Restarting fate in 5… 4… 3… 2… 1…
"Ah—!"
Ethan jolted upright with a sharp gasp, both hands flying to his throat. His fingers dug into his skin as if trying to rip something out, chest heaving violently. His vision swam, ears ringing, heart slamming so hard it felt like it might burst out of his ribs.
Air rushed in unevenly, burning his lungs.
For one horrifying moment, he was certain the bone was still there—lodged deep in his throat, scraping, blocking his breath. The memory was too vivid. The panic. The helpless flailing. The humiliating thought that this was how he was going to die.
"…I think," Ethan rasped hoarsely, rubbing his neck over and over, "I just came back from the dead."
A familiar poof sounded in front of him.
Sparkles burst into the air, drifting down like glittering dust.
"Yes, Host. You literally died," Xixi chirped as it appeared, floating at eye level. Its rabbit ears twitched happily. "And might I add—very unglamorous."
