When the darkness consumed them, Haruki saw Lanling's figure vanish. And just when he thought that was the end, the warmth in his arms disappeared, replaced by the biting chill now surrounding him.
He heard the last beat of his pulse echo throughout his body, and just as he thought he had died—his heart frozen—he caught his falling hands.
He blinked, confused.
Before he could process the situation, a blinding light flooded his vision, forcing him to squint. And when he could finally see again, he found himself standing on a pure white road. Spectral images of himself, Lanling, and all the people he had ever met lined the path—his memories were clearly replaying before him.
"...Is my life flashing before my eyes?" he couldn't help but ask out loud.
He took a step, only to find that nothing resisted him. Cautiously, he moved forward. He didn't really know where he was, but he figured that stepping off the road would likely be a mistake.