| NOWHERE |
Awake, but still sleeping, lost in the seams between dream and reality. Here it was silent, unpolluted by the daily demanding nature of existence, each and every particle ceasing to be, and all that was left stood absolutely still. Shallow waters pooled beneath Draulvesi's feet, and a wall of darkness surrounded her on every side. Here there was no heat nor cold, no wind nor rain. She remained calm, standing idle and expressionless, facing the incomprehensible void.
"You've caused much pain, Darulvesi."
Neutral still, but struck by the accusation. She did not waver.
"You cannot be forgiven, just as you cannot forgive them. You have become the very thing you wished to destroy - the very stain upon your soul bears an uncanny resemblance to the monsters that haunt your every waking moment. You tear yourself away from the notion, trying to protect what little dignity and light you clutch so tightly. You're smothering it."
This was judgement, what these words spoke. Every sin committed until now projected within her own mind, taken aside by the Force and made to be a bystander to witness the very guilt she felt.
Her nerves were screaming, fists balling tight until she felt her nails dig into her palms. Crimson began dripping into the water, and as the very first drop landed, every scream and death brought about by her hand flooded her ears. Bloodied fingers grabbed her head, she collapsed and began to sob, unable to silence the cacophony of voices.
"You must accept this. You can run your entire life, but it will always follow you. Their lives may be twisted and irredeemable, yet you still have a choice. Time is running out."
"You... why-"
"Do I sound like her? Because I am her."
"..."
"I know how much it hurts. There's nothing you can do to fix it, I know how much you want to, but some things must be accepted as they are."
"No... no... I can't just give up. Why are you saying this? They deserve EVERY wound they receive, every crushed bone. Every loss."
"I am not telling you to give up fighting. I am proud of you for being strong, I always knew you were. But this senseless rampage cannot continue."
"They took it all..."
"Do not let them take you."
"I'm sorr-"
"No. You're not. And I forgive you for it. I need you to be stronger than this, do you understand? You've lost your chance with our family, you've not lost your chance with the Jedi. Look to them, protect them while you still can."
Draulvesi stood, the water fading from her skin as if it were never there.
"I understand."
"I love you. Forever and always."
Cold sweat and gasping for air, awake and shaken to the core. This experience was entirely new, an intense singular moment that lingered even in the conscious realm. Her hands ached, trembling with dirtied nails containing bits of skin and dried blood.
She still clung to every word.
