I opened my eyes to find myself in a vast lobby, with high marbled pillars and a floor of polished white marble, a stark contrast to the soot and ash covering the walls. The air was heavy, thick with smoke and the stench of burning flesh. The sound of distant roars and rumblings reverberated through the building, punctuated by the occasional crash of shattered glass and creaking metal.

The sound of smoldering flames filled my ears, and I could feel the heat on my skin. My small feet padded softly against the smooth marble, a strange sense of unease settling over me. I coughed, my eyes watering as the smoke enveloped me, and I found myself wandering aimlessly in the haze.

Suddenly, a voice called out, echoing through the air. "Ikazuchi, my little lightning."

It was a woman's voice, low and resonant, and it echoed in my head, sending a shiver down my spine. It was a voice that commanded attention, that held a power that seemed to transcend earthly boundaries.

But there was something else in that voice, something that made me uneasy. It was a voice that spoke of pain and loss, of sadness and regret.

I followed the sound, my steps quickening as I wove through the maze of shattered glass and twisted metal. As I drew closer, the voice grew clearer, and I saw a figure emerge from the smoke and ash.

She was tall, with long dark hair that fell in waves, and deep brown eyes that held a sadness that seemed to fill the world. She was dressed in a purple sweatshirt stained with blood, and she held an ornamental short sword in her hands.

She knelt down, her arms open wide.

I ran to her, wrapping my arms around her waist as she scooped me up in her warm embrace. Her arms felt strong and comforting, and I could feel her heartbeat against my cheek.

Suddenly, I felt a sharp pain in my arm, and I saw blood pouring from a wound. The stench of burning flesh filled my nose, and I could feel my head spinning as I struggled to breathe.

The woman's voice sounded in my mind, ethereal and distant. "I'm sorry, my heart."

I opened my mouth to respond, but only a gurgle of blood escaped my lips. My vision started to blur, and everything seemed to slow down, like time was being stretched out into an eternity.

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Then, in an instant, it all stopped.

The world exploded in a blast of orange light, the heat scorching my skin as I was flung into the air.

And in a brief, terrifying moment, I realized that I was alone.

The voice was gone, and I was alone in the darkness.

Alone and afraid.

Mommy was gone.

And there was no one left to save me.

A searing pain tore through my consciousness, a tear I couldn't explain or comprehend. It was as if I was being ripped apart from the inside, as if my very soul was being torn to shreds.

In the distance, I saw a figure emerging from the smoke. It was tall and imposing, its features hidden in shadow.

As it drew closer, I could see its features coming into focus, and I felt a sense of dread creeping up within me.

It was me.

I watched as the figure approached, its face pale and emotionless, its body devoid of any humanity. It had my face, but its eyes were black, hollow and vacant, like holes in a mask.

It stood over me, its shadow falling over me, its presence looming over me like a thundercloud. It leaned forward, its blank eyes meeting mine, its hands reaching out, clutching at me with an impossible strength.

I struggled to move, but my limbs were like lead, and I couldn't escape. It reached towards me, its hands grasping at me, its mouth opening to reveal a dark void that seemed to swallow everything.

It pulled me closer, its breath hot on my face, its hands reaching into my chest. It was as if it was trying to claw my heart out, and I could feel its fingers digging into me, ripping me apart.

It was as if it was trying to consume me, to devour me from the inside out.

I closed my eyes, bracing myself for the end.

But it never came.

Chains wrapped around it like a net, holding it in place, pulling it away from me.

And then, I saw a shadow emerge from the darkness.

It was the woman with the naginata.

She held her weapon in her hands, its blade gleaming in the orange glow of the fire. She was shrouded in smoke, but I could make out her dark eyes and the sad smile on her face.

Paper seals appeared from nowhere, floating through the air and surrounding me. They danced and whirled, each one inscribed with ancient symbols and runes.

As the chains and spells continued to pull the shadow away, she bent down, her eyes fixed on mine.

Her hands were warm and gentle as she cupped my cheeks. "▂▂▃"

Her voice was a gentle whisper, a promise spoken in the darkest depths of my mind.

I nodded, reaching out to touch her, my small hand grasping at the fabric of her robes.

She leaned in, pressing her forehead to mine, her white mask reflecting my own tear-stained face.

And in a blinding flash of purple light, she was gone, as was the entity that had been attacking me.

I blinked, looking around, hoping to catch a glimpse of her. But all I saw was the smoldering flames, and the crumpled bodies of creatures I didn't recognize.

And as I lay there, bleeding and broken, the world seemed to fade, and I slipped into a restless, painful sleep.

For the rest of my life, I would remember the scent of burning wood and smoke.

And the ghostly scent of cherry blossoms.

And the lingering memory of whispered words.