Chapter 1: Chapter 1
"I really died?"
The man in front of me nodded firmly.
I noted numbly that his features were constantly changing. All that remained the same was the pity in his eyes.
"Yes, I apologize. The bodies of you humans are so delicate, such a pity. Not even a century goes by and you enter the earth! My creations-"
The man paused mid-sentence and the air shimmered vibrantly.
A corner of his mouth turned upwards in a faint smile, "That was improper of me. Your death was unnatural, a result of my carelessness. I give you my sincerest apologies."
Something about the man's presence quenched my anger before it could even begin to burn.
He had introduced himself to me as Gabriel, saying that the name was inspired by a particular book of my kind. He appeared hugely amused by the human race.
"So, what happens next?" I asked.
The man rested a rainbow coloured finger on his chin and tilted his head in thought.
For a few moments he stood, completely frozen in time, as he thought on the question.
"I must rectify my mistake." The man declared.
Violent shudders rocked the white space I stood on. Each one accompanied the tapping of the man's foot.
"I have caused your death. Now I must give you life once more. You shall be reborn." He concluded.
I felt my heartbeat quicken.
How many times had I dreamt of a moment like this; tens, hundreds, thousands?
The possibility that this could all be just another dream weighed heavily on my chest.
"I assure you, this is real." The man's voice interrupted my thoughts.
Inequivocably I found myself trusting in his words. He would not lie to me; this was a fact as real as my own existence.
"Then--" I hesitated while searching for the right thing to say, "--thank you."
The man stared at me unblinking. Bright galaxies twinkled in his eyes.
I found myself incapable of looking away.
"Thank you?"
Space shifted. One moment he was stood several steps away and in the next I could feel his warm breath on my skin.
Being so close to his presence inexplicably filled my with joy. Every second was exhilarating.
"Thank you." The man repeated thoughtfully.
"Yes, thank you. You didn't have to do this for me. So thank you."
I only realised I had spoken after the words left my mouth. Something deep within me wished to tell this man my every desire. In front of him the secrets I had held so closely in life became meaningless.
Delight tingled down my spine. My entire life seemed to have lead up to the moment the man smiled, "Thank you child. Today my eyes have been opened a little further."
"You're welcome." I replied subconsciously.
All of my attention was focused on enjoying the beauty of his smile.
The man stepped back and a separation formed between us once more. Part of me longed to be close to him but another part was unsettled by the effect he had upon me.
I chose not to dwell on the thought.
"Your rebirth, it shall take place in a world familiar to you. I believe you know it as Twilight."
"You may make one request of me, I shall judge if it is reasonable. You may take as much time as you like to decide."
Cogs turned frantically in my mind.
Twilight.
Centuries old vampires, bloodthirsty shapeshifters and who knew what else. The characters I knew would be real, somewhat-living, breathing individuals.
The narrow worldview I held was destined to soon collapse. There were so many questions to be answered; so much history to learn and so much to explore!
Deciding my request posed an exciting challenge.
Although I held very little hope I nonetheless first chose to ask for unlimited power. Unsurprisingly this was swiftly denied.
After much experimentation I made my choice. It pushed the limits of acceptable but ultimately Gabriel agreed without much obstruction.
"I would like a technique to allow me to grow stronger without limit."
"A wise request. Granted." Gabriel said approvingly.
The typical request of a person in my position was almost always to be born as a vampire or shafeshifter. These were simply the most established and obvious supernatural powers.
Perhaps they would ask to be the progenitor of the vampire species or belong to a new enhanced race of shapeshifters.
My ambition went beyond that.
I had an almost impossible opportunity. Squandering it on temperamental leechers and overgrown animals was not an option.
I would become strong. But in my own way.
"I wish you luck child. Should you strength grow to my expectations I expect we will meet again. Goodbye now."
The world transformed for a final time. With Gabriel as it's centre an inky darkness began to spread.
The wave of blackness crashed towards me.
Then I ceased to exist.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone