—Dr. Braws... the patient Montenegro is awaiting your return.
Amanda's sweet, cunning, and shrill voice—my office secretary—makes me pull away from the desk in disgust.
Filthy, cynical little woman... doesn't even look like she's screwing other people's husbands.
The dossier the detective left in my office days ago confirmed it all: years of infidelity, Ernesto's embezzlement, pictures with Amanda—naked in a luxury suite, at the office, in the elevator... and a few other women I didn't even bother to investigate.
Doesn't matter. Trash isn't worth my time, which is running out with every damned day.
I take a deep breath and lean back again, still holding myself together. I close my eyes, trying to find a peace I haven't felt in years.
— Amanda... could you reschedule? I'm reviewing Mrs. Reis's case — I make up the first excuse that comes to mind, trying to swallow my revulsion.
— Of course, ma'am. Anything else? — she replies with forced kindness and professional tone, making me nauseous.
If she weren't so good at her job, I'd have deported this cow with a recommendation letter straight to hell.
— No, Amanda. Thank you — I hang up.
The pounding in my ears intensifies, and the suffocating feeling returns. I breathe deeply and call Dr. Agnes Ximir, my personal lawyer.
Two rings. Her velvety voice, full of authority, quickly fills the silence:
— Dr. Braws, how can I assist you?
Straight to the point, as always. Elegance and seriousness. A reflection of the professional I used to be. I smile, involuntarily.
— Good afternoon, Agnes... is everything ready?
— Yes, ma'am. The divorce is finalized, Mr. Braws's shares sold and donated, as instructed. No trace left.
I can almost see her smile. A mirror of my own.
— Thank you, doctor. Your services were impeccable as always. In five days, execute the debts. I want him in the mud.
The request comes out firm, but I feel my nerves tighten. Sleepless nights and pills taking their toll. The phone slips. I grip it tighter so I don't let out a moan.
— As agreed. Don't worry. Everything will be done as you wish — she reassures me. — We'll meet soon, ma'am.
My whole body feels like it's creaking in pain. I massage my temples. Open the drawer. The creak makes me flinch. I grab the whiskey bottle. It trembles in my hands. I ignore it. Fill a glass.
Only drunk can I bear this.
I down one. Two. Three.
---
Chapter 2: The Jump
I wake up with my stomach churning. My head feels like it's about to explode. I look at the clock on the wall... did I black out in the middle of the shift?
Can't help a crooked smile. I grab my phone. The screen enlarges the warm messages from my beloved cheating husband:
> "Where are you, Stella?" "Amanda's freaking out looking for you!" "Stop being a bitter old hag!" "Where the hell are you!" "Hope you die, jealous mummy!"
Looks like I pissed off the limp bull. Daily duty accomplished, after all.
I get up slowly. The dizziness isn't as strong anymore. Only my hands keep twitching. Symptom of the decline... or the booze?
I grab my glass and head to the elevators. The hallway is nearly empty due to the hour. The cold lights flicker, casting shadows on the white walls.
Sometimes, strange shapes appear and vanish in a blink, giving me the constant feeling of being watched.
I go up to the top floor. The soft sound of jazz echoes, relaxing.
I spot rookies hiding, whispering, and dodging work. Can't help a melancholic smile.
I used to hide here too, to smoke and chat. Today the place is empty. A shame. The sunset view from up here is amazing. The breeze, invigorating.
I close my eyes, feeling the light wind on my face. I smile. The peace here is surreal.
When did I get so complacent? Where's Stella Beverrout?
— You're a pathetic old woman, Stella — I whisper to myself, downing the glass and letting it fall off the building.
I stare at the cars below, looking like ants. A laugh escapes. The sound of my dead soul.
— Happy birthday to me — I sing softly.
A stubborn tear rolls down. And with a smile...
I jump.
---
Chapter 3: Glitch
I thought I'd feel fear… Terror... or acceptance.
But all I felt was... Freedom.
It was all so fast. Or eternal. The sound... like a bag of eggs thrown hard on the ground, followed by something wet.
Then came the pain. Indescribable.
It burned like I was tied to a pyre. The flames licking my flesh until they reached bone. Then, snapping with dull cracks — a sound I'll never forget.
Rusty needles stabbing from the inside. Heat. Burn. Rupture.
But just as it came... it passed.
That damned second... I'm stuck in it.
Just die. Calm down, Marcela!
Wait. That's not my name. What is my name again?
The pain keeps me from thinking, but sharp enough to suffer.
Someone hates me.
> Game interrupted abruptly! ALERT! System corrupted! Mission failed! Do you want to start a new game?
A white screen. Delirium? The sentence glows red.
> [YES] [NO]
— Y-yes...
Don't know if I thought it. Or begged.
> Command accepted with excellence. Starting... Error! Insufficient attributes! Solution: enhance primary senses by sacrificing ability to generate magic. Skill unlocked: BLACK HOLE. Starting... SUCCESS! Class request accepted. Demonic origin added. Error! Species "Demon" is high level. Evolution impossible. Repair... Solution: Subspecies found — WITCH. Hybrid race under analysis... Dominant human species replaced. New race successfully created.
---
Chapter 4: Rebirth
Suddenly... nothing.
The first sense to return was touch. Sharp stones scraping my skin. Then, pressure on my chest. CPR? Way too rough.
Smell came next. Wet dog. Sea salt. And fish breath. Strong. Someone seriously needs a bath!
— She's coming back — I heard a female voice. Serious. Uncomfortable... afraid?
A ridiculous amount of water gushes out of me. Violent coughs tear my lungs. Daylight blinds me. I shut my eyes, stifling a scream. A soft hand covers my eyes with a cloth.
I must be hungover. How did I end up in a lake?
A crystal-clear lake. Giant trees. The green color... too vivid. Screaming life.
— You alright, miss?
The voice, deep. And... animalistic?
I open my eyes.
Before me, the strangest creature I've ever seen: green-gray skin, boar tusks, wide and round nose. Black eyes with green spots. Rough skin. Leather pants, old armor, a puke-green cape. Shoes falling apart.
— What are you? — I ask, choking. But my voice... high-pitched, soft. That's not my voice!
— My name's Korak. I'm a droplet ork. You're welcome for saving your life — he says seriously.
> [Species: Ork | Class: Beastial | Form: Base 0]
How do I know this?
> One of fairy traits: Eye of Truth. Allows you to assess your target by touch.
Messages... in my head?
The lake... the ork... my hands. Smooth. Small. Pale. Steady. And, for the first time in nearly ten years... pain-free.
— I'm sorry... I'm a bit confused — I say. The memory of the fall... the sound.
A woman appears behind him.
Exotic. Beautiful. Short, blonde with lilac streaks, round face. Blue eyes with slit pupils. Porcelain skin. Sharp teeth. Elven ears.
Wild. Dangerous.
— I'm Miriam. Sorry about the big guy's manners. You don't seem from around here... from Skrova Kingdom? More humans live there — she says kindly, but analytically. Her lavender and jasmine scent calms me.
I can't tell them where I came from. They'll think I'm insane.
— I... don't remember — I answer, hesitant.
— Probably hit your head! — says Miriam. Her hand starts glowing. — I won't hurt you. It's healing magic.
She touches me. A light tingling... and nothing more.
I look at Miriam. A few drops of sweat on her forehead.
> Analysis in progress... Species: Elf | Class: Mythic | Subclass: [No data] | Form: Base 0
— Weird... never seen this. I can't classify you! Who are you? — she asks.
— What do you mean, Miriam? — Korak cuts in, sitting beside her.
— I don't feel her energy. No human trace either. She's... null!
I smile.
— You're not doing it right! — Korak chimes in. His magic is cold. It gives me chills.
He growls. Focused.
— So, genius... what's your verdict? — Miriam taunts.
— Never seen this. But... she's absorbing my energy. Doesn't even seem to notice.
I try to feel. A light tingle. A delicate energy.
> Even without assessment, hidden presence detected. Hybrid?
Damn it. Am I a game now?
— Are you a hybrid? — he asks. No malice in his voice.
I think. Half-truth is safer.
— I... don't know. I don't remember anything before... what happened?
— This is hunting territory, droplet. You must've had an accident. By the way... what's your name?
Droplet?
He stares at me. Wary. Here... I'm a freak.
— She's amnesiac, you genius! — Miriam snaps.
— How about... until you remember, I'll call you... Ema?
Means "daughter of the universe."
Perfect for you!
Ema...
I smile. Against my will.
But... it really fits.