I bolted upright, gasping for air, a sharp soreness throbbing in my lungs. I… I'm alive?
I raised my hands into the air, clenching them into tight fists, and screamed at the top of my lungs, "I'M ALIVE!"
My voice echoed around me: "Alive!... Alive!... Alive!"
I looked around and realized I was no longer on the streets of Manhattan. No garbage trucks. No panicking crowds with their phones out. No Jasmine. Just a vast, black, empty void. Not a soul. Not a sound—except the fading remnants of my echo.
I stood up and checked my body. No visible injuries—just the relentless ache in my muscles.
Where the hell am I?
"Hello?" I shouted.
"Hello?... Hello?..." My voice bounced endlessly through the dark, empty space.
Is this some kind of purgatory? No… more like limbo.
If this is limbo, then maybe—just maybe—there's a chance I'm still alive.
A spark of hope surged through me. I could see Mom and Dad again… and Jasmine!
I lowered myself onto the void's black, featureless floor, sitting cross-legged.
"All I have to do is wait until I wake up. That's not too hard, right?" I muttered to myself.
But then a thought crept in. How long will it take?
TWO HOURS LATER
I sat there for what felt like two hours, waiting for… God knows what. A sign. A portal. A door. Dammit, I'd even take a tunnel I'd have to crawl through on my hands and knees at this point.
The wait was so long that my eyes finally adjusted to the oppressive darkness around me. That's when I noticed them—tiny gray dots drifting far above my head, just out of reach.
They stirred something in me, a strange mix of curiosity and nostalgia. Where have I seen this before?
The air smelled of iron and heat, like a dusty furnace room, and it did nothing but gnaw at my thoughts. Then it hit me. My eyes widened as the memories surfaced. I'd been here before.
I scrambled to my feet, staring at the faint, slowly moving gray objects in the sky. They were too far to discern, yet close enough to remind me that they were undeniably there.
"The Star Room," I whispered.
The memory was vivid now. I must have been nine or ten years old, bedridden with a terrible fever. Whenever I'd fall asleep or get too hot, I'd find myself in this place. I'd tell my parents all about the "Star Room," and they'd laugh it off as the wild imagination of a sick child. But back then, i wasn't afraid of this room. It filled me with a sense of security...made me feel safe.
Whatever this place was, it wasn't a fever dream. This wasn't my imagination. Whatever this place was, it was real.
I yawned, the panic from being in an unknown place gone, replaced with a sense of boredom. "If this place was gonna kill me or torture me or whatever, it would've done that a long time ago," I muttered in frustration.
I stood up, stretching. It wouldn't hurt to take a look around. It's not like the portal's gonna appear after I leave. That'd just be impractical.
I began to walk away from the spot I'd been lying in, the sound of my footsteps echoing around me. There was nothing to see but the gray specks floating above my head.
I wondered what was gonna happen once I went home. God, being weak and hospitalized is gonna suck. Maybe Dad will cut me some slack finally. And maybe Mom will stop by and remember she has a son.
I could milk it and say I can't feel my legs. I chuckled to myself, thinking of my parents waiting on me hand and foot—but it also left a bad taste in my mouth. The fact that my family can only come together when I'm in critical condition hurts a bit.
As I walked, I noticed an extra pair of footsteps. I stopped in my tracks, listening. Step. Step. Step. Soft, small steps—not loud enough to overpower my own, but subtle enough to be heard against the silence.
I looked around, trying to find where the steps were coming from. Not far behind me, I saw the outline of something tall approaching in the darkness—exactly six feet tall. My throat went dry and my eyes watered in fear. Something approaching me so silently sent a chill down my spine.
I slowly backed away, keeping my eyes on whatever was coming closer. But soon enough, it began to match my pace. With every step I took, it took two, determined—almost desperate—to get closer to me.
I sped up, my heart racing. What is that thing?! A demon?! A shadow monster?!
I jumped back, gaining distance from it. It stopped in its tracks. I could see it tilt its head at me. I silently prayed it would lose interest, but it didn't. My heart dropped into my stomach when it began to sprint at me.
"Hey! Hey! Hey!" I shouted, bolting in the opposite direction. "Stay away from me!"
I ran down the endless void as fast as I could. I could hear it getting closer, little by little. Is this how I'm gonna die? I'm probably already dead. What's the point of killing me a second time?!
I shook my head. I knew I wouldn't be able to run for long. My lungs were burning, my legs shaky. I can't get caught here! I can't! I need to see Mom and Dad—and Jasmine! I can't let my weakness make me fail! I refuse! I refuse, I refuse, I RE-FUSE!
I stopped in my tracks, bracing for impact. I shoulder-bashed the creature, knocking it back onto the black floor. I threw my fists up. "WHAT DO YOU WANT FROM ME?! HUH?! BACK UP!"
I was ready to fight. My memories went back to all those boxing movies I used to watch with Dad. I knew I had no chance of winning—but I refused to go down without a fight.
My eyes widened — now that we were so close, I finally got a better look at the so-called "creature." It was a woman, wearing a simple white dress. Her long hair was disheveled, tangled with dead leaves and twigs. Her eyes had dark bags under them, as if she hadn't slept in a long time. She looked at me with a hint of fear.
"I... I'm sorry," she said, her voice small and unsure. "I didn't mean to scare you."
I looked at her. "Well, you went about that terribly!" I shouted, my adrenaline still pumping. I was out of breath and patience.
As I yelled, she shrank away, tears in her eyes. "I'm sorry... I'm really sorry."
She hugged her knees and cried. She looked so... lost and fragile. It squeezed at my heart.
"...Why were you following me?" I asked, softer this time, but still firm.
She looked up at me, her green eyes shimmering. "I... I wanted to see if you were real."
I tilted my head in confusion. Of course I'm real. Or at least I hope so.
I cleared my throat. "Yes, I'm real. Why wouldn't I be?"
She looked down, still wiping away her tears. "It's been so long since I've seen anyone else... You're the first one to stay here so long before leaving."
Well, that at least confirms I'll be leaving soon. But what was she doing here?
"What's your name?" I asked.
As soon as the word "name" left my lips, she began to panic, crying and screaming, "I DON'T KNOW!"
She sobbed, "I don't know who I am!" Her crying echoed into the void.
This was against my better judgment... but I couldn't just leave her like this.
I knelt beside her. "Hey, it's okay," I said, trying to soothe her.
But she kept crying. "No! It's not okay! I don't know who I am! I don't know how I got here, and I don't know how to leave!" Her body shook with such raw emotion that I figured she'd collapse any second.
"I just want to go home... but I don't even know if I have a home!"
Seeing her so hurt, so afraid, made my eyes sting with hot tears. But I blinked them away. Now's not the time to cry like a little bitch. I gotta be manly.
I petted her head. She jolted at my touch but didn't push me away. "It's okay. Look at me."
She looked up at me, tears streaming down her face. I wiped them away with my thumb.
"Let's calm down, okay? Take a deep breath with me. In." I inhaled deeply. "And out." I exhaled, doing my best not to blow on her face.
She looked at me, then imitated me — slow, deep breaths. Her face was much more visible now. She was... beautiful, despite the pain written all over her.
After a minute or two, she finally seemed calmer. I sat beside her.
"You don't have to remember your name," I said. "How about I give you one? A nickname."
She looked at me, her wet eyes glimmering with a tiny spark of hope. "A nickname?"
She looked confused.
I nodded. "Yeah. For example, my dad calls me 'Chicken Heart.' It's another way to refer to me."
I chuckled, remembering how much I used to hate that name. Now, I didn't know what I wouldn't give to hear him call me that again.
She tilted her head. "Chicken Heart? ...Do you call me Chicken Heart?"
I laughed, shaking my head. "No. A nickname is whatever you want it to be."
Her eyes lit up. "R... really? It can be what I want?!"
I smiled at her enthusiasm. "Yeah, it can be whatever you want."
She smiled wide. "I want my nickname to be my name!"
"I—" I stopped myself from laughing. She seemed so innocent. I wanted to protect her.
"Sweetheart... you can't have your name as a nickname."
She pouted — and it was adorable. "But why!? You just said I could have any nickname!"
My lips quivered as I tried not to laugh. "A nickname is like a second name. It can be similar to your name, but... we don't know your name, so it can't be that."
She looked down. "Oh... okay."
God, she's adorable.
I started thinking of a nickname for her, taking in her features — pale skin, green eyes, the dead leaves and twigs in her hair. I even noticed she had pointed ears. What? Did she come here in cosplay?
She seemed so fragile, but also tall. I snapped my fingers, a perfect name coming to mind.
"How about Willow? You seem like the plant-ish type."
I picked the name because she was tall and fragile — like a willow tree. I thought it was perfect. But when I checked her reaction, she had tears in her eyes again.
My eyes widened. "I'm sorry! Do you not like it?! I can think of something else—"
Willow suddenly jumped up and hugged me tightly. "No, it's perfect! It's been so long since I had a name! Thank you! ...Wait."
She held me easily in her arms, cradling me like I was a teddy bear or something. I wasn't the tallest guy, but this was ridiculous.
"Who are you? Do you not have a name too?" she asked, almost worried.
I was glad she cared enough to ask. "No, I have a name. It's Axel. Axel Naywood."
My legs dangled in the air. She looked upset again.
God, this girl is emotional.
"What's the matter?" She looks at me.
"You already have a name, so I can't give you a nickname."
I chuckle at her eagerness. "You can give me a nickname if you want to."
Her eyes light up, and she's happy once again. "I'm nicknaming you Tiny!"
My eyes widen at such blatant disrespect! I am 5'4 — that's average height!
"I'll have you kno—"
Willow sits criss-cross on the black floor, holding me close to her.
"Hey! What are you doing?! I'm not that short!"
She squeezes me. "But you're Tiny to me!" she giggled, holding me close.
As I felt her chest against my back, my face grew red. No! Don't you dare, Axel — she's precious and deserves respect.
"Tiny…" she calls, her voice turning serious. "I'm glad you're here. You wouldn't understand what I've been through. There's no way to tell time here. The constant silence… the constant darkness. Every time I think I've come to my last wit, that I couldn't dive any deeper into insanity…"
Her grip on me tightens.
"It gets worse. I don't think I could survive another second without something different… like you."
She looks at me. "You'll be able to leave soon, but I don't want you to. Still… I won't stop you. I would never want anyone to suffer the fate I have."
My heart broke. She doesn't know why she's here or how she got here.
I put my hand on her arm. "...It must've been lonely here."
"Inordinately." Her voice goes hollow. I can see her eyes staring off into the darkness.
"What if I help you get home?"
That snaps her out of her daze. She looks at me. "Y-you'll take me with you?"
I knew that was a tall order. If she's been here God knows how long, what makes me think I can take her with me? I don't even know if I can. I don't know the rules of this place. But when I look at her, I see me — someone weak and scared. The only difference is that I was always in denial. I want to do everything I can to protect her.
"I... I don't even know if I have a home," she muttered, but squeezed me tighter.
"Don't worry, you can come live with me and my family."
Her grip tightens out of excitement. "Really?! You'll take me with you?! Promise me!"
She grips my face so I can look her in the eye. "Promise me…"
Her body shook in excitement.
I laughed. "I promise."
Suddenly my heart felt warm — a bright feeling filled my body, sending goosebumps down my spine.
What was that? I felt so… warm.
"What's your life like? Tell me everything!"
She moves me onto her lap. I felt small on her, but it was comfortable. That warm feeling remained in my heart.
"Well, I live in Manhattan—"
ELSEWHERE, AT SWORD'S POINT
Gloria was nervous. It was hard to be calm in this situation, but she tried her best. Tonight one of her best friends went into labor.
Briar was a mountain of a woman — 6'3, her body cluttered with muscles and scars, and beauty that could rival a goddess. You'd never expect a woman like that to be going into labor, but she was.
She was so excited, planning to shower the baby with so much love "they'd burst." She even promised to make Gloria the aunt.
This was all good news. But that wasn't what Gloria was nervous about.
Gloria was a witch — the town witch — with the appropriate skills to help the women and men of the town with the proper elixirs for the common cold and the occasional pregnancies.
The problem lay in the superstition around the pregnancy. It was said that the position of the moon would determine if the baby would survive. A full moon meant a successful birth. A half moon meant a 50–50 chance.
However… there wasn't a moon in the sky. It was a dark, starless night.
The townspeople knew what this meant and waited with bated breath.
In Briar's cabin, she sat in her bed breathing steadily while Gloria wiped her forehead. The town's mayor, Hyun, paced back and forth.
"How much longer!? It's been hours now — it should've been delivered already!"
Briar glared. "Well, excuse me, Hyun, but I ain't exactly baking bread over here—AHHHHH!"
She squeezed the bedframe, causing it to shatter into splinters and pieces in her hands.
Gloria scoffed. "I'm doing the best I can! I can't rush these things! If I rush and become reckless, we could lose them both!"
Briar chuckled, wincing through the pain. "Never were the optimistic type, were you?"
Gloria smirked. "I've always been a realist."
When Gloria met Briar, she had expected her to be cold and calculating since she was one of the king's best soldiers. As a boon for her service, she chose to retire in a cabin with her own land, becoming one of many apple farmers in town. But surprisingly, she was warm and welcoming.
She got along with everyone so easily. Gloria was envious of her — but she got along with Gloria the most. They were almost like long-lost sisters.
"AHHHHH! Motherfucker!" Briar screamed, startling Gloria and Hyun.
Gloria quickly placed her hand on Briar's forehead. "Tactum Pacifica."
She had placed a soothing spell on her, calming her down and easing her through the pain.
"Gloria… i-it hurts," she said, looking for something to squeeze.
Gloria placed her hand in Briar's. "You got this. Come on. Tell me what's the first thing you're gonna do with your baby."
Briar smiled warmly. "First thing I'm gonna do is give it an earful — for causing so much pain!" she laughed. "And then I'm gonna hold it close… and let it know that it's mine. No matter what it does in its life, it'll always be mine."
Gloria smiled, feeling the sincerity of her words.
"And he can play and be friends with my boy Bazzle," Hyun stated, leaning against the wall.
Gloria laughed. "HA! Your boy was only born last week! Stop trying to make them friends!"
Briar joined in. "If he's anything like his father, I'd rather he be friends with Liam!" she laughed teasingly.
It was all in good fun, though.
Then Briar began to breathe faster. She looked into Gloria's eyes. "I-it's coming!"
Gloria prepared to catch the baby, her heart beating rapidly. "Okay! On three — push! One! Two! Three! PUSH!"
Briar struggled, screaming, tears in her eyes. And suddenly…
The baby was born.
Gloria held the baby in her arms, not caring about the fluids covering it. Her heart dropped.
The baby wasn't moving. Its body was ice cold.
Hyun's eyes widened, and the triumphant smile fell from Briar's face.
The superstition had come true.
Hyun approached, his footsteps light, almost as if he was afraid to make a sound.
"B… Briar… I'm so sorry—"
"No," she said simply.
Gloria looked at Briar, watching tears fall from her eyes.
"H-he can make it."
Hyun placed his hand on her shoulder. "Briar, it's—"
Briar glared, her eyes filled with an untouched, unbridled anger. "Don't you say it. Don't you fucking dare. I'm a survivor, and so is my son. He can make it."
Briar looked at Gloria. "Gloria, please do something—"
Gloria sighed. "Briar, I don't—"
"PLEASE, GLORIA! I... I can't lose him… please, I just can't!"
Her voice was filled with such emotion. Gloria had never seen her so scared.
Gloria didn't know what to do. How could she bring something back from the dead?
Ms. Nurun had magic over the dead, but there would be nothing she could do.
"Maybe I could…"
She places the baby on the bed and begins to breathe into his mouth, rubbing her fingers on his chest in a circular motion.
"Tactum Fulgur."
She felt electricity dance through her fingers — but only a small amount. It's important to balance its ability. Not too much… not too little. Just right.
"Come on, nephew, you're making us worry! You're a fighter — so fight!"
BACK AT THE STAR ROOM
Willow and I had talked for what felt like hours as I explained to her what my home was like. I had come to the conclusion that she wasn't human — the ears, the twigs in her hair, and the fact that she didn't know what a car was. Or anything modern.
We had talked for so long that we'd fallen asleep. I had tried to stay up, letting her know that I was worried about missing the portal. But she smiled at me and said, "You won't."
Ominously, she had cuddled into my chest — in a way that made me the big spoon when I felt like a little spoon. I could feel her breathing softly against my chest.
Our talk made one thing clear: I. WAS. PATHETIC.
If—no, when I get back home, things will be different. I promise to never let anyone walk over me again. I promise to always stick up for myself. To always speak my mind.
And when I get outta here, I'm gonna kick Wilburt's ass!
As I slept, I felt something soft and cold touch my forehead. I realized she had kissed me.
"It's time. Thank you… Axel."
I opened my eyes, and Willow was nowhere to be found. I moved to stand quickly, looking around the void.
"Willow?!" I shouted, my voice echoing everywhere and nowhere. "WILLOW?! Where did you go?!"
CRACK!
A loud noise erupted behind me, and I turned to see a crack of light.
CRACK! CRACK! CRACK!
The cracks grew larger until they broke completely, and a sea of light poured into the darkness — so bright I had to cover my eyes.
Is this the portal?! Talk about a dramatic entrance!
"Willow!? The portal's here! We need to go!"
WOOSH!
Something flew toward me, clasping against my wrist. It was a chain made of pure light.
"HEY! LET GO!" I tried to remove the chain, but its grip was far too tight.
"STOP! I HAVE TO WAIT FOR WILLOW!"
I pulled against the chain, fighting its pull.
"WILLOW! WHERE ARE YOU?!" I screamed into the void, only for nothing to happen.
WOOSH! Another chain sprang from the light, clasping around my ankle.
With a big yank, I slipped and fell to the ground, hitting my head on the hard black floor.
As the chains began pulling me toward the bright light, I winced, grabbing my head.
"STOP! WILLOW! I PROMISED TO TAKE YOU WITH ME! PLEASE! I CAN'T STOP THE CHAINS!"
I clawed at the floor to no avail.
"WILLOW! I'LL COME BACK FOR YOU! I PROMISE!"
WOOSH! WOOSH!
Chains of light gripped my other wrist and ankle, and before I knew it, I was yanked into the light. The cracks sealed behind me.
Being pulled through the light overstimulated my senses. It was so bright that even when I closed my eyes, they still burned.
"AHHH!"
It wasn't like this the last time I was in the Star Room — back then, I would just wake up in my bed!
What the hell is going on—
BACK AT BRIAR'S CABIN
Gloria had been giving him resuscitation for three minutes now. She stopped.
"I… I've done all I could, Briar. I'm sorry."
Briar's life was gone from her eyes. Hyun was looking out the window, hiding the tears in his.
"I… I never even got to hold him. I never even got to hold my son."
Gloria wrapped the baby tightly in a cloth before handing him to Briar.
Briar held him close, as if not wanting to let go. "I'm so sorry, my son. Forgive me… forgive…" She cried, holding the only son she'd ever have.
Gloria stared at the ceiling, blinking away tears. Briar of all people didn't deserve this. No one did. But this was a part of life—
"I… felt something," Briar whispered.
Gloria and Hyun looked at her.
"What?" Hyun gasped, stepping toward the bed.
They all watched as the baby's head twitched… then its fingers made a fist. Its head turned, and it let out a small squeak that grew louder — until it became a full, healthy cry.
They all released a breath they didn't know they were holding.
Briar began to cry again, but this time, tears of joy. "My son! My son is alive! The goddess smiled upon you this day!"
She laughed while kissing her baby's face.
She smiled at Gloria. "You saved him! Thank you, Gloria. Thank you!"
Hyun jumped for joy. "Yes! Praise the goddess indeed!"
Briar grabbed Gloria with one hand and squeezed her in a fierce hug that nearly popped out her spine. "Thank you — you're a sister to me. A real sister beyond blood!" she cheered.
Hyun races toward the door. "I'll go tell the village the good news!" he shouts, rushing out before anyone can stop him.
Gloria chuckles. "Great, now that idiot is waking up everyone in the village."
Gloria sees Briar looking at her son, holding him as if he were her most prized possession.
"What will you name him, Briar?" Gloria asks.
Briar looks down at him as he cries softly, then holds him close. He calms down, listening to the sound of her heart, and slowly falls asleep.
"His name will be Ajani. 'For he who survives the struggle.'" Briar holds him closer. "I love you, my son. Forever and always."
19 MONTHS LATER
Ajani was a cute baby—he didn't cry much or panic, but was always just in the moment. Yet he was much more frail than the other kids and would constantly get hurt.
Briar knew that, but whenever it was mentioned, she would hold her head high and say, "He's only a child. He will grow his strength in his own time."
Briar was the happiest parent anyone had ever seen—constantly gushing over how cute he was while also being super protective.
Today, Briar was working on her apple trees, and Ajani was at daycare along with the other kids, playing patty-cake with Sabrina, an orc and daycare attendant.
At the time, Gloria was also volunteering at the daycare, telling the children stories from a big black book. Ajani smiled and giggled without a care in the world and not a thought behind his eyes.
But folks, here's where he'll start having many cares—and many thoughts behind those eyes.
Sabrina noticed when he stopped playing patty-cake and started looking around the room.
"Something wrong, Ajani? Are you hungry?" Sabrina asked sweetly.
"AHHHHHH!" he screamed, afraid and confused, crawling backward away from Sabrina.
"W… WHO ARE YOU PEOPLE?!"
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