Darkness. It's everywhere. No matter where I looked, there was darkness. Where am I? How did I get here? I remember... nothing.

I feel something. I'm... wearing something, but it's not enough to keep the cold air away. My body is shaking, yet I can do nothing.

I closed my eyes and opened them again. Nothing's changed. I still see... nothing.

Nothing... Nothing at all.

Suddenly, something caught my eyes amidst the darkness, a tint of red and yellow. Light. Whatever it is, it's coming closer, illuminating what seemed to be cavern walls surrounding me in every direction. Following it was the clacking of heels, echoing along the empty corridors.

"Ah, you're awake," a soft yet refined voice spoke from behind the corner. "And here I was thinking that I'd be waiting for another decade."

She knelt down in front of me, perching the torch in a crack on the ground. Her hand reached over and held onto my cheek, lifting my head up. It was then that I finally saw something past the nothingness.

It was... a woman. She was wearing a professional uniform of sorts, featuring a thin jacket over a buttoned shirt. Is she some kind of noble descendent? I wanted to get a better look at her face, but everything beyond her gentle smile was shrouded in black... as if my eyes refused to acknowledge her.

"Hm... Let's take a look," she said while turning my head left and right. "You seem healthy enough. A tad bit skinny, though. Are you hungry, Darling?"

"Who... are you...?" I struggled to ask.

"Dear me, did you forget already? I'm hurt, but I suppose I can't get too upset. You did... hit your head pretty hard."

"What are you talking about?"

"All in due time, Darling. For now, let's get something in your stomach before you pass out again."

The woman reached into her satchel and pulled out a piece of bread. Reluctantly, I reached for it and took a bite. Stale. Nonetheless, it was good. Every bite felt fulfilling as if I hadn't eaten anything for years.

"I'm sorry I couldn't get you anything better," she sighed. "My wallet isn't exactly in the best condition, you see."

"No... This is fine," I said. "Thank you."

"Are you still hungry?"

"I don't think so."

"Hm... I'll leave this satchel here. If you're feeling hungry again, take another one."

The woman stood with the torch.

"Are you... leaving?" I asked.

"Indeed," she replied. "I have errands to run. Will you miss me?"

I didn't answer her, but I knew what I would say. In this darkness, she was the only one I could see and talk to. Would it be wrong for me to say that I would miss her? Maybe, but I won't say it. I shouldn't expect too much out of her. After all, we're merely strangers.

The woman let out a soft giggle and dropped her hand on my head, ruffling my hair around.

"Don't worry, Darling," she smiled. "I'll be back before you know it. Until then, try to get as much rest as you can. Alright?"

"...Okay."

"Good. I'm off now."

As she left, the light of her torch slowly faded beyond the corridor, and once again, I was left in absolute darkness. It wasn't as scary as before. Could it be that I found comfort in the fact that someone knows where I am? Perhaps, and if anything, that's enough for me.

I rested my head on the rough ground and shut my eyes. This time, I felt my consciousness fading. Soon, the sleeping world captured me in its lucid dream.

Though, it was not a dream. Within the abyss that surrounded me, I felt a small tug. It was unnoticeable at first, but the force became much more aggressive by the second. Howls echoed in my ears, whispering tunes I'd never heard before.

I reached up, but there was nothing to grab onto. It felt like something was dragging me down by my ankle, though nothing was there.

A flash of light struck my eyes, forcing them shut, but it was of no help. Despite being colorless and dark, it was blinding.

The light faded, or perhaps my eyes simply adjusted. I opened them, but nothing was there. Yet, a strange sensation burned my eyes, enough to cause tears to build up.

Still, nothing was there except for an endless plane of pitch black. But am I just believing what I want to believe?

No... Something is there, calling out to me. I can see it. Though, at the same time, I couldn't. It was suffocating, but I refused to look away.

Scared... I'm scared...

My eyes opened. To my surprise, it wasn't as dark as I thought it'd be. There was a torch stuck in a crack on the rocky ground. It's that same torch... and the same crack.

That woman... Is she here?

"Awake yet, Darling?" her voice called out, but I could not see her.

I tried to sit up, but an abrupt ache began to plague my head. Despite my best efforts, I could manage no more than a subtle lift.

Suddenly, a gentle touch pushed me back down.

"Easy, now," the woman said. "Your head must be hurting immensely. Relax for a bit and take deep breaths, Darling."

Instead, I tilted my head to the side. It was only after I saw her towering above me that I realized... I'm lying down on her lap.

"Why...?" I could say no more before the sharp pain in my head intensified. "Ow..."

"Hehe, it hurts, doesn't it?" the woman giggled. "That's how it always goes whenever one makes first contact with 'them.' Just stay like this. It'll go away in a bit."

"Who's... them?"

"Shh..."

She immediately planted a finger on my lips to silence me. Her eyes were still covered by a fog of darkness. Although she was still smiling at me, I could tell she was being somewhat cautious.

"Careful, Darling," she whispered. "We may only refer to 'them' when it is necessary. No matter what, we mustn't pry any further than that. Name, appearance, origin—none of that matters. The only thing we need to know about 'them' is that they are always watching us. Do you understand?"

"...I think so..." I answered, though it was filled with uncertainty.

"Are you frightened?"

"Just a little bit, but... As long as you're here, I think it'll be okay."

The woman let out a soft giggle. "Putting your faith in a stranger you just met is a bit on the nose, Darling. But, I shall repay your truth. Now, hush and rest. Take as long as you need. And don't worry. The moment you open your eyes, I will be right here."

My body began to relax as my eyes shut. Slowly, the pain in my head subsided, replaced by questions upon questions piling up like a mountain.

Where is this place? How did I get here? How long have I been here? This woman... As kind as she is, she's still a complete stranger to me. Just who is she?

Perhaps the most important question: who... am I?

"Alright, Darling," the woman said. "I think the storm has come to pass. Now that you've seen 'them,' there shouldn't be any issues. Sit up, and take a nice, long look at me."

The woman helped me up, before sitting directly in front of me. At first, the black fog still covered the upper half of her face, but after a few seconds, it receded, revealing her beauty.

Her long, wavy hair was tied into a ponytail, including her bangs, which split into curves toward the side of her head. It was black for the most part. I did notice a subtle hint of violet flowing along the strands like waves.

Our eyes met, but I was the only one who was entranced. Gentle and relaxed, calm yet elegant, her sharp, blue eyes lowered as she smiled.

"Looks like you have finally learned to see the nihility beyond the rhyme and reason," she giggled. "Hello, Darling. My name is Silverain. Does that ring a bell?"

"Silver... rain. N-no... I don't think so," I mumbled.

"Is that so? We share quite an extensive history. Although not all of them were pleasant, a select few were enough to make me go through hell and back just to finally wake you up here. What a shame."

"Sorry..."

"Oh, Darling. There's no need to apologize. Given what happened, I'd be more surprised if you retained any of your memories."

"What happened... to me? Why can't I remember anything?"

"That's... a difficult one to answer. Unfortunately, I can not say."

"Then, do you know me?"

"Hehe. Of course I do, but I can't tell you, lest 'they' themselves reap more than what they originally stole. So, for now... I'll tell you this much.

Silverain gently pinched my chin. Her fingers, cold to the touch, gently caressed my face. This time, I could see her, and although it seemed like she had much to tell me, her voice abstained.

"From this moment forth, your name is Noir," she said. "You are a Wayfarer of the Path of Tenebris. Welcome to the circus, Darling."