Early in the morning, Anori Nyssa gently pushed the windows open, allowing the bright sunlight to flood her room. The sweet floral scent wafted onto her nose, carried by a soft, refreshing breeze that flowed through her hair. Outside, the birds chirped happily, adding to the harmonious symphony of laughter from the neighboring houses.
It feels so nice to live in a mountain village. The air is always fresh and untouched by the rain, and the vistas of clouds, trees, and stars are like paintings come to life. I love everything!
Taking a moment to appreciate the beauty around her, she murmured a prayer, Thank you, God, for another wonderful day. No matter what the day brings, I trust you with all my life.
When her phone buzzed, she rushed to check the notification. A beaming smile brightened her face as she saw a message from her fiancé, Aedan Asier, greeting her early in the morning: "Good morning, sweetheart! I wish I was there to wake you up with a warm hug!" She grabbed her pillow, hugging it tightly as she spun around. She couldn't help but be swept away by the sweetness of his words, feeling as if her heart was melting.
She playfully replied while giggling, "Good morning too! That won't be enough to wake me up; I need a kiss!" She placed her phone close to her chest, smiling as she imagined his reaction to the message.
He's such a perfect man; nobody could ever replace him. I mean, just look at him; he's so handsome and elegant, so kind and smart; words aren't enough to describe him. That's why I'm so lucky to have him in my life!
She picked up her white cat off the floor, scuffling its fur, "What should I do today, my little lazy cat?" Later on, she decided, "Ah right! I should surprise visit him; I miss him already." She puts down the cat and starts playing background music as she begins rummaging through her wardrobe for the perfect outfit.
She began wiggling her head as she got lost in the melodies playing around her, singing along with the romantic tunes to her heart's content. While listening to the lyrics of the song, she pondered a question: How far would one go for someone they love?
Honestly, I didn't want to fall in love with anyone ever again; that is, until I found him. It's already strange that I'm able to say something embarrassing, but he is the one whom my soul has been searching for. I just know that I will travel the world just to be with him, no matter how hard or how long it takes me.
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Later that morning, she arrived at the front gate of a two-story house with outer walls stretching several meters wide. No matter how many times she comes to this house, she'll always be amazed by the front yard filled with colorful flowers and plants of different kinds.
She gulped, seeing how wealthy her fiancé was compared to her; even the neighboring houses seemed ordinary when next to this big house. She knocked on the gate as gently as possible, fidgeting with her fingers as she waited for him to appear. She keeps looking around to see if anyone's there.
Aedan Asier looked through the window without his eyeglasses, and although he couldn't see her face clearly, he instantly knew for a fact that it was his fiancée. "Anori?! Woah, why is my cutie here?" He rushed to open the gate immediately.
She jumped in joy as soon as she saw him peeking through the window, waving at him with a bright smile. Ahhh! He is so handsome as always; he looks good even without glasses! She stared in awe, fully captivated by his effortless charm, especially paying attention to his curtain hairstyle with brown hair, then locking eyes with each other as he got closer to the gate.
Aedan couldn't take his eyes off her; time seemed to pause as they exchanged smiles full of affection. Fully enchanted by her dazzling outfit, she wore a beige-colored off-shoulder dress that complimented her long brown hair, along with a white skirt and high heels, even earrings and a necklace that he gifted her.
Anori stepped foot inside his home and warmly greeted his parents by putting their knuckles on her forehead to show respect. Although it's not her first time visiting, she always makes sure to give them snacks as a present. They welcomed her kind gesture and invited her to a family dinner.
She thanked them for having prepared such a special meal. His mother, who was sitting at the opposite end of the table, asked, "What's the occasion?" She responded, "Well, uhh, we'll be going somewhere together later." "Alright, have fun, you lovebirds. Go fill up your stomach first; it must be hard coming all the way here," said the mother. Anori replied, "Oh, no, not at all. I'm thankful enough to be here."
They all smiled at her response, then soon started taking a bite from their meal. Anori flinched from seeing them eating already, completely stunned by the difference in their traditions. Despite feeling a bit self-conscious, she fixed her posture, straightened her back, and clasped her hands together to offer her prayers.
Ahh! It's kind of embarrassing to do this; it's so awkward having to pray by myself. They just straight up dig into their food, but well, it's fine; I just have to pray like I normally do. Just imagine that I'm all alone in my bubble.
She closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and started praying. Everyone noticed her praying, and she could feel the weight of all eyes on her. Amidst the prayer, they all stopped chewing and dropped their spoons and forks without making a sound to show respect for her beliefs.
Anori opened her eyes after praying, and her face was tainted with embarrassment all over as she saw everyone staring at her patiently. She was uncontrollably sweating just from glancing at each one of them.
Ahhhhh! It was so embarrassing that they all stopped eating just to wait for me to finish praying. I want to dig myself a hole right now. Also, why aren't they saying anything? I need to do something to break this tense atmosphere…
She quickly grabbed a fork and shoved a whole piece of the dish into her mouth. Immediately after chewing, her eyes glistened with delight. Without giving a thought, she right away said, "Woah! This tastes good!"
Sweetness ran throughout her mouth as she munched her food. Each bite was savored; it was like the flavors were dancing on her taste buds. It looked like a regular dish coming from restaurants, but it was so much more tender and fragrant; she was unable to resist the food and ate more than she expected.
Meanwhile, Aedan Asier, who was sitting right next to her, stretched out his arm, leaning towards her, and reached out to tuck-in a bundle of hair behind her ear. Surprised by his unexpected gesture, she glanced at him, immediately causing her cheeks to flush with warmth, along with her ears turning bright red.
What, what, what, what?? How could he do that in front of his family? Does he have no shame? Ahhhhh! Get me out of this situation! This is way too sweet; I'm going to get diabetes… What are his parents going to think of me now?
He smiled and whispered, "So where are we headed today, sweetie?" Her mind stopped for a moment, wondering about the same question, but she ended up blurting, "To the church, I guess?" His jaw suddenly dropped, looking at her with blank, dismayed eyes.
Oh right, he never goes to religious activities… I never really thought about what to do or why I came here… But I do want to go to church later…
He responded, "I'll just wait for you outside the church then." She scratched her head, thinking about what else they could do… "Oh, what about going to the mall afterward? We need to buy a dress for our upcoming wedding next week."
His face brightened up. "Sounds good; I'm kind of craving food anyway." His reply made her look at him with blank eyes this time.
Seriously? I'm talking about dress here. Plus, we're already eating a meal, so why does he want to eat more? Is this guy a hippo? But I mean, who wouldn't want free food? Hehehe. I'm excited about the wedding, though; I can't believe we will get married soon!
"Are you going to buy me some food?" she asked. "Yeah, I'll buy it, and you pay for it," he said. She pouted at him, then faced in the opposite direction. He giggled and patted her head, "Awww, you're so cute. Of course, it's my treat; I will buy anything you wish, my dear."
Their playful exchange drew the attention of his parents, who observed them without knowing. His father, who was at the corner of the table, was staring at them flirting with one eyebrow raised while sipping on his cup of coffee. At the same time, his mother was covering her mouth using both hands as she held her breath from seeing a lovely scene that shows the beautiful bond between the couple.
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After enjoying a lovely dinner with his family, Aedan and his fiancée got ready for their outing. Aedan wore a formal apricot coat paired with a white shirt and matching shoes, along with his circular glasses, perfectly matching the outfit of his fiancée.
Before setting off on their adventure, Anori affectionately kissed Aedan on the cheeks and wrapped him in a warm hug. They both hopped onto the motorcycle, planning to head towards the church as their first destination. Aedan pondered without asking, Where even is the church? All I know is the location of the mall…
Anori randomly received a text message from a friend named Pia Nyx, referring her to a shop that customizes dresses and is only open for a specific time. Coincidentally, the shop's closing hour matched her schedule, so she tapped Aedan's shoulder and said, "Let's quickly go to this location first; the shop is about to close!" Aedan nodded and began driving right away, following wherever the map leads them to.
Heading out together, the couple embarked on their journey, a shared adventure unfolding before them. They navigated their way, savoring each moment in each other's company amidst the lively city streets. Their love shone like a guiding light amid the chaos of the world around them.
The wind is so refreshing; although we aren't going that fast, my hair is being swept back by the breeze, and I get to hug him tight from the back… this sensation is so heartwarming. Hah, I wish this moment would last longer. I feel like sleeping on his neck; it's so comfortable riding with him.
They halted in the middle of traffic when all of a sudden, Anori's phone, which was hanging in front of his motorcycle, began ringing due to a call from an unknown number. He asked Anori, "Do you know who this could be?" Her face frowned when her enjoyment was disturbed by a call, so she closed the call and continued hugging his belly pleasingly.
Then Aedan noticed a person in a car from the right side of the road, staring at him with a big, disturbing smile, gesturing a hand sliding across the neck. Aedan's face was drenched in sweat as soon as he recognized who that man was.
Aedan looked around, realizing that he was surrounded by people who had grudges against him in the past. He whispered to Anori, "Sorry, we can't go to that shop right now..." "Ehh? Why not?" said Anori. Aedan didn't reply because he was too focused on analyzing the situation.
Shit! Why are they here following us? I don't know where this place is, and we're surrounded from all directions, except for that one empty lane around the road intersection... Maybe if I go there, we could get away from them... I don't want Anori to get in trouble because of me. There should be a safe place around here that I could drop her at.
He focused his eyes on that one empty lane, momentarily forgetting about the people chasing him. His eyes were twitching at the traffic light, breathing deeply to calm his rapidly beating heart. As soon as the traffic light signaled green, Aedan accelerated towards that direction, not knowing that it's a bus lane.
Anori yelled, "Wait!! Where are we going?!" They screamed up to the top of their lungs, shouting as loud as possible when an unexpected charter bus appeared in front of them just a few meters away.
Aedan flinched from seeing the bus so close by, and he instinctively hit the panic brake, causing the motorcycle to wobble uncontrollably. The only thing that Anori could do was helplessly watch the impending doom; her eyes were watching the bus like it was in slow motion, waiting for the disaster to strike within seconds.
The bus driver tried to slow down and honk non-stop, but it was, unfortunately, too late. A sudden, tragic event unfolded, changing everything in an instant. In a moment of chaos and terror, the unthinkable occurred—an accident that tore them apart.
The collision sent Anori flying across the road, rolling brutally onto the rough pavement without any helmet on. Her head barely survived the impact, and overflowing blood drenched her whole body, as well as endless tears, reflecting on her final moment as she slowly lost consciousness.
Noo… Aedan, Please be safe… I'm so sorry.
At the same time, shattered metal pieces from the motorcycle went exploding, piercing Aedan all over his torso, and rupturing several organs. This incident inflicted catastrophic injuries that made him gush blood from his eyes and mouth. But despite his fatal wounds, all he did was muster his strength to run towards Anori.
He shouted, "Anori! I'm coming for you; just stay where you are!" He couldn't even hear what he said himself, he couldn't feel pain in his body, and his vision was covered in red. His injuries were extreme; it's a miracle that he can still walk towards her.
Anori… Just a little more… Argh, I can't breathe… I can't feel my legs… Am I… dying? It's all my fault; I'm really… really sorry, Anori.
His body suddenly collapsed, falling in front of her. How lucky for him to be able to hug her one last time. Their love enduring beyond the confines of life and death as they find solace in each other's presence. Both of them were lying on the ground with eyes closed, inseparable even by the specter of death, hearts heavy with unspoken sentiments and unfulfilled promises.
As their fates intertwined in a tragic embrace, they exchanged their final words to each other, "I never got to kiss you on the lips," said Anori. "Maybe in heaven, we will…" he replied even when he doesn't believe in the afterlife. She smiled as she rested her head on his arms, finally passing away seconds before him.
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It's strange; I'm dying right now, but these few seconds of my life feel like an eternity… I remember every memory I've spent with my family, friends, and all my loved ones. It's so disappointing that I never got to say goodbye to my parents… I haven't said 'I love you' to them either… I wonder what's happening right at this moment… Are they all mourning my death?
Wait a minute, how am I able to think? Aren't I dead? I can't see or feel anything at all… It's as if I'm floating in outer space without suffocating, no pain, no nothing, just my thoughts in this endless void.
Moments later, she hears a gut-wrenching voice, "Anori… Anori… Wake up, Anori… ANORI, WAKE… UP!" She opened her eyes and gasped for air as if she had held her breath for too long. Anori gazed upon a spectacle unlike anything she had ever known—an otherworldly expanse adorned with celestial wonders and enigmatic panoramas.
In this ethereal realm, where the laws of nature seemed suspended, Anori was sitting in the middle of an eerie red ocean, thinking, Huh? Where am I? What happened to my fiancé?
She looked at where she was sitting, only to see a reflection of herself underneath the red water. A distorted reflection of herself, covered in bruises and blood all over the body, with a severed right arm and a melted skin as if she was caught in an explosion, continuously saying, "Wake up… Please… Don't do it, you'll regret it! Please…"
Anori crawled backward away from the reflection; although she moved, it felt like she was in the same spot as before, and no matter where she went, she couldn't feel the ground going against her skin. However, the movements created a wave on the water she was stepping on, but even then, it felt more like floating rather than stepping.
Is that me? She looks scary, but for some reason… I can feel her emotions as if we're one… She seems to be begging and desperate for something… Ugh, am I seriously feeling bad right now? Where am I anyway? Is this the afterlife?
Anori stood up, moving her head in every direction to see where she was. No words can describe what she is seeing right now, a realm where reality and fantasy intertwine, transcending the limits of imagination, incomparable to earthly landscapes. It's like a realm born from the clash of contrasting realities.
This place looks like outer space; I can see stars very clearly as if there's no light pollution present. Though the stars are strange… it moves at a certain speed, as if I'm watching the universe on a time lapse. It's bright and beautiful... All shimmering, like glitters and crystals scattered in every direction you look. So breathtaking, yet so unpleasant at the same time.
It's weird that I'm standing on the water right now, and not a single wave can be seen other than below my feet. This unsettling tranquility makes it appear like I'm standing on a huge mirror… Should I even call it 'water' when it defies the laws of science?
From where I'm standing, it looks like I'm staring at a bluish sky above the red ocean. The contrasting colors are quite nauseating to look at. And when I look high above me, there are massive clouds with white castles constantly changing shapes, floating in between. Without a doubt, that's heaven…
And below me, under the water, is a reflection of what's above, except everything is opposite and upside-down. The water isn't red, but the sky is. There are clouds, but they look more like clumps of volcanic ashes. There are castles, but they're black and broken down, similar to abandoned buildings. The stars aren't stars; it's like countless specks of floating lava particles.
I'm lucky I didn't end up there… perhaps that's the reason why I feel bad for my reflection. She must be suffering in there, having nothing to breathe aside from smoke and engulfed in searing heat similar to that of molten lava.
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After a moment of contemplation, Anori's attention was suddenly drawn to a radiant white entity that materialized before her. The figure has a human-like shape but doesn't have a face, emanating a luminous presence that fills the space around it.
Startled by the white entity's sudden appearance, Anori yelled, her voice echoing in the ethereal expanse, "What are you?!" The white entity spoke, and although it was in front of her, the voice could be heard in every direction, saying, "I am existence. You who have died shall be saved, for you have believed in me throughout."
It spoke in an unknown otherworldly language, but somehow she could understand it clearly. However, a sense of uneasiness flooded her mind, wondering about her family and her fiancé.
Although she hadn't said anything yet, the white entity knew what she was thinking and began making strange hand gestures. Immediately, a floating, yellowish, transparent screen appeared in front of Anori, showing the current situation of her family:
Her father walks around the house, lighting up all the candles, while her mother, who's sitting near a coffin drenched in tears, writes a letter for her daughter, Anori, who passed away a few weeks ago.
The letter says, "Dear Anori, The moment I saw the news that both of you died that day, I couldn't help but feel this pain in my chest getting worse day by day. You were our only child; without you, our lives are meaningless, so why did you have to leave so soon? Why does it have to be you instead of me? Why isn't the world so kind? So many questions run in my mind because I know you deserve to live longer. Your bright smile, infectious laughter, and all the lovely memories we had with you will forever echo in our hearts. I just wish that we could talk to you one last time to properly say our goodbyes, so may this letter reach out to you in hopes that you're watching over us now. We miss you so much, and you will forever be our precious daughter, etched in our hearts and souls."
Anori's heart was shattered from watching her parents mourning over her. Candles around the house flickered as she began to cry uncontrollably. Her hands trembling while wiping off tears, with a sorrowful voice filling the ethereal expanse, yearning to hug them once more.
The white entity waited for her to settle down, and sometime later, she took a deep breath and asked, "What will happen to them?"
The white entity responded, "Fear not, for the time here flows differently from that of Earth, and your loved ones have yet to choose their path."
"What path?" she continued. The white entity raised its hand, pointing towards the castle in between the clouds, saying, "He who repents and believes may partake in my shelter." Then the hand shifted, pointing below, "Otherwise, you will succumb to the abyss."
"What about Aedan Asier?" The white entity replied, "It is not his time yet to emerge into this realm, but the schemes of the wicked brought about his untimely demise."
Anori was confused, but she understood that it meant Aedan didn't die from an accident, but rather, it was a meticulously planned murder, and he is yet to appear either in heaven or hell.
She begged, "Then let me save Aedan! I have to make sure he doesn't fall under there!" A shiver runs down her spine as she points toward the terrifying depths below.
A silence occurred for a brief moment, and then the white entity apologized, "I have no direct control over one's will. He who chose to sin shall be consumed by the abyss." Anori fell to her knees mourning, "No… no… no, no, no, no!! I can't accept that! There has to be something I could do to help him!" She began crying again due to helplessness, punching the water with all her might.
The white entity came closer, reassuring her, "There exists a path. However, through this, your resolve will be tested, and I cannot guarantee your safety." Without hesitation, Anori pledged her commitment, swearing to do whatever it takes to ensure the salvation of her loved ones.
The white entity presented her with two options to choose from: "Come to me, and your soul shall rest… or return to flesh, and do what is necessary."
Anori expressed her heartfelt apology, "I apologize for going against you, but I cannot rest knowing they're in danger… so please, let me save them. I will make sure they'll serve you, my lord!"
The white entity placed its hand on her forehead. "Very well, child. I will strengthen you and help you in your endeavors. Lend your hand to others, for once they repent, they shall be saved."
At that moment, the hand on her forehead glowed so bright, enveloping her in a luminous embrace, and even with her eyes closed, light could be seen so vividly. All the twinkling stars started resonating in harmony with the divine light, completely covering the whole realm with brightness.
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Before I knew it, I was back in my bed, staring at the bright light bulb in the ceiling… Wait? Back from what? I swear I was talking to someone a few seconds ago, but I couldn't remember… Also, how long have I been staring at the light bulb? I must be so bored.
As she attempted to make sense of her disjointed thoughts, Anori rose from the bed, scratching her eyes, and then went to the edge of the bed to get up. Huh? My feet can't reach the floor? Just how tall was this bed? Wait… where is my phone anyway?
Questions flooded her mind, so she started to look around her bed. This toy… didn't I already throw this out long ago? The pillow cover, the walls, and the furniture… they are all… old.
One of the family members entered her room silently, noticing that Anori had woken up. Immediately he shouted, "Happy 10th birthday, Anori!!!!" She unconsciously placed both of her arms on her head, with eyes and jaw wide open.
I'm 10 years old?! No way, I can't believe this… What's happening? Do I have a vision of what's going to happen in the future? Wait… I think I'm forgetting someone…
"What happened to Aedan?" she asked. Her uncle was confused. "Who's Aedan? And since when can you speak so well?" She sat in silence, staring at her palm.
So 20 years in the future, before the wedding, I'll die in an accident with Aedan Asier... I need to meet him as soon as possible; maybe I'll be able to change our fate… It's strange though; how do I have this premonition?
Also, it's been bothering me for a while, but why do I see a floating yellow triple bar icon next to my uncle's chest, no, everyone's chest? What could it possibly mean? Everything that's happening right now is just out of this world…
Then he picked her up from the bed, carrying her in his arms, asking, "Did you find a friend?" She dismissed the question and asked again with a dismayed face, "What about Mom and Dad?…" Even with the familial warmth, Anori's thoughts strayed to a future entwined with tragedy, a premonition of fate that casts a shadow over her newfound joy.
They left the room together, surprising her with a birthday celebration. Her uncle whispered, "There's your mom and dad." Anori suddenly burst into tears; she went down and began running towards her parents with arms wide open, unknowingly crying from seeing them and shouting, "Mom! Dad! I love you!"
Her mom knelt to catch her hug, replying from the bottom of her heart, "I love you too, Anori." Her dad hugged both of them tightly, squeezing and laughing all together. Then everyone from the family started clapping joyfully as they witnessed such a wholesome scene. Anori's tears were uncontrollable, and she didn't know why she was acting like that, but certainly, it was a bittersweet reminder of the fragility of life.
At the same time, a floating text popped up behind her, unaware of it. It says, "Special Quest Completed: Say 'I love you' to Mom and Dad."
Thank God they're still alive!… wait… did I just say 'still alive'? I swear I remember saying something along the lines of protecting someone… So it feels kind of wrong to be happy when I know everyone's going to face death sooner. But I'm grateful to be with my family right now, so thank you, God, for another wonderful day.
~ Chapter End ~