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The universe is kind, and she knows that. It fills her with love every single day, it supplies with plenty of fresh air, and, even if it is limited, makes sure that she has access to water and food. At night, the stars twinkle in the dark as a reminder that there is so much more out there to explore and to be graced with her existence; and Lizzie sleeps in peace. In the worlds she has made a home, the universe whispers in her ears “I love you because you are love”.
The universe is kind, but the game was not. The game was cruel in its core, sustained with the blood of its players spilled on the ground; it had no pity for the living, and even less for the dead. Lizzie wasn't naive at all, for she had heard stories of it and had seen what it had done to her beloved ones. And yet she played the game.
The universe is kind, and she was kind as well. In the place she decided to settle, among dark oak trees and dangers beyond her imagination, the Shadow Lady proved to be worthy of the title of Shadow Queen. Those that seeked to be by her side in the battlefields of the future were welcome to stay; received with promises and smiles, she made sure to hold their hands and be as kind as the universe that gave her so much. And because she was good, and she cared about the ones she called friends, the Queen gave pieces of her own life to them as an act of love.
The universe is kind, but she can no longer see it. Not in the sunshine peeking through the oak leaves, not in the laughs of her dearest ones, not even inside of her. Instead, all Lizzie can see is red and all she can feel is anger. Growing inside her, like a volcano erupting in mists and flames, blinding her to what is good. She carries it, on and on and on, through the river and the forests. “If the universe is all kind”, the Shadow Queen thinks, while she leads the ones she calls friends straight to the place where they will meet their end, “why can't I see it?”. All Lizzie can see is red; in a mist of violence, in the blood dripping down her sword, in the ethereal eyes of her victim.
The universe is kind, and she feels unworthy of it. Even after she's cured, there's not a thing in the world that can make Lizzie forget the horrified expression in Scott's face. “I had to do it! It wasn't me! It was the curse!”, she wanted to scream in her defense, to his and the universe's ears. But would it matter in the end? Her friend left her in her own despair, and the Queen walked home alone.
The universe is kind, undoubtedly. That night, to the hums of the undead and the cracks of campfires, Lizzie stargazed and wondered if it still loved her despite everything. She clinged to the words of love and light and kindness she remembered so fondly after so many years, and rested. On the next day, she continued to play the game.