Erend finally heard Krono's voice again after what felt like an eternity since the last time he had heard him. Under normal circumstances hearing that familiar voice again should have brought him relief or even happiness. But right now Erend could no longer feel anything like that. His mind was just buried beneath overwhelming sadness and self-loathing that seemed impossible to contain.
"Erend. This is a Trial. Remember!" Krono's voice rose in urgency. It sounded desperate as he tried to reach Erend through the darkness consuming his mind.
Something inside Erend finally began to snap back into place.
His crying slowly stopped. His breathing was still uneven as he looked around him, but he finally noticed the black sand beneath his body.
He was so completely consumed by grief that he had forgotten where he was. He had forgotten that he was still inside the Trial.
Krono's voice had given his mind something to hold on to.
