— That's right — the witch said, her voice dripping with wicked amusement. — I'm going to kill you... and then bring you back.
I swallowed hard.
— You... you can actually do that?
She raised an eyebrow, violet eyes glinting under the dim, flickering light of the room.
— Who do you think you're talking to?
Ciny stepped forward, eyes wide, fear etched into every line of her face.
— Isn't that... really dangerous?
The witch let out a low, musical laugh.
— Oh, my dear. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
Chad, ever the statue of calm in the corner, gave a slow nod.
— She's got a point.
— I... I don't know... I, uh— — Ciny stumbled over her words, her fingers curling into fists. I could see it clearly—she was scared. Scared of losing someone else.
I looked around the room. The witch, smiling like she knew the future. Chad, stoic and unreadable. And Ciny... the only one who didn't hide how much she cared.
— I'll do it — I said, without hesitation.
The witch clapped her hands once, as if the deal was done.
— Excellent. Although... there is one catch.
I sighed.
— Of course there is.
— You'll need to be watched the entire time — she said. — We don't really know how long you can remain in the realm of the dead. It varies from person to person. That's why I'm telling you now—once you're in, don't waste time.
— And how will I find my mother?
With a snap of her fingers, a thread of glowing blue mana shimmered into existence in the air, then vanished like smoke.
— I'll conjure a blue mana thread. Follow it. It will guide you to a recently deceased relative.
— So it's fifty-fifty... I either see my mother... or my father...
The memory of his face twisted my stomach.
— Better than nothing — she said with a shrug.
— John, I don't like this... — Ciny took my hand, squeezing it tightly. — Can't we just ignore this and find another way?
I closed my eyes.
— This is our best chance. To go to the source. To face the past... and my trauma. I have to do this.
— But...
— John — Chad interrupted, his voice calm and steady. — What you're doing... is brave.
— Thanks, Chad...
— We'll wait until tomorrow — the witch said, arms crossed. — We've had enough arguments for one day.
— Agreed. I'm dead tired... and not even literally yet.
Everyone chuckled weakly. Chad said his goodbyes and left. The witch followed. Once the door clicked shut, I turned to Ciny.
She was still there, her gaze cast downward.
— Ciny... don't look like that.
— How can I not? You might never come back. What if something goes wrong?
I stepped closer, gently cupping her face in my hands.
— I know what could happen. But this... it's not just about my mana. It's for me. To finally confront this pain. To see my mother, even once. I owe her that much.
She didn't answer. Just threw her arms around me.
We laid down together in silence. I didn't need words anymore. Just her warmth... before the cold of death.
The next morning...
The door creaked open.
— Aww, how cute! Did you two have some fun last night? — the witch smirked at us, her voice laced with mischief.
— Ever heard of privacy? — I mumbled, face flushed.
— I wanted to stay like this a bit longer... — Ciny sighed. — But my little worm's got a date with the dead.
Just then, Chad burst through the door.
— Oh! Sorry, am I interrupting something?
— Yes — Ciny said without missing a beat. — Just when I was about to ravish my stallion, the whole world walks in.
Everyone laughed — even the witch chuckled behind her hand.
— Alright, time's up — she said, her tone sobering. — Don't forget. Follow the blue line.
— Got it. Well, guys... I guess this is how I die. Haha...
She stepped forward and gently placed her hand over my heart.
The warmth faded.
Darkness swallowed me whole.
Realm of the Dead
First came the silence. Then... the absence of everything.
I stood in an infinite space of nothingness. No floor. No ceiling. No horizon. Just black. Just void.
I took a step, and even the sound of it felt wrong — like it had been swallowed.
— Okay... where's that damn blue line? — I muttered.
Nothing. Not even a glimmer.
Then... a voice. Feminine. Cold. Powerful.
— Who dares enter my domain uninvited?
My breath caught. Or at least... it felt like it should've.
I turned slowly toward the voice.
— M-Mother...? — I whispered.
But deep down... I already knew.
It wasn't her.