Morning

Its early hours on a weekday in a generic city, the sun is peaking over the horizon yet the streets are silent. While some may say its ominous, to me it is refreshing. I, James Hunt, am on my way back from my archery training. Why am I out so early for archery training you ask? Well I have a little agreement with the instructor since I work part-time there as well so I can come and go as I please, in moderation of course.

Today like any other I traverse the streets on my way back to my apartment listening to my music. I have no roommates or family at home so honestly, I'm in no rush to get there.

As I turn the corner my apartment is in sight, its quite large especially for one person and the distance between it and my job is basically nothing. 

Listening to music at full blast using headphones is one of the many perks of walking by yourself on an empty street, no need to pay attention for passerbys. As I cross the road, I look at my phone to skip the song, honestly new rap annoys me. 

Satisfied with my new song, I step forward. This is the biggest mistake in my short life i've ever made. A bone-shattering impact rams me from the side. My mind turns white instantly, no pain was felt but that itself was scary. As my haziness grew thin, a soft gentle voice spoke out to him.

[Voice] "24 years old? Such a waste, you are a bright soul. Truly a waste."

[James]"Eh? W-who? are... you? I'm dying?"

Struggling to speak and stay awake, James put all his effort into holding out for as long as he could.

[Voice]"I've decided. Let go child, I shall help you but for now, sleep."

[James]"Let...g...o? No..."

Despite his best efforts, deaths hands had already gripped the 24 year old man. All sound faded away, colour ceased to exist as did his senses.

That was the end of the man known as James Hunt.

[James]"Hold on? I'm dead right? If thats the case then why the hell am I in here?"

As he regained some semblence of self, he awoke to a long corridor with shadow surrounding himself. A single rectangular light lay at the end of the shadows. A door. Thats the first thing James thought about. Throwing all caution to the wind, James groggily stood up shaking off the discomfort and gradually edged towards the light.

[James]"Its about time, I swear that didn't look that long from back there, this is all too strange"

After what felt like hours, James arrived in front of the light. He slowly stepped through the doorway making sure not to let his guard down.

[James]"Huh? A meadow? Its so gloomy, I dont want to stay here too long, definitely"

As James surveyed the area, he noticed faint tints of red on the grass blades leading towards the center.

[James]"Now usually I would not even consider following such as sketchy trail but I'm dead, there is nothing to lose"

Slowly following the red trail, James realised that the red colour was rapidly becoming more prominent in comparison to the green. As he approached the center of the tall grass, he saw it. A scene that no modern day ordinary person would be completely comfortable seeing. A human figure laid on the floor surrounded by a deep crimson liquid.

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[James]"No way! No! No! How?! Am I not dead? Wait who even is this guy?"

A man with his face hidden by a skeletal mask, lay face up on the ground with 3 blindingly white blades. My eyes were definitely playing tricks on me, theres no way this is real. I edged closer, in search of answers, when a croaky voice reaches my ears.

[Croaky Voice]"Baaa...ck off. One more step and I will slit your throat"

[James]"Hold up? You're alive? How? You've been skewered! Three times now less!"

[Man]"You rat! You dare say... this..."

[James]"It's alright, take your time Kebab Man"

I didn't actually mean to say that, it just slipped out. I guess the stress has affected my social filter and I am not regulating my words properly.

[Man]"You dare say such a thing to this Bryak! Know your place mortal!"

[James]"Mortal? Wait, so you're immortal yet you're on deaths door?"

[Bryak]"Don't question this Great One Bryak! If it wasn't for that vixen Alphea, I, a death god, would not be so easily killed!"

[James]"Alphea? Death god? I have so many questions but I suppose the biggest one would be, what are we going to do now?"

[Bryak]"I'm going to kill you obviously? Stay there. Your soul will return to the system, it seems that me being in such a compromised state has effected your reincarnation"

[James]"Ah... shit. I would rather be on my way now, it was nice meeting you Sir Bryak!"

As I said that, I turned around and sprinted towards the opposite direction I came. I mean why would I head towards the dark shadow coridor when I would basically be cornering myself and asking for death? After sprinting at full strength for approximately 10 minutes, I realised how naive I have been. He is a god, it is obvious he could teleport in his own divine realm. He stares at me, hatred, pity and a hint of admiration fill his eyes. 

[Bryak]" Nice attempt, Child of man, you managed to nullify my restraining magicka that I was using."

[James]"Restraining magicka? You were using such a thing?"

[Bryak]"Yes, Child of Man, even if I am gravely injured, such a feat is impressive. That said, it's time to die"

Bryak's purple scythe that he pulled out of thin air swings down at a speed unthinkable for an injured person. Truly a godlike power. Unbelievably my mind is clear. I see, I suppose once you experience death once it's not too scary.

[James]"Well... if its the end, I at least want to get a single hit in!"

Despite the futile effort, I desperately want to hit this arrogant asshole! Running into the path of the scythe,I approach one of the blades in Bryak's chest. With all the power in my body, I grip the sword and push forward. Simultaneously, my left shoulder feels a smoldering pain, the scythe has cut cleanly through my shoulder and torso.

[James]"Arrrghhh! It hurts! Fuck! Pain is horrible! I'll kill you!"

Anger fills my heart, my mind is clear yet my one desire in this situation is to kill this enemy in front of me. I have never felt such a strong hatred before, yet I let go. I succumb to the anger just this once as I'm dying anyway.

I gripped the sword tighter. It has a basic design but the hilt of the sword has a snake and dragon head carved into it. Even for my untrained eyes, I can tell it is a masterpiece. Gripping the hilt, I push with every ounce of my body and slowly but surely I feel movement against the overwhelming resistance.

Just a bit more! My mind is focused, my muscles are solely working for this one purpose. My vision has lost all it's colour and my breathing has slowed. I see, this is the end. Just as self-deprication filled my mind, a blood-curdling screech was heard from in front of me.

[Bryak]"You vermin! Stop! Let go! Now! How can I, the Great Death God Bryak be killed by a pest like you!"

White light starts to burn Bryak from the inside out, his whole body enveloped. Pure hatred fills his expression. 

[Bryak]"Curse you Alphea! You vixen interferring with others! And you! Watch out! When I'm gone news of your actions will put you on the wanted list, you will be consigned to a never-ending existence of pure agony and tortue!"

After Bryak unloaded all of his hatred, the three swords fell to the floor with a clang as his body burns to nothing, not even ash.

[James]"I see... I did it... but it's too late"

Once again my conciousness slowly recedes and darkness envelops my very being. I suppose this is the true end. Despite the imment death of myself, I did not feel fear, in fact I felt relieved that I manage to end that arrogant bastards life.

With that last thought, everything faded to black.