As my vision blurred and the cold pressure of the water deepened around me, an environment surged forward, breaking through the haze. I saw myself blurred through the mist, resting on a cliff that led down to rushing water. I had a companion with me, but I couldn't tell who or what they were; a frigid draft soon rushed over me. I observed how “I” hugged the figure, and the words that were said echoed through my soul.

  "The world is cruel, the winds too cold,

  A place where hearts grow weary and old.

  The hours drag and shadows creep,

  While in our minds, the demons sleep.

  The river roars, the cliffs are steep,

  And yet we climb, though hearts may weep.

  But now, my friend, we've reached the end,

  And here, together, we shall mend.

  Rest, my companion, rest,

  No more than the weight of what must be.

  Let hibernation claim you,

  Until the storm has lost its growth.

  The world can turn, the stars may fall,

  But here, in peace, we need no call.

  Together, we've survived the fight—

  And now you sleep beneath the night.

  My end has yet to come to the eclipse call for me

  My final battle will come, then shall we rest together,

  Till eternity."

  I somehow lost myself and regained who I was through these powerful words. I am not ashen hollow, I am much more, and I must find who I was and how I've come to be here.

  I awoke from my hazed memory and met with my father swimming down to me, lifting the boat off of me, and dragging me back to the boat, where my sister had been crying. I coughed up water, still passing out once again, as my sister cried for me to wake up, crying in my chest, saying she was sorry. Soon, it all went dark yet again.

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  I awoke on Father's back."Dad, where are we going?" I questioned, his steps stuttering slightly.

  "I'm taking you to the physician, your mother was worried sick; she refused to let you rest at home. Not to mention your sister is blaming herself, your mother has to make sure she doesn't do anything crazy," he continued, his steps nearing our destination.

  "Dad, can we go on vacation any sooner?" I asked him, truthfully, I was trying to find a way to get more mana or find out more about my past life.

  "Now that you mention it, my friend has been pestering me to get there sooner. I'll tell you what, if you recover quickly, we'll go in a week." He turned, dropping me off onto the floor and opening the door to the physician.

  "Let's hope I can recover in time." I walked through the door to see a surprisingly empty shop.

  "Hey! Old hag, where are you?" His disrespect surprised me, but I decided not to question their relationship. An old woman walked out, not even bothered by how she was addressed.

  "What?" she returned, father, greeting rather coldly

  "Check on my boy, he nearly drowned," he pushed me forward into the old woman's sight as she inspected me.

  "Put him on here and I'll check." She went behind the counter and grabbed some abstract tools that seemed more like torture devices.