As the outer dust clouds settled, and the ringing left his ears, a man approached the scene of the lightning strike. With an ax in hand, and not only fear for his life, but the lives of his family that live up the road, he needed to guarantee that no monster had attacked the strange couple's home. His hands were shaking, he never had to wield a weapon before, however, he couldn't exactly ignore a lightning wyvern this close to home. Steadily he walked closer to the larger dust cloud in the field, and prayed that he would be able to survive whatever was in that dust cloud.
This man knew Aneko since the couple appeared in the area, but he also knew that she left to help her husband. He inched closer, preparing the ax for whatever may jump out. As he approached he noticed two problems, one was obvious lack of a large wyvern, the cloud was too small at this point to fit some massive lizard, but also that he saw a man on the floor, clothes burnt, and the body was that of a half dead burnt man on the ground with a shovel that seems to have melted and welded itself to the man's arm. Without thinking, he dropped his ax, grabbed the man, and ran home, Jenifer would know what to do.
…
I, Asahi, could feel my skin crack with every twitch of a muscle. I felt indescribable pain, but at the same time, could not feel anything. I can't talk, nor can I open my eyes. I have to be dead, or at least dying. All I could tell was I got hit by something, and then it was lights out.
I focused my efforts on breathing, it was all my body had strength for. I have been surrounded by what must be two people and could, in a way, sense what was happening. They were lathering creams on my skin. but surely this won't save my life. I have been here for a day, if that and I was already going to die? What the hell?!? I already failed Aneko, I wasn't there for her when she needed me and as soon as I found a lead, as soon as I woke up, I died just as fast. Great. Perfect. Just what I wanted when I wanted to live happily with my wife. To die.
All faded to a deep dark. The pain was gone, and I could feel the air around me again. I was dead. Then light appeared, and I saw Aneko. She was as beautiful as the day I proposed. I yelled for her, but nothing happened. She walked around a strange room, and sat in a corner and cried. A large man arrived outside the door, having half the face of a man and the other is a demon, split down the middle. He entered the room, grabbed Aneko, and dragged her away. Darkness. The light I saw was gone, what was that? Who was that? Do I need to go save her? Then it dawned on me again. I am dead. I curled up in the empty void, and cried.
After what must have been half an hour, that same man in white appeared as when Aneko and I died. He knelt down beside me and simply put his hand on my shoulder. "Come." Without a second of thought, my body got up on its own, and followed. But as my body did one thing, my mind kept crying.
A large light space appeared once again, and I was in the presence of this god-forsaken Gatekeeper again. That bastard had a smirk on his face, and laughed violently. And here I am, looking this God in the eyes. He simply looks like a giant version of Santa Claus, rosy cheeks, big eyes, and looks like he ate cookies from a few too many houses. And yet, he took everything from me for nothing. And if I had that stupid shovel right now, I would spear throw that thing right into his skull. "Calm down Asahi, I am here to… help you." The Gatekeeper said, in a rather unconvincing voice. "You see, you died from a lightning strike. You were burnt to death, sadly. But I can return you to your… precious Aneko on one condition." I started to hate this guy, an absolute piece of shit if you ask me. Though I don't trust him, It'll probably involve doing what he says, and potentially live with Aneko, or be stuck with this holly jolly douche for the rest of eternity. Sadly he has my attention. "You will be my champion." He smirks again. "Meaning, what exactly… your… excellency?" I say as sarcastically as possible, and do a little bow. "You are to be the greatest of this world, the strongest, and will save the poor Aneko from the monster's tower." He replies while stroking his beard. "Should I get my green elf-man costume ready?" I replied. "All will be provided when you accept." "Fine. But why?" I asked, but was left unanswered as I entered a room full of gear in the blink of an eye. "Hello, again," said the man in white "there is plenty to talk about, but very little time!" Of all the stuff thrown at me today, this better be good.