I died again. It was not dramatic. A sudden pulse of magic where it should not have been.
When I awakened, mana did not reach for me.
It waited.
I offered it three memories: one from my first life, one from a battle I'd nearly lost, and one from a moment of silence.
It took them with grace. I felt… lighter.
Not emptier. Not less. Just balanced.
Perhaps this is how it will feel when I finally choose not to return.