Trigger Warning: Abuse? Typical malarkey. Y'know how it be.
Breaking Chains
There were many things they didn't know.
Who they were.
Where they were.
How they'd come to be in the Void they currently inhabited.
Current events.
Past events.
None of it mattered.
It was calm and quiet, wrapped in the darkness.
Swaddled, like a babe.
They had no desire to move.
To think.
They were tired.
But something in them stirred. Pushing to the forefront of their mind.
Weren't they missing something?
Someone?
Someones?
"Rest, Child."
And so they did.
It came again.
A niggling little feeling that had them pushing at their dark cocoon.
Outside their little world rose a cacophony of voices. Muffled by the barrier.
Overlapping.
Growing.
Beckoning.
"Hush."
Silence.
Strange.
Unnatural.
"My Child, you may awaken."
They may?
Funny.
They weren't aware they needed permission.
But with the authorization, they shed their cocoon.
"Now, open your eyes and gaze upon your Mother."
Eyes?
"We don't think we have eyes."
A scoff.
"Of course you do. If you cannot find them, I shall assist."
A collective gasp rippled through the void. Their only warning before the eruption of burning pain that had them crying out.
"Hush. It will be over soon enough."
An explosion of colors.
And there was Mother. A multitude of hues coalesced into the being that was and was not Humanoid.
That was and was not both feminine and masculine.
"There. Much better, no?"
They weren't so sure they agreed, but they weren't given the chance to respond to the rhetorical question. Mother was circling them. Gaze appraising a form they couldn't quite discern for themselves.
Eventually, Mother grumbled, "So that's what they did. Clever."
Another once over that had them wanting to flee.
"Annoying. Impudent."
A cluck of the tongue.
"No matter. You are with Mother now. Where you belong."
The figure drifted away, only pausing when they asked, "What do we do now?"
"Whatever you want, My Child. Simply mind yourself and stay out of trouble."
Mother was gone before they could press for more answers.
And they had so many things they still wondered. Like who they were.
Where they were.
Why they couldn't remember anything, but calling this entity 'Mother' just didn't sit well.
Time seemed meaningless where they were.
Despite the fact, it seemed to drag. Moving at a sluggish pace as they attempted to observe their 'home'.
Moving was… strange. They wanted to walk. With no physical form, however, it was more of a want to move that propelled them about. Closer to colorful entities that scattered upon their approach.
Honestly, so rude.
Only one really appeared reluctant to evade them. A figure the color of moss that lingered where others would not.
So, they did the only thing feasible.
They trailed along after them. Watching from a distance. Listening to the whispers.
Why was the experience so familiar?
They obviously couldn't say, but they didn't care to feel so ostracized.
Too bad they lost the moss-colored entity after an undetermined amount of time that was certainly too short to have even mattered…
Perhaps there did exist a way to tell time.
The Void chilled and shadows darkened as the entities (or at least a majority) faded. Some shrinking and becoming static.
Sleeping.
Some that were further afield awoke and joined the throng.
Briefly, they considered pestering those who'd gone inert.
No.
As much as they wanted to know, it was best to let them rest.
Another cycle of warmth.
Strange that they didn't feel any warmer.
Not as the beings continued to avoid them.
Something they were beginning to believe was the work of Mother.
It hurt.
There was nothing to do.
Nothing to distract themselves.
They wanted to speak.
Yell.
Cry for someone to explain to them what they'd done wrong.
But their voice was little more than a rasping squeak that barely qualified as a noise.
With a little snuffle, they crept along the outskirts. Despondent and lost.
Two more cycles came to pass, and they were able to see a pattern.
Mother would sweep in mid-warmth cycle. Some children flocking to the radiant figure. Some scattering.
But there was one thing that did not change.
The deafening, almost reverent silence that descended upon the Void in Mother's presence. Onlookers eerily quiet as things they could not see were tended.
It was their only moment to interact with the presence.
Too bad they weren't given the time of day.
Instead, as this cycle came to pass, they feigned nonchalance. Still very bothered by the lack of engagement but coming to terms with the fact that they needed another plan.
Resigned to the fact that Mother did not care for their qualms.
Slowly, they sank to what served as the ground. Watching. Waiting until long after Mother swept out of view and the start of the cool cycle. Eyes peeled for their target.
They were approached first. The mossy entity surprising them by coming up from behind.
"Oh! We were looking for you!"
Nervously, the entity drew in upon itself. Flitting about as if ready to flee. But resolute in its decision, it pulled close. Around them, the chatter quieted substantially as the entities turned their attention upon them. And under all the attention, they found words failing them.
Where would they start?
Ask who they were?
Where they were?
Who Mother was?
Why they were ostracized everywhere they went?
They hurt.
They wished they could see more than blobs of color. Just to see what the Moss entity was thinking as warmth ran over their… cheeks?
It felt so nice. Gentle sweeps of reassuring energy passing over them that stilled their swirling thoughts with little effort.
"What happened to you?"
Their brain felt like it misfired at the question. Heart… Soul?
They hurt.
Something hurt.
The voice was so very familiar. But nothing came to them.
No past.
No life.
A simple existence with nothing to prove otherwise.
"What happened to us?" they repeated. "We… what do you mean?"
"You shouldn't be here."
But they were, so… It was an irrelevant statement that got them nowhere.
"You don't remember who you are, do you?"
Should they?
"Of course not. It's no wonder your stare is so vacant. Can't fight back if you're constantly in the dark."
They said nothing. Confused and only mildly offended as more sweeps of warmth surrounded them.
"My strong-willed Rhea and compassionate Krista."
And just like that, pain robbed them of their thoughts. A chill descending upon the area as the earth trembled. Energy fleeing them.
They were Krista and Rhea.
They were pissed.
They could see.
And while they hadn't seen the person before them in an undetermined amount of time, and could only recall two memories, it did not stop them from breathing out a pained, "GanGan."
The woman was still a mossy-green hue, but her now-visible lips curled into a smile they had missed more than words could express. Something that was quickly sullied by a very sobering thought.
They had died.
They had died and been shoved into the realm of Mother.
The Void they'd been thrust into was not simply a featureless Hell scape like they'd originally thought. It pulsed with life and colors unknown, faces they did not recognize bobbing and weaving in concern as they looked about. Those they'd previously thought sank and dimmed with sleep they could now see simply resting on a bed of grass-like energy.
It was quiet. Peaceful.
Yet…
They could not bring themselves to feel comfortable.
Not when they knew that Mother held no love for them.
Not as the Void heaved and rumbled, those previously sleeping lurching out of their beds in alarm.
It was terrifying. Knowing that Mother was coming.
That she was so much stronger than they.
They needed answers before she could reach them.
"GanGan, why are you here? Grandpa said you weren't dead."
"Because she did not die."
Their hair bristled. Standing on end in fear and agitation. Thinking it wouldn't be so hard to wrap their fingers around the neck of the source of their ire. But they did not look upon her.
"Her tree was lost."
"I was look–!"
"Silence!" Their Grandmother shrank, lips drawn tight and eyes pinched, as Mother continued. "You know very well that there were no other choices."
Now, indignation. Something that spoke volumes to them. That said the statement was a gross exaggeration.
"Besides, none of this would have happened if you would have left those damnable moggies be! Now look!"
Wind that did not exist rushed past them, and they turned just enough to see a slim hand gesturing towards them. Glittering in hues of gold and green. Dusting them in its fleeting brilliance.
"This should not exist!"
… This?
"Your son I would have been willing to accept! Instead, he deemed it reasonable to sever his link with Me to tether this… abomination!"
"Who the fu-!"
"I was foolish to think anything of use could come of your union. I should have taken him with his twin when I had the chance."
Things seemed to slow to a crawl. Their Grandmother's face twisting. Appalled by such a revelation. And as she lamented the loss of a child she never knew, the girls found themselves absolutely despising the entity. Coming to terms with the fact that Mother was practically irredeemable.
There was a moment of respite, wherein Mother collected Their self and fixed a piercing glare upon Krista and Rhea. Sneering. "And if you are to stay, we will need to… remedy your pest problem."
… Pest problem?
They did not understand, but they remained affronted and knew it was not unjustified if the shocked murmuring rising around them was any indication. And when Mother reached towards them, their Grandmother was pulling them back. Protectively shielding them despite the knowledge that she was so much weaker than Mother.
"You can't!"
Again, the air chilled. An oppressive weight smothering any objections.
"Come again?"
It wasn't up for discussion.
Yet, GanGan swallowed the knot in her throat and bit out, "You can't! Taking their Feline would break them!"
In the face of such infallible logic, Mother responded, "What better way to tame her unruly nature? However, that is only one pest. Pests and parasites are the same, no?"
"You wouldn't dare!"
Mother lifted one hand, a slow gesture that had the entire Void quieting. Previous uproar dying.
"Sleep."
At the simple command, the grass-like energy leapt up GanGan's legs. Wrenching her away from the girls and pulling her down into a cocoon that writhed for only a moment before stilling.
"Any more objections?"
None.
Mother had all Their Children cowed, under Their thumb, and knew it. Wore the accomplishment like a badge of honor. And with a satisfied hum, Mother beckoned them over.
They'd not noticed the energy curling about their own legs until then as they were drug forward.
Apart.
Pain bodily seizing them and stalling their thoughts as something strained. Pulling taut.
Threatening to snap under the building tension.
They felt they were in threat of dying again.
That they were losing themselves.
And suddenly, there was roaring. People crying that Mother was destroying them.
"So be it."
And taloned fingers were digging in.
Ripping and clawing.
Krista opened her eyes. Staring in detached horror as Mother drifted back with Rhea in tow. Binding her writhing and screeching form in more energy. But her eyes were drawn to the golden thread stretched between them as it quivered and thrummed. A painful cadence that filled their minds with static.
Her fingers, having reached out without her input, wrapped around the fading connection.
"You will have your freedom. Simply let it go."
Freedom?
Funny.
She didn't feel very free. If anything, she felt threatened and coerced.
Backed into a corner there was no escape from.
But… Krista wanted Rhea to be free. To have the body denied to her.
"If you separate us, will she still be here?"
"No, think of this as a retroactive abortion."
Abortion?
"Nix the child I never wanted."
Nix the child?
No.
No no no no no!
What would happen to her?!
Couldn't she stay while Krista left?!
Couldn't Mother keep them both?!
"She cannot stay, so quit your blubbering and be rid of her!"
Tears and pain made no logical sense in the realm of the incorporeal. Yet, as her fingers twitched to tighter hold the implausible thread vibrating in her hold, her eyes blurred. Overflowing as pain stole her equally illogical breath.
"Release her!"
The Void shuddered with the force of Mother's command. Colors dimming and quivering. Briefly, she wondered if it was worth the fight. Knowing Mother would not be budging in Their stance. Knowing Mother didn't really care if either of them 'died'.
But while Krista didn't care if she died, Rhea did not deserve that fate.
"N-no," she gasped. Gut-wrenching sobs not shaking her desperate hold. "I wo-won't! She's the only person I-I have left!"
More pain as the thread frayed.
Stretching.
Thinning.
"Don't be silly. You have your… Grandmother."
It wasn't the same!
"If it is that much of an issue, I can clean the slate. You will never know any different!"
They would. It was something they knew for certain. Years of having a 'clean slate' taught them as much. And having lost each other once, they weren't keen on doing so a second time… permanently.
But… when had what they wanted ever mattered?
It didn't, of course.
Not before they died.
Certainly not now in the presence of a Mother that did not want them.
And with a stricken stare, Krista watched (despite her best efforts) as the thread unraveled.
Dark.
So very dark.
Where was she?
Where was her…
What?
She was missing… something.
Well, if she couldn't remember, it wasn't likely all that important.
Light illuminated her world.
So many faces.
Some smiled.
One cried, her heart tugging painfully.
And, beautiful in all Their glory, Mother stood. Looking equal parts baffled and irate. Disgusted?
"Hello, Mother."
Mother hummed dismissively before breathing out, "Seems I underestimated someone."
She wanted to ask. Head tipping. Eyes narrowing. Ire crawling up her throat, ready to fuel a snarky remark, if not some colorful curses. Unable to pinpoint why she was so bothered, but more than ready to express her distaste.
*"Vainglorious whelp."*
But that single statement, hissed through glimmering teeth, probably summed up why.
No chance to speak.
No standing in this damned Void.
Separated from her sister.
…
Oh…
Her body was moving before the realization fully settled. Teeth bared as she charged the garish entity.
"You fuckin' bitch!"
Darkness.
Faces flitted about the edge of her vision.
No one smiled.
And, beautiful in all Their glory, Mother stood. Face twisted into a scowl.
"Hello, Mother."
For a moment, her mind felt scrambled. So certain she'd said this before.
Impossible… right?
This was her first time coming home… right?!
Her lips parted.
Faces…
No.
There were no smiles or frowns to greet her.
Not this time.
This time?
Something was off.
But… she knew.
Smile.
Smile despite the wrongness of the situation.
Happily greet the Mother who stared upon her with no small amount of revulsion.
There was a script planted in her mind. Something she had to say.
She had to make it through her lines.
Happily.
Happily spew nonsense to appease the entity before her.
Happily express her joy at being able to serve.
And finally, after grinding her way through each proclamation, she was given a self-satisfied smile and left to her own devices amongst the cowed crowd.
With her newfound freedom, she did not move from her spot. She collapsed upon the ground, legs tucked beneath her, and closed her eyes. Searching for… something.
It didn't exist.
But it did.
It had to.
She could… feel it.
It was tattered and unraveled.
Grey.
Painful.
She was… incomplete.
Hands patted at her back and shoulders, but she couldn't feel as much.
Couldn't feel or see more than the thread that wavered before her.
Rhea.
Yes, that was her…
So… who was… at the other end?
Or… supposed to be?
…
She couldn't remember.
Warmth.
She didn't feel warm.
She felt… weak.
Something told her she should be happy to be alone, but she only felt dread and lead settle in her belly. Stirring up acid that didn't exist.
She felt… sick.
Her fingers twitched into the earthy energy, swirling it and marking it as memories slowly filtered in.
She'd not react.
Would not speak.
Afraid to draw Mother's attention.
And quietly, she dredged up visions of a beautiful garden.
'Our Garden.'
But it wasn't beautiful.
It was in ruins. Unhealthy and sunken. Tree fractured.
Slowly, she crept close to the tree. Drawn inexplicably to the split in the wood.
Down, deep in the meat of the wood where the hollow ended, rested one little flame next to a small scorch mark. And carefully, her fingers trailed over the marks. Not daring to brush against the ball of light.
Big enough for two.
A shimmering dust stirring at the disturbance.
Was there a way to find the missing piece?
She wasn't sure, but she did know that she refused to accept the Garden's state. Fingers digging into the glittering residue.
Her eyes roved the few remaining plants.
'Our child.'
Tricolor pansies limply swayed in a breeze that did not exist. Yet, in the otherwise barren Garden, they remained the only smattering of color.
Mother.
So beautiful.
So… shallow.
Mother had the ability to take.
Why not give?
Greedy.
Dust solidified in her grip.
Krista.
'Sis, you shoulda just let me go.'
She'd been nothing but a burden upon her sister, and she couldn't understand why Krista deemed her worthy of a continued existence. Not with all she'd put her through.
She didn't deserve it.
'Fuckin' bitch.'
If asked, she wasn't sure who she was cursing.
Herself.
Krista, for her stupid sacrifice.
Mother, for being the biggest shithead.
Her hand jerked in frustration, the action halted by a sudden resistance. Reversed by clingy, flowering vines that stretched from the tree. Curling between her fingers to tug insistently.
She didn't understand.
These were her vines. Unimaginative little burr-blasters sprouting and turning to the sky. Tugging almost desperately.
What was she trying to tell herself?
That she couldn't hide within the Garden forever?
Despite lacking faces, the blooms almost appeared disbelieving. Incredulous.
Alright… that she needed to confront Mother?
A yes, but not quite what they wanted.
But what else was there?! Somehow drag her sister back from the Great Beyond?!
…
Oh.
Wouldn't that get Mother's panties in a twist!
And for just a moment, she was glad no one was around to hear the demented little laugh filling the empty space.
Mother watched, agitated but outwardly calm. Fingers pulling at energy. Feeding energy back.
Mother enjoyed consistency. Routines.
Krista and Rhea, however?
The two girls were an aberration.
An ugly little bump in Their otherwise predictable day-to-day.
A thorn in Their side.
And as such, Mother was particularly pleased to see the… child falling inert. Not bothering Their Children or digging for answers.
They'd never wanted the one called Rhea. They'd wanted the one called Krista. And yet…
Bark curled and warped as ire flared. A long-suffering sigh escaping Their lips as it was soothed.
Seasons change and all that, but change outside such things? Mother despised it. Their children commiserating with Surface Crawlers, creating mixed runts that corrupted and twisted what They'd intended.
And the one time They lax Their hold upon the reigns, Their children copulate like wild hares! With creatures that tend to spit out multiples, no less!
As if mating with Humans was too much to ask.
Slowly, Mother turned Their critical gaze upon the girl.
The Earth trembled and groaned, and somewhere, lands moved and oceans heaved. Grasses grew burs and trees sprouted thorns.
That little incorrigible parasite!
Rhea grinned triumphantly, eyes closed as she coaxed the ethereal vines wrapped about her arms ever outwards.
Transient winds roared and whipped about her hair. Pulling and tugging.
This, however, did not deter her. She was so close.
"Impudent troglodyte!"
So angry!
That deranged giggle grew louder as the ground thundered. As she wrapped her quarry in soft-leaved tendrils and pulled. Wrenching with all her might and a manic laugh.
The Void heaved and shuddered. Inky darkness pulsing and throbbing. Bulging outwards until, with a noise reminiscent of shattering glass, Krista appeared. Cocooned in the soft flora. Looking as though she merely slept.
At least until she slapped face first into the surface that served as a ground.
It was… sad.
At some point, she was willing to kill to be master of her ship.
Yet, here she was. Willing to kill to keep her sister by her side by any means. Desperate.
So, despite their rocky start, she watched with unbridled joy as her sister rose with a muffled groan, the cord in the Garden flaring with renewed vigor. Feeling almost pliable. Or, perhaps, flexible. But stronger.
How could she not try to get her back when Krista was willing to sacrifice her entire existence for Rhea's happiness?
To leave her floating out in the abyss, cold and alone…
It was inconceivable. Not after everything they'd been through.
"Didn't take you long," Krista breathed.
"It's been two days?"
"Has it?"
The confusion was palpable. And after a few moments of contemplation, she merely shrugged and turned her attention to the ethereal figure fuming a scant few feet away. And she smiled cheekily. Eyes crinkling at the edges.
Like ink in water, color dripped and bloomed. Painting a facsimile of their Garden around them. Carving it out. Edges rippling like water lapping at a sandy shore.
And Mother, Mother simply stood there. Eyeing the border to their Garden as if it were toxic and a blight to Their existence. Sneering as, with a happy little chuff, a large feline wound itself through their legs.
"What's the matter, Mother?" they snickered. "Cat got your tongue?"
In an instant, Mother's face contorted with rage. Ground erupting about Their feet. Pushing at the border of the Garden. "What good do you expect to come of this?!" They hissed. "You died! Your life has come to an end and your body is rotting! There is nowhere to go!"
In lieu of an answer, the two hollered in tandem, "GanGan!"
And for all Their infinite knowledge, Mother could not fathom why they would call for their Grandmother. Why, when They could not would not lift a finger against them and they were in no danger.
The woman in question came scampering into view, a relieved sob escaping her mossy lips as she caught sight of the girls. Yet, Mother would not allow her to cross into the foreign Garden. Could not.
Mother knew the moment she crossed that threshold, Their hold would be gone. That any sway over Their child would wane into nonexistence.
Unacceptable.
Unfair!
"You will not cross!"
Yet, before Mother could attempt to halt them, the foreign Garden lashed out. Batting away Their grasp. And Mother could only watch, awestruck and incensed, as Their child escaped. Deaf to the conversation they held on returning to the surface. Only able to hear the whine of encroaching panic.
"How can you accomplish something not even the Creator Almighty can?!" They spat. "This is My realm! You should have no hold!" And to Mother's ever-increasing ire, the two girls simultaneously shrugged.
Mother would not receive an answer this day.
Perhaps not even within the next millennia.
They did not possess the answers Mother sought, and they were certain they never would. For the moment, they were okay with not having answers to their problems.
Instead, they turned their backs to the prowling and fuming deity. Softly asking their grandmother, "So, you're sure you can go back?"
"Yes, I believe so." A cautious smile graced her face before dropping into a contemplative frown as she noted their mixed emotions; happy for her, forlorn. "But what will you do? Aren't you intending to return?"
Another shrug. Dismissive as they quietly watched an untold number of Mother's children flee to the safety of their Garden, only to disappear as they returned to the physical plane.
"We died. The end."
"No?"
An awkward silence descended upon them as they stared at one another.
Eyed the Garden around them.
Were they being dense? They didn't think they were.
"Yes?" They gestured vaguely at their surroundings, and eventually at themselves. "Stabbed in the heart. Pretty sure that means we're done."
Now, GanGan's face crumpled, and they were certain she understood.
No.
Instead, she murmured, "You never learned? Most times, so long as your tree remains or your drive is strong enough, you can always return." When she cast a particularly heated glare at Mother, they could infer that her statement only held true if outside forces did not intervene.
"Just try," she finished as she gathered their hands in hers, patting.
"How?"
"It's not something that can be explained. You just… feel it."
Their faces must have expressed the exasperation they felt at her reply, because she laughed and drew them into a warm hug. And despite their lack of memories, it felt safe. Familiar.
A place they would have been content to stay indefinitely had they not desperately desired to return to the stoic man in black.
"GanGan?"
"Yes, dears?"
"Tell Grandpa we'll see him soon."
"See you soon, dears. And thank you."
After pressing a fleeting kiss to their cheeks, she was gone. Leaving them to their own devices in their Garden.
Awfully confident in their… 'abilities'.
They were glad somebody was.
Carefully, they sat against the trunk of their tree. Taking a moment to simply breathe.
Not that they needed to in Mother's realm.
But if one could ignore Mother's atrocious attitude, it was nice.
Peaceful.
Dotted with brilliant colors they had no names for.
But it was not a place they wanted to stay.
They wanted to see their family.
Feel the sun and dance in the rain.
Curl up with their favorite people.
Their fingers in coat and fur.
…
A slow, heavy thudding.
Eyes burning.
Face and limbs tingling.
Pressure.
Gone was the Void and Garden.
There was only darkness.
All encompassing.
Oppressing.
Lungs convulsing.
Breathing nothing.
Heart flubbing.
Providing life to nothing.
Their flesh itched.
Compressed.
Entombed.
No room to move.
Deep, suffocating darkness.
Trapped.
Rhea suddenly found herself ejected into the Garden. Out of breath and panicked as she stumbled about.
The removal did not completely negate the feeling of suffocation. A deep-rooted fear and pain that she could not escape. And around her, the Garden rumbled and heaved. Darkening as the tree curled in towards Krista's startlingly-still form.
She wanted to comfort her.
Support her.
Yet, when she attempted to breach the wavering Veil, Krista was stuttering out a firm 'no'.
And she watched, helpless, as the Garden stabilized and Krista fought an understandably natural reaction. Taking stock of all they could do.
But what could Rhea do from inside?
She needed to do what she did best.
Observe.
"Sis, let me in."
"N-no… is ba-bad. Bad bad," she protested. "Y-yu-you… don' deserve…"
Static encroached on her vision.
"What the fuck makes you think you do?!"
Silence, and the Tree ruptured.
"We're in this shit together, remember! So quit trying to play hero!"
From the split bark came a wave of heat. Screams filling the sudden silence. Disconcerted and rampant ramblings.
Nothing she could make sense of at the moment.
"I'm s-sorry…"
And just as quickly as she was ejected, she was sucked back into the hot seat. Full control at her fingertips as Krista retreated. And as she fought to control instinct and provide some insight, Rhea realized that their body felt… queer.
Consumed by static.
Dissolving into the very ground.
'We're melting!'
'We're not melting!' she bit out. 'We've just gone numb.'
Why did she have trouble believing herself?
'We have no feet, Rhea!'
'They're… numb. Maybe crushed… from the dirt.'
'No! I really think they are gone!'
'No! Shut up! Let me fuckin' think!'
A sudden silence fell over them.
An eerie calm.
Resignation.
Terrified acceptance and defeat.
'Rhea…'
Their fingers wriggled. Managing to move just the slightest bit of dirt around the jar nestled in their arms.
'Yeah, Sis.'
'If… when we die… again… Will we wake up? Or end back up in Mother's realm?'
'I don't know.'
She honestly did not. Could not theorize as she struggled to find some pocket of loose soil. Fought to ignore their waning strength and convulsing heart. Panic wrapping them both in a cold embrace.
Smothering her determination.
'We're just gonna die over and over, aren't we.'
What could she say to such a thing?
Against her will, she dropped through the Veil. And while her chest felt tight, she was not consumed by the feeling. Taking the opportunity to wrap Krista's small form in a tight hug as she watched their Garden, a once flourishing reprieve, descend into squalor.
Crumbling until only a small bit of land around the Tree remained.
"Rhea!"
Her heart lurched at the broken wail. But she couldn't leave.
Not this time.
"It's okay. I'm here."
Neither could remember what happened in death. Falling asleep and awaking in the Void.
Rhea wished they could sleep through this death.
Wished and prayed for a miracle, as she didn't see them leaving their grave any time soon. Squeezing her sister's slumping form closer as they were swallowed by darkness.
"I'm… tired…"
"I know, Sis. Go to sleep."
The land beneath them crumbled. And for just a moment, she swore she heard the harsh clang of metal shifting and colliding.
"I'm with you."
And they were no more.