Return Through Magic

Chapter 1: The Grim Bargain

"Where am I?" Yuki's voice echoed as he stepped into a place of complete darkness. The only source of light came from the eerie blue glow emanating from his own body and the figure cloaked in black sitting on a throne adorned with skulls.

"You are at the border of two worlds," the cloaked figure finally spoke, his voice deep and resonant. "I am Shinigami, the God of Death, tasked with escorting your soul to the afterlife."

"The God of Death, Shinigami?" Yuki instinctively took a step back, his wariness growing as he processed the introduction.

Shinigami remained silent, watching Yuki intently.

"So... I'm dead?" Yuki's voice trembled as he pieced together his last memories. He recalled the truck that had hit him, leaving his body battered and broken.

"Possibly, yes. Possibly, no," Shinigami answered calmly.

"What do you mean?" Gaining a semblance of composure, Yuki dared to question the figure whose face was hidden within the depths of the hood.

"I brought you here for a reason. I know you're not ready to leave your world. I can help you return, but you'll need to do something for me in return," Shinigami explained.

"Do something?" Yuki was still grappling with the situation.

"Don't you wish to be with your beloved again?" Shinigami's question cut through Yuki's confusion.

"Hana…" The name brought a rush of memories and the promise he had made to live together forever.

"Look!" Shinigami swung his scythe, conjuring an image in the air. It was Hana, cradling Yuki's bloodied body on the street. Somehow, she had reached him despite being at the university earlier.

"What does this mean?" Yuki's voice rose in desperation.

"Do you want to go back? To live again and reunite with your beloved?" Shinigami asked.

"Of course, I want to go back and be with Hana," Yuki declared with unwavering certainty.

"Then make a pact with me. I will grant your wish, but you must fulfill my conditions," Shinigami pressed his scythe into the ground.

"A pact?" Yuki felt a sinking dread at the thought of making a deal with the God of Death.

"You will travel to the world of magic," Shinigami stated.

"Is that all?" Yuki found the condition surprisingly simple.

"Of course not, fool. You must trade something of equal value for your lover's life," Shinigami's voice thundered.

"What do you want?!" Yuki clenched his fists, understanding that he had no other option but to comply.

"Enter one of those doors and find the one that will reconnect your soul to your body." Suddenly, numerous doors appeared, encircling Yuki. Each was closed, emitting a menacing black-red glow.

"So, I just choose one of these doors?" Yuki sought clarification.

"Yes! But don't think it will be easy. Fail, and you'll experience death again, returning here. If you return, there will be no second chances to reunite with your loved one. Each wrong door will bring you something terrible to face and overcome. Each door leads to a different dimension. So, do you have the courage to accept my mercy, young one?" Shinigami's voice was stern and imposing.

Yuki stood silent, pondering. He knew whatever awaited him would not be pleasant. But his heart yearned to see Hana again.

"If you refuse, I'll gladly escort you to the eternal world, where time holds no sway over you," Shinigami pointed with his bony finger, revealing a fiery red portal.

Yuki hesitated, unwilling to leave. He still longed to see Hana.

"If you want one last chance, make the pact and choose a door," Shinigami gestured to the doors surrounding Yuki.

Yuki remained motionless, his mind a whirl of confusion.

"The choice is yours. I will take you to the place you select," Shinigami's posture exuded an air of dominance.

"I'll go to the world of magic. But first, tell me clearly what I must do there," Yuki demanded, needing clarity before committing to this perilous journey.

"Find what is forgotten, uncover what is hidden, and destroy what is firmly built," Shinigami outlined.

"Huh? That's it?" Yuki was perplexed.

"Yes. The rest is for you to discover there," Shinigami's voice was unchanging, cold and precise.

"I want to see Hana again so badly," Yuki wavered.

"Your time to decide is limited. Hurry, or your real body's soul fragment will fade, and you'll truly die. Make your decision quickly," Shinigami urged.

"Alright. Let's make the pact," Yuki finally decided.

Shinigami struck the ground with his scythe. Suddenly, a silver sword with a black tip and blue patterns emerged from the ground in front of Yuki.

"A sword?" Yuki murmured.

"That's your weapon there. It will guide you. The blue gem in its hilt is a soul stone fragment. It will glow when you need answers. By taking this sword, our pact becomes binding," Shinigami explained.

"But I don't know how to use a sword," Yuki admitted. He had never learned any martial arts, let alone swordsmanship.

"Huft…" Shinigami sighed, his patience seemingly waning.

"Take it and go. I won't let you die easily there," Shinigami rose from his throne, fixing Yuki with a piercing gaze from within his hood.

Yuki hurriedly grasped the sword as he glimpsed two red points glowing within Shinigami's hood. He was certain the God of Death was growing tired of their conversation.

As soon as Yuki touched the sword, blue lightning coursed through his hand and spread across his body.

"Aaa...!" Yuki screamed in pain.

He wanted to let go, but the sword seemed to cling to him.

Shinigami watched impassively as Yuki writhed in agony.

After a few moments, Yuki collapsed, his body enveloped in blue electricity.

"What does all this mean?" Yuki gasped, clutching his right arm.

"The sword is merging with your body, hiding within you. Call upon it when needed; your souls are now one. The sword's name is Seiryū no Inazuma, the Blue Dragon's Lightning. Call its name, and it will appear," Shinigami stepped down from his throne, approaching the still-pained Yuki.

Standing before Yuki, Shinigami's red eyes bore into him.

"So, which door will you choose?" Shinigami asked coldly.

Still in pain, Yuki could only point weakly to a random door.

Shinigami swung his scythe. Yuki, unprepared, couldn't dodge.

His body shattered into blue crystals, flying toward the chosen door, which opened, hurling Yuki's soul into the magical world.

"Sayonara, human child," Shinigami watched as Yuki's soul departed from the border of the two worlds where their pact had been sealed.