Voices...that was the first thing I registered and shock hit me second because I was in no way expecting the afterlife to have such loud beings. I tried to focus in yet the sheer volume was overwhelming my throbbing skull so I did the most impolite and foolish thing...I yelled at the otherworldly beings "quite!". I suppose yell would be a strong term to associate with the pitiful whimper that escaped my throat. The effect was still instant as the yelling stilled, next I felt a hand on my shoulder. I know I should open my eyes but the energy is minimal and I don't want to waste the moment of speaking to a superior being. Instead of forcing my eyes open I focused on speaking "so..how long have I been dead?". A sharp intake was my response and that caused my blood to quicken and fuel me some strength. I placed some serious authority into my voice "how long have I been dead damn't?". The hand on my shoulder was matched by a new hand on my cheek and I could hear the vague murmuring of what seemed to be a males voice with two in the background. Tears streaming down my cheeks I finally decided to forget about my strength and open my eyes. What met me surprised me though as familiar and unexpected faces came into focus.
Loke, Rouge and Sting were hovering over me Stings hand on my shoulder and Loke's on my cheek, all three looking at me as though their eyes themselves could break me. The tears increased as the comfort overwhelmed me. Shock and happiness froze my throat so I prayed the pleading for an explanation would be apparent in my eyes. I wanted to know why I was with them, how I was alive and if I was going to continue to be alive after trying to escape them. Fear surfaced then clenching my muscles and causing tremors to break out throughout my body with the exception of my left arm which once again remained numb. Sting seemed to pick up on the fear though perhaps he smelt it with his superior senses but he began patting my shoulder and whispering that it was ok and more sweet nothings. I calmed a bit then, despite my better sense, under his touch and soothing tone, something I honestly did not know the dragon slayer capable of. Rouge stepped in and spoke up next as though reading my concerns "your alive though barely and only thanks to your celestial spirits". I tried to turn my head to question Loke but the physical requirement was to much so I merely managed a light gurgling noise. Luckily Loke understood and piped in "...the spirit King used his power to bring you to our realm where we tended your injuries and used our combined talents to save you from the edge". Lightheartedness hit me then for I was alive and I would be alive thanks to the love of my spirits. Smiling I allowed the relief and happiness to glide over me like a blanket that wrapped me again into the world of sleep but for the first time it was a peaceful going as the fear was nowhere to be found lurking around the edges of the darkness.
Hunger was the first thing that hit me as the daylight clawed at my body's senses. I wondered then just how long it had been since I had eaten. How many days I had laid on the edge of the water and wasted away unable to find the strength to save myself. Shame surfaced at that realization, the king of spirits, the one spirit who oversaw the safety of the rest had had to save my pathetic self. How could he trust the spirits to me if I could not even save myself, how would he see me as worthy now that only his divine intervention has kept me alive. Would he find them a new guardian..one more capable and wise then me...would my living have been for nothing because without my keys I would no longer be a
mage..no longer be alive on the inside. My heartbeat was accelerating I could feel it in the back of my throat damn near choking me and driving forward this depressive line of thoughts at a near crazed rate.