Sovereign

prologue

Her gaze shifted back and forth between the wrecked car and her body which was splayed lifelessly on the road, still unable to grasp the situation. As the sounds of rushed footsteps and panicked voices drew near Rossiya turned to them, desperate for answers but before she could even utter a word on of the medics passed right through her, then another and another.

That was all the confirmation she needed, her family was dead and so was she. The realization felt like a sucker punch to the gut and while she racked her brain for every and any possible explanation, a cold hand grasped her shoulder, turning her around. If she still had a body then her soul would have left it after what she saw; an actual grimm reaper, cloak, scythe and all. "It's time for you to cross over Rossiya," he said in a low hushed tone. Her brows knitted as she asked what he meant by cross over.

"Your time in this realm is over sooner than intended but regardless, you have to begin your journey to the underworld." There was a sort of finality in his voice that sparked rebellion in her and looking at the dozens of people lining up behind him didn't help the situation. "No," she said tilting her chin up, "I'm not going anywhere with you; I'm not ready."

If she could see his eyes under that hood then she would know that they had taken the shape of saucers. He stepped forward as of to intimidate her but she stood her ground, "you will join the others; willingly or otherwise," his voice was threatening, almost nearing a growl but it only sharpened her resolve.

"I said NO!"

At that very moment something inside Rossiya's body shifted, followed by an unseen force jerking her back and slamming her hard into the ground. After that it all went black; a moment later she felt arms picking her up and setting her down, suddenly her whole body burned. The fire and that pain it brought along with it was excruciating.

Her eyes flew open and the most blood curdling scream known to man escaped her lips.

***
Two years had passed since that god awful incident, the day she and her family died; but also the day she cheated death. She had gotten a second chance at life,but it goes without saying that there were strings attached.

She could see the dead, and the dead could see her but that wasn't all. In the best case scenario they simply stared or made light conversation, but if she was unlucky then some would possess her body leading her to wake up in strange places with no memory of how she got there. Tying herself up before bed proved to be useful but the damage had already been done.