It was completely dark.
There was no light—not even the faintest glow for Matt to see. It was as if he were drowning in the depths of the Pacific Ocean, trapped somewhere so deep that escape was impossible.
Not that he knew what drowning felt like.
He had never learned how to swim.
The thought crossed his mind briefly before disappearing into the darkness.
Matt continued drifting through the endless void. He couldn't tell which way was up or down. He couldn't feel his body. He couldn't even tell if he was moving at all.
There was only darkness.
And silence.
Then, in an instant, a light appeared seemingly out of nowhere.
It was faint.
Almost imperceptible.
But Matt saw it.
Light.
For the first time since he had opened his eyes, there was something other than darkness.
That was all that mattered.
Without thinking, Matt rushed toward it.
He didn't know how he was moving, nor did he particularly care.
He simply moved.
Closer.
Closer.
The light gradually grew brighter as he approached it.
And when Matt finally reached it, he was greeted by a pure white light.
It was almost painful.
After spending what felt like an eternity in darkness, his eyes weren't accustomed to such brightness.
Matt instinctively tried to shield his eyes, but he couldn't feel his arms.
Slowly, however, his vision adjusted.
The blinding white gradually faded.
Shapes began to emerge.
The first thing Matt saw was a man.
He wore a fitted black military coat adorned with intricate golden embroidery and ornate clasps. A high collar framed his neck, while a dark cloak rested over his shoulders. Golden chains decorated his waist, ending in an elaborate blue gemstone that gleamed against the black fabric.
The man had curly red hair and striking blue eyes. His cheeks were thin, his jaw sharp, his nose short, and his forehead broad.
A wide, happy smile spread across his face.
"It's a healthy baby boy!"
The man sounded genuinely delighted.
"Melaine, look!"
Before Matt could understand what was happening, the man reached down and lifted him into the air.
Matt's tiny body dangled helplessly from his hands.
For a moment, he simply stared at the man.
What... is happening?
Then Matt heard another voice.
A woman's voice.
Weak.
Exhausted.
But filled with warmth.
The man turned around and carried Matt toward the woman lying on the bed.
She was visibly exhausted, her face pale and covered in sweat. Her breathing was heavy, and several strands of dark hair clung to her forehead she had white hair red eyes with thin cheeks with a short nose her face was majestically beautifull.
Despite her exhaustion, the moment she saw the baby in the man's arms, her tired expression vanished and it was replaced by a warm smile she said
"Bring him to me i want to see him. "
Matt was delivered to her arms by the man as he said
"Melaine look he has your eyes and hair."
She replied calmly
"Yes i see jane."
He asked
"What should we name him ,melaine ? "
She calmly responded through her heavy breath
" ian..."
She continued
"Ian illuot , how does that sound jane to you ?"
The man replied
"That perfect for me ."