Page 52 of Demonic Affliction

“Why did you choose me as a vessel?”

The serafyn is silent for a long time. It is hard to explain. My memory… I cannot remember the why. I only know that our souls were fated to be together.

“Wow. Super helpful,” I mutter.

Now who’s being a bit of a dick?

I bite back my laugh, not wanting to give Spoon the satisfaction. I sit in silence for a while longer, enjoying the feel of the cold wind against my face. Below me, the frozen landscape stretches in every direction, ice glinting faintly in the silver moonlight. The world feels smaller from up here. Quieter.

“Hey, Spoon?”

Yes?

“Is this world truly going to end?”

Yes.

“Am I… am I going to die?” My voice cracks around the words.

Are you fearful of death?

“No… yes… I don’t know.” I blow out a breath. “I certainly don’t want to die painfully.”

I would never allow that to happen. As for you dying… no. When this world ends, you and I will simply move to the next.

“And when I’m old?” I mutter. “When my bones are breaking down, and I can barely keep my head up? What then? Will you drag me around and make me play Destroyer even then?”

Spoon actually laughs at that. You will not age, silly human. After the Assimilation, you will have my power running through your veins.

“I thought I already did?”

You have been borrowing my power until now. It is… different. The Assimilation is… Special. Sacred.

I don’t really see the difference, but if Spoon says there is one, so be it. “So after the Assimilation… I’ll never die?”

Not unless our souls are separated. And very few things in the universe can do that.

“But it is possible?”

Perhaps you are not as daft as I thought. A pause. Yes… but do not get any ideas. It will not save this world.

“What would save the world?”

I don’t get an answer to that. Your mate is approaching.

“What? I didn’t hear anything⁠—”

“Willow! Why are you out of bed?” Rhune’s voice carries across the distance.

Told you. Spoon snickers.

Shut up. I slowly turn to face Rhune, plastering a bright smile on my face. “Hi, Rhune. I just wanted some fresh air.”

He walks over and sits down behind me, his legs straddling mine, dangling over the edge of the cliff without a care in the world.

“It’s nice out. Peaceful. I haven't seen the world like this in a long time,” Rhune comments.

For some reason, his words bring more anxiety. I can’t help but think this is the calm before the storm. The quiet before everything goes to shit.