"Working, new template, drafting, arranging, creating. Working, material, preparation, physics, toolbox, implementing, setting, adjusting, creating. Foundation, blank, ready, creating, arrange, check ready, re arraigning, ready, reset. Go, time, life, loop, destroy, death, reset.... over and over, and over and over. Stop, realign, break, Fix. Start, fast-forward, realign, rewind, back and forth, start, and once again restart. Work, work, work, spot a random soul in the workshop, pause..., wait..., WHAT!... "
A little light shaped like a child waved an arm and looked around for anything at all and yelled, "Hello! Is anyone there?" The area around it wasn't dark but there was nothing around other than itself and the soft glow from its body so... in comparison and all that jazz. The boy's voice echoed, "It's really dark. I don't know where I am. Hello?"
"How can there be a soul in my workshop? This... it should be... Well, it's unordinary to be certain. For someone so young to be capable of treading this chaos with such a stable form. Even the spectacular young'uns from the Eternal Realm struggle with it."
"Come on. If this is a joke, it's not funny," the small light in the darkness stomped around with a slight tinge of sorrow in its voice.
"(^!& !&# )^& @&%^^ $@&@", the soul heard something.
"AHHHHHH!", the young'un curled up in absolute horror. It felt as though someone flattened its head like a pancake. Amazingly, it was only a few seconds of terror and pain before the soul straightened up and looked around expectantly.
The soul regained its shaky footing and called out once more, "your voice hurts whoever just tried speaking to me."
"Wait a moment. I should just expel this soul from my workshop. This oddity though, how do I explain it? A fault in my designs? Or a miracle of its own making? I could check."
"Hello? Please! I'm all alone. I don't know where I'm at... I'm... I am scared," the soul huddled in on itself and choked back tears.
"Ah. But Det despises anyone touching their records and Lie would try to pawn off their work if I were to look at this one's life. Hmm. I'm not that curious. Hm. Ahem. It's been at least an eternity since I interacted with the young'uns," this new speaker, a being on equal footing with Life and Death, cleared its throat. The soul heard a deafening rumble. This thing, if seen by Death or Life, would be called their elder if not just because it annoyed the observer to be called older despite them all being the same... age? Time didn't exist before they came along so yeah, same age.
"And just like that. I have come to ask you child, what are you doing here?"
The soul jumped up, and rightfully so since it wasn't everyday that someone appeared after being spun into existence by a liquid that resembled crystal and thread all at once.
"Oh, that's so cool, mister. Are you a magician? Or a God! Or an Alien. Maybe a spirit? OH wait. Are you a figment of my imagination? Did I finally go crazy being all alone in my room? That can't be it," the soul hopped around like a kid in a candy shop. Overjoyed by any measurement.
"Ahhh, Wait! Am I just dreaming? You're a weird dream sir," the child paused, pointed at the new person in the endless dark space, then laughed again.
"I am Reality," the observer said with a raised brow unsure of how to proceed despite materializing for the soul to see.
"The concept or is that like, just your name? It's a weird thing if that's your name," the kid paused with pursed lips and a scrunched-up face. If such a thing were possible with an expressionless facial mass made of... soul?... light?... yeah. Soul- Light. The signature of one's soul.
"It's also weird if you are the concept. Like, does that mean you are the universe personified, or everything and nothing? And if you are nothing, how can I see you? But if you are everything, how does it all fit? Do those cancel out? Also, why do you look like a slug dog?"
"One, uh, one moment, child...", Reality said. It just needed a moment. Sweat dripped down its back. Truly unsure on how to interact with one of the young'uns. Reality decided to take the questions one at a time.
"I look like a slug dog to you?"
"Yeah. Like Poyoyoyo-Gaizutama from 'Little Space Friends'. He was the commander of the flagship 'Starship Command' for the Salivewater Guardians and helped the Earth-lites on their quest to save earth and defend humanity against the horrors of the universe through...", Reality then listened to the soul talk about a children's show for about an hour.
"I see. So that's how the hero's win at the end of the 26th season of the show", Reality marveled at the intricacy of a universe created by a group of normal humans. The show managed to hold onto the top slot for children's television for nearly two decades without a single contender.
"Yeah. It was a really good ending. I'm lucky I was born after the show ended. Which reminds me. There's another show that...", the soul paused to take a singular, long intake of breath and was ready to rattle off another hour-long speech.
"Wait!"
Reality held up its paw and with a long eye stalk, looked at itself and with a deep breath and a moment of silence, Reality gave itself a more respectable and archaic appearance. It was now a human with a controlled and unemotional face, and, most importantly, grandfatherly features.
"Okay," the steady soul said. It was only now that Reality could truly understand the kid, before, it felt like the two were speaking entirely different languages despite understanding one another so Rhea made it so it was in a form that could follow the child's mad rambles.
"That's so cool," the soul ran up and touched Reality's suit and face.
"You really are a person. I could have sworn you were Poga . Like, you were really a giant dog-slug," the soul laughed.
"Wait a moment child," Reality released a breath and forced the child to stop moving around. Reality stood in front of the soul in the endless dark with an even expression and spoke gently, "Answer my questions before you tell me about this new show, okay?"
"Okay," the soul inched to a stop and tilted its head innocently.
"How did you get here and if you do not remember, what is the last thing you do?"
"I don't know. I was in the hospital not too long ago. The machines went, beep, beep, beep, beep beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee. And then I couldn't hear anything", the kid laughed but the tears running down its face could not be ignored.
"I think I died," the kid cried out loud and hugged Reality for some sense of comfort. The old man put his hands up and looked around with absolute bewilderment written on his weathered face.
"The doctors all said I was recovering. I was going to go back home in a few days. But it makes no sense. Dad and mom even came to see. He was happy, ever since I got sick, it was the first time he was happy since he talked about my first mom," the soul sobbed even louder than a few seconds before. Every single tear that fell from its face dropped into the darkness below and swirled like dye diffusing through water. Completely out of its element, Reality blinked rapidly, unsure of what to do until a foreign instinct kicked in.
"Sh, sh, sh. It's okay. You are okay, child. Listen. Everything is okay," Reality sat the soul down on the ground and followed suit so they could sit together on what looked like an expanse of a starry night sky. Wait, stars?
"MY CANVAS," Reality thought as its jaw dropped. The darkness all around them bled and burst with cosmic light. The child's sparkling tears washed over the dark and brought life to the endless expanse.
"Ah. What was I to expect? This is why I design everything on my own," Reality 'Fixed' its expression but it really didn't know what face to make since it has rarely been in this type of situation. Thus, Rhea didn't realize that its "fixed" expression showed absolutely no emotion and actually looked scary to a kid who just died out of absolutely nowhere. The child exploded out with a flurry of sobs. Fiery ripples formed in the starry expanse that used a child's tears as kindling and their voice as an accelerant.
"Great. The foundation of this world has been influenced by a child's mind. Ah. The headache Death will receive from this place will be monumental," Reality continued to talk to itself as it felt a headache and rubbed its tired eyes. For some reason, being a human felt exhausting.
"I should ask Life to handle this situation, or would that Demon be a better authority here," Reality grit its teeth and tried to smile through this new sensation of frustration but it made the kid cry even harder.
"How did I not see this happening? Is it because I was lost in my work or is there interference," Reality sighed.
"I should call both of them to handle this situation. Perhaps that Demon can shed some light on how this soul entered my workshop," all of a sudden. Reality paused, mouth opening and closing as if to say something, as if it just now remembered something very important.
"Child. Come now. Stop crying. Yes you are dead but you have so much more to live for," To lighten the mood, Rhea created a homely environment that revolved around a dining room, complete with a heavenly spread that glistened and sparkled like precious gems. The soul, stunned by the miraculous appearance of gourmet food, slowly calmed down and took in the old man's concerned expression.
"I'm sorry old guy," the soul bowed its head and wiped its tears. Unlike the other souls with the other observers, this one solidified to a remarkable degree. Rather than a vague, humanoid shape, the soul directly resembled a little boy no older than five based purely on his tiny appearance.
"It's okay child. You are quite alright. Death is not easy to accept regardless of who is on what side of the matter," this third observer raised an eyebrow and paused for a long moment before turning away.
"Now that our shaky pleasantries are done. Eat. Once you have finished, tell me about your life," Reality adjusted the cutlery and properly secured its clothing from getting soiled as it cut a juicy piece of steak into pieces.
"I um, sure? Do you want me to talk about my mom too? She died giving birth to me but I have stories that my dad shared with me not too long ago, " the kid tried to cover up its sobs by looking the part of a respectably groomed young master. Reality paused, completely taken aback as the kid lit up with an obviously fake smile and the proper mannerisms for fine dining.
"That would...", Reality placed its utensils down and passed the cut pieces of steak over to the child.
"Be lovely. For now, though, please, help yourself. There is a matter I must attend to," Reality stood up and walked away.
"Okay. And thank you for being so nice to me mister. I can tell by the look on your face that it was rude of me to just be here. I'm sorry If I messed something up. And thank you for being so nice," the kid lowered his head again and wiped away his tears with a smile before digging in.
"...I'm only doing as I should," Reality didn't move too far away, just far enough to not disturb the dining room setting that it had created. To ensure the boy would continue on in peace, Rhea set up a partition. By that, the old observer entered a very official looking archivists office. Piles of papers and folders nearly spilled out of the open door when he opened it to enter. Exhausted, Rhea picked up a phone shaped like a brick.
"I was just about to contact you Life," Reality spoke dismissively and authoritatively.
"Any particular reason why," out of nowhere, Life whistled with a laugh as it took a stroll around the room.
"I noticed that you and Det have been waiting for certain conditions again so I wanted to ask you about it," Rhea put down the phone brick then lifted a clipboard to its nose.
"This is a very unexpected anesthetic you old coot. I didn't think you liked materializing yourself or your little workshop," Life poked a stack of papers but its hand just went straight through.
"What are the parameters this time," Reality glared.
"Sorry. I'll get straight to business. Can you make another universe for us?"
"Separate from existing frameworks or joined? Real or fictional? Timed or not? Is it in someone or something's mind or is it a macro cosmic place? You know the rest of the spiel," Rhea's face resembled a stone Ashura's but for some reason, it softened when it looked past Life.
"The usual, you know. Death and I have a thing that's about to start," Lie said.
"I see. Is there anything else you would like for this thing that you two have going on?"
"Let me send you the information...", Life spoke with a little hum in its throat and smiled.
"Very funny. I already know what you want. I just don't know why you always invade my space and ask me in person every time. Oh wait, I know that too, you're bored. But you know something I don't know," Reality tried its hand at a sarcastic smile, but it came off as a look of hatred.
"What would I know that you don't...", Life rolled its eyes but leaned in.
"And I have no clue what's gotten your old bones shaking, but I like it. Wait! I got it. You're having a midlife crisis. I didn't think we could get those," Life laughed and slammed the desk repeatedly to make the laughter even more annoying.
"Joke all you want. But you wouldn't happen to know anything about any rogue souls, would you," Reality presented a checklist from its clipboard and waited for Life to spot the one thing it explicitly looked at.
"Rogue soul? Why would I? Death and I pulled two souls in with their express consent. The little ones couldn't remain in our domains otherwise. So, by that logic, they aren't rogue souls. Not anymore at least," Life reasoned.
"So no? That's interesting. Perhaps I should check Death's records and your activities," Reality flipped the pages then raised an eyebrow.
"Alright, come on Rhea. Don't start policing us after this long. You know that the souls we use are related to the bet that Death and I have always had. It's just two little ones. Both of them passed the trial of faith on their first try. Besides, it's not like you haven't let this slide before. I said usual for a reason," Reality closed its eyes to avoid Life's pleading expression and clenched the clipboard. Rhea broke the board in anger.
"Two? Just Two rogue souls," Reality glared at a particular spot in its domain then turned away from Life since it couldn't maintain its anger while it looked at the soul.
"Calm down. It's not like there are more…", Life rolled its eyes and scoffed at the mere idea of missing someone who lost their life. The old observer removed the partition one way so the boy couldn't see what was truly happening, but Life could now feel an odd presence.
"There are more than two," Life flinched away from its other Eternal acquaintance.
"Have the two of you been fooling around so much that both of you failed to notice that a third soul passed the trial," Reality took a deep breath and recollected its calm and stressed expression.
"Rhea, why is that kid able to move in your workshop? There's nothing in his life that would allow him to be in our presence, that's not even mentioning how he managed to slip past my senses and Death's network," Life's entire form flashed with a subtle radiance as it brought up that child's life.
"I understand the sentiment, so take this one to Death for the customary vetting process after its meal…," The little space that the oblivious soul ate in, folded and entered Reality's palm.
"Hold on here. Hm. There is something different about him. Oh. I have to see that again. Rhea, my friend and longtime compatriot, you have royally fucked up. Oh my. I'm just, I'm going to see this kid's life a few more times. Welcome to the club. You have finally fallen for that Demon's trickery this time," Life broke out into a monstrously annoying cackle as the subtle radiance that surrounded it turned into an iridescent glow. Rhea massaged its temples as something in the distance sent its senses into overdrive. The observer nearly cried as it pulled out a flip phone with a shape shifting Chibi character dangling from it. Life came too from its drunken laughter and noticed the device. Without a single bit of hesitation, Lie went quiet and leaned into Rhea's personal space to listen in on the other side of the call. Unfortunately, the old codger further partitioned himself so Lie couldn't hear a peep by retreating to a glassy throne of cosmic power.
"What the hell? This is so odd", Life's eyes were wide open in surprise as its hand hesitatingly wrapped around the marble that contained the third soul. Lie was left in confusion. It could see every aspect of a soul's previous life but even still, it couldn't figure out how it evaded Death's vetting and its own gaze. At best, it noticed Rhea's unintentional but meddling hand but that didn't explain missing the soul entirely. Someone who lost their life wouldn't, couldn't, go unnoticed. Lie was stuck in its tracks when Reality returned, closed the flip phone, and grabbed the marble that held the little soul. Reality returned the small soul and its food to the dining room.
"I will be joining this 'bet' of yours. Inform Death for me please. I will go through the list of popular worlds and create something right now. That little devil has also informed me that it has also found a willing participant," Reality ignored Life's pale face and pulled another clipboard out of the desk. Life could only leave Reality's domain in silence.
Everything the little soul had seen and heard was very different from what had really happened. To the soul, it sat and ate in silence after the nice old man walked into a room. The old man occasionally waved and smiled as if the conversation he was having over the phone were with an old friend, which made the child feel at ease. After a few minutes, the soul watched the old man close the door behind him as he rejoined their little meal.
"Let's get back to our dinner and conversation, shall we," Reality sat down with a small grin.
"Okay," the kid responded.
"And do not be so formal with me. Think of me as your grandfather if that helps, okay," Reality spoke with sincerity.
"I'll try. But I didn't have any grandparents growing up so I'm sorry if it's not what you expect," the kid said with a bit of sorrow creeping back.
"That's fine. I shall treat you as I would my own grandchild, which is a first for me as well. You may speak, as you are free to do so at any time around me," Reality cut another piece of steak and passed the plate to its new grandchild.