Astral Flow

Chapter 38

Another dreamless sleep, nothing but an unending darkness soothed Ryder's tired mind as he let it consume him.

It was far too relaxing, this unending nothingness enveloping every aspect of his being.

Was this what the end felt like? Or was this something different? He couldn't know for sure, though it was too relaxing.

[How are you feeling?] Astaroth's voice spoke in his mind, it was more defined now, clear and crisp.

It held no aggression, if anything it was genuine curiosity.

[I know an awakening is tiresome, not just for me.]

Ryder took a moment to contemplate how he felt right now, keeping his eyes closed as he relaxed. "I'm tired, sure, but I feel better than I ever have... It's strange, I feel..."

[Whole?]

A small chuckle escapes Ryder at this notion. "Yeah, that's one way to put it, I guess I feel whole now." he lets out a tired sigh as a wave of cool air rushes over him, the waking world calling to him. "You know, before now I'd always just blindly wandered through life, I never really had a goal up until this point."

[And you do now?] Astaroth calmly asked, surprising Ryder.

"Yeah, you're one with me, right? Can't you read my mind and see what it is?" He softly asks in return.

[I could, but from what I learned while forming that'd be something you would find displeasing.]

[You prefer your privacy, and I shall respect that.]

[We are one, but that does not mean I shall force myself into every crevice of your soul.]

Ryder couldn't help but smile at this, it was certainly a reassuring statement. "Thanks, but if we're truly going to work together as one then we'll need that kind of link."

[Are you certain?] Astaroth seems hesitant, caught off guard by this sudden request from Ryder.

"Yeah, I know I struggled a bit to accept this power fully, but I know now that I can't let myself falter like that, not if I want to get everyone out of here alive." he speaks in a more confident tone now, his demeanor seeming to have shifted ever so slightly.

[Then I shall do as you ask, though I suggest you return to the waking world now, your new vassal is awaiting you.]

"My what-" Ryder begins, only to be surprised by the sensation of warmth washing over him as a bright light blinds him for a moment.

Upon opening his eyes it becomes clear that Ryder was resting in a bed room, the light shining in from the window hitting his face.

It was a humble place, the bed being just big enough to fit Ryder, there was next to no decoration in the room save for a few framed pictures.
There was also a dresser and a desk nearby, however resting in the chair in front of the desk was the woman from before.

He white hair now flowing freely, a silver sword resting across her lap.
Though the most noticeable thing was her attire, it was pitch black and bore the sigil of the black flame on it, was she the new vassal?

Slowly Ryder sat up, now feeling an intense pain and soreness shoot through his body, was this the price of awakening the full power of the Black Flame?

Or perhaps it was just the toll the fight had taken on him, either way it was painful to move properly right now.

As he tried to stand up though it was too much, a searing pain shot through his veins causing him to let out a stifled hiss and mentally curse at himself.