Chapter 2: Finding The Path

Once again, flashes of color and light took control of Hakon, filling his unconscious mind with new visions. This time, however, he recognized what the visions contained. A lone warrior, facing down an army of men. A man, holding a glowing orb up to a massive stone bowl. A lone figure, facing down an ancient lord with a flaming sword. Hakon recognized the man as himself, reflected across the timelines of the world.

Suddenly, a new vision took form in his mind. He was now looking at himself, but as he was now. His skin was a mottled, rotted green, reminding him of dead moss. His travelling clothes were in tatters, with large holes exposing parts of his arms and legs. His weapons had vanished, likely lost in the fall. His hair had turned to a wispy black, and appeared to have fallen out in clumps. Empty white eyes stared back at him; devoid of any signs of life.

But as he examined himself, his body began to change. His clothes began to morph into new ones. Brown cloth and leather studs covered his upper body, and armored leather pants covered his legs. A worn, silver helm appeared over his head. His green skin changed colors, becoming a pale white. His hair returned to its normal length and light-brown color, and his deep blue eyes stared back at him. Hakon couldn't help but notice how normal he looked. Peace fluttered through his tired heart.

Just as he began to take some comfort in remembering his true self, the vision abruptly faded, and the crackle of a large fire slowly filled his ears. Feeling pulsed through his body, and he felt the hardwood floor that he was strewn out upon. He opened his eyes, and was welcomed by the flickering orange glow of the fire. Grunting, Hakon slowly raised himself into a sitting position. To his surprise, he found himself wearing the very clothing he had seen in his vision. Unlike his previous attire, these clothes actually fit him, and looked brand new. The helm upon his head was a nice fit, and unlike others, didn't obstruct his vision. As he held his hand up to examine the leather, he couldn't help but notice that his hand was no longer mottled green. It was his normal pale white color. Despite his confusion, a rare smile crossed his face.

As Hakon rose to his feet, he noticed a worn silver shield and a broken sword lying in front of him. The shield seemed to be in good condition, as it had only a few scratches and dents. However, the sword was another story. At first glance, it seemed to be shaped more like a dagger; short, with a stubby blade. Upon closer inspection, he realized that it was really a sword, only its blade had been shattered in half. Hakon hoped he would have the chance to get a better one. He wouldn't be doing much damage with this shell of a weapon, and the last thing he needed was the rest of the blade shattering.

He glanced back at the women. None of them gave him a second glance, nor did they appear to have moved… so how had his clothes been changed, and how had the weapons brought to him? More importantly, did they even care that he had just collapsed in front of them? Yearning for an answer to his questions, he turned toward the women to ask. However, one of them cut him off before he even uttered a syllable.

"All people come here for the same reason," she spoke, raising her arms from the wooden table.

"To break the curse," added another of the three, barely moving a muscle. "You're no different, I should think."

Hakon watched as the maid stepped forward, taking a wooden cup for the women. Once again, silence echoed throughout the room until the maid had moved off.

"Hmm, doesn't stand a chance," said the third woman, her eyes glinting dangerously.

Immediately, a fiery rage exploded in Hakon's chest. "How dare she!" he thought to himself. She didn't know anything about him. She didn't understand how much he had lost, how much he had sacrificed, just to stand in front of them. She didn't understand what it meant to lose all of one's memories, to forget everyone they once knew. She didn't know what it was like to enter a foreign world, with no idea of how they got there in the first place.

The woman nearest to the fire must have sensed his internal rage, as she quietly chided the others, "Well, you never know!"

Suddenly, the room was filled with the chuckles and laughter of the old women, seemingly mocking Hakon, who stood seething in the center of the room.

"Go through the door, and trot along to the kingdom… But remember, hold on to your souls. They're all that keep you from going Hollow," said the third woman, not bothering to look at Hakon.

Hakon's eyes bored into the woman, waiting for her to clarify whatever she had just said. After a few moments of tense silence, the woman finally exclaimed, "Oh, I'll fool you no longer… You'll lose your souls. Over and over again." She emphasized each syllable, taunting Hakon. The room was once again filled with cackling laughter.

Hakon's hands clenched into fists. He'd had enough. He was tired of trying to decipher the hag's cryptic sentences. Tired of left wondering what a Hollow was, or how the Curse applied to him. All he wanted to do was get as far away from this place as possible. He wanted to go home, wherever home was.

Without so much as a sound, Hakon crouched down and picked up the sword and shield that lay upon his feet. He slid the shield onto his left arm, and gripped the sword with his right hand. With a curt nod to the maid, he limped over to another door; one that stood opposite the one he had previously entered. The door opened at his touch, emitting a soft groan as it swung open. As soon as he had exited the massive trunk, the door closed on its own with a snap. Hakon jumped slightly, not expecting the door to have closed so suddenly. He put his weight on his weakened leg, and nearly collapsed again. Placing a hand on the doorframe, he closed his eyes and took a deep breath, cursing softly. If only they had managed to fix his leg too. He still was having trouble walking on it. Looking around, Hakon could see that there were three notable landmarks in the vicinity; a tunnel leading through what looked like a wall of branches, an abandoned cart, and a rusted poker, standing inside a pile of ash.

As he looked at the rusty poker, something stirred deep in his soul. He suddenly felt a warmth spread throughout his body. He felt his emotions fade, leaving a relaxed and calm feeling. But as quickly as the warmth had arrived, it was gone. Anger and confusion returned to his mind. However, his legs began to move as if they had a mind of their own, carrying his tired and confused body towards the poker. Hakon just couldn't take his eyes off of it. There was something about it that he just had to know. He had to make the warmth come back. As he stumbled closer and closer to the poker, he raised his hand, reaching rough metal. But it felt like the journey was taking forever, despite the fact that the poker was only a few steps away. The moment his fingers brushed the cold metal, Hakon heard a loud whoosh. A bright light ignited at his feet.

Immediately, the warm feeling returned, but even stronger this time. Hakon's legs wavered under him for a moment, before folding completely. Hakon collapsed into a sitting position, just as a tingling feeling rushed up his weakened leg. Immediately, Hakon felt the warmth mend his leg. But it didn't stop there. Hakon felt his tired body fill with strength as the warmth travelled to his soul, revitalizing him.

His once bleak gaze now radiated courage, and a series of images filled his mind as he looked into the fire. A town, overlooking the ocean. A large stone obelisk at the tip, and a dark pit at its center. Another poker, embedded in the ground. A woman, in green robes, staring out over the seas. Hakon blinked, and the fire flickered for a moment.

A clue perhaps? He glanced back at the flames, which flickered and flared innocently in the darkness. Is the fire giving me clues? Directions?" he thought to himself, perplexed. He glanced at the path through the branches. Darkness enveloped the entrance, only giving way to a small glow of white near the tunnel's end. As for what lay beyond the tunnel, Hakon couldn't tell; it curved off in another direction. He glanced back at the fire, finally understanding what he needed to do.

With a small grunt, Hakon returned to his feet, noting how his leg was no longer unsteady underneath him. A wry smile crossed his face; the first in what felt like ages. After grabbing his sword, and adjusting the shield on his arm, Hakon stepped away from the fire. He paused before the abandoned cart, only to examine a body that had been left beside it. After collecting a torch and a small white orb, Hakon turned his back on the house of the old women. He slowly walked down the tunnel, before rounding the bend, and moving out of sight.