Darkness was all that she could see, a vast expanse of nothingness that seemed to stretch endlessly in all directions. Seraphina could no longer feel pain. The insufferable sting from being endlessly whipped finally ceased. Her stomach was no longer screaming out in agony begging for food. She now felt nothing, only a heavy burden of heartache, sorrow and regret. The darkness seemed to be all that was left for Seraphina.

“Stupid girl!” She cried out into the empty space around her, "What did I do to deserve this awful fate? I have been kind all my life, so why am I the one facing this consequence? ” Her voice echoed through the empty abyss, her resentment lingering in the air for just a moment. She stood there, alone in the void, her cries dissipating into the nothingness around her.

“You are correct, you don't deserve this fate Stupid Girl…” A vexatious and frightening voice suddenly boomed through the air.

“Who’s there! Who are you!” Seraphina yelled out into the nothingness, her presence insignificant.

“HA” The voice laughed condescendingly. “Who am I? You dare ask me such an insulting question? You have entered my realm uninvited, and yet you have the impertinence to enquire as to my identity? Your lack of respect is astounding!"

The voice roared through the darkness, Seraphina could feel it vibrating deep within her chest but could not tell where it was coming from or who was speaking. It was loud and powerful, she tried to look around and find the source, but there was nothing in the shadows.

“I-ii don't know how I got here,” She cried, “I just woke up in this place I did not ask to come”.

“And yet, here you are. So then, are you lost Stupid Girl?” The voice teased her, its words dripping with sarcasm and mischief. It was clear that the voice was trying to get a reaction out of her, and it seemed to be succeeding.

“STOP CALLING ME STUPID GIRL!” She shouted into the void. Seraphina could feel her fear lingering for a mere moment before it was replaced by a much more powerful feeling of anger. It was a strange sensation, as a wave of heat seemed to fill her body. She was consumed by a sudden rage, one that seemed to come from nowhere. Suddenly a small light flickered in front of her.

Seraphina was taken aback by the unexpected burst of light, and instinctively took a step back. As she did, the light began to slowly diminish, until the room was again in darkness. It had been a strange sensation, one that Seraphina could not explain. She had a feeling that something important had just taken place, but she couldn't put her finger on it. Whatever it was, it had left her unsettled.

“NO!!” The voice thundered, “Stupid Girl, what are you doing! do not hide. Go towards the light, and embrace it, let it grow. Be exposed to the beauty and possibilities that this light brings with it.”

“Why do you keep calling me that?” Seraphina mumbled. She had had enough. She was fed up with the way the voice continued to speak to her, and she refused to heed its demands.

“Calling you what?” The voice chuckled.

“You keep calling me stupid girl!” Seraphina was annoyed by the playfulness in the Voice's tone. It was a lightheartedness that Seraphina found grating, as if the Voice was mocking her.

“Stupid Girl is your name, is it not? The voice asked innocently, “It is what that vile man called you, it is also what you called yourself when you first arrived.”

“That is not my name! She declared, “My name is.…” She paused, recalling the events that just took place. After a few seconds she responded. “My name was Seraphina”.

“So, it is now Stupid girl, correct?” The voice jested, its chuckle a low growl.

“No! My name is Seraphina, you wretched voice!” Seraphina was trying to keep her temper in check, but it was proving difficult. She felt her frustration and anger building up inside her, and she knew it was only a matter of time before it boiled over.

“You just said your name ‘WAS’ Seraphina! Make up your mind Stupid girl!” The voice shouted. It was deep and raspy. Although frightening, Seraphina sensed no maliciousness in the voice.

“I just meant, since I am dead, I probably no longer need a name.” Seraphina felt a wave of sadness wash over her as the memories of how she had been betrayed by the man she loved came flooding back. The voice had distracted her, but she could not forget what Theo had done; he had stolen her innocence, used her, had her tortured, and then killed her. The weight of these memories felt unbearable and Seraphina could feel her heart sink into her chest.

“You are not dead”, The voice sounded sympathetic, “not yet at least.”

“What do you mean, not yet?” Suddenly the small flame was ignited once again, as if her hope kindled it. This time she did not retreat. Seraphina was filled with a mix of confusion and wonderment.

She had never heard the voice before, and it had done nothing but provoke her since she arrived, yet it also brought her comfort in some strange way. It felt familiar, as if she had heard it in a dream, or perhaps in a distant memory.

“Just as I stated, you are not dead yet. However, you will be dead soon if you continue to let your dejection consume you.” The voice sounded aggravated now. “That man, that false king, he stole your flame, I am giving you a chance to take it back”.

“How do you know that? How do you know what happened? Who are you?” Seraphina was overflowing with questions, she still didn't know where she was or how she got there. If this wasn’t the afterlife what in the world was it.

“Because I am everything Stupid Girl, I am everywhere, I am life itself, and this is my realm.” The Voice said smugly.

The Voices answer was something unimaginable, yet Seraphina wasn’t taken aback. Instead of questioning it further, she accepted it and moved on. “Why did you save me?” Seraphina continued.

“I did not save you!” The voice griped, “You are the one who appeared in my realm unannounced or did you forget Stupid Girl.” Seraphina could tell the voice was not being sincere this time, in spite of that she simply nodded and moved on.

“Then why were you watching me?” she pressed.

“Because you are pathetic and I had hoped you would finally wake up…” He moaned, almost sounding as if he was bored. “ You are always bowing to those who you deem to be more powerful or important than you, unable to find the motivation to make any real progress. Your life is a continuous cycle of failure and disappointment, and you have no one to blame but yourself. Even now you are pathetic, you are choosing to just accept your current situation.”

Seraphina was now angry and confused. She had been continuously subjected to the voice's taunts since she had first arrived, and she was determined to get to the bottom of it. She felt the anger rising within her, slowly creeping through her veins and spreading across her body like a wildfire. She hadn't realized it yet but, the more she got angry, the greater the flame grew. The voice was all too aware of the power its words had unleashed.

"Stop it!" She yelled, with a furious intensity that could not be ignored. There was a feeling of power and control in her voice, as if she was determined to be heard. "You have been nothing but rude since I got here. I am sorry if my presence is an inconvenience to you, but I didn't ask to come here! I didn't choose to be here."

“So you wanted to die?” The voice responded, with a hint of playfulness.

“That is not what I said!” She was becoming increasingly frustrated with the way he was taking what she said and distorting it to suit his own narrative. She could feel the fury rising inside her. With every word he spoke.

The voice chuckled “Then you came here on your own Stupid girl! You chose not to die, and came here instead!”

Before she could respond, Seraphina's attention was suddenly drawn away, her gaze now fixed upon the roaring flame that had been a mere flicker moments before. She could hardly believe how much it had grown. Feeling an undeniable pull towards the flames, her feet carried her closer, her eyes never leaving the sight before her. The heat from the fire warmed her body and soul, and she felt a sense of peace wash over her.

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“What is that?” The flame seemed to be hypnotizing her, Its mesmerizing display of movement and color was entrancing.

“Ahh, it is beautiful isn't it?” The voice said excitedly. “It is capable of so much more though. It could be bigger than we ever imagined, it could be wild! Its power is almost infinite. It could incinerate entire worlds if it wanted to.”

Seraphina was transfixed by the flame, she looked into its entrancing depths, the despair that had been weighing her down slowly slipping away. Feeling an inexplicable peace and a sense of calm when she looked at it, the flame seemed to offer her solace.

“Touch it.” The voice whispered in her ear. It sounded as if it was right beside her, but no one was there.

The flame offered a strange sense of security, as if it was calling her closer into a silent embrace. With each step she took, the flame seemed to grow in size.

She reached out her arm, her fingers trembling with anticipation, “But what is it?” She asked, although the answer did not matter, it was too late to turn back. She knew she needed this, whatever this was, she needed it in order to live once again.

The voice began to laugh a deep yet excited laugh, the roar of its laughter filled the area around them.

Seraphina looked up from the flame, when her eyes finally focused she could see a large figure standing on the other side. It was tall and imposing, with large black feathered wings tucked away on its back. Its head was adorned with large horns that resembled those of a goat and its ashen gray skin had glowing symbols etched into it that looked as if flames were trapped inside of him trying to escape. The creatures' large intimidating yellow eyes stared at her, but she was not afraid, she did not see malice in them; on the contrary, she felt adoration in its gaze.

“It’s you Stupid girl, the flame is you!” The creature cried out, just then the flames wrapped around Seraphina like a blanket, she screamed as the flames enveloped her body.

“EMBRACE THEM STUPID GIRL! BE REBORN! RISE!” The voice called to her, but Seraphina was afraid.

“I Don’t know what I am supposed to do!” She shrieked.

She could feel the heat intensifying, threatening to consume her entirely. Though it did not burn, she was trembling in fear as the fire closed in around her.

“Live little one! All you must do is live!” The voice howled, “Remember what they did to you, let that fuel your fire! Take revenge on those who have hurt you and live the life you were meant to live! You are stronger than all of them! Embrace your power! Do not hide it this time.”

“You are love, you are light, you are chaos!” The voice rumbled all around her as the fire grew bigger.

“I’m scared!!… I.. I don't know if I can do this” Seraphina screamed as she dropped to her knees and closed her eyes. Just as the flames began to shrink she felt something take hold of her hand. When she opened her eyes, in front of her was the creature, its large yellow eyes met hers.

“Never let fear stop you” The creature calmly said, helping Seraphina to her feet. “Stupid girl, you are more powerful than you know, soon you will never fear anything or anyone ever again”.

The flames still raging around her body, Seraphina held her head high, she felt a sudden surge of power within her, a power she had never felt before. The creature's words gave her courage she didn't know she possessed.

“My name is not Stupid Girl.” She laughed, wiping the tears from her face.

The creature stepped back into the shadows, Seraphine could not see it any longer, but she could hear its voice whispering in her ear. “I know My Phoenix, now Rise!”

The flames exploded around her filling the entire void. She remained calm and closed her eyes, after a moment of darkness she was jolted awake. She quickly sat up in bed rubbing her eyes, then blinked a few times.

“My Phoenix?” She thought to herself, “what does that mean”.

Suddenly she felt a chill run down her spine as she realized where she was. This wasn’t the void, nor was it the dungeon, she was back in her room at the convent. Seraphina quickly jumped out of bed tripping over her blanket, scrambling to the mirror in her room. She stripped off her nightgown as fast as she could, and stood there staring, her eyes lingered over every inch of her reflection. She ran her hands over her stomach feeling the curves of her body that were once so foreign to her. Her ribs no longer protruding because of starvation, instead she looked healthy, plump and sun kissed once again. Taking in every detail, she felt a profound sense of relief. Her curly, fiery red hair, cascaded around her bare shoulders and draped down her back slightly brushing the top of her behind. Seraphina collected her unruly curls in her hands, and slowly spun around to examine her back, but there was nothing, not a scratch, nor a scar. Was it all a dream?

Her legs felt weak and she dropped to the floor, there was no way it was a dream. She really got a second chance at life. Tears filled her emerald eyes, all she was able to do at that moment was cry tears of joy, just as she lifted her hand to wipe away her tears, the door swung open.

“WAKE UP LAZY GIRL! ALWAYS SLEE……”, It was Sister Agatha, one of the few nuns living at the convent. Seraphina would usually sleep in past the rooster crow and Sister Agatha would have to drag her out of bed in the morning so she could go to mass and start her chores. Before Sister Agatha could finish her sentence, she saw Seraphina crying on the floor. She grabbed the blanket Seraphina had tripped over earlier and wrapped it around her naked body.

“What happened child, what is wrong? Are you hurt? Are you sick? Sister Agatha pestered as she knelt down on the floor beside Seraphina. “Can you speak?”

Seraphina wrapped her arms around the nun, “I am just happy to be alive sister!” She exclaimed.

Sister Agatha’s face scrunched up, “You awful child! You gave me a fright!” She shouted as she stood up shaking her head, “Get dressed so I can braid your hair, you have chores today”.

Seraphina wiped away her tears, she jumped up, got dressed hastily, then sat on a stool that was tucked away in the corner. Seraphina’s curly hair was wild, and beautiful. Golden highlights peaked through the red billow of curls like rays of sunlight through thick clouds. However, as beautiful as it was, it was not practical when doing chores so Sister Agatha braided it for her every morning.

As Sister Agatha ran the comb through Seraphina’s hair, she noticed how lost in thought the girl was.

“Are you sure nothing is wrong child, you aren’t being quarrelsome like usual. Is there something bothering you? Do you want to pray with me?” She asked.

Seraphina was still thinking about everything that had happened to her. It was definitely not a dream, it all really happened.

Sister Agatha tugged on Seraphina’s hair. “Wake up girl! You’ve been strange since this morning, get your head out of the clouds!”, she shouted, “You will be 18 tomorrow, you need to grow up”.

Seraphina quickly turned around to look at Sister Agatha, “What did you just say!?” Her heart began to race and her palms grew sweaty.

“Don’t tell me you’ve forgotten your birthday, Stupid girl”. Agatha hollered

Seraphina’s chest began to feel tight. “stupid girl?!” She thought to herself, these simple words triggered something inside of her. Her breathing sped up, she felt as if she was gasping for air, and her body began to tremble. “I didn’t come back to the living world, I went back in time!…what if.. What if everything that happened, happens again?”

Agatha felt Seraphina's body trembling. “Hurry get back in bed child, I fear you may be ill, hurry hurry let me fetch the priest!” Agatha rushed Seraphina back into bed, she sped out the door. Seraphina was now soaked with sweat, she was feverish, and her body would not stop shaking.

She felt faint but was afraid if she closed her eyes she’d be back in the void and the creature would tell her she failed, or worse back in the dungeon. The priest came rushing in followed by a nun carrying a bowl of water and Agatha. The Priest placed his hand on Seraphina’s forehead. “She’s burning up, bring me the cold rag.” The nun who had followed him grabbed a rag out of the bowl, she squeezed the excess water from it and handed it to the priest. He placed it on Seraphina’s head.

“Don’t let me die, Father Timothy, I do not want to die again! Please help me.” Seraphina begged, grabbing the priest's hand.

Father Timothy held her hands in his own, “You will not die my child, you are safe, now close your eyes and rest, I will pray for your speedy recovery.”

Seraphina felt her eyelids getting heavy, she could not fight it any longer, everything around her was now a blur. She could hear Father Timothy questioning Agatha on how she ended up in the state she was in. “It is not her fault,” she wanted to cry out, but she could not find the strength, and soon she drifted off to sleep.

“Hello again.” The voice was heard in the distance, echoing through the air

When Seraphina opened her eyes she felt a wave of panic wash over her, there was nothing but darkness once again. She had returned to the void.

"Did I die again?" She cried out, tears streaming down her face as she curled up into a ball, her body still trembling.

“No, you are just sleeping, you’re too weak right now,” The voice sighed, it sounded sad, as if it pitied her. “You need to rest, being reborn is not something easily done.”

"I went back in time!" She wept, ”I can't bear the thought of going through it all over again” There was panic in her voice, everything was so overwhelming. She had died, only to be reborn months prior, she could not wrap her head around this.

“You are safe here, do not panic.” The voice reassured her, “You fell into a deep sleep, your energy has been depleted and you need your rest.”

A small flicker of light appeared just like before fighting for its life, like a small candle being blown out. Seraphina could not get up. Although the voice reassured her, she could not help but obsess over the possibility of the past repeating itself.

"What do I do?!" Her voice cracked as she shouted desperately for help. "I can't live through that again!" She felt paralyzed, she was beginning to wonder if she should let the void consume her and just disappear.

The sound of air rushing through feathers roared through the void like a gust of wind sweeping through the trees. Seraphina felt herself being lifted as the creature cradled her in its arms. She felt the warmth of its embrace, and a sense of peace and calm suddenly washed over her.

She lifted her head, The creature's yellow eyes met hers once again and almost instinctively she reached up hugging it tightly.

The small flicker of light grew rapidly, illuminating the darkness of the Void.

“I’ll be 18 again tomorrow,” Seraphina closed her eyes, her voice now calm and sleepy.

“Yes,” the creature whispered as it folded its wings creating a cocoon around the two of them and the flame, “This time you’ll be stronger and wiser, the false king will not be able to trick you again. Do not allow your memory of the pain paralyze you; instead, you must use that betrayal and change your destiny.”

Seraphina drifted off to sleep.