Screams echo in my ears. They come from the depths of emptiness. They remind me so much of the echoes from that man’s soul. Frightening, indeed. Yet, I feel nothing about it. Is that strange? I think so too. Am I dreaming right now? I’m not even sure.

It’s pitch dark around me, but somehow, I can still see the waves of mist spreading out. The only difference between this place and the mound of souls or, just Spirit Mound— or whatever it was— where I once stood is that I feel more alive here.

I also see silhouettes from time to time, passing briefly through the places where the echoes of screams, curses, and pleas for help can be heard. They are dark, pale figures, fading as they move. It’s as if they want to come closer, but for some reason, they hesitate and stop.

Strange, indeed. I know my soul has undergone reincarnation— or rather, I forced myself into it. I remember the long, long periods spent in the Spirit Mound. But my body doesn’t know this. Or rather, strangely, I feel like I’m a spectator as a soul. My body feels like a vessel, guided by someone who has the mind of a real infant. And yet, I know it’s still me directing it. I’m certain of it to my deepest core.

But it’s undeniable that my soul’s consciousness and my body’s consciousness feel like completely separate entities. Perhaps when I’m pulled into my body’s consciousness, I become foolish like a baby, matching my age— which wouldn’t be unreasonable.

However, as my spiritual self, I can think more logically and deeply. Maybe this is truly a skill I gained during my long periods of solitude in the Spirit Mound. After all, who says souls cannot age?

I hope one day I can remind her— or rather, remind myself— of this. Who knows, maybe when I grow older in body, I will gain the intelligence to solve this, and perhaps the consciousness of my soul and body will merge.

Perhaps...

“Fool.”

Huh? Did someone just say something? Or did I mishear?

“Yes, ‘twas I, ye imbecile!”

Hey, now, aren’t you being a bit rude? And it’s starting to annoy me.

As I turned around, I saw a tall, muscular woman with crimson skin sitting cross-legged nearby. Her horns, which glowed like fire, were nearly two heads long. Her long, silvery hair seemed even longer than her own height and— now I noticed— she floated atop the endless shallow water. The most striking thing was the long, red tail swimming alongside her hair in the water and the massive black wings resembling those of a bat on either side of her back.

But wait, hold on! There was water here this whole time? It was so dark I hadn’t even noticed.

So, this place isn't the Spirit Mound after all?

At that moment, I felt a sharp tap on my forehead from a finger with clawed tips.

Huh? What was that?

Raising my hands to my forehead, I looked at the woman. She grinned at me, revealing every one of her sharp teeth.

The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

Hold on a minute! Did she tap my forehead? And did I raise my hands to my forehead? My hands? To my forehead?

I quickly lowered my hands to my face, revealing the small, chubby things to my eyes.

What?! I was already in my body this whole time?

“Didst thou finally realize, ye foolish little thing?”

Hey now, who are you in the first place? I thought, staring at her. Whoever this woman was, she clearly could read my mind after all. It’s not like I could speak in this infant state anyway. And what are you doing here? And where is this place, really?

She gave me a blank stare before shrugging slightly. Her eyes were completely black, including her eyeballs, and somehow –I don't know why, she felt… ancient?

Spreading her arms wide, she said, “I be wonderin’ that meself. How I didst come to be stuck in the soul o’ a fool like thee.” She deliberately avoided saying who she was, I noticed. “But mark my words, ‘twas I who called ye to yer Spirit Web. If we art to share this space, then ye must understand a few things.”

What? My Spirit Web? Share? What's this woman talking about?

I thought this was the Spirit Mound at first. But as suspected, it doesn’t seem possible after reincarnation, especially if I’m already in my body.

She raised an eyebrow, “Oh, so ye ain't as foolish as ye appear. Aye, this be not the place ye called. Trust me when I say I’ve been there many times.” She glanced at her claws, which were nearly as long as a sword and seemed like they could sever my head in a single swipe.

It was clear she was some kind of demon, but what kind of woman was this?

“As I was sayin’, the Spirit Web be thy…” She paused suddenly, frowning, and clicked her tongue in displeasure. “What am I even explainin’ fer… I’m bored already!” She stood up, and before I could react, she kicked me in the chest with her clawed foot. I didn’t even have time to be shocked by her sudden change. Before I knew what was happening, I was flying dozens— no, hundreds of meters away as my eyes opened in shock from the pain I felt.

Shit! What the fuck just happened?!

I felt it! I truly did! Ahh... Fuck... Damn and fuck and then shit…

I crashed hard onto the surface of the water, struggling to catch my breath as I clutched my chest with my tiny hands.

That baggy eyed woman, even as she stitched my body, I felt nothing, and even as that bastard carried my pierced body in his arms, and I still felt nothing.

But this...

This was a pain I truly felt. It was like a pain felt not in the body, but in the soul. A true deal.

“Now dost thou understand? This be the place where only I can harm ye. This cursed soul space o’ thine where thy damned soul body roams! And normally, ‘twould be only yers alone! I… I shouldn’t be here at all!”

I don’t understand why you’ve suddenly changed. I mean, I get what you’re saying, but I don’t understand you. Can’t you just calm down a little? Couldn’t you have explained this to me more normally?

She chuckled maniacally, her long sharp teeth clattering as she laughed. “Aye, I could’ve, but I felt like hurtin’ a wee demon brat. Especially if ye trapped me in yer own little Spirit Web.” She gestured around with her hand as she spoke.

I’m not entirely sure what’s going on. I don’t even fully understand what this place is. But I can guess that if this woman is in my space, maybe our souls have merged, or something similar has happened? Doesn’t that mean she died? She said she knew of the Spirit Mound. That she’s been there many times. In this case, I’m not sure, but her living in my body…

“Things ain’t goin’ as ye think, brat.” Her words came with a sharp grin that didn’t reach her eyes. “I won’t be explainin’ everythin’ to ye. But what ye must know fer now,” She approached and placed her clawed hand on my head, muttering a few words that caused a glowing light to form as her claws dug into my skull.

And at that moment, I felt my brain might burst from the overload. Her thoughts or information flowed into my mind. Even though my eyes were closed, all I saw were ever-shifting, constantly changing visions.

When she finally let go of my head, I collapsed to the ground. My eyes burned with pain, and my mind felt heavier than ever.

Yes, this was, as I suspected, not the Spirit Mound but my own soul space that is she called Sould Web where one could develop their spiritual body. And I understood that there were two life forces— one physical-somatic, trained outside in the real world, and one spiritual, which I had to train here. Also, the spirits whose screams and whispers I heard were those that managed to escape into my soul space, that Aidz absorbed, after killed the former owner of this body. And if it weren’t for this demon woman standing guard, these spirits would have attacked me and possibly destroyed me, especially since I was still undeveloped physically and spiritually. I should have thanked her for this protection— though it was clear she stood there out of necessity, not choice.

Still, I have no idea who she is. And how and why is she in my soul space–or soul web, anyway? She acted like she didn’t know either. But I’m not so sure about that.

Before she spoke again, she stared at me with her dark eyes for a while. What choice did I have but to stare back? “Ye’ve yet to attain the self-awareness and connection between body and soul needed to reach this place on yer own, so I shall bring ye here meself to develop on the soul’s path.” My eyes began to close of their own accord.

Am I leaving now? Couldn’t I have at least asked a few question?

I couldn’t resist the pull of darkness and the faint tugging sensation as she continued speaking, her voice growing muffled in my ears. “Don’t think I won’t collect on this favor later. Fer now, begone until our next meetin’.”

With that, my world went completely dark, and I felt as if I were being pulled back by a whirlwind.

*

Who the heck was this woman, really?

...