Kristin Sanders (2)

"Why do you want me to kill this boy?" Kristin asked as the last image showed the boy killing a blond-haired boy before passing out.

"Her voice trembled as she pointed to the lifeless body of the young boy. "He was meant to be the savior of this world," she lamented. "All the effort I put into shaping him into the hero has been wasted." Her frustration was palpable as she gazed at the tragic scene before her."

"Then why don't you kill him?" Kristin asked.

"I have the power to influence the world," the woman explained. "However, I cannot directly interfere with it. That's why it has taken generations to nurture this hero."

"So, how do you expect me to kill this boy when I know nothing about magic and swords?" Kristin asked.

"I have that covered." The woman said as she snapped her fingers.

A striking woman appeared, her flowing dark green hair cascading down to the small of her fair skin. Standing over two meters tall, her athletic build was impossible to miss, especially since she was unclothed. However, what truly captured her attention were her pointed ears.

"An elf?" Kristin asked hesitatingly.

"Correct!" the woman exclaimed with a radiant smile. "Your astuteness is truly impressive. I will give you a second chance at life, but it will entail inhabiting her body. You will assimilate all of her memories and capabilities, and you will gain comprehensive knowledge of the world you are destined for, enabling you to adeptly harness the power of mana."

"And all I have to do is kill this boy?" Kristin asked.

"Once the boy is dead, you are free to live your new life however you wish." The woman responded. 

"But it must be according to your script." Kristin said.

The woman froze before smiling. "I truly can't get anything past you. Yes, as long as you follow the script, we won't have an issue."

Kristin was lost in contemplation. She couldn't shake the feeling that what had just happened was an assassination. Although she had arranged for assassinations in the past, she had never been the one to carry them out. She stole a quick glance at the woman, sensing that something was amiss, but she couldn't quite pinpoint what it was.

Yet it wasn't like she had a choice. It was either to spend the rest of eternity in hell or kill a boy, and she looked at the woman before nodding her head, "On one condition." She said.

The woman nodded her head, indicating that she wanted to continue.

"I once betrayed someone in the past and am determined to make amends. If I fulfill this task, I ask that you bring him back and transfer his soul into a body of my choosing," she said with a brief pause. "As long as it doesn't interfere with your predetermined plan, of course."

The woman's gaze drifted away for a brief moment before she turned to Kristin and spoke, "Regrettably, his soul has been taken by Death. Therefore, I lack the authority to fulfill your request, but I can arrange a meeting with Death for you to present your case." 

"Very well. Let's get started." Kristin said as determination filled her eyes.

The elf vanished in a shimmer of light, which then merged into Kristin; in an instant, her consciousness was flooded with unfamiliar memories. She found herself reliving the life of Lusha Ulabalar, a remarkable elf known as the blade master and the top warrior in the elven kingdom and she had the authority to mobilize the entire elven army.

Her fist tightened, and she could feel the familiar surge of power as decades of training surged through her. Memories of battling over a dozen warriors and countless skirmishes flooded her mind, each movement and action etched into her very being.

As she focused, she could sense the ancient power of mana flowing into her consciousness, bringing with it the knowledge of how to wield and manipulate it. In that instant, she became aware of her ability to command the wind with unparalleled accuracy. Vivid memories flooded her mind, recalling the time she effortlessly conjured a razor-sharp wind blade to cut through her foes and unleashed a devastating tornado that obliterated an entire town of rebels.

As she blinked, she noticed a remarkable change in her vision. Everything seemed more vivid and in focus as if a veil had been lifted from her eyes. It was as if she had gained a heightened awareness of her surroundings, being able to discern the minutest of details from a distance. Along with this, she sensed a lightness in her body, almost as if the laws of gravity had loosened their grip on her. When she touched her face, she realized that her features had transformed – her once rounded face now bore a more slender and defined appearance, and her ears had taken on a more pointed shape.

"What have you done to me?" Kristin inquired, but she suddenly froze as she became aware that her voice had transformed into a more subdued yet oddly melodic tone.

"I mean, you didn't think you would be able to keep your own body, did you?" The woman asked with an innocent smile.

"Right." Kristin, now in the body of Lusha said. 

"Well," the woman clapped her hands together, and a bright light enveloped Kristin. "I do hope it doesn't take too long to get the job done."

Kristin didn't have time for a rebuke as she disappeared. 

The woman stood patiently, waiting for Kristin to vanish from sight. As soon as Kristin was out of view, the woman underwent a striking transformation. The ethereal radiance that once surrounded her dissipated, giving way to an eerie mist that seemed to encircle her. Her blond hair took on a deep red hue, and her complexion turned an unsettling, ghostly pallor. 

Yneas tossed a tuft of hair behind her pointed ear and declared, "There, I've done as you requested. Now it's time for you to fulfill your part of the agreement."

"Of, course." Came a deathly whisper as a bony hand landed on Yneas's shoulder, which sent a shiver down her spine. 

"You know." Yneas said as she laid her cheek on the bony hand, "Gaia would have been pissed if she discovered that we took one of her children."

"Which is why I knew I could rely on you." Death said as he appeared.

"Why go through all of this?" She asked as she embraced Death. 

"A test." Death responded as he returned the embrace, "Either a new player will enter the game or I will get another reaper."