PROLOGUE
“They’re all gone!”
As I made my way towards the throne shrouded in darkness due to the inclement weather outside, it felt as if a wave of weakness washed over me, slowly manifesting itself in my slow stride.
“Froy, Aeros, Razle, Stannis, Mattheo, Gregory, and Lorkan—no one made it out alive.”
I find myself inexplicably transported to another realm, where I bear witness to the heart-wrenching fates that have befallen those whose stories I recount.
Tragedy befell their lives in this realm, and not a single one of them managed to make it through.
Indeed, all of them perished.
And I couldn’t do anything, not even after getting reincarnated for the second time in the same host, but watch them suffer one by one and die in their misery and martyrdom in love.
But is it right to blame love or one woman for making their seven lives miserable?
For the second time, I find myself living in this world, and yet the thought that everything might just be a coincidence still lingers in my mind.
“There has to be someone behind all of this,” I muttered to myself.
As I reflect on their tragic ends, whether by their own hands or in the heat of battle, a nagging sense tells me that these deaths were no random events. It’s as if a mastermind had meticulously plotted their demise.
Lost in my own musings, I clumsily tripped and ended up sprawled on the floor, right in front of a mesmerizing statue.
The Volterion sigil was a stunning portrayal of Vultrus, a captivating creature that embodied both the grace of a phoenix and the strength of a human. Furthermore, Vultrus held the esteemed position of being their patron deity.
“What the? Oh, if it isn’t the deity who is supposed to protect them!” Fury consumed me as I balled my hand into a tight fist, unleashing its wrath upon the soft, cushioned floor beneath me.
“If there is some greater force at play, I crave a purposeful part in this world,” I murmured, my words tinged with a deep yearning. “Give me a purpose for my existence in this place.” After that, I found it difficult to gather my energy, attempting to rise and express my deepest thoughts with unwavering determination while my finger pointed at Vultrus’ painting. “Grant me another chance at life, and I solemnly vow to sacrifice myself to rescue these men who are equally deserving of love!”
My screams echoed within the chamber, but I didn’t care about my surroundings anymore. It seemed like no one would pay attention to me anyway, as if I were the only one left alive.
As I stood there, my heart pounding with anticipation, I was caught off guard by Vultrus’ unexpected reaction. A dazzling beam burst forth from him, its brilliance washing over me and immersing me in its radiant glow.
When I opened my eyes again, I found myself witnessing the resurrection of the avian-human statue, Vultrus.
“Who dares to summon me?” The sound of his voice reverberated through the once-familiar room, even though it now stood empty.
Vultrus was an incredibly alluring deity to someone like me. It brings me awkwardness that only his fiery red flares were the thing that barely covered his muscular frame.
I think my face turned red as I watched him move closer to me.
“Indeed, I am.” I bravely answered him with all my courage. I could feel the tremor in my voice, but to my surprise, I managed to somehow respond to him.
“So, you are telling me that you actually want a third shot at life, just so you can alter the destiny of these seven individuals from this novel?” Vultures promptly asked, his voice echoing around us. It was deep and intimidating.
“Yes,” I firmly replied, pulling all my courage together.
“I wasn’t supposed to agree with you, but what you’re offering is too enticing to ignore,” he said.
Suddenly, I found myself contemplating the price of this request from him. I was taken aback when I remembered that it was my own life that I said I would sacrifice, just to save the seven male second leads in this novel.
“Having doubts, are we?” Out of nowhere, Vultrus posed a question to me.
“To be honest, yes, I do have some reservations. Well, I can’t imagine anyone refusing if it meant giving up their own life in exchange for all of this.” I honestly told Vultrus. “However, despite the experiences I’ve witnessed in my first and second lives within this novel, all I’ve witnessed is the suffering of those seven men.” I even added. And with a short and firm stare at him, I heaved a sigh as I eventually told him, “I really don’t want to witness any of them dying in an unjust manner.”
“It seems that you believe their destinies were unjust.” Vultrus averted his eyes, his expression distant, and his motives shrouded in mystery. It felt like he was about to leave, leaving me to confront the uncertain future all by myself.
The idea of him leaving me in this location was unbearable. His presence alone ignites a flicker of optimism within me, as though the impossible may truly come to pass.
“I think they deserve better fates than what they’ve gone through in the past.” I retorted back, causing him to halt for a moment.
Vultrus leaned a bit to look beyond his left shoulder. “Delving into their tumultuous lives is necessary to alter their destinies,” he said.
And I replied quickly, never letting the situation die. “That’s precisely why I feel an irresistible urge to go back again, to offer my assistance, and to change the course of their lives before they fall into a grim and discouraging future. I really don’t want them to die!”
I was determined that this time, I wouldn’t allow anyone to die.
At this point, I know within myself that no matter what Vultrus told me, it wouldn’t change my perspective.
I was prepared to risk everything for this desire, even if it meant cutting off all connections with my real world, my family, and the life I used to have. I’ve arrived, ready to face the potential challenges ahead, undeterred even by a deity as powerful as Vultrus.
Little did I know that my wish would be granted in the most surprising way when Vultrus turned back in my direction.
His sudden behavior caught me completely off guard, leaving me unable to comprehend his actions.
In the blink of an eye, I was caught off guard as Vultrus swiftly moved towards me, his blade unsheathed with effortless grace.
“Hold on, Vultrus, what in the world are you doing? Wair, No!”
I felt a rush of nervousness and shock as he gracefully flew above me, his purpose evident—to split me in half, making me instinctively close my eyes in terror.
Following that was a ray of light that succumbed me to total darkness.
