Cross My Heart

0: Second Death, Second Beginning

I hadn't given much thought to what would happen after I died.

Even if I had though, I don't think I ever would have expected to die, only to be purposed with the burden of dying again.

At least, that's what it felt like when I awoke from my grave, only to be ripped from it and kneaded into a martyr for an unfamiliar land and unfamiliar people.

Of course, I also hadn't expected to be flattened by a soccer mom. Or, to have had to wrestle a gator monster while trapped in a furry costume like I was in some ridiculously scripted pro wrestling match.

These were the kinds of thoughts that were zipping through my mind as I looked into the honey moon colored eyes of the prince, presenting me with a velvet cushion holding a pair of baroque gauntlets- a promise of freedom for others, a shield; perhaps a promise of demise, a pair of handcuffs.

He didn't say anything to me, but I knew what he was thinking as we exchanged one last look before I chose my second fate. His eyes were steady like a cooking fire, behind them, flames flickered and licked at salty scars, doubting and daring.

Are you sure?

Another thing I hadn't expected in the afterlife- to be plagued (or was I blessed?) by temperamental, yet obnoxiously charming, sinfully gorgeous men.

Are you sure?

I lowered my head as the sear ceremoniously lifted one porcelain gauntlet from the cushion and slowly slipped it over my hand, then did the same with the next. I was feeling uncertain, yet certain, counterfeit, yet true, painfully awkward, yet surprisingly empowered. I didn't break eye contact with the prince, my own eyes burning with defiance as the crowd began to cheer. The delicate gloves felt surprisingly light as I raised my hands to look at them. I smiled at the sear and then the prince.

I was stuck here without any explanation or direction. I had resurrection on my mind, whether that be here or where I had died, and the only way I could think of achieving that was by going along with this storyline.

Which was another thing I hadn't expected- to find that my death did not guarantee an ending. Instead- my death gave me a beginning, and it began with the choice to accept a new destiny.

So Cleurheil needed a chosen one?

Sure,

I'd play their bubbling, little hero.

Note: I do not own any media included in this. Credit for all media goes to their original creators.