My eyelids felt so heavy I couldn't keep them open any longer. Everything suddenly went dark. My mind stopped thinking, as if it had reached its limit. It wasn't physical exhaustion… it was something deeper — mental, emotional. Everything that had happened during the day had worn me out in a way I couldn't explain.
When I opened my eyes —or at least I thought I did— I found myself in a strange, desolate place. Everything around me was covered in a thick, gray fog. No matter where I looked, there was nothing but mist, as if the entire world had vanished. Yet I could clearly see my body: my hands, my feet… even the clothes I was wearing. It was as if I was the only real thing in that void.
Suddenly, in the distance, I noticed a sphere of light. It floated gently, radiating a warm, flickering glow, like it was breathing. Even from far away, I felt it calling me. The sphere moved forward and then back again, as if guiding me, as if it wanted me to follow.
Without thinking much about it, I started walking toward it, each step more confident than the last. The ground didn't creak or make a sound, and the silence was so deep I could hear the beating of my own heart.
The sphere, noticing I was approaching, stopped moving. It hovered still, waiting. When I got close enough, I observed it carefully. Its light didn't blind me; on the contrary, it wrapped around me with a comforting warmth, like the embrace of someone dear. I reached out my hand, feeling an odd need to touch it.
The moment my fingers brushed its surface, a wave of calm washed over my body. I closed my eyes reflexively, and a blinding light overwhelmed me for a few seconds.
When I opened my eyes again, the first thing I felt was something soft beneath my back. I blinked several times, waiting for my vision to clear. And then I saw it…
A vast, serene blue sky stretched above me. The clouds were white, fluffy, and drifting aimlessly. I slowly turned my head, taking in my surroundings. I was in a park. I could see tall trees, green grass, and brightly colored flowers lining the paths. Everything felt… perfect.
A sense of peace washed over me, but also a slight confusion. Where exactly was I? What was this place? Was I dreaming, or had I crossed some kind of border between reality and something else?
At that moment, the only thing I knew for sure was that I felt good. Calm… and at the same time, full of questions.
I was still trying to process everything I was experiencing. Despite the tranquility surrounding me, something inside wouldn't stop wondering if all of this was real. I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself, and slowly sat up. As I stood, I looked around the place more closely.
The park was truly beautiful, almost unreal. I stretched a little, releasing the tension in my body, and began walking along a small path made of unique stones, each with different shapes and colors, as if someone with a love for detail had placed them there with care.
Everything was calm. The wind moved the leaves gently, and the distant song of birds filled the air with a peace that was hard to describe. What caught my attention was how clean the place was. No trash, no signs of neglect. Just a few fallen leaves from the trees, as if even they knew where to fall to not disturb the harmony of the scenery.
That's when I saw it: a pond. Its water was so clear I could see the bottom perfectly, as if the purest crystal had melted into that body of water. I had never seen anything like it. I took a few steps closer, amazed, and watched how the surface reflected the sky and clouds with almost magical perfection.
I kept walking, exploring more of the park. I enjoyed the fresh air, the color of the flowers, the gentle silence… but with each step, a strange feeling began to grow inside me. Something didn't fit.
I was completely alone.
No children playing, no elderly people walking, not even the sound of a distant voice. It was just me, surrounded by so much beauty… but not a single soul nearby. The park, despite its light and serenity, felt empty. Too empty.
—Where is everyone?— I asked quietly. The echo of my own words was the only reply.
As I kept walking, that solitude started to wear on me. The calm that had once comforted me now felt unsettling. A sense of desperation began to rise in my chest, slow but steady. The silence, once harmonious, now felt heavy… as if something invisible was watching me or hiding among the trees.
My steps grew quicker, more anxious. I didn't want to admit it, but I was starting to panic.
Anxiety began to take hold of me. I felt a knot in my stomach, a nervousness I couldn't ignore. I came to a sudden stop, let myself drop to the ground, and sat cross-legged on the grass, trying to calm down.
I closed my eyes and breathed deeply, once, twice, three times… Inhaling through my nose, exhaling slowly through my mouth. Little by little, I felt the pressure in my chest ease, as if the park itself was trying to soothe me with its silence.
I stayed like that for several minutes, focusing only on my breathing. And when I finally felt calmer, I stood up firmly and resumed walking.
I moved forward for quite a while, with no clear direction, guided only by the need to find something —or someone— in that strange place.
Then I saw it.
In the distance, right at the edge of that world's horizon, there was a human figure sitting with its back to me. It was facing an open landscape, maybe looking at the sky or the horizon itself, though from where I was, I couldn't see exactly what they were staring at.
The person was dressed completely in black: a dark hoodie, black pants, and equally dark shoes. The clothing blended almost into the ground, but what stood out immediately was their skin… incredibly pale, like untouched snow. The contrast was so stark I couldn't look away.
A wave of relief surged through me. Finally! After so much loneliness, I had found someone.
—Hey, buddy! —I shouted with enthusiasm, raising my hand.
Silence.
I stopped for a moment, puzzled. Maybe they hadn't heard me. I put my fingers to my mouth and whistled loudly.
Nothing.
The figure remained motionless, as if it existed only as a silhouette. It didn't turn its head, didn't move, not even slightly, to acknowledge my presence.
I frowned, a little confused. I looked more closely at the surroundings and noticed a small wooden bridge, simple but sturdy, crossing a stream and connecting my side with the one where the mysterious figure sat.
—Fine —I muttered—, if you won't come, I'll go to you…
And just like that, I walked toward the bridge with steady steps. Part of me was curious… but another part was beginning to feel uneasy.
Step by step, I got closer to the figure. Each step echoed softly over the stones of the path, and the wind seemed to have stopped, as if even the air were holding its breath.
Before I got all the way there, I decided to break the silence.
—Hey… are you lost here too? —I said with a nervous smile, trying to sound friendly—. Honestly, I just arrived and… I have no idea how to get back.
I was barely three meters away when, suddenly, the figure slowly stood up. As it did, I realized it was incredibly tall… easily over two meters. Its presence was imposing, inhuman. A chill ran down my spine.
Then it turned to face me.
And what I saw froze my blood.
That… wasn't a person.
Its eyes were a deep, intense red, as if made of pure liquid blood. Its face had deformities that looked like impossible scars, and its skin was slowly peeling off in pieces that turned into dark dust as they fell, floating into the air.
Its hands were bony, shriveled as if withered for centuries, and from its fingernails oozed fresh blood, dripping slowly.
But the most terrifying thing happened a second later.
From its back emerged grotesque wings made of blood, flesh, and throbbing nerves. They opened as if alive, pulsing with the rhythm of a nightmare, splattering the ground with crimson drops.
My mind went into shock.
My body, frozen.
My heart pounded violently, but I felt like I was drowning in my own fear. I couldn't think, I couldn't move, I couldn't even scream.
I was trapped in that terrifying moment.
But with a final act of will, I managed to leap backward, away from the abomination.
—No… it's not real… it can't be real! —I gasped.
Without thinking, I channeled my aura. I let it flow through my body, a warm current of energy surging through every fiber of my being. The fear was still there, strong, oppressive… but that spark of energy gave me a little courage.
A white light began to surround me, pulsing intensely, as if it were responding to my desperation. I took a stance, trembling, but resolute.
I knew that what stood before me wasn't human.
And maybe… I couldn't remain human either if I wanted to survive.
That horrifying thing didn't move. It just stared at me with those intense crimson eyes, as if they could pierce straight through my soul. Its dead skin peeled off slowly, shedding withered fragments like ash carried by the wind. The air around us grew heavier, almost unbreathable.
I prepared to strike first, letting my energy flow through my entire body, but... the moment I pushed forward, I felt its fist slam brutally into my stomach. It was so fast, so devastating, I didn't even see the blow coming. The impact made me spit out saliva mixed with blood as my body was launched into the air. I crashed through branches, shattered trunks, and finally slammed against a massive tree before collapsing onto the stone path.
Everything hurt. My bones, my flesh— even my soul felt fractured. I barely tried to stand, staggering, gasping, fighting against the pain clouding my mind… but just when I thought I could keep fighting, that thing was already in front of me, only inches from my face.
Its eyes burned like lit embers, fixed on me with an inhuman intensity. I was frozen. My body trembled, my mind screamed at me to run, but my legs wouldn't move. Suddenly, the creature reached out and grabbed my head with monstrous strength. Without giving me time to react, it began dragging me across the park, scraping my back against stone, dirt, and roots.
I could feel my skin tearing, my blood soaking the ground behind me. The pain was unbearable—an agony that tore through not just my body but my spirit. I screamed. I cried. Not out of fear, but from the suffering… a pain so overwhelming I wouldn't wish it on even my worst enemy.
Then, as if that weren't enough, it hurled me into the air with terrifying force. I was completely at its mercy. Before I could even process what was happening, it delivered a brutal kick while I was still midair. This time, I flew even farther, crashing face-first into the grass. No trees to cushion the fall. Just solid ground and the sound of my ribs crying out.
I lay there, my face pressed against the damp grass, feeling blood pour from my torn back. I tried to move, but my arms trembled and my legs wouldn't respond. Even so, I raised my head… and there it was, that thing approaching slowly, as if savoring my suffering.
But something inside me awakened.
Fear no longer mattered. Pain no longer mattered. I forced myself to stand, ignoring every fiber in my body begging for rest. I held firm, breathing heavily. My energy surged stronger, and my aura flared like a flame in the darkness. It was the same power I'd felt during my most intense training sessions, but now it was bigger, brighter, more alive.
That thing kept coming… until it was within striking distance.
Without hesitation, I focused all my strength in my arms and launched myself forward with explosive speed. The first punch landed square on its face, whipping its head to the side from the force. I didn't stop. I unleashed a barrage of blows, each one fueled by my determination, my rage—my fear turned into power.
My fists crashed into its body again and again with no mercy, no pause. Finally, I channeled all my energy into an upward kick that sent it stumbling back several steps.
Panting, fists still clenched, I watched it. The battle had only just begun.
I was putting all my trust in my strength, convinced that the blows I'd landed had done some damage. I stayed alert, breathing heavily, my aura still glowing around me like a persistent flame. But then… something happened that made me hesitate.
That creature began to laugh.
Its laugh wasn't normal. It was a chaotic mix of multiple human voices—male and female, adults and children—all laughing at once in a broken, distorted… deranged tone. It was a laugh that froze the blood. A laugh that sounded like it was born straight from the abyss. I shuddered. For a moment, fear pierced me like an invisible dagger. But I didn't lower my guard. I stood my ground.
When that thing finished laughing, it looked at me again. Those crimson eyes, so bright and deep, now seemed to burn with a pure desire for destruction. It began to walk toward me slowly, as if it already knew I would come at it again.
I didn't hesitate. I gathered my energy again, channeling it into my arms. My aura flared. I launched myself toward it with all the speed my wounded body could muster, ready to repeat the flurry of blows that had worked before.
But this time… it was different.
At the last second, that thing dodged my strike with an almost inhuman fluidity. Before I could react, I felt something cold and rough gripping my ankle with tremendous strength. My heart skipped a beat.
—What…?
Suddenly, a sharp pain tore through my back. A brutal, dry blow made my body arch. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw it—that thing, holding my ankle with one hand… and without giving me a second to react, it began slamming me against the ground with monstrous force.
BAM!
My body hit the ground with a loud, sickening thud.
BAM!
It lifted me again and slammed me down once more.
Over and over again.
BAM! BAM! BAM!
I could feel my bones cracking, the blood from my back mixing with the dirt. Each impact pushed me further from consciousness, like my soul was splintering with every strike. The pain was so immense, so deep, there were no words for it. I screamed, but I could no longer hear my own voice.
My face started to bleed. I tasted the metallic tang in my mouth, felt the blood running down my forehead, my cheeks. I couldn't do anything. I was completely at its mercy.
That creature didn't stop. It slammed me against the ground again and again, without mercy, as if trying to erase my existence entirely.
It lasted barely a minute. But for me… it was an eternity.
An eternity of pain, of despair, of helplessness.
And deep within that suffering, a spark began to ignite.
A spark of rage… or maybe something else.
That thing hurled me through the air with terrifying ease, and before I could react, it landed a brutal punch straight to my face. I felt my teeth grind together, my head twisted violently to one side, and my body crashed back down to the ground, this time face-first in the mud and blood.
Lying there, my face pressed into the earth, my mind drifted between confusion and memory. I could only think about how useless I felt. That thing… that abomination… it was even stronger than the Herald of Judgment I had faced in the past. Its presence was overwhelming—like a shadow crushing the soul.
Tears began to fall from my eyes, mixing with the blood. I couldn't move. My whole body felt dead. My muscles didn't respond, my bones trembled, and the pain wrapped around me like a prison of fire. But something—something inside me was still alive: my mind… and my heart, still beating fiercely inside my chest, as if refusing to give up.
Then I felt it.
That thing stood right in front of me.
Its presence was dense, oppressive. The air around it grew heavier. I felt a cold, bony hand grab my hair and yank my head up roughly to stare me straight in the eyes. And there we were—face to face. Its face was still as deformed and terrifying as before, its red eyes glowing like embers in the darkness.
I couldn't do anything. I had no strength left. I just closed my eyes and waited for it to end. I was waiting… for the end.
But then, that monster began to laugh again.
A dry, guttural laugh, as if its throat were made of stone and blood. And then… I felt something strange. An object… or maybe its own hand, touched my back. Instantly, a sharp pain surged through me, as if my skin and flesh were being ripped open. The pain was so brutal, so inhuman, I couldn't even scream. My throat was silent. All I could do was cry—tears of pure despair.
—What… what is it doing to me…? —I thought, gasping mentally.
The pain was so deep it had no name. I didn't know what it was doing, but it felt like my body was being marked, or corrupted… or transformed.
And then, suddenly, it stopped.
I heard its voice for the first time.
A single word.
—Done…
That one simple word echoed in my mind like an endless whisper.
"Done…?" I thought. "What does that mean? Is it over? Or just beginning…?"
My mind, confused, was still processing the meaning, trying to understand. But before I could find an answer, it let go of my hair. My face slammed against the ground again. The earth was now a mix of blood and mud.
I felt my vision beginning to blur.
Darkness.
But just before my eyes closed, I saw the silhouette of the being still standing before me. It leaned forward slightly, and then I heard another word come from its mouth. This time, with a firm voice… almost commanding.
—Wake up.
And with what little sight I had left, I saw it raise its leg. It was preparing to kick me… as if I were nothing more than an abandoned ball.
Then… everything went black.
Total darkness.
But within that darkness… something still remained.
An inner voice.
My own voice.
Thinking.
Fighting.
Remembering who I am.
I questioned so many things while floating in that darkness… questions that came from the deepest part of my soul. What am I, really? Why do I have to go through all this? Did I do something wrong? Is this my destiny?
I remembered my previous life… that monotonous routine, without emotion. The same face in the mirror every morning. Few friends, grey days, a peaceful existence… though empty. In that moment, I wished I could go back to being that person. That boring version of myself who, though didn't shine, at least didn't suffer like this. At least back then, I didn't feel this pain… neither physical nor mental.
But the more I thought about it, the deeper I sank into a whirlpool of confused thoughts… until something shattered the darkness.
A light.
A white sphere appeared before me. Floating silently, suspended in that endless abyss. It was warm. Comforting. I felt as if it were hugging me without even touching me. Its light brought a calm I hadn't felt in a long time.
For a moment, I thought I was dead.
"Is this the afterlife…?" I wondered. "Did I die while drifting in that darkness…? Will this lead me to be reborn… or to disappear forever?"
My mind wandered through endless possibilities… but I had no real choice. I could stay here, in this darkness, lost in my thoughts… forever. Or I could move closer… and see what lay beyond that light.
I decided to take the risk.
Without thinking twice, I reached out and touched the sphere.
The moment my fingers brushed against it, an explosion of light surrounded me. It was blinding. Pure. Vast.
And then, something happened.
My eyes slowly began to open.
At first, I saw shadows.
Then, flashes of color.
I felt air entering my lungs. My senses were returning, one by one. I could hear my breathing… the sound of my heartbeat pounding once more in my ears.
And I understood something very clearly:
This wasn't the end.