The agony is overwhelming, obliterating consciousness, leaving nothing behind in its wake. Gradually it begins to recede, like a river retreating to its banks after a flood. Sheer agony retreats until only a dull throbbing ache remains. My mind slowly rises back to the surface. Memories and thoughts run about madly, and it is several minutes before I can get a thought through the morass.
I have died again... and just like every time before, it has not been permanent.
