Elara slowly opened her eyes after that flash of light and wave of overwhelming mana from the Golden Flutterer. She went from extreme brightness to opposing gloom, with darkness stretched endlessly around her.
But unlike her Titled companions, she remembered everything: the gate, the butterflies, the squad.
She wasn't being tortured in her own mind like the others, and definitely didn't feel like a beast had controlled her. If anything, this feeling was familiar, and she had many a time entered a similar space.
'Don't tell me...'
Slow applause echoed through the darkness.
Clap.
Clap.
Clap.
Across from her stood herself.
The figure had her face, height, and build, but its body wasn't flesh. It was formed entirely from slowly shifting crimson liquid, like blood flowing beneath translucent skin. Its glowing red eyes watched her with amusement, a crooked smile spreading across its face.
"Hello again."
Its hoarse voice echoed through the darkness.
