Aria stared vacantly at his retreating form as her sight grew hazy. It didn't take time when tiredness pressured on her eyelids — Warmth gradually spread through her body; Time seemed to crawl — Only exacerbating her discomfort.
"... Damn it!" Her voice was getting lower as despondency and a throbbing pain in her head took hold.
Aria exhaustedly sank to the ground — Gave up to her body's demands; Powerless to hasten her transformation as she resigned herself to bear her awakening process. An ethereal purple glow released from her form — That mystical aura shimmered softly — Marking the profound changes occurring within her.
Hot air around her smoulder with a dense violet luminescence; Bathing the immediate vicinity in an otherworldly glow.
"Fuck… I feel dizzy…" Aria's consciousness plunged into blackness. And suddenly her eyes snapped open - pictured a startling new reality. She found herself poised atop a vast expanse of scarlet waters; Above, there is firmament blazed a lurid red as if the sky itself were aflame.
There were hundreds upon hundreds of colossal mountains dominating the horizon. If one takes a closer inspection on mountains: Its slopes were formed from an grotesque amalgamation of lifeless bodies as countless corpses piled high to create this macabre monument.
"What is…" Aria exasperatedly huffed as she recognized her environment; bewilderment etched across her features. Her gaze dropped insanely on the scene before her: At perched atop a frosty dais sat a regal woman.
"Welcome to my domain, Lil girl!" She had black hair that was flowing down to her waist: Framing a face that bore the marks of wisdom and experience. Her visage was a study in elegance — With a perfectly sculpted nose and detailed jawline; Long and sweeping lashes adorned her eyes: enhancing her captivating presence.
"And you are?" Aria was unperturbed by the sinister surroundings.
The enthroned figure gestured casually as her voice was calm, sinister, and reassuring. "There's no need for an alarm. I'm an aspect of your inner self - merely a personal assistant… Only if you desire."
"Huh! What do you mean?" Aria tilted her head to one side with a puzzled expression.
"You may refer to me as Ai." That woman replied as she rose from her seat: When she approached Aria… Their scene dramatically changed: Icy throne room dissolved — Giving way to new grand - Majestic castle of empty hall.
"Oh… Ok!" Aria's eyes widened, taking in the sudden transformation; Silently blinking in bafflement at the ornate — Deserted interior that now enveloped them.
'What the hell is going on? Where am I? Who is this woman? Why does she feel so familiar like my part?'
"... All shall be fine." AI whispered; Drawing Aria into a comforting embrace, shocking her. "Um… Release your hidden emotions and let your tears flow freely. This is a safe space – You're sheltered here – Away from terrified people and from their eyes."
"Eh?" Aria was speechless by her words but… Nonetheless she sensed an innate trustworthiness in them.
Although her spirit lay shattered like fractured glass; Every fibre of her being yearned to reciprocate the gesture yet – An inexplicable hesitation held her back. Paralyzed by her own precariousness; She stayed motionless - a living sculpture frozen in time.
"Still naive as ever huh!" AI gently stroked Aria's back; Observing her demeanour with understanding eyes. "Given your past experiences - Your hesitation makes perfect sense."
Aria – Who was disorientated and overwhelmed – pulled herself away from the hug; Her mind spinned with a lot of words. She took a step back as she struggled to load the unexpected display of affection.
"Such a shy girl!" Ai chuckled warmly. She wasn't bothered by Aria's retreat.
'... Wrong… Shyness and I are enemies…' Aris glanced at her counterpart; Still very indistinct by this anomalous nature. Ai can read her internal thoughts as she simply shook her head with a gentle sigh and held her hand like a maternal figure.
'... Interesting…' This gesture earned her a quizzical arch of Aria's eyebrow. Ai guided Aria to the throne; gently urged Aria to sit it. Aria curiously analysed that throne; Running her fingers along the ornate armrests.
'Am I?... Am I god…"
Many types of unexplainable feelings like boundless power occupied her each single heartbeat as if she commanded not just one realm but countless universes from this seat.
"I felt butterflies in my stomach… Is this happiness?"
A delightful small whisper of a smile tugged at the corner of her lips – A part of her betrayal that joy blossomed within her. After Aria ambivalence situated herself onto the seat - Ai thoughtfully tilted her head.
"I wonder - Aren't you curious why your usual aversion isn't surfacing after our touches?"
"Haphephobia or something…" A sharp pain lanced through Aria's skull: causing her to grimace.
'...Could it have been my fear of physical contact all along?' She pondered as her jaw was uncomfortably tightening. AI settled gracefully onto the throne's armrest; resting her chin on her wrist like a boss — She espied her own master with a keen absorption.
"You seem incomplete without certain memories that rightfully belong to you." AI's hand displayed a glint of soft violet glow as she delicately cupped Aria's cheek. "Let me restore some fragments of your past - They're essential for your goals in life."
"Eh-" Aria's eyes rolled back of her head, and a lot of unknown images manifested in her brain.
.
.
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