Astral Flow

Chapter 30

Dark, damp, dreary, these were all the words that Ryder would normally associate with this type of area, yet that's not how it was at all.

This long stone hallway felt closer to a half remembered dream than anything else, it was a strange feeling, somewhere between the False Zone and the dreams he'd been having.

It felt like something he should be able to wake up from but couldn't.

He also could not bring himself to draw his weapon, something about this place wouldn't let him, it was melding him... trying to make him fit something.

It was trying to turn him into someone else.

Ryder had to focus on who he was just to stay standing, it was a strange, invasive, maddening feeling.

He would not let it stop him though, he moved forward through the stone hall, marching towards the only door he could see.

It was dusty, rotting, as if it hadn't been cared for in years.

However, despite its appearance the scent of rain came from it, a strange but refreshing scent that washed away his worries as he grabbed the door handle.

The metal knob was cool to the touch, not freezing like the door outside had been... but just cool enough to make him expect a breeze of cold air.

Upon opening the door he was greeted to a bizarre sight, he was now back outside the mansion, however it was no longer snow covered.

There were lush trees everywhere, making it clear this place had been located in the woods of this area, the only path leading to and from being a dirt trail.

The sky was dark as rain poured down heavily, turning the dirt trail into a muddy one.
Ryder felt something tug at his heart seeing this, something about this scenery moved him in a way he'd never expected.

Whoever these memories belonged to must have had a strong attachment to this one scene, it was something he didn't want to move away from, something he felt safe in.

The long he waited, the more complacent he felt, the cool air and sound of rain soothing his mind and restoring some semblance of peace.

With a heavy sigh Ryder leaned back against the now closed door, trying to make sense of any of this, perhaps that's what his problem truly was here.

He thought too hard about it, perhaps it was better to just go with the flow in these scenarios, after all that was what helped most in understanding Omen.

Softly he gazed to his left, gazing off into the woods, something was drawing him in... perhaps now was the best chance to test that theory.

Lightly he raises the hood on his cape and begins walking in the direction, hoping to not get lost as he follows this feeling.

The lush trees overhead gave the already gloomy ambience an even more dreadful feel, as if the dark storm clouds were closing in, lowering down to impossibly close levels.

Quietly Ryder gripped the handle of his sword, seeking some comfort as kept marching deeper, and deeper into these foreboding woods.

Soon enough he reached another clearing, all that was there was a hole in the ground with a sword resting behind it.

The closer Ryder got, the more dread that filled him, as if he knew what awaited him.

For this wasn't just some random hole in the ground, no, this was an open grave.

A grave that had been used for someone incredibly important, someone who should've stayed buried and gone.

Yet looking down into the grave revealed it to be empty, not a single sign of anyone having been buried there.