1 - 5

This time, Roxas returned to his first life. He delibrately messed up his exams, delays his enlistment, following everything with accuracy, with some changes. This time, he finally asked Aqua out. Sadly, the first sign that his body was breaking down first manifested while in National Service. He collapsed while delivering some documents, and needed a defibrillator to restart his heart. Doctors could not figure out the cause, but Roxas knew better. The sands in the hourglass were trickling away more quickly than anyone else's. Black outs were common now. He dedicated much of his time to his love and friends. He finally reached the time when he had first met the mysterious man on the bus. Roxas's body was at it's limit. He fell for the final time, just as he ended work. A voice rang out,"Are you truly happy now? Do you regret your choices?" "No," responded Roxas. "This is what it should be. I only wish that I had realise this earlier..." With that, Death claimed Roxas.

A funeral procession brought a coffin to an empty grave. The priest gave a final blessing, with prayers said. The coffin was laid down, together with tears, and the grave was filled. People in black paid their respects and left.

6 months later....

A metallic object cut a swath through the warm night air, igniting gases in the cemetery and leaving a trail of ghostly green fire*. Hovering above a grave, a mechanical voice rang out:

"Roxas Mao of Earth, RISE."


*This phenomena is also called will-o-wisp, jack-o-lantern, hinkypunk, ghost-light, spook-light, fairy light, friar's lantern, hobby lantern or corpse candle, depending on the country and village. Due to phosphine and methane produced by decomposition of dead bodies, they oxidize in the usually cooler temperature night air(compared to day) causing combustion a thus burning up. Phosphine provides the greenish colouring, while methane as a fuel. Older times thought that they were spirits of the dead, and is quite unsettling to see.


SURPRISE UPDATE! And thus ends the first chapter. Hope you have enjoyed it. Do note that the next one will start the second chapter. As the ending of chapter 1 suggests, it will very much darker. There will be some fairly detailed descriptions of torture(yes, I'm a disturbed person). Some characters might resemble some people you may know, because it is intended. No, I don't hate them, as later parts will show. It's all for the story! Please do not be offended if you think the character may resemble you.

1-4

One day, Roxas decided to pop by the local thumbdrive store.* Sifting through the many albums by various bands and singers, Roxas shook his head sadly. Heavy or Death metal music was prevalent now, so unlike the time when he was much younger when companies still produce the occasional decent music. Rock was rare now. Orchestral was virtually extinct. Instruments like the violin and piano no longer existed. Mentally shaking himself from reminiscing, Roxas head for the favourite section of the store: The clearance section. Gems from his generation were still available here, which no one of the current era wanted anyway. Roxas picked a thumbdrive, and previewed the songs. The first song started playing, and Roxas recoiled like he received a slap. The song** had finally answered what he was always pondering over. Friendship. He had given up friendship in this new life in exchange for incomparable success. He had few friends, none of whom he was close to. He remembers the old and happy times back at MoonCentral, grumbling about outbound cases, sharing dispute experiences, or laughing at a colleague's Bodypage posts on a friend's status update. Grinning while musing over the past, Roxas did not notice that time had come to a halt, A fly froze in mid-flight, drops of water floating eerily in mid-air. With a puff of smoke, the mysterious man from the bus appeared at the store's entrance.

"Child. Are you satisfied with your life?"
Roxas jumped, shocked and surprised. Never did he expect to see the man again.
"Yes. Yes I am"
"Then why do I see regret in your eyes?"
"Nothing escapes you, does it? Yes, I do regret. I regret the sacrificing the friendship and bonds I once had. Great people I had met through the circumstances of life. All my luck has been used to meet the right friends. In a way, they are responsible for this life."
"Would you like another chance?"
"I would. I will follow my former life's path. I will meet and befriend my friends again."
But what of your family? Your wife? Your daughter and your son? The human body is not meant to handle the energies needed to transport your mind, heart and soul back to the past. This time could possibly kill you."
"Aqua, my dearest wife... My adorable daughter Anveena... My cute son Reks..."
Tears were flowing down Roxas's face. Wiping them away and facing the man, Roxas replied,"My daughter and son will never have existed. Yet I cannot continue this farce of a life. How can I face my children with the knowledge that I have sacrifice what is truly important for mortal success? No. Take me back. I will fix this lie."
The man nodded. "Very well, I wish you all the best." A blinding whilte light engulfed Roxas. The next time he opened his eyes, he was in a certain room, ready to take a certain exam...

*The future doesn't use CDs anymore!
** Here's the song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2kjvlnAlkSE



Ah late late update. Had many stuff to complete. But here it is, better late than never. Leave some comments if you read this!