Prologue

[4 years after the end of the Thousand Winds War.]

Everyone has different ideas as to what Death is like.

Poets and writers had all tried to find a way to capture what the end of life feels and what's on the other side; some say Death is a cold lover, one that traps you with uncountable hands and allows you to find peace in a dreamless sleep. Others say that dying is being hunted down by angry hounds, painful and grotesque.

In my experience, it is a little in between.

Hit by an estranged bullet in a robbery that went wrong, my demise was painful. My chest burned, making every intake of air feel like someone was putting a hundred red hot needles in my lungs.

The hands were a relief if I'm being sincere, even when my first instinct was to fight as Reapers had brought nothing but misery into my life and I had unfinished business here on the Land of the living.

My ears were pounding, my heartbeat deafening in my desperation. Panic crashed into me when it suddenly stopped, relief expanding and filling my being when instead of the terrible silence I was met with Sourie's gentle voice, calling my name and reassuring me everything was fine; that it was ok to let go. (That she would take me home.)

Surrender felt bitter but I went willingly into the deep end, trusting the person I once called sister to guide me to the right place. Closing my eyes, I felt at peace for the first time in a very long time.

(Keisuke would take care of Yu and Kali, he would make sure they were OK in my absence. He owed me that much.)

So you see, Death is as merciful as she's cruel.

Death is a mistress that can love you only with a reflection of your true nature. That's why it's impossible to outrun her, for she's tied to you in the most intimate of ways.

Now, dear friend, after reading this I think it's time for me to tell you the worst part of being dead. You deserve it, after all. Even more so, you will need it, of this I'm sure. Especially when you intend to accompany me in the rest of this bittersweet journey.

My friend, this is a secret only the ones that have died can share but for you, I will make an exception.

The worst part of being dead is…

Having to wake up.