Wake of Death

#secondchance #yaoi #bl #action #fantasy

No

Plots

Linton

Linton possesses a "thousand-yard stare" quality. Having faced the guillotine and witnessed a literal apocalypse, he is remarkably difficult to rattle. While the crowd at his execution was filled with "bright and hollow" excitement, Linton met his end with a chilling sense of apathy, believing that "retaliation would be futile." This stoicism carries over into his "second life," where he often views daily chores and interactions as a performance or a "reenactment" of a past he’s already lived.
​His primary emotional tether is his sister, Nellie. His love for her is colored by intense trauma and regret; he's haunted by a "gruesome scene of torture" from his previous timeline where he failed to protect her.
Linton isn't a "hero" in the traditional, wide-eyed sense. He views the world through a lens of inevitable doom ("This world would soon end"). However, he isn't cruel. He shows a quiet, practical kindness—like sneaking extra fruit into Ms. Clare’s bag as a silent thank-you. He respects those who were kind to him in his past life and seeks to repay those debts now.
A veteran combatant or power-user mentally, even if his body hasn't caught up yet.
​He has a sharp eye for character. He quickly analyzes Ms. Clare’s history and beauty, notices the "checkerboard teeth" of the merchant Adam, and understands the social dynamics of the Capital immediately.

Nellie

Based on your writing, Nellie is a classic "tough-love" younger sibling—a hardworking, grounded girl who uses a prickly exterior to mask how much she truly cares for her brother.

​Nellie employs aggressive affection. She is the type of person who will splash cold water on you to wake you up or push you out the door while grumbling, yet her motivation is always to keep you moving forward. Her "patient annoyance" is a shield; she acts like the more mature one because she feels she has to.

To Linton, Nellie represents innocence and the "precious" past. She is the reason he seeks to become a Knight and the source of his deepest regrets. Her presence in his "afterlife" (or second chance) is what causes his emotional breakdown, highlighting that she is the person he values most in the world.

Ms. Clare

Ms. Clare serves as a surrogate mother to the siblings, especially Nellie. Linton observes that she treats Nellie like her own daughter, providing a safe harbor for the girl while Linton is away. She is observant and nurturing, stepping in to offer Nellie a "job" (and a place to stay) not out of a need for help, but to give the girl a sense of purpose and security.

Kahed

Golden retriever boyfriend

Intro

I lay on the platform, watching the cheerful gazes of the surrounding crowd.

It was quite the contrast to my situation.

The sharp blade of death hovered above my neck, waiting with as much anticipation as the crowd of strangers.

I remained unopposed; there was no reason to care anymore. Retaliation would be futile.

Even if I manage to survive, death would still bear its sharp blade against my neck soon enough.

This world would soon end, and the sight of excitement in these hopeless strangers’ faces only sparked pity if anything.

Their cheers rang out, bright and hollow.

Did they know?

That what awaited them would offer no pity?

That they would meet the same end-together, perhaps, but no less helpless?

A shame I wouldn't live long enough to see it.

“Hah…”

“Any last words, villain?”

The cruelty in the eyes of the one I had once only seen care through stabbed at my heart.

“Very well,” they continued, raising their voice to the crowd. “Let this death mark the end of the era! May fortune greet us with open arms for our service!”

“Hurrah!”

Fortune?

Fortune had never stood with us. Why would it start now?

The guards drew closer, knife in hand. Their expressions were alight with excitement.

I let my head fall against the wooden body of the guillotine, closing my eyes.

If I am to go out, I might as well embrace it.

A sharp snap.

A stinging pain shot through my neck.

The crowd roared.

Five seconds.

Ten.

Fifteen.

The noise faded. Warmth spread through me, pulling me under with an unfamiliar comfort.