Asher was sleeping, but his sleep was restless. His body twisted under the sheets, his face tense. In his dream, he found himself in an unknown place bathed in a cold gray light. In front of him, a silhouette stood with its back turned. Curious, he approached slowly.
A few meters away, the silhouette suddenly seemed familiar. In a hesitant, almost trembling voice, he called out:
"Miria…?"
The silhouette turned around. It was her. Black hair, brown eyes, an empty, almost icy gaze. Asher remained speechless for a moment, his heart tightening.
"Miria… is it really you?"
He took another step closer. But she immediately raised her hand in a stop gesture. Asher halted abruptly, surprised.
"What…? What's wrong?"
Miria lowered her head. When she spoke, her voice was low and accusing.
"Liar…"
Asher frowned, hurt and confused.
"I… I don't understand. Me, a liar?"
"Yes. Liar. You betrayed me."
"No… never. I could never betray you. I only love you."
Miria raised her eyes. Tears were already shining in them.
"Then… who is this other Miria?"
Asher's eyes widened, his throat tight, unable to find the words.
"You swore to love only me… and me alone," she continued, her voice broken. "But all it took was for another one, looking exactly like me, to appear… and you forgot everything. You replaced me with her."
"I… I…"
Miria gave a bitter, cruel smile.
"So… you forgot me?"
"No! No, I swear I didn't! What proof do you want so I can show you that I still love you?!"
Miria fixed him with a cold stare, her eyes filled with icy cruelty.
"Kill her."
Asher jolted, horrified.
"What?!"
"If you love me… kill her."
"No… no, I won't do it."
"No one can come between us! Kill her!" she cried in a piercing voice.
Asher woke with a start, screaming:
"NNNNOOOONNNN!!!!"
He sat up abruptly in bed, panting, his body soaked in sweat. His wild eyes scanned the room in every direction before he finally realized where he was. He ran a trembling hand over his face, trying to calm down.
"It was… only a dream…" he murmured.
He got out of bed. He was wearing only pajama bottoms. He quickly pulled on a tight black top that hugged his muscles, then left his room. In the hallway, he walked with heavy steps to Miria's door. A filtered light came from inside. Curious and worried, he gently opened the door and slipped his face inside.
What he saw left him perplexed.
Miria was sitting in the center of the room in a straight meditation posture, surrounded by lit candles whose flames danced softly.