MY SOULMATE

slumber upon the bed. By afternoon, my position would remain unchanged—immobile, eyes closed as though in peaceful rest. As evening descended, I would remain ensconced beneath the blankets, abstain

ew well, was a woma

uch significance to me, and as I delved into my education unde

. He imparted to me the art of solidifying tepid water, shaping rock with nau

atter within another's form?" I inquired, pondering the po

tered. "Have you v

y head in

rtains solely to inert materials? Entities devoid of intrinsic motion or autonomous energy? Another incarnation of my

w. While his knowledge of his own many facets remained incomplete, his aptitude

"Have you ever ventured to the villag

unfamiliarity with such a pla

om mortal gaze. A realm for their surveillance of the planet, and to maintain cosmic order. When the time arr

location?"

wer. However, it is bereft of sustenance, akin to the heart of a desert, unfit for human habitation. Though sporadic visits have occurred, humans stand in aw

ndly. His assertion of my departure from humanity was now substantiated. Curiously, despite his ea

musings on the matter. "At any juncture, you retain the preroga

uch a return

, you need only guide your body to perceive the cells comprising my heart as undesirable. Over time, your body would progressively replace these cells with those of

s often make this

tly, the red forest's contro

d and my subsequent abduction. I had questioned Christian regarding the red forest's nature, yet he had demonstrated ignorance. A c

r. I am determin

weeks, he imparted his trove of knowledge. External reality dissolved into o

ey. An ardor had burgeoned within me with each new morsel of wisdom. As the ultimate pie

my abdomen, a searin

d positioning me atop the altar. "Fear not. Pain shall accompa

my hand reaching out. Ago

transformation shall bring unprecedented gain." He stationed himself behind me, his hands framing my head.

inquired, forebo

e. Remember, arch your head.

scream. A furnace raged within my abdomen

ed my head. "Yo

idened in

ur beauty radiates. I am naught but an amalgam of conscious

prevailed, transformed into a me

hands clasping firmly. "Hold fas

ting every vestige of joy experienced with Christian into a ruthless source of torment. Ultimately, the

over the altar's edge. Firm fingers steadied my brow, while he extracted something from my throa

my de

ng gentle pressu

of agony ebbed. I collapsed, t

"You have succeeded." He unveiled a blade, dark

o unravel his intentions for this arcane relic. However, an inexorable force severed my conne

mirrored the disquiet within—I felt as though the experiences were tangible, the pain real. My throat desic

my throat. Anathema to me, the red forest could not mend this injury. The searing truth struck—

clarity—I had embarked upon a transformative departure from humanity. My reflection,

the sacrifice, the illumination they bestowed—