A matter of Life and Death
Prologue: Inception
"So what you're saying…" The Goddess said quietly, "… is that you are going to kill all my people… and destroy my entire land…" she looked up. "But all you give me in return… is my life, spared…"
The God smirked. "You catch on fast, don't you?"
The Goddess felt her eyes water. "Ignis… Why?"
The God walked over in The Goddess' mystical spring, and looked down into its depth. "Oh Sephia… always so oblivious."
He gently put a hand in the spring, and stirred the water around. A mist started to form; The God backed away, and the mist grew twice the size it was before. Pictures started to form in it.
A picture of the Celesta church appeared in the screen of mist. It was completely filled with people. "Churches used to be packed with followers, and believers. They used to come to hear about the legends, and the history of the Gods. They embraced us Gods. Especially you."
Sephia bit her lip as The God continued. "Sephia, your people have stopped believing. They think the legends are myths, stories to tell young children." He turned his back to her. "And it's up to me to fix that."
Sephia collapsed to the ground. The tears streamed endlessly down her face. "N-No… You can't!"
Ignis chuckled. "As a matter of fact, I can. There's nothing you can do, Sephia. Give up."
Sephia calmed down slightly, and wiped the tears off her face. She stood up carefully, her feet getting tangled in the long fabric of her dress. "No." she said sternly. "I won't let you."
This surprised Ignis, because he knew that Sephia was well aware that he could easily destroy her. "Really? How?"
Sephia took a while to think about her options. There was no way she could defeat The God herself. But there had to be some sort of other way…
"Why don't we make this a childish little game? If I win, you let me and my people be. If you win…" she trailed off.
The God smirked. "If I win, I do whatever I want to do, with those useless humans of yours, this useless piece of land… and you."
The Goddess gulped rather noisily. "A-Alright…"
"So, what are the rules to this 'game' of yours?" The God was very interested now.
"Um…" Sephia stuttered. "We use the humans."
"Excuse me?"
"I will bless the humans with supernatural possibilities. My humans, against yours."
"What?" The God yelled. "But that wouldn't implicit us at all!"
"Do you accept the challenge? Or do you fear of being defeated?" Sephia said, smirking at The God's obvious irritation.
Ignis clenched his jaw. "The Harvest God is never defeated."
"Very well."
"I guess I'll see you sooner then I planned, then." The God replied. A bright white light appeared, blinding The Goddess. When it disappeared, the God had too.
Sephia sighed, kneeling to the ground. "What have I gotten myself into?" she asked herself. She sighed again. "No matter what happens, I must finish what I've started."
She strode over to the spring, and focused her energy. A picture of a young girl appeared in the spring; she had short brown hair framing her face. She had fair-colored skin, but her big, chocolate brown eyes revealed sadness.
"She's unhappy with her life…" The Goddess said out loud. "She wishes something exciting will happen to her life."
A glowing stream of energy started from The Goddess' body. Little specks of light decorated the energy string like fireflies, as the energy poured itself into the spring.
"May her wish become reality."
"Come on, Angela, you've got to let go once in a while!"
"Yeah, down that drink and come party with us!"
"Is there anything wrong with just not wanting to party?" I muttered.
I had reason to feel miserable. I had nothing left in life; my family was either dead, or didn't want anything to do with me; I had no job, and money was running short; I soon wouldn't be able to afford to pay the bills for my apartment; my friends were all sluts and whores. Why wouldn't I hate my life?
"Come on, Angela, just drink the freaking pina colada, and come dance with us! Besides, it's on the house!" her friend begged.
"Why should I?" Angela hissed.
"Sheesh, Ange, take a chill pill!" Claire said, brushing her blonde hair behind her ears.
"Yeah! You're spoiling our fun!" Chelsea spat out.
"You know what?" Jill said. "We're not gonna let Angie spoil our fun night. If she wants to be a bitch, she can be a bitch. We're going to have fun without her."
"Yeah!"
My so-called friends walked away. Jill turned around. "Oh, and you better drink that pina colada! I ain't wastin' my money on you!" she yelled, before joining the rest of them, and dirty dancing on the dance floor.
I sighed, and glared at the drink in front of me. With just a few drinks, I could just stop all my misery. All my unhappiness would fade away, and I'd feel a faint buzzing in the back of my skull. I'd party and have fun like the other, normal girls. What do you know; maybe I'd even end up getting knocked up. The girls would definitely enjoy that! I just knew they'd scold me, and call me names when I'd tell them I couldn't remember a thing.
But I wasn't that type of girl. I'd probably never be that type of girl. But since when did that matter? Nobody cared anymore of what you liked or disliked, what comforted you or what drove you crazy with uncomfort. Nobody cared.
I took a sip of the drink, twirling the pink decorative umbrella. With every sip I took, I felt more and more… numb… empty… but in a good way.
I could hear my girls yelling in the background. Tina was already long gone with some guy, probably having the fuck of her life right now. But I didn't care.
I finally finished the alcoholic drink. I placed some money on the counter. So Jill didn't want to waste money on me? Well then, now she wouldn't have too.
I was already dreading the call I'd get later from her. Crying as if she were really upset she'd say something around the meanings of "Angela, I'm so sorry! I didn't really mean it! I was drunk! Please forgive me, Ange! I'm really sorry!"
Sorry my ass.
Walking towards the exit, I could already feel the familiar buzz in my head. I opened the door, and a cool winter breeze surrounded me. In no more then a week, winter would be over. Spring would be back. Year 20 of my life would begin. Glory.
I walked away from the cursed bar. Puffs of white came from my mouth with every breath I took. I headed home. Well, if my sorry excuse of an apartment could be considered a home.
The thing I wanted most these days was to die. What more was there to do in my life? Find love? All men wanted these days was sex, not a long-lasting relationship.
"Angela…" a voice whispered. I looked around, trying to find whoever spoke my name. But there was no one there. "Angela…" There it was again! If it was a real voice, or just a side-affect from my drunkenness, I didn't know. All I did know is that I was afraid. Terribly afraid.
I felt like someone was tapping my shoulder, but when I turned, all I saw was a stream of light. It went right through my chest, and I fell over.
"Ow…" I muttered.
"Angela… You have to help me…" I heard the voice whisper. I tried to get up, but my leg was still hurting from the fall. I gave up, and just lay there, on the cold, rough cement.
A few minutes went by, with me just laying there. I thought it time to get up. Let's try taking little steps… I tried rising onto my knees. I winced as I felt a sharp sting in my leg. I tried standing up. Mission accomplished.
I looked at myself up and down. The prune colored strapless dress Claire had let me borrow was ripped and stained. My black ankle boots were still intact, though, as was my jean jacket. I felt my neck for the faux-amethyst necklace I was wearing previously. Gone.
Perfect.
I could already see a bruise forming on my leg. I sighed. It could be worse.
I was still in the alley I was in when I collapsed. It now looked darker and more menacing then it had only ten minutes ago. I watched as a piece of paper, caught in the wind, blew by. It landed before my feet. I picked it up to get a closer look.
"It's part of some sort of brochure…" I realized.
There was a picture of an island. It was beautiful; clear blue seas, healthy green grass… It looked like a great touristic area. There were words underneath.
Come to Harmonica Town!
Kind people, beautiful surroundings, plenty of activities – what not to love?
It sounded nice, but was there any job? I hoped that section wasn't ripped off… I turned the paper over, expecting to see more about how wonderful Harmonica Town, but instead, I saw hand-writing on top.
Help
Help? Looks like my life just got that much more interesting…
And the next thing I knew, I was on a boat, on my way to this God forsaking 'Harmonica Town'. Screw my old life; I'm getting ready for a new one.
Alright, people! This is the new story fellow author Angel Takashiro and I are making together! Yay! This was me, Naty17, writing this chapter. I really hope you liked it! Feel free to ask questions, and please review!