I was awoken up again. This time I woke up on a bed that felt grassy and prickly and mom just besides me and this time we were all alone.


    "Mom.."


    I called out weak to her as I was still dizzy and feeling heavy.


    "Where are we?"


    And, as I utter those weak cries she held me close and told me:


    "Were home, my dear Elfien, were home. Home, ok."


    Home? It feels a bit more spacious than home. It''s dark, I know we paid the electricity bill in time, but not only that but the candles on the table illuminated the place and wood and planks greeted my sights. It was cozy yet has the feel of a farm house. Saw dust fill my nose and the unnatural thin mattress I was on, began to made me wonder what happened after I was hit by those kids.


    Then it struck me when I remember what happened to me. I began sweating and heart racing again.


    "How much!?"


    I quickly asked mom.


    "How much was the hospital bill... Mom...?"


    I first believed that my medical expenses were too great that we were now living in a barn. Then what little light the candles gave away showed me how my mother''s hair was brown in every line, eyes swollen and had bags underneath, and her face haggard than I could remember.


    "Mom..?"


    Something was off still. I know she doesn''t dye her hair but why is her hair was now a fair brown? Not the coal black I always knew.


    May, May Hunt she kept insisting to me. She was my mother... Indeed, those long hair that reached until down her shoulders, bright brown eyes with pre-tears on it, and that face filled with regret. How could she not by mother? Well, aside from the fact that her hair was brown and she also kept saying my name is Elfien. I am not Elfien, nor my mother''s name is May.


    What happened? I kept asking.


    She merely replied over and over that this is by the grace of the goddess''s generosity on my revival. Or in other words it was prayer and faith that put me here... That made ''Elfien'' live again, and seeing how this replica of my mother believes, that I died and was resurrected by a power of a goddess could only mean one thing... Further conforming suspicions is when amongst her weeping she slipped out that I wasn''t the only one who received the goddess''s blessing. I felt a surge of wanting and curiosity when she said that. I sprang out of bed and asked her "Where are they now?"


    "He''s here!"


    The door of this wooden house bursted open as I said that.


    "Son of gun..."


    "Hahaha! His hair maybe white but that''s him alright!"


    Roland, Neil, and Allan. Those young idiotic faces smiling at me clad in stylized helmet, gleaming armor, and fancy boots. They look like the typical heroes we created, watched and cosplayed about.


    Running to them I embraced one another until we were clumped up like a ball, a ball of relief and happiness for me.


    The place, where I thought was a farm, was a large two story wooden house, but it wasn''t a house but an Inn, owned apparently by May.


    She hasn''t has much in the way of food at this so early in the morning as she explained and furthermore she was no doubt haggard and exhausted -- Hair frizzy and disorganized with sunken eyes and bags to pair. Nevertheless, she managed to dish out some dark, hard bread and some meat and water. To say the least the meal was rock solid, meat stale, and the drink quenching, although I would rather have something carbonated right now. But that didn''t matter because as we ate at a table near a fire place of the Inn, where a small fire brought us enough light, it was the conversation that kept the food good.


    I have so many questions to ask, like why and how did they got in this world? I mean this another world resurrection and I''m surprised that I was reincarnated. A fantasy world for our selves and this Inn is like our starting point.


    "I don''t recall doing anything remarkable to get here. All I know I just died... From that..."


    Said Roland while squirming a bit.


    I didn''t pressed more on what is that. I don''t mind sharing how I died, but they say what they want to say.


    "Well," Spoke Allan. "I remember giving something to charity before..."


    He paused a bit while holding his chest. "Than that damn stroke hit me on the way home driving."


    I didn''t know Allan could drive.


    "What about you Neil? Surely something remarkable happened before you died."


    I jeered my tone a bit to lighten the atmosphere.


    "Ah, well," He recoiled and leaned on the chair. "I suppose I died on a winter, if memory serves me right."


    "Was it Anna''s fault?"


    Asked Roland as he attempted to bite a portion of the smoked meat. Hard and tasty to be honest.


    "Ah, it''s good having a perfect set of teeth."


    He added as he managed to munch off a strip.


    "Heh. Cheers on that, but yes. It was Anna. I couldn''t take it anymore. For my entire life I slaved for her affection until the end. I tried to be patient to her, I tried to understand and above all, I still tried to love her."


    He then paused a bit and looked at the fire melancholy like.


    "Last night, I suppose. I had an argument about my will; How much should I leave for Hanna - the 4th of my daughters - it went fine at first, I bowed down to her wishes and became a good husband then out of nowhere she just have to bring out how I almost cheated her. It was just a friend and that was what? 15 years..."


    He then paused and slapped his face.


    "It blew me off, I rode out to the train station in the middle of blizzard, and here I am..."


    "Wait, what?"


    Anna? 4th Daughter... Will? Death will?


    He then sighed and looked around the Inn as he slowly chewed the food in his mouth. I noticed that he was eyeing at May who was sitting on a near by head resting on a table while delivering sounds of snores.


    "How about you?"


    Nudged Allan on my shoulder.


    "Yeah, what about you? No doubt he died due to Erika''s jealousy! Do she cut it off?"


    He giggled while squinting his left eye as he tried to sink his teeth and bite out a chunk out of the black bread.


    "Amen to that! "


    The quite Inn was soon filled laughter. Yet, something was off...


    "We-we-Wait. You know I was killed trying to help Erika right?" Erika saw me and being the class president would surely spread that news.


    "Ah, see! He did married Erika in secret!"


    Cheered Neil to the two as if he won a lifetime bet.


    "We already knew that! We owe you nothing!"


    Retorted Roland.


    "That sly woman."


    They all smiled at me and asked how was our first night and where were we living.


    "What? No, I died recently! Um.."


    Agh! I can''t remember the exact date!


    "What?"


    All their smile began to fade as they looked at me with raised eyebrow and more stern attention.


    "Hold on. What age did you die?"


    Allan asked.


    Are they serious?


    "Don''t tell me Erika was suppose to call us when you die."


    Roland crossed his arm.


    "What? No. I died at 17! O-or 18..."


    Why can''t I remember.


    "It was when Neil was going to fight Aaron for the 6th time that day. You know... A few days before our Christmas party


    I raked my memories for more events that could help me remember what date was it.


    "Bullshit!"


    They all stood up slamming the table.If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.


    "Seriously!"


    I slammed the table back.


    "You guys didn''t know I was dead???"


    "No! We were told that you and your mum moved out of the city right before Christmas!"


    Cried out Neil as he sat back down.


    "That''s what Erika told us when you didn''t attend our class and the Christmas party."


    Said Allan hands on his forehead as he stared on the table waving his head.


    "That lying daughter of a... Haa~ Why did she lie?"


    Sighed Roland as we all sat down.


    The food was spoiled, we sat silence for minuets, I suppose. Even if I want to shut up and digest this disgusting news my mind wants to know more.


    "What did she tell you guys anyway?"


    I asked while facing the dancing and dwindling flames of the fireplace.


    "Erika transferred out after she told us that you and your mom left the city when you were absent in our Christmas party, of course we didn''t believe her. Thinking that you and your mother overslept again, but when we visited your apartment... Well, it was empty. Because of that, and because Erika transferred out the day after she said that, we all thought she went after you. Or that she convinces you to elope with her."


    Replied Allan.


    "Heh. I remember when we bought three fruitcakes,"


    Spoke out Neil whose smile quickly faded as it surfaced.


    "We wrapped in a fancy gift wrap and was supposedly we were going to tell you that it was a gift from Erika, Mary, and Jeanne."


    "You guys know I hate fruit cake."


    I gave out a small chuckle.


    "Exactly, the perfect gift."


    Added Roland.


    What small laughter we gave out was quickly replaced by the us trying to wipe something off our eyes.


    "We still tried to look for you, we never gave up."


    Coughed out Roland as we stopped our melancholic laughter.


    "I questioned all of the people of your neighborhood, tried tracking down Erika, but we couldn''t find you."


    Added Neil.


    "We thought you moved out of country or something. And along the lines thought Erika married you."


    He was giving out an apologetic tone and a defeated face in that last line of Neil something I never knew he would make.


    It was so new to me. Almost everyday he gave out this proud, unbeatable commander like aura at school yet... The face I''m looking at was the young him but there was an undeniable aura of maturity and humility added in there. Such a change made my want to thank his dedication stuck between my throat and chest.


    "Five decades,"


    Spoke Allan.


    "And this is the culmination of search. Only when we died did we find the answer."


    We all sat silent as the atmosphere around the room soured. We were silent, I don''t know how long but, the fire was long gone, the birds were chirping and the light was seeping through the gaps of the wooden windows. While all of that is happening, I kept in my mind if mom gave me a funeral when I died.


    I know we can''t afford a normal one in our status, maybe at least a cremation? Is that cheaper than a funeral? Who knows at this point, I''m already dead for five decades why do I worry about burial. I much more anxious on what happened to mom. Is she OK? But I am dead for years now. She''s probably already dead when I heard this news.


    "Hey, you ok?"


    Inquired Roland as he patted me on the back.


    "Huh?"


    Just now, I felt a dew escaping from my eyes, running down my cheeks.


    "Y-yeah... I am fine..."


    I felt a sting on my chest as I said that as I sniffle.


    "So..."


    I soon spoke softly as I tapped the table and wiped my eyes.


    "What happened to Jeanne, and Mary? Where they fine when you guys thought I was gone?"


    I gave a small sigh as I said those.


    "They were devastated that''s for sure."


    Muttered Allan.


    "Mary, didn''t went to school for a month, only to be dropped and transferring to another school out of the country."


    Said Neil tapping the black bread hard on the table.


    "Later we learned she was looking for you. But that was it."


    "She went dark after a few months."


    Added Roland.


    "But in some years, we got a invitation card saying she was getting married."


    "And Jeanne?"


    Hopefully she had a happy ending like Mary.


    "Similar case with Mary, but she returned after a week. But... She isolated herself until... graduation. After that we never got any contacts."


    I didn''t want to ask if they found out where Erika has been. I''ve seen her face before... My stunt... Her legs collapsing, her eyes misting, and those beautiful blue pupils devastated. I feel no hatred if she didn''t tell what happened to the class.


    "Still, why do we look like this?"


    Said Neil as he stood up tossed the black bread into the fire place and pinpointed the outfit he wore.


    "Even if we are reincarnated to be young, these armour is too heavy for us to handle."


    All of us shot up our head looking at him.


    "Now you say that, I feel like I am just wearing my casual."


    Remarked Allan as he stood up and jumped up and down. The the metal armor clank and clattered like coins inside a bag.


    "Not to mention these weapons, the design is too flashy, don''t you think?"


    Said Roland as he brought out a beautiful sword that is akin to a fantasy sword that we play and the oval shield, ornate and seems to be made out of pure steel.


    "Gee, I wish I had those. Did you guys met some gods, or someone that helped you get here."


    I added in the mix of speculation. Whereas, even if didn''t get the cool stuff they have. I still think that their armaments are cosplay worthy, not field worthy.


    "I mean, I saw a light when I passed out."


    Replied Roland.


    "Yeah, me too."


    Pointed out Allan.


    "Was that light looked like it was a hand reaching your face?"


    Neil said left eyebrow raised.


    "Yes!!!"


    All of us bellowed in sync.


    "So you too?"


    Asked Neil as his gaze on me.


    "Yeah! But something like brushing me. Or passing by like when a car light zoomed passed a dark room. That kind of light."


    "Allan? Roland?"


    Both of us turned to them.


    "I saw a hand like gesture telling me to come forth...!"


    "Well, I just saw the light and that''s it. I merely followed it, and just found myself with you three."


    "I see. I also had it when the chill began to consume my body. Numbness and unbelievable coldness."


    Neil rubbed both of his shoulder.


    Well, you died in a blizzard. I would say that but no.


    "Nevertheless, we have a vague answer on how we got here, Now we need real answers..."


    He then looked at the three of us.


    Staring intensely at us as his lips began to raise up to small smile.


    "What?"


    I asked.


    "Hehe... Of course."


    He then started to grin...


    And slowly, with out warning or an explanation he spurted out a laughter.


    "Think this is his crazy laugh or idea laugh?"


    I whispered at the two. I don''t know how the years treated his mental being.


    "A gold coin says this is his crazy laugh."


    Replied Allan.


    "I don''t have a gold coin! Why are using a gold coin anyway?"


    Remarked Roland with an annoyed face.


    "Covert 1 gold coin to 100 yen rule."


    "Ah, call it the whatever laugh lads. Cuz don''t you see! We are adventurers! Heroes that will save the world from whatever evil! This is the stuff we''ve been dreaming about since we were teens. The four of us, banished at the back seat - the four indomitable!"


    "So, I''ve been dead for five decades just to be reincarnated with you guys. "


    I raised my left eyebrow, scoffing at the notion that I''ve been stocked in the dark cold for five decades just be used as a stand in a deity''s game of DnD.


    "Well, what else is the reason?"


    Neil smirked as he tapped my shoulder.


    "Hey, the guy just died!"


    Butted Roland.


    "What are you saying, Neil!"


    "But that''s 50 years or so now."


    Remarked Allan. Neil nodded too.


    "Hey, that doesn''t mean I''m sticking in your idea, Neil, "


    Allan suddenly fell his eyes to the smiling Neil.


    "But that''s what it feels like to me!"


    I shot back.


    "Yeah,"


    Backed up Rolland.


    "Oh come on, Allan! This your childhood dream!"


    Neil put his entire attention to Allan as he knows the we weren''t on board with this.


    "You know how well Remy changed my life, Neil. Also, remind yourself that we only look young, but act your age!"


    All of three against him again. Though, I was a bit hasty with this alliance since, from what they just said, they think I am still young. To be honest I''m probably around 70 or something.


    "Look, I don''t mean to disrespect your death, no. But, we cannot just idle around here, right? You guys here that?"


    He then put his hand on ear, and almost made us do the same. Well, Allan and Roland did it. My memory is still fresh that his one of his psychological bull crap persuasion.


    And a loud nasal snore fro my identical mother was the only thing we heard from a few feet away from us.


    "THAT''S THE SOUND OF IDLENESS MY FRIENDS! "


    He them shouted at us.


    "WE NEED TO GET OUT THERE AND START QUESTING LADS! WE ARE GOING TO FIND OUT THE REAL REASON WHY WE WERE REINCARNATED!"


    "Jesus Christ. Someone is sleeping here, Neil!"


    Barked Roland.


    "Well, we get your point but..."


    I then rolled my eyes to Allan as he began to fall for his trick.


    My eyes then fell to Neil. Smiling as one of us just broke it''s defensive stance against him.


    "It''s the only option we have."


    He then lifted his own special sword up and spun it around like he was some sort of master.


    "Neil has a point..."


    I crossed my arm. I mean, we really need some answers. There''s no use on pondering how we got here, and what happened to mom after 50 or so years of death.


    "Wait what?"


    Questioned Roland at us.


    "Look, we need to do something. We can''t seat our assess here and do nothing."


    Replied Allan as he sheathed back his sword.


    "I kinda agree. I want to know if... Mom is ok when... You know... "


    It has strange feeling to be honest, but I tried to hold it in. For now, I tried to focus myself when we move out. I''m pretty sure this alliance will not last long.


    "Come on Roland! You''re the only one whose not on board. Be young for once again, this is a once in a life time opportunity! Or once in a after life opportunity, eh?"


    After such a tasteless as water joke a debacle of debate spiralled between young and old, to wife and loyalty began to eat up our time as Neil and Roland fought with words.


    "And then the Harem."


    "I''m a married man, Neil. I cannot do that. "


    Said Allan, which surprising, considering it is his most outspoken dream.


    But, he said that people can change over time. I suppose, but I kinda don''t buy it. Well, I just, technically, died yesterday so I still remember the teen weeb that is Allan. But then... When the sun seemed to have woken up from spurring argument. The door of the Inn opened.


    "Good morning, young ones."


    With the cold wind coursing through the room. A silhouette of a curved woman dressed in blue, with stripes of white with a head that screams of piety, divinity, and knock in sermons came in.


    "May I have a word with Inn keeper?"