Death Comes For Us All

This article is part of NovelEmber 2024. CW: Death (I hope that's obvious)

"Death... it comes for us all. It has a time and a place, and unfortunately your time is up."
A deep cackle filled the air as her hands ignited and her feet lifted up off the ground. A faint smell of burning lingered through the air. I turned around to see a great wildfire ripping through the forest behind me, reaching ever closer.
"Don't try to fight it, dear."
She raised her voice just enough for it to be heard above the raging flames. As she levitated higher and higher, a black aura surrounded her. It whirled around, her deep red cloak flowing elegantly against the wind. I wanted to run or fight, but I just... couldn't. I couldn't move. I couldn't talk. I took a deep breath. Big mistake.
As my mouth opened I felt my entire body being torn through the air towards her. I was pulled so close I could practically hear her heart beat. If she had one, that was. Her arm reached out, grey, bony fingers wrapping around my neck. The woman's cold gaze met mine, her frozen fingers growing tighter. Her other hand reached up, towards my mouth. Her palm started to glow a faint red, and I felt my head spinning. My entire body tightened, a horrific sensation setting in. I felt my entire soul, my presence, being ripped out of me.
I stared into her eyes, pleading with her as much as I could. Her eyes still held an unmoving, lifeless gaze. How can someone do this and feel nothing?
I've heard stories about her. A woman so powerful not even a white tiger could face her. The most powerful witch in the world; so powerful she could move mountains, boil the oceans, and rewrite life itself. She could do so much good in the world, but she chooses to do this. And my life is just another number to her.
I felt my eyes closing, and my body losing the battle.