I Reincarnated to Another World as a Woman-Chapter 229: Life and Death

"Freedom from feeling guilty that I was given a second chance... while the rest of Caelthorn never were."

Shadow Theo smiles.

He reaches out and pats Theo on the upper arm, the gesture solid and grounding.

"We get a second chance, Theo. In life. How many people get that?"

Theo lets out a faint breath of a laugh. He nods, just a little.

"Yes. We do. I should cherish it instead of feeling frustrated all the time. Now that I’ve said it out loud..." He scratches the back of his neck, embarrassed. "It kind of sounds silly."

"No." Shadow Theo shakes his head gently. "There’s nothing to be embarrassed about. You realized it. That’s what matters."

He inhales slowly, as if steadying himself.

"Now," Shadow Theo asks, "how long are you going to stay here?"

Theo blinks.

"I can... move on?" His voice lifts, uncertain. "What do I do? Just walk into the light?"

He looks around the endless void.

"Where’s the light?"

Shadow Theo laughs, soft and almost fond.

"Right. I forgot. You think you’re already dead." He shrugs. "I can’t really blame you. You are dying. And you will die for real if you don’t do something about it."

Theo frowns deeply.

"I’m not dead yet? With all those injuries?"

Shadow Theo grins.

"You’re not dead yet. Even with all those injuries."

Theo exhales sharply, incredulous.

"How is that even possible? My right shoulder is ruined. I doubt I can use my right hand again. My ribs are shattered. That alone should kill me. And my right leg is mangled." He clicks his tongue. "Yeah. I’m pretty sure walking is off the table."

Shadow Theo tilts his head, considering.

"You’re in terrible shape. And don’t forget the blood loss." He pauses, then adds casually, "But believe it or not, we’re still not dead."

Theo’s eyes widen.

"You mean... I can live?"

He cannot hide the spark of excitement in his voice.

Shadow Theo raises an eyebrow. "You’re not going to complain about living in a young woman’s body?"

Theo sighs.

"That’s the least of my problems." He smiles faintly. "And I owe Thea my life. Living as her, the best I can, is the only way I can pay her back."

He shrugs.

"Besides, she’s beautiful, rich, and has the highest magic resonance I’ve ever seen. I didn’t even know this level of resonance could exist." He grins. "My life as her is going to be very comfortable. What more could I want?"

Theo winks, expecting laughter.

But Shadow Theo does not laugh.

Instead, he smiles sadly. His eyes, however, are alive. Bright. Full.

"I’m glad you feel that way," he says quietly. "Now go back to the land of the living."

Theo stiffens.

Something is wrong. Why isn’t he laughing with me?

But his attention shifts fast to the last sentence.

"Go back?" He frowns. "How?"

"Someone is helping you," Shadow Theo answers. "And he’s been waiting for a very long time."

"Huh?"

Shadow Theo lifts his hand and points toward a corner of the void.

"Go."

Theo turns, following the direction of the finger.

There, in the distance, is the silhouette of a man.

Theo turns back instinctively, but Shadow Theo is no longer the shadow he once was.

He looks whole. Complete. Just as Theo remembered himself at the moment of death.

Bathed in light.

"Go on," he says.

Theo turns again.

The man is running toward him. Theo can see the movement clearly, yet something feels wrong.

He’s running toward me... but he isn’t getting closer.

Theo takes a step forward. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

The moment his left foot touches the void, the surface ripples like water disturbed by a stone.

And suddenly, the sound of footsteps reaches him.

The man is getting closer. Fast.

Within seconds, he arrives in front of Theo.

He is not out of breath.

There is no sweat. No strain.

The man is slightly taller than Theo. Around Julian’s height. About one hundred and eighty centimeters.

He has short, curly, fiery red hair that stirs something familiar in Theo’s mind. His eyes are honey-hazel, almond-shaped. Theo knows he has seen those eyes before.

Before he can place it, the man speaks.

"Thank God. I finally reached you." His voice is urgent, but controlled. Steady. Every word precise. "I need your help. And you need mine. Let’s work together."

Again, that feeling, the voice. Familiar. Recent.

"Who are you?" Theo asks cautiously.

He knows he can trust him. His other self trusted him. But trust does not replace knowledge.

The man stiffens, realization flashing across his face.

He straightens his posture.

"I’m sorry. That was rude of me." He exhales. "In my defense, I’m in a hurry."

He clears his throat.

"My name is Alexander Lutherford. And I am Alicia Lutherford’s dead older brother."

He extends his hand.

------------------------------

"Was it really Thea screaming?" Julian asks, his voice tight with worry.

"She sounded desperate," Maeve says, her voice trembling. "In pain." Her eyes are already glassy, tears threatening to spill.

Arthur does not say anything. His fists clench at his sides, knuckles whitening, jaw locked so tight it almost aches.

Liam looks at his teammates, worry written plainly on his face. He wants to say something, do something, but he has no idea what. There is nothing he can offer them right now.

Without realizing it, the four of them begin moving toward the gate as they talk. Their steps are slow, hesitant, but instinctive.

When they reach it, they stop and stare at the stone arch, as if it might pulse open at any second.

"It’s still not open," Julian says quietly. "How can we check if it was really Thea?"

No one answers.

No one knows the answer.

Arthur exhales and places one hand against the stone gate. He closes his eyes briefly, then sighs.

Suddenly, he jerks his hand back as if it burned him.

"What’s wrong?" Liam asks immediately.

Arthur does not answer. Instead, he places his hand against the gate again, more carefully this time.

He tilts his head slightly, brows drawing together, as if he is trying to listen to something only he can hear.

Then his eyes widen.

He turns to his teammates, his hand still pressed firmly against the stone.

"It... vibrates," he says. "Very faintly."

The others stare at him for half a second, then scramble forward.

Julian presses both palms against the gate. "Oh my god. You’re right!"

Maeve places her hand against the stone as well, her breath hitching. Liam follows, eyes brightening.

"Does this mean the gate is opening?" Maeve asks, hope creeping into her voice despite herself.

"I don’t know," Arthur answers honestly. But there is a spark in his eyes now, something that has not been there for minutes. "But something is happening."

All four of them stand there, hands pressed against the stone gate, eyes fixed on it.

From a distance, it looks ridiculous. Passersby slow down, casting curious, puzzled glances at the strange sight.

None of them care.

They feel the faint vibration beneath their palms.

And they wait.