Surviving Times

MIA'S POV:

Grandma then took me to one of the deepest chambers in the catacombs…

It presented many arrays written in runes. The magic in the air never felt so thick. It was suffocating. It felt like confronting many supreme beings, their aura rampant.

It took me awhile to stabilize. My three-year-old body couldn't bear this much pressure all of a sudden.

"Take your time, Mia. There's no need to hurry."

"...o...k" It was hard to even mouth a single word.

After some time, the magic in the lessened. I took a breath loudly.

"What the bloody hell was that?" I asked my grandmother who sympathised with me.

"That's the sentience of our ancestors. Even if they are gone, their magic contains a bit of awareness. They were curious about you, so they greeted you."

"That was a greeting? It felt like all of them sat on top of me…"

"Ahem...Don't be rude, Mia. Now, let's move on. Here, stand in the middle."

She made me stand inside an array. The runes practically spread the entire floor. What drew most of my attention were few peculiar stones placed on the array. They felt...strange. Very few things felt strange to me.

"What are these stones grandma?"

"Soul stones."

"...oh."

I made a note to myself not ask anymore questions. The answers baffle me.

Grandma placed many things at many places. She then procured a staff from somewhere I definitely don't want to know.

"I'm about to begin. Are you ready?"

"Yes."

She started incantations. The runes shone in white lights which engulfed me.

I was unable to see anything due to the overwhelming brightness. But I knew this was just a distraction. The main deal was the fluctuations in time and space.

I tried my best to stop myself from doing anything at all…

After some time, the lights faded to what remains an eternally dark space.

"Hello? Anybody there?"

No reply.

"Grandma? Are you there?"

Silence.

"Anybody there?"

To my horror, I noticed I couldn't feel my magic either. Just like the light, my magic seemed to have vanished.

I couldn't even sense the time. Everything was void. Null and void.

***

3rd Person POV:

Rebekah Rosette Morgan escorted a little girl to Anthea Forest. The spirits there whispered of their arrival.

All the ancestors were drawn in. They were bored, not like they ever were not. Until they died. They never knew death could be so boring and timeless.

The souls of more than a hundred dead witches were excited. Only when someone is about to be baptised, will they be called? This is one of the few times they could make a connection to the living after all.

And they were rather curious… last time they visited the living world. The magical society was so… so penurious in development. Nearly all of them could only lament at the world's fate. But they were also puzzled. It was only two decades since they've been called.

They thought it would be someone from the same generation as the one before, which might be plausible.

They never considered another possibility. They never thought a jolly little girl would visit them in such decapitated times.

So, when they saw a three-year-old girl, they were speechless. Then incensed. They tolerated a six year old (Aurora). But sending a toddler was out of bounds for them. They might be old and dead, but not senile. So, nearly all of them, felt mocked when a tiny kid was present to enjoy their power.

It felt like placing their hard earned lifetime savings in the hands of a toddler. They felt useless.

So they all(except a few) decided to place the girl on the harshest trial, to serve as a warning. To not take them as fools and for squandering an opportunity.

This was what Rebekah and Aurora feared. Provoking their ancestors was not something they would enjoy to do.

But Mia was prepared. They knew it. To be baptised, the witch must have a certain amount of magic, not too much or too little. It was crucial. It would be a considerable aid during the trials.

So Aurora decided to take the gamble and sent her child, knowing fully aware of the danger. She was unwilling to take away her daughter's chance.

…

The souls examined the girl as the trial began.

"Hello? Anybody there?"

"Grandma? Are you there?"

"Anybody there?"

.

.

.

They sneered as they saw the little girl get confused in the darkness. This girl was sent to receive their powers? A blatant mockery. Hence, not many sympathised.

They were merely enjoying the show. This proves that death does indeed make a change in everyone. Almost everyone becomes a bit twisted.

They patiently surveyed the girl. Waiting for her to break down. Each thinking how miserable this overly proud descendant would cry. But the were in for a bigger surprise.

***

MIA'S POV:

All that returned to me was silence and blankness.

I waited for a long time. Though the 'time' was timeless over here.

At some point I understood what this meant.

My so-called trial was to last long.

But I don't think that would be it. It would be simple then…

Think Mia, think. What was this whole fiasco about?

'Your will and motives.' These words rang inside my head.

How would 'my will and motives' be tested?

Am I overlooking something? I think deeper. I hate the blankness here and want to get out soon.

Think from the beginning…! I guess I got the answer: I, as a toddler I am, is being evaluated by my ancestors.

And how would they react? They would be pissed. I know it all too well.

Sigh… they now see me as an arrogant child who overestimated herself way too much and must be itching to teach me a lesson. Too bad I can't mess this up…

Sorry my dear ancestors, you'll be suffering with me now. Don't blame me because you adopted this theme.

***

3rd person POV:

Many souls observed Mia. Some indifferent to the whole thing. Some worried. Some gloating. Some indeed wanted to appreciate a good show. They knew nothing of the hell they are going to face soon…

Under everyone's intent gaze, Mia sat down.

They thought she was about to cry. But she didn't.

She just sat down and did nothing.

They were a little perplexed. Wouldn't a little girl cry when they are locked in a dark room?

Hmm... This girl might be a bit more courageous than they thought.

But nonetheless it wasn't a big deal. They were eager to see if the girl could manage starving here in the endless solitude. They just took away the light and magic. Her sense would sure remain. She would only starve and feel desolate.

Mia sat in the endless darkness. Not even the most ancient and powerful witch would've thought Mia possessed an AI which offered her an inventory.

Therefore, when she realised what's happening here didn't want to waste any moment.

She directly opened her HUNGER GAMES INVENTORY. Practically every bit useful in Panem was available. No one can deny Mia was being prodigal with her privileges...

She started researching the Dystopian Technology. She was the president in her life there after the rebellion. So, she had all Panaem had to offer her. And since it was mostly data and not some magical artifacts, she made bloody bargain out of it…

She did the same when she was in the world of alchemists and in Earthland.

Let's not forget that Mia was a brilliant programmer in her very first life. The one she inevitably believed was real and obsessed with.

Hence, she was overjoyed. She never really had the time to thoroughly explore her 'loot' from the three worlds.

She had to complete her missions else she would be obliterated.

Therefore, one can easily predict what happens… for example, think of what an internet addict would do if he's given his system back after restraining for an year… all the time in the world would not be enough…

Same with Mia as well.

When she got uninterested with the learning, she would simply read some novels.

When she got bored with the novels, she would research many things like, alchemy, magic, sciences, etc.

And when she finally couldn't take it anymore, she just chatted with Gresil. They were bound to their souls after all. Hence, they can use telepathy through magic or their soul connection.

She had nothing to worry about since she full well knew she wasn't going to die. Her mother would've never allowed this if there was even a chance for it to happen.

She was peacefully enjoying her solitude. Every reincarnator must learn it after all. And she is not necessarily alone.

Hence, a lot of time passed. Really lot.

Hours, days... Mia was able to handle hunger very well. She was used to it in a sense…

The trial she was apprehensive towards wasn't all that bad. It felt like a vacation, except she was starved.

But the same could not be said to the souls. They expected a show and a very short one at that. No one likes to be in the void after all, dead or alive. But they didn't Mia was an anomaly, to whom, void was one of the fewest things she feared.

They gave the Void trial. A perilous trial which drove many of the witches insane, except for one. Now it looks like there would be another one joining the ranks of those who survived the Void.

It meant a great witch in making. The souls understood that. They were a little more tolerant of Mia. Some even felt a bit guilty. Thinking they have unjustly placed a harsh punishment on a young witch due to some misunderstanding on their part.

So they decided to wait till Mia broke down. Give her some guidance on how she not be overconfident. Simply put, most of them just wanted to frighten her a bit. But alas, that would never happen…

The souls waited. Hours, days, months, years, decades.

The souls were going crazy. They had no choice but to watch a girl sit in darkness in very dim lights and do nothing else. Though they were dead and very patient, this was beyond them.

As the judges, they 'had' to watch. Some were confronting mental issues, but other older ones remain calm… they had experienced this once… It was with Anathema Josette Morgan. This particular witch too, faced the Void trial and been there for two centuries before giving in.

So now, the oldest of the souls were intrigued. They lived millenniums as a witch and souls. Now they really wanted to see how long their descendant would last…

And they definitely hated the answer. It went beyond centuries.

After 1246 years, 8 months, 18 hours, 43 minutes and 25 seconds, Mia finished her trial.