The first drop of morning dew rolled down from the icy blocks in the mountain range.
The frozen tableau had proved to be a sight of magnificent serenity and desolation.
The broken portal was no longer rippling with power. And within the silence of the dungeon's ritual chamber, a pale feminine figure with raven hair and pitch black eyes, sat atop a dark emerald stone slab in seeming discomfort.
Her lips felt dry, her throat was parched, and her sight was muddled.
The scent of blood and ozone that reached her nostrils did not help her convalescence.
Where... am I?
For some reason, she couldn't muster the strength to voice her thoughts.
Just as she felt ready to look up, flashes of images suddenly played in her mind along with their corresponding memories. She saw highlights glaring at her, followed by the screeching of tires.
She understood.
It was a traffic accident. As mundane as it could get. The last minutes before the end of her life.
Then, as if the record had been fixed, more scenes began to play: a family, toys, school uniforms, a dark bedroom...
Pain - both within and without - began to course through her.
Leave me alone!
Why me..?
I don't want to live anymore!
Why me..?
You! You all think I'm a disgrace too, right?!
Why me...?
I love you.
...me..?
Victoria!
Her eyes widened as a droplet of red fell into the stone slab the altar was on. The silence that draped over the mountain range also managed to settle deep within the ritual chamber.
Are these…
"Memories…?"
A husky voice came out of her, low and soothing.
She finally realized she could speak; a small triumph.
After that, she followed it by making a declaration.
"My name… is Victoria… Victoria Blythe."
Victoria Blythe was one of many regular office workers in the modern world. Just a plain and simple cog in the wheel of the machine that was the urban workforce. Her last minutes were spent on the road, and there, her breath, life, and soul were taken away by a traffic accident.
She had perished.
Then, how am I...?
No, where in the world am I?!
Feeling like it was high time to stand up and move about to gain a better understanding of her situation, Victoria pushed her body forward. Her green dress rustled while her bare feet pressed against the stone floor.
She sat up.
The first thing her soles felt was cold.
She pulled herself up, and stood up triumphantly…
…only for her legs to give out, and for her to collapse in a heap.
"Eh?" she asked no one in particular.
Having just awoken in this unfamiliar place, she had no idea of the events that had transpired prior to the rising rays over the cold mountain.
This, however, couldn't do much to prevent her bewilderment.
Within the dungeon chamber was what appeared to be a mirror, and looking back at herself was a young woman with skin as pale as snow, and hair as dark as night.
It wasn't the chestnut hair or brown eyes looking back at her, nor was it the sharper features she used to bear.
Who… who in the world is this?!
The revelation stunned her, but Victoria tried to double-check anyway. While her legs still didn't quite completely follow her commands, she was still in full control of her arms, which were now moving around her figure. As she moved, the image in the mirror followed suit, a confirmation that she was, indeed, that woman.
Still, though…
"How?" she asked herself, asking the question with dried lips, a parched mouth and a perplexed tone.
How did I get here?
A few minutes ago, she was roaming the traffic-filled streets. Now, though, she had awakened in not only an unfamiliar place, but also an unfamiliar body!
Victoria felt her brows slackening. Her face, now sporting a deadpan expression, turned away from the mirror.
What have I gotten myself into?
Having regained her bearing, Victoria gazed at her surroundings, being overtaken with curiosity. Aside from the mirror, which was curiously intact, except for a few cracks here and there, there were golden fabrics and broken candles over the floor, as well as a silver dagger with a shimmering blade by her side, over the altar. From a distance, it glowed purple.
She turned towards the end of the chamber, where a violet doorway of translucent light was.
"Is that... a portal?" she asked, eyes narrowing with interest.
If my memories are intact, isn't this a fantasy-like setup?
A few minutes ago, I died. Then, I wake up in a different body and a different place altogether, like a miracle or something...
After a few minutes, Victoria, feeling as if strength was now present in her legs, pressed her lips tightly and pushed herself to stand up.
And as she did so...
[Dungeon System Initiated.]
A strange panel popped into her line of sight: neon purple letters set in an ash-grey backdrop.
[Host does not meet system requirements.]
[Initiating self-destruct sequence.]
"Huh?"
"Self des–wait, what?!"
Although Victoria could read and understand the text perfectly, it still took her a few moments to truly understand what she had read, and the implications thereof…
[Self-destruct sequence initiated.]
"Do I not have a say in thi-ahh!"
Just as she was ready to air her grievances, a sudden pain flashed through her body. Her teeth clenched from the shock, and her body stayed rigid, unable to cease its spasming bouts.
Why...
Victoria realized earlier that she had probably regained a second chance at life due to divine intervention. Now, though, it seemed that this higher being might not have wanted to give her a second chance after all.
The shock passed, but the pain remained. She felt her eyes moisten and her throat warm up, ready to regurgitate whatever was left in her stomach.
Feeling helpless, she stretched her jaws wide open.
"Why me?!"
[Self destruction in 5..]
[4...]
[3...]
As she listened to the countdown into her second death, Victoria's heart was gripped by a sense of helplessness. The merciless window kept flashing the dwindling numbers, and suddenly, a thought formed in her head.
Am I being rejected... again..?
[2...]
[1...]
Victoria closed her eyes hard, bracing herself for the outcome.
[Error.]
Huh?
Instantly, the pain faded away: it was like having Death about to swing his scythe, but stopped at the very last moment.
She popped her eyes open and was suddenly met by a familiar, yet unfamiliar, sight.
[Error... unable to proceed.]
Before her stood a fair lady wearing the same face as her current form. However, this one took on a more ethereal form: white hair, golden eyes, and cotton white clothes. She resembled an angel appearing before a helpless mortal.
"My~ my~" she began. "It seems like you are in need of some... assistance."
The phantom's lips parted as she licked them, her eyes carrying a tantalizing glint.
"Well, I will do just that~," she continued, "if you agree to make a pact with me~"
Victoria's brain, which had already taken on a lot of stress from waking up and her close call, was due to short-circuit.
"What say you?"
And at that question, her mind gave in, the final straw in this sequence of absurdity that had been happening, one after the other.
It was around this time that the serenity surrounding the dungeon vanished entirely.