When I opened my eyes, I wasn’t in the cave any more. Nor was I myself for that matter. Everything around me was completely white, and I felt strangely weightless.

The first thing I thought was that I was dead, or at the very least close to it. Trying to move, I didn’t feel my body at all, nor I could see it for that matter, but as I attempted to focus my thoughts, I felt a strange pull.

Something was dragging me deeper underground, or rather just down, since there was no ground anymore. I went with it, trying to understand what was going on. I could feel myself move very quickly, although the scenery did not change at all. After what felt like minutes, I stopped, because the force down suddenly split into two. One was dragging me to the side, while the other wanted me to go even more down.

Not understanding what was going on, I wanted to just let the stronger of the two pull me along, which in that case would be down, but before I made up my mind, the forces suddenly changed. The stronger one changed its course, no longer pulling me, instead pushing me away from where it was leading me before, and the other one almost vanished, leaving just a faint trace, no longer able to even pull my weightless, well, consciousness I guess.

Even more confused, I wanted to drag myself towards it, but it was not an easy task. The pull was so weak, I could barely even feel it. The movement itself was hard enough at first, but the longer I was there, the seemingly more control I had.

I also finally started to have some kind of shape - not really a human, but more like just some sort of blob made out of different colors of light. Still, I was mostly white, maybe that was why I did not see myself before.

Floating down, for the first time I finally started seeing something. The surroundings started changing a bit, and instead of white void I was now in thick, gray fog, to the point where I couldn’t see even a meter in front of me. Well, not like that mattered, since I wasn’t relying on my sight - the pull was still present.

What felt like minutes of nothingness soon turned into hours, without much of a change in scenery, nor in my own shapeless body, until I finally stumbled upon something.

Pull got a bit stronger and the fog lifted partially, almost like it was showing me the way. Following this strange phenomenon, I finally saw what was the source of all this.

Another blob. Not very different from me, although its light was a bit dimmer and looked like it was scattered in a small area.

It somehow felt familiar, and as I closed in to one of the small pieces of it, it got stuck to me, magnifying the feeling. At the back of my non-existent head I also felt something else. Like some annoying itching that I was not able to get rid of, it started drilling into me.

Just as that was happening, the rest of the blob reacted to the small one gluing itself to me.

All of the remaining pieces floated towards me, sticking itself together into one big orb that was now stuck to me. Along with that, the strange itching at the back of my head intensified and turned into something more recognizable - a feeling.

At first, it was just confusion, then it turned into disbelief.

It was not the first time I felt something like this. Just like I first felt the presence in the crystal, something similar was now attached to me.

Hello?

I wanted to ask, but no words came out. Well, no wonder, I had no mouth.

Even though, the feeling I had now changed to surprise and distrust. Whatever that was, it could hear me. Well, I say “whatever that was”, but I had a good idea what that might have been.

The sense of familiarity and the strange way I could feel its current state of emotion, I was pretty sure that this thing was indeed that same presence that was not so long ago trapped inside the crystal we found underground. Why did it appear in my dream though? Or whatever that was that I was experiencing. I assumed, after it exploded - thanks to Axelrod - that it died… Wait, can something like that die anyway? What was it anyway? Was I dead too then?

It was somewhat similar to me in a peculiar way - it was also made out of crystal.

While I was not completely converted into one yet, after the accident at the Red Edge I started assuming that I would end up completely crystallized sooner or later. Probably sooner if I was to continue to hang around in places so full of mana. I was hoping though that I would at least have my motor functions intact, as my hand, even completely crystal, was still pretty usable.

Although, after seeing the presence and the state it was in, I was starting to have my doubts. What if it was just like me but instead of having its shape preserved, straight up just turned into an inanimate rock? That did not sound like a bright future. Although it at least had its consciousness intact… Well, did it? Didn’t it say that it was missing some memories? What if it was to happen to me as well?

I sort of wished we had an opportunity to talk more before we got interrupted. Speaking of, what the fuck was even up with Axelrod? Not mentioning him using multiple elements, which apparently was oh so rare according to Melle, why in the hell would he just straight up just attack us? He seemed a lot more composed and not that much of a hot-blooded person…

Breaking me out from this inner turmoil was the intensifying feeling of distrust.

Right, I was not alone. Or at least I hoped so. I guess that was an upside…

For me at least, because the feelings I was bombarded with were definitely not positive. I had to somehow let it know that it was me and we should at least not try destroying each other’s consciousnesses, since that was apparently the only thing that both of us had left at this point. Too bad I was not able to communicate with it…

Or was I? Before all this I somehow was connected to it, feeling it and hearing its thoughts, even when it clearly was not intending for it. Even in this state the connection remained. If that was the case, would it be possible to somehow exploit that?

While I was thinking how I should approach that, I failed to notice that the blob got a lot bigger than before.

Aside from the fact that it was definitely concerning, it also probably was just why I felt the presence stronger. To the point where beside the feelings I was also getting short flashes of images, but they were sadly too faint and distorted to understand.

Come on, if you are trying to show me something at least try making it a bit more readable…

I thought to myself, not expecting the answer.

But, surprisingly, I got a reaction. Obviously, the images did not magically clear up and enhance, instead got even more blurry and hectic, like I just triggered it.

Oh fuck off…

This time I got no reaction. The images were still flooding my head and if it was to continue it was not for long before they would’ve overwhelmed me, making me unable to even think for myself. It was already getting pretty hard as it was, and the presence was not giving any signs of stopping anytime soon.

I guess I couldn’t blame it. Just like a wild animal, it was defending itself by all means it had left.

So how do I try to go about it? Well, I had two choices. I could attack back, try to force my own will towards it.

I had no fucking idea how would I do that though. Thinking of a plan is one, but trying to put it in motion is something else. Especially if you are just some sort of blob hanging in a nondescript void, lacking any actual knowledge on what the said void was or how it was working.

Second, I could try talking to it and maybe somehow calm it down.

Easier said than done.

While communicating was definitely possible, I was not so sure about the second part.

But, after all, I already once successfully talked it down and even managed to have a decent conversation with it, so I guess I had some decent chances? It didn’t seem prone to violence from what I knew. Well, mostly. So diplomacy looked like the best option.

Think, how the hell would you calm down a rabid animal? If it was MY animal, I would try calling it by its name… or give it a treat…

A name.

Well, too bad I didn’t know its name. Hell, the presence itself didn’t remember it. Maybe it did not have one in the first place?

But that was when I remembered something. It actually reacted to multiple names. Be it with images or feelings, but still. And in those couple names, the one that gave the most reaction was…

Noli.

The second I thought that, the attack stopped in its tracks. The same with the blob that was all over me - straight up froze, like it was not sure if whatever it was doing was a good idea any more.

Hell. I expected the name to get some kind of response, but that was more than I imagined, so I doubled down.

Noli. You remember that name? It’s Melle’s husband’s name, right? You knew him? Come on, talk to me.

I am not sure what I thought was going to happen. I already knew it was not able to answer, yet I continued.

I know her. I helped her not too long ago, and I guess I was trying to do that again just now. Too bad in the process I got reduced to… well, whatever we are.

The remaining hints of hostility disappeared and got replaced by guilt. It was working.

Ah, don’t worry. It’s not like it was your fault.

A flash of light and a scene - explosion followed by myself getting tossed backwards. This time, the image was not blurry and seeing it did not come with a headache. Progress.

Okay, it MAYBE slightly was your fault. I still blame Axelrod.

Anger. This time was not directed at me, so it was not oppressive.

Yeah, me too. Fucker betrayed me. And I believed him.

As we were having this strange dialogue, the substance that was not so long ago trying to absorb me changed shape to one somewhat similar to mine and was resting next to me. By now I was sure that was indeed the same presence that was in the crystal.

The presence. Calling it that seemed awkward.

In any case… What is this place? Are we dead? If so, the afterlife seems a bit bland…

I swear I felt it laugh, but then immediately got stabbed with a large dose of worry.

Well, you DID blow up and bring a whole cave on our heads. I don’t know about you, but my body still had a lot of fleshy bits that were definitely vulnerable to blunt force trauma.

An image of my crystalized arm flashed through my head.

Well yes, I had that, but even if it survived I am not some kind of regenerating green alien that can just regrow itself.

Another image. This time of the crystal itself, where the presence was at first, then me again.

I don’t think I understand… I am not some kind of crystal being. The crystal revenant, was that what they were called Or remnant? Nah, as far as I am aware I am, or was just a regular guy. The arm was just an experiment going wrong. From what I understood, it just was able to absorb and release mana, that’s it.

A feeling of confusion.

Yeah, I don’t know either. To be honest, at first I was worried. It started as just a small piece of rock embedded in my body just to start growing, and, well, you’ve seen how I looked. After seeing you and discovering you are a sentient being, I thought I might end up like you and got scared. Now it seems like a better option, at least I would be probably alive right now.

Silence. I felt the presence focusing on something. I could feel the small snippets of images as it was thinking to itself. Me, Axelrod, Melle and the girl, the crystal presence itself, pieces of crystal, my arm - images were short and blurry and were coming and going like mad.

What are you doing?

An image of a desk with a bunch of stacks of paper on top of it, to the point where it was overflowing and stuff was falling on the floor.

Ah. Got it.

It stayed like that for a good minute, until it seemingly finished whatever it was doing.

Sooo…?

The image of the desk again. This time, empty.

Yeah, I figured that you’re done. I still have no idea what you were doing. Or are.

A brief pause.

I swear I saw the blob move and shift awkwardly.

That does not explain a thing.

An image of myself again. Then the image of the crystal in the cave, followed by escaping Axelrod.

You want to chase him? Gonna be hard in this form…

Image of me, this time leaving the cave with unconscious Odar and Bert.

You want to escape this place? With me?

Happiness. I guess that meant yes.

Okay, well I am down, but I have no clue where exactly we are and how we would go about it.

Concern and anxiousness.

This is not pleasant for me either, believe me. Do you have at least some ideas?

Again the full desk.

That many? Well shit, guess we will be out in no time then.

Next image it sent me was a bit concerning. It showed me the desk going up in flames along with the papers on it.

Ah. Never mind then.

But then, from the smoke and fire, one singular piece of paper flew by. Charred at the edges and ripped slightly, but in somewhat decent shape.

So you're saying there's a chance. What can I do?

What it replied with was not something I expected.

Fear.

Okay… I figured that it would be hard, but is it really that dangerous? I mean, we are already dead right?

A feeling of uncertainty flew through me, followed by sadness.

If you are concerned about me I am flattered, but don’t bother. I am up for being a test subject. Wouldn’t be the first time.

Curiosity. The image of me getting frozen by Axelrod and buried under a rockslide, followed by the crystal with the presence exploding on impact with his blade. The next scene was a bit blurry for some reason though. It was the crystal shattering again, but this time followed by the image of my hand and then faces I did not expect to see.

Ilma and Mike.

That made me hesitate for a moment.

Wait a second.

Now I was the one sending confusion towards it.

You know how I got this arm? You know about ME? And them?

A crystal explosion. Wrong one, but still.

Shit. Now I really want to have a talk with you. A normal one that is.

Happiness. I guess it was mutual.

Well then. If I had any doubts you just dispelled all of them. I am going to trust you. Not like I have a choice in a matter. Go for it. Try whatever you wanted to try. If you are one of us, I am sure it’s going to work.

A hint of uncertainty followed by happiness. Then, a lot of worry.

The blob that was just hanging around me started moving again. This time it was a lot less aggressive but a lot more thorough. It slowly climbed up onto me and was spreading all over my form, covering it with a regular layer of itself. When it reached my head, or rather the place where my point of view was originating, I started feeling the presence a lot more. It was not sending any images to me, yet I could understand that it was very focused, so I decided to shut the hell up and wait.

When it was done with that, it paused for a second, and I swear I heard a sigh, just before the whole surface of my body, all at once, started boiling. I did not feel any pain, but the feeling was not pleasant nonetheless. Even though I did not have a physical form, I could feel the itching all over me. The boiling bubbles of the substance were popping and steaming, giving the process a very unsettling image.

The steam also made me realize that it was not only the outer layer that was getting “boiled”. The bubbles and the smoke had two colors that were mixing as they were coming out to the surface - one, bright and shiny, others a bit darker and grayer. The mixing was progressing pretty rapidly - soon there was no difference between the bubbles and smoke, everything turning brighter, to the color I was before.

I probably should’ve been worried a lot more than I was, considering the process I was undergoing. I know that the presence wanted to escape together with me and all… but damn.

Even then, I was strangely calm. After all, it actually knew me. I knew it. We were both from the same place. We shared more similarities than we realized, and that gave us the ability to actually do this.