Maybe Next Time

Orsat opened her eyes. Before her stretched the vast expanse of the dark ether, the space beyond Caelkirk. She had seen it many times, usually in her sleep. Visions had called to her in this realm, but now they were eerily silent. Not even the sound of her breath reached her ears. She brought her hand up and touched her neck... feeling the cold blood on her fingers. All at once, the memories came rushing back. Shadowy figures, flanking her and following her bidding, the outlanders, huddled and fearful... an explosion, taking cover, and finally springing forth and firing... she had been hit. Just once, in the neck, but it was enough for a girl of her constitution.

She was dead.

She grinned. She had died before, after all. The first time, she had poisoned the water supply of all of Caelkirk, and burned the place to the ground. When everyone had died, she decided to follow them to the other side. But she was brought back. Surely, this time too, she'd be restored and given another chance. An endless paradise where she could bring suffering to those who ruined her, in any way she liked. She had a lot of fun, and was already plotting for her next attempt...

The ethereal waves pulled back, and a figure became visible. Orsat beamed at it. Here came her master now, ready to restore her form and start her schemes anew. Another ephemeral parting revealed a second figure, next to the first. Orsat's smile turned to a frown as she saw this, but the figures stepped closer, and their form was revealed.

Abacus and Yupana Lemphis. Her parents.

Immediately, tears flowed freely from Orsat's eyes as she ran forward, all the malice in her grin vanishing. Now the smile was of genuine happiness, of love.

“Papa! Mama! I'm here! I made it too!”

They saw her approach, and they stood still. Their faces weren't clear, but Orsat ran directly at them nonetheless, years and lives of longing and despair pushing her onward to the only thing she had ever needed. Her father raised his arms, and Orsat leapt towards him...

Only to see his expression of disgust as he struck her across the face.

She sprawled back, clutching her cheek. Her face was devoid of expression as she tried to register what had just happened. She looked up.

“...Papa...?”

He turned his head, and glared at the ground.

“You're disgusting. I can't even look at you.”

Beside him, his wife clutched his arm, sobbing and covering her mouth. Orsat looked down at her own body. She was dressed in the same cult cowl as always, grimy and ugly. Her expression lit up as some understanding flashed in her mind.

“Yes! Orsat is filthy! She'll go and bathe, and then we can-”

“No!” Her father roared, and he beat his fist into her other cheek. “Not your clothes, you pig! Your heart! Your life! What kind of disgusting monster did we make!?”

His words hurt her greater than his fist. She felt her insides crush and spin and throb as she listened. She just stared up at him, unable to speak. An expression of absolute hatred was plastered on his face. Her mother turned her back on Orsat, equally mute and unable to control her emotions. Abacus kicked at Orsat, turning to put a hand on his wife's shoulder.

“You should have died with us that night. If I'd known, I'd have gladly killed you myself.”

He didn't even turn to face her as he said it. He took Yupana back into the folds of the void, and they disappeared from sight. Orsat reached up after them, crying out.

“Wait! Papa! Mama! I did this all for you! This was for you! Please! I love you! I need you...!”

The void remained silent, her screams absorbed by the unearthly space. She collapsed on the ground, screeching. A deep sadness gripped her soul, darker and heavier than anything she had ever felt in either life. The guilt of her actions were now beginning to weigh on her. How many people's lives had she made as miserable as her own? She thought it was justice, but it was only perpetuating a cycle. All she ever wanted was a loving family, and now they despised her more than anything.

“Please! A second chance! I'll fix this! I'll be better! I didn't know! Orsat didn't know! She'll- I'll- Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaugh!”

She collapsed on the ground once more, her face pressing into the darkness below. Her screams were muffled, and she tossed and turned until she stared up at the dark abyss above her, gasping for air. Her skin was deathly pale, and her eyes had sunken in to an almost inhuman level. She quickly continued thrashing and screaming.

“Master! Give me a second chance! I'll fix this! I'll do anything! Just make them love me! Even if I never see them again, just let them love me! Please! Please!? I'll seriously do anything! I'll kill myself! Over and over! Whatever it takes...!”

Her throat gave out, but the shrieks of incoherent despair still continued. She repented, over and over, and the boundaries of the realm shimmered apathetically at her pleas. Perhaps her master would answer her. Perhaps not. For now, though... Orsat was left all alone, the void bearing down on her without remorse.

It will be a long time, Orsat.