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Afterlife - Rising From The Nothingness

章 1: The Unwanted Reincarnation

- No, no ... I didn't, I didn't ... no, no ... I will ... I won't ...

A boy who had fallen into despair and struggling with his own will to choose between life and death, crouching in the corner of a dark, cold room. His messy hair and eyes filled with emptiness, reflect the hopelessness has no faith in anyone nor anymore. His looks fixed on the pistol that's lying on the floor before him, loaded with only one bullet.

The nightmares that kept him awake for a whole week now are popping in his head as a flash, pushing him into the abyss. Biting his own lips, pulling his hair, staring the gun between his feet, his mind is screaming but he stays in silence. The already broken himself couldn't hold him back anymore as the painful memories as a knife stabbed through his body, poured into his mind. He completely lost himself, grabbed the gun in a hurry, pointed to his head ...

On that cold, winterly night the neighborhood suddenly woke up to the sound of a gunshot.

*Darkness ... Did I not die? .. but how, and where am I? I don't feel anything ... what happened to me? I want to shout ... but my voice is not heard, but I feel a little calm, I am not angry nor nervous anymore ...*

- Hello-ho! Woah, what an interesting guy I am with, hehe ...

A sudden voice of a woman breaks the silence in the nothingness.

*I want to say a word, but I can't ... Why am I not able to speak?*

- Little boy, use your mind if you wish to say something!

- My ... mind?

- Congratulations! I greet you, Riox, now ...

- Hey-hey! How do you know my name when I didn't tell you?

- Please, be a bit patient and remain in silence while I observe your soul ... hm ... hm ...

*Observing. My. Soul. Am I going crazy? No, I did that already ... Can I become more insane? By the way, I am calm, even if I think back on what I did or happened to me. It's too strange, I don't want to be here ... just let me be alone in peace.*

- Tell me, who are you and what do you want from me?

- Who am I? This one has no name since no one could give a worthy one. I'm just a guide.

- A Guide?

- I am the guide who leads the souls of dead people to the road of rebirth. It sounds fantastic, right?

- NO! IT'S ABSOLUTELY NOT!

- Why? Are you a bit afraid? Haha ... You don't need to worry! ... But something still gives me some uneasy feelings. Why can't I see anything about you but your name? Your soul shows nothing but a dark emptiness ...

*I want to get out of here, I don't want to spend more time bullshitting with some random guy who spits nonsense to me. I just don't have any reason for live anymore ... just let me go.*

- I've got an idea! It's a simple thing, I can say it's a test. Are you in?

- Just if you let me go after it.

- Okay, okay. I won't take your time, I promise! So, the test is pretty simple.

- And what do I need to do to finish this 'test'?

- Give me a name!

- What? A name? That's about the test, just give you a name? Are you a retard?

- How dare you ... Ok, I forgive you since I take your time, but yes, this is and that's all.

*Fine, I will agree to this weird test. Should I worry about this or just do it as fast as possible and not care what will happen? It will be ok, I'm sure.*

- Okay, I will give you a name.

- What is it? What is it?

- How about Xia? It should be fine.

- This is wan' to be a joke? Think about a proper one!

*What an angry woman, holy ... I did not expect this result. I thought it would be easy to add one to one ... Fine, think about a better name ...*

- I chose your name, your proper name! Your name will be Ayla Ingard!

*I did not intend to give her my surname, but alone the 'Ayla' sounded too simple.*

- Ayla Ingard ... Ayla. Ayla. Ayla ...

Something strange started to happen. In the nowhere of the endless darkness a little light source popped out, but the light expanded rapidly, the darkness turned into a blinding white bright.

- Ayla. AYLA! MY NAME IS AYLA!

The voice of the guide was as loud as a scream, but filled with happiness instead of fear or sadness. The light covered everything and the darkness completely disappeared. Riox's consciousness slowly faded away as he fell asleep at any moment because of tiredness.

- ...d mor...g, m...er!

Riox wakes up while the sun is blinding him. He slowly sat up on the ground and opened his eyes with care. His vision was blurry because of the sun.

*What happened? Argh ... my eyes! Ugh, that was very unpleasant. Wait, I'm sensing the wind, it touches my face gently, and ... I feel the grass under my fingers. It's so comfortable.*

- Good morning, master!

- Good, agh, morning. Who is the master?

*I opened my eyes, but still, the sudden lights made my vision blurry, but I see the line of forms. There is a tree, and there too. What, who greeted me?*

- Master! I feel the world, I feel every bit of it, the fresh air in my lungs, the gentle blows of the wind, the warmth of the shining sun! I'm so happy, thank you very much!

*I see the contour of a girl, and hear a cute voice. I can't see her face well, my vision is still unclear. Who is she?*

And filled with indescribable happiness, the girl jumped to Riox and hugged him as much as no one did before. A strange, unexpected feeling rushed through his body.

*This feelings, the warmth of a hug, how relaxing. I can't move my body. I don't want this feeling to disappear, never ever ...*

- Is your vision okay? Do you see me well now?

- Wait just a second. I'll open again and I think it will be fine from now on.

*I slowly opened my eyes and everything became clear, but the most stunning thing in my eyesight was not the amazing view of the forest or the clean sky, but the girls' smiles in front of me. What a beautiful face and the smooth, but dark skin on her face, as the goddess of war for a humankind tribe from fantasies. I've become embarrassed. So shameful!*

- E-excuse me, milady! C-can I ask what are you ... ah, doing here?

- Milady? What a funny call, master! Don't you know my name? But you were the one who gave it to me ...

*She turned from happy into sad, like she would cry at any moment. What did I say? Did I hurt her? Ohoh, hold on! She said 'You were the one who gave it to me', right? WHAAAAAT?*

- You, you are. Ayla?

- You forgot my name? *sob*

- No, no, NO! I'd never do that, but ... I didn't know what you look like, so I had no clues it was you who I am seeing right now. Please, accept my sorry for my mistake!

- Yayy, I accept it gladly!

*She turned into a bomb of happiness again. She is full of life and so cheerful. I bet she has never been hit with hardships ... Whatever, I think I just should help her to get into a city and leave her ... after all, I have no relationship nor bonds with her, she can live her life as she pleases and I will disappear as I never existed.*

- We should get ready to move to find a city before the night. But before we do anything, put this cloak on you. You look like a slave dressed with rags at first glance. Don't take it to heart!

*I took off my cloak and gave it to her. I don't know why I wore it but it will be a bigger help for her.*

- Oh, thank you master!

- And, please, don't call me master. I am not a lord nor noble nor king, I'm just a boy.

- I understand, but ... how should I call you then?

- Just call me simply ... Riox.

She smiled at Riox at the most to show her expression towards him. Riox was a bit uneasy, and returned her smile with a blink. He turned his back to Ayla and pointed in a random direction as they tried to find a city there. He did this without a word. His hardships and struggles left a deep scar in him, and the most simple things became forgotten. He long ago forgot the last time his cheek formed a smile with emotions.