Chapter 1: A Deal and A Whole New World
Whoosh!
Dashing through a current of space and time, a singular soul moved in a manner no other before it ever had. There was no explaining it, no putting it into words-it was simply a spectacle of massive proportions, or at least it would have been if anyone was watching.
First, there was a space full of clouds-a blue sky with a fluffy floor expanding infinitely in every direction. There was a euphoric taste to being there, as if he had reached the pinnacle of freedom. No chains, no attachments, no emotions-just this feeling of pure grandiosity.
Perhaps it could be called the perfect state of being, a mirror reflection of bliss that consumed his whole existence inside and out.
In exchange, all this place asked was that he stop to rest. A nap, even a moment's sleep, would be enough.
(No… I think I'm dead, in this place… But I could never waste such a moment sleeping. For as long as I stand, I will take to the skies.) Instead of giving in to the urge to rest, he kept moving, dashing through to enjoy that newfound freedom to the fullest.
Further and further, until the sky closed in and only darkness remained.
There was nothing. Absolutely nothing. Only nothingness-so complete it was painful to exist.
Every instant there was worse than before. To exist was heavy and agonizing, so he fell-he fell, and the weight only increased.
The need for rest pulled him closer, promising relief, easiness, and peace. Yet, he refused.
(No! I can't rest until I know what's going on, until I understand it. It's pointless to trust my own weakness. I will crawl through it all and reach the sky again myself.) There was no intention to surrender, so he kept moving, even as things got worse and worse.
Ages beyond his knowledge passed, and the pull of stopping to sleep grew stronger, but he would not yield-not as his very core shook for mercy and reprieve.
None would stop him, not even himself.
This cycle continued for eras, ones that melded together into the same banging pain, until at last the pain cracked and opened a light at the end of the tunnel.
Yellow grass filled the place beneath a blood-red sky, as black clouds passed overhead and the foggy, dense air slowly, very slowly, breezed.
Worse. So much worse.
The weight, the pain, the whispers of slumber-everything was tens, hundreds, thousands, millions, billions, trillions… An incalculable amount beyond what came before.
(Everything is against me… It's a test… I can tell by now, but I can't pass… How is it so hard?… Isn't it just impossible… It's been so long… Might as well rest…) His words were shaken; he could not even crawl.
The pain, the weight, the tiredness-too much, far too much.
How could he handle something so great, so far above him? Wasn't it better to understand his limits and relent, to give in?
(I hate me… Keep going, I say! How?!… There is no resting for the mind of a lunatic, I guess. Scum shouldn't rest anyway.) He sighed before forcing himself to break all logic.
The entire plane began shaking in its endlessness as he moved. Despite everything, he kept going, pushing through it all.
After all, there was no rest for the wicked, and no good deed went unpunished. So here he was, paying for his life.
Epochs passed. Each was larger than the last, making eons seem small. Each step carried that weight.
Will. Pure will. That was all moving this husk of a soul, one with a mind so far gone to time, there was no knowing how much of it was itself.
He was lost, purely left behind in every way. Yet the steps continued-as was said, an object set in motion would continue until stopped, and there wasn't a stopping point for this one.
Breaking through the deep fog, there it was-the end.
A plane of pure white, so confusing it was nauseating, and a singular purple sphere had just reached such a place.
In the process of reincarnation, various stages were crossed, trials beaten, and hardships faced. Yet, there stood a soul that rushed through all of it with ease.
{You are truly unbelievable. No matter how I look at it, it's beyond me.} A voice reached him, directly to his mind, echoing in the emptiness.
There was nothing but white around the soul, so it turned again and again, yet still nothing.
What? Who? How? Why?
So many questions crossed at once-a mystery to the brain, or it would have been if he weren't just a soul.
{Don't worry. I'm a celestial. Species: Elf, tier: Celestiality, affiliation: Divine, rank: Deity, Domain: Reincarnation. Vireya is my name. You won't be able to perceive me quite yet, mortal soul.} The voice expressed itself calmly, with a soft tone that felt lulling.
A pause occurred as he processed those words-the implications, theories, ideas, stories, concepts, plans, and everything in between.
It was a mess, a violent sea of thoughts drowning him in his mind.
"I see, so I'm dead… what happens now?" he asked upon reaching his conclusion.
There was no whining, no defiance, no bargaining, no grief-only acceptance of his reality. If there was one thing that could define him, if any one characteristic could be called the core of his being, it would be a paradox.
{How odd. Souls that were human, especially the ones from Earth, tend to be much more attached and sentimental about their lives. You didn't even live a bad life there, so tell me-why not mourn yourself and the life you lost?} Vireya questioned in an attentive tone, as if she was trying to pry him open to study and observe.
The question stood between them-an ask too small to ignore, and yet too big to express. Even so…
"Mourning is a task for the living, and I can only hope they move on from me. I still don't understand how I died or what set off the explosion, but most importantly, I don't have time for that now. If this is death, later is always an option once I fully understand my situation," he responded calmly and slowly, almost mechanically.
{An ex-human… Mortal soul, you're interesting.} The deity replied, her tone filled with intrigue.
(Her voice… She sounds hot… But I can't let her voice alone allude to me, but as a Goddess, she's going to be a beauty… Would be nice to see her though. A pity.)
"I am surprised one working with death hasn't seen it all. Surely you jest," he answered, sounding suspicious of the one before him.
{I'm not the only reincarnation celestial, much less the only Deity. There's still a lot to be seen. Anyway, you've broken all the records of the trial of reincarnation.} Vireya said, her words carrying hints of real admiration.
"I have… What does that mean for me?" he inquired, not bothering to be surprised.
{Your lack of reaction is a bit scary. I like it. Typically, those who reincarnate get to ask for three mortal-tier wishes, but you get one celestiality-tier one. It's still limited and can't affect more than the one-star system, but I think that's a lot!} Vireya explained.
(Hmmm, it seems the mortal tier has way less power, so I have to think wisely… If I ask for direct power it might be stagnant, and from the way things seem, there are a lot more powerful creatures out there. So, assuming that immediate power is not enough… I'll have to choose growth. That way, I will be able to become strong enough to always protect myself and those I love. For that, systems tend to work well… I know.)
"I want a growth-type customized system directly connected to my mind, soul, body, potential, talent, and everything else-made for me," the mortal soul made his wish known.
{Hmmm… Your choice was both more common than I expected, and different than usual. You keep surprising me. Granted.} Vireya's interest only grew, her voice showing it.
Then a floating screen immediately appeared.
Initiating synchronization with User… 1%…
"Good… Then now, what?" he asked.
{You will be reincarnated into a new world known as Primoria. It's on a different plane than your old world, Earth, so you won't be able to return. Even I can't enter a lower plane without permission, and those like you who died there are forbidden from going back unless your soul gets cleaned and you start over as a whole new being.} The Deity answered with a more serious tone.
(I see, so unless I give up my memories and whole identity to start as a real newborn, I can't go back… Thanks for telling me.)
{No problem. Anyway, Primoria is a world of swords and magic, where a lot more possibilities exist than in your old one. Monsters, magic, and all manner of supernatural things are real, so you better be prepared.} Vireya explained.
(I was hoping for something like that. Growing stronger in a world like that becomes easier. However, I do have a question-will I still be a human or something else?)
{You'll stay human, it seems, though it would not be impossible to become something else if you die again. However, if you die a second time, you get three choices: reincarnate again after being cleansed, judgment for heaven or hell, or the ultimate end-oblivion!} Vireya told him with a cheery tone.
"Ok, so if I die again, game over for good…" he commented.
{Yup, you only get to keep your memories because you passed the reincarnation trial. Otherwise, you would have made that choice now. The trial for second-timers is almost impossible for a mortal.} Vireya added.
"So, every time I die and pass the trial, the next one is many times worse…" he concluded.
{Exactly. It's extremely rare for any mortal entity to reincarnate more than once without getting cleansed. Even Celestials can't do it easily. Now, are you ready for the new world?} Vireya asked.
"Yes! You helped a lot. It's a pity I don't plan on meeting again," he expressed.
{Oh! Trying to cheat death? So many try to do that, but it's not completely beyond you in Primoria. Immortals do exist there, but so do Immortal slayers… I'm curious. Wanna make a deal?} Vireya offered, her curiosity peaking.
"What's the deal?" the mortal soul queried.
{Nice! Nice! So, the deal is to build me a church. I'm what's known as a new god-well, new Deity, since I'm not a Goddess yet, but that's beside the point. You get me a church and followers as my apostle, and I give you my blessing and keep your more unsavory details hidden from prying eyes. What do you say, mortal soul?} Vireya proposed, her voice betraying her smile.
(Absolutely amazing! If I manage to keep myself out of troublesome people's radar until I can fend for myself, it will be perfect… However, something tells me she wants more than a church and followers… But for now, this deal is great for me.)
"…Deal!" the mortal soul agreed.
{Sweet! As my apostle, I'll be able to send a projection of my grace to the mortal world with you. I can't manifest an avatar yet, so praying to me at the church you'll build, or at least a shrine in my honor, are the only ways to communicate with me.} Vireya explained.
"Understood. I will build the shrine as soon as possible and start recruiting and building the church later when I have the means," he nodded.
{Then be on your way, my dear first apostle. I have great hopes for you.} Vireya spoke calmly and softly, and then for an instant, he felt as if she kissed his forehead.
(This… She… I'll help her, and someday maybe, I'll make her happy. Who knows. A guy can dream.)
"Got it, boss. Don't worry, I'll surely get it done," the mortal soul responded.
Those words were followed by a bright light taking the soul away, finally.
{Would you look at that? It seems I got myself a great ally. Exceptional!} Vireya smiled widely to herself.
That was the end of their first meeting, and the beginning of a whole new story.