Darkness.
Light found himself standing within an endless abyss.
There was no floor.
No ceiling.
No sound.
Only darkness so absolute that even the concept of light felt foreign here.
The void stretched infinitely in every direction, yet at the same time it felt unbearably close, pressing against his skin from all sides like an invisible ocean.
The air itself was heavy.
Not with smoke.
Not with mist.
But with something ancient.
Something vast.
Every breath felt difficult, as though merely existing in this place was an act the world itself rejected.
At first the pressure was subtle.
Then it deepened.
It sank into his flesh.
Into his bones.
Into the very core of his soul.
Light instinctively tried to move, but even lifting a finger felt impossible beneath the crushing weight.
'What… is this place…?'
Before he could gather his thoughts—
Rustle.
The scenery shifted instantly.
**
The endless darkness disappeared.
Now he stood within a dim forest illuminated by pale moonlight.
Two women faced one another beneath the swaying trees.
One held a small baby wrapped tightly in cloth.
The child had red hair.
The other woman stood several feet away with a dagger in her hand.
"There's no more running away, sister."
The unknown woman's voice was cold, yet restrained.
"You know Father will forgive you if you hand that child over."
Her grip tightened around the dagger.
"It's not too late."
The woman holding the baby immediately took a protective step back.
"No, Danas," she replied softly, tightening her embrace around the infant. "You know I can't do that."
Her voice trembled slightly.
"I won't allow her to become a pawn."
"FOOL!"
The woman called Danas suddenly raised her voice.
"Now that she's confirmed to possess them, Father will never let her go!"
The dagger in her hand gleamed faintly beneath the moonlight as she slowly stepped forward.
The mother retreated another step before pulling a crystal cross from beneath her cloak.
The moment Danas saw it—
Her expression changed.
"…You're serious."
A bitter scoff escaped her lips.
"Even if you escape now, there's no point. I can track you anywhere in this world."
Her golden eyes narrowed.
"You know that better than anyone, sister."
But the woman holding the child simply shook her head.
"Not this time."
Her voice was quiet.
Yet absolute.
"Even you won't be able to find us."
For the first time, genuine shock crossed Danas' face.
Her eyes widened slightly before slowly returning to normal.
Then—
She lowered her dagger.
"I see…"
A tired sigh escaped her.
"If you're saying that, then it must be true. You were never the type to bluff."
She slowly walked closer.
One step.
Then another.
Until only a few feet separated them.
Carefully, Danas raised a hand toward the baby—
Then hesitated before touching her.
The mother gave a silent nod.
Only then did Danas gently caress the newborn's cheek.
The coldness in her expression softened.
"There's no doubt your husband will eventually clear the Eighth Star," she murmured quietly. "The only question is how long it will take before he emerges."
Her gaze darkened slightly.
"And when he does…"
A bitter smile appeared on her lips.
"He'll seek revenge for what happened that day."
Silence filled the forest for several seconds.
Then Danas spoke again.
"The future will tremble because of him."
Her eyes shifted toward the infant.
"But you won't be there to witness it… right?"
The mother lowered her gaze.
Slowly—
She nodded.
Understanding appeared in Danas' eyes.
"So this truly is farewell."
Warmth slowly replaced the coldness in her expression.
The woman holding the baby bit her lip gently before speaking again.
"If you ever see him…"
Her voice faltered for the first time.
"Tell him…"
Tears threatened to form in her eyes.
"Tell him I loved him."
Danas froze.
Then her eyes slowly widened as realization struck her.
"Wait…"
Her gaze slowly fell toward the infant.
"He doesn't know… does he?"
The mother silently tightened her grip around the baby.
Then she raised the crystal cross.
"It was supposed to be a surprise," she whispered with a faint smile. "But I never got the chance to tell him."
Pain flickered across her face.
"And now…"
"It's too late."
The crystal in her hand began emitting a faint glow.
"One day, you'll meet my daughter."
The woman smiled weakly.
"When that day comes…"
"I pray you'll treat her kindly."
Then she took one final step backward.
"This is goodbye, sister."
The crystal slipped from her fingers.
Danas' eyes widened.
"WAIT!"
As the crystal fell—
She shouted desperately.
"What's her name?!"
CRASH!
The crystal shattered against the ground.
A blinding explosion of light erupted outward.
The forest shook violently.
Then—
Silence.
The mother and child were gone.
Only Danas remained standing alone beneath the moonlight.
For several seconds, she didn't move.
Then slowly—
Her gaze lowered toward the ground.
Words had been carved into the earth where the woman once stood.
Just as Light tried to look closer—
The world distorted again.
His vision blurred.
The scenery shifted.
**
This time, endless vegetation surrounded him from every direction.
Massive trees stretched toward the sky like ancient giants, while thick vines twisted across the earth beneath a suffocating fog.
The atmosphere itself felt hostile.
Oppressive.
Wild.
Then Light's eyes widened in realization.
'Wait…'
His breath caught.
'I know this place.'
Shock spread across his face.
'This is the Forest of Ruined.'