I died.
Huh? Where is this? I guess this is the afterlife?
"Hm. You don't seem surprised," a velvet voice said.
Looking up, I stood before the most beautiful man I have ever laid eyes on. His hair was a brilliant white, flowing long down his back. His face looked like it was sculpted out of marble. He looked down towards me, his brilliant gold eyes shining as if they were bright starts. His lips twitched up into a gentle smile.
"No, I guess not," I replied after taking in the man in front of me.
"Do you know where you are?"
Glancing around, I saw that we were in some kind of meadow. It was gorgeous. It felt familiar, but I couldn't put my foot on it.
"No, I don't think so." I was still trying to rack my brain as to why I felt like I've been here before. "It's very beautiful here."
The man laughed, his smile as bright as the sun. "Yes, it is." His smile dimmed and was replaced with a sad melancholy look as he gazed out at the dancing wildflowers. "You shall know of this place soon."
Hm? Who is this man?
"I've got many names, but you can call me Aster."
"Aster," I repeated. "Star. Yes I suppose that fits you very well."
He looked down at me in surprise and curiosity. I started to feel a bit uncomfortable the longer he stared. Was I wrong? I didn't think so. Finally, he chuckle under his breath.
"You haven't changed at all," he said after a minute, his melancholy smile returning.
"Do we know each other?"
"In a way, yes. But the truth will be revealed all in due time," he paused before going on. "You died when trying to save a pregnant woman. Do you remember?"
Thats right. I died.
"Yes," I said gently. "I remember. Do you know if I was able to save her and her child?"
With a soft voice he replied, "Yes." Relief flooded through me. After a pause he asked, "Do you regret it?" Looking up at him, I could see he was curious about how I was going to answer. He tilted his head as if he was gauging my actions, my facial expressions.
"No," I said after deciding what I wanted to say. "I'm relieved. I wasn't planning on do that. I wasn't planning on dying. In fact I didn't want to die at all. That day I was looking forward to something, something extremely important to me. But even still I don't regret saving her."
"So then why?"
I glanced towards the wildflowers in the meadow. For a minute the flowers were all I could see. Why do we do anything? Why do the flowers grow, why do we grow? Does there really need to be a reason? "I don't know," I finally said. "My hand was extended towards her before I could think about the consequences. But even if I had time to think about it I wouldn't have made a different choice. Even if I could reverse the clock."
"And what about your extremely important thing?"
"What about it?" I said with a smile in my voice. "It was worth giving it up if I could help that lady." This time I looked back and gave him a genuine smile. Again he stared down at me, lost in thought.
"I'm going to give you a choice. Your life as Nova has ended. I can't bring you back to your world, but if you want, you can start anew in another."
"Another?" I said, almost a whisper.
"Yes. Before you make a decision let me warn you. This other world is not like your old world. You know of peaceful times, where this world has a harsher reality. It will be a struggle, for that I am certain. But what I am also certain is you can find even more happiness there than you would have found in your first world."
"To be reincarnated?"
"Yes." It felt like a dream. I wanted to do it. Even if I have hardships, to be able to have a second chance was something I couldn't pass up. "Looks like you made up your mind."
"I have. Please, I would like this second chance. But I also have to ask, why are you giving me this chance?"
"Hm, well partly because I've taken a liking to you. But also because your true destiny lies within this new world."
"Not in my original world?"
"No. To be honest, you were not ready to go to this world until now. Like I said, this new world is going to be harsh and you will have to overcome many difficulties. You need to be ready to survive." This wasn't the first time I thought that it felt like he knew me. The way he talks it's like we've known each other for a long time. "Let me explain a bit about the world you will be going to. In this world there has been a war going on for 10 years. You will be reincarnated as a child, take this chance a grow strong. Unlike in your world, there is majik. Everyone in this world can use some form of majik. As will you be able to."
"I will?" I asked. I was getting bit overwhelmed.
"Yes. It's about time for you to go. We don't want to keep him waiting too long."
Him? I wanted to ask, but somehow I knew he wouldn't answer me. "Will I see you again?"
"I am always with you, I follow you in the tress and wind. It's time for you to start anew, wildflower."
"Thank you Aster, my shinning star," the words came out of my mouth without thinking, as if it was something I've always said. I looked into his starlit eyes and found him gazing back as if he finally found what he was searching for.
"We shall me again, when you start to remember, my little wildflower."