Series: The Mountain: Book 1: The Awakening

Essence of the Void

Liam lay comfortably, eyes closed, in the warm, blissful embrace of sleep. As he slept, a whisper tugged at the back of his mind urging him to awaken. Ignoring the murmured message, he continued his slumber peacefully. However, this was not meant to last as the voice returned, this time in full force. Liam groaned lazily in annoyance as it persistently bombarded his mind. 

'Leave me alone,' he thought, mentally swatting at the unknown speaker. 

His interference seemed to have the desired effect as the incessant voice stopped abruptly. No longer bothered by the constant noise, his mind settled into the previous comfortable lull.

Splat!

'What is it now?' he wondered, once again disrupted from his heavenly rest. 

Splat!

'There it goes again!' he thought in annoyance as something lightly tapped his forehead. 

Splat! Splat! Splat!

The sound came again as multiple taps harassed his forehead, tickling his face as it slid off. Liam's eyelids fluttered as the taps became prevalent. 

Frustration mounting over the continuous interruptions, a shy, small familiar voice whispered loudly, 'Liam!?'

Liam snapped awake instantly as his sister's voice flowed through his mind. Laying flat on his back, he stared upward into what seemed to be a never ending darkness. Alarmed that his return had been nothing but a dream, he blinked rapidly as an unknown substance splashed into his right eye. A pleasant breeze caressed his body as his vision readjusted to his surroundings. As it blew, the seemingly endless darkness swayed gently, releasing a barrage of tiny droplets of water from its clutches. Senses becoming more alert, Liam became aware of a soft pitter patter echoing in all directions. He sat up slowly, greeted by the Dire wolf corpse. 

"So it wasn't just a dream!" he said aloud in relief. 

Rising to his feet, the gentle pitter patter became increasingly louder as a sudden gust of wind drove through the trees. Steadying himself, against the now stiffened corpse, he surveyed the darkened environment absorbing every visible detail. The once placid pond, rippled violently as rain cascaded down onto its surface. As the scene continued to unfold, a brilliant flash of lightning, tore through the sky momentarily illuminating the area. Liam stared off in the distance at the ruins which now loomed ominously in the darkness. His concentration was suddenly broken by the creaking of the forest in the distance. As the sound drew closer, a uniform line appeared on the pond's surface, rapidly approaching the area where he stood. Gripping the wolf's matted fur tightly, he braced himself as a powerful gust of wind washed over the land. The branches above, creaked and groaned, shedding a vast amount of droplets partially drenching him. Unexpectedly, Liam felt no chills or any other signs of discomfort as it passed by. 

Standing alone in the dark, he whispered, "Shadow, are you there?"

Waiting for a response, a familiar grating sound reverberated in his mind.

"Mmmm..,"

"How long have I been out?" he asked.

"It would seem the day has just come to an end."

"So I've been unconscious for an entire day?" he clarified.

The previous grating sound hummed softly in reply. 

Liam stood in silence, unsure how to continue. His only goal was to reunite with his sister, yet he had no idea on how to proceed.

"Shadow," he said uncertainly, "earlier, you said my interests became yours. Does that mean you'll help me find my sister?"