Intermission: Refusing to Despair

Clasping the young child's body to her, the woman wept.

The child was cold and lifeless.

Dead. Lost, irrevocably.

She sobbed for this life that could never be recovered. No price seemed

too steep if it could mean the little one's return.

How far back in time would she need to go? She was ready to forfeit her

own life in exchange. The woman would gladly suffer any torture if it

brought the child back to life.

But that wouldn't work.

She knew it wouldn't. No magic could undo death. It was something

beyond even the power of a god.

That knowledge was little comfort and did not give her reason to wish

otherwise.

"Someone, please… Save my baby…"

Her wails echoed through the world. Tears soaked her pale, bloodless

cheeks.

Then she looked up, sensing that someone was suddenly standing near

her.

A figure was staring down at her. But she didn't know who it was.

All she could feel was a presence that said, "I'm right here."

"…Who are you?"

There was no answer.

Whoever it was, they were gazing at the woman. A voice spoke,

genderless and sorrowful.

"Are you prepared to do anything to save your child?"

So began the altering of destiny