Prologue: Extinguished

By: SodiumChloride12, derived from Fire emblem, owned by Nintendo.

A/N: Hi! When I first wrote this story, I did it with intentions of writing it like a shonen. But...priorities changed. Now it's kinda all over the place, with plenty of battles, romance, angst, and world exploration. I'm really proud of this...so you new readers can enjoy it like I did.

This is a dark retelling of Fire Emblem 7. Keep that in mind while reading.

N: Samuel is a college student whose end arrived sooner than he'd wish. His past actions in this life will lead him to a new one in a different world. Here, his spirit was brought before a higher power. He must rely on his intellect and his newfound friends to overcome some difficult trials.

"Hello..."

Those words reach empty ears, and silence fills the air. All around, darkness surrounds a single flame tinged with a hint of purple, resembling a lone candle in a black room. The area's void-like aura sucks in any and all stimuli, robbing them of any individualistic qualities. The speaker of the greeting herself appears to be looking over the blaze like a some divine being, though her form blends in with the dark completely, eliminating any trace of her save for her comforting, feminine voice.

"You've sinned...haven't you?"

The flame burns slightly brighter, representing to the observer that it, or rather, he, has regained some of its consciousness. That's because this was not some simple flame. It's the soul of a young man from a world called Earth, who'd come here after his life came to an abrupt end. His name is Samuel.

Huh? He thought. Where...am I?

He instinctively opens his mouth to speak, but his new form does not have any capacity to do that. All he can do is increase or decrease his luminosity at a whim, though this can't do anything in the form of communication. Perhaps if he knew Morse Code, that'd be different, but he doesn't. Neither does the voice.

She says, "I...sense confusion in you, but oddly no fear. I feel that will change when you arrive at your new environment. You should consider yourself very fortunate. Most people aren't given this opportunity to live again."

Live again?

Samuel comes to bear with some vague memories back in his old life. He remembers fire on an open plain, the choking scent of burning gasoline, and the bloodied mess of organs strewn about the green ground. It was truly a violent end, though Samuel can't recall much else about himself. The only other details he knows are of his name, and a stringent, unyielding preference for personal liberty.

The voice continues, "You don't remember much, but your memories will come back with time. Some will produce knowledge to your benefit. Some will bring you harm. Others, won't effect you at all save for the product of some sadness. Yet, you'll bear with them regardless. As is the burden of man, to deal with the consequences of our past actions, whether willing, or less so."

The voice shifts over Samuel's left side, bringing about a shift of cold air. Despite his absence of muscles, he can feel his form shiver. It reminds him of the cold nights his homeland sometimes had, as fleeting as that memory is. But...he's not in his homeland anymore. Where he's going, he'll have to rely on his abilities to survive in a world wrought with the troubles of absolute monarchy that sometimes work in tandem with the forces of evil. His purpose lies there.

The voice says, "Just as you did in your old life, you will have a purpose here. This world of Elibe. Evil lurks in the shadows, working to bring upon a Calamity that will eliminate not just the current structure of power, but the entire human race. This task will serve as an opportunity of redemption towards the actions of your past life. You...do know what I'm referring to, do you?"

Samuel's light dims slightly. Guilt in his heart surges through him, though he can't understand why. He...doesn't remember.

"Hehehe...that's right. That's an oversight by myself. You...are a murderer, Samuel. Had you survived your final act, you likely would've been tried for the man's death. I'm not familiar with the courts of your world, but, I do believe the count would have been Involuntary Manslaughter. It's a pity, really. You didn't exactly live your life as a shining beacon of morality, yet, you were bound for a productive, happy existence. It's all because you made one fatal decision in your young age. To partake in the sinful drink that dulls the mind. That, and choosing to travel when you should not have."

Upon finishing her sentence, suddenly, a large, cylindrical, multi-ringed pillar of light breaks through the darkness above Samuel's flame. It covers him in its light, and surprisingly, it starts to raise him higher and higher. Samuel tries to struggle against this mysterious force's will, but it's all in vain. This is out of his hands...as is the will of fate.

"I will show you mercy that you wouldn't have received in your old life had you survived. You will appear in this world as stardust falling from the night sky. There, someone will make it so that you are assigned a proper form. Your objective is to save this world from its inevitable destruction. Now, tell me my child, do you understand?"

The pillar of light glows brighter, and it engulfs the entirety of Samuel's being. Samuel can hardly hear the voice, and upon realizing this, the voice sighs.

"Ah...not like you have much of a choice. But...you did have a choice in your earlier life, didn't you? Oh well, you won't remember any of this anyway. I suppose this is our goodbye. Until next time..."

Then, without another moment of hesitation, everything goes black.

New Author's Patch: Working on switching everything else to 3rd Person...