Fading Echo

Chapter 2: Choices

Hi there!

It took me a long time to translate the second chapter and I'm not sure if I found the right words. I hope it doesn't sound too much like German :)

Have a nice sunday!

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The man who spoke to her previously remained calm, despite her reaction. He completely trusted in his own protection spell and in the ability of his partner.

Doesn't it strike you as odd, that you're here as a keeper? he asked with a trace of pity in his voice.

"Are you done already?", asked his partner impatiently. "We're not here to make friends."

But the speaker didn't let anyone disturb him.

Haven't you ever wondered how you could survive here?, he continued as if he'd never been interrupted.

Time. The passage of time had long lost its meaning, it was no more than an empty concept. She could have been here for months or even years without knowing it. Although she had to admit, that something had felt wrong at times.

She anxiously pushed all doubts away and ignored her growing uneasy feeling.

She shook her head and stepped back, wanting to get away from these creepy men as far as possible. They might be humanity's salvation but now, for Mildred, they were nothing more than dangerous invaders. Worse, they turned her world upside down.

Before she could turn around to leave, the speaker asked: Do you know how you died?

She paused, frozen.

How she died?

I am not dead, she whispered, staring at him in horror as she realized why he was here. Why they were here.

All souls that weren't able, or didn't want to pass through the gate to the afterlife were a threat to the living. If it wasn't possible to give them peace, so that they could see the gate to the next world, they had to be destroyed. No afterlife for the unfortunate who didn't find the way.

The protector looked at his partner inquiringly.

"She doesn't know she's dead."

"Then it's empty. You know what it'll become and you can't save everything."

But the speaker only shook his head stubbornly, which made the protector roll his eyes. He was annoyed with his partner, but still didn't prevent him from speaking with her.

It's been many decades since you died, you just can't remember. It's not your fault. But it is important that you find out what can give you peace, so that you are no longer stuck in this world.

Mildred couldn't agree with him. I am not dead! she cried out in anger and desperation. Rage turned her world red again, shifting her perception of reality. How it was supposed to be. Fear didn't suit her well.

She was the guardian of her ancestors, this was her tomb and she would not let anyone make her doubt her mission.

It was the most important thing in her life. In fact her own life was insignificant in her endeavor to succeed in this mission.

Mildred reached out in the space between the worlds and drew magic to her, focusing it in an attack against the two men.

Only a moment later she fell down on her knees, weakened and confused. The world snapped back into place and when she looked up she saw that they both were unharmed. She had been carried away by her emotions, although she knew that these warriors were prepared for an attack. After all she wasn't the first of her kind they fought against.