Nameless Woman 

New York City, New York; 19 September 2091 

Disgusted faces… Step—. Step—. Ears that ignore your pleas… Step—. Step—. I am not welcomed in this world, it seems… Creeeeeeeek—! I pushed the door leading to the top of the skyscraper I was in, the light from the sun was harsh and as beautiful as the day looked, I couldn’t find any silver linings.  

I’ve lived my entire life being ignored. No one to listen to me. No one to acknowledge me, hear what I have to say. And because of that, I have nothing, no one to come home to, no friends. I want more, it’s not fair, I thought to myself. I looked over the edge of the building and hadn’t realized just high up I was.  

As I backed away from the edge of the building, I noticed I’d bumped into someone, and when I turned around, I was in awe. It was a man, a very handsome man with reddish brown skin, scarlet red eyes, wearing a pin striped suit. He wore his hair in dreadlocks that were fashioned in barrels that looked like ram horns.  

“This is quite the height,” the man said, “if you’re not careful, you could  end up falling off.” The man  guided away from the edge and sat me down next to the stair well door. “What were you doing over there,” questioned the man, “one wrong step could’ve ended you.” 

I was at a loss for words, this random man was actually engaging in a conversation with me. “Well, as juvenile as it may seem, that was my goal. I don’t feel like I belong in this world,” I began, “I’m constantly overlooked and outspoken. Ignored and disrespected. I don’t even have a friend. Never had one, actually.” 

What am I doing, I thought to myself, I don’t even know this guy and I’m just spilling my heart out like I’m on some tv talk show? But as weird as this whole situation was, I welcomed it. Why, because he listened, he didn’t judge me, and for once in my life, I felt seen. We talked about me, I told him about my life, the things I wished I could’ve accomplished. We talked about how much I despise this world and how I wish I were back to the nothingness that I knew before.  

“Your story is beautiful,” the man said with a gentle smile, “if you still wish to leave this world, I won’t stop you. However, I’d like to offer you a place to go once you do depart.” 

I was confused, I was under the impression that once you die, that was it, “what do you mean,” I asked.  

“The realm separate from this one,” he began, “one M’Lady crafted, guarded by her divine protection.” 

I took a moment to think, could he possibly be offering me another chance at life? I was always told that reincarnation was impossible, and this stranger expected me to believe him. Truth was, I did believe him, every word. I wanted another chance, I needed it, and this man, who ever he was, was offering it to me. “I’ll do it,” I said with tears in my eyes, “wherever you want me to go, I’ll go.”The man’s face softened into a smile as he pulled me into his embrace, he’s warm, I thought.  

“My name is Astaroth,” the man said, “and you may think of me as a guardian angel.” Astaroth smiled, and with him being this close to me, I caught a whiff of what smelt like sulfur. It was strong, so strong in fact that I was fading in and out of consciousness while he was talking. His words started to muffle, however before I let the wave of sleep take over, I was able to catch his final words, “you will be loved, Autumn Winters.” 

Rejuvia Winters 

Winters Village, Faewelt Kingdom, West Sidhe; 19 Quirasara 2R8X 

“That’s it Juvia,” Blaze coaxed, “you’re almost there, I can see her head peaking through!” 

Out of all five of my pregnancies, Blaze chose this one to attend, I thought to myself. When our first son, Channing was born, Blaze needed to conduct research for his dissertation on Mana Conservation. Then when Francesca was born, he needed to attend Demon Lord Eros’ coronation, and when Tempest and Cane were born, he had the nerve to use training as an excuse. And now, he thinks he can just waltz in here and act as though he’s an expert in baby delivery.  

“Blaze dear,” I whispered through gritted teeth, “why don’t you go get some warm towels, the wet nurses should be able to take it from here.” It took every ounce of strength I had to keep from lashing out the way I wanted to. But in the end, I can’t ever stay angry at him.  

“Warm towels,” Blaze asked, “I’ll be back in a flash, or my name isn’t Blaze Winters, The Sub-Zero Knight!” My oaf of a husband struck a pose before bolting out of the room, finally, I confessed.  

The nurses quickly locked the door and continued with the delivery. Overall, I had been in labor for fifteen hours, the longest I’ve ever been in labor when I thought about it. Perhaps it was due to the pain of pregnancy that held my attention, but at the time the weather outside seemed rather odd. Quirasara is an Autumn month and blizzards aren’t common this time of year. However, our estate’s meteorologist reported that this is the most severe storm that the continent has ever experienced.  

“M’Lady, excuse my interruption,” a nurse named Vanessa whispered in my ear, “but with this weather, and you currently being in labor, I do believe this child will be—.” 

“GAAAH—!” I winced as I continued to push. I wasn’t worried about whatever it was Vanessa had to say, in this moment, I wanted nothing more than to end this pain.  

“Almost there, M’Lady,” another nurse gentle coaxed, “and would you look at that, a beautiful baby girl—.” The nurse’s eyes began to widen and the others gathered around her, and much like their colleague their jaws dropped.  

“What is it,” I asked frantically, “let me see my baby, what’s wrong with her?!”  

I reached towards the nurses but Vanessa gently pulled me back, “M’Lady, as I was saying, your child is the next Aquarian Ice Guardian.”As she spoke those words, the nurse holding my baby approached me and I saw her. She was beautiful, with porcelain skin and dark auburn hair like her father; and when she opened her eyes, those breathtaking emerald eyes and looked at me for the first time, I knew. I’d just given birth to our family’s strongest mage, The Aquarian.  

“Although the weather suggests differently,” I gently smiled as I caressed her soft hair, “I believe the perfect name for you would be Autumn, Autumn Winters.”