'Akira?' The though crossed Nero's mind in silence as he tried looking about. All there was, was darkness, 'Leon?' Suddenly it set upon the child, he was alone again. Resigning himself to whatever fate awaited him in this free fall of darkness, Nero's heart felt heavy.

	"Have I failed again?" His voice seeming to echo in the silence, "Have I lost everyone?" Closing his eyes in an attempt to fight back the sorrow that crept upon on him, the boy couldn't help but feel hopeless. Soon, that despair turned to anger, causing the boy to clench his fist in a fit of rage as he shouted at the top of his lungs, "DAMNIT!" As if on command, his falling sensation would stop; feeling his feet set gently upon a solid surface. Opening his eyes slowly, his eyes would begin to focus on the dimly lit area bout him. Wiping his eye free of the tear that had formed, Nero attempted to regain his composure while evaluating the area around him. It was then he noticed the stained-glass beneath his feet, and the odd mural it depicted. Utterly confused, Nero merely shook his head... That is before a voice manifested in his mind. Though it carried no tone, it clearly delivered it's message

	"What would I-?" Before he could finish his sentence, the pedestals would appear before him. Even more confused, he listened closely to the voice within his head. Slowly, he began to realize what it asked of him, "... I will never submit to darkness," he said, taking up the shield. It was then that his gaze landed upon the rod, recalling what the voice spoke of, "I will endure the darkness at the cost of my wits."