Darkness.
It was the first thing Lucas became aware of.
Not the comforting darkness of sleep.
Nor the peaceful darkness of closing one's eyes.
This darkness felt endless.
Heavy.
Ancient.
His consciousness slowly returned, accompanied by an unbearable ache that seemed to permeate every part of his being.
Then came the pain.
It wasn't the sharp pain of broken bones.
Nor the burning agony of the corruption that had consumed his body.
This pain was different.
It seemed to originate from his very soul.
Lucas gasped.
His eyes snapped open.
For a long moment, he could only stare upward.
There was no sky.
Only an endless expanse of swirling black and crimson clouds that churned silently overhead.
There were no stars.
No sun.
No moon.
The strange light illuminating everything seemed to come from nowhere at all.
Lucas slowly pushed himself upright.
Every movement sent another wave of agony through him.
He looked down.
His eyes widened.
He wore nothing.
