Aelion was a kind and gentle young man. From his early childhood until now, he had never been difficult, had never complained when his parents couldn't afford to buy him the latest trendy toy or the best possible education. Yet he always managed to shine and to help his classmates.
Everyone adored him ; he didn't really have any enemies either, as everyone seemed infected by his good mood and way of being. Being angry at him ? It never lasted long—he was understanding and always took the time to see both sides of the same coin.
Many people began to think of him as a saint, but far from it. He said it himself : he was only human. He also felt emotions and desires and knew how they could destroy. At university, he eventually managed to win a scholarship to ease his parents' burden, and that was when he discovered his girlfriend : Lydia.
Lydia was a rather beautiful and charming young woman, but her impulsive and fiery temperament had earned her the nickname "the Torch." Everything about them was opposite, which is why it worked. Aelion's calmness and gentleness seemed to soften and temper the rebellious girl's nature.
Unfortunately, his whole world collapsed when he learned he had a malignant brain tumor. That day, the brilliant and radiant Aelion sank, crying every tear his heart could hold. He found it unfair compared to all the efforts he had had to make in his life. Life itself is unfair. Still, he eventually accepted it ; there was nothing he could do. At first, he had decided to hide it from his parents and those around him, but it would not have been fair, so he told them.
"You must follow a treatment, it's mandatory !" shouted his father.
"Aelion… your father is right, you have to try," added his trembling mother.
He didn't want to, he didn't want to fight ; it was his time and he had to go. His loved ones had to accept it, and Lydia too. It was his last wish.
"When the blade of the reaper tightens around your neck, there is no escape."
His mother burst into tears, hot streams running down her wrinkled face. Even his girlfriend wasn't aware ; if she knew, she would have been just as devastated. The tumor eventually caught up with him ; on the hospital bed, Aelion felt weaker and weaker, the athletic young man slowly giving way to a morbid appearance. Lydia, despite her anger and the many curses she threw at his face, calmed down and stayed by his side. His parents, unable to bear it, stayed outside, leaving Lydia alone with him.
"You remember saying you wanted at least five children… even if I seemed a little… I was resolved to give them to you, you know, to give birth to our children, so please," she said trembling, her hand in the hand of the one she loved.
But when Aelion's grip loosened, she instinctively knew it was over. He was gone, forever. A long scream of pain echoed in the room, alerting his parents that their son had already passed away.
Aelion was finally gone ; his soul drifted into the infinite flow of the universe, his life flashing before his eyes like a movie at the cinema.
"If I had known I would die so soon, I would've made a list of everything I wanted to do before I bit the dust," he said, ironic.
The metaphysical world was somewhat hard to describe. A rather psychedelic experience, capable of shaking human consciousness. He wondered how it was possible that he could still think.
"Surely because I'm a soul ? Who knows, I hope at the end of this channel I'll reach paradise, at least there I could rest."
The moment he thought it, his journey froze, the space around him twisting and distorting. A black dot appeared ahead and grew rapidly before his eyes, the world… no, Aelion alone was absorbed into the black hole.
Now he found himself in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by thousands of stars and galaxies. At the center stood a table with two chairs. One of the chairs was already occupied by someone—or something—with a feminine appearance. Her face was veiled ; as a robe, she wore the universe itself, woven from countless constellations, while a halo of planets crowned her being like a diadem.
"Welcome, Aelion Draveth, take a seat." The multiple voice resonated through the universe, shaking even the stars and galaxies nearby.
God ?
"I am not exactly the kind of god you think I am," the entity calmly replied.
Aelion covered his mouth in astonishment, yet he hadn't spoken—so how ? Finally, he didn't question it further and followed the given instructions. Moving was somewhat surreal to him, as he floated in the air, but a faint whisper guided his steps. It was thought. He sat down across from her. The teapot moved on its own and served him the hot liquid. It wasn't tea, it was unknown to him—a cosmic sea in which he could see galaxies and stars.
Is this supposed to be drinkable ?
The entity twitched at his words but did not correct him.
"I have observed you a lot, you know. Humble, kind, caring… it's rare to see a human like you. I understand why some called you a saint," continued the being before him.
"I'm not. I'm just a normal guy ; it's just the way I am," Aelion replied fiercely.
"I know. That's why I need your help."
"What kind of help ? As far as I know, I'm dead…"
"Your death is only a detail—if you decide to help me, of course…" she expressed, lifting the cup to her lips and taking a sip.
His eyes widened in shock. If he could come back to life, then he would see Lydia, his parents, and everything he had left behind. To speak of death as if it were just a detail ! This was the perfect chance for him.
"I accept. What are your conditions ?"
"First of all, you must know that you cannot return to Earth. Do you still want to hear what I have to propose ?"
His hope vanished the moment he heard those words. It wasn't so bad, because they had already accepted his death. If he could return, it would've been nice, but now it was no longer possible. The dead must remain dead and let the living live their lives.
"I'm listening," sighed Aelion attentively.
"I want you to help my daughters…"
"I understand. What kind of help ?"
"Several realms, actually. My peers have made these girls' lives difficult, purely for their own amusement. I have witnessed many things I did not appreciate, so at the very least I want them to live their story without tragedy," she affirmed in a sad, reserved tone.
"I see. So could these peers hinder me in carrying out this task ?"
"Oh no, I've taken care of that. It will also be beneficial to you, since I'll send you to another world. You'll be free to enjoy it as you wish, as long as you help them."
An opportunity of a lifetime ! Aelion thought, visibly interested.
If this being would keep others away from interfering, then he could truly enjoy it—a new life, new goals.
I wonder what kind of world… futuristic, steampunk, magical…
"That's what interests you ?" the entity remarked with amusement. "To tell you the truth, it's a magical world, with magic, aura, and several races if you wish. It isn't very technologically advanced."
Yes ! he cried inwardly.
The being before him found this rather amusing and refreshing.
"So I'm not some kind of hero destined to defeat a demon king, right ?"
"Not really. That's up to you. In any case, I'll send you directly to a place where you'll have to train before entering the world. You'll enjoy it very much."
"Shall we proceed with a fair exchange ?"
"What do you want then ? It seems nowadays you humans are drawn to what you call the system ? If that's what you want, no problem."
"Sorry, but that won't be enough."
I need to squeeze in one or two OP skills.
"State your arguments," the being said, blunt and emotionless.
"I must help them, according to you, across several realms. I don't know which ones, which puts me at a disadvantage. I don't know them at all, I'm completely blind. I need a guarantee."
"Which one ?"
"The most powerful skill in your repertoire…"