Lunar's POV

Everything was fading in and out, drawing my mind blank as my ear rang and screamed, my vision blurry and spinning. I couldn't move, couldn't breathe. I kept waking and disappearing into dusk every time I tried to move or look around. I could hear movement, begging that it wasn't the girl because I couldn't run. I couldn't feel my legs or arms, my spine ached like millions of nails and I couldn't lift my lungs for air. I could barely hear the faint sounds of snarling, the little vision I got seeing Castian just before his fist tore her heart out.

"Lunar, come on, Baby," Suddenly Mr. Lincoln was rushing and sliding over as the room became dark completely. His voice was petrified, he kept shoving really hard into my chest, it hurt and made me want to cry out but my mouth wouldn't move. I couldn't wake up and answer him, or beg him to stop what he was doing, his compressions felt like I was being stabbed repeatedly, "Kitten, , do not do this to me!"

Why couldn't I wake up? Where was I anyway? I was in an unlit place with stars everywhere. What was this place? Why was I here? How come I could hear Mr. Lincoln but I couldn't do anything? How could I feel everything but I wasn't even in my own body? Then everything got bright and I was standing over where I fell, I winced at the sudden rays of light, watching Mr. Lincoln with rolled-up sleeves. He was doing CPR on my body...and crying. Why though? I'm not dead. I-I don't think, at least.

"God-fucking-damn it, Lunar Floid. Wake up. Don't give me this bullshit!" He whined like a puppy, angry and hurt at the same time. It felt like hours just watching but I could see from his watch that it had only been a couple of minutes. I watched as Mr. Hayes tried to get him to stop, his whimpering turning to snarls as he stopped. His growling mostly seemed directed at Mr. Hayes for making him halt his actions, his face pressing against the crook of my neck, and his hand caressing the opposite side of my neck while he murmured, "Pl-Please, come out of there, Princey. Y-You're not done being my stars. Y-You're not done being my shine. I-I'm sorry --- FUCK--- I'm so sorry. We shouldn't have left. shouldn't have left."

"B-But I don't even know where I'm at," I looked around, furrowing my eyes and then jumping as a woman popped up next to me. She had curly black hair and large pearl wings with diamonds dancing within the feathers. Her eyes were Sapphires flowing with her perfect curves. Her irises sparkled with the diamonds and her elf tiara. She had a kind presence but I didn't give two shits, backing from her as I barked, "Wh-Who the fuck are you?"

"I am labeled as a GateKeeper, I am to see you on whatever path you decide," She smiled at me, curtseying with her white gown. A small giggle left her throat at my defensive posture as she further explained, "You're in the Limbo, a place where the soul goes when the body is fighting for life and has no idea what to do. You have two choices, Life or Death."

"And why would I choose death?"

"Many have asked such a thing. It's simple. Death is an escape to freedom and security, especially for the kind-hearted and the Pure. Death ensures you'll be at peace with no harm to ever come to you if you are Pure."

"I-I want life," I looked to Mr. Lincoln, watching as he rested against me and kept giving out pleas for me to wake up, whispering sweet things and promises, "I want Mr. Lincoln. I want my friends. I never desired, requested, or attempted to get here. I don't want to be here. I don't want to die."

Her smile widened, sparkles glimmering as a gold cup with shiny liquid arose in her palm, "It was suspected, Mr. Floid. All that is required is that you drink from this cup and then you'll awake from your sleep."

"What about them? They're deserving of peace," I motioned toward the spider girl, hesitant in taking a sip. It didn't feel right to drink it just yet. I needed answers.

"Their souls have already driven on. I assure you, they dance among Lady Elysium," She kissed my forehead, lifting the glass to my lips, "What was in the body was nothing but a foul demon, the soul was freed long before the mutation."

"What about Jax's mother?" I murmured, nibbling my lip as I looked at her, "Is she happy?"

"She is filled with liberty," Her free hand glowed, a snowglobe emerging as a flower meadow with a cherry blossom tree spiraled within. It looked exactly like Jax's painting, only moving and you could faintly hear his mother singing. My pupils could see her dancing and swaying with a man, his father I presume. I admired the scene as the Gatekeeper delicately tipped the cup to my lips and had me drink, "She awaits the day her kids join her for their family picnic and she watches over them. She's quite proud of her children and the paths they've chosen."

"A-A-And Mr. Lincoln's family?" I furrowed my brows, my voice a plea that I couldn't leave just yet. He needed to know they were alright and happy. It was the least I could do for what he's done for me.

"They are free, living in a wonderful home. She has found her love and the kids are pleased. They're thankful that you have given him clarity," Her little globe showed his family feasting within a cabin, laughing and smiling with a new father, her body slowly beginning to fade as her voice echoed. The world became dark as Mr. Lincoln's voice became clearer and the feeling of his touch heavied, "they're fond of you and do not blame him for his survival. Instead, they're thankful for his actions. He was able to get a fresh start, as well as them...And for your Purity, we offer you the gift of Healing. May you live long, Mr. Floid!"

Mr. Lincoln perked up at my whimper as I reached for my torso, coughing and groaning as my ribs snapped back into place. Everything on my body that ached and hurt severely came to a slow termination, even the broken ankle. My face scrunched with discomfort at feeling it all move and shift, it was vile and unnatural. My moving and actions had Mr. Lincoln's hands cupping my face as he kissed me all over and whimpered with a weak laugh, "Kitten!"

"The stars like you," I grinned as he pressed his forehead against mine, mewling with a chuckle as he pulled me into his lap. I curled within him as he rocked and smooched the top of my head. I was soothed by the feeling of warmth and physical contact, only he tightened his hold and held me to him, "Loosen your grip on me!"

"The Gods gave me back the Angel of my Paradice. I'll be damned if you think I'm ever going to let you go," His hold on me constricted, his lips kissing all over me as I began to squirm, giggling and choking as he koalad around me and taunted, "I will N.E.V.E.R let you go! I'm killing you with kisses."

"Get your old man cooties off me!" I grabbed a fistful of his hair, yanking his head back and playfully glaring, "I don't want your germs being the first thing on me when I come back from the dead!"

"'Old man cooties,' huh?" He chuckled into my lips, holding my hips as I let go of his hair and wrapped my arms around his neck, "Is that what I have to deal with from you, now? You makin' fun of my age?"

"Old man cooties," I confirmed, kissing him as I fixed his hair with my fingers, and purred, "It's not my fault you're fuckin' old. Maybe ya should have asked the Gods to make ya younger."

"I don't fuck like an old man," He teased into my neck, biting and nibbling as he pulled me closer and laid back against the rubble, "I'd be happy to remind you of that."

"Yeah, you're right...," I retorted, smirking, "You fuck like an ancient guy."

He started to chortle, looking at me as he bopped my forehead and scrunched his nose at me, "I am not that old!"

"You are that old," I spat with a laugh, then settled down, smiling at him warmly as I fixed his hair out of his eyes and rested against him, "Your family doesn't blame you for the fire. They're very happy. Your best friend is taking care of your kids with a kind, handsome man. He treats the children as his own. They're proud of you for your decision. You would have died with them in the fire and they didn't want you to lose your new start. In surviving, you gained your restored beginning while in death they claimed theirs. They love you very, very much and are happy you have me."

"Limbo is a beautiful place, huh?" A weak smile formed on his lips, tears drifting down his cheeks as he looked at me, "I've been there once or twice. I was in a Palace both times, surrounded by books and paintings. I loved it, they were very kind and gentle. Reassuring and informative, especially to my desires and wonders about who I'd Mate with."

"Kind of," I admitted, pointing next to where he sat as I wavered, "I didn't get a pretty scenery. I was right there, watching you. I did have stars, but mostly it was surveying you. I think it was to remind me where my heart wanted to be."

"That's embarrassing," He let out a weak chuckle, scrunching his face, "Quite humiliating."

"No," I smiled, wiping his cheeks delicately as I kissed his lips, "It was romantic... In a cheesy kind of way."

"I meant what I said," He mumbled against my skin, pecking my ear as he caressed my cheek, "Every word."

"I know, Old Man."