章 1: Running towards the Light

A boy opened his eyes, greeted by an expanse of pure, unyielding darkness—𝕍𝕠𝕚𝕕. He had no understanding of where he was, who he was, or even what he was. His mind was blank, except for one thing—a name. No, it wasn't just any name. It was his name: 𝕃𝕦𝕔𝕒𝕤.

Yes, Lucas. The certainty of it anchored him, but beyond that... nothing. His thoughts faltered, the void pressing against his senses. Desperately, he tried to make sense of the nothingness surrounding him. He willed his legs to move, first walking, then breaking into a run. He didn't know where he was going, only that he needed to escape this suffocating blackness.

Then, through the abyss, something appeared—a distant light, faint yet alluring. A star. It shimmered against the backdrop of endless night, and in that moment, it was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen.

Without hesitation, Lucas bolted toward it, his feet pounding against the unseen ground, his breath quickening. The darkness clung to him, heavy and relentless, but the light drew him forward. He ran, faster and faster, the void nipping at his heels, until, with one final surge of effort, he reached it.

And then... there was light. The darkness fell away.

Relief flooded him, but beneath it, something else stirred—fear. He realized now why he had run. The darkness terrified him in a way he couldn't fully grasp. Tears welled up in his eyes, and he let them fall, each drop carrying the weight of his fear and gratitude.

As he cried, a gentle touch rested on his shoulder. Arms enveloped him in a warm embrace, a presence offering solace in the midst of his confusion. A soft voice whispered, "It's alright now. You're safe. You don't have to be afraid anymore."

Lucas didn't recognize the voice, yet it was undeniably familiar, like a forgotten melody that stirred something deep within him. Slowly, the fear ebbed away, replaced by a sense of calm. He wanted to ask who this person was, to understand what was happening, but before he could speak, the figure whispered again.

"I know you have questions. I know you're still afraid. But don't worry—I will always be with you, watching over you. The answers will come when the time is right. For now, just remember—you are never alone."

The words settled into his heart, comforting and yet bittersweet. As Lucas opened his mouth to respond, the figure—whoever they were—pulled him closer, a tear slipping down their face. "Goodbye for now… my love."

The finality of the words struck Lucas like a wave. The embrace was warm, filled with a sense of loss he couldn't fully comprehend. The love and comfort were palpable, but so was the pain of separation. He wanted to hold onto this moment, to ask questions, to make sense of it all, but the figure was slipping away, the warmth fading.

In an instant, a brilliant flash of light engulfed them both. Lucas shielded his eyes, the light so intense it seemed to consume everything. When it finally receded, he found himself lying in a bed, surrounded by a room that was both alien and familiar. The room was filled with strange faces, their features a blur of concern and curiosity.

He blinked, trying to adjust to the sudden change in surroundings. The darkness was gone, replaced by a tangible reality. But the ache in his chest remained, the memory of the embrace and the words "Goodbye for now… my love" echoing in his mind. He reached up, feeling the soft fabric of the bedspread, trying to anchor himself to this new world.

A woman, with kind eyes and a gentle demeanor, approached him. "Welcome back," she said softly. "You were unconscious for a while. How do you feel?"

Lucas tried to speak but found his voice catching in his throat. He was overwhelmed, disoriented. "I... I don't know where I am. I don't know what happened."

The woman nodded sympathetically. "It's alright. You're safe now. We're here to help you. Just take it slow."

As Lucas looked around, he felt the weight of his past, the darkness, and the mysterious figure pressing on his heart. He didn't know what lay ahead or how to reconcile the love he had felt with his current reality. But the woman's words and the warmth of the room provided a sliver of hope.

He took a deep breath, trying to steady himself. The journey ahead was uncertain, but one thing was clear: he had emerged from the darkness, and though the path was unknown, he was no longer alone.

Lucas closed his eyes for a moment, recalling the comfort and love of the mysterious figure. "Goodbye for now," he whispered to himself, feeling a bittersweet resolve. "I'll find my way."

And with that, he opened his eyes to the new world, ready to discover the answers, piece together his past, and embrace the future, knowing that the light he had chased was more than just a beacon—it was a promise.