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The crushing of my bones between teeth doesn't come. I open my eyes, only to see strange flames leaping from my skin.

They appear white, but their centres flicker between blue, pink and sunset. Somehow, they don't hurt, but I feel myself getting faint. My heart misses a beat. I slap my arms in terror, trying to put the fire out. “How extraordinary.” I look up to find Duality speaking to me. “I suppose you are not the mere Anchen I thought you were.” Too many questions weigh on my tongue to say anything. “A… what?” “Your aura seems strong; I may not need to test you at all. And yet...”

She turns and begins burrowing into the clouds, making a coiling staircase.

I’m still standing there once she’s gone. My ‘aura'? Is that what this being is? A… part of me?

‘Indeed.’

The being’s eyes reappear before me.

‘I shall put this simply. I am the part of you that provides our flames; who knows this world without you ever seeing its true nature. I can protect you, but without your trust, we may both perish.’

I don't know how to respond. I kinda wish I didn't understand (as if that would make this any less real).

“If I believe you, tell me this: what's this ‘will’ you're talking about?”

‘To become complete. That is the way of our kind.
‘Now, follow Duality. We’re almost there.’

Back to being cryptic...

Its eyes disappear.
I sigh, letting it take me down the staircase.

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