Chapter 28: Do you accept your fate?
Axelius opened his eyes slowly, blinking against the strange sensation of... nothingness. He looked around, his eyes widening as he realized he was floating—completely suspended in a vast, endless black void. There was no ground beneath his feet, no ceiling above, and no walls around him. Just pure, empty darkness stretching infinitely in every direction. Yet, somehow, he could see.
"What is this now?" he muttered, his voice echoing slightly, as if the darkness itself was listening. He twisted and turned, his body seemingly weightless, floating aimlessly. He couldn't even tell which way was up or down. His hands reached out, grasping at the air, but there was nothing solid to hold onto.
"Tsk, you finally woke up, huh?"
Axelius flinched and looked to his right. There, bobbing gently in the void, was Owen—floating just like him, except without the usual bouncing. He seemed almost still, his jelly-like form hovering in midair.
"Owen! Where the hell are we?" Axelius asked, his voice edged with panic but layered with curiosity.
Owen wobbled slightly in the air. "I don't know," he replied bluntly. "This place seems to be endless. No floor, no walls, no ceiling. Just... nothing. I've been trying to figure it out while you were busy sleeping."
Axelius raised an eyebrow. "Wait, you can see? How?"
Owen bounced slightly, as if shrugging. "Yeah, I don't know how. I just... can." His voice dropped to a mutter. "Also... look. The necklace is gone."
Axelius's eyes shot down to his chest, his hand instinctively reaching for the pendant. His fingers brushed only the fabric of his shirt. "What the...?" He patted himself down, checking his neck and pockets, but it was nowhere to be found. "You're right... it's gone," he said, frowning.