Adrian's senses slowly returned, but nothing was like the world he knew. No smell, no sound—only an eerie stillness, like being trapped inside a frozen snow globe.
He tried to move but felt as if he was drifting, weightless, suspended in nothingness.
A soft chuckle echoed around him.
"Finally awake," said a voice smooth as velvet but laced with amusement.
A figure emerged from the white haze—tall, clad in a robe that shimmered like freshly fallen snow, hair and beard the color of clouds, and eyes twinkling like stars.
"Who the hell are you?" Adrian croaked, his throat dry.
"Name's The Arbiter. Think of me as your cosmic Uber driver—minus the tips and with a wicked sense of humor."
Adrian raised an eyebrow, the absurdity cutting through his fear. "Well, you're not exactly the usual grim reaper, huh?"
The Arbiter laughed. "Nah, I don't do the whole 'pointy cloak and scythe' thing. Too cliché. Plus, I like to keep things interesting."
Adrian tried to make sense of the white void surrounding them. "So… what now? Am I dead? Is this it?"
"You're dead, yes. But more importantly, you're one of the lucky ones."
Adrian snorted bitterly. "Lucky? I got stabbed in a back alley and left for dead. Sounds fucking lucky to me."
The Arbiter grinned. "Luck's funny that way. You were marked for worse—trust me."
Adrian's anger flared. "Why? Why'd my life have to suck this hard? Betrayed, stabbed, homeless. What the hell did I do to deserve this cosmic joke?"
"Destiny," the Arbiter replied with a shrug. "A cruel author with a taste for tragedy."
Adrian scoffed. "Then screw destiny. Screw this whole setup. And screw you."
The Arbiter's eyes sparkled with humor. "Ah, the spirit I like. Don't worry, kid, I'm not here to lecture. I've got news though."
Adrian leaned forward, desperate for anything.
"You get a second shot. A chance to rewrite your story. Not here, not your old life. Somewhere new, where survival is a game and every move counts."
Adrian's heart thudded. "Where?"
The Arbiter's smile deepened. "A world full of dragons, treachery, and enough bloodshed to keep you busy. Ever heard of Westeros?"
Adrian groaned. "You've got to be kidding me, that place? No thanks."
"It's the perfect place for a fresh start," the Arbiter said ignoring what Adrian said. "But don't get comfy. It's gonna be a wild ride."
Suddenly, the white light surged, pulling Adrian in like a current.
"Wait!" Adrian shouted. "What about—"
But he was already fading.
One last voice echoed: "Oh, and I've left you a little present. Something to tip the scales in your favor. You're gonna need it."
And then, silence.