The figure, cloaked in swirling mist, approached Aiden and knelt beside him. Gently, she lifted his head and placed it on her lap, her fingers lightly caressing his hair. From her touch, a rainbow-colored energy erupted, flowing from her and into Aiden's unconscious form. The moment the energy reached deep inside him, Aiden was jolted awake.
"Ahhhhh!" Aiden gasped loudly, his chest heaving as he drew in air, eyes wide with confusion. He looked around, trying to make sense of where he was, and then his gaze landed on the mysterious woman whose lap he rested on. Her presence was comforting, but shrouded in mist.
"Nexus?" Aiden asked, still dazed, his voice uncertain.
The misty figure smiled softly and, with a light flick to his forehead, said, "It's time to wake up."
"Wait—" Aiden began to shout, but before he could finish, he was pulled from the surreal world and jolted back to reality, finding himself once again in the secret realm where his breakthrough had been taking place.
