Margana: To Seek The Truth

16. The Call of Hope

I woke up feeling numb, not a single sensation came to my senses... Not even a gust of wind. My vision was hazy, I could barely see anything. It's like I'm floating in a pool, it honestly feels like home. My last memory? I lost the activity overseen by "He" along with Lino. I wonder where he could be at this point of time. Hold on, I don't even know where I am. It's like I'm just wandering around in a dark room with no end in sight. Oh what to do now.

"Hm... So this is what despair is like." I reluctantly accepted my fate as a contestant who lost the challenge. Thinking back, I'm quite proud of what I've accomplished through my journey. The biggest downside? It ended this way. Was there no way to redeem myself and get back on track?

My desire to continue the trials was strong, as in, strong. My eyes were fully open and aware of its surroundings. "He" wasn't lying when it came to being dropped into a void between worlds. To my surprise, I'm still alive and breathing. However, my senses weren't working properly, all except for sight which I'm grateful for. "Could there be a way out of this? Somehow?"

It was way too dark to the point that my eyes couldn't register anything. This is beyond terrifying, I don't know what this never-ending tunnel of darkness has to offer. Now that I've lost, there's no way that another activity could take place now. How stupid of me thinking there could be some kind of redemption trial to get back in place just like the video games on Earth.

Come to think of it, this does feel like a game. I laughed to myself at that realization, it was horribly accurate. I never had such fun and suspense in my life, I'm honestly grateful to everyone I've met so far, especially Lino. Even if these trials were life-threatening, I savored every second of it.

Looking forward, I saw a blinding white portal. "Could this be a way out?" I asked myself in hopes of coming back to either the trial stages or Earth. Even if it didn't go that way, it will still lead me somewhere.

The gate was still far off, but I knew I could reach it if I wanted to. "I have to go now, it's worth a shot!" My eyes sparkled with a glimmer of hope as I got closer and closer to the gateway. Hold on... "Is it getting nearer? Towards me? Wait! It is?! Yes!"

Out of joy and relief, I went through the portal with a bright hopeful smile on my face. However, there was a lingering thought at the back of my mind... 

Where would this one lead me to?

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Author's Note:

Thank you so much for staying me this far! Yes, yes the word count is quite small but I'm planning to make a chapter to bridge the next events smoothly! This can be counted as an extra, but oh well! 🫶 Hope this gets good feedback since I'm kinda experimenting on things here!