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BLOOD SECTION

Free at last.

All the weights disappear. All the agony is gone. A great sense of joy and relief washes over me. I let myself drift in the bliss for as long as it will hold me. An urge to act remains, but I ignore it. I would rather stay here forever than struggle any longer.

Everything is white. Everything is quiet. Nothing moves.

White.

Empty.

Numb.

But my body stays restless. There is no respite. A vortex of unbelievable size and power rages around me. It howls into my ears and tugs on my skin. But not in any real way, almost as though I were creating it in my mind, and my body just reacts to that. It does so even though I know I do not actively imagine these things.

I want to take a step, but fear holds me back. Though my essence remains firm, I feel helpless to the currents of the storm. Move an inch, and it will pick me up and tear me to pieces.

Where am I?

The white light blinds me, though there is no pain, only confusion. I cannot tell whether I really see any of it, or if this is just what a lack of any sight feels like. Perhaps I am now in a place where there is nothing to see. Or perhaps "sight" has no meaning here. Nothing makes sense.

Am I dead?

Blind and deaf, or maybe blinded and deafened, I struggle to grasp at my memories. I hope they can guide me if my senses cannot.

There is nothing but noise. Strange colors and odd sensations. Emotions that are too frightening to revisit. A face that calms me. A face I despise. Another that I cannot comprehend. And one more...

Mother?

I remember loud music. My hooves pounding on metal strings. Chords ringing out. Pain ripping into my limbs. A mare screaming desperately, begging me to stop.

Did we make it?

I remember seeing your face. I remember running back to you.

I heard a voice through the door to your room.

Or is this it?

I blink and find myself lying in a bed. The cushions are soft and warm. The sheets are white. The walls are all white.

Everything is quiet. White light streams in through the open windows.

Is this where we go after we...?

A door to my left opens. The same white light streams in. A pair of figures slowly enter.

My heart leaps the moment I recognize the first one.

No! We're alright! You're okay!

I jump out of the bed and run over to you. I stumble several times along the way. My legs feel smaller somehow. Every part of me feels smaller than I remember. It does not make sense, but I do not let it worry me right now.

You smile, sit on your haunches, and spread your forelegs before me. I collapse into your embrace, crying and laughing at the same time.

The second figure approaches. A pegasus in bright golden armor. It takes me a moment to figure it out, but once I do, I almost scream from joy.

We're here! We're finally here!

Father is here too. He smiles at me and wraps his strong forelegs around us.

Safe and warm, at last. Nothing can hurt us now.

It's so good to see you again! I'm sorry for what I did. It's been so long and... I just couldn't wait any longer...

His warm voice caresses me. Mother holds me tightly against her chest. They tell me that everything is all right. I just need some rest. I will get better soon, and we can all go home.

They tell me I need to stay for a while longer. They say they will come to visit every day. I just need to wait.

I nod happily. I will be good. I will do better this time.

The yellow pegasus mare is here too. She watches us silently from the far corner. I turn to her and tell her how grateful I am. She looks away and blushes while giving a weak smile.

You put me back into the bed. You stroke my head and sing to me, while my eyes bathe in the beauty of your face.

Father hugs you from behind. He tells me to stay strong. He gives my head one last caress, and the two of you exit the room.

I wave at you both all the way until the door closes. My head sinks back into the pillow, and I smile as I let myself drift off into sleep.

Your voice still faintly rings at the edge of my mind.

Author's Note

My final addition to the story that began with "The Sound." This song always felt like a "conclusion" to the song of the same title that I mentioned before, thus it seemed appropriate as a "conclusion" here as well.