I couldn't distinguish what was drawing my attention more — the unbearable pain that coursed through my veins or the stunned and fearful expressions of the men approaching me as I made my slow descent to the ground.
Instead of time returning to its normal speed, it seemed to slow down even further. Yet my thought process accelerated and I began to ponder what was going to happen. Was I going to die? What were those beings of light? Why is this happening to me? If I die, will I truly be forgotten?
Before I hit the wet pavement, I opened my eyes to stare at the six men. But something changed.
My fear didn't linger on the feeling of impending doom as the power I once feared thrummed through my veins, but focused instead on the fear of leaving these men — the ones I loved, again.
But I didn't know them. I'd never seen them until this very night. Why all of sudden did it feel like I'd known and loved them for years and that I was losing them...again.
As my consciousness wavered, flickers of emotions and memories flashed through my mind, before leaving just as quickly. Dark spots then filled my vision.
I finally hit the ground; my body bounced from the heavy impact and the energy my body struggled to contain. It felt like trying to close a container with too much fluid — the excess trying to forcefully escape.
My head hit the ground first, falling back till all I could see was an upside down image of the way I'd come from.
The one time I hadn't listened to James, it led to my death. A tear rolled down my cheek and I struggled to breathe through my nostrils — blood already began to pool within them and trail down my esophagus.
I should have waited for him. Or gone home. Why did I let my curiosity pull me in? I promised I would stay safe. But here I am, on the verge of death.
I wanted to gag or turn my head to the side to let the metallic tasting liquid have a way to escape, but I was nothing but a broken rag doll, immobile on the cold wet ground.
The last thing I saw was my best friend — those ruby red eyes that I'd loved and the soft, light pink lips I had kissed every time he craved my touch.
I thought if I died, I would at least have a sense of fulfillment for living a decent life. But as my eyes began to close, my best friend ran forward and I regretted not telling him how I truly felt. I wished I had told him how much I yearned for us to be a couple and not just a fling based on emotions and alcohol.
I loved him…yet, I also somehow loved the six men who were nothing but a group of strangers to me. Somehow, I knew they had loved and cherished me till my very last breaths.
Their love was different from James’. It felt real and it wasn't as one-sided as my relationship with James. The fear that filled their eyes a few moments ago, for a complete stranger like me, told me as much. But as I stared at James, I wasn't sure.
Did he really love me? Or would I always come second when his family was involved?
As my consciousness finally began to fade, my body began to fail one organ at a time. In that moment, I knew I had died before. I had lived, enjoyed the joys of love and fame, and had died a horrible death — a demise I hadn’t deserved.
As I took my final breath, my lungs unable to spare any more energy to function, I made a silent plea.
If I survived this, I would conquer my fears. I would live wholeheartedly and not be afraid to speak my mind and admit what troubled my heart.
I would enjoy each breath I took and strive toward achieving my dreams.
Most importantly, I would love without boundaries and follow my heart.
The last thing I heard was my name. A part of me remembered the way it rolled off James’ tongue whereas the new part of me didn't recognize the foreign voice.
"CRIMSON!!"
Crimson...or Storm.
Which one am I?
Does it matter?
I think not.
Because without some type of miracle, I will become nothing but a memory.
And that is my biggest regret of all.
"Crimson!"
"Storm!"
"She can't die! She just can't!"
"I love her."
"Sweetheart, keep fighting."
"Her body won't be able to take the power. Give up already."
My consciousness floated in darkness. I couldn't move, just drifted aimlessly in the void, reminding me of an astronaut floating in space.
My hearing was the only thing that functioned and all it was doing was adding to my confusion. There was some sort of a back and forth disagreement and I couldn't follow what all the people were trying to say.
I'd gathered enough information to determine that there were several people who wanted me to fight, to survive whatever I was dealing with and open my eyes.
But, I heard another voice that held such power and even with the multiple voices encouraging me to fight through whatever was going on, his toneless voice felt weightier, discouraging me to continue.
Why? What hope do I have in a world that doesn't love me?
I continued to drift in the darkness, unsure of what to do. While floating in the void, I heard a soft ticking noise.
Tick-Tock-Tick-Tock
Some time passed and I finally had enough strength to open my eyes. The darkness I'd envisioned still surrounded me, but I was now lying on a flat surface.
I slowly sat up, trying to figure out where I was. The ground began to light up; the familiar magic circle with the five pointed star appeared beneath me.
I squeezed my eyes shut, afraid to face whatever was happening around me but a soft warm breeze passed by me, prompting me to take a peek.
It was now night; the stars in all their many colors were scattered across the sky. I lowered my gaze to a dazzling cherry blossom tree. Its branches swayed in the breeze and soft pink petals that glowed in the darkness were swept away by the gentle wind, brushing past me.
I was on a hilltop and could see countless lights across the horizon. I didn't know if they were from buildings or maybe a town or village, but all the colors reminded me of a rainbow or something you'd see in a piece of art.
I carefully rose to my feet, and the many voices that once sounded so close were now faint and seemed to come from far away. My curiosity grew.
A woman stood at the very base of the hill with a wolf sitting beside her as they took in the vast scenery.
I began my approach, feeling light and free now that I could breathe the clean air, feel the on-and-off breeze, and enjoy the smell of the cherry blossoms.
When I was only a few feet away, the wolf looked over its shoulder. Joy radiated in its pink eyes and it sprinted toward me.
"WOOF!"
"Hey, you. We meet again it seems." I giggled, falling to my knees to embrace the white wolf I'd met earlier. It wagged its tail wildly and continued to bark in glee.
"She likes you."
I recognized the voice, lifting my head to see Storm Yuna standing before me. She was stunning in the moonlight, wearing a traditional kimono that was white with sapphire blue petals. Her long silver hair was up in a ponytail tied with a navy blue ribbon that was made of a silk as fine as the kimono.
Her silver eyes glittered with happiness as she gazed down at me and the female wolf.
"Storm? What...why are you here?" I asked, feeling confused. I remembered Storm from our last encounter, but at this moment, I couldn't remember who she really was. I knew she was somehow important and that she'd treated me with kindness and respect even after I revealed who I was, but my mind couldn't put the missing puzzle pieces together.
"I should be asking you that question, Sealed One." She gave me a small smile, then turned and began to walk back toward the cliff’s edge.
I got up and the wolf ran around me before taking a few steps forward, waiting for me to follow her. I walked over to where Storm stood and the wolf squeezed between us, sitting down quietly.
Storm kneeled, sitting back on her heels and placed her hands on her lap. I followed suit, assuming the traditional seating position of our culture.
"Urufu," Storm hummed.
"Huh? Wolf?" I translated, turning my head to look at Storm who smiled at me.