Serafim sees herself in an infinite meadow. The only things visible are the hills, grass, flowers, and a few trees. The sun isn’t blinding, but it makes her body feel uncomfortable. She remembers this pce as one of the locations she visited with Victor during their time together.

  She walks toward the nearest tree, doing her best not to trip. As she approaches, she hears gss colliding with one another. Moving to the other side of the tree, she sees purple crystal insects leaking from a fissure within its trunk. She takes a few steps back, feeling worried, but trips and rolls down the hill onto a crystal floor. As she tries to get up, she looks at her reflection in the crystal. She sees the right side of her body made of translucent crystal. Pain washes over her, and as she moves, the right side begins to crack, spreading the pain throughout her entire body. She screams in agony as part of her body turns to purple dust.

  As she cries, she feels a warmth next to her. It is a small purple and green light. Something she never saw in these recurring nightmares. She moves drags herself towards the light, with only half of her body left. She hears a voice.

  – Is everything okay with mom? – She hears her son’s voice.– She is going to be fine – She recognizes Livian’s voice. – Are you worried about her?– She is feeling sad, isn’t she? – Niero’s voice echoes in her mind.

  She remembers something, a moment where the same thing was asked to her.

  – Are you feeling sad, Serafim?

  Serafim opens her eyes again. She is lying down on Victor’s p in the meadow. The moment they went there after the death of her parents.

  – Yes – She answers with tears running down her face.– In my part of the family, when someone dies, we like to remember the good moments and achievements the deceased had to honor their memories– You are really like every other demon, right? – Serafim giggles, still crying.– We don't deal well with sadness – Victor smiles while running down her hair with his hands. – We believe that by celebrating, we are celebrating their ascending to the hall of the Demon Lords. Since we most times die in the middle of a fight, it is an honorable way– Do you think we should celebrate because my parents died to end a war?– They are heroes, right?

  Serafim stops for a moment. She looks up, seeing Victor’s face, the leaves of the tree, and a part of the sky. They are heroes to her. She saw their efforts to keep the other dimensions in peace, as well as managing a small Motel and fighting against rebellious armies. She knows that she will need to do all that and people might see her as a hero as well. She doesn’t like to see people crying, and now, she is the one being comforted in the oddest way possible by her odd husband.

  – You are right! – She smiles. – They are my heroes.

  Victor smiles back at her and looks towards the sky.

  – How would you like to celebrate your parting? After everything you went through– I would like to be remembered as a strong person. – She says with a smile as a purple tear escapes her eye.– As someone strong enough to fight an incurable disease – The leaves turn purple as they leave the tree.– As someone who had children that made a difference to our Universe – Victor opens his eyes, which are now purple.– Someone that endured even the most painful suffering and lived through it to show it was possible to survive– I will try my best to make it possible – The man answers with a different voice.

  His body changes, his skin gets completely dark, his eyes turn bck with a purple crystal in the middle, and his hair completely white.

  He isn’t Victor.

  ____________________________

  Serafim wakes up scared. Her memory from the dream is foggy. She doesn’t remember exactly what happened, but she knows that the person she was talking to was someone she had never seen in her life. The bed she was pced on is covered in purple crystal. She feels like her control over her power is fading, but the feeling of power is increasing, as if something is trying to take over her body.

  She stands up. Look around the room, now clear of any purple fragment other than the bed, and stare at the door to the bathroom. It has been days since she has used it or eaten anything, which makes her uncomfortable.

  The door to her room opens. It is Livian with her colorful b coat.

  – Good night – Livian says as she closes the door behind.– Good night – Serafim answers, scratching her eyes.– How are you feeling now?– More lucid– How many fingers do I have in my hand? – Livian shows her hand with only three fingers.– Three – Serafim answers.– Correct – Livian says, changing her hand to have five fingers again.– You should just put your finger up and down– It was to see if it was still you – She giggles. – Are you feeling hungry or need to use the bathroom?– No – Serafim looks down.– It has been days you didn't eat or use it– I have no more liquids in my body. – She creates a folder in her hands and hands it to Livian. – These are the details about how my body is reacting these few days. It’s better than having me say complicated stuff after waking up

  Livian is surprised by her actions and way of speaking. Serafim seems less desperate and more rational. A miracle may have happened. She takes the folder, takes a brief look inside, and sees there is indeed some information about her body in there.

  – This is interesting, but I have something important to tell you. – Livian puts the folder under her arm. Analysing Serafim as she looks back at her.– What is it?– It would be better for you to sit down.

  Serafim looks confused but listens to her and sits on the bed.

  – It might seem serious at first. But I need to make it clear that everything is alright. It might be your hope for improving your health. – Livian stops for a moment, analysing Serafim’s reaction. – Your kids also have the Void Disease.

  With these words, a surge of worries come to Serafim’s mind. The bed she is on starts to turn purple as she grips the bnket.

  – They are… – Serafim shakes, on the verge of crying.– They are asymptomatic.

  Serafim’s fragment stops. She looks at Livian, worried but confused.

  – Asymptomatic? – She repeats. – What do you mean? Like I was before?– Victor told me you contracted the disease when you were pregnant, right?– Yes.– My theory is that they got infected, but since they were being developed, they have merged with it. Since you are all Dimension Travelers as well, it might turn into an amplification of power.– Can they control it?– Alene has more power than she should have, and Niero has the fastest and most detailed fragments I saw on a boy his age. For now, they are just overpowered kids.

  Serafim thinks for a while. If her kids are fine, it shouldn’t be a problem, right?

  – What about the long–term effects? – She asks.– I will take a look at your symptoms, but from what I already have, I think it would be more about their personalities. Since the Void may develop mental illnesses like Dementia, Depression and Anxiety, it is something we will need to take a closer look at as they grow.

  Serafim is more rexed. If it is possible to live with the void disease without spreading it or losing control, then it is possible for her to also have an easier life.

  – Do you think I can maintain control? – Serafim asks.– In the past, the Void Travelers who fought the second war managed to maintain control. We don't know exactly how, but if they did it, maybe there is a chance for you to do it too.– We still have no traces of them, right?– The only survivors I know are out of reach, and I don't know how to find them. The information we had was lost after my brother died. So for now, what we have are the few memories I and other Shapeshifters from the time have.– Is there a chance I will live in this room… – Serafim closes her hands, nervous. – Forever?

  Livian stops for a moment. She has an idea, a risky one.

  – I can try to suppress you. But not in the state you are now.– Suppress me? – Serafim repeats. – Like, how?– My brothers and I are immune to the void and are the only ones who can break it. If you are under control and I cover you with my fragments, maybe I could suppress your body and the fragments from spreading, as long as you don't use your powers intentionally.– That's a pn, I think. – Serafim hesitates, doubting herself.– I don't promise anything about this pn. It’s just an idea I had a few days ago, but in the state you were, it was impossible. Now it seems you are at least having your own thoughts.

  Serafim remains silent. She thinks about what she wants to do and the possibilities, but everything that is passing through her mind are worries.

  – To help you build confidence, we are going to do a few tests to see how your body reacts to the fragments and how you are progressing. Like I said, I can’t promise anything. The Void Disease is unstable, and until you can become stable enough, we only have the hope of a better tomorrow.

  Serafim remains quiet. Worried, Livian sits next to her and holds her hand. Serafim squeezed her hand. She cries and hugs Livian, who hugs her back.

  – You will pass over it. – Livian hugs tighter. – You are the strongest person I’ve met. I believe in you.