Tales of Berseria - In Calamity's Wake

Chapter 5 - Wanderlust

 Velvet found herself within the confines of her subconscious once again, where bittersweet dreams resided, and nightmares were a constant. The void of white held nothing as usual, and knowing how things usually go in these sleeping hellscapes she simply waited for whatever trauma would present itself to her this time.

But there was nothing. Yet the lack of anything only fueled her suspicions further, eyes scanning the entire landscape, spotting nothing for as far as she could see.

A grumble came from growing impatience, having begun to tap her foot in wait for some horrific scene to play out, trying her best to mentally prepare herself, while also pondering her exit from this void.

"Um ... .Hello..." a child's voice nervously greeted her from behind.

Velvet spun around, meeting the silver gaze of a young boy, black scraggly hair covering his head, his clothes that of a regal and refined orderly suit and pants, a furred cowl draped over his shoulders. He stared up at her, just as curious as she was.

"Do you know where my sister is? I can't find her..." he asked, his very nature carried innocence within, childlike wonder and mystification. It reminded her of Laphicets so much, her brother having that same glint in his eyes, that light like no one else's. It sought adventure. 

This boy was no different, and the Daemon allowed herself a slight smile at the similarity.

Boys will be Boys...

"No, I'm afraid I don't. But..." her brief light expression drew firm, she tried her best not to intimidate the youth "...why are you here?"

The boy could only look around at the strange void, frowning, letting out a worried sigh, as arms drooped "I.....think I got lost."

Velvet crossed her arms, closing her eyes as she tried to wrap her head around this strange occurrence. Her mind shifted to this being Lani's doing, but even then, she was sure he would've made his presence more known. Having never met this person, she had no reason to dream about this.

"Miss?...."

"Velvet.....say, who's your sister?" The woman asked.

"Annia!" He answered, suddenly beaming with a proud smile at Velvet "She's the oldest of us, and she's awesome! Father can't watch over us too much anymore...not after Mother passed away..." his tone sank considerably upon that particular mention. Still, it didn't take long for him to regain his joy, his face lighting up again "...So Annia takes care of us instead. We play tag, run around the courtyard, and play hide and seek...." he trailed off, realization dawning upon him "....That's probably how I got lost actually."

Velvet was listening intently, still unable to ascertain any true answers as to who this was. Some sort of Royalty considering his garb "I see..." she nodded, looking out into the nothingness "Then...." hesitation came, never was she this nice, Phi, and Kamoana being the only stark exceptions, and this kid would probably be the same "...Come follow, you'll have a better shot at finding her with me."

The boy's eyes sparkled "You will!? Thank you, Miss Velvet!" He rejoiced, allowing her to lead him through the desolate dream.

Velvet walked on alongside the fascinated child, their steps the only sound within the voided realm, echoing out and then fading into the subconscious.

The Boy, even in this ceaselessness, still found enjoyment as he began walking backward, looking upon his own shadow that held a pinkish sort of hue to it "Oh wooow, my shadow has a color to it! Oh, even yours Velvet!" he laughed, pointing at Velvet's own colored shadow.

She nodded with a lax wave of her hand "Yeah I know...." She smiled, this was a nice change of pace anyway. But a thought came to her.

"What's your name anyway? I realized I never asked" Velvet asked.