Thia's POV

It was nearly indescribable. The pain of it all. I could feel every wrong doing and every injustice. It slammed me from all sides like I was the real victim. The one who got shot four times, the other that drowned, one who hung themselves, a person trapped inside a burning building set on fire by a 'friend'.

I would have wretched if I could have. There was a burning in my lungs like they were stuffed with cotton balls soaked with alcohol and lit on fire. My stomach seemed to have been put through a meat grinder as my insides twisted into knots. They were being torn apart, put back together, and torn again.

My brain seemed to be pressing painfully into my skull like a bat had slammed one side in forcing everything towards the other. I screamed because it was all I could do. Scream into whatever dark abyss my soul had entered.

There was never a reprieve. Centuries worth of sin was thrust upon my shoulders to hold, to experience, and to somehow forgive the criminal of their injustice. Images flickered on the back of my eyelids. Faces belonging to people I didn't know at all.

The betrayal of friends stomping on my heart as if I knew them. The grief of a man who'd killed a family driving while drunk. The lives of every criminal in prison flickering like a rapid fire cinema in my head.

It lasted for an eternity because that was how long it had gone on for. There were times I grew used to the pain, where it didn't seem so bad, but some horrendous act would surprise me. It would make me hurt in ways I didn't know were physically possible.

Only while there were common things; there were equally horrifying things. Things such as war, World War Two and the concentration camps, nuclear bombs, chemical warfare, things of mass destruction. Then there were things like serial killers.

The torturing of victims and the kidnapping of people for some twisted mind to have fun with. I didn't quite know what real terror was until I saw these things. Until I saw child predators, abusers, kidnappers, horrifying people who manipulated the black market, government schemes, experiments, and everything that you could think of magnified to an extreme.

Then it stopped. I braced for more and held my breath. I could feel every atom of my being shaking in pain and fear. Nothing came. Still, I didn't let my guard down. I couldn't.

"Child." The voice belonged to a male.  A voice I hadn't heard before. It wasn't Order and it wasn't Chaos. It was fatherly, comforting. "Shhh do not weep little one."

Though the words were comforting I couldn't help but cry. So this was what Chaos had meant? There really was so much pain and ugliness in the world. Still, I had to remind myself of other things, things like flowers or the stars. Wonderful things, because if I didn't I was going to give in, and if I did I would die in every regard.

"Forgive them. They do not know what they have done."

Despite calming myself so that I no longer shivered in anticipation, I couldn't see. There was only darkness, raw and empty. Numbing and scary. Anything could hide in the dark.

"Who are you?" My voice was weak. My throat was raw from crying out and pleading for relief.

"I am God."

The answer made me want to laugh. "So the Christians were right. You're the God of gods."

There was a warm, gentle, and patient laugh that echoed through the space. "They are. But so are those from the Jewish lands, and those from Muslim origins, and more. Those who believe that I exist no matter the name are correct, those who believe that despite my rage I weep for my children. I am found in many corners of the earth and by many names but I am most simply known as God."

"Why are you here?" Sweat ran down the back of my neck causing a chill to race down my spine.

"I am here to correct the wrong that has been done. Like my son before he took your form, I will raise you from the depths of the dead."

"You mean Jesus?" I asked.

Another warm laugh. "Yes. He was the first and you are not the last my dear."

"Why would you send me back? I took the responsibility. Chaos will only grow angry." The thought of having to re-experience everything I already had made me want to weep once again.

"Chaos knows my wrath. He will not defy me. Order has been re established but your soul is still linked to her's. You two will be tied for life until another takes your place." There was a pause before God decided to continue. "Besides, your family has suffered enough."

"Aren't you supposed to hate people like my parents?" It's what I'd heard often enough.

"Hate them because they are in love? I hate no one little warrior. Hate, I do not. Perhaps my teachings are not compatible and do not approve of such relations according to my follower. They do not know that they twist my words. Nevertheless, you have cleansed the sun they blame exists. Besides, a sin does not define an entire life."

I could almost see why certain people had such devotion to this man. He seemed much kinder, more gentle, than any of the gods I knew. It seemed that higher beings, had even higher beings to answer to.

"What do I do when I return? What if I'm not as pure as everyone believes I-"

"I know why you say such things. I know who you adore. As I have said, I do not define a life by a misstep. If it is any consolation my son was very fond of his followers. It appears you are to. Does a father not wish for his children to be happy?" There was a sound of amusement in his voice. Silence settled over us for some time.

"What must I do if I return?"

"You will continue your journey to restore balance. There are places and people who need you, my angel. Your powers will be revealed to you in time. You will be called when needed and your heart and spirit will guide you. Simply remain open, and free. Be the Thia Grace I have always known. Be kind and accepting of all faiths as I have tried to teach my followers. I love everyone as I love you. Don't let the world forget that whether they believe in my or not. Whether they call me a different name of not." Swallowing hard I took a moment to process what he'd said. "Are you ready to return?"

"Yes, but before I do I want to say thank you." From the silence I gathered God was a bit surprised. "I didn't think this would happen when I offered myself and I know my family is probably grieving. In truth, I doubt I deserve this."

"Do any of us deserve anything?" The question hung in the air. There was no real answer for it. It was a question that had been aged through centuries and thousands of years without proper response. "Goodbye my son. It's been nice seeing you again. "

I was about to correct him when I recalled that I was a soul reborn. I was his son in a way, but I was also me. "Goodbye...father."

The darkness was torn apart by a bright and ferocious light. The sound of a lion roaring echoed in my ears before I felt the sensation of falling. I could hear. There were muffled voices and the sound of crying. I couldn't quiet decipher what was going on until a searing pain spread across my torso.

It was an odd feeling, like I could not only visualize, but feel my skin repairing quickly and crawling over the large wound that had flayed me open. Things began to sharpen as my strength slowly returned.

Sucking in a hesitant and shallow breath I forced my eyes open. Light bombarded my vision and I was forced to squint until I could properly see. "Did I miss a party?"

My voice was raspy like it hadn't been used in ages. Things slowly came into focus and I saw the surprised and relieved faces of my parents. Bright smiles hesitantly broke out across their tear stained faces.

"Oh my Gods." Mom was the first to move. Her eyes were bright red from crying but the tears of grief were quickly replaced with tears of happiness. "How?"

"I had a run in with the big man upstairs." I whispered, feeling impossibly tired.

"What do you mean?" Then it seemed to hit her. "God? As in the real G-O-D?"

"He's really nice," I smiled. She laughed and pulled back from the hug to look me over. Her hands rested on my cheeks and her eyes scanned me for any other injuries.

"Don't ever scare me like that again. Understand?" Nodding, I turned in search of Mama but I was surprised to see one of her arms and legs was metal. The changes had been hidden by armor but it appeared she'd discarded it.

"Mama...what happened?" Her expression softened and she tackled me in a tight and fierce hug.

"Doesn't matter. It's a story for another time. Gods I'm glad you're okay. I can't live without my little girl can I?" Her voice sounded hoarse from crying. It made my heart hurt a bit. I couldn't help but feel the slightest bit guilty.

"Is everyone okay?" I asked, wrapping my arms tightly around her.

"Yeah, thanks to you. But don't you ever go sacrifice yourself like that again." For a moment I thought she was going to cry again and if that happened I was certain I would cry too.

"Can we go home? I'm tired and I want to cuddle you and Mom." Mama laughed the warmest laugh in the world. She pulled back from the hug and shamelessly showered my face in kisses. Under normal circumstances I'd have been embarrassed, but now? I couldn't have been happier. I could hear Mom laughing faintly next to us.

"Sure thing kiddo." Mama finally let go of me for a moment and helped me stand. "You know a lot of people are gonna want to see and talk to you. You gave us all a damn heart attack."

"How long was I gone?" I asked, noticing the red eyes of my family members in the gathered crowd though their expressions had shifted to ones of relief, curiosity, and faint smiles.

"About three hours. We didn't think you'd be coming back," mom explained, her eyes trained on the ground.

"I see. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to." My apology was quickly waved aside by both of my parents.

"Come on, let's head back. I think we could all use the rest. We'll deal with everyone else's curiosity later." Mom smiled and pressed her lips to my forehead.

"I like that idea." In truth, all I wanted was to go home and rest and be safe. I didn't pretend to understand all that had really happened while I was technically dead. I also knew that I was going to have a lot of explaining to do.

"Now who do you want to give you the piggy back ride?" Mama asked, trying to lighten the mood a bit. They always used to argue over who would carry me to be on some nights.

"Uncle Jason," I teased. This they both rolled their eyes at. "Kidding. How about you each get to carry me half of the way. Deal?"

"Deal." They agreed. Everyone else seemed to take the hint that explaining would have to wait, and the ranks began to disperse along with the wounded. I didn't find Chaos lingering anywhere, but part of me knew he was lurking in the shadows somewhere always watching.

"Hop on kid." Laughing to myself I did as Mom said and hopped onto her back. Resting my chin on her shoulder I closed my eyes. She smelled like home, hot chocolate, and all the good things I liked.

"Mom?"

"Yeah?"

"I love you."