[Chapter 1 - Veni, Vidi, Mortuus : I Came, I Saw, I Died]

In an infinite darkness

"Come to me, oh sweet soul"

Suddenly a blinding light and when it cleared sat a woman of untold beauty. Her deep midnight purple hair was strewn all over her and the throne of light she sat atop. With her empty white eyes she stared at the small and delicate soul in front of her. As she lifted her hand and placed a finger to the orb of light in front of her it rapidly took the form of a young man.

His body was frail and boney. His brown hair was ragged and long, slightly covering his face. Though he was naked he did not seem to notice or care. With soft weak eyes he looked at the ethereal being that sat towering above him. Her hand alone was slightly bigger than his body

"W-where am I?" he spoke softly as he stared at her, unable to break his awing gaze.

The woman's lips turned to a small frown before speaking "Do you truly not remember my child?"

As if the trigger a wave of clarity suddenly washed over the boy.

"That's right..." he slowly recollected to himself 'I was in the hospital's garden. The staff had all worked to set up equipment so I could leave my room. It was what I said I wanted for my birthday. Everyone sang to me and as I was feeling truly happy for once and then' the boy's expression grew solemn as did the womans when she saw.

"I died?" He looked at her with an expression of both confusion and heartache like he was waiting for her to refute an answer that had already become clear.

"Indeed" she said softly "On your 16th birthday in the courtyard of the hospital you were never able to leave you were able to experience real happiness" she said smiling lightly "However, it overwhelmed you" the smile faded. "At birth you were declared terminally ill, the boy born with a heart too weak to push blood throughout your body. In turn you were abandoned by your parents and left to die. But instead you defied the odds and made it year after year with the use of machines in place of your heart." Her expression grew more serious "But emotion is a powerful thing. The impact it has on the body is strong and in your case, it was stronger than your heart"

As the boy listened to the woman's soft and delicate voice his eyes grew dim and full of tears. Her explanation finished and he fell to his knees to meet the flawless marble floor below him. As he stared at the tiles the water in his eyes grew.

"You mean I-" the tears began to stream down his face and his voice choked.

With a look of pity and pain "Yes dear child. For all intents and purpose , you died because you were finally able to feel happy"

The boy's tears deepened. They were now pouring down his face and dripping from his chin onto the tiles beneath him in rapid succession.

A single large finger that seemed to radiate light reached down gently lifted the boy's chin until their gazes met. As his teary eyes met hers he noticed a face of pain. The woman almost looked as if she was holding her own tears as well. With a slightly choked voice "And unfortunately, your trials do not end here." with a look of dread and distraught "I am the goddess Freyja, and I have come to warn you of the many calamities you will soon face in your next life"