Anthesis of Sadness

Little by little, my thoughts overwhelmed me.

How was Cassandre? I missed her so much... I hoped she was okay, that she was moving forward—even without me.

Behind her innocence hid a strong woman. I knew it. She would get through this. But this world was ruthless, and I wanted her to become strong enough to face it.

I wanted so badly for her to be here, with me...

Then, like a whisper from another time, her voice echoed in my ear:

"You always think too much, Anthony."

It wasn’t an illusion. Just a memory.

—It’s true... I murmured to myself.

I needed to stop drifting and set myself concrete goals.

I especially couldn’t let my ego swell after that battle against the Swarm. I was their natural enemy, able to regenerate from their countless non-lethal wounds while constantly boosting my stats through their blood.

I had to become much stronger over the next year.