Crimson & Light: Starting Over In A World Isn't As Easy As It Seems

As the chilling, malevolent laugh of the Crimson King faded into nothingness, the oppressive air that had frozen everyone in place seemed to vanish, leaving the group disoriented but physically freed. Changra, still clutching the Crimson Dagger, felt an unrelenting sense of dread as he turned his gaze to Berethia.

But it wasn't the same Berethia anymore.

Her once-warm eyes were now pools of seething malice, flickering with shades of deep green, like a wildfire fueled by something ancient and all-consuming. Her face twisted into a smile that didn't belong to the woman they thought they knew. Berethia stood in the middle of the corridor, her body trembling—not with fear, but with a mix of exhilaration and madness.

"You… you don't even understand, do you?" Berethia's voice cracked, the warmth she once exuded replaced with venom. "All of you… always looking at me like I'm nothing. Just someone to follow orders, just someone to help." Her voice grew louder, echoing off the stone walls. "But you never saw me."

"Berethia," Merrick began cautiously, his hand on the hilt of his sword. "You need to calm down. We're all on the same side—"

"Shut up!" she screamed, her voice shrill with desperation. "You think I wanted this? You think I chose to be this way? Do you have any idea what it's like to be invisible? To always stand in someone else's shadow?"

Changra took a cautious step forward, his grip on the dagger tightening. "Berethia, whatever's going on, we can fix it. We're your friends. You don't have to—"

"Friends?" Berethia's laugh was sharp and bitter. "Don't flatter yourselves. You think I didn't notice the way you all look at me? Like I'm disposable? Like I'll never be as good as Jane, or as wise as Merrick, or as…" Her eyes landed on Changra, her expression twisting with something almost painful. "As special as you."

Changra's heart sank. He didn't know what to say, didn't know if there was anything he could say. The dagger hummed faintly in his hand, almost as if responding to the chaos unraveling in front of him.

"You don't know what I've been through," Berethia continued, her voice softer now, almost mournful. "My sister… She was everything I wasn't. She was beautiful, kind, strong. And I… I was just there. The unwanted shadow." Her voice broke, and for a brief moment, the rage in her eyes was replaced with raw, unbearable pain. "They all loved her. And when she was gone…" She paused, her hands trembling. "No one even noticed me."

"Berethia," Jane said gently, stepping forward. "We see you. We do. Please, just—"

"LIAR!" Berethia's voice exploded, and with a swift motion, she summoned a green, envious aura that radiated from her like a suffocating storm. "You don't see me. None of you do. But you will now."

Without warning, Berethia turned, her movements swift and deadly, and launched a spear-like projectile of magic straight at Callen. He didn't even have time to scream. The magic pierced through his chest, pinning him to the wall behind him like a broken marionette. Blood dripped to the stone floor as his lifeless body slumped forward.

"Callen!" Tessa's scream ripped through the air as she lunged toward Berethia in blind fury, her weapon raised. But Berethia was faster. In a single, almost graceful motion, she sidestepped Tessa's attack and drove a blade of green energy straight through her stomach.

"No!" Jane cried, tears streaming down her face as she watched her companions fall one by one.

Merrick drew his sword, his expression hardened with fury. "Berethia, stop this! You've lost control!"

"Control?" Berethia tilted her head, her wild smile returning. "I've never felt more alive." She stepped over Tessa's body, her aura growing darker, more twisted. "I was always told to be grateful for what I had. To stay in my place. But I'm done with that. I deserve more. I deserve everything."

Changra felt his legs trembling, not with fear but with a sickening mix of guilt and rage. He had trusted her, had thought she was someone he could count on. But now, standing there, surrounded by death and madness, he couldn't reconcile the person he knew with the monster in front of him.

"She's gone," Merrick said grimly, his sword at the ready. "This isn't the Berethia we knew. This is Envy."

"Envy?" Changra repeated, his voice shaking.

Berethia—Envy—smiled, her green aura pulsating with chaotic energy. "That's right. I'm Envy of the Sovereign. And soon, all of you will understand what it means to lose everything."

Jane wiped her tears, her expression hardening as she raised her staff. Changra steadied the Crimson Dagger in his hand, its hum growing louder as if preparing for the fight to come. Merrick stepped forward, his sword gleaming in the dim light of the corridor.

Berethia's smile widened. "Come on then. Show me what you've got."

Before anyone could react, Berethia's staff emitted a burst of green energy, catching Changra directly in the chest. The force flung him backward, slamming him into the stone wall with a sickening thud. His vision blurred, the edges of the world dimming.

"Changra!" Jane screamed, rushing to his side.

"Stay back!" Berethia roared, another wave of magic erupting from her staff and slamming into the ground between them, forcing Jane to stumble backward. Merrick darted forward, his sword drawn, but Berethia moved faster, her magic wrapping around him like vines and throwing him against a pillar.

Changra's body crumpled to the ground, his head spinning. As his vision faded, he felt his consciousness pulling away, like an anchor being severed. The last thing he heard before the darkness claimed him was Jane's terrified scream and Merrick shouting, "Berethia, stop this!"

When Changra opened his eyes, he wasn't where he expected to be. His body was gone. He floated weightlessly, his surroundings blurred, as if he were submerged in water.

What… what is this? He tried to speak, but no sound came out. He looked down, expecting to see his hands, his feet, but there was nothing. He was a spectator, invisible and intangible.

In front of him, the scene played out like a nightmare. Jane was crouched low, her magic forming a protective shield around her as Berethia advanced, her face contorted with fury. "Why do you always get to stand so close to him?" Berethia sneered, her voice trembling with raw, envious rage. "Why does he trust you? Why does he—" Her voice cracked, but she quickly masked it with more venom. "None of you deserve him. None of you deserve anything!"

"Berethia, this isn't you!" Jane pleaded, her voice wavering. She poured more magic into her shield as Berethia's attacks grew more aggressive. Green bolts of energy slammed against the barrier, sending sparks flying.

Merrick lunged at Berethia, his sword aimed precisely at her staff, but Berethia moved with unnatural speed. She deflected his strike with a wave of her hand, her magic throwing him off balance. He hit the ground hard but scrambled back to his feet, his eyes narrowing.

"Snap out of it, Berethia!" Merrick growled, his voice heavy with frustration. "This isn't you. Whatever this is, fight it!"

But Berethia laughed bitterly, her eyes glowing brighter. "Oh, this is me, Merrick. The me you never cared to see. The me who watched as others got everything I ever wanted. I'm done pretending."

Changra wanted to scream, to intervene, but he was trapped, helpless as the chaos unfolded before him. He floated closer, his perspective shifting, as if he were being drawn toward Berethia's glowing eyes. He felt the weight of her emotions—her envy, her pain—and it suffocated him.

Please… stop this… Changra thought, though no one could hear him. He watched as Berethia's magic intensified, the green energy spiraling around her like a storm, and felt a cold dread settle over him. This wasn't just envy. This was something darker, something twisted, and it was consuming her.

"Changra…" Jane's voice broke through the haze, soft but desperate. She looked toward his crumpled body, her face pale with fear. "Please… we need you."

Changra tried to reach out, tried to respond, but he couldn't. He could only watch as Berethia's storm raged on.

Jane's knees buckled as another blast of green energy collided with her shield. The force rippled through her body, making her arms tremble. She gasped for breath, her vision blurring as exhaustion set in. Sweat dripped from her brow, and the magical barrier around her flickered dangerously, threatening to collapse.

"Berethia, stop this!" she cried, her voice breaking. "We don't have to do this!"

Berethia didn't falter. Her staff hummed with power, the green light casting eerie shadows across her face. Her eyes were wild, glowing brighter with every strike. "You think you can stop me with words, Jane?" she sneered. "All you've ever had is words, and he still chose you. Do you have any idea what that feels like?"

Before Jane could answer, Berethia raised her staff, and the air around them pulsed with an oppressive force. Vines erupted from the ground, thorned and writhing, lunging toward Jane like serpents. She scrambled backward, narrowly avoiding their grasp as they slashed at her shield.

Merrick moved swiftly, charging toward Berethia with his sword poised to strike. His expression was grim, his jaw tight with determination. "I won't let you hurt them!" he bellowed. With a single fluid motion, he brought his blade down, aiming for the staff.

Berethia twisted her body, moving unnaturally fast. She deflected his strike with a sweep of her arm, her magic surging to meet his blade. Sparks flew as the sword and magic collided. "You're just like the rest of them, Merrick," she spat, her voice dripping with venom. "Always judging, always trying to fix me."

Merrick gritted his teeth, pressing against the resistance of her magic. "This isn't who you are, Berethia!" he shouted. "You're better than this!"

Her laugh was sharp and cold. "I'm exactly who I've always been. You were just too blind to see it."

Changra floated above the battle, his consciousness tethered to the scene below. He wanted to scream, to reach out, but his voice was swallowed by the void. Please… stop… His thoughts were a whisper against the storm of chaos. He felt Berethia's emotions, her envy and pain, like a tidal wave crashing into him, and it crushed him under its weight. This isn't you…

The green storm around Berethia grew fiercer, swirling with an almost sentient intensity. The vines lashed out wildly, forcing Jane to duck and roll out of the way. Her shield finally shattered with a deafening crack, leaving her exposed. She stumbled to her feet, panting and desperate.

"Berethia, please!" Jane begged, her voice hoarse. "You don't have to do this! Whatever's hurting you—whatever's making you feel this way—we can fix it. Together."

For a moment, Berethia hesitated. Her eyes flickered, the green light dimming slightly. But then, her grip on the staff tightened, and her expression hardened. "Fix it? Fix me? There's nothing to fix!" she roared, her magic exploding outward.

The shockwave sent Jane flying backward, her body hitting the ground with a heavy thud. Merrick staggered but managed to hold his footing, raising his sword once more. He glanced at Jane, his expression torn between anger and worry. "Stay down, Jane," he warned. "I'll handle this."

"No," Jane rasped, forcing herself to her knees. "We can't give up on her."

Changra felt a tug, as if something unseen was pulling him closer to Berethia. The glow of her eyes consumed his vision, and for a fleeting moment, he saw something deeper within her—a younger Berethia, crying in the shadows, watching others bask in the light she could never reach. The image tore at his heart. You're not alone… he thought, though he knew she couldn't hear him.

Berethia's laughter cut through the air, sharp and maniacal. "You'll never understand. None of you will. I'll show you what it feels like to be ignored, overlooked, cast aside!"

She raised her staff high, the green energy coalescing into a massive sphere above her. The power crackled and hissed, filling the room with an overwhelming pressure. Merrick's eyes widened in alarm as he realized what she was about to unleash.

"Jane, move!" he shouted, rushing toward her.

Changra's intangible form quivered as he watched the energy build to a crescendo. He screamed silently, thrashing against the invisible chains that bound him. No! Don't do this!

The sphere of magic exploded, sending shockwaves through the room. Dust and debris filled the air as the walls trembled under the force. When the light faded, Changra saw Merrick's body shielding Jane, his sword buried in the ground to steady himself.

Berethia stood at the center of the destruction, her chest heaving, her eyes blazing. "This is who I am now," she declared, her voice echoing in the ruined chamber. "And I'll make you all see it."

Changra's frustration and despair swelled, threatening to overwhelm him. I have to stop this. I have to find a way back! The void around him trembled as his will intensified, and for the first time, he felt the faintest pull—like a thread connecting him to the world he'd been torn from.

The pull grew stronger, like an unseen current dragging Changra forward. He resisted at first, terrified of what might lie ahead, but the desperation to stop this madness overpowered his fear. The storm of green energy around Berethia seemed to shift, bending toward him, inviting him in.

If I can't fight her out there… maybe I can reach her in here, Changra thought, though uncertainty gnawed at him. He focused all his will on the thread connecting him to her, letting it draw him closer.

The world blurred and twisted, and then everything went dark.

Changra found himself standing—or at least, the sensation felt like standing—within a vast, empty void. It was cold and suffocating, the silence pressing down on him like a weight. The darkness stretched endlessly in every direction, broken only by faint streaks of green light that flickered like dying embers.

"Berethia?" Changra called out, his voice echoing unnaturally. He glanced down, relieved to see his own hands and body again, though they shimmered faintly, as if he were made of smoke.

No answer came, only the distant sound of whispers. They grew louder as he moved forward, weaving through the void. The green streaks of light coalesced ahead of him, forming a jagged path that seemed to pulse with life. Each step sent a shiver up his spine, the whispers growing more distinct.

"You're worthless."

"You'll never be enough."

"Why should he choose you?"

The voices hissed around him, venomous and relentless. Changra grit his teeth, trying to block them out, but they seemed to burrow into his mind. This isn't real, he reminded himself. This is her mind… her torment.

As he pressed on, the darkness gave way to a horrifying sight. Towering above him was a monstrous figure—Envy, its form writhing with shadow and malice. It stood at the center of a storm of green energy, its eyes glowing like emerald fire. The figure was vaguely human-shaped, but its features were grotesque, twisted into an exaggerated mockery of Berethia's own face. Its voice was a cacophony, layered and distorted.

"You dare enter my domain, little specter?" Envy growled, its tone dripping with contempt. "You think you can save her? There's nothing left to save."

Changra swallowed hard, forcing himself to stand tall. "She's still in there," he said, his voice steady despite the fear clawing at his chest. "You're lying."

Envy laughed, the sound echoing like shattering glass. "Look around you, fool. This is all that remains. She gave herself to me long ago, and I've consumed her. There's nothing left but me."

"No," Changra snapped, anger flaring within him. "You're wrong. I felt her. I know she's still here."

The monstrous figure leaned closer, its glowing eyes narrowing. "Then by all means, search. See how futile your hope is."

The ground beneath Changra shifted, and suddenly he was falling. He hit the ground with a jarring thud, though there was no pain. Around him, the void shifted again, revealing fragments of memories—Berethia's memories. He saw flashes of her life: moments of loneliness, of standing in the shadows while others basked in the light, of longing for something always just out of reach.

The memories twisted and warped, replaying cruel words and bitter laughter. Changra's heart clenched as he realized how deeply these moments had scarred her.

As he moved deeper into the void, he saw something new. Among the swirling shadows, a faint glow appeared—soft and white, barely visible. Changra's breath caught as he approached it.

There, curled into a ball, was a small figure—a child. She was no older than seven, her knees drawn to her chest as she trembled. Her hair was disheveled, her face streaked with tears. Despite the shadows pressing in around her, the faint glow of her presence persisted, like a single candle in a storm.

"Berethia…" Changra whispered, his voice breaking.

The child didn't look up. She rocked back and forth, her small body wracked with silent sobs. Around her, the shadows whispered cruelly, their words piercing and unrelenting.

"You'll never matter."

"You'll always be second."

"Why even try?"

Changra stepped closer, his heart aching for her. This is the real Berethia, he realized. This is what's left of her…

The monstrous form of Envy loomed in the distance, watching him. Its laughter rumbled like thunder. "You see now, don't you? This is all she is—a pathetic, broken thing. She's mine, and there's nothing you can do to change that."

Changra ignored the voice, his focus entirely on the child before him. He knelt down, reaching out a hand. "Berethia," he said softly. "I know you're scared. I know it feels like there's no way out. But I'm here now. You're not alone anymore."

The child didn't respond, her sobs growing quieter but no less heartbreaking. The faint glow around her flickered, as if struggling to stay alive.

Changra clenched his fists, determination hardening his resolve. "I'll find a way to bring you back," he promised. "No matter what it takes."

Behind him, Envy snarled, the storm of green energy intensifying. "You'll fail, just like she did. She belongs to me now."

Changra turned his head slightly, his eyes narrowing. "Not for long."