"Why hello there," I say to the empty void sprawling before me.
"Name's Tyler, died at 16, you know. Been here long, dear void?" I ask the pitch-black and large void before me.
"....."
I didn't respond. Of course, nothing responded. I'm going crazy.
As I stand there, the silence wraps around me like a heavy blanket, pressing down on my thoughts. What a bizarre place this is, if you could even call it a place. Just an endless expanse of nothingness, taunting me with its stillness.
"Maybe I should start talking to myself," I mutter, shaking my head as if to clear it. "That would certainly look good on the resume of a dead guy."
I take a deep breath, the void's coldness seeping into my bones. "So, what's the deal, really? I mean, does anyone ever get out of here? Or is this all there is for us? Eternity in the void?"
The darkness remains unyielding, and a strange thought strikes me: Maybe this emptiness isn't just an absence, but a presence in its own right. I lean forward, trying to pierce the blackness with my gaze. "I know you're listening, even if you won't talk back. You're not as silent as you seem."
Silence hangs thick in the air, and I can almost feel the weight of my own words pressing against me. It's ridiculous, really, this whole scenario. Here I am, a sixteen-year-old boy, dead and conversing with an abyss.
I let out a hollow laugh that echoes in the void. "Well, if you've been here as long as I have, you must have some stories," I say. "Surely, you've seen more than I could ever imagine."
The void remains indifferent, but I can't help but feel a spark of determination. "Alright then, if you won't speak, maybe I will—let's make this a one-sided conversation!" I start recounting memories, moments of my life, the good and the bad. I talk about my friends, the mischief we got into, and my dreams that were snatched away so cruelly.
"Shut up already." A voice says behind me.
I quickly turn around and look at my savior- I mean, the man who spoke....
I'm not getting out of that one, am I?
Never mind, back to the present.
The man who spoke had no discernible form; he was merely a humanoid composed of glowing red energy.
The glowing figure shifts, and though he has no true face, I can almost feel the weight of his gaze on me.
"Who are you?" I ask, my voice barely a whisper, colored with confusion and a hint of hope. The man raises an arm, sending ripples of crimson energy flowing through the void.
"I am a guide, a remnant of the many souls that have traversed this space. You have lingered far too long in this empty existence. It's time for a change," he explains, his voice echoing like thunder yet somehow soothing, as if it could cradle an old wound.
"A change? What do you mean to move me from this... this void? You can do that?" My heart races as hope flares in my chest.
He nods, the energy shifting like flames. "I can grant you a new beginning, a chance to live again. But understand, this gift comes with its own trials. You will be reborn in a world rich with magic, mystery, and danger. Your choices will shape your destiny."
"Magic?" The word hangs in the air like a tangible promise. My mind races with images of knights and sorcerers, of great quests and beautiful landscapes that I'd never had the chance to explore in my previous life.
The figure gestures, and the void around us begins to shimmer, colors bleeding into one another. "Are you ready to embrace the unknown?"
I take a deep breath, feeling the weight of my past settling like a cloak over my shoulders. "I want to live," I declare, the conviction burning bright. "I'm ready."
With a flick of his wrist, the darkness lights up in a whirlwind of bright colors, swirling around me like a tempest. I feel myself being pulled, stretched, and then flung forward into a cascade of light.
Suddenly, sensation floods back—warmth, air, the distant sound of flowing water, and chirping birds. I gasp, and I'm no longer in the void.
I blink against the sunlight pouring through the leaves of a towering oak tree. A gentle breeze brushes my cheeks, and I feel the solid ground beneath me. I shoot up to a sitting position and look around. Lush green fields stretch out around me, sprinkled with wildflowers in vibrant hues. In the distance, I can see a village, smoke curling from chimneys, and the sound of laughter dancing in the air.
"Now THIS is what I am TALKING about!"
I shout with happiness, and as I look around.
As the exhilaration of being alive again washes over me, I suddenly become aware of the cool breeze against my skin. I glance down, and my heart sinks—I'm completely naked!
"Panic mode activated," I mutter under my breath, scrambling to my feet and glancing around frantically. I scan the area, searching for any cover. The last thing I need is to draw attention to myself in this new world.
To my left, there's a cluster of thick bushes. Without thinking twice, I dash toward them, my heart pounding with embarrassment and urgency. I dive behind the foliage, crouching down low as a group of villagers strolls by in the distance, laughter and chatter filling the air.
From my hiding spot, I peek out cautiously, watching them. They seem so carefree, so immersed in their own world, completely unaware of my predicament. I can see a couple of children playing tag, their joyful shrieks echoing, while adults share stories, their faces glowing in the warm sunlight.
"Okay, Tyler, think," I whisper to myself, still trying to keep the rising panic at bay. I need clothes—something to cover up and to help me blend in.
I take a moment to collect myself, watching the villagers, hoping they don't come over here. Maybe if I can time it right, I can sneak into the village unnoticed.
A sudden idea strikes me—what if I can borrow something from someone? Surely, they wouldn't mind lending a set of clothes to a confused newcomer. I just need to figure out how to approach without causing a scene.
Peeking out once more, I spot a small wooden cottage not far from the laughter, with items hanging on a clothesline fluttering in the breeze. "Perfect," I think. I take a deep breath, and in a burst of determination, I slip out from behind the bushes, heart racing, and make a break for it.
Awkwardly navigating the ground, I keep low and hurry toward the cottage, praying no one looks my way. The closer I get, the stronger the scent of baked bread wafts through the air, making my stomach growl loudly—a stark reminder of just how long I've been gone from the living world.
As I approach the clothesline, I spot a simple tunic and a pair of trousers hanging overhead—scenes from a life that seem so distant from my own yet now feel like my only hope. With trembling hands, I grab the tunic first and pull it over my head, fumbling a bit as I finally manage to get it on. Next, I snag the trousers and slide them on before hastily securing the drawstring.
Just as I'm adjusting them, I hear voices approaching. "Come on, let's hurry to the market before everything's gone!" A cheerful voice calls out.
"Oh no," I think. I duck behind the cottage, pressing my back against the rough wooden wall as my heart pounds in my chest. Great, now I'm going to get caught stealing. But I brush off the fear for the moment.
With a little luck, I might just escape this with my dignity in check. The laughter fades into the distance, allowing me to peek around the corner once more. The coast seems clear.
Time to venture into this new world, I think, feeling the fabric of my makeshift outfit settle comfortably around me. I take a deep breath and step out into the sunlight, ready to embrace whatever comes next.
As I take my first steps into the village, a sudden rustling in the bushes catches my attention. Out pops a girl about my age, her wide eyes gleaming with mischief. She has long, flowing hair that dances in the light breeze, and she's dressed in a simple but beautiful dress made of earth-toned fabrics.
"Wow, you really are new here, aren't you?" she says, a playful smirk spreading across her face. "I saw you from over there—look, I know it's awkward, but, um… I couldn't help but notice. Your, you know, 'member' when you were… um… hiding. Let's just say it was rather unimpressive."
I feel my entire face flush with a mix of embarrassment and shock. "What?! You saw that?!" I stammer, desperately wishing I could sink into the ground. "I mean, I—uh—" I glance down, self-conscious and trying to adjust my tunic as nonchalantly as possible.
She giggles, clearly enjoying my flustered state. "Hey, don't worry about it! It's not like I was lurking or anything. I was just passing by when you popped up like a startled rabbit. But honestly, I've seen much worse."
I can't believe this is happening. "You could've said something!" I say, trying to regain some semblance of dignity. "You just stood there like you were waiting for the show to start!"
Her laughter softens, and the grin on her face transforms into something warmer. "Okay, fair point. But I wasn't exactly planning on interrupting. You looked like you needed a moment."
I take a deep breath, half-exasperated and half-amused by how bizarre this whole situation is. "Well, yes, definitely. No idea how I ended up here naked."
She chuckles, and then we talk.
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[chapter 1 is over]