An eerie silence permeated through the darkness of this void-like place.
No one could be seen for miles, if the concept of distance even existed here, except a dark elf.
He somehow sat on the emptiness of this void, one leg dangling while the knee of his other leg was brought close to his chest.
His palms were placed on the void underneath him as he whistled a tune.
He looked quite relaxed and carefree.
The dark elf had medium length white hair. Both of his eyes were red.
Ray continued relaxing, even leaning back, folding his arms behind his head to use as a pillow.
Untill a voice broke the silence.
[You seem to care less everytime I see you]
The voice itself seemed to carry power as the void shook.
Ray himself also experienced the tremors, yet he seemed unbothered.
"Then what? You want me to be afraid like when I first came here?"
Ray chuckled to himself.
"You and I both know you can't do anything."
The voice was silent only for a moment before retorting back.
[I will be able to once you get stronger]
Ray raised an eyebrow at the voice's words.
"I already know that."
"That's why I haven't been training, unlike Feyd"
Feyd had been doing some training during their journey.
From experimenting with his Rift to trying out his flames, Feyd had improved in all aspects since they both first woke up.
On the other hand Ray had been in charge of scouting, collecting information and what not, intentionally avoiding using his powers, especially his shadow manipulation, to some extent even.
Half of his powers weren't his own. Unlike Feyd, his main ability was not innate, they came from something– No, someone else.
The voice.
"I just have to not get stronger. It shouldn't be that hard"
The void then cracked for a moment, almost forming what looked to be a smile in the sky.
[Keke... Oh yes it will be. Everytime you fight, everytime you use shadows, everytime you move objects with your psychic powers I'll be ready.]
The crack in the void grew wider. A deep, ancient shadow could be seen inside it.
[Ready to Infuse myself into you. Making you stronger, stronger untill I can be unleashed unto the world!]
[But you already knew that now didn't you? You must also know why I bring you here as often as I can]
Ray frowned at its words.
The voice was right. He knew why it brought him here so often.
It wasn't to annoy him or cause Feyd trouble, not that it didn't enjoy it when that happened. No, it was for one specific reason.
To make Ray stronger.
Everytime he was forced into this place, a strange void inside of Ray, he would grow stronger.
At first he didn't realise it, and even when he did he didn't understand it's implications.
There was a time when Ray too would practice hard with Feyd, even surpassing him in pure control over their powers, yet all that changed when he started regaining memories of his past.
The being sealed within him was not some random demon or evil entity. Instead, it was the 9th child of The Creator, The Lord of shadows– Eribos.
Although be wasn't sure why a God was within him, he did understand a few things.
First, the stronger he became the more Eribos could influence the world. He was a vessel of sorts in that sense.
Second, the longer he lived the weaker Eribos would become.
Lastly, if Ray ever happened to die, Eribos would suffer major damage. Though not lethal it would definitely be critical.
He also felt some of the intent his past self had. To eradicate Eribos.
It was then that Ray realized what he needed to do.
Live for as long as possible, which wouldn't be difficult seeing as he was an elf. And then finally dying near someone who could slay the weakened God.
He expects Feyd to probably grow strong enough by then to handle the last part of his plan, but he would try finding other measure just incase.
Although this did mean he would most likely have to give up on his desires of finding out about his past, it was a sacrifice he was willing to take.
He thought so since his past seemed complicated, and harbors untold secrets that probably involve matters that would get him killed for digging too deep into.
Another caveat of this void was that for as long as he was in there, the outside world would have forgotten of his existence.
He would also appear in a random location nearby where he was before he got pulled into the void.
He eventually gave Feyd the excuse that he enjoyed roaming around and practicing his stealth after being asked where he would dissapear to every now and then.
Although he wasn't sure if it would be the same for stronger people, or if people could develop a resistance to the effect though he had a feeling the latter could be true since Feyd started questioning his dissapearances when before he wouldn't even acknowledge that Ray had dissapeared.
"Does it matter if you know? The end result is still going to be the same"
Ray then gets up, now frustrated.
"It's been long enough. I can feel that you will have to let me go soon"
The void started shaking as rays of light peeked in from the outside.
[It matters not what you plan. One day or another you will realise power is what is needed in this world]
[Whether it's your own life that's in danger, or the life of your loved ones]
These cracks were different from the previous in that they held light, and the exit from this decrepit abyss.
[I will see then what you choose... The life of those you cherish or your fragile sense of duty]
The cracks eventually fractured the void as Ray's eyes grew cold.
"Then I'll just have to make sure the people close to me are strong enough. Strong enough to overcome any obstacle"
The void was then bathed in brilliant white light as Ray was transported out.
And as the place recovered from the fractures the voice mused.
[I can vaguely feel the currents of fate outside. The vessel and his friend will face much danger in the future]
Eventually the voice laughed to himself, somewhat self-deprecatingly.
[Oh how far I have fallen... To be at my wits end against a mere vessel-!]
[To think something that would've been considered a heaven defying opportunity in the past is now seen as shackles]
[Though I have to admit... This vessel has seen clearly the true nature of his situation far earlier than all my other vessels. My trickery in the past could only deceive him for a short while]
Outside Ray emerged in the middle of the Wastelands having not heard the words spoken by the voice.
Ray checked his pocket watch realizing it had been an hour since he was transported into the void.
'Longer than usual', He mused.
He then looked around attempting to figure out where he was.
Although he would grow stronger every time he uses his powers, it was mainly during combat or when he exerts himself.
Something simple like forming a pillar of solid shadows to get a nice vantage point doesn't count.
'Aha... that place looks pretty familiar'
Ray's memories, or atleast the ones after his awakening, were perfectly remembered.
After an hour of traveling he eventually came across a small group of bandits.
He sneaked behind them, deciding whether to leave them be or rob them untill he listened in on what they were talking about.
"I heard the boss found some ancient artifact, and that's how he got his powers!"
"No no I heard he had his powers from before, and that the artifact actually summons shadows and darkness instead!"
Now that was something interesting.