Arya and Jia's paths collide with Joshua, mystical being who's identity is cloaked in mystery, they are drawn into a web of intrigue, romance, and mystical forces beyond their control. Sparks fly between Arya and Joshua, their connection transcending the boundaries of time and space. Meanwhile, Jia finds herself inexplicably drawn to Mali's enigmatic presence, her artistic soul recognizing a kindred spirit in him.
But as their bond deepens, dark forces conspire to tear them apart, threatening to unravel the very fabric of reality itself. Caught in a struggle between light and darkness, Arya, Jia, and Joshua must embark on a perilous journey of self-discovery and sacrifice, guided by the whispers of fate that echo through the ages. Will Arya, Jia, and Joshua defy the odds and forge their own destinies, or will they succumb to the forces that seek to tear them apart? Only time will tell in this mesmerizing tale of love, loss, and the magic that binds us all.
Geoff and Naomi are dead, and they're depressed, but when Geoff's cat Bernie dies as well, they embark on a wild journey to find it in the underworld.
*****
When Geoff dies, alongside his girlfriend Naomi, they end up sharing an apartment in the Underworld as skeletons. But after a few years, Geoff starts suffering a mid-death crisis. What's the purpose of going through the motions as a skeleton if you can't really live? Then he gets word that his cat, Bernie, just died and he can collect him and bring him home! Geoff and Naomi hurry to get Bernie only to discover that, due to a clerical error, their cat has been lost. With the hunt for Bernie giving new purpose to Geoff's un-life, he and Naomi begin a quest to get back their cat. Battling skeleton pirates, climbing the sky ladder and facing off against the villain who took Bernie, Geoff is determined to find his purpose - or die a second time trying!
[[2018 Wattys Winner - The Originals]]
[[word count: 30,000-40,000 words]]