I always thought death would be cold.
Maybe that's the reality, or perhaps it's something stuck to me when I was forced to eat scraps and snow when the war began and our village was the first one to get shelled.
But now, I barely felt my body. It feels as if I'm something immaterial.
A voice spoke to me, despite not knowing where even my ear is, nor any part of my body are
'Death does not pick a time, place, or a year.
Does that mean my death has been pre-ordained?
'It is…unfortunately.
I couldn't help but just chuckle at it.
I guess I already knew, but…
Why couldn't it be during the time I was forced to sleep in the snow?
'Because…of me.'
You…? Who even are you…?
'My name is countless, but maybe the one you're familiar with…Just call me Mara.'
Mara.
Mara…huh.
You mentioned that it was because of you, did you prevent my early death…?
'Yes. Because…'
I felt a warm caress on my head…regardless of where it is.
'You had been given a fate worse than anyone else. To see blood that early in life, to be forced to mature than anyone else in your age…to have everything taken.'
So, you pitied me?
But…that's not really an issue.
I guess I kind of got used to it…huh.
'…I'm here to offer you a deal, my child.'
A deal…?
'Yes. You will be sent to another world…something that may have been familiar to you.
But perhaps, fate really wanted you to suffer. I can't disclose much else other than that, but…
In exchange, I'll ensure that the twins I'm taking care of to be of use to you?'
…Whoever's been managing fate really wanted me to suffer?
I would laugh if I have my body…but at the same time, I wonder…did I do something so cosmically wrong that I'm cursed like this?
But…I don't really mind. I'm not good with children, but…
…Ah, Lukas' flashed before my eyes. Maybe he is a child, but really…
'It's fine. I know you'll do the task I ask for you properly.'
For someone cursed by fate, you're trusting me too much, Mara.
'You may be a troubled soul, my child…but you are still my child.'
…Thank you.
I never thought I'd hear that anymore.
'I know you'll do well. Despite the dark days you'd have ahead…you always found a light to cling onto.
And I know that you'll do it again. I hope this world can heal you…even if fate is against it.'
I felt an embrace over me, and the cold felt comfortable.
In the darkness, I saw a slight flash, seeing one particular scene.
Two children, bearing a moon on one, and a sun on another.
But that scene disappeared in front of me and instead, I found myself in an unfamiliar street.