Aric drifted in the darkness. His mind full of memories and regrets. He thought about his life. Ever since he was a child he had dreamed of performing on stage, of hearing the applause and feeling the admiration of the crowd. But life had a way of pushing dreams aside in favor of survival.He had taken a job he despised, working long hours just to make ends meet. Each day was a struggle, a grind that wore away at his spirit. Yet, despite the exhaustion, he never gave up on his dream.Every spare moment was spent practicing, rehearsing lines, and honing his craft. He had auditioned for countless roles, his heart and soul poured into every performance.But the rejections came, one after another. Directors and casting agents, their faces a blur of polite indifference right now in his mind. They said he lacked presence, that he didn't have the charisma to captivate an audience. Each rejection was a blow that chipping away at his confidence, but he refused to give up.He told himself that with enough perseverance he would eventually succeedNow, as he sank deeper into the river, the cold water closing in around him. He wondered if it had all been for nothing. The dream that had once seemed so attainable now felt like a cruel joke. His life, defined by his relentless pursuit of an unattainable goal, seemed to flash before his eyes.Now, here he was, alone and drowning in a river. His dreams, his efforts, his sacrifices. All seemed meaningless in the face of his imminent death. The realization that no one would miss him, that it might take days for anyone to find his body, filled him with a profound sadness. He wondered if his life had ever truly mattered, if his dream had been nothing more than a foolish fantasy.In those final moments, he let go of his regrets and fears, surrendering to the inevitable. The river claimed him, and the world above faded into oblivion."Hey, kid! You alive?" a voice called out."I think he's still alive, Uncle. His heart is still beating," a feminine voice followed."But look at him! He looks like he's been dead for days."The voices stirred Aric's mind, filling him with curiosity. What the hell are those voices? Why are people arguing at the edge of his death? Can't he even get a peaceful death?Then Aric's body was shaken, pulling him further from the darkness. Confusion swirled in his mind. Hadn't he died? His brow furrowed as the man's voice urged him to wake up. With great effort, Aric opened his eyes slowly.He was still alive?!Aric widened his eyes and blinked rapidly, trying to adjust to the sudden brightness. Above him was a clear blue sky, the kind of sky that seemed to stretch on forever. He took a deep breath, feeling the cool, crisp air fill his lungs."This is not the afterlife. This is Vinez!"Turning his head to the side, he saw an old man and a young girl looking at him with concern etched on their faces. The old man had a rugged appearance, with a weathered face and silver hair, while the girl had bright eyes and a gentle demeanor.As Aric's gaze met theirs, the worry in their eyes slowly gave way to relief. The old man let out a sigh and the girl smiled, her expression softening.Aric's mind was still swimming with confusion. How was he alive? What had happened to him? The last thing he remembered was sinking into the cold darkness of the river."You gave us quite a scare, kid. Thought we'd lost you for a moment there and have to involve ourself with the city's Watch," The old man leaned said, his voice gruff but kind.The girl nodded. "We found you just in time. Are you okay? Do you remember what happened?"Aric's brow furrowed as he tried to piece together his scattered thoughts. "I... I fell into the river," he said slowly, his voice hoarse. "I thought I was going to drown."The old man shook his head. "You were lucky we were nearby. The river's currents are strong, but we managed to pull you out."But he drowned last night, and now it's morning. He had been drowning for several hours, so what the two of them should now find is his body.Aric blinked, still trying to comprehend his situation. "Thank you," he muttered, still dazed. "I thought I was done for.""We're just glad you're okay. You must go immediately to the Healing Sanctuary," the girl said.Aric gave a weak smile, though his mind was still a whirl of confusion and disbelief. He said. "Yeah, uhh... thankyou."He suddenly noticed something cool and smooth in his hand. He glanced down and saw an amulet resting in his palm. It was a delicate piece of jewelry, featuring a gleaming white stone set within an ornate silver frame.The amulet shimmered faintly, catching the light in a way that made it seem almost otherworldly. Aric's forehead frowned. He had no recollection of how it had come to be in his hand."Is this yours?" Aric asked, showing the amulet to both of them."No, it was already in your hand when we found you," said the old man.Aric looked back at the amulet. His mind returned to the light at the bottom of the river, the light he had reached for, thinking it would save him."Is this the source of that light?" he wondered aloud.More importantly, he thought, "Is this what saved my life?"Aric looked at the old man and the girl, his voice filled with gratitude. "Thank you. I don't know how to repay you for saving my life."The old man nodded and waved his hand, "No need for thanks, lad. Just be careful next time."The girl added with a warm smile, "We're just glad you're okay."Aric then slowly stood up. His body felt surprisingly alright, and he tested his limbs, relieved to find them responsive and strong. Despite the shock of his near-death experience he is perfectly find, just cold and dirty. He decided to head directly to his apartment.As he walked away from the canal, a strange sensation washed over him. His steps faltered as a voice echoed in his mind, clear and resonant.["You have been granted a second chance."]The words reverberated through his thoughts, leaving him stunned. Aric paused in his tracks, his heart racing. The voice was neither harsh nor comforting; it was simply a statement of fact. He stood there, bewildered, trying to grasp the meaning of the message.A second chance? Was this some kind of hallucination or a trick of his exhausted mind? He shook his head, attempting to dispel the voice's presence, but it remained, a lingering whisper in his thoughts.---