Echoes of the Past

Seraphina 'Seraph' Valen sat in the dimly lit confines of her small apartment, the silence almost oppressive. Her white hair, disheveled from the night's events, fell over her face as she leaned against the wall. The apartment, sparse and utilitarian, bore little evidence of a personal life. Except for one thing: a framed photo on a small table by the bed.

With a deep breath, Seraph stood and walked over to the table. She picked up the photo, her fingers gently tracing the edges of the frame. It was a picture of her parents, smiling warmly at the camera. Her mother's radiant smile and her father's proud stance brought a pang of sorrow to her heart. She sat down on the bed, holding the photo close.

As she stared at the picture, the memories flooded back.

The flashback was vivid, as if she were reliving it.

Seraph was a young girl again, her mother's laughter echoing through the halls of their home. Her father's strong hands lifting her into the air, making her feel like she could touch the sky. The warmth and security of their love surrounded her, a stark contrast to the chaos that followed.

She remembered the night when monsters attacked. The terror in her mother's eyes as she fought to protect her, the fierce determination in her father's stance as he battled another monster. The fatal blow that felled him, her mother's anguished scream as she hid Seraph, and then the sacrifice that took her mother's life to save her own.

The memory of holding her parents' lifeless bodies, their blood staining her clothes, was etched into her soul. She had sobbed uncontrollably, a child who had lost everything.

Seraph blinked back tears as the flashback faded, bringing her back to the present. She placed the photo back on the table with a trembling hand. Her heart ached, but there was a steely resolve in her eyes now. She knew she had to keep moving forward. Her parents had given their lives for her, and she would honor their sacrifice.

"I'll make you proud," she whispered to the empty room, her voice filled with determination. "I'll continue to fight, and I'll find a way to make this world a better place."

Her sanity, though fragile, held firm in this moment. The system, always present, recognized the shift.

[Sanity Stabilizing. Current Sanity: 20/80.]

Seraph took a deep breath, feeling the weight of her parents' legacy on her shoulders. She had faced unimaginable horrors, but she was still standing. The pact with Drakonis had given her power, but it was her own will that would drive her forward.

She stood up, her eyes scanning the apartment. There were things she needed to do, plans to make. She was no longer welcome at her former workplace, and her enemies would be searching for her. But she had faced worse before, and she would face this too.

[System Notification: New Objectives Available.]

The cold, mechanical voice of the system echoed in her mind. It was a reminder that she was not alone, that she had tools and resources at her disposal. And she would use them all to fulfill her promise to her parents.

With renewed determination, Seraph began to prepare. She gathered her belongings, her mind already formulating a plan. She would need allies, resources, and a place to regroup. But most importantly, she would need to stay strong.

As she packed, the photo of her parents remained on the table, a silent testament to her resolve. She was Seraphina Valen, and she would not be broken. Her journey was far from over, and she was ready to face whatever came next.