CHAPTER 30: BLACKOUT (2)

It’s nice to know that others have thought the same as me when it comes to the abyss here. It just sucks that no one has any information on it.

I know very little, other than the fact that it drags those without talent down the most in the world. But since I’ve awakened this power I didn’t expect to see it again for a long time.

That’s what makes it even more of a mystery than before.

"Rokuro." A familiar voice calls out.

I know I’m not crazy... Someone else just called out my name but I shouldn’t turn to face it, right?

"Just keep going. It’s normal to hear the voices in here, it’s a way to draw you further into the depths." Rika instructs while continuing to lead the way.

"Understood. Thanks for letting me know." I respond genuinely.

It reminded me a lot of the whisperspawns with how they manipulate people’s memories to draw them out. I never had the memories done before but I’ve heard the stories behind them.

The most I dealt with was the voices they stole from my memories, that’s it. I’d consider myself lucky when it comes to the encounters I’ve had up to this point.

"We’re in for a pretty decent walk, I hope you’re ready for it." Rika says with a calm tone in her words.

She seems to have the same kind of calmness as me which is nice, something that others can’t always do. I’ve found it to be quite helpful in situations instead of panicking.

"Yeah. Getting out of here is the goal." I reply while following her.

It felt as if we were getting further and further away from the depths of the abyss, a place that felt like it was impossible to leave. A place that I’d usually wake up from without a problem.

That’s what made it even more confusing to think about, each step we took made me realize how different this was. The darkness around us was a lot different from what I was used to and it even felt a bit more intense.

Almost as if I was in an endless ocean, slowly drowning.

"The light in the distance is the exit." Rika points towards a light beaming in through a door.

Finally being able to leave this place would be great... It felt as if we were here for a long ass time. I wonder how long it’s been since I blacked out like I did.

I’ve probably got Ghost worried sick about me and I’m sure it’s been a constant panic since then. She’s not the best with handling situations where I’m out of commission all of a sudden.

Maybe she’s doing better since she did manage to kill some monsters during the fight recently.

Tug. I look down to see Rika grabbed my hand and is pulling me along towards the door ahead. I didn’t understand why she grabbed my hand at first until the sounds from behind started.

Sinister like growls were behind me... It sounded like hundreds of them were coming for us. Something I never encountered in all my times here.

Makes sense that monsters would be within the abyss as well since it’s not exactly a peaceful place.

"We’re almost there Rokuro!" Rika shouts while dragging me along.

My thoughts are starting to draw blanks with the closer the monsters get to us, isn’t that weird? How powerful are the monsters here in the abyss..?

Before I can react Rika drags us through the door and once again I find myself in that bright room from before. Only this time, there was no Seraphine.

Rika was no longer next to me anymore either. The room was empty and I was completely alone with nothing in sight wherever I looked.

From one empty place to another huh? Why would I be brought back to this place of all places for me to go?!?

"Rika!!" I shout while trying to keep calm.

She was with me back there so what the hell just happened to her? I need to stay calm but being alone in a place like this is making that kind of hard.

I sit down on the ground and slowly raise my hands up to my head. "It’s a lot like back then huh." I say quietly.

Minami. My only family is gone and that thought always comes back, I couldn’t save her.

Footsteps could be heard slowly approaching in the distance.

She should be alive instead, maybe she could’ve awakened a powerful talent that would’ve helped her out more than anything. What good did I do?

All this guilt eating me up inside because I didn’t awaken a damn thing until I entered a dungeon.... Why did it choose to awaken then!?!

"Why couldn’t I have awakened sooner!" I shout, the anger taking over my calm tone.

I slammed my fists into the ground. "This is a joke! Why the hell would I even awaken after all these years without it!" I shout once more while slamming my fists down again.

I almost died to whisperspawns, I almost died to that monster in the dungeon, and I probably would’ve died to that damn boss monster too. I’m still...Weak.

Even after gaining this power I haven’t felt like I was strong enough to make a real difference yet.

My thoughts all seem to disappear as I feel a warm embrace wrap around me. Something that took me completely out of this negative funk.

I don’t know who’s hugging me all of a sudden or why it’s happening to me now but it’s pushing out everything I just felt... How...?

"There’s no reason to let all of that burden you. Everything is okay now." She speaks with a soft tone to her voice.

She sounds familiar but I can’t bring myself to look up at her, what is this strange feeling all of a sudden? This couldn’t be Rika since she pushed me through and disappeared, so who is it...?