one last breath

Kass lay quietly among the stones where he'd been born and grown to adulthood. His breathing was slow but ragged, hitching occasionally. He hadn't been able to muster the energy to move from this spot in the three days since he'd arrived staggering from Abaven's borders. He had brought water with him on his trek, but that would only keep him comfortable as he faded. It was no surprise to him - he had come this far knowing it was where he would die. Still, he couldn't help but cling to life... frightened, perhaps, of what would lie beyond. He was afraid... of nothingness. Of nonexistence. Of unending loneliness, never reunited with the family who had already gone before him. He had known he would die here, but... he hadn't known it would hurt so much.