No one is ever really ready for death. Some may claim otherwise, but deep down they doubt their own words. Just the thought of getting a taste of life, love, excitement, then having it ripped away by deaths dark embrace is enough to drive a grown man insane.

Born into the world of Litera I grew up in a loving family, a mum, dad and three brothers. But then war came.My brothers and I were drafted into the army, and the last I saw of my family was father holding my mother in his arms. With tears streaking down my face I had turned away from them, too scared to face the reality of the situation. Conscripted into the army of the kingdom Algrai, we faced almost triple our numbers from the neighbouring kingdoms armies. I was 14 at the time. A boy entering the world of men.

After conscription into the army all recruits were sent to basic training. The officers marched us all to the nearest city and after a roll call, assigned us into groups. I ended up with my eldest brother Dractar, he was 19. My other two brothers were sent off into different groups. I never saw them again. That night I cried till I could no more.

2 months later I was on the front lines, fighting beside my brother. Ambushed on the way to reinforce fort Berto, defeat was all but certain. But we were soldiers of Algrai, we fight to the last. I killed my first man that day. As his body slid off my sword, I watched as the light left his eyes. Some say their first kill is traumatic, but not for me, I felt.....powerful. But when I looked over to see my brother that feeling soon left me. Dractar stood still, a blood covered hand grasping at his neck. Poking through his fingers were the shaft of an arrow. They had shot him, they had killed him. As I watched my older brother collapse to the floor, he looked at me for one last time. He smiled.

Time seemed to stand still for me. Fighting continued all around, and yet I couldn't help but motionlessly watch him die. Tears dripped from my face, my lower lip trembled. A heavy weight seemed to drag me down, and before I knew it I knelt on the ground. Vomiting blood and stomach acid.

As the last of my countrymen fell to the sword, I was surrounded by the enemy. They taunted my cowardice and then stuck at me.The flat side of a sword to my face brought me out of my sorrow. And rage filled me. Unlike anything I had felt before, the need to kill someone, to hurt someone overtook me. My sight took on a red colour and it was as if a fire had been lit within me. Roaring in heartbroken rage I willed these soldiers to die. And they did. Fire roared to life from my body and spread out in a ring around me. Burning all my enemies to a crisp. I rejoiced at their screams. The famous ambush of Berto it was called, I was the sole survivor.

Soon after my magical awakening I became a legend. Taken in by the army mages, they taught me all kinds of war spells. Among my people mages were fairly common, and I was considered average in power. My skill however, went far beyond average. Learning spells in days that should of taken months, I was a protege completed my apprenticeship in 1 year. But throughout this time the war effort continued, and we were losing ground daily.

1 year and 2 months after the war began, I rejoined the army. This time in the uniform of a mage. My battle skills soon became apparent and I quickly rose in ranks, becoming a Captain. With carefully implemented strategies my men were able to route the enemy. And for the first time since the start of the war, Algrai took back land.

2 years into the war and I was the youngest General in history. Aged 16 I had roughly 5000 men under my command, and I won every battle in my brothers memory. Despite the doubts from other Generals, I remained undefeated. Such was my thirst for vengeance that I became known as the Blood Hound of Algrai. My name alone routed armies.

That all ended during the 3rd year of the war.

Having pushed into the lands of both enemy kingdoms, our king allowed the enemy to surrender. Under a white flag the three kings met in the middle of the battlefield. Several other prestigious Generals and I were invited along. But we should have been wary of the two cowardly kings. Having signed the treaty they opened up wine barrels in celebration, it was good wine. Several minutes later and I was on the floor clutching my throat, my entire being on fire. Turned out the wine was not so good.

That was my life, that was my death. Not fighting with a blade in hand like a real man, but crawling on the floor in agony, poisoned. As darkness consumed me I imagined I could see my brother holding his arm out for me. As I reached for the hand my sight went black. At age 17, General Lucas Bramas died.

….....

A void of nothing. That's what I currently found myself in. Funny, I'd always believed that celestial beings were lies formed by the churches. Joke was on me for being right. I'm not sure why I'm concious but it's insufferable. Eons seem to pass and nothing changes, nothing....happens. It gives me time to think. To consolidate my loss, to find my place in the emotions that had ruled me since my brothers death. I had hoped to see him in the afterlife, but it seemed I was yet to pass onto the next life.

I'm not sure how long I floated in the void, but when light seems to penetrate through the darkness, hope lights within me. Am I finally free of this place?

As light begins to replace the receding darkness, a figure forms before me. A man clothed in golden robes. Long blonde hair cascading down to his shoulders. He stares at me for several minutes, until finally I stand in a realm of light. Then, he speaks.

“Greeting Lucas Bramas, do you know where you are?” The man says, his voice almost honey-like.

Not rushing into an answer, I consider all that I'd learnt from my Sunday church gatherings.

“I'd assume this is a purgatory of sorts?”

“Close, very close,” The man smiles, “Tell me young Lucas, are you familiar with the term reincarnation?”

A gasp escaped my lips. A chance to live again, was I being offered that? Thoughts began racing through my mind , thoughts of reuniting with my family, getting revenge against the cowardly kings.

“I see you are aware of the meaning,” The man's smile grows wider, “You are being offered the rare choice of a rebirth rather than ascending or descending to the heavens or hell.”

“I accept of course, but why me?” I ask curiously.

“You lived an honourable life, and remained true to your kin till the end. The gods took interest.”

“Are you a god?” I ask.

“Just the messenger.” The man replies, “You can call me Arcan.”

“How does this work Arcan, I've been sort of....cut off from everything lately.”

“For you, very little is required. Almost everything has been pre determined. You will be born into the world of Niu, a human male. The rules of the world are....different to what your used to. But I'm sure you'll be able to adapt. Every human on the planet has at least 1 special ability, you name it, and someone has it. You will be able to harness the power of 3 special abilities, making you an elite among the humans. Only 2% of the worlds population will be your equals.”

Wow, that was amazing. But I wouldn't get to see my family again?

"But...my brother?"

Arcan's smile withered.

"Unfortunately you won't be able to see your brother, he has passed into the afterworld."

My guy twists. Unable to continue the topic I change it.

“What are these special abilities?” I question. Fighting back tears.

“Ahh,” Arcan smiled, “As to that. The first special ability you manifest will be mastery over the arcane, much as you had in your previous life. You will have this power from birth. For your second ability the Gods have been very generous. At age 10 you will be able to grant yourself any power you desire, within reason of course. As to the final ability you manifest, that will come at age 15. This ability will be completely random.”

“Thats great.” I sigh, after so long of the dark void I would finally have a shot at the life the war had denied me.

“Due to your next life being a reincarnation,” Arcan continued, “You will have an additional 50 points to spend.”

What?

“Points?” I hedged.

Arcan laughed and shook his head.

“Some things are best left to discovery young Lucas.”

Then the darkness seeped back into my vision, replacing the light. A swirling sensation swept through me. And then the lights of a hospital ward greeted me. I was born again.