Pain.

Silence.

Celly struggled to keep herself together, but was rapidly failing. She blocked herself from the outside world, wrapping herself in a cocoon of misery and despair. All she could see, all she could feel, all that surrounded her was betrayal. The darkness engulfed her and she just lay there, crying, allowing it to take her away. Vaguely she knew that someone else had entered the room. Someone besides her friend, Nyx, in whose lap she was currently crying out her troubles. Who was it? She didn't care. Celly had stopped caring a long time ago. She had stopped caring about anything when she found out about that... that *man's* betrayal of her.

Why won't the tears stop? she thought despondently. Why? He betrayed me... I shouldn't be crying... I should be happy that I found out about it before he went even farther with me than before. Celly cursed to herself as the tears still flowed. Baka! How could I let him use me like that?!? I let down my guard. I let someone enter my heart, after it had been sealed off so long ago...

Sealed off? When did I seal off my heart? Damn my memories. Even now, when I long to lose myself to the past, lose myself in happier times, I cannot. All is lost to me... Celly quietly slipped off into the bliss of unconsciousness, but not the sweet dreams of sleep.

*Yes, everything is lost to you.*

In her mind Celly could see the familiar figure that presented itself before her. You...

*Yes, me. Who else do you think would visit you here?*

Stay away from me! You--you're the one who caused all of this!

*Iie, you are mistaken. It was that man who has caused this. Dionysus.*

Don't speak his name in my presence!!!

*Poor child,* the figure laughed. She drifted over to Celly, idly stroking Celly's cheek with a smooth hand. Celly shuddered at the touch, but felt an odd comfort with the gesture. *My poor child, so lost in fear and despair...*

What do you want with me?

*There's nothing left for you here, is there?*

Without... him... no, there is nothing left for me anymore.

*You long for release, do you not? To be free from the life of this Game.*

Yes, more than anything.

*The innocence you have lost, you would care to regain.*

Yes.

*Then allow me to enter. Allow me to take your place. This fighting is unnecessary. Even you know what the outcome is destined to be.*

Destined? A red string snapping filled Celly's vision. I don't believe in destiny anymore. But, I'm so tired. I want it all to end.

*You know what the decision must be. Allow me to take your place. Accept me. For this I can give you the oblivion you seek.*

I... I... Celly hesitated with the words. Escape. Oblivion. All this, all she wanted would be hers if she only accepted the figure's proposal. The figure sensed her indecision and pounced.

*Allow me to be free once more... I can give you the release you want. You will have no more worries. You will not have to deal with this mortal plane anymore--*

//But what of the immortal plane?//

The figure spun around, as did Celly. The faced the great light that had suddenly appeared, and the new Being that had stepped from the light. The Being frowned at the figure, who shrank back slightly.

//What are you doing here?//

*You should know,* the figure scoffed.

//Begone from my sight. I will not tolerate your presence here.//

With a flash of darkness the figure whisked away into the shadows of Celly's mind. *I will be back,* she stated. *You cannot hold me at bay forever.*

Celly stared at the Being in something akin to awe and terror. Dare...?

The Being shrugged and pulled off her glasses, wiping them on her shirt.

//I'm nobody important.//

How did you enter my thoughts like this? How did you get rid of that darker part of myself?

//Eh, okay so I lied. I am sort of important. To you, at least.//

Celly frowned at the Being, who calmly placed her glasses back across her nose. The Being regarded her with a placid stare.

So who are you? Celly demanded.

//Would you believe that I created you?//

Celly gasped. My... my Creator...? Well, this was a strange one. How does one talk to the Being that created them? Celly did the only thing she could think of. She fell on her knees, and covered her face in her hands, sobbing. Why? Why did You do this to me? If You are truly my Creator, why did You let this happen to me?

The Being sighed, though sadness could be seen in Her eyes. She knelt down and hugged Celly in comfort. //Onegai, believe that I'm sorry for this. But I needed to make you strong. I needed to prepare you for the true battles which lie ahead.//

How can I trust You when You've destroyed my life already?!?

//It's not destroyed. Please have faith in what will happen. Kami-sama knows that I'm on your side.//

Strange that You would call upon the kami.

//Strange is my mode of operation,// the Being laughed. //But really, I do have something important to tell you.//

Nani?

//Not matter how dark the times my be, always remember that you are never truly alone.// The Being stood up, drawing Celly to stand as well. The Being placed Her hands on Celly's shoulders. Gently, the Being kissed Celly on the forehead, murmuring. //I will always be here to guide you, though you may not feel My presence. Do not despair.//

Celly felt very warm and safe. She felt revitalized and invincible. The Beings words stirred memories and emotions in Celly's heart.

//Wake... wake to your full powers. Remember always those who love you. Wake. Remember. Fight. Live. Love.//

With those words, Celly was pulled away from the Being. All of her tortured emotions crashed into her again, nearly drowning her in their intensity. No! Please! she cried out, throwing out her arms and catching hold of one of the Being's hands. She held on desperately. I don't want to go back! Don't make me go back!

The Being just smiled, saying nothing. Celly saw the emotion in her Creator's eyes. It gave her strength. Despite her pain, despite her grief, despite the troubles that would face her when she woke, Celly released her Creator's hand and allowed herself to be taken away.

It was too bad that neither noticed the Darkness that clung to Celly just before she crossed the threshold back to consciousness.

Wake.

Remember.

Fight.

Live.

Love.