Chapter One – A Second Life

"We all deserve second chances, but not for the same mistake." – Thabiso Owethu Xabanisa

Thu-thump.

Thu-thump.

Thu-thump.

The quiet double thud was the lone thing disturbing the quiet sunset. A pair of slate eyes blinked once, twice, three times, straining against the day's dying light. The owner took a breath – deep, shuddering, trying to fill his lungs – and descended into a vicious fit of hacking and coughing. Birds cried over his head, wings flapping as they were spooked away. Every joint in his body joined together in a chorus of cracks as he rolled over, chest heaving, stomach struggling to lose food that simply wasn't there.

"Please take it easy. I don't want you dying yet."

He barely registered the voice as he hefted himself over, onto his back. His eyes closed again as his body shuddered, screaming at him to stop all of his movement, the muscles screaming at him, crying out for rest even though they'd been asleep for…how long had he been asleep? He breathed, shallower this time, and slower, more controlled. He didn't cough. As his breathing returned to normal, and he felt the heaving come to a stop, he finally cracked his eyes open once again.

Above him floated an orb. Small, only a little bigger than his fist, a single blue light at its center. Weathered polygons floated around the orb before they coalesced, coming to a stop and attaching to the little blue light.

"Good morning!" The same metallic voice he'd heard was obviously cheerful. His hands dug into the dirt under him, pushing him away slightly as he stared at it, eyes widened and mouth agape. Obviously, it didn't register his discomfort." I've waited so long to find you! I thought I never would but…but here you are!" The little orb did an excited flip, letting out a little whoop.

"What…what are you?" he slowly asked. Instinct told him to get away, but somehow, he couldn't get his muscles to move.

"I'm a Ghost!" came the enthusiastic response.

"A…ghost."

"Yep!" The orb twirled around again before pausing suddenly, the light swiveling. It…was it looking at him?" You…have no idea what I'm talking about, do you?"

The only was he could respond was with a small shake of the head.

"Well…there's a lot to explain then. Long story short, we Ghosts look for people who can channel Light, and we resurrect them to protect the last of humanity against the Darkness."

"Right…" Sitting up fully, he couldn't help but be slightly skeptical. Resurrection? Light? Darkness? None of that made any sense. Besides…people couldn't possibly be resurrected?

Right?

Slowly, he rose up to his feet, teeth clenching down as his body cried out. He stiffly straightened, taking a single halting step before falling down to one knee. He shook his head, blinking away at the tears that wanted to fall.

"Here, let me try something." The "Ghost" flew around him quickly before settling down by his leg. Wiping away some of the wetness, he felt his heart leap into his throat as a shimmering teal beam pierced the air, wrapping around his leg. His calf turned ice cold, then burning hot before suddenly cooling down, the pain that was once there replaced a profound relief. The little orb floated to his other leg, replicating the effect." Alright, try that!"

Apprehensively rising again, he tried taking another step. When he felt his foot hit the ground, steady as a rock, his heart leaped. He could have, too – and very nearly did. Looking up, he managed to take in his surroundings as the day's light slowly faded away.

He was standing underneath a massive pine, situated along the shore of a glittering, idyllic lake. Snow capped mountains touched the sky off in the distance. The remains of a cabin stood nearby, desiccated concrete pilings coming up from the water in front of it. He felt a terrific sense of peace as he looked at the scene. It was tranquil. Perfect, almost.

But this all bothered him. Despite his sudden struggle, he couldn't remember anything. That…that shouldn't just happen. And yet…here he was. With some little flying robot talking about the "Light" and the "Darkness". Nothing made sense.

"Do…do you remember anything? A name, maybe?" He looked over at the Ghost. The little orb seemed sheepish, almost." I mean, I can't just call you 'Guardian' the rest of the time we're together, right?"

He snorted, trying to think. It was on the tip of his tongue…" Wolfram. Wolfram Siegfried Adler."

"That's…long. How about I just call you Sig?"

"I like it." Sig eyed the orb questioningly." What about you? Do you have a name?"

If a floating robot could be despondent, Sig was watching it happen." N-no, we…we Ghosts don't really have names. Just identification codes."

Sig frowned. This little Ghost was clearly intelligent and was exhibiting clear feelings. Not giving it a name seemed just…unfair." How about…Acier?"

"Acier? French for 'steel'?" The ghost questioned, almost frowning at him a moment before suddenly spinning around wildly." I love it!" And he was back to bubbly. Sig gave a small smile, before glancing around again, smile drooping to a frown.

"I do have one question."

"What's that?"

"Where the fuck are we?"