Self-consciousness fluttered through him in swift response. He wasn't dead yet-- or so he'd thought. He turned his attention to the glowing light, mulling the implication over. Certainly, he'd been told that souls could become lost here, but if this was the true source of all life.. then it seemed more prudent to stay. It might be that he was leaving his body behind to decay, after all.

"I grew up happy," he answered after a few moments. "A small village deep in the mountains, blessed by the Spirit of the Land. I guess it was just another name for Yggdrasil, in the end. Destiny bore down on me just as I came of age. I wandered the world in search of answers, then failed the test set to me."

Eleven heaved a sigh and raised a shoulder in a slow shrug. "But even if I've died, so long as I can protect this light, then all is not lost."