Episode 4

“This whole time, you thought you were dreaming. You won’t fail to amuse me, really.” Death said from across the room.

“You know what I was up to before I came to this place? I was riding my bike when, out of nowhere, a freaking motorcycle zoomed in and crashed into me. The hit was like a bolt of lightning, shattering my universe in an instant. As I lay there, stunned and bewildered, my body suffering from the accident, my frustration grew and continues to grow. I expected to be taken away to a hospital to receive the urgent treatment I required but when I recovered consciousness, all I had was a pounding headache and a sensation of puzzlement. My injuries, which should have been evident and tangible, had evaporated into thin air as if they had never existed in the first place! It seemed as if the universe was playing a cruel joke on me, tempting me with the promise of healing only to take it away. I am struggling with the unfairness of it all, the atmosphere around me felt weird, a mix of melancholy, longing, bafflement, and shock. The annoyance gnawed at my soul, leaving me longing for answers, for some sense of justice in this strange turn of events. Was I intended to die at that time? I don’t like not knowing anything about things. I don’t like being left in the dark. Why should the reason I'm here be such a big mystery? I want to go home!” I blurted. I’ve been meaning to say it for the whole week, and it just came out.

“That part may be my fault, kid. You see, I am a death witch. By the name itself, I send creatures to their loving death. I kill everything I touch. I usually use gloves to avoid murdering others. I was trying to perform a reviving spell last week when you arrived in the blinding brightness. And you're certainly breathing. You have no idea just how fulfilling it is to me until you say you want to leave. I grabbed you from your life just so I could cast such a dumb spell. I had no idea you had a life where you came from, kid. It makes sense; I didn't create you; you were resurrected. You weren't born last week; you were revived. I know you want to go home, and I realize this must be confusing for you, but... I'm not sure how. By nature, I am a death witch. Because I bring death rather than life, this entire resurrecting process is new to me. I'm sorry for dragging you here, kid. To the best of my ability, I'll assist you in returning home.” Death said then bowed along with Asphalt. I have a shot of going home. That is good enough for me. “Do you want me to kill you here? That may bring you back to where you came from.”

“No! That would be too risky. And if I didn’t get back home? If I remain dead here? You can’t undo death as much as you can undo life.” It’s simple to bring me back to being dead but bringing me back to life is almost impossible. I don’t even know if she brought me back to life or if she just transported me in time before I got hit by the motorcycle. “I'd like to learn more about Sonow Rock, Death. Apart from the fact that it is the home of witches and warlocks. What kind of species reside here? Are they dangerous? Who are the ruling class? The rules and everything. I'm curious about this place. That's all I can do while I'm waiting to get home.”

“Oh, that’s a good idea. Humans are forbidden in this place. You’d be killed satisfyingly. The way they would torture you and kill you slowly would be an entertaining show indeed.” Death nudged Asphalt before he could continue. “But it would be a shame to see the human we brought here executed, so you must learn how the system works.”

“We need to hide your identity. Get rid of all your humanness. Witches have light-colored eyes in the hue depending on their type of sorcery. As you can see, my eyes are ash. It’s because I bring death. The more powerful the magic, the darker the eye color becomes. But no one has that much magic nowadays, so all sorcerers have light-colored eyes. Asphalt’s eyes are orange because he’s a shapeshifter.” Death began.

“Then why is he a puppy all this time?” I asked.

“I am not a puppy! I am stuck in this state because my powers drained two years ago. All shapeshifters hibernate during the cold seasons and during that time, a wave hit us, and boom! We no longer have enough magic to go back to our original form. I am this small because I hibernated in a burrow, I must be small.” Asphalt defended.

“Now, now. We’ll begin with your eye. I have various contacts here that I haven’t used just yet, you can choose a color that you wish to use. Look for one complementing those dark blue eyes of yours.” I picked a green one and my eyes appeared light teal. Death then picked the light blue. “We should add highlights to your hair. Would you allow us to color it light green?”

“I don’t mind. By the way, why did you wear contacts? Aren’t your eyes light already?”

“I just want a different color. Ash can be boring.” She took out the spray paint and painted my hair, transforming it into a vivid canvas. She placed my hair behind my ears with careful precision, showing the subtle elements of her creativity. My ear was sculpted into an extended and pointed shape using light and angular clay, providing a unique touch. My hair ends were caressed with a captivating shade of green, creating a stunning contrast with the remainder of my hair. I couldn't help but feel a flicker of interest, combined with a faint chill that danced within me as her expert hands did their workings. The room's mood changed, with creative energy filling the air as if we were part of an avant-garde masterpiece. The designs, textures, and colors merged to create a one-of-a-kind and captivating experience that left me intrigued and a little disconnected, like a work of art in progress. “Lastly, we need to put a tattoo on your right wrist.”

“Is that permanent? I don’t like tattoos.”

“No, it isn't. They're designed to look like birthmarks, but they only last three months before fading on their own.” Death said then casually took my wrist and started tattooing my skin. The ink flowed like water, crafting into an elaborate droplet design of a budding flora. As the needle danced across my skin, a mixture of intrigue and curiosity stirred within me, balanced by a lingering coolness in the air. The tattoo's texture seemed like a secret language inscribed into my skin, a visual symbol of life and growth entwined. Asphalt provided me with a dark green tiny dress. It effortlessly mixes elegance and a touch of intrigue with its exposed back and laced neckline. I slipped into it, the silky fabric enveloping my skin and the tiny lace providing a touch of texture. A sense of delight and contentment flooded the room as I twirled around. The atmosphere changed, as if the clothing itself had a magnetic allure, bringing all eyes to me. It was a moment of pure delight in which I couldn't help but marvel at the design's brilliance and how it made me appear. “You look pretty, kid. You look like a doll. You’d be a head turner, no doubt but that’s okay, your disguise is foolproof.” I sighed and tried on the glasses that had caught my eye while rummaging through the basket. I put on the glasses with the thin gold rims, which instantly improved my look. The complex designs on the spherical lenses added a sense of refinement and personality. The designs seemed to dance over my eyes, exuding creativity and flare. The frames' texture felt smooth against my temples, and the weight of the glasses was just ideal for a comfortable fit. I couldn't help but be intrigued and pleased, knowing that these glasses were not only fashionable but also a true reflection of my style. “Are you a celebrity back in your place? I swear you look too pretty to be ordinary.”

“I’m just an ordinary human, no kidding,” I said as I laughed at her remark. I like my get-up, it feels comfortable. I like this more than the weird get-ups my mother makes me wear. This feels a lot like my style.

A lot like me.