=A New Hero=

Chapter 1: Reborn

...Where...

Where am I? And why do I feel so...Warm?

Getting up, I feel soft grass underneath my hands. Opening my eyes, I see a night sky. Looking around, I see I am in some sort of...garden or field with glowing, golden willow trees.

???: "Welcome, child."

Where's that voice coming from?

(Y/N): "W-Where...Where am I? And where are you? WHO are you?"

???: "Hush. Calm yourself. You're safe here."

Her voice is so smooth and calming, almost like a mother soothing a scared child during a thunderstorm.

(Y/N): "The last thing I remember, I'm bleeding out in the hallway, and now I'm in some magic garden with a voice in my head. Oh yeah. Completely calming and not at all incredibly alarming."

???: "I see your memory is still intact. That's good. But I do suppose you'd like an explanation of the situation, hm?"

Suddenly a bright, damn near blinding light glowed from seemingly nothing in front of me. As the light dimmed, a woman clad in strange clothes and jewelry stood before me.

???: "Is this form comfortable for you?"

(Y/N): "Well, now I have a face to put to a voice."

Did Bell or Kristina put something in my drink? Or did I just drink so much I'm in a coma and dreaming?

???: "Fair enough. Now then. Let me tell you upfront that you weren't dreaming. And you still aren't. Unfortunately, You did indeed perish."

(Y/N): "...Fuck."

???: "Well, that's not the worst reaction I've seen to the news. Oh! Where are my manners? I haven't even introduced myself."

(Y/N): "I just assumed you were an angel or something because people don't normally come through portals of light."

???: "You're on the right track. I am the goddess of day and night, Life and death, Joy and Sorrow, the Barren and the Fertile."

(Y/N): "...Uh...Nox?"

???: "I see you know the name the romans gave me.. However, the past they told of me is myth, nothing more. the Roman Empire has long long since vanished, as has that name. I suppose you may call me..."

She looked around, as if she was looking for something.

Willow: "Willow. You may call me Willow."

(Y/N): "Did you come up with that name just now?"

She giggled.

Willow: "Indeed, though, you can't truly blame me, can you? It's been quite a while since I last interacted with a human. The elves don't really care for giving their gods names."

(Y/N): "Wait, Elves? What are you talking about? And getting back on topic, where am I?"

Willow: "You are in my garden. As for the elves, you shall see later. For now, you look quite tired."

She was suddenly close enough to touch my face, gently caressing my cheek. I could feel a dip in my flesh where the bullet hit me, along with a massive stinging pain that caused me to flinch away.

Willow: "You poor child. Your wounds still hurt, don't they? Come."

She sat down and her knees, and patted her lap.

Willow: "Lay down and allow me to help."

I still have about 70 more questions, but for some reason, I feel a strange compulsion to take her up on the offer. I do so, laying my head on her lap. She's soft, and smells like flowers...it's relaxing.

Willow: "Just relax, child. I promise that the pain will fade soon."

She placed her hand back onto my cheek, That same intense stinging returning and causing me to groan and grit my teeth. Slowly however, slowly the pain subsided, her free hand running through my hair. Eventually, The pain was completely gone, yet she didn't stop playing with my hair or stroking my cheek gently. I almost felt reluctant to get up, seeing as she seemed to be enjoying this as much as me, But I still had questions that I wanted answered.

However, when I tried to get up off her lap, she gently held me down, whispering "No, Stay there for right now".

(Y/N): "Hey...I died, right?"

Willow: "That is correct."

(Y/N): "And you're the goddess of life and death."

Willow: "Yes, I am."

(Y/N): "So...Why am I Here?"

Willow: "Well...I didn't want you to die yet. Simple as that."

(Y/N): "Why not?"

Willow: "You selflessly put down your life in order to save another's, even forcing your heart to continue beating until you could say goodbye to your friend."

(Y/N): "I'm pretty sure I'm not the first person in history to do something like that. What's the real reason?"

She sighed and smiled.

Willow: "You're quite sharp, aren't you? Well...Your life was cut far too short. While unfortunately that is a too common fate, You felt as though you had no more business to attend to, right?"

(Y/N): "Well, Yeah. My life was kinda...Done. I did everything I wanted to by the time I was in college, and I just sorta...waited to die."

Willow: "Those who die of old age often times get reincarnated into a baby, or those who take their own lives either go to heaven or hell, depending on the way they lived their lives. I've never seen someone who completed their life so fast, with no more want other than possibly some alcohol or entertainment. You don't have any regrets."

(Y/N): "Where are you going with this?"

Willow: "Well...My followers have prayed to me. A great evil is brewing, and they have prayed for a hero to stop it. Will you, (Y/N), Please be that hero?"

(Y/N): "..."

Willow: "You don't have to answer now. Time flows differently here, and if I will it so, No time will have passed."

She was right. Glancing down at my wristwatch, It has completely stopped. It wasn't broken or anything, in fact it looked brand new again, shiny and clear.

(Y/N): "Hm..."

Willow: "You are free to say no. As long as they pray to me, they shall be protected. I shall-"

(Y/N): "I'll do it."

Willow: "Truly?"

(Y/N): "Yeah. I mean the alternative is probably hell, and that sounds boring."

She couldn't hold back a laugh, covering her mouth with her hand.

Willow: "I suppose you would think that. Alright. You have my divine blessing and protection. I shall watch over you in your new life. Here."

She glanced at one of the willows, its trunk splitting open, the same bright light from before shining through. As I approached the portal, I was suddenly stopped by the gentle touch of Willow.

Willow: "Before you go..."

(Y/N): "Yeah?"

She tugged on my shoulder, and I took it as a sign to lower my head. When I did, she gave me a kiss on the cheek, causing me to blush red.

Willow: "Don't hesitate to call for me if you need guidance or comfort, My new hero."

I then leave without saying another word. And then...

My vision went black.