, as in this unfamiliarity, there was a sense of belonging.

Familiar, yet unfamiliar.

Confusing, is it not?

Well, i myself would be, if faced with such circumstances...

Sounded a voice through the darkness,as ut trailed off, which normally would have surprised, or even shocked me.

But i remained completely still, unfazed at all, hearing this voice as it spoke, and just waited for it to finish, before i made any inquires.

And right on queue as i thought of this, the voice continued again.

...But it seems that we should move on and talk about what you seem to be curious about.

So, ask away what you wanna ask.

Which was all i needed to hear, to finally open my mouth, and ask of what was going on.

Well, first of all, to put your mind at ease, i must inform you that you have not failed what you set out to do. In fact, you have succeeded in your endeavours.

~Which somewhat did put my mind at ease~

And secondly, this is your sea of consciousness, a place deep within your mind, and i, who you have been to talking to, can be called your subconscious.

The voice, or as it said, my subconscious, answered all that i had wanted to ask. But it left out one important thing. How do i leave?

And if it really is my subconscious, then i knew that it knew what i wanted to know at the moment now, but still left it out purposely.

So instead of waiting for it to tell me, i just took a direct approach and asked it myself. Which might have been what it wanted to happen, for i could feel its amusement oozing out.

Hahaha~ ok, ok. I will tell. Just wanted to mess with you at the moment. -wipes imaginary tears-

So, all you to do is preety simple. You just have to find the door, or the light at the end of the tunnel, and just pass through.

~Which really did seem simple enough, if i think about it.~

Now you know what you needed to know, so shoo~ shoo~ get on out of here.

Which ticked me off a bit, but i could also feel the smirk it had on his imaginary face. So i just decided to be on my way, before i have to deal with any more of its acts.

And with that i was gone, rushing through the endless sea of darkness, until i finally saw the light that i wanted to find infront, and passed through. With excitement writen all over my face as it happened.

Hmm~

What is this warm sensation that i am feeling?

It feels so... Good! Like all my worries have been washed away, leaving me with a relaxed mind and a body full of energy.

I thought to myself, as i finally opened my eyes, only to be momentarily blinded by the light, as i was not used to it, unlike the usual darkness that i had grown accustomed to.

Though, when my eyes were finally adjusted to the bright light, my mind was blown away as i laid my eyes upon the scene before me.

A beautiful bed of flowers below me, upon which  i laid, surrounded by a stream of clear water, followed by the large and colourful trees further behind, enclosing this area as a whole. And above it all was the bright blue sky, where there flew many small birds, in perfect harmony.

It was a scene so beautiful, and full of wonder, unlike what i was used to, that i thought this a dream. And even if it was, i would not want to wake up at all.

But it seems that this was not a dream, and is in fact real. As i took in the sweet smells that flew in the air, and the warm breeze as it passed over me.

I had always thought of the outside world to be different from the void, but it seems to be even greater than what i imagined.

I thought to myself, as i stretched out my hand, for a small little butterfly to land upon it, and watched as it left, and flew towards one of the flowers present there.

Smiling at this, i looked over the horizon, as i thought, "So begins a new chapter in my life."