A Black Serpent in the Depths

There was a black serpent.

Most of its body lay concealed beneath the still surface of the water.

 Vera quickly realized that this place was within her inner self.

Beside her, the Black dragon remained by her side. Within this space, she was free, unaffected by her physical condition.

The black serpent's eyes were as they had always been—pitch black, like a starless night. In the center of those eyes, a crimson pupil gleamed like a flicker of light.

Vera silently gazed at the fate she was born with and murmured quietly,

"...It's all over."

And it was exactly as she said.

She had completely exhausted her Innate True energy—not a single thread remained. She had poured out everything she had.

Her life was now dangling by a thin thread.

[You're quite pessimistic, aren't you?]