Carnival of Rebirth

The smell of gunpowder was overpowering. The gravel was harsh against my skin. The screaming and yelling seemed so far away. I wanted a drink of water to get rid of the metallic taste in my mouth. When my eyes finally focused again, the most beautiful eyes I had ever seen were looking down on me.

I reached my trembling red covered hand to cup her cheek as tears filled those eyes. I just wanted to continue to gaze into those eyes. But everything was starting to unfocus again and my hand dropped.

After a moment of nothing, the smell of lemon on old wood, a warm spring breeze, laughter and joyous music filled my senses, as shadows danced around me. They soon took the forms of people, or close approximations of people; oddly proportioned bodies with extra limbs, not enough limbs or limbs that were neither arms or legs. Their outfits seemed to be from all different cultures and time periods, even from some whose names I knew but had never heard of in my life on Earth. All of their clothing appeared to be for festivals with most of them wearing masks.

One among them noticed me with a brief look of confusion on his mask, or was it her mask, before coming up to me.

"Well little star I wasn't expecting you. What tales do you bring? Did you slay the beast of Dera duen? Has the blood of Nlorthen witches finally ended? Or were your feet's a little more mundane, perhaps a new legal system or a technology to improve the world?"

I was speechless. The beast of what, witches blood? I was running for senate with some important ideas but nothing had changed yet. I had accomplished nothing.

"Hmmm, this isn't right." They placed their hand on my… I realized I had no head, no body, nothing.

The mask took on an angry expression. "This is definitely not right." What appeared to be dozens of multi-colored wings burst from their back, but I somehow knew that they were power, the essence of reality bursting forth. Colors became sharper as this entity's rage grew.

"To take what is mine. Who would have dared? Who would have stolen a little star of mine?"

Their fingers entered my nothingness and my life flashed before me. Birth, childhood, marriage, being elected to the house, children, fighting to change a corrupt world, the rallies for senate, then death. The fingers retracted and the vivid memories of my life faded back to normal memories.

The anger on the mask softened, the wings lowered as colors became muted.

"Oh Gia, I understand, you only want to save your children. But there will be repercussions. Your inability to understand that is what got you into your situation to begin with."

They extended their hand with the palm up and a globe of light formed. The light changed into the image of a planet. It was blue and green like earth but with different continents.

"What has your theft done to this one's true home?" The globe spun as images of people, places, and creatures flew away from it at a speed that I couldn't comprehend.

"Not a complete disaster. But…" The mask became a look of deep concentration. "I think events can be corrected." They turned their attention back to me. "What do you say little star, are you willing to help this world as intended? It will not be easy, in fact, it will be much more difficult than I originally planned for you."

My thoughts shifted towards my family.

"I'm sorry little star, you weren't supposed to go there. But I do believe your life helped them. These people need your help now." They held up this new world in their hand. "You don't have to go. Others can bear the responsibility. I doubt they could do as well as you would, but in time the errors will be corrected. Your other choice will be to stay here with us, until your rightful time comes again."

I can't go back. I'll never see them again. They'll grow old without me. I was filled with immense sorrow that seemed to last forever.

As my sorrow lessened little by little, my thoughts shifted towards this other world. I could help them?

"Yes, though I think there will be much pain for you."

Pain, I had been willing to walk through hell to change my previous world. Why shouldn't I do the same for another world?

"You have my admiration, little star."

The image of that world vanished and their hands reached out and took my nothingness into them. Limbs formed and my senses became closer to what I had been used to. Lowering my head I saw I was in the body of a baby.

"My friends, blessings are needed for our brave little star. I think three will do."

The gathered crowd looked at one another. From what I could tell there was a hierarchy they were looking towards. The lower waiting for the higher to respond first.

A woman in a white and gold gown stepped forward. Her auburn hair rippled in a breeze that didn't affect anyone else. At first her mask was plain, then took on the appearance of my wife. As she approached, the entity that seemed to be incharge held me out toward her. She lifted the mask just enough to place a kiss upon my forehead.

"Oh you naughty boy." The entity said to her as the woman's mask took on a mischievous grin and rapidly transitioned through several faces. The entity pulled me close and whispered into my ear. "A wicked gift she just gave, try not to waste it."

As she turned and rejoined the crowd, an old man came forth. His clothes were decrepit and hung loosely on his frail frame. His mask was that of a crying clown with contrasting bright colors that gave the feeling of eternal happiness.

He didn't lift his mask like the other did when I was presented to him. Instead he reached out a single finger, it was the only finger I saw on his hand. The long jagged finger nail came towards my mouth and I had no choice but to open up for it. Further and further the finger went, followed by the hand and most of his forearm. I couldn't be sure but it seemed that finger brushed against my heart between beats. Finally he withdrew his hand but the bitter taste lingered down my throat.

"A brutal gift, but one of great value." The entity said.

The old man turned and was gone. The crowd continued to look at each other and the entity rocked me back and forth, waiting for the last gift giver to come forth. It was hard to tell time but it had to have been at least an hour before the crowd started to part and a large man walked forth.

He was several times taller and had a build wider than any of the others in the crowd. I couldn't understand why I hadn't seen him before he took a step forward. Once again I was presented. The man moved his eight fingered hand to his bull mask and cut himself on a horn. His bleeding finger moved forward to brush my belly but he stopped. Everyone stopped. The music and laughter that had been quieter during these proceedings vanished.

The only sound I heard reminded me of staying at my grandparents cabin in the woods. Late at night the wind would cause the old trees of the forest to rock back and forth. But this sound seemed even older.

The large man withdrew his hand and stepped to the side. The crowd parted and bowed their heads towards the creature coming forth from the darkness behind them. Its long limbs were covered in dark fur, glistening with a dark red mist, and they bent at odd angles. It's body was covered in dense moss with vines hanging below. It's head resembled a deer's skull with four antlers ending in dozens of points.

As it bent its head towards mine, I looked into its empty eye sockets and saw the darkness of an ancient forest. I closed my eyes and shivered involuntarily as it breathed out a cold blue mist that penetrated my bones.

When I opened my eyes the creature was retreating back into the darkness. The crowd still held their heads low in reverence.

"You should feel honored, my little star. My old friend does not stir often. Entire worlds begin and end between when we see them."

Once again they took me close to their chest. The mask had a joyful smile but sad eyes.

"I always hate to have to send you out. But eternity will always bring you back to me."

They extended a finger towards my forehead but stopped.

"I think it would be more interesting if you had some remembrance, though they may seem like dreams. My blessing for you."

Turning away from the crowd I saw the world that the entity had held in their hand. This time it was massive, revolving around a sun with twin moons orbiting it. As they held me out toward the planet, they whispered a single word.

"Awaken."