Kazuo PoV
I floated in endless darkness, feeling myself sinking deeper and deeper. The words that my father, my cousin, and the rest of my family had said, and those whispers in the wind all came back to torment me like specters.
The reassuring voice from earlier had grown mute. Caelio, it was him who had given me courage back in the real world, right? Where was he now? Why had he left me alone? Why had Amaya let go of my hand?
My hands shook. What if they all gave up on me? Would they abandon me? I hoped they at least saved Father. I couldn't blame them if they chose to help him first. He was stronger and could do more in the fight to come.
"You still have a purpose," a small voice whispered.
I flinched. Who said that?
A small speck of light blinked into existence before me. I reached out for it. It felt warm. Very warm. Warmer than any flame I had ever produced. Yet, it didn't burn. In fact, my worries and anxiety eased a bit.
"It's time to wake up," the light said.
