Until I Burn Away - Megumin x Male Reader

Chapter 12: Dancing With The Devil

Darkness. Darkness everywhere. 

You gasped as life re-entered your eyes, taking in a dank and metallic smell as you did. 

As for the other senses, sight was off the table. The air was cool and damp on your skin, and below you there was a vaguely cold feeling that seeped into your back as you lied flat. Your mouth tasted like blood, and the only sound that entered your ears was what sounded like the very faint drip-drop of water somewhere nearby. 

You looked around, your head aching with each turn you forced it to perform. No further information was gathered from this effort, other than more darkness. You groaned.

You attempted to bring yourself to your feet, with your legs answering your command but your arms finding some difficulty. Your right arm in particular felt like it was half asleep, unable to bring out any real strength despite great effort and filled with a dull tingling sensation. You flexed your fingers into a fist, but the feeling worsened. 

Using your elbow you propped yourself up into a kneeling position, and from there you could assume a stance at last. Your feet were steady under you, but your head spun with uncertainty. Something about you had been messed up. 

Y/N: "Hello?!"

Your shout echoed back to you a million times over, threatening to deafen you with the volume. It went unheard by the void. 

Y/N: "Jeez. At least that means there's walls somewhere in here."

You took a step, and it made a splash. You looked to your feet, and with your newfound clarity you were now able to make out the surface of water. You touched your hand to it, sending a chill up your forearm. Despite only the surface responding, there was seemingly no solid surface under the water. As you dragged your finger through it, the deep black was broken up by streaks of white that followed your finger's path. 

Y/N: "Woah, that's new."

Suddenly, another deafening noise filled the seemingly endless expanse, prompting you to cover your ears. It was like the roar of a jet engine, slowly dying down to only a faint crackling in the distance. When you turned to look for the source, there was a small orange glow that penetrated the inky blackness. 

You were distrustful. 

Y/N: "Whatever that is, there's no way it's good. I don't wanna die again. Of course, assuming I'm not dead already. Anyway, no thank you."

However, you felt drawn to it. And it had to be important, as it was the only happening in this place of emptiness and boredom. 

Y/N: "On second thought...what's the worst that could happen? Would probably be interesting at least."

You sighed.

Y/N: "Here goes nothing."

Your feet splashed in the murky something-ness beneath you as you cautiously approached the crackling light. There was no way to tell you were moving forward except that the light was steadily growing in size, and you could feel a warmth emanating from it that sharply contrasted the sharp cold around you. You forged onward.

Eventually, you stood before the light, and were able to see it for what it truly was. It was a small flame, bright orange and scarlet in color. It released a comforting feeling into your body, one of familiarity and peace. 

Y/N: "I've felt this before. It's kinda like my flame."

You stretched your hand out, and the flame lashed out at you. You recoiled instinctively, but it didn't hurt to the touch. You put your hand closer, and the flame wrapped up your arm and coiled around it like a hungry serpent. The warmth felt good.