[01] Awake

Darkness.

Darkness.

'Where am I?'

...ki...oki...

Her eyes slowly opened, first squinting before looking groggily around. She felt like she was falling, but it was slow and unlike any other fall she had experienced. Every time she let out a breath of air, bubbles formed as if she were underwater. She didn't remember anything, know anything, feel anything.

...Naoki...ti...wak...

Slowly she felt herself turn, like gravity taking her feet and placing her gently on an unseen surface. She lifted her head, slowly looking side to side, still feeling a sense of sleepiness. Her eyes slid shut and she swayed unsteadily. An airy and light force kept her upright, seemingly urging her to stay conscious.

Naoki...it's time...wake...

"Naoki...is that...me?" Her eyes slowly opened again. "Where...am I?" The force supporting her gave her a push forward. She took a step, a wave of black rising from the floor in a flock of wings and feathers. Her arms raised in a defensive maneuver to shield her face. The wave passed, revealing a large circular platform donned in shades of gold and yellow. Her arms lowered, enticing a quick survey of the newly lit area. She was awake and aware now.

Naoki, are you ready for the fight?

"The fight?" Naoki watched in awe as a set of pedestals began rising in equal intervals around her. Upon one, a sword. Another, a staff. The third, a shield. The invisible hand pushed her forward to the sword. She picked it up gently and turned it over in her hand.

You have chosen the power of the warrior. Is this the power you seek?

Naoki set it back, feeling like it wasn't the right choice. The process repeated with the staff, and the she reached the shield's pedestal. Picking it up, she felt a sense of decisiveness.

You have chosen the power to the guardian. Is this the power you seek?

Naoki nodded, making her choice once again with a silent "yes". The shield dispersed into light.

Which power do you give up?

Naoki was slightly confused, but the force guided her to the sword. Picking it up, the omnipresent voice spoke again.

You have chosen the power of the warrior. Is this the power you wish to give up?

Naoki answered again with a silent "yes", and the sword disappeared the same as the shield. But rather than a sense of gaining, she felt a loss. The pedestals sunk back into the ground, a staircase of stained glass panels appearing one by one soon after. Her invisible guide pushed her toward the stairs. Upon ascending, the steps disappeared in the same fashion they appeared. Looking around revealed this new platform to be lit up in blue and purple.

There will be times when you must fight.

Naoki gasped as a group of black creatures emerged from the floor. In her open hand, a weapon appeared. Looking down to it, she took in it's key-like shape. Not knowing but understanding what to do, she attacked the creatures. She looked around after they were defeated, wondering if any more would show up. Instead, cracks began to spider web from the edges of the circle. Surprised, Naoki stepped back, her foot instantly sinking below the surface. Looking down, the darkness that had taken her foot began consuming the rest of her. She struggled, tugging at her limbs, trying to reclaim them from the force pulling her in. The darkness swallowed her, leaving her with a suffocating feeling.

Naoki continued thrashing before she realized the darkness had dispersed, leaving her sprawled out on yet another area lit up in shades of green. Slowly sitting up, the guiding voice spoke yet again.

The closer you get to the light, the greater your shadow becomes.

Naoki stood, watching her shadow continue to extend even after she reached full height. She stepped back, the shadow beginning to protrude from the surface and take a form of its own. Naoki extended her hand, the key from before materializing in her empty palm. Without another moment's hesitation, she jumped at the new enemy. Giving and receiving countless blows, Naoki emerged victorious.

With this defeat, a door faded into existence. Naoki walked to the door, the light emitting from it getting brighter and brighter with each step until everything was a blinding white...