As Allister drifted in the darkness, he wondered if this was truly the end. But suddenly, a gentle voice broke through the stillness, stirring his senses with the tenderness of a mother's love. It was a voice reminiscent of ones he knew, his mother, or perhaps to Beatrice, the woman he had loved and lost.

"Dear Allister, you have such a gentle soul, but you are filled with so much pain, so much loss," the voice whispered, its warmth bringing tears to his eyes.

Allister remained silent, unsure of how to respond.

"You deserve so much more dear Allister, and I have decided to bend the rules a little. I wish to give you a choice. Will you listen to my proposition?" the voice continued.

Although he felt exhausted and yearned for peace, Allister knew it would be impolite to refuse. So he nodded hesitantly.

"You always were a quiet man, weren't you?" the voice remarked affectionately. "Well, my proposition is this: I wish to give you another chance at life. A life in another place, another world. This world faces certain challenges, Allister, but I am not asking you to solve them. The world could use a gentle soul like you, someone who cares for that which many seem to neglect."

Despite his desire for peace, Allister's curiosity was piqued, and he spoke up for the first time in a long while. "I wish for peace, kind lady, that is all. But you seem in need. So what are these challenges this world faces?"

The voice felt like a warm embrace as it spoke again, ‘’oh there are many, perhaps too many for any one person to solve. What I would wish from you dear Allister, is to be who you are, to watch over a place that needs care and love. The great forest of Arcadia is in need of a caretaker dear Allister, and I am offering you the job.’’

Allister remained silent for a long time, lost in thought. The voice did not disturb him, allowing him to come to his own decision. Finally, he spoke up, "Dear lady, before I make a decision, may I ask a single question?"

"Of course, you may ask as many as you need to," the motherly voice replied.

Allister steeled himself. "Only one... My Beatrice... If I decline your offer, can I see her again?"

The voice, filled with sorrow and regret, responded, "Oh Allister, I am sorry. Beatrice moved on a long time ago. She lives again now. With luck, you could find her again, but she would not be the Beatrice you know, and you would not be yourself. The soul is eternal, Allister, but memories cannot stay, as they would disturb the balance."

Allister had been prepared for the answer, but it still hurt. He had carried a small hope for all this time, and now he had nothing left. Tears began rolling down his cheeks, and he felt gentle, soft hands cupping his cheeks.

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"Is she happy?" he asked, his voice choked with emotion.

The hands gently wiped his tears away, and the voice replied, "Yes, Allister, she is happy."

Taking a deep, steadying breath, Allister said, "That is good then. That is all I could ever wish for. It would not do for me to disturb her then. If I accept your offer, can I ask a single boon of you?"

The voice held a warm smile. "You can."

Allister's eyes glistened as he gazed into the impenetrable darkness, his heart aching with a deep sadness that he knew would never truly fade. "Will you bless her?" he asked, his voice trembling. "Make sure she will not grow ill again, that she can live a long and happy life."

For a long while, there was no response, and Allister feared that the voice had left him to his grief. But just as he was about to give up hope, a soft whisper reached his ears. "It is done," the voice said, so gentle that it was like the rustling of leaves in the breeze. "She has my blessing. It is not my world, so I had to get permission, but whether you accept my offer or not, Beatrice will be blessed, in this life and the ones that come after."

Allister felt his tears start to flow once again, and he closed his eyes tightly as he fought to regain his composure. "Thank you, dear lady," he managed to choke out. "Then I will honor my end of it, and help you in whatever capacity I can. Not sure what an old man has to offer one such as you, but whatever I can provide, you will have."

As he spoke those words, he felt strong arms envelop him, and he felt warm and safe in that embrace. "You will start over, dear Allister," the voice murmured, its tone soothing and full of promise. "You will be you, but not you. A new life, a new world, a new body, a new beginning."

Allister began to drift off, his mind awash in a sea of emotions. It was like going to sleep wrapped in a warm blanket, comfortable and safe. He didn't know what lay ahead, but he knew that he was ready for whatever the future held.

As Allister opened his eyes, he found himself staring up at a canopy of vibrant green colors. He blinked a few times, but the scenery remained unchanged. As he moved his hands to his sides, he felt the soft earth beneath him and the lush grass brushing against his skin. But it was the smells that amazed him the most. Every sense he had seemed to be enhanced tenfold. He breathed in the scents of the nearby flowers, trees, and grass, all of which combined to create an incredible symphony of pure life.

After slowly sitting up, Allister marveled at how easily he had done so. For so long, his body had been weak and frail, but now he felt strong and fit. As he looked down at his body, he realized that he was completely naked. But that wasn't the most startling thing. His skin was a creamy white with a hint of green, and his body was lithe and muscular. He ran his fingers through the hair falling over his back and was astonished at how silky and lush it felt. And it was a vivid shade of green.

As he got to his feet and looked around, he felt a soft breeze caress his skin, and it felt absolutely wonderful. Despite his nakedness, he didn't feel cold or uncomfortable. As he touched his face, he felt the angular features with high cheekbones, and the long ears that ended in points. It was only then that he noticed a pinprick of pain in his tongue. As he felt around his teeth, he realized that they seemed a little sharp, but the teeth in the back seemed normal. He had been turned into something else entirely, and he couldn't help but wonder what he had become.