Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Quenched Torch

Chapter 2: From the River

...

...

...wait, what? I'm alive?

No, human.

W-who said that?

That is not of concern right now.

...s-so I'm...

Yes.

...

...oh... is this heaven?

No. I would more describe it as the space in between.

Why am I here?

I am to send you back to the realm of the living. However, before I do that, I wish to ask you a question.

I... huh?

What is it that you desire most?

What?

Fortune, perhaps? Notoriety? Power?

What do y-

A way to cheat death? A weapon to conquer your enemies? A way to avenge your falling race?

I don't-

What do you seek?

I don't know, okay?! Just... I want the world to be a bit less of a shithole, I guess?

...

I see.

I suppose I should be sending you off.

We shall meet again, child. Until then, may fortune be on your side.

Wait, what?

Farewell.

No, wait...!

---

'Everything hurts.'

That was all that ran through my head as I suddenly came to. I was vaguely aware of water running nearby and a pair of hands rhythmically pressing down on my chest, though I couldn't focus on those when my lungs felt like they were on fire. As the figure in front of me backed away, I hacked and coughed, water pouring from my mouth. The figure looked on as the last of the water dribbled from my mouth and I wheezed in much-needed air. Arms shaking, I pushed myself off the ground, only for my legs to betray me, sending me back to the ground. Panting, I looked around to take in my surroundings. As suspected, I looked to be in a clearing next to a river, and in front of me was a rather nervous-looking Pokémon slowly backing away from me.

'How... did I get here?' I thought as I tried to retrace my steps up to this point. I tried to dig for a minute before coming to a disturbing conclusion.

I couldn't remember anything.

Not even a name came to mind. All that came to mind was being attacked, getting poisoned, everything going black, a voice questioning me, and nothing more. Did I hit my head in the river? I... no, I died for sure. But how was I alive if that was the case...?

As I tried to keep myself calm, a voice brought me back to reality.

"A-are you okay?" it asked.