Alexander felt that his consciousness was falling into the abyss of emptiness - where darkness merged with infinity, and time seemed to stand still. Then everything changed suddenly. His feet touched something hard and he felt cold but stable ground beneath him. Opening his eyes, he saw the world of the Edge: a gray boundless space, dissolved in the darkness, where the only landmarks were the distant silhouettes of mountains and rocks hanging in the air. Everything in this world violated the established laws of earthlings.

Turning his head, Alexander noticed Yulia. She was close, her eyes, filled with fear and misunderstanding, stared intently at the world around her. Her body, although it looked real, was shrouded in the same haze as everything around. Gradually, the body gained firmness and clarity. This frightening resemblance to the transformation of reality made Alexander freeze for a moment. He remembered her helpless look, her words about the past, and it filled him with strength and determination to help her.

Without wasting time, he sat down next to Yulia, put his arm around her shoulders and pulled her close to him. His hugs were warm and soothing, like a shield from all this dark reality. The young man understood that now it would be difficult for her to accept the new realities, but this had to be done.

“We are together, Yulia...” he whispered in her ear, trying to penetrate the veil of her fear with his voice. - I'm nearby, and we will find a way out of here. We will return back alive, and even restore our health.

In a deep embrace, without taking his eyes off Yulia, Alexander thought about what had happened. His gaze was drawn to the girl’s atrophied legs. This went against the understanding of this world. He was absolutely sure that the Edge reflected the soul, and not the physical body of a person. So why couldn't her soul walk?

Lost in his thoughts, Alexander tried to remember every moment of their meeting. Fragments of conversations came to his mind, moments when she talked about her childhood. “I’ve always been like this,” said Yulia, talking in many words and without words about her difficult fate. And now, in this strange world, her soul, her inner “I,” continued to live with this conviction.

Alexander had an image of him coming to Gran when he was shot. Then his “body” in this place was absolutely normal, without scratches, without pain. And other times when he was burned, when his leg was broken, it was just a physical shell. He also remembered a vivid example and explanation of the being about this moment of spiritual manifestation, which was the basis of his idea. If the Edge truly reflects the soul, then in this world Yulina’s soul can also be free and whole.

He realized that the task before him was not an easy one. But he needed to convince Yulia to realize her true essence, to free her from the mental shackles of the past. Now she must believe in herself, convince her mind that she is a healthy person.

“Julia,” he began, looking straight into her eyes, “Here, in Grani, you can be whatever you want.” Your body here is a reflection of your soul, your inner world. If you believe deep within yourself that you can walk, then you can do it. Of course, you won’t be able to create something beyond your capabilities, like a dragon, but a healthy body is very possible.

Taking a deep breath, Julia looked away.

- How can you say such things, Sash? I've never gone. That's all... It's simply not true! - Her voice sounded offended and slightly irritated.

Alexander looked at her, understanding her fear and doubts.

- I know, Julia, that it’s hard for you to believe. But here, in Grani, everything is different. You can be whatever you want. You shouldn’t limit yourself to the past...” he said, trying to find words so that they would reach her heart.

She took a deep breath, tears sparkling in her eyes.

- You don’t understand, Sasha. It's not just the past. This is my life. This is who I have always been.

Alexander slowly touched her arm, slowly running his fingers up to her forearm.

- Do you remember how, as children, we imagined different worlds, made up stories and believed in them? - he said this, not really hoping that he would guess, but it seemed to him that this could happen to them. He carefully watched her facial expressions, but did not encounter any rejection, which is why he continued: “So why not believe now?” Here, where everything is possible. Look, there are rocks flying across the sky, and there is a portal leading to another reality. You think this is commonplace. No, everything is possible here. Our dreams, your dreams, to walk, run and live a normal life are possible here.

Julia looked at him, remembering their childhood dreams. Alexander, seeing that the girl was beginning to yield, continued:

- Trust me, Julia. I'm here, I won't let you fall. You just have to believe...

She nodded and Alexander helped her to her feet. She hung on him, unable to do anything as she began to cry. Alexander thought she was upset, but she hugged him tightly with a smile on her face.

- The fingers are moving! Look! Look! - the young man looked down and smiled. She really believed and the limbs that had not responded to the call all her life obeyed her again. It was as if it had broken an invisible barrier in her mind and she tried to take a step and her legs obeyed her, albeit weakly for now.

The first steps were uncertain and unsteady, but Alexander’s support gave her strength. He held her hands, reminding her that he was there, that they were in this together. Alexander observed and was close to those moments when Yulia learned to feel her body again, learned to walk, balance, overcoming the barriers of her consciousness. Her tenacity and self-belief inspired him.

Julia walked diligently, each step was filled with determination and perseverance. She didn't yet feel full control over her legs, but every time she managed to take several steps in a row without support, her eyes sparkled with joy. Although it took time, it was worth it.

Alexander, seeing her unshakable determination, decided that Yulia could cope without his presence for a while. They have been in uncharted territory for a long time, and this could cost them their lives for the last time. He decided to explore the area they found themselves in, looking for anything useful or information. Having chosen the direction and warned the girl that he would leave, he went to investigate.

Having climbed the nearest hill, he stopped to look at the panorama of the Edge. A huge, endless gray landscape stretched out before him, like an undecorated painting. In the distance one could see a haze covering the trees and rocks, their outlines floating like old, tattered photographs. Here and there on the ground there were gaps pulsating with light, and around them lay piles of ashes with daggers sticking out of the top.

Alexander realized that the place where they found themselves was different from where he had been before. In general, every time he died, he was transported to a random point on the Edge and he could not explain why this happened. Also, it seemed to him that it was even more gloomy and uncomfortable here. He heard a distant echo, like a whisper. This sound made him flinch. There were many unknown secrets and dangers in the Edge.

The whisper seemed to be getting closer, as if it was right behind him. Alexander clutched his dagger in his hand, feeling how the cold blade calmed his nerves and gave him confidence. He remembered that souls in the Edge could manifest in various ways, and sometimes their presence could only be felt, but not seen.

Suddenly, he felt the wind rise and his hair began to flutter from the gust. The rising dust slowly hid everything around, and Alexander lost his bearings for a moment. He turned sharply in the direction from which he had come, but he could no longer make out anything. He prepared to imbue the dagger with power for the shield and waited, peering into the dusty curtain until his eyes hurt.

He tried to calm his breathing and concentrate. Closing his eyes, Alexander tried to tune in to the whisper, trying to identify individual words among this chaos. The most amazing thing is that Cassandra was silent, which means this time there is no danger yet. But the whisper seemed to move in waves, now louder, now quieter.

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Gradually, the noise around began to subside, and Alexander realized that the souls had left. Everything around returned to its previous state - the motionless and gloomy landscape of the Edge. He breathed a sigh of relief, but deep down he felt that this incident was only a harbinger of more serious trials. The young man was about to go back when he noticed something.

Alexander noticed something out of the corner of his eye that he had not seen before. His gaze stretched upward, where flying islands of rocks flashed through the fog and clouds. They floated in the sky, like motionless ships in the sky, separating from the ground on which Alexander stood. On one of these rocks a storm was raging, filled with glowing figures and distorted faces formed from flesh and mist.

Creating tiny whirlwinds of wind and lightning, these figures rose into the sky, creating a rumble and whisper that reached Alexander. Now he realized that these souls, that there was something subtly sad and alarming in them. The whisper returned and became even louder, so that the young man could make out individual words and pleas for help.

Alexander stood on a hill, gazing at the heavens. He had seen such a storm of souls before. A creature without skin created it, which means its goal was nearby. Charon's task, which carried great reward with great risks. He was ready to rush there, even regardless of the height of the flying rocks. But at the moment the path there was not easy. His attention was absorbed by something else—Yulia.

He looked down, and there, below, on the ground, was Julia, making clumsy attempts to rise to her feet. She clearly needed support. Alexander quickly glanced at a rocky tree located nearby. Deciding to act, he ran up to him. With the power of the soul that he was learning to control, Alexander imbued his dagger. The steel blade regained its mysterious gray glow. With quick and precise blows, he carved a cane from the tree. The whole operation took no more than a minute.

With a cane in his hand, he turned to Yulia. A moment's pause and he dissipated the soul power in his hand, allowing his body to briefly rest from the power he had just experienced. Then, with confident steps, he headed down into the valley towards the girl.

When he approached the neighbor, he handed her a cane, offering his help. His eyes showed sincere care and intention to help the girl recover and move on. Realizing that unexpected dangers could overtake them at any moment, he wanted to speed up their path in order to get away from the epicenter of the storm of souls.

Julia stared at the cane in Alexander’s hand, her eyes shimmering with gratitude. She accepted the freshly made support and, with Alexander's support, tried to stand up. She was still weak on her feet, but having a cane gave her confidence.

Alexander, meeting Yulia’s gaze, began the conversation with a tone of urgency:

- Julia, we need to move. This place is the epicenter of a storm of souls. If we delay, I'm afraid the consequences will be disastrous for both of us. I'm talking about this! - the guy pointed to the storm that broke out in the skies. - A storm of souls is not just a natural disaster. It can consume and distort souls caught in its epicenter. If we miss the moment, the dead will tear us to pieces. We need to move and as soon as possible! I know where we should go. Trust me.

Julia, trying to pull herself together, replied:

- I understand, Sasha. Thanks for the cane. She... Really helps. - the girl tried to take a couple of steps, after which she smiled. - I trust you, Sash. Help me walk and I will follow you anywhere.

Both clasped hands and began their journey, trying to avoid a dangerous collision with the storm of souls.

Alexander, watching Yulia’s improving condition, felt proud of her progress. Leading her towards the forest on the horizon, he tried to keep her spirits up. In this strange world, which he called the Edge, the soul had great power over the material world.

- You are doing this amazingly, Julia! - he began, feeling that she needed his words. - You know, in Grani everything depends on the strength of your soul. Here it affects many things, and even bodily injuries can be healed. Some time ago, when my hand was almost cut off, I healed it through faith in my soul. It's important to just believe... and learn while you can...

He didn't have time to finish. Julia stopped abruptly, her eyes were full of tears and anger.

Enough! What nonsense are you telling me? - she exploded. - My body in the real world is broken, Sasha! What is the point of “walking with my soul” here if I can’t even sit normally there?!

Her voice trembled with anger and despair.

- Do you think this helps? Do you think I believe in this... This illusion? You promised to help me, but you're just giving me false hope! I can't, just shut up!

Alexander felt his heart clench in pain. It was difficult for him to find the right words to calm her down. But he understood her pain and despair. All he wanted to do was help. But perhaps not all his words were true.

Trying to remain calm in the face of Yulia's anger, Alexander suddenly realized that her reaction was quite expected. He remembered his feelings when he first came to the Fringe - his mind was filled with mixed emotions, shock and confusion. Facing a new reality, especially when facing the unknown of your own past, is a challenge. Giving up everything you have always known is very difficult.

- Julia, I understand your feelings... - Alexander began, his voice sounded confident. - You are now in a state of shock, and your brain is trying to protect itself by denying everything around you. If I remembered my past, perhaps I would feel the same way as you do now. But I promise you that there is a way to restore your ability to walk, not only here, but also in the real world. The main thing is not to stop there and move. Please!

Julia looked at him, her eyes were full of tears and doubt. Alexander added:

“But before I can teach you, we need to get away from the danger that haunts us.” Please trust me.

Despite all her rage and despair, something like hope flashed in Yulia’s eyes. She sniffled, making an attempt to step forward and leave the ruined landscape behind her. Her movement faltered and she almost fell. Her face was tense again. And anger at Alexander transformed into a desire to live.

Julia squeezed the handle of the cane, and her face, recently distorted by despair, for a moment became firm and decisive. The tears were wiped away and she nodded to Alexander, indicating that she was ready to move on.

However, before they could take a step, something huge fell from the sky, causing a huge shock and raising a column of dust. Alexander, almost instinctively, imbued the dagger with the power of his soul. He didn’t hesitate and immediately covered Yulia with himself, holding the weapon in front of him. An explosive swirl of dust obscured their view, but through the fog they could see a changing silhouette. Nasty clicking sounds came from the cloud, and Julia screamed in fear.

However, despite her fear, she did not run. Instead, Julia squeezed the handle of the cane even tighter and pressed herself closer to Alexander, as if seeking protection in him. In front of them, a menacing figure of a bone cat, the size of a car, loomed out of the dust.

The undead cat was truly impressive. Her bony body, made up of hundreds of knobby and spiky bones, sparkled in the light of the Edge. Two amber eyes, in which two bright green lights sparkled, seemed to be the work of a jeweler, and every step she took was accompanied by the sound of grinding bones. Despite the threat posed by her, there was something mesmerizing about her appearance. Her tail, made up of many interconnected bones, was held erect and ready to strike. The huge claws on her paws, reminiscent of daggers, pierced the ground with every step.