The spell broke, and just like that, she could see everything with fresh eyes.

Like the sluggish familiar feeling of waking up from a deep dream. She was lost for just a moment, her memories soon rushing back like a raging current.

Then she remembered.

And then came the pain.

The pain of what has passed, of what she had lost, and who she must now become.

Could she do it? Live with the memories of everything that is gone. She had broken free of the spell, but now the reality crushing her like the weight of heavy chains. For a moment, she could not bear it. Time stopped, the world around her so clear but crumbling.

Falling to her knees, she screamed and cried. Her heart breaking into a million pieces. Tears falling for everyone she loved, for everything she had lost. For all she had to witness and could not change. How could this happen? The spell was supposed to be the answer. But this price, this price was too much to bear.

How long has she been here? How long has time passed since she woke?

Eventually the tears came to an end. Taking a deep breath, the motion cutting her like broken shards in her airway, she finally looked up.

As if the world finally came into focus, she noticed her surroundings. The air was warm and gentle, the ground was soft beneath her hands. She sat protected by the shade of trees above her, the sunlight peaking through the branches. In the distant, the sound of birds chirping and possibly the gentle flow of a stream.

How bittersweet this was; she was surrounded by so much peace, yet the chaos inside her did not quiet.

She stood, taking a moment to collect her thoughts. She could not stay here forever, she must continue on. The spell did not work the way she wanted to, but she was still here. She had to push forward, to right the wrongs that were done. Everyone she loved must not die in vain. The fight must go on.

She chose to fight in this war, but now she had a reason to live, a reason to keep going. She let the memories come and held them close to her heart. A heart so broken but ready to endure.

She took a look around her once more, committing the image to memory. She’ll come back one day. But for now, she must go. There was a battle to be won.