Chapter 1: The End of a Life
Liam had never been strong. His body, frail and sickly, betrayed him at every turn. The mirror always reflected a face that seemed too pale, too thin, as though he were a mere shadow of the people around him. His heart, weak and irregular, beat as if it had its own rhythm—sometimes too slow, sometimes too fast. The doctors, though kind in their words, could only offer him sympathy and suggestions for managing the inevitable. The inevitable had come early for him.
Liam's life had been quiet, almost too quiet for anyone who had the strength to live without constant fear. He grew up in a small, humble town on the outskirts of the city, surrounded by fields and quiet woods. His family was simple—loving and good-hearted, but not wealthy. His parents worked hard, and his younger sister was the joy of his existence. But despite the warmth of his family, despite the love they all shared, it was clear that Liam would not live a long life.
Years of hospital visits, of tests and trials, had conditioned him to accept the fragility of his existence. Every time he would wake up in the morning, a new wave of exhaustion would sweep over him. His chest would tighten, and his limbs would feel heavier. It was like his body was betraying him with each passing day. Yet, despite the pain, despite the limitation of his physical self, his heart had always clung to one idea: kindness. He had always believed that kindness was the only true strength a person could possess. A person could be weak, like him, but still have the ability to give to others, to make their lives better in whatever way they could. And Liam had made it his goal to do just that.
He spent his days helping others—his family, his friends, and even the strangers he met in his small town. A smile, a hand to hold, an ear to listen to—these simple acts of kindness became his purpose. He made up for what he lacked in strength by giving others a reason to smile. But even he knew this wasn't enough. He couldn't escape the inevitable. His body was failing him, and all he could do was wait.
One evening, as he lay in his bed, weak from another attack, his vision blurred. The familiar sounds of his parents arguing softly in the next room faded into the background. He had heard it all before—the soft tones of his mother, trying to comfort his father who had always blamed himself for Liam's condition. His father's voice was filled with guilt, and Liam hated hearing it. It wasn't their fault. He had been born this way, and there was nothing they could do.
As his mind wandered, the last thought that crossed Liam's mind was that, despite it all, he had never regretted his life. He had been loved. And that, he realized, was all anyone could truly ask for. He closed his eyes, feeling the familiar pull of sleep. But this time, something was different.
There was a strange pressure in the air, like the very atmosphere had shifted. His body felt lighter, as though the weight of his illness had been lifted from him. He opened his eyes, expecting to see the familiar, comforting sight of his room. But no. Instead, everything around him was black. Deep, infinite black, stretching out in all directions. A feeling of weightlessness enveloped him, and his heart began to race, but it was different this time—this feeling wasn't the same as the struggle for breath. It was the sensation of floating, of being drawn into something, somewhere else.
Liam didn't have time to process what was happening. Before he could even think, an intense light pierced the darkness. A figure appeared in the distance, its form glowing with a celestial radiance. The figure was tall, composed of shifting, ethereal light, and as it came closer, Liam could feel an undeniable presence, one that carried the weight of eternity itself. The figure spoke, its voice deep and resonant, echoing in Liam's mind as though it were coming from every direction at once.
"Liam, your journey has come to an end."
Liam's mind swirled with confusion. "Who... Who are you?"
"I am a part of the divine forces that govern the realms. I have watched you, observed your life. Your time in the world you once knew has passed, but your story is far from over."
Liam tried to speak, but his voice felt distant, like he couldn't find the strength to form words. His body still felt as though it were drifting in an unfamiliar space, and the pressure from the figure's words weighed heavily on his chest. But despite the uncertainty, despite the overwhelming sensation of being lost, there was a strange comfort in this presence—like he was being gently held by something far beyond his comprehension.
"You have shown great kindness in a life marred by suffering," the figure continued. "Your heart is pure, and you are deserving of another chance. The gods have decided to give you a new life—a life of purpose. A life where you can make a difference."
Liam's heart raced. "A new life?"
"Yes. You will be reborn in another world, a world on the brink of destruction. You will have a chance to protect it, to guide its people. You will become the Shepherd, a protector of the land. The power of the gods will be bestowed upon you, but this path will not be easy. It will be fraught with danger and darkness. But you will not walk it alone."
The figure's eyes, glowing with divine light, fixed upon Liam. "The world you will be sent to is at war. Its people are in peril. You will be their beacon of hope. You will help them rise against the forces that seek to enslave them. But you must choose, Liam. Will you accept this responsibility?"
Liam's heart thundered in his chest. A new life? A chance to protect others, just like he had always wanted? The idea was so foreign, so unimaginable. He had never been a fighter. He had never been strong enough. Yet, despite his doubts, a flicker of hope stirred inside him.
"I... I accept."
The figure nodded solemnly, a faint smile touching its features. "Then your journey begins now."
Liam's vision blurred once again, and before he could speak another word, the world around him collapsed into light. His body grew lighter, and a powerful sensation of being pulled forward washed over him. It was as though his very soul was being transported to another place, to another life.
And then, everything went dark