Return Through Magic

Chapter 2- The Ring of Fate and Death

Boom!

From the clear midday sky, a bolt of blue lightning suddenly struck, hitting the barren hillside, where only green grass and wildflowers grew. As the lightning dissipated, a figure clad in full armor emerged, coughing through the billowing smoke.

“Damn it! That Shinigami is such a jerk. Couldn’t he have dropped me off more gently?” Yuki grumbled to himself, trying to avoid the lingering smoke around him.

“I can hear you!” The voice of the Shinigami echoed from the sky. Yuki’s face turned sour. He hadn’t expected the deity he’d made a pact with to hear his muttering.

“Sorry!” Yuki quickly clasped his hands in front of his chest and bowed his head in apology, regretting his hasty words. He even shut his eyes tightly, fearing the Shinigami’s wrath.

But after waiting a while, the Shinigami’s voice was no longer heard. Yuki cautiously opened his eyes, only to find nothing had happened.

“Phew…” Yuki exhaled a sigh of relief.

He then looked around at the not-so-tall hill. The green hillside was dotted with a few trees and covered in short grass. Yuki took a deep breath as a gentle breeze passed over him, carrying the fresh scent of leaves and dew.

“Where am I supposed to go?” Yuki yelled in frustration, having received no instructions.

“Damn Shinigami…” Before he could finish his sentence, he heard the deity clear his throat.

“Huff. What am I supposed to do?” Yuki sat cross-legged on the grass, bewildered.

“This is all because of that irresponsible god. He didn’t give me any clear directions. Such an irresponsible deity.” Yuki unknowingly muttered again about the god who had brought him to this magical world. Just as he finished his complaint, it started raining—only where Yuki sat—leaving him drenched while the surrounding area remained dry.

“Damn deity!” Yuki wanted to yell, but a lightning bolt struck the ground right in front of him. He gulped, fearing he might die again for criticizing the Shinigami.

Yuki pondered and pondered why his fate was like this. He wondered if in his previous life he had destroyed the world, thus deserving such hardships even in death. Finally, drenched and exhausted, Yuki lay down, letting the tall grass, swayed by the breeze, brush against his body.

He gazed at the blue sky adorned with white clouds and a bit of overcast, making it less blinding to look at.

“Hana…” Yuki whispered the name of the woman who held his heart.

He tried to recall what had happened before he ended up making a pact with the Shinigami, the god of death.

Yuki Suzuki was a student at a university in Tokyo, Japan, majoring in library science and history. A twenty-year-old with a passion for ancient civilizations and uncovering the world's mysteries that had yet to be solved by mankind.

Living in the modern era of 2050, where technology had advanced significantly, Yuki came from a family dedicated to exploring and studying human history and the development of life through the ages.

Yuki, often called by his nickname, had a girlfriend of the same age who also studied at the same university. A beautiful girl named Hana Miyamoto, who shared his interests.

Hana was a twenty-year-old archaeology student with long black hair and hazel eyes. Often seen in practical clothing and equipped with archaeological tools, Hana and Yuki became a couple, bonding over their shared interests and studies.

They had been dating since high school, having attended the same school and class. That day, Yuki and Hana had visited a thrift store, a place where they often found antique books.

To them, books that others overlooked were treasures.

“Sorry, Hana. I brought you on another date to a place like this. But look, we found this rare, ancient book. I’m so lucky to have found it. Now, we need to decipher its mysteries. Every letter is in a script never seen before.” Yuki spoke with excitement.

“If we can’t even read it, how are you going to decipher it? Did you skip class to go to the bookstore?” Hana pouted.

“I didn’t skip, Hana. Classes ended early, and I thought I’d walk around until our date. Then I stumbled upon this old bookstore. Look at this book we just bought. It’s fascinating.” Yuki reached into his backpack and pulled out the book he had been talking about.

“When will we have a normal date?” Hana pouted but then smiled, understanding her boyfriend’s obsession with ancient things.

“Look at this. You’ll be interested too. This book is amazing.” Yuki handed her the old book with a leather cover, slightly worn out.

Hana’s initial annoyance quickly turned to curiosity as she examined the book.

“It’s so interesting, isn’t it?” Yuki beamed with pride.

“Is this a picture of a bird or a dragon?” Hana looked at the cover, which featured an image that resembled a phoenix but also looked like a dragon.

“Let me see. Yes, it’s a dragon.” Yuki glanced at the cover again.

“What kind of dragon is this?” Hana was puzzled, seeing such an image for the first time.

“To me, it’s a dragon. A dragon is a dragon, what else could it be?” Yuki scratched his chin.

“Yes, a dragon. But I mean, there are many legends about dragons. Each place has its own version of a dragon.” Hana repeated her question.

“Yes, dragons. They symbolize strength, power, sometimes evil, greed, wisdom, and immortality. In some cultures, dragons clawing at the earth symbolize their significant influence. Dragons are an existence symbolizing various aspects of life.” Yuki explained enthusiastically.

“Power, huh?” Hana, smart as she was, sometimes struggled to follow her boyfriend’s thinking.

Hana handed the book back to Yuki.

“Yes, power. Even ancient kings used dragons as their symbols. You should know this legend as an archaeology student, dear.” Yuki took the book back and put it in his backpack.

“Alright then, whatever you say. But remember, you must take care of your health and take the supplements I gave you. I can’t accompany you to research this book.” Despite her disappointment, Hana allowed her boyfriend to pursue his interest.

Hana knew well that once Yuki found something intriguing, he had to uncover the truth, often neglecting his health in the process.

“Don’t be mad, Hana. Or do you want to join me in discussing this old book? Whenever we find something unique, we always research it together.” Yuki excitedly imagined delving into history with his girlfriend.

“No, I have to return to the university for another class. I only made time for this date because my schedule is so packed.” Hana still pouted.

“Alright. I have something for you.” Yuki reached into his bag and pulled out a small box, showing it to Hana.

“It’s beautiful…” Hana covered her mouth with her hand, seeing the ring Yuki held.

A simple silver ring with a dragon engraving, its eyes inlaid with a tiny blue gem.

“This ring is from the old man at the bookstore. I’ll buy you a more expensive one when I have money. Being a student, I don’t have much. Ha-ha-ha.” Yuki laughed as he placed the ring on Hana’s finger.

“Oh, I didn’t know he gave you a ring.”

“When I opened the book, the ring fell out, and the shopkeeper gave it to me.” Yuki explained.

“Oh.” Hana nodded, understanding the situation.

“The old man said this ring would bring a lost lover home.” Yuki continued, after placing the ring on Hana’s ring finger.

“You believe that too much, Yuki.” Hana chuckled.

“It’s beautiful. With this ring on your finger, our souls will always be together.” Yuki smiled.

“Yes.” Hana smiled back, her cheeks blushing in the twilight.

“Ahem. Alright then, I’ll head home.” Yuki, feeling shy, faked a cough and turned away, mesmerized by Hana’s lovely smile.

“Be careful.” Hana, reluctant to part, watched Yuki leave. She wanted to hug him but held back, as they were still in public.

“Take care. We will meet again. I love you.” Yuki ruffled Hana’s hair.

“I love you too.” Hana nodded, resigned.

She wanted to stop Yuki from leaving but couldn’t, seeing his enthusiasm.

Yuki rode off on his motorcycle, leaving Hana waving behind him.

“I love you. Wherever and whenever.” Hana whispered, unaware that the blue gem in the dragon’s eye glowed briefly.

Hana vowed to cherish the ring.

At that moment, Yuki had an accident at the red light on his way home.

He crashed into a sand truck, swerving to avoid a bird that flew right into his helmet.

Thrown from his bike, Yuki’s body was covered in wounds, his head bleeding profusely.

“Ah…” Yuki could only groan in pain.

Memories flashed through his mind—his childhood, meeting Hana, moments with family and friends.

“Am I going to die?” Yuki whispered.

As he was about to lose consciousness, he saw a figure approaching.

A person in a black cloak extended a hand toward Yuki.

Hypnotized, Yuki took the figure’s hand and floated with him.

In the air, Yuki saw his bloodied body lying in the street, surrounded by people.

Unable to resist or speak, Yuki’s hand was firmly held by the cloaked figure, who pulled him into a different dimension.

“Ah… I really am dead.” Yuki muttered, wiping his face