After spending a moderate amount of time engulfed in the void of nothingness, Athan opened his eyes and awakened from his slumber, regaining his consciousness. It goes without saying however, he was very much confused, unaware of where he was situated. After taking a closer look at his body, he was pleased -to say the least- to discover that his parts were in their rightful positions and the power that was protecting him had taken action once more. 

  Examining the area around, he realized he had managed to make it to the bottom, surrounded by flourishing vegetation and solid stones, though the world around was…barely visible. The young man threw his gaze back at the skies above, trying to detect the star that shone upon the realm. No avail... it had already went beyond the horizon and the cold night had laid its veil on top of the earth, covering it in its shade. 

  Athan felt defeated and discouraged, unable to follow the movements of the star, left to wander aimlessly, without a guide. Alone in the silence of oblivion… 

  In his utter hopelessness, the only slight glimmer of hope still preserving him, was his inexhaustible will to seek the truths he set out to find. As such, he got himself up from the rough surface with ease (he had gotten quite used to that maneuver) and traversed through the forest.

  

  Why though? Doesn't it seem rather…peculiar? Think about it: with no knowledge of what awaits in the distance and no guarantee of success, what was his drive to continue? He had lost any signs that could possibly lead him to a -maybe- proper path towards advancing his expedition and on top of all that, what in the name of tarnation was that… thing he witnessed?! 

  Seriously, was it all an illusion? A nightmare? A malady? 

  The questions never seem to stop, but this is also the reason why he doesn't either. He seeks all these answers purely because it’s part of his nature. 

  He CAN NOT stop. 

  If he did, his whole existence would simply become… obsolete. That's how he sees things. In his own vision, ceasing such pursuit would be the same as putting an end to his very being. A goal was given, an order to follow, a mission to see through. He wasn't going to give up the only motive that kept him in this world, even if he had to suffer again and again. 

  Perhaps... it’s still too early to tell how the lone traveler really felt, although, there was one thing that was crystal clear: Athan wasn't going to conclude his journey anytime soon…