As the light around me fades
The sky darkens like the abyss
As my beating heart slows
My eyes are closed now the abyss surrounds me
Was this inevitable to reverse?
My life wasn’t as bright like others
Blood needs to be shed for my safety
And those whom I cared about were the consequences
The blade of justice prevailed
At the cost of my own soul
This was it nothing can save me
My faith has been chosen by the gods
My only wish is to live a tranquil life in my next incarnation.
Those words will change my existence forever
Unexpectedly, I am moved to a void
A figure appears from the abyss
Standing there, menacingly, silently
Am I being punished?
Is this the retribution for my sins?
I stand there trembling
Knowing that my faith is set
The deity appears docile
No words escape its mouth
The deity’s presence is heavy
A mere mortal like me will suffer
Though you have sinned, all life deserves second chances
The past of yours was filled with agony
Despair was inevitable
You shattered your own life
Giving everything even your soul
Ending another soul is a vile sin
But to uphold the blade of justice
You slaughtered those corrupted beings
With the cost of your fragile soul
While you slowly fade
You’ve shown no regrets
Your expressed happiness
Because now no one will harm them
You sacrificed yourself for the sake of others, you truly are a kind being
The deity’s wisdom enlightened me
Her merciful grace brings warmness
I feel light as a feather
As I reduce to nothing
That chance was given to me
A new life to come forth
Reborn not as a punishment
Reawaken as a chance to live
Author: Putu Beryl Putra Widyadhana
Editor: Nanda Pratama Putera Tomasila, Vonna Meisya Saputra (QC)
Illustrator: Betsy Mariana Agoha