Uriel didn't remain asleep for long.
His pupils fluttered open as he slowly awoke, the fog of sleep over his mind fading.
"…"
He looked around, slightly dazed.
He lay in a wide, comfortable bed, the mattress soft and thick, the red silk bedsheet covering it so smooth he nearly fell back asleep the instant he felt its touch against his skin.
Heavy blankets covered him, keeping him warm against the cold air of the dimensional space he was in.
Around him, there was nothing but the dull grey of an empty dimensional expanse.
It was quiet, deathly so, and it was cold.
He set his head back down, closing his eyes as he exhaled a deep, weary breath. He inhaled again, then slowly let it out.
As he breathed rhythmically, calming his mind and soothing his heart, he turned his awareness inward, feeling his body. It seemed fine, free of any wounds.
And yet, an ache lingered, deep, in a way he couldn't quite describe. It made him feel heavy, incredibly so, sluggish, as if his body were void of energy.
His core was full and healthy, but lethargy clung to him all the same.
He remained like this for long minutes, eyes closed, breath cycling steadily.
Eventually, he released one long breath, anchoring himself.
He reopened his eyes and sat up slowly, pushing the covers aside and sliding out of the bed. His feet met the cold floor of the space.
'I'm still sleepy.'
He stretched and groaned, shaking out the lingering numbness in his limbs.
But just as he was about to head out, someone appeared in front of him.
Thoryl.
The handsome Inhuman manifested fully formed, clad in a pristine suit, his brown hair perfectly combed and slicked back, his light green eyes radiant.
He set his gaze on Uriel.
"Hello, Uriel."
Uriel closed his eyes and fell backward. The bed cushioned his body, and his sigh echoed through the empty space.
'Of course. Would it pain the gods to give me a single day of rest? Oh my…'
Thoryl approached, then summoned a chair, placing it beside the bed before sitting down.
"It gets tiring, I know. The breaks are rare, and so are the moments of tenderness." He sighed softly. "But in a way, that gives peace more meaning. I think."
Uriel was taken aback by Thoryl's strangely sincere tone, his presence devoid of the malice he usually exuded.
He sat back up, meeting his eyes.
"Mm. I know. I had a rough few early years as well, I understand the value of peace. I think it's just been so long since I was… free, that I forgot."
"I forgot all the trouble that came with the gift of life."
Thoryl chuckled, crossing one leg over the other and shaking his head. "I understand."
"It's unfortunate that I'll have to come and shatter your peace, especially after such an intense trial you were put through."
"No," Uriel shook his head. "Go ahead. I'm listening."
Uriel himself wasn't sure why Thoryl had come to speak with him, but as he stared into his eyes, he couldn't help but remember Enoch's words.
[The timeline is messed up… survive, brother.]
[Survive.]
Thoryl remained quiet for a moment, the charismatic and cruel guide showing rare signs of hesitation, along with faint traces of—
'…worry?'
Thoryl refocused.
"Before I explain the issue I'm facing, the issue we're all facing, I'll give you a bit of context. Perhaps some history."
He paused for a beat, his back straightening.
"Our planet, Ithurial, is undergoing an evolution. But that's not the end of it. Our entire universe, and its galaxies, are evolving as well, assembling into a single construct."
"Into one world."
Uriel's eyes widened.
"And this dungeon, this gigantic dimensional space, ten times as large as our planet, is the place the… spirit of the universe, if you will, created."
"While our universe is evolving, all of us will remain here, tempered by the challenges within, so we can face the dangers that will bloom once the world completes its evolution."
"Because yes, this is nothing but a test. A test of what we will all be forced to do once this dungeon comes to an end."
He frowned. "I'm not certain what those dangers will be. Perhaps other advanced worlds. Perhaps abominations. Or perhaps even insiders. But I do know this: the most powerful will be needed."
"And this is what the dungeon is. A trial by fire, meant to quench the inferno that will consume our new world."
His eyes lingered on Uriel, observing every micro-reaction, searching for the slightest crack through which he could peer into his soul. But aside from the rapidly fading shock and a rising tide of focus, there was nothing.
Nothing but calm.
His lip curled into the faintest smile.
"I say our world because yes, I, too, am from Ithurial. All those you call Inhumans are from Ithurial. We are all children of the Spirit of the Universe, the spirit of our world."
Uriel's gaze sharpened as he interrupted. "The Spirit of the Universe," he said slowly, "is that the Lady made of fire I met while choosing my pack?"
Silence.
"…What?"
Thoryl's eyes widened. His skin rippled like disturbed water, his teeth lengthening on instinct.
"You've met Mother?!"
WHOOOSH!
Thoryl's aura erupted outward, a tidal wave of pressure that slammed violently into Uriel, wrenching coughs from his chest.
Thoryl's pupils shook as he regained control, his power collapsing back into his body. With an apologetic expression, he waved a hand and healed Uriel.
But the coughing didn't stop.
It took dozens of minutes for it to finally subside, leaving behind a lingering itch that clawed at his throat.
"Apologies."
Wiping the blood from his chin, Uriel shook his head. "It's fine."
"But yes, I did meet the Lady, I think. She was very kind, if that means anything to you."
"Unfortunately, we didn't talk much."
Thoryl exhaled, then slicked his hair back. "I see."
"The one you call the Lady of Fire is my mother, the Spirit of the Universe, what we call the Supreme Spirit. We, her children, are known as the World Sentinels."
"But you can keep calling us Inhumans. Most of us prefer it. It's quite endearing."
His smile returned, then vanished a moment later, replaced by a grim expression.
"Now that you know this," he said quietly, "here comes the issue."