I landed roughly on the ground.
My breath escaped from my throat in a soft whimper.
Beside me, my scythe clattered loudly as it fell to the floor.
My stomach tightened.
Every limb in my body was begging to run.
They screamed in pain, gripping onto the little strength left.
Fear clouded my thoughts, covering the bravery I had summoned.
All around me, the cold snow seeped into my body.
I shuddered.
"Given up yet?" A dark voice whispered.
The voice seemed unreal, as if many people were whispering at the same time.
It surrounded me, filling my ears and pouring into my mind.
I tried to fight the brainwash off.
But the voice danced around in my head, peering through my deepest thoughts and emotions.
I cringed in agony.
"Get out!" I hissed in the darkness.
I yelped in pain as the hidden force clawed it's way through me, running out from my head and into my heart.
It took a detour and began to flow through my body.
Suddenly, I wasn't myself anymore.
A large heat began to consume me.
The snow seemed to melt away, as if my body itself was resisting the frozen porcelain.
I cried out and closed my eyes tight.
The heat grew and grew.
I was on fire.
I was a light.
My breathing slowed.
No.
This can't be it.
The feeling wasn't mutual, not at all.
It seemed as if I was slowly losing the hold on myself.
I was letting go.
I was slowly falling.
The thin threads holding my whole being together were coming undone.
And I was falling.
My wall was breaking.
I was dieing.
Just when I thought the heat couldn't get worse, a large wave of indescribable pain seared through me.
It traveled through my body and centered towards my heart. My soul.
I screamed.
My eyes flew open.
I was staring into nothing.
Nothing but a cold, dark soul.
It's body was made of nothing but shadow.
At least, that's what it appeared to be.
The shadow-skin didn't look solid, as if a single gust of wind could blow it away.
Then the eyes.
The eyes were a fiery red, so bright, it hurt to even glimpse near them.
I didn't want to either, for fear the eyes would find their way into me.
The pain continued.
I screamed once again and let out a loud whimper.
I looked at the creature.
My eyes traced his shoulder blade, and seeing the hint of a muscle flexing, followed the fuzzy line of his body and found his arm.
His arm was outstretched.
I followed the arm's direction.
The outline-shadow-skinned-arm led to my chest.
It took a chunk of my fading strength to tilt my head down and glance at my chest.
There, on my chest, was his hand.
His hand was glowing at the palm, placed firmly where my heart should be located.
I looked back up at the monster.
His eyes were focused on his hand.
Then he saw I was looking.
"What are you doing to me!" I cried.
I could've sworn I saw an indent of a smirk.
"Stop! Please!" I whispered.
The heat began to turn even more overwhelming.
I kicked my feet wildly, struggling to escape his grip.
His claws dug into my skin.
I yelled.
My back arched off the ground as the heat crawled through me.
I could feel my mind slipping away.
I gasped for air and squeezed my eyes shut.
What was happening to me?
I clawed at the ground.
"LET ME GO!" I hissed.
Then the pain was gone.
The snow seemed to hug me, once again wrapping it's cold embrace around my burnt body.
Yet the pain stayed, not as bad, but just as recognizable.
I could feel warm tears slide down my cheek.
My eyes opened slowly.
Above me, a shadow loomed over my head.
But it wasn't as frightening as the creature.
It was more human-like, resembling a boy.
From the shadow, a thin, yet strong-built arm was extended out.
In the hand, was a sword.
The sword itself was glowing, warm light illuminating from the sharp blade.
This warmth was more welcoming, instead of the threatening heat still gnawing at my fingertips.
The sword was curved and long with a sharp point. The round side had multiple rips in the metal, as if it was a wave. It was a silver-ish color, as far as I could see. The bright wave of light growing from the blade blinded me, blocking my view.
The handle was wrapped in a dark cloth, a single strand escaping the strong grip the holder's hand had.
I slowly glanced to where the sword was pointed to.
Standing just a little away to the left, was the shadow creature.
In the dark night, it was barely recognizable.
I couldn't make out it's detailed outline, but the difference in shade hinted towards where it was standing.
"Leave," The figure above me spoke.
The creature blinked it's red beady eyes.
It didn't move.
I felt the body looming over me tense.
Then it stepped into the angle of moonlight.
Like a curtain pulling away, the face of a boy slowly appeared.
He spun the sword in his hand and placed his feet firmly on the ground.
"Must I repeat myself?" The boy smirked.
The sword corresponded by reflecting it's light onto his face.
The creature glanced down at me and I felt my adrenaline peek.
Then it tore it's gaze back to the sword.
Seeing the outcome of the situation, the monster closed it's eyes and disappeared into thin air.
I relaxed my muscles.
Immediately the boy dropped to his knees next to me.
He moved his hands over my body.
"What hurts?" He asked in a foreign voice.
"Everything…" I breathed.
For a second, I heard him let out a short chuckle.
Then he grew serious.
"I will move you. Sit still," He spoke quickly.
What had happened?
Where was I?
How did I get here?And what was that floating cloud of dust doing attacking me?
Questions buzzed through my head.
I was about to speak when something sharp jabbed me in the back.
Then everything went black.