Born of the Underworld: Death Without a Permit

(I'm a new writer, and I'm sincerely grateful for every reader's support! If you notice anything lacking while reading, please feel free to point it out. I'll reply to each comment and make corrections!)

"The living are the root of the dead, and the dead are the root of the living."

When the cycle of life and death becomes a lie;

When ghosts and gods run rampant among mortals;

When would-be saviors are a dime a dozen;

When the world lies shattered...

Ming Heng crawls out of a coffin

and cries out in protest: "Why am I dead from the start?!"

"Heh," comes a laugh from the other two coffins.

"This is the path you chose!"

(No female lead, not a wish-fulfillment story, no clichés.)