A Dream of Freedom

The snake swallowed the bird again. 

And again, and again.

 Its high-pitched chirp used to be electrifying — but now, it just seemed like a reflex; a response to being dragged down the serpent's gullet. It would bulge; and the bird's small toes could be seen, pressed against the soft underskin. That ball of mass would just get forced farther down the more it struggled, but it kept kicking. Poor thing has fallen silent, a second slower, this time. 

"I don't understand why you insist on watching that, every single day, Reimi," the same serpent spoke, wrapped around the girl's neck in a habitual motion. 

She glanced at him, with starless blue eyes — seemingly plastic, with glazed film stuck to the irises. Taking in the intricate markings of gold laced across her only friend, Oro. 

He hissed with that playful rhythm of his, a quick swirl up top to Reimi's head, and he settled. "We mustn't void gaze all day, right? It's almost time."

Reimi nodded and sighed, with a massage of stress right on her shoulders. This was the moment. Her moment. After months of survey and misdirection, it was finally time. Between guards gossiping and the babblings of Reimi's siblings, there was enough information to determine when the next patrol would be. Not a look around the city, no, but outside the city. Past the clouds and down to Hyethour. It was hard to even imagine. The books all said different things, so for all she knew it could be a world full of lava, or maybe a place blooming with butterflies.

If only there was one definitive book that had all the answers — but the palace library had nothing like that. She would know, after all; going through each shelf row by row wasn't an easy feat. Though at least it killed time, and besides, they weren't all boring. The books detailing the stories of old were her favorites. Something about these legendary figures, historical movements, and the formation of the 'modern' world just scratched that itch for knowledge in the perfect way. All of it only made her more determined to leave this place. 

Reimi waved her hand up in an elegant motion, slow and steady with her eyes locked onto the movement. Her fingers moved westward, and a trail of black-purple energy followed. It wisped at the corners, almost like a fire floating in air. The energy would condense in the center, with that flame-like band coating the circular shape. Her hand continued to guide this magic until it hit six on the dot; with her arm extended down. This ring of light willowed and danced in approval — a sign that things were done correctly. In the center now was a solid sheet of black, with Reimi and Oro standing relaxed in the middle. The gold on Oro's scales started to shift across the obsidian sheen, forming a myriad of different patterns as the black mirror started to crack. Those white lines stuck out like deep cuts every time. 

The chipping would start in the middle, slowly traversing around the entirety of the glass like a raging river. It would sing the more wounds gashed the surface. The more interconnected each scar would get. Before finally, bursting within the center. Each shard would drift outwards in a way to show welcome. Everything expanded from the middle, with the once-black mirror being left with a straight path beyond this fabric of reality. What was once Reimi's worn-down desk and shabby decor was now all empty space. The portal showed an unfurnished room, at least on that side, but Reimi knew the entire thing was abandoned.

She held her hand against her heart, with a gentle squeeze against the coarse fabric of her shirt. The space beyond always filled her with a sense of dread. Whatever Reimi knew was generally the same but with subtle differences — or sometimes even large ones that all struck an odd chord. Deep down she knew, this was probably against the laws of nature. However, she was given this 'gift'. No matter what may be right or wrong, all she knew was that she had to pursue what made her happy. That's what felt correct.

With the portal in front of her now, all she had to do was take a step inside. A deep breath left her lips as she took a step forward. A part of her was now in a different fold of reality. That eerie sensation sept into her skin, but there was no time to ponder. Reimi grit her teeth and took the final step forward, completely immersing herself in the great beyond. The portal behind her closed, and Oro was no longer atop her head. All alone once more… but at least it wasn't cold. 

The same thought kept crashing through her head; there was no time to waste.

Reimi rushed over to the large wooden doorway and nudged it open, slightly poking her head through to examine the lengthy hallway she found herself in. As usual, there weren't any changes from last time she gazed. The grand interior felt all too familiar. The walls were adorned with gilded frames and obsidian drapes; they all purred luxury. There was no denying it, especially when walking through and taking it all in. However, something about the deep shadows was always unsettling. They seemed to stare back, almost with a snicker while hidden away behind the gold. Though it could also be… her. Even the smallest of sounds tended to reverberate against these glamorous walls — at least if it was her, it would be easier to catch notice.

The path stretched on until eventually flowing into the main hall. The intense light seemed to flood the room like an ocean; the splashes bouncing against all the intricate white stone and marble. These materials had finely engraved holy scripture laced into certain patches scattered around the room. Gently woven in between these materials was a soft black rug that ran through the middle of the entire chamber. It had regal patterns of its own laid across it, only getting easier to see as it stretched past the light — not only did it come from the dome of glass above, but also the many large panes firmly placed on the sides of the entire room. 

It was like walking into a perceived heaven. 

Generally, outside of the void, this place would be sprawling with guests. The priests would give their speeches about righteousness and the graces of god, or whatever they wanted people to believe. It always felt like a bunch of nonsense.

Unsurprisingly though, the place was empty, as Reimi had planned. This was the only time of day when this would be the case — at least from what she found voidgazing. In a meticulous manner, she moved across the stone, with rhythmic glances to make sure she was still alone while in the center of the room. Her footsteps were much less loud when stepping against the blackened silk, so, she tried to keep to that. Now all that was left was to move forward. Her every breath seemed to be observed by the baby angels that lined the space between the windows. They were very… judgemental, so much so that Reimi attempted to strut in a regal manner; an attempt to live up to her title of princess.

Clearly, the sculpted children were not amused. 

Either way, it didn't matter, as Reimi now had to meet with their guardian. In a space before the brazen doors to the throne room, stood the righteous statue of the holy father: Mikael. Ambient light would bounce between his elegant features, regardless of the time of day. From the curly tufts of hair, to carefully sculpted abs, and huge wings made of weathered diamonds. He stood watch over all in a light just beyond the darkness. In an odd way, his eyes felt comforting in such a cold place. Even if just behind him was the dimmest of all. 

His stature reflected in Reimi's eyes, shining a gentle light into those windows of her. She always wondered if he was real. There were so many tales written about him, if any of the gods were real, it would have to be him. At least she always hoped of that, whenever this statue and her would cross paths. As she began to smile softly, a piercing sound rang through her eardrums. 

"Look look look, a snake in my garden!"

Reimi froze. Her voice… not now, please not now. 

"A sn

ake"

"Oh ho-w i've, m-iss-ed 

y

o u"

They blared and scratched like static — broken, broken

Why did she have to be here, 

That grimy undertone

Laced across taunts…

"Y o u 

 o

l 

 o

 k

lost, let me help—

p l e ase!"

She giggled, within the walls, everywhere. 

Everything felt exposed.

Reimi itched and itched, her skin kept in tatters; irritation in a thorough dance across her arms, a rash peel in spots of all the sorts. Down to her knees, a squirm on the black rug, right in front of the large doors. She was so close, to escape. Whenever things were too good to be true… She clutched onto her chest, in a chain of rapid exhales, attempting to cool the flames that rushed through her blood. All the while staring right ahead, at the towering doors. 

A haunting figure dawned in human flesh. Just their very presence made things erratic. Mikeal could no longer protect Reimi, and the warmth he once radiated was now devoured by this woman. Who gave nothing but vicious chills, the closer she came. 

That pale skin, covered in black rags, with inky hair that waved down to the floor. Those sky blue eyes… made of the same plastic. The only difference was that permanent smile. A grin that held the corners of her mouth in unnerving sharpness. There wasn't a hint of comfort in that face, even if it was like staring into a mirror. The "woman" continued to look down at Reimi, with a posture of content and relaxation. There seemed to be nothing left to do. 

Though she hadn't done a thing technically — Reimi was in shambles. This woman would never let her have anything. It was always this way, but never so intense. The more time passed, the more she seemed to exponentially grow. Her intensity, that dreadful aura, became too much to bear. She was always just a figment in Reimi's mind, or even in her heart. Though in the void, these nightmares always seemed to come to life. In order to remind her that no matter how far you travel; demons will always be there. The woman continued to look down, before slightly opening her lips.

"Mmm.. don't cry my poor baby, don't worry, I won't be gone for long. Whether you want to or not, I know you'll come back to me very soon" she whispered before fading away.

As her essence began to wisp away in the void, a tear rang through Reimi's ears. It screeched and roared with aggression, as an animal would when its territory has been trampled upon. Even when Reimi covered her ears with the little strength she had, it only seemed to grow louder. Whatever creatures were making these sounds, they couldn't have been far now. The door to the throne room was so close… There never seemed to be a break in this hellscape. Even if it looked just like how reality would.

Oro had warned her countless times before, the void is a place of no emotion. Was this the consequence, of succumbing to that? 

Snarls and grotesque sounds of the unimaginable were creeping closer and closer. The anger had been toned down now, but, oddly enough that was much more unnerving. Reimi tried to keep her breathing intact; an attempt to create a rhythm of calm. She lifted her arm up with a relentless muscle spasm to greet her. The space around began to crumble. Tears in the open air exposed countless eyes and teeth, with a neverending darkness as their blanket. They continued to watch and stare, as something continued to crawl closer and closer. The fear slowly began to dig into Reimi's skin. Her pupils began to dilate, as sweat started to form under her curved bangs. 

Reimi held her hand up as high as she could muster, channeling any bit of magic she could with her mess of a body. As she tried to drag her finger down to create an escape — the line shook violently. She couldn't keep it steady, but there was no time. Her breath began to break rhythm the longer this took. There were too many different gazes, from unknown origins. This had never happened before. Everything kept collapsing into trials worse than the last. Oro… maybe this is what happens, when immense pain ripples into the folds of reality. 

Light slowly began to shimmer in front of Reimi, as her rushed portal began to chip apart. Each second felt like nails against a chalkboard — a long scrape, slow and meticulous. As the other side began to break open, there was a brief reflection of the void behind Reimi. Whatever she saw, was nigh impossible to even bring to words. Those… beasts, their breathing was now incredibly loud. As the shadows began to pull against her ankles, the top half of her body was already across the portal. Her body seemed to move on its own, with an elbow up, and a push forward. An autonomous crawl back into reality. Her breath slammed into the floor over and over, with a brief dead calm across her wave of thoughts. 

As soon as her feet left the void, the portal snapped shut abruptly. Almost like something forcefully closed it. Perhaps it was Mikael, or maybe Oro, something that Reimi was very thankful for. She pressed her face against the floor; a frozen patch of stone, between the torn black rug. This couldn't be. It shouldn't be torn, or cold for that matter. Something was wrong… very wrong. Reimi's lips began to quiver. She should have been in front of the throne room doors still. As she hadn't scrambled that far past the portal when in the void, meaning — when back in reality, she should still be roughly where she was. However, what she was seeing… 

Was the open blue sky, with splashes of orange littered across it. A soft coat on top of the clouds, which this holy castle stood above. The entire back side of the palace was now in ruin. All the stone crumbled into chunks and dusk. Whatever was left either fell crashing down to the surface or flew with the wind, a goodbye from grace. The palace of Latriah had stood the test of time for many millennia; seeing it in ruin, felt odd, even though it was not exactly a place Reimi would call home. She took in the view in front of her, with conflict amuck her heart. Was it wrong that she oddly felt… happy? This place was technically her home. A place of residence, but, it was never really all that warm. 

Memories of the past slowly started to swim through her consciousness. An attempt to affirm her own beliefs. They all hurt. They hurt so deeply. 

Reimi tried to calm down, and all the open air felt like a shower of ice against her skin. A comfort considering the inside of her body still felt like liquid flames. Even her mind was now plagued with questions. Memories too. No time should have passed, since that is the law of the void. Perhaps it was because she broke her steady mind; thus everything went wrong. 

Father was always so harsh.

Sister would always bring the whip.

Brothers would always stand watch. 

No one cared, for she was an outsider. 

She sobbed in the wind, unable to keep her emotions inside any longer. A blanket of melancholy rested over her. That subtle ache, with the sun watching from the horizon line. Freedom truly felt so far away.