The darkness was so thick it almost felt liquid. No light, no sound, nothing. Just absolute emptiness.
"Hello...? Is anyone there?" — my voice was swallowed by the void, muffled as if the world itself refused to hear it.
No answer. But I could feel it. Something — or someone — was watching me.
"Searching is pointless."The feminine voice cut through the silence, smooth and sharp like shattering ice. "I only appear when I want to. But... you could make things easier and just answer my question."
I swallowed hard."You... were watching me?"
"Of course."The voice came from everywhere, yet nowhere. "So? What brought you here, John?"
I stepped forward, even though I wasn't sure there was any ground beneath me."I came to see my mother."
"And why...? And how?"
"Hah... how?" — I scratched the back of my neck, nervous. — "I'm not even sure myself. I trusted a witch. She killed me. Said she'd bring me back.""And why...? Because I need to know. I need to know how my mother cut off my mana channels. And... the truth about my past."
The air grew heavy. Charged. Like lightning was about to strike.
And then... she appeared.
A woman. Tall. Imposing. As beautiful as she was terrifying.She wore a black cloak that moved like living mist. In her right hand, a silver scythe aged by time — and her eyes... calm abysses.
"Welcome, mortal." — she finally said. — "I am... Death."
"So... I really did die." — I muttered, almost laughing at the irony.
"Not yet."
"Wait, what do you mean...?"
"This is purgatory." — she explained, twirling the scythe with dancer-like grace. — "A space between your world and mine. A place of transition."
"Oh. Can I... can I call you 'Lady Death'? Or do you have another preference?"
She laughed. Softly. Almost motherly.
"You may simply call me Death. In the end, nothing matters."
"That's... kinda depressing." — I commented, shrugging.
"But it's the truth. Everything ends, John. The ones you love. The world. You.""The end is inevitable. And that's what makes it beautiful."
"I get it." — I whispered. — "Even if everything disappears... memories remain."
"Memories... fade too."
"Yeah. But that's what makes each moment valuable. The last laugh. The last sandwich shared. The last conversation.""If it lasted forever... it wouldn't mean anything."
She looked at me in silence. For the first time... Death seemed reflective.
"You mortals always say that. Yet you keep trying to run from me."
"I don't want to run. I just... need strength."
"For what?"
"To protect those who can still be saved. While I still have time."
She smiled. A quiet, gentle smile. And vanished — like a candle snuffed out.
And in her place... my mother appeared.
"Mom...?" — my voice cracked.
She looked just like I remembered. Blue dress, hair tied up, that same gentle gaze. I took a step forward. Reached out... and passed right through her.
She was a specter. A memory.
"Oh, John..." — she said tenderly. — "You've grown so handsome."
"Stop it, Mom..." — I murmured, trying to hold back the tears.
A cold whisper brushed against my ear:
"You don't have much time." — it was Death.
"Mom..." — I turned to her. — "I need to know. Why did you cut off my mana channels?"
She lowered her eyes. Silence.
"Please." — I continued. — "It's not for me. It's for the others. For the ones I have to protect."
She looked up.
"If you remove the seals... you'll be hunted." — she said hesitantly. — "That's how your father found you last time."
"What...?"
"The Azural Clan has mana trackers. They hunt those of the same bloodline. They don't allow betrayal."
"So that's why Mili never stays in one place?"
"Mili...?" — her expression turned serious.
There was a tense pause.
"Don't trust her!" — she exclaimed. — "She... was your father's right hand."
"...Seriously...?" — I whispered. — "That changes everything."
She tried to touch me — her spectral hand passed through my shoulder. But the gesture... gave me strength.
"To restore your mana channels, you must say:'Ad liberandam potentiam meam clausam, contra me ipsum pugnare oportet.'"
"Latin...?" — I raised an eyebrow. — "What happens when I say it?"
"You will face a version of yourself. Complete. With mana.You must prove that even broken... you are still stronger."
"This is insane..." — I murmured. — "How can I beat someone who has everything I lost?"
"John..." — she smiled. — "You've already overcome so much. I believe in you."
Her specter began to fade, like smoke in the wind.
"John..." — her voice trembled. — "No matter what happens... I'll always love you."
"Mom... wait... MOM!"
But she was already gone.
And I...I broke.