Xueling lay motionless in the crater, her consciousness flickering like a dying candle.
Was this really the end?
As her awareness began to fade, fragments of memory began to surface.
Her mother's gentle smile, the way she used to brush Xueling's hair before bed, the warmth of her embrace when she felt scared.
Is this what they meant by life flashing before one's eyes?
She struggled to hold onto a single coherent thought, but they slipped away like water through her fingers. What had she been fighting for all this time? Did she want acknowledgement from the emperor? No, she didn't care about his approval anymore.
What about revenge for her mother? Even if she succeeded, it wouldn't bring her back. What was the point of all this suffering?
