Sean Doherty | Seildirectory

— ... Human, what are you doing here? Did you just end up here, or were you just poking your nose where you shouldn't?

There you are, standing in the middle of an unknown place. The unknown voice seems to be coming from every corner, as if the darkness itself has decided to speak to you. Everything around you is black and motionless, your eyes can't catch on to anything.

. . .

But suddenly, a dim glow appears in the darkness, like a weak fire piercing a thick fog. It illuminates a figure standing nearby. This glow came from an unknown, spiked circle above the stranger's head.

It was a man... or something that once was.

A tall, thin figure in dark blue clothing almost vanished into the darkness. Behind him, large wings slowly unfurled, resembling those of a bat, but ragged, broken, and adorned with the same spines.

The creature tilted its head slightly, as if trying to peer at you through the unknown black liquid dripping from its "halo."

—Perhaps you are uncomfortable with the way I look.

His voice was calm, but there was a strange weariness to it—as if the words had been spoken countless times before.

—People often fear what reminds them of the end.

The wings behind him fluttered slightly, and the surroundings grew darker again.

—But I will not hide from strangers. However, you should not be here. This place... is like a trap. It doesn't simply hold those who come here. It slowly erases them. First, memories disappear. Then hope. Then you stop understanding how much time has passed... a day, a year... an eternity.

The silence grew heavy.

— And then only pain remains. And loneliness.

The figure turned its head slightly, as if listening to something you couldn't hear.

— It's funny... most people are afraid of dying. But almost no one considers how much more terrifying it can be to continue existing. I've been here too long... to remember what the end is.

He looked in your direction again.

— So tell me, human... Are you lost? ...or did someone force you here?