Chapter 1: Death

I died. Though I wasn't expecting the afterlife to be, well. This! I would panic, but I felt hollow now. But then again, I am currently a... uh... I don't know, Soul maybe? Completely white, and no defining features.

I am currently standing on water so clear it reflects the clear blue sky. Standing before me are seven people, surrounding a white tree with golden leaves. The tree sporting a serene face with water flowing from at it's eyes as if it was crying.

"sooo... your telling me to fix a mess one of your former leaders did?"

" . . .Yes"

"Okaaaayyyy..... now, why would I do that?"

A cacophony of laughter and giggles echoed.

"It's amusing how you thought you were being given a choice boy."

.... oh shit ....

" . . . oh"

The woman holding a golden bundle in her arms laughs softly, removing any form of worry I had.

"Fear not child, for no matter how this goes, you will always have our favor."

" ...thank you..." I felt relief at that. And 'favor'? But then again this is a Gods favor. Why question it.

"Your task is simple enough, to correct a mistake. You know of this world already, so I will be brief. During the time of Expansion of the Valyrian Freehold our people was tasked to integrate themselves into another continent. Westeros. They were to establish their lives upon it, but along the lines something went wrong."

An old woman holding a golden lantern spoke after. "They were lost to us. We failed to realise their mortal coils make it near impossible to gather all of our words. And so it lead into misinterpretation."

A woman holding a golden rose said. "They destroyed the weirwood trees, in an attempt to aggresively expand our religion. But they did not realise their actions are not aligned with us but against us. The trees serve as a medium between us and the world. They are magical, their very nature allows us to speak to the world itself and in extension, them."

An armored knight holding a golden sword said. "In it's absence allowed man to interpret the false words of other more... evil natured gods as ours instead. Making our followers sinners, comitting atrocities in our name!"

The Hooded man holding a golden hour glass continues. "Sins comitted are punished. No exceptions. And so despite being misguided they must suffer the consequences of their actions, for despite all this, they always had a choice. But sinners souls has an effect unknown to mortal kind. Their weakening.

The bearded man holding a golden hammer spoke. "The cycle of life and death continues. But when a sinner is reborn they were born weaker. In the afterlife their taint is removed and so when returned to the mortal world. Their souls are weaker. Though this does not affect the mind or body, nor does this effect any subsequent generations, it does however damages the world itself. With weaker levels of life, equates to weaker levels of magic. And weaker magic means, weaker connnections to the gods. And in our absence... the cycle of life, death and rebirth is threatened."

The eldest man holding a golden scale said. "And so the balance between life and death is lost. A price paid to ensure the flow of life continues. It is bad enough that the Great Other continues to seek out the end. Now this! We are merely glad my brother Rhollor continues his fight, But even he is prone to misinterpretation. And worse now when evil whisper in the ears of his followers and ours."

"""And so your are needed, what say you?"""

"I simply wish to go be with my love ones." I said.

"She will be not there." My attention snapped to the said Maiden.

" . . . what..."

"She had asked the same, to be with you. And we have agreed. You both may go. As long as you do your best to fulfill this task. You may stay together."

"Refuse, and I shall send you both on your way back to the flow, never knowing each other again." added the Stranger.

"Did she really said that?" I asked hopefully.

She simply smiled warmly. I had felt it then, a new hope for me. I steeled myself and gave them a confident nod as I can give.

"LET US BLESS HIM THEN" said the tree.

"Me, my mother and my daughter has given blessing to your beloved. And so this will only be theirs." said the Mother. I nodded at that.

The Stranger stepped forward first. Once he reached me, he extended his hand and I then felt myself like wearing a thick piece of cloak around me. It felt fuzzy, like fur.

"A defense against other gods, this will ensure they cannot speak to you nor can your mind and soul be held against your will."

The Smith came next and tapped my forehead lightly with his hammer. "Innate knowledge of the world."

" . . .whoah." I can't help but be at awe of what he gave me. Geographic knowledge of their world. I have like a map in my head now. Though it doesn't show me anyone in it, I at least won't ever get lost. Nor will I be fumbling in the dark looking for places.

But still ...

"We understand your concern. This gifts are too small for the one who would be our champion. The world's magic is so weak we cannot strengthen you too much now. Otherwise we cannot send you down." I understood that. Still doesn't take away fear though.

"Do not fear son. Though limited, it doesn't mean little by any means. Take this, we thought it best suited to any champion of our own."

The father then gave me a glowing blue orb. And as soon as I touched it, it turned to motes of light and then went inside me.

The information regarding what it was came rushing to my mind. A magical core. And the knowledge to wield it.

The Warrior spoke again. "It is limited in it's utility. But powerful in combat none the less. It will make you the most formidable warrior to ever exist. Enough to say you were blessed and only fools to say otherwise."

I looked to the mother. Knowing what I wanted to know she simply smiled and said. "She is waiting for you."

I can't help but feel excited hearing that. I saw the Tree glow, then from it a branch came down and extended, forming a circle. From it, a pool of water shimmered into being, one I believe to be a portal.

Before I could step through the portal the tree spoke. "Do not forget to live, mortal. It is as we said, whether this venture suceeds or not doesn't affect the fact that you accepted this task. And for that, you now have our favor."

I asked. "You seemed so sure, that I would fulfill this quest of yours or at least try to?"

They all laughed. As soon as their laughter died down the Father said. "My son, why did you think we chose you in the first place?" And he then gently pushed me through the portal.

Once I was through, I felt a wave of anxiety, fear, exitement, longing, desire, and most of all embarassment.

" ...oh..." I had forgotten. I was so far removed from my emotions I hadn't realised. I was talking to GODS!!!

I was then sitting in a dark room. The only light coming from the fire in the nearby fireplace. As I sat up I felt a huge headache. Information cane crashing down on me. I clutched me head and feel the knowledge of my past and present life flowed through me.

I felt a hand gently clasped mine. I looked to my side and saw her. No longer sporting the same face but her golden eyes, still glowing. Knowing who it was beside me, I slowly pulled the hand holding to mine and held it to my face. She simply smiled at me, but it was enough to make me cry.

I abide by the pain, feeling her hand squeeze mine when things got too painful. I hear her gentle voice, whispering sweet nothings to me. I clang on to all of it.

Hours passed and the pain sudsided. I felt so tired. Knowing I was about to pass out, I pulled her close ans kissed her. One she reciprocated immediately. It was but a soft kiss. But I was once again feeling incredibly happy.

'An adventure with my girl, who would have thought.'