another chance to live

Dakota opened his eyes to a place that felt like nothingness. The world around him was an endless expanse of white fog, neither hot nor cold, neither bright nor dark. He felt weightless, as if he were floating, yet his feet touched something solid.

His body felt… whole. Not burned, not exhausted, not torn apart like it had been just moments ago when he and Blazer had detonated together in a final, explosive clash.

He was dead.

But where exactly was this?

Then—

A voice. Deep, powerful, yet strangely warm.

???

"Well, Dakota or should I say Michael, looks like you sacrificed yourself and ended your second life. But you managed to save humanity and end the war. So… how do you feel?"

Dakota turned, and before him stood a figure unlike any he had ever seen.

The being's form was almost too perfect, wrapped in robes of pure white light. Their hair shimmered like silver threads woven from the stars, and their eyes glowed with the wisdom of an eternity. A divine presence radiated from them—an overwhelming feeling of authority.

Dakota knew immediately.

He dropped to one knee and bowed his head.

Dakota:

"Oh, my lord… I wasn't expecting you to be here."

The being chuckled lightly, an almost amused sound.

???

"No need for formalities, Dakota. You did well. You saved the world. You won."

Dakota clenched his fists.

Dakota:

"I don't know if I'd say that. I still wanted to be with my friends, you know? I hoped that I could have spent more time with them. I wasn't planning on sacrificing myself, but after I saw Blazer wasn't tired from that attack… I had to."

The being nodded.

???

"Ah, I get it. I would have done the same thing."

They paused for a moment, then smiled.

???

"So… what if I told you that you could get another chance?"

Dakota's eyes widened.

Dakota:

"What? I can?"

???

"Yes, you can."

Dakota stared at the divine figure in disbelief.

Dakota:

"But… how? Why?"

The being let out a small chuckle.

???

"Well, simply put… I was actually the one that reincarnated you into this world in the first place."

Dakota felt like his entire existence shattered in that moment.

Dakota:

"What?! My lord… you were the one who did that?"

???

"Yep. It was me."

They took a step closer, their glowing eyes watching Dakota carefully.

???

"I saw your past life. I saw how much you suffered. How wrong everything went for you. So, I reincarnated you."

Dakota's breath caught in his throat.

His past life…

The horrors, the regrets, the betrayals…

But that wasn't all.

The being continued.

???

"And not only that. At the same time you died, your friends… and Lisa and her parents… somehow managed to end up dying too."

Dakota's heart froze.

Dakota:

"You mean…?"

???

"I was the one that reincarnated them into this world too."

His fists clenched.

So his lord was the one who reunited him with his friends, and also gave him the opportunity to get revenge on Lisa and her parents... He has never been more grateful.

The being smirked slightly, sensing Dakota's emotions.

???

"I did it so you could have another chance with your friends. So you could spend time with them again. And… to get your revenge on Lisa and her parents."

Dakota slowly raised his head, staring at the divine figure.

Dakota:

"My lord… I am so, so grateful to you."

The being nodded.

???

"Yes, I know. Now, Dakota…"

The air around them began to shimmer. The white void rippled like a lake touched by the wind.

???

"Are you ready for your third chance to live?"

Dakota took a deep breath. His heart pounded in his chest.

A third chance.

A new life.

A future with his friends.

His lips curled into a small, determined smile.

Dakota:

"Don't worry, my lord. I won't waste it. I will make sure to live my life to the fullest."

The being smiled back.

???

"Well then… I hope you'll enjoy it."

The world began to fade around Dakota, his body becoming weightless once more.

Dakota:

"Goodbye, my lord. I hope we'll meet again."

The last thing he heard was the being's voice, gentle yet absolute.

???

"Don't worry. We will. After you die."

The world was dark.

Faint sounds drifted through the air.

Crying.

Sobs.

Whispers.

Dakota's consciousness slowly returned. He felt warmth surrounding him. The scent of something familiar—his home?

His body felt heavy. Weak. But… alive.

His eyes fluttered open.

The first thing he saw—

Ava.

Tears streamed down her face, her hands clutching onto his arm. Her usually confident, smug expression was gone, replaced with raw grief.

Ava:

"How could you leave me, Dakota…?"

Her voice cracked.

Ava:

"You are my lover. We love each other… how could you…?"

Henry stood at the foot of the bed, his head bowed, fists clenched.

Henry:

"How could you, Dakota…?"

His voice was thick with emotion.

Henry:

"You are the god of this world. You are my best friend. How could you leave us?"

Mia and Luna were curled up together, crying into each other's shoulders. Amelia had her hands over her face, sobbing. Jack, Liam, Lucas—everyone—stood around the bed, their faces filled with sorrow.

Dakota took a slow breath.

Then—

Dakota:

"Oh, hi, everyone."

Silence.

Ava's head snapped up, her eyes widening in shock.

Mia gasped.

Henry froze.

Jack nearly dropped his sword.

And Ava—

She immediately staggered backward, tripping over herself, falling flat onto the floor with a thud.

Her face was pale as a ghost.

Her lips trembled.

Ava:

"Wh-what…?!"

She scrambled back up, her expression shifting from shock to rage.

Ava:

"WHAT THE HELL, DAKOTA?! YOU— YOU—"

Before she could finish, she lunged at him.

Dakota barely had time to react before she grabbed him, shaking him violently.

Ava:

"DO YOU KNOW HOW MUCH I CRIED, YOU BASTARD?! HOW COULD YOU DO THIS TO ME?!"

Then—

She collapsed onto him, her arms wrapping around him tightly.

Her body trembled as she buried her face into his chest.

Ava:

"Don't you ever do that again, you idiot…"

A voice cut in.

Henry:

"What the hell, dude?"

Dakota looked up. Henry was standing over him, arms crossed, shaking his head.

Henry:

"What the hell happened to you?"

Dakota exhaled, exhaustion creeping over him.

Dakota:

"Don't worry, guys… I'll explain everything."

He let his head rest against the pillow.

Dakota:

"Just… please let me rest first."

As his friends surrounded him, relief finally washing over them, Dakota closed his eyes.

He was back.

And this time—

He wouldn't waste his third Chance