A Second Chance

The cold air whistles in the dark realm, what seems to be an endless darkness can be deduced from the shivering wind coming from all directions. The dark place that seems to stretch out for miles is completely devoid of light.

In the midst of darkness, a person was seen laying down on an altar. It was around knee-high length, surrounded by 5 pillars.

As he wriggles around the altar, he wraps his hands around himself due to the freezing temperature. It was so cold that the sweat on his cheeks turned into ice.

Despite refusing to wake up, the thin atmosphere slowly crept up to him. Unable to breathe, he opens up his eyes and slowly sat down. Realizing the situation he's in.

'Where am I? It's suffocating... Am I confined? Just what is happening?' He asked whilst holding his head in pain.

As he slowly got down from the altar he woke up to, he experiences a flashback. It reminded him of the grim fact that he's already dead.

'Is this the afterlife?'

Sam who had perished in battle, was now stuck in an unknown place.

He immediately checked all of his belongings, only finding a piece of empty paper in his pocket and a sword beside him.

He then stood up and explored the place for a possible exit, but to no avail. Hours became days and days became weeks. The constant darkness made his eyes accustomed to it, though there's not much difference, it's better than when he first opened them.

It seems like he really had died for he cannot feel hunger anymore, but this only saddens him more for this not only confirms his death, but it also means he cannot escape this place through suicide.

Just as he thought all hope was lost, he sees a door in the dark horizons. It was 3 meters high and 2 meters wide.

'That's...a door?!' He thought as his eyes lit up.

The door itself was odd being in the middle of nowhere. Not only that, but it isn't even connected to a wall. But the desperate Sam didn't care as teleporters in the shape of a door were common.

"Yes! I can finally get out!" He yelled out loud in excitement.

His heart was racing, and his mind was exhilarated. After hours of walking, he finally sees the light at the end of the tunnel. Or so he thought.

"I don't know what's out there, but it's better than staying in this dark abyss!" He exclaimed as he ran towards the door and held the doorknob.

But the gleeful man was soon disheartened when he pulled on the door only to find out it was locked.

"Ha? The hell?! Why isn't it opening?!" He shouted with a trembling voice.

"Please! Let me out!' He screamed as he banged on the door. With each strike weakening one after the other as if each punch is symbolizing his faltering hope.

In an instant, his spirit plummeted. He tried his best to avoid negative thoughts, but he knew deep down that there was no hope anymore.

"HA!" Sam grunted as he kicks the door in anger.

'Damnit...Fucking hell...the door isn't even budging...' He sighed.

Refusing to believe that he can't escape, the young man continued hitting the door, in hopes of it breaking.

He continued for hours on end. Because of the dark place, he couldn't tell how much time has passed. But despite this, he continues bashing on the door.

He had even tried using the sword he picked up despite the low quality and the techniques he had acquired throughout his life. But it was still not enough. The sword skills that were deemed "godly", was only able to make a scratch on the door.

'...Just what is this door made of?!'

"Damnit" He cursed as he sat down.

'F*cking hell...stop pretending Sam, the door is at least 2 meters thick, there's no way you can break it open.' He thought in an attempt to discourage himself.

He crosses his legs and sighed.

Whilst sitting in what seems like an eternal prison, he couldn't do anything but reminisce to pass the time.

Haa...how simple were the days before. If only I tried harder...

'I might've, survived and lived for a few more years. Running would have been an option, but I, a commander running? My pride wouldn't allow that, I'll rather just die...'

"Yea...I did."

Dejected, he limply raises his arm and lifts his index finger.

'I can't even use magic here, nor is there mana in the air.'

As he laid down on the cold paved ground and closed his eyes, memories started resurfacing like a violent tsunami. A candles last spark.

"Agh! I can't just give up here! I'll just go ahead and give it another big push!" He yelled at the top of his lungs, hyping himself up.

"Here goes nothing!" Sam exclaimed as he got up and ran at full force.

Just as Sam body slammed the door, dust started coming out of the crevices and the ground started shaking.

'Huh?! Earthquake? No! It's opening?! What the hell is wrong with this-'

"Crap! I've put all my weight on my upper body! I'm going to fall!"

As the door fully opened, the bright sky was revealed. Strong winds and light flooded the desolate darkness.

"Damn what's with this blinding light? Wha? I'm falling?!"

"Ahhh! Why is the door up in the air?! F*ck! I'm going to fall to my death!"

Just as he fell and despair swallowed him whole, a female voice in a robotic tone suddenly uttered. "Conditions met, activation will proceed."

....

*Thud*

Suddenly, a boy in the back seat stood up and slammed his palm on his table, breaking the silence.

"Haa...haa..ha..." Sam panted. 'What's...happening?'

"Sam? What're you doing? Why're you standing up?" Says a red haired boy whilst tapping him.

"H, huh..? Ren..?" Sam breathlessly asked.

"Yes it's me! What's wrong?!" Ren replied.

Sam holds his head in pain. 'What's happening? my minds blurry, and I can't think straight-'

"SAM!" Yelled a white haired person infront of the class, a young and soft man with a strict aura.

"Y, yes sir!" Sam answered instinctively.

"What do you think you're doing? We're still in class!" Yelled the person again.

"I, I, I-I'm..." Sam stuttered.

The teacher took a closer look at him and sighed, "Take him to the infirmary Ren."

"Yes sir Oliver!" He replied.

Ugh! What's with this headache! Just what is happening to me?

"What's wrong Sam? Did a spell go wrong or something?" He looked at him worriedly.

"Uh, I, I-" Before Sam could finish his stuttering sentence, Ren covers Sam's mouth.

"Nevermind, don't talk for now." He said in a soft concerning tone.

He then wrapped his hand around Sam's shoulders and walked him to the infirmary. Looking at the scenery, rooms, and buildings, Sam can't help but feel nostalgic.

Everything felt fine earlier, why did I suddenly go out of control? Is this the karma I get from sleeping during class?

Haa... nevermind. My mind is still hazy, it would be best to try and recall some memories to refresh my mind.

Sam takes a deep breath and starts recalling his memories, he felt relieved when it was all coming back smoothly, and is slowly becoming himself again.

...But what's with this heavy feeling on my chest? Like I'm forgetting something?

...

Haa...Nevermind.

"We're here Sam." Ren said as he opens the door.

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