We've Met Before

Metas was floating in a black abyss of nothing as though he were floating in a sea that dragged him down towards the bottom. He could breathe just fine, though.

The alpha could feel his arms trying to fight the weight that bared down on him, but no matter how hard he tried, he didn't get anywhere, and he wasn't able to lift his arms enough to scoop enough - whatever this was - to be able to push himself up anyway.

Instead he sank down further and towards a bright opening that sucked him into its grasp without warning. He shut his eyes as tightly as he could to keep out the light from blinding him.

At least he realized when he hit something soft and somfortable, like the biggest pillow he'd ever laid on. He started to smile as warmth covered him and lulled him into a sense of security.

The only thing that made him open his eyes was the sultry, deep voice that was filled with kindness and strength.

"You can open your eyes now Metas," the voice instructed.

The alpha did as the voice said and opened his eyes very, very slowly to a white space that surrounded him and the black pillow he was sitting upon next to the most lovely female he'd ever seen.

She was tall, and had long, beautiful black hair and eyes that had stars glittering through it, and her flesh was a bright moonlight white that glowed so beautifully, even against the white void they both sat in.

"Hello, Metas. It's been a little bit. How was your trip?" the goddess asked with a gently smile.

"My...what?" Metas asked with confusion.

The woman just smiled calmly and reached out to put her hand on Metas' shoulder gently. "Your trip, sweetheart. How was it? Did you have a good life this time?"

"This time? Have I died?" he asked again and looked around the soft pallet they rested on.

"Not exactly. Not yet, anyway. It all depends on what you'd like to do," the celestial woman answered him with patience.

"What are my choices?" Metas replied with a calm demeanor.

"Well - you have three. You can either return to the stream of souls, reunite with Myranda, or if you choose to, you may release yourself into the stars and gift your magic back into the world for a new purpose," she explained and kept the same sweet smile she had from the start.

"Who are you, anyway? What is this place?" Metas asked again before he thought of his choices.

"You usually ask that immediately. I think this route has given you a lot to think on, hasn't it?" she answered his question with a question - just as Metas did often in waking life. She gave a soft laugh that was naturally low and moved a piece of his black hair behind his ear with motherly affection.

"I am Lilith, half of the Goddess of the Moon. My other half, Ophelia is speaking with Myranda right now. You've both had quite the adventure. Would you like to see her again?" she asked and looked into his pretty gold eyes,

"Why is she dead? Who hurt her? Can I go back to kill them?" Metas was angry once he realized that his mate was dead.

Lilith chuckled and pat his head, "my sweet Metas - you have devoted yourself to her for over five thousand years. Why not try someone else this time? I know the perfect mate for you," Lilith offered and took her hand away from his hair.

"What about Myranda? Can't I just see her again?" his voice had picked up a bit of panic from Lilith's suggestion.

"If she wants to return with you, of course - but I do have a perfect mate for you if you'd like to move on. Five thousand years is a very long time to be mates with someone, Metas" Lilith kindly lectured.

"Not long enough if it's with Myranda. Has she rebuked me? Did she want a new mate?" Metas' voice rolled into sadness and his eyes lost their luster.

"She's still talking with Ophelia, my little love" Lilith's voice was so soothing for being such a deep tone. "If she wants to see you, I will take you to where she is."

"What if she doesn't? Can I just go the stardust route? I don't want to do anything without her, including live again. I just found her this lifetime, why is it we have to part again so soon?" Metas lamented.

"Life is unpredictable, Metas. Ophelia and I have no control over what you do when you return to life, but we do make sure you're mates. Although it seems your current hierarchy isn't fond of our practice," Lilith said with the first frown Metas had seen on her face.

"I want to stop that. Or, I wanted to..." he said remorsefully.

"You still can. We're just waiting on Ophelia and Myranda. We'll know soon enough, but are you really sure you want to return, and you want to stay mates with her? She wasn't very kind to you, it was upsetting to see" Lilith tried to tempt him again.

"We all make mistakes. I understand her resentment towards my place in society - but she's apologized and I don't care about some stupid silly resentment. I just want to see her again," he spoke as he looked down to the soft surface under his body.

"Ah, you're both so hard to separate. We paired the two of you by chance a very long time ago and since then you've both refused to part with one another no matter what the offer. Very well, then. Let's take a walk," Lilith stood and offered her delicate porcelain hand to Metas patiently.

"Is it to see Myranda?" Metas asked with hope.

"Not yet, sweetheart. We're going to take a stroll and have a chat until it is time to choose your path. For now, she's still hearing about her choices as well."

"Alright - but can we just walk, perhaps? I'm not exactly in the mood to have a conversation," he sighed heavily and followed Lilith's steps as her soft feet hit the ground soundlessly.

"Absolutely, my dearest" Lilith replied, and then said nothing more to keep the soul next to her comforted as they strolled through a great forest of white trees that had black leaves that sparkled with stars, just like Lilith's hair.