Day ???: Liberation, Not Mercy

From the energy Zick was releasing, something began to take shape.
Until a dragon could be seen, wrapping itself around him.
Then, it entered him.

That energy did not allow Zick to die.
It tore him from the abyss and returned him to life amid tearing screams.

But what it did was not mercy…
it was liberation.

The energy separated him from what caused him pain:
the way he perceived reality.

That was why it burned his eyes.
Not to punish him,
but to prevent him from continuing to see a world that only wounded him.

—Do not suffer, Zick…

The voice was familiar.

—Wake up, Zick.

His body trembled.

—Zai…? Kori…? —he whispered—. Girls… where are you?

—We have always been with you —they replied in unison.

The air itself seemed to vibrate with their words.

—I’ve missed you so much… —Zick said, his voice breaking—.
I couldn’t overcome your loss… that traffic accident—

The memory struck him head-on.

—AHHHHH! —he screamed as he cried.

—Don’t cry, silly —Zai said gently.

—That’s why we’ve always stayed with you —Kori continued—.
Even when you couldn’t perceive us.

—We couldn’t ease your pain —Zai added—. Until now.

—Now that we can speak to you again —said Kori—, we will help you.

Zick clenched his fists.

—Even after death… you keep helping me.

—That’s what true friends do —they replied.

—Or rather… family.

At that moment, the atmosphere changed.

The air grew heavy.
Dense.

Laments could be heard. Distant screams. Broken whispers.

An enormous amount of energy was being released.

—They are suffering… —Kori murmured.

—Did they manage it too? —Zai asked.

Zick opened his eyes…
or whatever now occupied their place.

—I have to help them.

He could see them.
The other awakened.

Not with his eyes,
but with his soul.

Their pain and their energy were chained together.
Each chain binding them to their own suffering.

He tried to stand, but his body did not respond.

Kori and Zai held him.

—We’re with you —they said.

Zick took a step…
and then another.

Staggering, he threw himself toward the window.

Before touching the ground, he began to levitate.

His energy moved on its own.
Or perhaps… he was no longer alone.

Zick rose into the air.

And then, a presence manifested before him.

A familiar figure, known by the weight it imposed.

—At last, I’ve found you —said the witch—.

Messenger.