I was drifting in an ocean of nothingness. I couldn't feel, see, smell or hear. My mind was sluggish and each thought came slowly and went quickly. I didn't know where I was or even how I had gotten here, but I knew one thing for certain. I wasn't burning anymore. If I has a body I would be crying tears of joy even as I shuddered at the memory of burning.

I don't know how long I drifted but there came a tugging, a pull, and I was helpless to fight it. I was pulled across what might have been a vast distance and darkness took over for but a second.

Then I gasped and my eyes shot open.

"And there he is. Welcome back to the land of the living, Dick."

My mind was still hazy, but I recognized Bob and the two next to him. Uliena stood with her arms crossed while Litra looked like she was seconds away from charging at me. Her smile was excited and I felt some tension fade as my mind began to clear.

"I'm alive?" It was half statement half question.

"That you are." Bob's pages fluttered quickly. “And you can tell us what the fuck happened out there. Was it the ender, no, your soul would have been taken? I felt some resistance, but not too much. Dick, you ok.”

I absently nodded, and stood, moving past Litra and Uliena to head to the house.

“Dick?”

My footsteps increased until I was sprinting, and when I was inside, I rushed to the shower, and slammed the door before practical mental shouting at the house for a cold shower. The water hit me, and I gasped, but it felt so damn good. I knelt and wept. The pain was gone, but its ghost remained, and every time I thought back, it threatened to pull me down. I’d been burned alive, slowly, and until I was ash. I had felt every moment, even after I should have already stopped being able to feel.

I knelt there, my tears mixing with the water, and it reminded me of the shower after I'd first met Bob and bound him to me, and I to him. I took slow, deep breaths, and reassured myself again and again that it was over. I don't know how long I was in there, but eventually, a knock sounded. “Rick, you ok?” It was Litra.

“Yeah,” I said, and my voice felt rough. Had I been screaming, or shouting? Both? I didn't remember or care much. I had the cottage to get some clothes and dressed, trying my best to calm down. I was home, and… Bob can take the memory away. But immediately after that thought came another. Was I really going to let this ruin me, and win, or give in? I had suffered, but I was still here. I was still whole, and I still had Bob, Uliena, and Litra.

My heart ached when I thought about Zara, Han, and Brooke, but maybe they’d survived. Hopefully, they had.

Bob and the others were waiting in the living room, and when Bob spoke his voice was devoid of all humor. “Rick, sit down and have some food. We can talk while you eat. Unless you wanna get some rest?”

“No, I’m…” I sighed. “I’m fi— I’ll manage.” I sat down and smiled when a bowl of chicken soup appeared. I hadn't even thought about it, but it smelled amazing, and the warmth seeped in. There was a moment of panic when I felt the heat, and my hands shook, but it never rose, and I calmed my breathing. Then, I felt the bowl cool. I shot a grateful look up.

I ate in silence for a time before clearing my throat and placing the empty bowl down. I looked to Bob and started talking. I started with the rescue and the witches. Then the hole, and finally, the burning. My words were dull as I spoke, mainly because I was fighting internally to keep myself from breaking down.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

I’m still here. I’m still standing. I’m still alive.

When I was done, Uliena rose and moved to sit next to me. She wrapped a hand around my shoulder and I leaned into her. Litra looked angry, but not at me. Bob was still, not a page fluttering.

“Bob?”

“I’m sorry you had to go through that, Rick. I’ve heard tales about it.”

“You know what it was?”

“Yes, it's referenced in one of my pages. The Ashmaker, a creature of the void. It came through a HTN and turned half a dozen planes to wastelands of ash until it was stopped and imprisoned in a void prison. That's what the hole led to, its cell.”

“What should we do, Bob?” I asked, feeling dead tired. “Should we have a look outside. Is the world doomed?”

“No, definitely not.” Bob floated over and settled down onto my lap. “The Ashmaker is powerful but limited and DOSA will have everything back to the way it was. Though, I imagine this is gonna get some attention from the Ascendancy.”

I raised an eyebrow. “You didn't see it, Bob. The whole city was in chaos.”

“I'm aware, but Rick DOSA has resources you wouldn’t believe, and the true powers of the Prime could take on The Ashmaker. Not to mention, I’ve no doubt the conqueror got involved. He doesn't usually interfere, but one exception is with creatures of the void. It might not be immediate though.”

“How long was I out?”

“A week,” Bob said. “The anchor was low effort in certain areas, but it worked. I had to pull and pull, and the initial tug of war with The Ashmaker was annoying and worrying. I thought it was the ender for a moment. We can open a small hole, and see what's happening. There's no way they haven't dealt with it by now. I can be sure of that. Now, what I don't know is what they’ll do about you. Will they cover your death up and put some story about you? There also the Fae we’ve got tied up in the workshop.”

“Oh yeah, is she… ok?”

“She’s angry, but that's to be expected. We can figure out what to do with her.”

“Alright, Bob, but after some sleep.”

Would like me to…

I was about to refuse, but I could use some relaxation. “I won't be as… energetic as usual.”

The demoness grabbed me and lifted me into her arms. She held me in a bridal carry, and maybe if I wasnt so tired I would have protested, but as I was I didn’t care. Don't worry, you just lay back, and I'll take good care of you. You’ll go to sleep like a baby and be more relaxed than you can imagine.

Before I was up the stairs, Litra ran over and to my surprise hugged me. I froze in shock before returning it and patting her back. “I’m glad you’re ok. Even if the house still gives me good, I don’t want you gone.”

I felt my heart warm at that, and I reached out to pat her shoulder but ended up touching a horn. She shivered and leaned into me. Itch the area around it. I did as Uliena said, and a low rumble emitted from Litra’s chest, like a cat’s purr. I blinked and did it for her other horn before Uliena pulled me away. “I’ll itch them some more later. Goodnight, Litra.”

“Goodnight, Rick.”