Re:of life
Chapter 53: Asleep Beneath a Quiet Night Sky

Chapter 53: Asleep Beneath a Quiet Night Sky

A distorted, vast land—what could almost be mistaken for nothingness—stretched far into the distance. Rocky mountains jutted out, and patches of green where plants grew lively dotted the landscape. There was no sign of snow anywhere; instead, warmth mingled with chilly breezes brushing the air.

Not far off, the sound of water echoed, and the smell of the ocean wasn’t too distant. Looking closer, I could see the ocean stretching so far my eyes couldn’t reach its end.

Where...

Where am I?

Did I die again...?

Did I get sent to a new land... a new world, again...?

I never felt the pain of death...

So, did I really die?

No...

Please tell me I didn’t. I can’t live knowing I lost more than I already have... Please tell me I’m still in the same world I was in just moments ago...

But I’ll never find out as long as I stay here.

I wonder, are the others nearby? Am I alone here? And where am I?

It seems like I’m on some ocean coast, or a mountain?

A rocky surface stretches far ahead—right at the edge of this endless void of water as far as I can see.

It’s still day, I think. Seems about right, judging by the time since we entered the labyrinth.

The night is far off, that’s good. I’ve got daylight—at least it feels reasonably safe.

I should still hurry to find my way back... back to what, I don’t know. A town? The others?

Speaking of the others... are they nearby? And... no... Please don’t tell me I died. If I did... that would mean...

If death is what’s been bestowed on me... please, just tell me the others passed their trials.

For me, death doesn’t actually seem to kill me... or rather, I just get sent back to life — if I’m right.

It might seem like a blessing, but I’d call it a curse.

Being able to live after dying sounds nice and all... but having to lose everything and still be alive after that — still conscious — is real pain.

But for the others... if they died, that’s it. I doubt they’d come back.

So please... just don’t die.

Anyway, I need to figure out if I’m still in the same world... What was it called again?

Solithra.

Yeah, that’s it.

If I can just ask someone about it, I’ll know whether I’m still in Solithra or not.

But first, I need to find someone.

Though... where would I even look?

Is there any town or village nearby?

The only way to find out is to start walking, I guess...

With that, I begin strolling around the vast, unfamiliar land.

Walking oddly calmly across the rocky surface, mostly following the edge of the ocean’s coast—almost mindlessly.

Not because of tiredness or hopelessness.

But more like... it already seems as bad as it can get.

Trying to be quick with time doesn’t sound like the most efficient way to do it...

Even though it might be best to search with haste before the night falls.

But the night doesn’t seem too bad.

Taking time through the quiet land is peaceful.

Almost nice.

No—it is nice. Very nice.

Having been through so much worse than this, this doesn’t seem so bad.

Actually, it feels more like a moment of relief—

Of quietness,

Of not having much of a care.

The sudden appearance in a new place even makes the thought of the previous trial feel distant.

Like it wasn’t even there...

Even though it might’ve been the first thing someone in the right mind would question.

Maybe it was all those memories... the reason of failure, or something else?

But thinking about it in this moment... was just not it.

Maybe even it would be best not to.

Or not want to.

Time felt still even though it felt like it moved faster than usual, just wandering, letting the time flow for itself, letting my legs take me wherever they feel like, and letting my messy hair flow with the wind.

Times like these, where thinking about something special isn’t necessary—one’s mind just filling itself with useless, almost silly thoughts.

It reminds me, my hair—it feels heavier. It’s grown. Not much, but quite a difference from back when I first arrived in Luminara, two months ago. Has it really been that long? To be honest, I can’t recall the exact time this all began. However, two months seems about right.

Maybe I’ll cut it sometime soon. Althea knows for sure how to cut hair—I even think she cut Sela’s hair once.

She just gotta be in the right mood, and I for sure got a chance to ask her.

How long it will take to find her though... who knows.

Well, right now that question isn’t really necessary. First, I need to find out if I’m even in the same world.

If I am, that’s great. The others are most definitely alive, and they’re all strong... I know for sure they’ll survive if they also get sent to some unknown place.

Breaking my thoughts are small footsteps tapping rapidly against the rocky ground behind me.

"What is that?" I look behind, curious. But there’s nothing.

Well... maybe some animal running around. Didn’t sound threatening though, so it should be fine.

Right?

Without much more thought, I keep wandering around the land, not too bothered or careful about much. The sound behind me keeps following, but such small rapid feet tapping couldn’t be a threat, surely.

And every time I look back to see what it is, it’s quick to hide.

***

A few hours later, after just enjoying myself in my own thoughts and empty mind, the sun starts settling down—soft orange light glowing far off behind the ocean’s reach. Clouds are painted with beautiful colors mixed with the sun’s last light.

My eyes can’t stay focused on the path I’m walking; they’re more drawn to the dimming sun, losing most of the awareness I had left.

Staring in awe as I walk along a path I don’t even know where it leads, but right now, that’s not a problem I’m willing to care about. Even the night seems non-dangerous and calm, so waiting for it doesn’t seem bad at all. Actually, I’m kinda excited to feel the peace of the night.

I settle down on the edge of the rocky floor, my feet tingling above the ocean’s waves softly slamming against the stones far below.

Tilting backward, I let the cold wind flow in from the coast, sending small shivers down my spine—

but it felt good.

Like I was more alive.

A reminder that I’m still not truly dead.

That I’m still alive.

And for that... I’m grateful.

My hands press against the cobblestone behind me as I lean back, gazing up in awe at the sky—painted in every color before it disappears into darkness.

"I should keep looking ahead... Follow the days, Live the days, And care for the days I’ve been blessed with in this new life of mine. No matter the pain that comes my way, I should always keep looking forward— Never let the darkness take it all away. Never let it take my life away. No matter how hard it gets, I’ll always face the next day... And never let the night overshadow it. Not the night... not the kind of night that lingers."

After that, quiet echoed into the arriving night.

I lay flat on the ground, staring into the far sky beyond.

It wasn’t a clear sky.

Rather... a lively one.

The sun disappears completely beyond the horizon, and the sky begins to paint itself with stars.

Night doesn’t have to be full of darkness—

It only feels that way when you forget the days...

When you lose hope.

A night can shine just as bright as the day—If you remember the day is still awaited on the other end.

Then, those small tapping footsteps echoed again.

But even then, the view ahead... the calm, the peace—

It didn’t let me turn to look.

Though this time,

I didn’t need to.

What first looked like a furball waddled up beside me on the edge of the coast.

It didn’t say a word.

Just... laid down right next to my arm, its soft fur brushing against me—

warm. Cozy. Kinda heavy.

I didn’t really mind.

I just shifted my arm a little to get more comfortable,

and let the part-cat, part-baby-bear creature stay where it was.

It made no sound...

Well, probably because it had already fallen asleep—

curled up tight, like a weird mossy donut.

...Kinda heartwarming, actually.

Pretty nice.

So this little furball’s the one who’s been following me this whole time, huh.

We laid there for a while,

listening to the waves crashing below,

the soft whistling of the wind,

and the occasional splash of fish flipping in the water.

Me and the furball—

Both taking slow, steady breaths.

Not talking. Not moving. Just being.

As time passed,

my eyelids grew heavy,

and my thoughts faded,

until all I could do was feel the nature around me.

And then, slowly...

I fell asleep.

Asleep beside this thing—

Whatever it is.