Through Fire & Ashes

Stories

Page 5 of 18, newest stories first.

• Alyssa B.

  Knoxville, United States · Instagram: lysmirage (opens in a new tab)

  What burned

  I lost my aunt last year to cancer, and it has been hard on the whole family. She was a shining light that we all gathered around. I especially think of her at this time of year, when it gets colder, because she loved the autumn and winter, and she gave me many gifts of cozy blankets, warm socks, and coffee. She was my mom's twin, so it's been especially hard on my mom. I miss my aunt so much.

  What glows

  My family has grown closer because of our shared grief. As a way to bring comfort to my cousin who was left without his mom, we started getting together on Tuesday evenings to have dinner and play board games. We've continued that and made it a tradition, so now we have family dinner and game nights every Tuesday. It has brought us closer together, and it's great having that time to reconnect with my family every week.

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• Eszter J.

  Budapest, Hungary · Facebook: jurancsik.eszter (opens in a new tab)

  What burned

  Since childhood, fear has defined my life. When I managed to overcome it, a long recovery still awaited me. But now I am living again.

  What glows

  I always stubbornly hold on to my life and my goals, I turned my pain into strength.

  Machine-translated into English. Show the original text of Eszter J.

  What burned (original)

  Gyerekkorom óta a félelem határozta meg az életem. Amikoe sikerült ezt leközdeni, még hosszú gyógyulás várt rám. Most viszont újra élek.

  What glows (original)

  Mindig makacsul ragaszkodok az életemhez, a céljaimhoz, a fájdalmamat erővé változtattam.

  Track

  The Reckoning

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• Vex X.

  Magdeburg, Germany

  What burned

  i've lost two very dear to my heart people in the span of a few months last year. i'm still dealing with that grief, and i fear i will for the rest of my life.

  What glows

  the people who make conscious efforts to be in my life. i couldn't do it without them.

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• Humberto C.

  Iztapalapa, Mexico

  What burned

  Years ago I lost my daughter, who was not yet born. Her loss meant that my wife and I could not stay together. For many years I decided to simply not talk about it, to ignore it, not knowing that this loss contributed to my not being able to move forward with many projects and not being able to continue any relationship.

  What glows

  Today I can finally talk about it. I was able to grieve on my own, and I was also able to grieve together with my ex-partner, finally closing that cycle. I used everything I had kept inside and shaped it into an illustrated children's book. It is not a happy book, but it is an honest one.

  Machine-translated into English. Show the original text of Humberto C.

  What burned (original)

  Hace años perdí a mi hija la cuál aún no nacía. Su perdida hizo que mi esposa y yo no pudiéramos seguir juntos. Por muchos años decidí simplemente no hablar del tema, ignorarlo, sin saber que esa perdida contribuyó a qué no pudiera seguir adelante con muchos proyectos, no pudiera continuar ninguna relación.

  What glows (original)

  Hoy finalmente puedo hablar del tema, pude hacer mi duelo personal y también pude hacer mi duelo junto a mi ex pareja, cerrando finalmente ese ciclo. Utilice todo eso que me guarde y le di forma de un libro ilustrador para niños, no es un libro feliz, pero es un libro sincero.

  Track

  Ritual

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• Jose O.

  CDMX, Mexico · Facebook: dubu.tepes (opens in a new tab)

  What burned

  Loneliness. A few years ago I went through a stage where relatives I loved very much passed away one after another. Also, for a long time I have lived day to day, without finding some purpose to work toward, despite all the years I have lived.

  What glows

  I still have my mother and my brother, who care about me. I also have a girlfriend who has decided to stay with me despite the hard circumstances. For them I have decided to keep going. I also keep trying to find my purpose in life.

  Machine-translated into English. Show the original text of Jose O.

  What burned (original)

  La soledad. Hace algunos años pase por una etapa en que familiares a quienes quería mucho han fallecido uno tras otro. Además, durante mucho tiempo he vivido al día, sin encontrar algún propósito por el cual trabajar, a pesar de todos los años que llevo vividos.

  What glows (original)

  Aún tengo a mi madre y mi hermano que me aprecian. También tengo una novia quien ha decidido quedarse conmigo a pesar de las malas circunstancias. Por ellos he decidido seguir adelante. También sigo tratando de buscar mi propósito de vida.

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• Fabi L.

  Neubukow, Germany · Instagram: Belle_landen (opens in a new tab)

  What burned

  I spent most of my life fighting battles I didn’t understand. Born in 1989, I was diagnosed with autism in 2018 and ADHD in 2024. Until then, I thought I was failing at life. Depression, anxiety and a feeling of never being enough became part of my everyday existence. I lost two friends to suicide, one of them my soulmate. I survived an abusive relationship that nearly destroyed me. There were times I almost didn’t make it myself. I reached a point where I couldn’t go on living the way I had.

  What glows

  In 2025, I moved across Germany to the Baltic Sea to start over. I fulfilled a dream I still sometimes can’t believe is real. I am not healed yet, but I have finally built a foundation. I am stronger, I know my worth, and I will never allow anyone to break me like that again. The sea has become my therapy, my peace and my safe place. I don’t know what the future holds, but I know this: I am finally living a life that feels like mine. I am still here. And I am choosing myself.

  Track

  Sing Like A Siren

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• Ružica M.

  Belgrade, Serbia

  What burned

  Even though I was the beststudent in my school, everything was easy for me, I made no trouble, I hated it. Other students have made fun of me and thought I was a satanist because I listen to metal and I'm an atheist. I was sometimes scared to go to school, 'cause I could get not only bullied, but for real hit, even though I'm a girl. It has happened. I really felt I was alone and no one understood me. I also support Ukraine, and a lot of my peers did NOT like that.

  What glows

  What has given me strenght was music. Within Temptation, Nightwish, Amaranthe, Visions of Atlantis, Tarja, Floor, Dynazty, Ad Infinitum, Kamelot...That music really got to my soul. I found other people who love the music I love and could understand me. I realised I wasn't alone and I can go through with this.

  Track

  The Reckoning

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• Rob S.

  Fayetteville, United States

  What burned

  My brother then my other brother’s leg and then my house. Before that I had open heart surgery which triggered my fibromyalgia and I was never able to work again. I have also recently been diagnosed with autism.

  What glows

  Finally knowing why I have been different and struggled so much my entire life to fit in and succeed. I now can have a plan to properly deal with my conditions. Someday I will see my brother again and I will no longer be hindered by my health concerns.

  Track

  The Reckoning

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• Law B.

  Toluca, Mexico

  What burned

  The most painful part of my life has been marked by death, betrayal and my own bad decisions. There were moments when I felt my soul was breaking and I doubted I had the strength to keep going. I lived through pain, anxiety and suffering; a lot of it came from people I love. I fell apart, but I learned to get back up in silence. I also recognize that, driven by anger and revenge, at some point I hurt people, lied and was cruel. I accept that my decisions had consequences and that in this life, the price is paid.

  What glows

  I am grateful for each day I wake up. I began to love myself, even with my imperfections. Death is part of life, and every moment with the people I love is priceless. I forgave myself, I forgave, and I let go of what is not meant for me. I enjoy my solitude, simple things, and what money cannot buy. I am grateful for the dark days, because from them I recognized the light and the love. The challenges do not end, but I feel stronger. I do not carry guilt as punishment, but as learning. As long as I have breath, I will keep standing.

  Machine-translated into English. Show the original text of Law B.

  What burned (original)

  Lo más doloroso de mi vida ha estado marcado por la muerte, la traición y mis malas decisiones. Hubo momentos en que sentí que el alma se me rompía y dudé de tener fuerzas para seguir. Viví dolor, ansiedad y sufrimiento; mucho vino de personas que amo. Me derrumbé, pero aprendí a levantarme en silencio. También reconocí que, impulsada por el enojo y la venganza, en algún momento yo lastimé, mentí y fui cruel. Acepto que mis decisiones tuvieron consecuencias y que en esta vida se paga el precio.

  What glows (original)

  Agradezco cada día que despierto, comencé a amarme, aun con imperfecciones. La muerte es parte de la vida y cada instante con quienes amo es invaluable. Me perdoné, perdoné y solté lo que no es para mí. Disfruto de mi soledad, de lo simple y de lo que el dinero no puede comprar. Agradezco los días oscuros, porque desde ellos reconocí la luz y el amor. Los retos no acaban, pero me siento más fuerte. No cargo la culpa como castigo, sino como aprendizaje. Mientras tenga aliento, seguiré de pie.

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• Jane G.

  Moscow, Russia · Instagram: eldurinndottir (opens in a new tab)

  What burned

  Love burned and almost burnt me whole when betrayal kicked in. I thought I'd never recover from it and spent several years grieving, thinking I was the one to blame, refusing to see how much more complicated every break up (and mine, too) really is. My beloved meant the world to me, all the plans for the future were focused on this person, including leaving my home and family, including education, career and marriage, and after we split up I thought I stopped living for all my hopes were lost.

  What glows

  I still grieve more than 5 years later, and it doesn't affect me in a good way sometimes, but I have kept the bond with my family instead of tearing it apart, and I found my place as a professional, so, to my mind, the desire to live still glows, despite me thinking my life was ended several years ago. I'm still here, and I'm still curious about the world, and I heal step by step. I have achieved something on my own, without putting too much faith in others, despite how much I might love them.

  Track

  The Purge

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• Adam K.

  Akron, United States

  What burned

  When I was in college, what should have been the best years of my life, I instead had to deal with a debilitating autoimmune condition on top of a handful of surgeries. Every day was suffering and misery. I was at rock bottom and often suicidal.

  What glows

  Iron was the song that helped me the most through that time. My autoimmune condition was worst whenever I got physically warm/hot. The chorus resonated with me so much. It was the spark I needed at that time. Music is so much more than something to listen to. It's hope. It's resilience. It's community. I'm eternally thankful for artists like WT that make music like that instead of petty songs about romance and ego.

  Track

  Raise Your Banner

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• Sandra Z.

  Piekary Śląskie, Poland

  What burned

  Falling in love with someone who doesn't feel the same and who wanted to play my feelings. I'm in relationship with somebody else now, but that love is still in my heart.

  What glows

  My job is the thing that satisfies me very much. The best thing in my live. It gives me the strenght, self confidence and a lot of joy. When I'm at work, I don't thing about anything else. That's my remedy.

  Track

  Ritual

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• Isabel M.

  Medellin, Colombia

  What burned

  The fear… to not being enough, to not take the right step. That fear that make you put in the first place other people that are nothing but abusers and always try to knock you down so they can rise. No matter the scenario, family, friends, job… Burned!

  What glows

  Love, that one makes you want to conquer the whole world in this case not only self-love, but seeing my little one happy, feeling safe having mom around, being able to form a family.

  Track

  Raise Your Banner

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• Michelle H.

  Cardiff, United Kingdom · TikTok: Peachbummum (opens in a new tab)

  What burned

  Watching my soul mate/husband become poorly and struggle on a daily basis, not being able to do anything to stop his pain.

  What glows

  The love we have for one another, our sense of humour, our unity, our children and dogs. We make a great team and survive it with much love and laughter.

  Track

  Sing Like A Siren

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• Eve R.

  Tarnów, Poland · Instagram: evereznor (opens in a new tab)

  What burned

  The years from 2014 to 2022 were full of pain and abuse for me. My partner at that time, was manipulating and gaslighting me into a gray pulp, I've felt I lost myself, my personality, my love for music and strength to fight. I've moved to Belgium for him. I also was diagnosed with advanced PCOS, which made my every day life incredibly hard, and above all of it, I was in a car accident (caused by him) which took away my health. And rehabilitation was a long and painful process.

  What glows

  Those years taught me how to fight for myself. I rose like a phoenix from the ashes and thanks to the years I spent learning Dutch language I was able to find a good job after returning home to Poland. WTs music was always so important to me, and it helped (together with Muse) to come back to my old self and find the spark in me to continue being a musician. I still am sick, still in rehabilitation, but I found a new strength to overcome everything what life throws at me.

  Track

  The Purge

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• Eugene Z.

  Odesa, Ukraine

  What burned

  For almost 5 years now my country and our people suffer from daily missile and drone attacks from genocidal russian invaders. We lost countless people both civilian and those who are brave enough to defend them. We live and sleep in darkness and cold, because enemy destroys our infrastructure. Whole cities are turned to ruins.

  What glows

  Somehow we are still here and we are free, we push forward. We refuse to surrender. Together we glow brighter that any lightbulb russians can turn off. They will never get their way.

  Track

  The Reckoning

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• Marlon K.

  Almelo, Netherlands · Instagram: marlon (opens in a new tab)

  What burned

  I lost my best friend this year who was also a fan from Within Temptation

  What glows

  Every song of you is whats keep me going on and remember that he is always with me!

  Track

  Sing Like A Siren

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• Mitch B.

  Geneve, Switzerland

  What burned

  The more whole-heartedly I give everything... the more painful the betrayal is.

  What glows

  I know that God is with me and that I am moving toward the person I want to be. My true self.

  Machine-translated into English. Show the original text of Mitch B.

  What burned (original)

  Plus je suis entier et je donne tout... plus la trahison est douloureuse.

  What glows (original)

  Je sais que Dieu est avec moi et que j avance vers la personne que je veux etre. Mon moi veritable

  Track

  Ice Queen

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• Anne B.

  Landgraaf, Netherlands

  What burned

  The relationship with my child's father is under strain because of his mental health. We as a family run into this every day, and unfortunately there is little professional help available.

  What glows

  My child gives me a reason every day to keep going and to become the best version of myself.

  Machine-translated into English. Show the original text of Anne B.

  What burned (original)

  De relatie met de vader van mijn kind staat onder druk door zijn psychische gesteldheid. Hier lopen wij als gezin iedere dag tegenaan, helaas is er weinig professionele hulp beschikbaar.

  What glows (original)

  Mijn kind geeft me iedere dag weer een reden om door te gaan en de beste versie van mezelf te worden.

  Track

  The Reckoning

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• Timothée F.

  Vilnius, Lithuania

  What burned

  The person I loved the most and I drifted apart and I realised however much you love someone or wish something it does not means the intended outcome will come true. Love burnt me when I faced the reality that it had an expiration date.

  What glows

  Close friends still believing making an good impact on the world is possible because genuinely kind people still exist even though they are rare nowadays. People around me still believing in me after I fell down and became the shadow of the one I used to be.

  Track

  Sing Like A Siren

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• Liz L.

  Wrexham, United Kingdom

  What burned

  “Why me?” That’s what I said as I flew in to my dad’s arms. “It’s so unfair” I had just had my 12 week scan hoping to see a miracle on the screen. Recently married my hubby Graham and should have been on top of the world, and we were until… “can I see?” I asked the nurse? She seemed confused and called in a colleague and they tried a different scan method to get a different view. There was whispered conversation and eventually she said “I’m so sorry the sac is empty. My world fell apart.

  What glows

  Life can still have miracles. I have 2 boys. Both have autism adhd and other disorders but I’m blessed as I had 5 losses to get them and eventually along they came. I’m not saying it’s been easy but I’m certainly blessed.

  Track

  Don't Pray for Me

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• Angel B.

  Terneuzen, Netherlands · Instagram: Angeltje (opens in a new tab)

  What burned

  2 years ago I had a miscarriage. And one of the most important people in my family said it was better for me not to have a child. She took it very personally. From that point on I broke off contact with them. It is a heavy loss, because I will also not see their child grow up, but it is not worth all the disappointments to me. Sometimes you have to take a step to stand up for yourself.

  What glows

  My miscarriage combined with the loss of family has shown me how great my love is. I will always keep loving them, even when it hurts. Without pain, you will never feel love either.

  Machine-translated into English. Show the original text of Angel B.

  What burned (original)

  2 jaar geleden kreeg ik een miskraam. En een van de belangrijkste mensen uit m'n familie zei juist dat het beter was voor me om geen kind te krijgen. Ze trok het heel erg naar der eigen toe. Vanaf dat punt heb ik gebroken met hun. Het is een zwaar verlies, omdat ik ook hun kind niet zal zien opgroeien maar het is me alle teleurstellingen niet waard. Eens moet je een stap zetten om voor jezelf op te komen.

  What glows (original)

  M'n miskraam in combinatie met het verlies van familie heeft me laten zien hoe groot mijn liefde is. Ik zal altijd van ze blijven houden ook als het pijn doet. Zonder pijn zal je ook nooit liefde voelen.

  Track

  Sing Like A Siren

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• Tia H.

  Lincolnshire, United Kingdom

  What burned

  Being a victim of rape and having to hold it together

  What glows

  Meeting the love of my life 6 years later when I never thought I'd trust again

  Track

  Ice Queen

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• Eddie H.

  Roseburg, United States

  What burned

  Losing all of my friends after so much time passed, and promises made, only to discover no one said a word to each other, and I was left to pick the pieces up from the ruins.

  What glows

  The sheer determination and grit that still burns inside me. The desire to know that life has something good for me still, and I have to trust the process.

  Track

  Wireless

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• Ted -.

  Buin, Chile · Instagram: Collectorofdarksounds (opens in a new tab)

  What burned

  I’ve lost my self-respect and to be able to enjoy the little things in life.

  What glows

  In this life, it’s still me, only me. I need to get back to my roots and let everything shine.

  Track

  Don't Pray for Me

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