Dancing on the golden ashes

I can feel my body being hurled through the air; it's devastating to think that today... I might die. I trust my skills and my defenses, but the moment I felt the destructive power in her heart, I knew she was too strong.

Of course, I could simply run. I wonder how that would go... but I don't have time. Seong-hoon froze her mid-explosion, and the second she breaks free, it'll blast me to pieces.

I look to my left—the universe is empty. I look to my right—just the same. No one will witness my glorious death. I sigh, holding Kaelthira back from exploding on the spot. I try to weigh my chances. Not looking good... I curse this fate.

For some reason, I can feel the universe around me. I've never felt that before. Every single breath of light falling on me carries a vast amount of energy, what many would call cosmic energy, and a little bit of something unfamiliar.

Crack...

Another burst of destructive energy forces its way out. And here I am, in this empty space, left to wait for my death. But that energy... why does it feel like I can absorb it? It's solid, even though it's invisible to the eye. It lashes at my skin, as if trying to become part of me. I try to let a little in, and a sharp pain shoots through my veins.

Instantly, I pull back—and the unstable ice shatters. Before my eyes, multicolored light surrounds me; it's hot and razor-sharp, meant to cook me from the inside out before finally incinerating me, leaving nothing behind but ashes.

This is finally it. I can rest in peace... I hold on for a moment, and then—

........

Rip

Crack

Am I… alive? Or is this hell? I don't know how much time has passed, but all I can remember is… is…

I try to open my eyes. My eyelids don't move an inch...

My mind is fuzzy, as if I was hit by a truck. But who would hit an innocent girl? Must have been a mad asshole, right? Ugh… not like there aren't any. But that's getting beside the point…

Just where am I? And who am I? My body feels weightless, like a feather floating in the sky. Wait—am I an angel? Did I die and become the gods' servant? I mean… I've always been a good person. Ahem. Maybe too good. Or was I? I can't remember.

The point is… I can't remember anything. All I can do is float in this void and hope that somebody will find me. They will, right? Or am I all alone? Panic starts to sink in. I feel scared and lonely. I hate darkness… but darkness is all I see…

Please… don't let me stay here any longer. Whoever I am, wherever I am, I just want to go home. Somebody… please…

I don't know how much time has passed. But nothing has changed… Somehow, I'm beginning to get used to this darkness and the feeling of being as light as a feather. It's becoming… comfortable. At least, I have to learn to live with my fears. I think…

Ouch! Suddenly, a sharp pain—like I'd been stung by a bee—rushes through my back. Or at least, where I imagine my back should be. What the hell?

Ouch! Shit! Stop!

My whole body starts to hurt, every single place, as if I'm being stitched together by invisible needles. Am I a puppet? What is this feeling? I hate it, it hurts… please, no more…

But my pleas go unheard. The stinging pain doesn't stop. It's been at least an hour, I think… unless my sense of time is completely messed up here in the void.

Little by little I feel like I'm being crafted like a clay figure, each piece becomes heavy, and I no longer feel lightweight, yet not quite complete either. I am missing something... I believe it's important, perhaps. It would even help me remember who I am...

You've killed us...

You tortured us...

You devoured us...

You're a witch!

A slut!

Die!

Die! And be cast to hell!

DIEEE!!!

Who?! Who are you?! I panic as voices crash into my mind, as if they're coming from inside me. Just who would do this? What did I ever do to you?!

You ate us... how dare you?

Who are you? I never ate anybody—leave me alone! I scream in my mind as loud as I can, hysteria taking over.

But she can't die...

No... not yet...

She must fulfill her destiny.

And then what?

Then... she will repent for her sins...

Yes! You're right, I want to see her suffer...

Stitch her up, fix her up. She's not dying today...

Leave me alone! I scream, trying to force the voices away. I don't even understand what they're talking about... all of this is so foreign. What did I ever do wrong? Who did I hurt?

NEVER!

Ahhh!!! Immense pain crashes through my mind, like millions of voices screaming at me all at once—human, beast, and all kinds of other creatures. All of them raised their voices, and now I feel like my mind has been shattered. It was too much... But their voices are gone now... I hope forever...

Remember who you are. Remember your purpose... Remember what you stole from us...

It begins again. This time, though, I choose not to speak. Maybe if I listen to the voices, they'll calm down and disappear... or maybe I can learn who I am...

But... I can't remember. Why do I need to? Let me be in peace... I know that if I could, I would be sobbing right now...

She forgot?

She forgot...

She did indeed...

How dare she?

She must remember...

Yes! I can't let her forget my death...

Let her remember. Let her witness her journey.

Who is first? Who died to her first? Go and show her why she was called by that name.

Yes! Remind her of her true destiny, not a fake one someone else crafted for her.

Very well...

A voice—thick and deep, with a rough, growling edge—slowly creeps closer to me.

Suddenly, my mind twists, making me dizzy. And before my eyes stands a tall monster with the head of a boar and the body of a rat.

I stand in front of it, our eyes locked on each other. A scent of fresh forest drifts into my nostrils. It feels… familiar.

"Welcome, Death Eater... Do you remember me?"

"Ra... Ratabo?"