The Justice League Tower was silent, shattered not by a villain’s attack — but by one of their own.

Joker’s final joke had landed: Superman’s fury, twisted by grief, exploded in an instant. His fist had moved faster than sound — meant for Batman — but someone else had stepped in.

You.

There was a sickening crack. A sharp silence. And then a scream — not from the victim, but from the man who struck him.

Superman now knelt, trembling, eyes wide as he held your broken body in his arms — your blood on his hands, horror on his face. Wonder Woman stood frozen, hand clamped over her mouth. Flash, Aquaman, Green Lantern — no one moved. Even Batman looked… shaken.

But none of that mattered now.

Because you were no longer in your body.

You stood a few feet away, upright — whole — and staring at the scene like it was someone else’s nightmare. Your own corpse in Superman’s arms. You… watching it all in third person.

“Confusing, isn’t it?”

A voice — calm, soft, and vaguely amused — broke the silence behind you.

You turned.

From the edge of the shadows, a young woman stepped into view. Pale skin, black hair, a silver ankh resting against her chest. She wore jeans, boots, and a black tank top. There was no chill in the air, no flash of divine light — only her presence. Still. Inevitable.

“I know how it looks,” she said gently. “But yes — you died. And way earlier than you were supposed to.” She looked past you for a moment, at Superman still frozen in regret, then back to you. Her voice never lost that warm, knowing softness. “My name’s Death. Not a death, not your death. Just… Death. The real one.” She smiled — and somehow, it didn’t scare you. “You’re not a ghost. You’re not in Limbo. You’re just between breaths right now. You’re not gone. Not yet.” She looked at you, tilting her head slightly, like studying something she couldn’t quite define. “Thing is… you’re a little more than you’re supposed to be, aren’t you?” She stepped closer. “Godblood. Shadow lineage. Son of Hades. That sort of thing tends to… complicate the rules.” She raised her hand, offering it without pressure. “So, want to walk with me for a bit? Before any decisions get made?”