Prologue: Revival

By: SodiumChloride12, derived from Fire emblem, owned by Nintendo.

A/N: Hi! FYI, this fanfiction will be written in the style of a shonen, with a blend of other genres mixed in as well. Romance is a theme that will be explored, but it won't be the emphasis of this story.

N: Samuel is a college student whose end arrived sooner than he'd wish. His past actions in this life will lead him to a new one in a different world. Here, his spirit was brought before a higher power. He'll have to rely on his intellect and his newfound friends to overcome some difficult trials.

My life flashed before my eyes. I was unable to do anything as a wall of piercing glass flew into my face. I was thrown into the air like a ragdoll and burst out of my metal coffin. As if that would prevent the inevitable.

I hit the ground just in time for my vehicle behind me to burst into flames. My body was inflicted with a severe amount of pain, with the worst centering around my chest.

I gasped. To my horror, I realized a large piece of shrapnel had penetrated straight through my chest and protruded out of my back. The dry Texas plains were stained with my imperfect crimson, and I could already feel insects begin to swarm my wound. I began to choke on my own blood as I came to grasp with my injuries.

The shrapnel had penetrated my heart.

The average 911 response time in Texas was 11 minutes. I'd be long dead by the time the ambulance got here. Not that I could call 911...I could feel the shattered remains of my smartphone in my pocket.

In this life, I was nothing more than a simple engineering college student of no high regard. My grades were average; I was elite in my high school but couldn't say the same in college. In terms of athletic ability, I was lean and could take a hit. I was somewhat athletic, and I played slot receiver for my high school football game. But I was no star athlete, by the end of my career I had 250 yards on 10 receptions and had spent most of my time as a bench warmer. With regards to my social life, I had a small following of friends but my innate awkwardness kept me from being invited to many parties. I was average or below average in every aspect in life, everything but one thing.

Pain. My mediocrity in football regulated me to the existence of a human punching bag. Every day I'd go to practice and get leveled to the ground as linebackers that outweighed me by 50lbs celebrated over my body. I'd broken bones, torn ACL's, and sprained muscles in my pursuit in greatness. Although my efforts were mostly in vain, I was finally given a shot in my last senior game. I completely breezed through my competition, and that game ended up being the source of all of my statistics. It was a fitting end to my career, as at that point I had received no offers...not even to a D3 school.

My mental anguish was immense as well. Throughout all of middle school and much of high school I was a high priority target amongst bullies. Along with that, my awkwardness had turned away many potential girlfriends and friends. Fortunately for me though, my best friend didn't seem to care. She was a socialite that I had met when we were next-door neighbors, and she's always been my greatest supporter. I still remember how she cheered me on from the sidelines during my senior game. It's a shame that her boyfriend was the one lifting her into the air.

I never had the courage to ask her out. Even in moments where it was clear that she liked me. The opportunity came and went, and all I did was wait until another man came by and took her heart.

Pain...even this might be too much to bear. I hope my family recovers from my death quickly. Especially my sister, it always pains my heart when I see her cry. As for my best friend, I know that as long as she continues living with that smile on her face that she'll succeed in this world. Even if I couldn't have her, it would have been nice to see her live her life. I would have been there at her graduation...her college games...her wedding.

Why am I thinking about her right now?! It's over. There's no need to beat around the bush. If there's somebody I need to be thinking about it's my baby sister. She'll be living the rest of her life without her older brother. Who's going to playfully lift her up into the air? Who's going to be the protective big brother? Who's going...

I winced as I lost another pint of blood. It was very difficult to breathe.

Agh! It hurts!

The pain is inconceivably brutal now. I just want it all to end. If for nothing else then to stop this inescapable misery that was tormenting my existence.

After a few brief moments, the pain gradually began to melt away. I knew death was near, and I was overtaken by a blinding light.

I welcomed death like he was an old friend. It was like I could feel my soul leaving this world...

I thought death would be the end. If only I knew. My death was just the front door to the next chapter in my book of misery.

Ugh...where am I?

What...are these voices?

"He's a unique case here sir."

"His soul is stained with the sin of manslaughter. It weighs down on him like a bag of rocks."

"Surely we could give him some leniency Jeremiel. He has a good heart."

The voices had a weird ring to them...and were similar to the voices you'd hear if you were coming in and out of consciousness in the hospital. At first, I assumed that was the case...but I soon realized that those voices did not belong to doctors.

They belonged to angels.

"Chamuel...where are you suggesting we take him then?"

"I'm not sure Ezekiel. Hell is too severe...but Heaven isn't a good choice either. Purgatory isn't a good place for him."

For some reason...I couldn't see whoever was looking over me. The only sense afforded to me was my sense of hearing.

"Hmmm...I have an idea."

"Like what Mela?"

"I have a friend...more like an acquaintance inhabiting another world. She's the goddess of that realm, but I think she'll be willing to take in this soul."

Jeremiel said, "Preposterous! Are you suggesting that we send this soul away to live another life? It is forbidden for a soul to be granted a re-life!"

Mela replied, "Reincarnation is only forbidden within the same realm. It says nothing about resurrection in another."

Charmuel said, "Fair point...but what type of life do let him lead? We can't send him off with a noble...that'll be too soft. He needs to pay for his crime."

Gabriel said, "Leave his punishment up to me. Mela, I want you to contact your friend immediately. The others will help me transport his soul to the other world. It's pretty difficult to do on my own."

Mela said, "Gabriel! What are you thinking about inflicting on Samuel?"

If I could break into a cold sweat...I surely would have then.

Gabriel said, "The world that you speak of...is it not destined to fall to the forces of evil? The current timeline is damning the entire population to complete and utter destruction."

Mela replied, "Y-Yes but what of it? If we drop off Samuel with minimal abilities than he won't be able to make an impact. He'll be resigned to spending the few years he has in that world living like a normal human being. We'll judge him for his actions after the disaster come to bear."

Gabriel snickered.

Charmuel said, "Gabriel?"

Gabriel said, "I propose we introduce some chaos into this scenario. We drop off Samuel with enough power to make a difference, but that power will come with a price. At that point, he can serve as a wild card against Armeggedon. It'll be up to him if he can save this new world, otherwise, he'll die with it. How about we make that the price of his salvation? If he can save the world from that madman...then we can welcome him to the gates of heaven."

Mela whimpered, "That's unbelievably difficult. He'll have to enlist the help of some allies. It's too cruel."

Gabriel replied, "Don't worry about that part. I'll make sure that he'll be put in a situation that he can succeed. Even a loser like him needs friends."

Charmuel shot back, "Gabriel! An angel mustn't speak like that!"

Gabriel said, "I'm this world's enforcer Charmuel. It's my job to deliver punishment as I see fit. My insults count as an extension of that. Mela! Has your friend responded yet?"

Mela said, "Y-Yes! She said that there's a spot and time that meets all of your requirements. I wrote down everything here..."

I heard sheets of paper change hands. Who knew even angels had to write stuff down?

Gabriel said, "Excellent. The girl has a similar personality to the best friend in his old life. Even looks a bit like her as well. It's settled then. Charmuel and Jeremiel?"

They said, "We're ready..."

Gabriel said, "Well then let's begin...oh! I nearly forgot something!"

"Ezekiel. Wipe his memory of this event, please. It's best that he thinks this never happened."

Ezekiel said, "It will be done..."

I felt two eyeballs fix themselves onto me. Although I couldn't see them, it was like I had an inner 6th sense notifying me of their gaze.

Gabriel said, "Farewell Samuel Castillo. Wisdom will be your greatest asset...but don't rely too much on yourself. Keep your head together...and you'll get out of this alright."

I felt a sharp tingle journey up through my spin, and it made me feel lightheaded. It made my mind feel like maple syrup, and it seeped into every crevice of my consciousness. I could feel fragments of it be taken away from me; I was helpless to stop it.

It was like I was never even there...I found myself asking the same questions.

Where...am I?

In an instant, I saw a bright light, one that felt oddly familiar.

Everything went black.