Within a higher plane of existence, Itherael, the Archangel of Fate stood staring into a portal that showed him one of the many mortal worlds outside his realm. His interest focused on the lone soul he had sent on what many would consider an impossible journey.

Since the day he had woken in his new body, Itherael watched JD as he adapted to his new life. Coming into the power his new form had been gifted with while forming an unbreakable bond to the young girl tied to the soul of her deceased twin brother.

Their adventures together were perilous, fraught with danger and betrayals at nearly every turn. Yet together they had managed to overcome everything that got in their path, standing united as they grew together side by side.

Itherael watched as the couple struggled toward the rift leading to the world of lost souls. His brother Malthael, the Archangel of Death, took the mortals of this world interfering with his realm as a grave insult.

The former Angel of Wisdom had been tasked with safeguarding the souls of mortals millennia ago, and was very keen on ensuring that the balance between life and death was maintained. But when the mortals discovered a way to access, and by extension disrupting, the souls on the otherside they began tampering with the balance and nearly bringing about their worlds destruction.

And as fate would have it, the task of sealing the realm of lost souls had fallen upon JD and Jodie.

If there was one thing the Archangel was sure of, it was JD's drive to do what was right. His courage and heart guiding him even through the darkest of places. And the girl, who became the woman of his heart, only made him stronger still.

Turning his gaze toward Talus'ar, the ancient scroll held gently in his hand. The passages where the two mortals' souls should have been written remained blank...but it was to be expected.

Neither JD or Jodie had achieved their true fate. Even now that their fates have become intertwined with one another, their purpose still exists.

Two realms needed to be saved by these brave souls...and with the destruction of the rift leading to the world of lost souls, one had indeed been saved by them.

But this was only the beginning of their journey. One final world needed their courage and strength if it intended to survive its own impending darkness. And by doing so, the couple will find the peace they have been rightfully searching for.

Looking back at the portal as he watched the rift be destroyed, Itherael reached out and touched the surface. The image rippling like water as the two mortals it showed vanished just before the blast overtook them.

The other mortals that would come looking for them will assume they were dust in the wind from the terrible explosion...but in truth, they will be far from their reach.

In another time and place similar to their own, but at the same time very different.

"Your journey is only just beginning." Itherael said as he watched the couple reappear where they would be needed the most. "We will speak again very soon, JD. Your purpose, is far greater than you could ever know."

X

In the center of a grassy field; JD and Jodie's unconscious forms laid side by side. Their clothes torn in a couple of places with several visible cuts on their faces and arms from their ordeal.

Though Jodie's left hand was still firmly grasped by JD's, in the same position they were when they stopped the Black Sun, neither of them were aware of their surroundings or the great change that had just occurred to them.

Footsteps could be heard on the grass, drawing closer to the unconscious couple until a shadow was cast over them, followed by a soft gasp...

TO BE CONTINUED...

X

A/N: After almost two years, over 100,000 words and more than a couple sleepless nights, the first part of the Beyond Death series is finally complete!

I'm already hard at work planning the next step JD's journey. And since this is essentially a form of dimension jumping series the options are literally limitless from here on out.

Even though this story was part of a category with only 100 entries, I'm actually quite proud with how it turned out. To those that have been there in the beginning, thanks for sticking with me since chapter 1. And to those that just barely got into it, thank you for the added support. I'm still hoping to make this series something worthwhile, and I don't intend on stopping now.

So keep a lookout, Part 2 will be here sooner than you think...but not in the same category that you would expect.

Until then, ladies and gentlemen, this is XAgent-Venom666X signing off!