I used to think escaping was the hardest part—until the world slipped away beneath me, and I woke up in a place where everything was unfamiliar, except for the chains that bound her.

Life has a funny way of reminding you of your fragility, hitting you with unexpected situations.

Blood, broken glass and tears—a scene nobody expected that day. A simple trip to the supermarket turned into a grisly sight as a young man lay sprawled on the pavement, struck by a car.

It hadn't even been a month since he finally took his life into his own hands and left home—one of the hardest decisions he ever had to make. He crashed with a friend, got a job and after years of holding himself back to support his family, finally struck out on his own. His parents weren't pleased, but he knew if he didn't act now, he might never get the life he wanted.

He was getting older, tired of being stuck at home for months at a time, taking care of his siblings. That wasn't the life a 22-year-old craved.

A new life, new experiences, and newfound freedom—pure bliss. Every day brought something different, moments of joy that had long been absent—eating pizza again after years, finally losing his v-card.

Who could have known fate would be so cruel?

Beyond our dimension, outside space and time, the goddess of death sneezed, wondering if someone was talking smack about her behind her back.

But back to our story...

As the broken and bloodied man lay on the scorching asphalt, his life flashed before his eyes—his laughs, his cries, his loves, and his losses. He chuckled at the irony. He couldn't even feel anything anymore. Paralyzed, probably. If he survived, he'd be a burden. If he died, he'd devastate his loved ones—especially his girlfriend, waiting for him at home.

He had fawned over her for years online. After finally meeting in person, he convinced her to be his. It felt like conquering fate.

But just when he thought he'd won, life ripped it all away. Triumph turned to anger, guilt, then sadness.

Anger at the driver. Anger at himself.

Guilt, because his life was slipping away. He was leaving his friends, his loved ones—his girlfriend. He had been saving for a ring. Then again, maybe it was for the best. She had been cheating on him with their landlord for months now.

Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings.

Sadness, because he still had so much to prove. He wanted to change his life to prove everyone wrong—especially his father, who never believed in him.

But all those emotions were swallowed by something else. Rage.

Rage at the world for robbing him of his dreams after he had fought so hard. Rage at himself for not seeing this coming. And rage at the gods above for their cruelty.

As his vision blurred and his breath shallowed, he whispered an apology to those he was leaving behind. His heart gave its final beat, and he sighed inwardly.

"Maybe the next one will be better."

Far beyond mortal reach, the goddess of death turned her gaze toward the horizon of her domain. A massive burst of energy rippled in the distance.

She smiled. "Welcome back, Father."

Just then, the air split open, a swirling void unraveling like a wound in reality. From its depths, a hooded figure stepped forward, their presence heavy with the weight of the unknown.

The goddess's voice cut through the silence—calm yet laced with shadow. "You better have a good reason for coming here unannounced, Zervas." Her gaze, unreadable as the abyss, bore into him.

The figure, shaken by the intensity of her gaze, cleared his throat. "Greetings to the goddess of stillness, queen of the void, mother of—"

The atmosphere thickened, suffocating.

Her voice was sharp. "If you value your life, apostle, stop using those titles. They belonged to my mother. I will not be spoken to as if I am merely her replacement." Her eyes darkened. "Now, tell me why you're here before I lose whatever patience I have left."

Zervas took a deep breath. "I was sent by Lady Ventris. A large pulse of Pria was detected in your territory. I was sent to investigate. Before proceeding, I came to seek permission."

The goddess raised her hand, releasing a silent wave of energy that sealed them away from prying ears. Then, she met Zervas's gaze.

"Speak freely now—no one else can hear us."

Zervas's posture loosened, formality melting away. His voice, now unrestrained, carried urgency and excitement. "Is it him? Has he come back?"

The goddess's lips curled into a knowing smile. Meeting his gaze, she gave a slow, deliberate nod before raising a single finger to her lips—a silent command for restraint.

A tear welled in Zervas's eye as he let out a quiet sigh of relief, the weight he had carried finally lifting.

His eyes, now filled with renewed determination, locked onto hers. "What's next, Gladius?"

The goddess's expression remained unreadable. "I've sent him to the Black Zone so they can't track him. He should be meeting 'her' right about now. He is far weaker than before, but at the very least, he should be safe."

His voice wavered. "Will she recognize him?" Hope and fear tangled in his gaze.

The goddess gave a nervous smile, a rare flicker of uncertainty crossing her face. "I'm not sure." She admitted. "After all, today is a special day, and she's usually in a bad mood around this time."

Her gaze drifted before she let out a soft, almost amused chuckle. "I can only hope Mother doesn't attack him on impulse, mistaking him for an enemy..."

Zervas looked on into the distance, his mind racing a thousand miles an hour. He sighed inwardly as he knew the road ahead would be difficult.

"Welcome back... old friend".