I was jolted awake from my dream with a gasp.
"What was it? What a load of crap. " I expressed my scepticism. The dream was so bizarre, but it felt so familiar that I wanted to trust everything I saw in there. But, in the end... It's still just a dream. My time in this cave was running out. The first thing I needed to do was to get out of here and look for help. An ominous feeling washed over me as I pondered that.
"What if I'm the only one? I'm not sure I want to believe it, but... what if?" There is always the possibility of that happening, and the notion of being the only one in the entire world never left my mind.
"Perhaps I should brace myself for a tragic end?" I paused. If that's the case, it's pointless for me to work so hard to stay alive here. I was barely clinging on to life before I discovered this inner cave. I'd be long dead if I hadn't made it here in time. For whatever reason, I was left alive to see my loved ones die in front of me, and for whatever reason I have been stuck alone in this unknown place, I deserve answers. Even if it's the only thing I have had to do in my life.
I stood up, no longer drowsy, with a newfound aim in mind. My body was brimming with energy... must have been from sleeping. I was no longer fatigued... psychologically. This may help me think more clearly while I explore this cave. My lips curled into a small smile at that thought.
Stopping my thoughts, I looked at the golden ball floating on the surface of the pond. All I could see was dazzling... almost blinding light. I couldn't find the ball. When I tried to focus my gaze on the water, my eyes stung.
I took a step forward, my palm covering my eyes. I jumped into the water to move closer to the source of light. The temperature around me rose as I moved closer to the golden orb, which was no longer visible. I felt something pushing me backwards as I drew closer. The aversion was so subtle that I couldn't even tell it was there, but it was still there. As I got closer, I felt a force pushing me backwards, away from the ball. As far as my senses could tell, it was more like a repulsive field had engulfed the golden ball to... protect it?
I was perplexed, but I pushed myself forward, raising my power with each stride. I could see the golden ball through my half-closed eyelids, which were shielding my eyes from the bright light. What I saw there astounded me. The light-emitting ball was no longer golden; instead, it had gone ash-black and was now open. I grabbed the ball, which was still gleaming brightly. I was correct that something would occur if this was opened, but... what is this?
Inside the ball, there was a small... grain?... that was pitch black, as if light couldn't coexist with it. It was as though a grain-sized area had been ripped up and filled with nothingness. Looking at the grain, it appeared to be present while also being something that isn't. It was difficult to articulate what I was seeing, and I was becoming dizzy by the second. I immediately removed the black grain from the ball to thoroughly examine it. The light flowing from the golden orb dimmed. I tried to keep the grain-like substance in its position so that I wouldn't lose the lone source of light, but it was futile.
My hand was driven away quickly because of a tremendous repulsion. I attempted it again, but the result remained the same. It was like a broken magnet that won't stick to the same end once it's broken, but the problem was that if this didn't go back inside the golden ball, the light would fade away.
Instead of wasting any more time, I raised the golden ball near the cave's ceiling, hoping to capture a water drop in it. As soon as a drop went inside the ball, it closed with a clucking sound. The repulsive energy that was forcing me back vanished as soon as that happened, and the pulsating light became more stable, with a decrease in luminance. The light emitted by the golden ball was left with nothing but a dim glow now.
When I tossed the ball into the water, it just sat there, floating. I returned my attention to the object in my palm, wondering what it was. I tried to dip the grain into the water, but it never got wet. A repelling force was always pushing the item surrounding it, but I couldn't feel it... anything at all.
I reasoned that if it's a grain, it might contain enough nutrition to keep me alive. Wouldn't that be true? I could be completely wrong about it; I don't have any formal education or anything that would allow me to know such things. I don't even know how to read properly... Shame on me. All I could read at the orphanage were picture books. Madam and Cora were the only ones that used to provide me with the most verbal knowledge. When I think about it, I wasn't very smart, to begin with. I should have worked harder, even if I am only six years old. When it comes to survival, age is irrelevant. It's not like I would have guessed that the world would end one day. Even if I had been aware... What difference would it make in the long run? Everyone would still be dead, and I'd still be trapped in this godforsaken cave.
I sipped some water from the pond and returned to my sleeping spot. I examined the pitch-black grain in my hand... Is it a grain at all? Or is it a stone? It didn't matter what it was now. All I had to do now was explore this cave and look for any exits. When I looked around for something, I noticed that the far end corner of one side of the cave had curved inwardly. I wouldn't have noticed it if this cave wasn't lit up right now.
I inspected my pockets for holes and stuffed the grainy rock into my left pocket. I strolled around the lake to the wall I saw before. As I got closer, I noticed a twisted tunnel. I couldn't get a good peek inside because it was still dark.
"Hellooo!" I yelled down the tunnel. "Hellooo... helloo... hello..." the voice echoed back at me. "It's got to be deep." I pondered. Then it will take some time to find the exit. I groaned and returned to sleep.
When I woke up, the empty shell of a ball was still emitting a bright light rather than a warm one. I searched my pocket for the grain I discovered the day before and... it was still there. Reassuring myself, I went to the water and took a plunge... there was barely enough to immerse my knee until halfway. The water was dwindling... at an alarming rate.
"I, too, have little time here," I confirmed to myself as I galloped a handful down my throat. I also let some of the cave's water flow into my mouth. They were purer than the pool of water under me. My body felt a surge of energy. From my feet to my head, I was getting stronger and my thinking capability was improving at the same time.
"This is truly miraculous water." Still in awe, I thought to myself.
I picked up the light-emitting ball... which, technically, isn't a ball anymore, keeping my thoughts at bay. My attention was drawn to the small wall opening on the other side of me. I walked to the location I saw the day before, lighting my path with the ball I was carrying. As I got closer to the tunnel, the view became clearer than before. I entered the tunnel while holding the portable torch I was carrying, surveying my surroundings for any hidden perils. Even a dangerous situation would make me pleased right now... at the very least, it would be a sign of something.
As I walked forward, the tunnel twisted to the right, but I kept going... another right, further ahead... another right.
"Wait, what the hell!?" Now I'm frustrated. Still, with it in tow, I continued forward... another right. "Damn you! " There were numerous turns to the right along the path... far too many.
There was nothing I could do, so I continued down the road in front of me. At the very least, there are no decisions to be made along the route. It's preferable this way. Even if it takes a long time, I will eventually reach the end of the journey.
I continued forward, keeping my spirits up, taking another painful stride.
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