Chapter 04 - Second Dream

The infinite void again. The memories. Our memories. Their memories. Memories of what could have been, of what was, of what is. A record of lives that were. Of our lives. Of their lives.
I’m me.
Every time I come here, I need to ground my identity, lest it gets eroded. The exposure to those lives. The longer I’m here, the harder it is to remember who I am.
Lumen.

A memory flashes around me. I can smell the blood dripping from the sword, splashing on the copper shield. I’m overwhelmed by the metallic scents. Withered roses bloom. A piece of wood, firmly planted into the ground, covered in moss. I try closing my eyes, to no avail. I’m cold. My vision blurs. A makeshift bone-headed spear pierces my flank. A disembodied head floats on the edge of my sight.
This is it.
I feel my strength leaving my body. Blood drops. Dark roses blossom. Head swinging rhythmically. Short breath.
The bony tip is in my lung. I feel it with each wheezing inspiration.
I don’t have long.
A hairy leg. Whose? I don’t know. I don’t have time.
I’m…

I’m Lumen!
With a gasp, I escape the memory. It recedes somewhere in the void, in the midst of others. They died. They’re dying. They’ll die. But they’re not me. I’m not him. I’m me.
I’m me.
I’m shaking.
I’m me.
I’m cold. The bone spear. The pain. The blood drip—
I’M ME!

I focus on it as a mantra. 
I’m me.
I can’t lose myself here.
I’m me.
He’s not me.
I’m me.
He’s another.
He’s me. I’m me. I’m him.
The pain. Between my ribs. In my lungs.
I’m…

I’m me?