Chapter 29

As Ember ran into the water, she felt her heart jump into her throat as drowning entered her mind. Stop it. Ember scolded herself. Even if you drown, someone will help. She assured herself. Ember dived underwater to get a start and took off. She struggled to even tail behind the person.

As she took deep breaths to make sure she didn't become winded, she watched as her competitor swam ahead. Ember growled this was so stupid. It was obvious she wouldn't be as proficient as a trained soldier. She didn't understand why they insisted on seeing her fail. Was it to make themselves feel better? To see her body at work or watch her struggle?

Ember huffed, her fur was all wet, her tangled hair was soaked, and she was having the worst time in her life. As Ember swam up to shore on the opposite end just as he left. Ember growled and ran back into the water and swam after him. Ember felt the perverted eyes watch her every move as she entered the water. She felt panic rise from deep within her stomach and into her lungs.

She tried to force it back down as she swam after the man she was competing against. As she entered the deepest part of the lake, being unable to even see the ground made the panic force it's way up and she was struggling to keep her head above water. No, no, no. Ember panicked. Please don't let this be happening. She didn't understand; she was doing so well earlier. She was even showing that she could keep up with a trained soldier with only 3 weeks of training in the palace and 2 days of training here.

But here she was, drowning. Ember swam up to grab another gulp of air before she went back under. She held her breath as tried to swim back up but her arms went numb. She screamed underwater for someone to save her before she passed out from lack of oxygen.

As her eyes began to flutter closed, she could see someone swimming towards her. She smiled as she closed her eyes and let herself sink. Begging for the sweet release of death to take her from this body.

Ember awoke to find herself in an empty white space. She looked around for someone in the endless white abyss. Raven-black hair blowing in the wind as tears welled up in Ember's eyes.

"Mom!" Ember called out, "Mom where are we?" She asked.

She ran to her mother but was stopped halted by an invisible force. Her mother turned around and ran towards her daughter but was stopped.

"Ember! My little fire, why are you here?" Her mother asked.

"Mom, where is this place? Why can't I touch you?" Ember asked.

"Honey, this is the crossing point. The afterlife if you will." She said, "I ask again, how did you get here?"

"I... I drowned, I think." She said. "If I died, why can't I be with you?" Ember asked as tears ran down her cheeks.

"It is not your time yet. I have to tell you something before you go." She said.

"What do you mean not my time?" Ember asked.

"Fate has more things waiting for you baby. Me and your father-" Her mother paused, seemingly rethinking her words, "We're so proud of you. Stay strong love." Her mother encouraged.

"What do you mean you and dad? Is dad dead?" Ember asked.

"He died two days ago, sweetie. He moved on, but I stay here, to wait for the people I love to come." Her mother said. Ember looked around as everything got blurry.

"Mom! I don't want to go yet, please, don't let me go back." Ember begged as her mother gave a sad smile.

"Stay safe and follow what you believe." Her mother said before everything turned to black.

Ember woke, coughing up water as she looked around the area. Tears rolling down her cheeks as noticed where she was. She was right next to the lake she had previously, died in. Ember looked around and saw men surrounding her.

"What happened?" Ember asked.

"You drowned, or rather you almost did. If it wasn't for him," Damian signaled to the man she had competed with, "You would have." He admitted.

"I want to go back," Ember muttered.

"Huh, go back to where?" Damian asked.

"Oh, nowhere. I just wish to go home." She lied.

"Well, I'm glad you're alive," Damian said, helping her up. I wish I could feel the same way. Ember thought somberly. As if her life couldn't fall apart anymore, her father was dead. Not only that, but she was ripped from her mother, all too quickly. She just wanted to be happy, Ember felt tears welling up in her eyes as turned away from the men. She didn't want to cry, but she needed to.

Despite sobbing her eyes out last night, she felt so many overwhelming emotions, all of which could only manifest in tears and anger. Ember stormed off with tears rolling down her cheeks as she headed back towards camp. She didn't want to stay here any longer. She wanted to be in her tent and cry in private.

Ember pushed her way towards camp, she opened her tent to find Atherton sitting on her bed.

"Ember? Are you okay?" Atherton asked, standing up quickly.

"I..." Ember paused, there was no point in lying, she was crying. There was no covering that up, "I'm not, I've never been so bad in my life." Ember sobbed and fell into Athertons arms as she clung to his shirt and sobbed. "I just want to die, so badly." Ember bawled into his shirt.

"Hey, hey. You don't mean that, do you?" Atherton asked.

"But I do, I really do. I can't handle it all anymore." Ember blubbered. "I don't want to."

Atherton sat down and cradled the small neko. "Let it all out Em'." He cooed, "Just let it all out." He repeated as Ember sobbed into Atherton's shirt, gripping onto his shirt.

"Please," Ember begged to the gods to end her suffering.