"Gasp! Hu- Huh, what..."

Caelus' eyes drifted, shivering as his body experienced profound trauma.

"Hng!" He felt his throat tighten as he attempted to take a deep breath.

He still lay on the floor, gazing upward at the dark sky where smoke-like clouds formed his only visible images.

He took another deep breath, this time successfully, allowing his mind to calm ever so slowly, though he was certain the tumult would return.

His body shifted, tormented by an affliction that wracked him thoroughly.

Without further ado, he gently moved his hands across his body, exploring slowly.

Nothing. He felt no scars or wounds, yet the pain persisted.

"Great..." he muttered, then brought his hand to his eyes, noticing it glowing with a golden aura.

He blinked at this sight.

Pain permeated his body with no physical injuries. Internal pain? Unlikely; it certainly related to something within him.

Could it be...?

He gazed at his hand again, still glowing with a golden aura, appearing as if wisps emanated from his fingers.

There was only one explanation for this. Something had been implanted in him since the beginning of his new journey.

The Stellaron, he surmised, had done something to protect him.

Caelus smiled, "Well, I'll be. To think that you're my saving grace in this desolate place... how ironic, huh? The Cancer of all Worlds, saving me. Yeah, that sounds like a stretch at best."

As far as he was concerned and from what he had experienced, the Stellarons, harbored and manipulated by his past adversaries, typically brought dangerous consequences, but in his case, it aided him.

Herta would have a massive aneurysm if she ever found out what he was thinking.

His hand dropped to the ground, feeling the coarse sand.

Sand?

His eyes widened, and recalling that the Stellaron was reacting, he slowly raised his body.

Looking around, he could only see the same black sea ahead, but now he was on a beach resembling ash. He observed the same sinister arms that were in the sea, now stretching up in a grouped formation toward the black sun.

The Black Sun, the last thing he saw before falling unconscious.

Unlike a typical sun, which spreads light and yields positive effects, this sun did not, thereby attracting negativity.

◼◼◼?

"Agh!" Caelus felt as though his head was splitting, with pain surging through every fiber of his being. It seemed as if whatever he had observed was literally pulling his insides out.

However, his body soon glowed with the same yellow aura, and he felt the pain being alleviated.

"Haaaah..."

Caelus released a long sigh as the Stellaron within him reacted again defensively.

It seemed as if the Stellaron did not want its host or vessel, in this case, him, to die.

He sat there for a few more minutes, feeling the mental pain dissolve into nothingness.

"Phew... So, I just need to avoid looking at the sun and try my best to get out of here."

"That is, if you know the way, boy."

Caelus turned swiftly to the source and stood up completely, assuming a defensive stance.

"Who are you!?" Despite facing the unknown, Caelus maintained his resolve to fight.

The figure clapped their hands, shrouded in inky blackness like the shadows, though Caelus could discern the bamboo hat on their head.

The figure spoke again, their voice rough and deep. "I am a nobody, a voyager to the depths of shadows, for I have no name."

Caelus blinked. "Can you help me?"

If the figure had eyes, they would have blinked in disbelief. "You—Ah, how naive you are. Another might have taken advantage of you, but I am not such a person."

Caelus looked sheepish, rubbing the back of his head. "Ahah... Sorry, I just want to get out of here as soon as possible. This place is giving me the creeps, and my head doesn't feel right."

The slight tilt of the bamboo hat indicated the nameless voyager's reaction. "My... to think that you stared into IX's shadow, and yet, you remain whole, unyielding. Truly, a miracle in disguise."

IX's shadow?

The voyager continued, "Aside from your naivety, you remain ignorant of the world despite following the path of Trailblaze. The knowledge of Aeons should be at the forefront of your mind."

Ah, he was speaking without realizing it.

"Yes, you are. How chatty, how charismatic—so that is how you draw people's attention. You are like the flame to moths, forever burning, and the insects invariably follow."

Caelus pondered the voyager's words and couldn't help but feel there was truth in them.

"I am not one to brag, but people... let's just say they view me as a symbol."

The voyager stepped in front of him. "A symbol? Yes, when people lose hope in their own world, they need a symbol to save them. A symbol of justice. Tell me, young one, do you think justice defines your identity?"

Caelus brought his hand to his chin, thinking it over.

"I don't have a definite answer to that," he replied.

The voyager offered guidance, though his tone suggested otherwise. "Hmm... good."

"Huh?"

"You are not as hot-headed as I presumed. Good, I can tell your journey is short as they are long in the distant past. The accumulated experiences you've had are not enough to define you completely. What you've experienced is but a speck of dust in the tavern of life."

Caelus blinked. "Okay..."

He thought the figure in front of him might be mocking him, but the sincerity was evident.

The voyager chuckled. "Do not be disheartened, young one. Not many realize their own achievements, let alone their deceit. All adventures are woven with truth and lies. Heroes, for example, harbor an intrinsic evil that shapes them into legends."

Caelus opened his mouth to respond, but the voyager raised their smoky hand, silencing him.

"What I am trying to say is; you shouldn't forget your deeds, no matter how beneficial they are to others and to yourself. In this sea of horrors, the shadow of IX brings only misery, yet you, young one, possess an indomitable will."

Caelus clapped one hand to the other as if in understanding, which he genuinely did after that.

Though...

"That doesn't really answer how I can get out of here."

"Oh, that. You can't."

What.

"Without a guide, that is. Let me finish my sentences, young man."

Caelus apologized. "Sorry, I've had a very long day."

The voyager chuckled, a deep sound resonating with ancient wisdom. "Yes, you have. Now, let me introduce you to a friend of mine. He has been a great help to me and can assist you as well."

A spark of hope flickered in Caelus' eyes amidst the darkness.

With a cartoonish puff of smoke, another figure appeared beside the voyager. Caelus looked down at the new arrival and blinked rapidly, his expression a mix of disbelief and curiosity.

"Umm... you are tiny, no offense."

The entity before him was indeed diminutive—a small, cartoonish figure with an analog clock for a head. The hour and minute hands on its face, green and dark red respectively, spun in indignation. Dressed in a white shirt with a red bowtie, black suspenders over brown shorts, white gloves, and black shoes, the figure was both whimsical and surreal.

The clock hands spiraled as if responding in anger. "And I take offense to that! I may be tiny, but I can inflict significant emotional damage."

Caelus felt a tickle of annoyance at the little entity's remark, yet he was also curiously fascinated.

The voyager released a small, deep laugh, capturing the attention of both. "Hahaha! Clockie, it has been a while since you've had fun like this, hasn't it?"

The clock hands spiraled again, the entity's face shifting into a smile. "Yes, yes! Now that you mention it, you are right! Also, this gentleman can see me!"

Caelus, terribly confused, asked, "I'm sorry, but who are you?"

The entity's face turned into a sad expression, its hands pausing mid-twirl. "Le gasp! You don't know who I am?"

"No," Caelus replied flatly.

The entity then bounced, cartoon sound effects accompanying its movements. "I am Clockie, the main character of 'Clockie,' Penacony's famous cartoon. Do you really not know who I am?"

Caelus recalled hearing about Clockie during his time around the Golden Hour but hadn't paid much attention as he was focused on other matters.

"I only heard your name, nothing more. Though, I am sure people appreciate your show."

Clockie jumped with joy, his hands spinning rapidly. "Yes! They do! Children, adults, even the deceased adore it. Wherever I go, I bring entertainment and lighten up their world."

Caelus smiled, touched by the character's infectious joy. However, their moment was interrupted by a soft hum from the beach, like a gentle boom echoing through the air.

Caelus and Clockie tensed, their bodies reacting as if to a bomb, while the voyager remained eerily calm.

The dark figure then spoke with an urgency that brooked no argument. "We need to move away from this place. It is no longer safe."

The voyager summoned a small cane with an ornate handle and tapped it gently against the gritty surface of the beach. With a flash of light that briefly illuminated the somber scenery, they were transported to another part of this unknown place.

"Woah!" Caelus and Clockie exclaimed in unison as they landed on a patch of burnt grass, a stark contrast to the black sands they had just left behind.

They now found themselves under the shelter of a solitary, decaying tree—the last witness to life in this desolate landscape. Its gnarled branches stretched towards the bleak sky, grasping for survival in a final, desperate plea.

Looking around, Caelus felt a wave of emotions churn inside him, each one a echo of the desolation surrounding them. Clockie, sensing his turmoil, vibrated slightly, its clock hands whirring with a sense of purpose.

"Clockie! I will not tolerate the domain of Nihility, for you, Caelus, will only feel the joy of life!" proclaimed the small figure, glowing with an inner light.

Then Clockie's aura enveloped Caelus, bathing him in a soothing light that stabilized his emotions and seemed to harmonize with the foreign energy within him.

"Ooh!" Caelus couldn't help but express his relief aloud as he felt his inner chaos settle. He looked at Clockie and gave a grateful thumbs up. "Thank you, Clockie."

Clockie responded with a thumbs up of its own, its grin wide and comforting.

The voyager observed this exchange and then walked over to sit by the base of the dying tree. "Come, everyone. We will discuss matters here. Do have a seat," they invited, gesturing to the ground around them.

Caelus and Clockie obliged, taking their places on the grass. Clockie positioned itself between them, its form flattening slightly as if to make itself more comfortable.

As they settled, the tree gave a soft sigh, its few remaining leaves fluttering down like a timer winding down to zero.

"Like I said, Clockie will aid your escape. He has the power to do so, as this realm is connected to the dreamscape," the voyager explained, casting a glance at the horizon where the dark sea met the ashen beach.

Caelus' eyes widened with rekindled hope. "Then that means we all can get out of here now!" he exclaimed, his voice loud in the quiet that surrounded them.

His remark seemed to bring a shadow over the group, with Clockie looking down and the voyager remaining silent, their posture subdued.

Caelus, noticing the shift, pressed on, "Did I say something wrong? I mean, we can get out of here, that's what you said!"

The silence lingered until the voyager finally spoke, their voice heavy with resignation. "Not all of us. I will have to remain here."

Caelus' heart sank. "Wh-What? No, that can't be. I may not know you long enough, but I can't stand the thought of anyone who has helped me not being able to save themselves!"

The voyager shook their head, the jingles on their bamboo hat chiming softly. "I have been ensnared by IX's shadow for the majority of my life. I am a Sin Thirster, forever lost, forever wandering in delusion."

Frustrated and unwilling to accept this fate for his newfound ally, Caelus stood abruptly, but the voyager tapped their cane, sending a force that pushed him back into his seat.

"Your heroism is admirable, but I am beyond saving. The most I can offer is guidance and perhaps answers for your journey," the voyager stated, their tone final.

Caelus remained silent, wrestling with his emotions, before finally speaking, "Fine..."

"Good. Now, heed this old man's words," the voyager began, their voice adopting a mentor's tone.

Caelus, though still upset, decided to listen quietly, his gaze shifting to Clockie, who was now enveloped in a translucent barrier. He could feel the aura from Clockie acting as a stabilizer, calming the tumult within him.

The voyager continued, addressing Caelus' unspoken questions, "Now that you've gazed upon IX's shadow, you will feel lost in emotions and everything connected. Remember, do not lose sight of your deeds and identity."

Caelus nodded, the explanation clarifying some of his confusion but leaving room for more.

"I do not know how you came to be here, as you are stationed in Penacony, evidenced by Clockie's presence. Tell me, young man, have you touched anything connected to one who has endured IX's gaze?" the voyager inquired, their tone serious.

Caelus thought back to his recent activities in Penacony. "I don't think so... but I have made many new friends since arriving."

The voyager's bells jingled softly. "Clockie, do you know of any new arrivals in Penacony?"

Clockie hummed thoughtfully. "Hmm, there were many, though few caught my attention. There was a memokeeper shrouded in a veiled dress, but she doesn't share the same aura as this place."

Caelus interjected, "That sounds like Black Swan."

"Yes, her! Then there's the Masked Fool, but her whole shtick does not resemble this at all," Clockie added, referring to another character, Sparkle, known for her deviant antics.

"Then... eh, I can't really look into her."

The voyager looked at Clockie with an intense, faceless gaze. "You can't, or you won't?"

Clockie's hands spiraled, going in all directions. "I... can't. She's a woman with a big sword."

Caelus knew who Clockie was referring to. "Acheron?"

The air turned heavy, and Clockie gasped in horror. Caelus, though, felt suffocated.

The presence of the voyager was immense, and it was crushing him.

Then it disappeared, and the duo gasped for air.

"Acheron, so she goes by that name now."

It was a statement, not a question.

Caelus took a deep breath, his emotions swirling with confusion and concern. "Do you know her?" he asked the voyager, his voice tinged with both hope and fear.

The voyager nodded solemnly. "In the distant past, yes, though she went by another name. Her true name."

This revelation stunned Caelus. Acheron had introduced herself by name, but the implication that she might have lied about her true identity unsettled him. His heart pounded with a mix of betrayal and disbelief.

No, she couldn't have lied. Not Acheron.

The voyager sensed his inner turmoil. As Caelus' emotions threatened to boil over into anger, the voyager tapped their cane again. Instantly, the surging anger dissipated, replaced by a forced calm.

Caelus managed a nod of gratitude, though his thoughts remained tumultuous and deep-seated.

"The anger you displayed," the voyager began, their voice soft yet penetrating, "Young man, tell me, do you love her?"

Did he love her? The question hung in the air, heavy and undefined. Caelus found himself unable to answer, his emotions too jumbled to discern.

"Do not be mistaken, young one," the voyager continued, sensing his confusion. "Feeling lost after a sliver of truth is understandable. But consider another point of view—understanding hers might help you understand her more."

Caelus looked up at the shadowy figure, his face a mask of doubt. "But won't what you say possibly misrepresent what she actually thinks?"

"Perhaps," the voyager conceded, "but I have known her far longer than you have, so I am familiar with her ways, and you should be too."

Silence fell between them as Caelus pondered the voyager's words, wrestling with his feelings and the shocking revelations.

"I will not delve much into her past, as it is her responsibility," the voyager stated as they summoned a katana that glowed red—a weapon eerily similar to Acheron's Odachi. "She was once a woman of genuine emotions, facing immense hardships. She walked the path of the sword until an unexpected event changed her life."

Caelus listened intently, eager to grasp any understanding of Acheron, even if only a fragment.

"Her world was destroyed, and the Aeon of Nihility cast its gaze upon her, turning her into an Emanator," the voyager explained briefly, leaving much unsaid but providing Caelus with a glimpse into Acheron's tormented past.

"She has suffered much, longer than you can imagine. Yet, she tries. She has always tried to help those in need, even after losing her ability to feel," the voyager added, painting a picture of Acheron's enduring struggle.

A pang of sympathy struck Caelus, his previous doubts melting into profound sadness for her plight.

"How old is she?" he found himself asking, driven by a need to understand the depth of her existence.

Clockie, ever the sensitive companion, facepalmed. "Caelus, you're not supposed to ask a woman's age. Even if they're not here, they can feel the impact behind your words!"

The voyager, however, laughed heartily. "It is no worry, Clockie. This young one is merely curious. To answer your question, she has lived for centuries, far longer than any of the Xianzhou natives you know."

Covering his mouth in shock, Caelus absorbed the implications of her age and the breadth of her experiences.

"Now, do you understand, young man?" the voyager asked, their tone gentle yet insistent. "Once an ordinary woman, now she lives judged and despised as an Emanator."

"I will save her."

Clockie made an 'O' face, surprised by his declaration, while the voyager's interest visibly piqued.

"Ho...? You realize that by declaring to save her, you make yourself a target to the world? Are you prepared to bear the burden of righteous evil, just for one woman?" the voyager challenged.

"Yes," Caelus answered firmly. "I may not have known her long, but when I'm with her, my life feels complete, as though she fills a void in mine, and I in hers."

The voyager then asked, "The both of you... do you mean, she felt emotions with you?"

Caelus nodded in response, which satisfied the voyager.

"Then you are the one. I have a request for you, young one."

"Anything," Caelus responded swiftly.

"Do not lose sight of her; help her. She, whose emotions are consumed by Nihility, will need you. You are her beacon in her darkness."

"I will," Caelus promised solemnly.

"Good, that is all from me. Clockie, you may accompany him," the voyager concluded.

Clockie, tears welling up in its eyes, nodded. "Farewell, old man."

The voyager looked up at the darkening sky, where the Black Sun seemed to loom closer. "Farewell, my friend."

"Goodbye to you, young one. It has been a pleasant talk," the voyager said to Caelus.

"And to you, Nameless," Caelus replied, feeling a deep sense of gratitude to the mysterious figure.

Nameless? Why had he called the figure that?

With that, he and Clockie vanished from the spot, leaving the Black Sun to cast its ominous shadows over the now-empty beach.

---

Caelus groggily awoke, his senses gradually aligning with the familiar yet distant buzz of light and stars around him. The voyager's teachings had left an indelible mark, instilling in him a newfound understanding—or rather, a challenge—to confront the concept of Nihility. 

Resolute, he swore to himself, "I will save Acheron."

As he fully regained consciousness and surveyed his surroundings, a sigh of relief escaped him. He was back in the Golden Hour, the realm's familiar ambiance wrapping around him like a comforting blanket.

"I am back, and alive," he murmured, his voice tinged with exhaustion, craving the rest he so desperately needed.

Realizing he was sprawled on the ground, he noticed the annoyed honks of passing cars; his unexpected presence on the road was a nuisance to the regular flow of traffic.

"Oh, um, sorry! Lemme just get back up and—" he hastily apologized, scrambling to his feet and jogging over to a nearby bench to sit down.

"Phew, I wish there's good news after this," he mumbled, hoping for some semblance of normalcy after the tumultuous events.

As if summoned by his words, Clockie appeared beside him with its usual bouncy enthusiasm. Caelus, too tired to show surprise, simply acknowledged its presence with a weak chuckle.

"I am Clockie, and I am back! Caelus, you seem fine after some time has passed," Clockie chirped cheerily.

"Dreams are a pain, but I can't say I don't enjoy them. Wait, how long has passed?" Caelus asked, a sudden concern coloring his tone as he caught on to Clockie's mention of time.

"Well, you were gone for two weeks," Clockie replied, its tone nonchalant as if the passage of such time was a mere blink in the world of cartoons.

"..."

Caelus' reaction was immediate and profound. He slumped back onto the bench, the weight of the revelation hitting him like a physical force. Two weeks lost to a journey in a realm that challenged the very essence of existence—it was a lot to process.

As he tried to collect his thoughts, Clockie, oblivious to Caelus' inner turmoil, began to narrate tales from his own adventures in the world of cartoons. The cheerful recounting of animated exploits provided a surreal contrast to the deep, existential journey Caelus had just endured.

End of Chapter

A/N: This chapter delves a bit into philosophy as I wanted to create my own narrative to explain Acheron's past to Caelus, even if briefly, to help him understand her character better. The voyager is inspired by a character in Acheron's segment of update 2.2's Trailblaze Mission, but with my own twist.

I hope you all enjoyed the read; I had fun writing this chapter. On a side note, there's a possibility that I won't post the next chapter next week due to Elden Ring's DLC. I will surely announce any updates on my profile. That's all from me. Have a good day!