Posthumous: The Beginning

Liam Stephenson awoke to the morning sunshine.  He paused a moment to collect his bearings, realizing he had once again spent the night under the stars.  It wasn’t out of the ordinary to do so while travelling between towns with larger separation.  He stretched his body and sat up slowly, using his hands to sit up.  It was then he noticed something extremely wrong.

His mind began to scatter as he looked down at his feet.  Not only were his boots gone, but a good portion of the skin as well!  He looked at his hands, saw the white bone and tattered bits of skin, and then felt for the same on his face.  Panic momentarily crept into his mind until the rational part of his brain took over, as was often the case with Liam.  He didn’t know what had happened to him, but despite his appearance he felt no pain.  He clearly had the rest of his thoughts, so the situation was not dire.  As he turned over on the grass to try and stand his eyes came upon a sight unlike anything he’d seen before.

She was…was it a she?  He thought so, anyway.  This celestial looking woman was garbed in a helm and leather armor.  Her skin had a white glow and…were those wings?  He had instinctively pulled back but realized he must be before an angel.  She must have read his mind, as her voice pierced the air.

“Welcome back to the land of the living.”

Liam cocked his head.  “I’m…what?  Where?”

“The land of the living,” she responded.  “With the blessing and power of the Dark Lady, I have freed you from death’s grip.”