The Death of Astra

"I am Atropos, the third of the Three Fates, she who cuts the threads of life." The woman's voice was stern and crackled with age. "Your time has come, Astra Thessamar. You have lived your life with justice, courage, and compassion. You are beyond our reach now." Atropos held out her bony hand. Astra turned toward Fred, her eyes filled with sadness, and they embraced firmly. Fred wanted to protest that Astra couldn't know that this was truly the Land of the Dead, to urge her to resist, but he knew in his heart that this was a lie. Astra tried to say one last thing to Fred, but could not find the words. Slowly, hesitantly, she left his embrace and being careful not to look back walked across the plains of the dead to Atropos. She bravely took Atropos's hand.

The moment Astra's hand touched Atropos's, Fred was filled with rage. He tried to pull out his sword and charge forward, but felt his very will paralyzed. Atropos's arm slowly drew Astra into her embrace. Fred cursed himself for not being able to save Astra at the moment she needed him the most.

But as Atropos held Astra, a radiant light began to shine from Astra's being, a light that grew stronger with every passing moment. She was transfigured now, her beauty more glorious than ever. Fred looked at her with awe. Astra smiled at him, a sad, triumphant smile of farewell. It was the most beautiful thing Fred had ever seen in his life.

As the light seemed to grow all around them, Atropos held out her right hand. In this hand, she held a small, intricate timepiece. Fred found himself holding out his hand and taking the timepiece. The light grew until he could barely stand to open his eyes, seemed to penetrate his very being. And then, it slowly faded away. Fred, overwhelmed by joy and loss, still gripped the cold timepiece in his hand. It took him a few moments to even realize he was lying down on his back. Slowly he opened his eyes.

1. He lay on the bank of an underground river.
2. He lay in the laboratory of Vincent, in the very place where Astra had died. [1191]
3. He lay at the gate of a ruined keep.

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