The Dance That Could Have Been

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Everything around me is all white. I can only see a glimmering light that continues to shrink and diminish away from me. All I can recall as the twinkle disappears is the person who has just been taken away from me: the girl who has been with me since we were little: Akane…

No matter how long I've known her, no matter how much we've been through, I could do nothing to help her in the end, to save her from her untimely demise…

What is the point of it all then, if I'm just going to lose her anyway and feel such torment, such misery, such despair? Why even bother going through all this effort, knowing such tragedy will be the end result?

As I continue to struggle with the pain of losing Akane, another shimmering light grabs my attention from behind. Turning around to stare at this new sight, I am blinded by its brightness, and everything around me turns to darkness once again…

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The stars are sparkling in the beautiful night sky, without a single cloud blocking the unbelievable view. The only sounds invading the atmosphere, besides the carriage, are the crickets hiding amongst the trees.

Cathy and I are sitting next to each other in a magnificent carriage meant for just two people. As we admire our surroundings, she clings to my arm, leaning her head onto my shoulder.

When I look at Cathy, I am utterly speechless at the sight before me. Her gorgeous, dark-purple gown, flowing all the way below her feet and accentuating her figure perfectly. Her shimmering black hair, so luscious and silky smooth. Her adorable face, with a smile that will always melt my heart.

It still amazes me that Cathy and I are now together, after years of just ordinary friendship. My happiness was boundless when Cathy agreed to my courtship, and we are now deep in the opening stages of our intimate relationship.

"Haru," Cathy says, facing up to me. "This night is so divine, so perfect. And with you here, nothing could ever ruin this moment."

"I feel the same way, Cathy. I can't imagine spending this evening with any other girl besides you. I know for sure, you're the only one meant for me."

"Oh, Haru! Hearing you say that, no matter how many times, makes my love for you never end!"

Completely enthralled by Cathy's words, I grin at Cathy and let the moment last with my silence. My thoughts go back to how we are at this point in the carriage.

Because of my dungeon guide job, I familiarized myself with a well-known merchant, who took a similar shining to me. He invited me, along with a guest of my choosing, to a royal ball in Waturia, so I spared no reservations in accepting the invitation.

Cathy was more than willing to come along with me. Thus, we are now riding on our way to this prestigious event.

Although I hope the time with Cathy in the carriage could last forever, we eventually arrive at the grand hall. The host opens the door, and I step out first to offer my own hand for her.

As Cathy exits the carriage, a swarm of people is enthralled, and all eyes are fixed on her. And I don't blame them: I am with the most beautiful girl in the world, and I feel so proud of it.

I offer my arm to Cathy, and she immediately latches onto me. We walk down the aisle, and another host opens up the door to the hall. We enter the building, exuding as much poise and graciousness as a couple in the royal family.

The grand hall itself is majestic beyond words. The splendor of the items decorating the interior, the ambiance of the bright lighting, everything enhanced the grandeur tonight's event called for.

As much as I am marveled by it all, Cathy still has most of her attention on me. Her affection continues to boost my assurance that I can handle anything thrown at me during this event.

After we walk down a few hallways, we eventually enter the main chamber of the building, truly fit for royalty. Numerous tables filled with food and drinks wrap around the walls of the room, and a giant dancing floor is contained in the middle.

Various guests are already mingling, but many turn their heads towards Cathy and me. And like outside, Cathy's beauty could not be ignored.

With Cathy still attached to my arm, I lead her into the room, and we make our way from table to table. Neither she nor I know many of the attendees, but Cathy has a unique charm to befriend anyone she meets. So, I allow Cathy to introduce us to the other guests.

Cathy has such a way with words, and it is simple enough for the two of us to be the center of attention. Although the conversations are not profound, Cathy and I are still able to get to know so many people we have never seen before. And I could tell we both really enjoy relaxing in this environment.

As Cathy and I make our way across the tables, both of us eat all the delicacies we could handle, accompanied by the sparkling white wine that acted as the drink of choice.

After going around all the tables, Cathy and I find a secluded corner in the room. We each hold a glass of wine and clink our glasses together. "To our love, may it last for eternity!" Cathy toasts.

"To our love," I respond. "And to a bright future for the two of us as well."

After we take a sip of our drinks, Cathy brings her face up to me. We are about to share a kiss when some music starts playing in the chamber, and some of the guests begin walking to the dance floor.

It seems clear to me what Cathy's next intentions are, as she grins mischievously at me and drags me across the room. She leads me directly to the center of the dance floor, puts her arms around me, and motions me to start dancing.

Knowing I couldn't refuse, I accept Cathy's invitation without reservation and wrap my own arms around her. Our dancing begins, and I could feel a spotlight on the two of us as if we were the actual royal couple, and this ball was meant for just the two of us.

Although I could tell that all eyes are on us, I drown out all of the distractions and just focus on Cathy, ensuring my dance with her goes off flawlessly. Seeing her eyes solely focused on me, everything feels so perfect.

"Haru," Cathy says as the end of the song nears. "I wish this exact moment would never end. Promise me we'll get to experience this over and over again."

"I promise you, Cathy, I'll make sure to make you as happy as you want to be."

"Oh, Haru!"

The song finally comes to an end, and as Cathy and I stop moving, she leans in and gives me a profoundly affectionate kiss.

To me, the embrace seems to last an eternity, but no part of my mind wants this to ever end.

After some time passes, Cathy moves her head back, and with her eyes staring longingly into mine, says, "Haru, I love you, and I'll never leave your side…"

And suddenly before I could respond, the world around me flickers, and everything then turns pitch black. The sounds of the main chamber disappear, and I can only sense darkness and silence as if all life ceased to exist.

After I regain a bit of composure, I try to call out for Cathy. "Cathy! CATHY!!! Where are you?! Please, call out to me, Cathy!!!"

No one, not even Cathy herself, responds to my pleas. Worry and anxiety start to set in, as the direness of the situation becomes more apparent.

I scream out for Cathy over and over, as my hopes to find her continue to fade. All of a sudden, I hear Cathy's voice in the distance.

"Haru! HARU!!! Please help me! Save me, Haru!!!"

As Cathy's pleas for help continue to mound, a tall ring of immense fire erupts and surrounds me, closing off any escape route.

I approach the fire, but just a slight touch almost scorches off my entire hand. The heat is so overwhelming that I am forced to retreat back to the center.

I try to cry out for Cathy again, and the blackness all around me begins to dissipate. When my vision is entirely clear, I locate Cathy, but I wish I could wash away all remnants of the scene I now bore witness to…

Cathy is bound to a stake, her arms and legs tied together with no escape possible. Firewood surrounds her feet and stretches out to a fair distance away from her. A masked, robed man stands next to her, and a massive crowd is watching the spectacle, in anticipation of the impending carnage.

It is obvious how scared Cathy is, and I can relate to what she is feeling, as the same desperation is strangling me right now.

As Cathy struggles against her bonds, the masked man announces, "You have been declared to be a witch, a heretic to our society, and a bane to our existence. You are to be put to death and burned at the stake. Do you have any final words?"

As if ignoring all the man just said, Cathy finally spots me in the distance, and with tears in her eyes, cries out, "Haru! Haru! HARU!!! Please… please… come save me! I don't want to die! Take me from here, and let's run away together! Haru! HARU!!!"

I try to gather some courage from Cathy's pleas, but every time I try to walk into the fire, I feel my skin and bones melt. There's just no way I could survive crossing through this ring, let alone reach Cathy in time and save her.

The futility of the situation has now wholly shredded me of all hope. And to make matters worse, the masked man ignites the wood at Cathy's feet.

The fire around Cathy begins to spread, and it is not long before the flames devour her. My mind rages with horror, as she is being burnt alive. As I listen to her agonizing screams, I wish I could just drown out all the noise, so I wouldn't have to remember this tragedy ever again.

Even though the effort is now in vain, I scream out, "Cathy! Cathy! Cathy!!!"

As the tears explode out of my eyes, I drop down to my knees and repeatedly slam the ground with my fists. No coherent words come out of my mouth anymore, as I can only shout in agony.

As Cathy's screams disappear, her life fading away, I can only envision Cathy in her beautiful gown, smiling at me while at the royal ball, being scorched to nothing…

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