"Since I embraced hell, nothing remains in my heart but a withered flower."
Not every story ends with salvation.
Not every sacrifice earns mercy.
Some prayers are answered—
but at a price the heart cannot survive.
This is not a tale of victory.
Nor is it a tale of justice.
It is the story of a girl
who gave pieces of her life
to mend what the world had already shattered.
In a world where light is rare
and cruelty is ordinary,
love itself becomes a dangerous wish.
And when fate finally grants that wish—
it demands something far more precious in return.
Tonight, a daughter will embrace her mother.
And tonight… destiny will take its due.
This is the end of suffering.
And the beginning of silence.
Chapter Fifteen: The End of Suffering
Iskara walked toward her father's cave, determined to bring her mother back to life.
The light of dawn stretched across the horizon, and the gentle breeze carried with it every memory, every sorrow, every fragment of pain she had endured.
The wind brushed against her pale face, lifting her soft hair as if guiding her forward.
She took out her violin and began to walk while playing.
A sorrowful melody flowed through the trees.
In a trembling whisper, she said,
"O breeze… carry me to the path of safety, to the road of longing… for my heart has been torn apart by missing her."
Tears streamed from her single eye, yet she continued walking along the path she believed would finally draw a smile upon her face.
She reached the cave.
Stepping inside, her eyes fell upon the object that would restore her mother's life.
Suddenly, her father's voice echoed from the darkness:
"If you wish to revive your mother… you must sacrifice five years of your life.
Do you accept this price?"
Without hesitation, she lifted her head and answered,
"Yes. I have nothing left to lose."
Silence filled the cave for a brief moment.
"Very well."
She recited the incantation and cried out with aching resolve:
"Take from my life… and return my mother to me."
The contract was sealed.
The cave flooded with a blinding light.
When the brightness faded… her mother stood before her.
Time froze.
Iskara broke into tears, while her mother looked around in confusion, unable to understand what had happened.
With a broken voice full of longing, Iskara said:
"Mother… it's me. Iskara. Your daughter… of your blood and flesh."
Her mother's eyes filled with tears as she embraced her tightly.
Their first reunion was heartbreaking.
"My little one… what happened to you? How did you become like this?" her mother whispered.
Iskara gave a faint smile.
"It's a long story, Mother… let's leave this place."
They walked out of the cave and made their way to the bridge overlooking the river.
They sat together.
Iskara lifted her violin and began to play.
The melody shattered the heart—
deep, mournful, as if every year of separation was poured into a single song.
Her mother wept upon hearing it.
Iskara suddenly stopped playing and whispered softly:
"Mother… I haven't had enough of your embrace."
She hugged her again.
Her mother replied gently,
"Don't worry, Iskara… I will never leave you again."
But then—
A sudden dizziness overcame her.
Her fingertips grew cold.
The sound of the river faded, as though the world itself was drifting away.
It felt as if something invisible was reclaiming the years she had given.
Her heartbeat quickened… then weakened.
"Iskara?"
She looked at her mother, eyes trembling, and screamed hysterically:
"Yes!"
But her voice was weaker than she intended.
She had achieved her wish…
And fate chose her mother's embrace to be the last thing she would ever feel.
Her body went limp.
Her mother cried out in agony—
but it was too late.
Iskara crossed into the world of Barzakh.
Everything was still. Gray. Silent.
She saw her father there.
His face was heavy with sorrow as he embraced her tightly, as though trying to make up for everything he had failed to give.
"I'm sorry… for being harsh with you," he said.
She looked at him calmly and replied:
"But you cared for me more than Shura…
You never gave him more attention than you gave me."
A heavy silence followed.
Not a silence of ignorance—
but a silence of realization.
Her father lowered his head.
A single tear fell.
And he said nothing.
The End.
Message from the Author (1Shinigami1)
In this wretched world,
wherever there is darkness, there is light… but it is rare.
Wherever there is good, evil exists in greater measure.
Where honor is scarce,
betrayal multiplies without shame.
Kindness is the exception.
Corruption is the rule.
Nothing moves according to our wishes,
for this world… does not reward those who resemble us.
With sincere gratitude,
(1Shinigami1)
We hope you enjoyed Iskara.
Stay tuned for the next work…
(Symbol of Cunning)
It will be released the day after tomorrow.