[Revue Starlight] Karen has a dream

Karen has a dream

Everything was dark around her. From the wind rushing around her, Karen could tell she was falling. She suddenly stopped dead, plopping into a comfortable theatre seat. One by one, lights flickered on in front of her, revealing a familiar stage.

"It seems we've been together a long time."

Her own voice rang out from the stage, echoing in the darkness.

"Let's meet here again, next year!"

Hikari's voice answered as the two of them held the other's hand on stage. It was a common dream for Karen, although this time it was a little different...

Hikari was sitting next to her, watching the play. She realised Karen was staring at her and smiled, her face lighting up in a way Karen hadn't seen in a long time. She placed her hand on Karen's.

There was a rustling in the seats in front of them, and Karen peered over the top. Two young girls were watching the play with her, enthralled. Little Karen looked up at her as she hovered over them.

"Shhh onee-chan!"

"Um..."

"Hush you two! The play's started."

She looked behind her to see nine little old ladies in the next row. One of them handed her a muffin, smiling softly.

"Eh?!"

Karen's blood rushed to her head as she felt gravity shift around her. She clung onto the seat to desperately try not to fall into the dark abyss above her, but when her hairpin fell away she lunged for it instinctively. She saw Hikari drift away into the darkness faster than she could react, reaching for her own pin. Karen cried out, but her voice echoed without answer.

She fell for what seemed like an eternity, her hairpin just out of reach. A bright light appeared below her, growing larger. A heat radiated off of it, and then she suddenly plunged into its surface,

Karen's skin burned as she fell into a massive pool of molten metal. Fire blossomed deep inside her, erupted from her lungs, searing her throat and spreading throughout her body. Unbearable heat raced up her arms and legs and nested in her heart; then in a last flash of light, she was consumed.

Her vision was blinded by a searing light. She heard the whirring and grinding of machines all around her. Felt her being pulled and stretched in every direction. Her flesh blasted, pounded, and reshaped. Her hair, skin, and veins stitched and dyed. Her hands pressed into a mold, sharpened, and refined. Her heart melted down and stamped. All of her being was remade in fire.

~~~

Karen woke up in a start. Her and Hikari were leaning against each other on her bed. Their Starlight Gatherer book was laying between them, dropped when they drifted off to sleep. Hikari moaned softly in her sleep, turning to lay against Karen and holding her closer.

Karen looked down at her companion's face. Her whole life to that point had been determined by their promise, and it would continue to shape her future too.

No, not her future. Their future.

She slowly, carefully, raised her hand to Hikari's cheek and lifted her face. She placed a soft kiss on her lips, lingering as long as she dared.

"Karen..."

Hikari mumbled in her sleep, a light smile playing on her face as she held Karen tighter. Karen copied her embrace, leaning against the wall and drifting back into sleep.