Location:???
Time:???
—
There was no sky.
No ground.
No sense of distance.
The void stretched endlessly in every direction, thick and suffocating — not empty, but dense, as if reality itself had been scraped away.
Yet in the center of that nothingness floated a perfect circle of light.
No source. No shadow.
Just illumination.
There stood four individuals within the light, seemingly placed there deliberately.
Beyond the edge of the circle, the darkness seemed to move, harboring something unknown. It seemed to be watching, analyzing.
Suddenly the darkness started moving, a humanoid figure separating from the rest of the darkness as it began walking. It stopped a few meters in front of the four individuals. It's presence demanding their attention.
Then, a throne manifested behind the figure.
Not made from stone or gold but from something dark. Smooth. Featureless. It seemed to absorb whatever light that dared to graze it.
The dark figure sat down on the throne, giving each of the four individuals a small reassuring smile.
"Welcome to the waiting room!" The mysterious figure's voice echoed through the dark void. The figure laid lazily on his throne while giving his new guests a small smirk, as his facial features were the only things visible.
"The what?" asked a man who seemed to be in his early 20s. His ash brown hair and eyes were among some of his noteworthy attributes. His white shirt clung to his round frame tightly, stretched thin at the stomach. His face was puffy, jawline barely defined.
The figure raised an eyebrow. "Did you not hear what I said? This is the waiting room! A space in between the living world and the afterlife, both heaven and hell."
"… So why are we here? I know for a fact we didn't make a doctor's appointment gang," the young man replied, gesturing to himself and the three other individuals who were also there with him.
The figure gave him a deadpan stare. "It's because you're dead… That's why you're here. Try to keep up."
Two of the four newly dead clenched their fists tightly at the information they just received. The first one had black spiky hair and looked to be in his mid 20s.
He wore a brown jacket with a white bloody shirt underneath and some black pants. Stab wounds were littered all over his mid-section and he had hollow eyes–almost gone.
As he clenched his fist, sorrow filled his heart and an empty expression formed on his face.
His expression seemed to have been forged by years of experiencing all manner of trauma. Things no person should ever experience.
The second one of the two clenched his fist as well, his face began showing more emotion than the former. Tears were streaming down his face as he began shaking slightly, letting himself get taken over by his emotions but not fully.
Mumbles could be heard coming from him, though not all could be heard. The only audible words that could be distinguished were, "Why?" and "I couldn't stop it…" He looked to be in his mid 30s and had long white hair that reached down his neck. A giant hole resided on his upper body, where his heart should have been.
He had a white lab coat on and a blue shirt underneath with brown pants that seemed to come from a suit.
The fourth of the newly dead, a blonde man with a buzz cut and who looked to be in his late 20s spoke up. "Since we're dead, why are we here? Aren't we supposed to go to the afterlife to be judged or whatever?"
"Exactly! I wanna figure out if I'll get to crack thick thighed Angels in heaven or Succubus fine shit in hell!" The ash-brown-haired young man exclaimed, a glint of hope appeared in his eyes.
The figure rolled his eyes. "Please keep your fantasies to yourself."
He cleared his throat and leaned forward, resting his chin on his palm.
"You're here because you qualify."
"... For what?" The blonde man asked.
"For judgment? No." The figure chuckled. "Judgment is easy."
He raised one finger.
"Some people live almost sinless lives. They go to heaven."
A second finger.
"Some live in balance. Good. Bad. Equal. They get to choose if they want another try."
A third finger.
"Some lived miserable, hollow lives. Wasted potential. They also get another try."
His smile widened.
"And some?"
He let the word linger.
"They go straight down."
The void beyond the circle pulsed faintly.
Silence fell over the four men.
"It just so happens," the figure continued, "two of you fall firmly into the fourth category."
"Who?" the white-haired man asked quietly. A single strand of his hair protruding over his face as he flicks it way.
The figure pointed lazily.
"Damian. Jackson."
Damian didn't look up. His spiky black hair creating a silhouette on his face.
Jackson swallowed. His hand now scratching his scalp under his blonde hair.
"And before you panic," the figure added, "certain… circumstances have made an exception. You'll all be offered reincarnation."
Damian's head slowly lifted.
"So we aren't going to hell?"
The figure grinned.
"Unless you refuse."
"…Refuse?"
"Then you burn."
He turned sharply.
"And no, there are no succubi, Omari."
"BRO WHAT—" Omari blinked. There was no way. No succubi? This had to be discrimination.
"So what's the catch… this seems to good to be true." Jackson asked.
The figure smirked. "Well obviously I can't just go around giving everyone free tickets for reincarnation, that's why I brought you here. You qualify."
The figure continued. "Since you all now qualify for the third category, I'm here to give you a mission."
"Huh? Just let me die already. I already lived my life bro, just let me rest," Omari pleaded. His expression was of someone who was just told that they had to work another four hours of overtime.
The figure shrugged, a smirk forming on his face. "Don't worry Omari, I know for sure you'll like what I'm about to propose. You can always refuse and get reincarnated as an animal and lose all your memories, I'm just saying."
Omari's expression changed, his face filled with fear. The slight possibility of reincarnating as a sun fish or something way worse making him shiver slightly.
Omari clapped his hands together. "Ok guys, time to do this mission! So what's it gonna be, maybe you want us to defeat a Demon Lord!"
The figure smiled. "I knew you'd get into it eventually."
He turned to the white-haired man. "So... you ready, Savien?"
"What's the mission even about?" Savien asked.
"Oh, well I want you guys to stop a villainous group from starting a world war," The figure said, frustration could be heard in his voice. "Those guys are a real problem."
Jackson spoke up, disappointment visible on his face. "That's it? No way! What a waste of time!"
The figure points a finger at Jackson. "Don't go underestimating them. They are a really powerful treat." He continued. "If you don't want to do it I can always make you be reborn as a fly."
Jackson fell silent.
"Well how are we supposed to do that? I ain't built like that bro!" Omari exclaimed,pointing at himself, showing off his near circular build.
"Well, of course you'll get something to help you with the mission."
" Which is?"
"Powers."
"Huh?!" All the newly dead had surprised looks on their faces. Omari's expression though, quickly changed from shock to excitement.
"WAIT, YOU'RE TELLING ME I GET POWERS!!!"
"No, he has to be pulling a prank on us," Jackson said, suspicion showing on his face.
The figure spoke. "Well, the world you guys will reincarnate in is very dangerous. You'll need powers to even survive past childhood."
He continued. "So I'll give you all free roam on choosing what power you want to have… with limitations of course."
Savien raised an eyebrow. "Which are?"
"Well the most obvious one is that you can't choose a universe ending power or anything of the sort outright… OMARI!"
"BRO?!" Omari exclaimed.
He was really hoping to become an OP isekai protagonist.
The figure continued. "You also can't choose a specific power or weapon from any of the media from your old worlds that you've seen or heard about. You're gonna have to get creative with what you want your power to be."
"Why do you keep limiting my options bro? Do you hate me or something?" Omari complained.
The figure ignored him.
"My advice to you is to choose something that you're basically an expert at and turn it into a power or something. It's really up to you."
Those words instantly helped something click inside all four of their heads as they came up with their powers.
The figure noticed this and a thought popped up in his head. "I hope I don't end up regretting giving them that piece of advice."
Jackson raised his hand. "So do we have to write down our powers or will you read our minds or something like that."
"The second option."
"Huh?"
Suddenly, all four of their heads illuminated a green aura. They could feel their thoughts being analyzed.
It was a very unusual feeling.
"Now that I got all the information about your powers, I'll make sure to give you what you want… with the proper limitations in place of course," The figure said.
A small smile appeared on his face, in hopes of offering some sort of reassurance to the four in front of him.
It wasn't working.
Savien pinched his brows. "We're definitely getting played."
As everyone else spoke, Damian, who hadn't said much finally decided to speak up.
"So why are we being reincarnated together?" The question caused everyone to pause.
Why were they getting reincarnated together?
They don't know each other at all.
So why?
The figure let out a soft sigh. "The world you'll be reborn in is a very cruel place. It doesn't favor anyone but the strong."
He continued. "That's why it's better to stay together as a group, so that you can look out for each other and help each other grow stronger together."
Omari's brows furrowed, he wasn't going to risk his life for other people if it meant basically reincarnating into a second rendition of hell.
"I don't think I want to do this anymore."
"Then I'll reincarnate you into a tripod fish."
"Never mind."
Maybe helping people wouldn't be so bad after all.
Damian spoke up again. "… Who even are you? Are you God?"
The figure grinned.
"No, I am one, but I just like to observe the things that happen in the mortal worlds."
The figure added "I also just so happen to be in charge of the judgment of the dead."
"So what should we call you?" Savien asked.
A smirk appeared on his face. "My name is The Observer. You can just call me Observer."
Omari deadpanned. "What a creative name, bro."
Observer gave a deadpan stare back at Omari.
He wasn't particularly unhappy with how casual Omari was around him but he wasn't particularly happy with it either.
He was technical a god after all.
"So… when do we get reincarnated?" Jackson asked.
"Well it depends on whether you guys have any other questions or want to back out of this."
Silence.
"Are you sure you don't have any questions to ask me?"
Silence again.
"Ok. I'll transfer all the important information about the world you'll be reincarnating into inside all of your minds."
The same feeling of having your brain being analyzed was felt simultaneously between all four men.
Yep, definitely a weird feeling indeed.
"Please never do that shit ever again. It feels like I'm getting molested via Bluetooth," Omari exclaimed.
Observer smiled at his complaint.
He raised his hands as he spoke up. His voice echoed through the seemingly endless void. "The reincarnation may now commence!"
Suddenly a bright blue circle appeared underneath all four men. Its light blinding them.
The increase in light wasn't effecting the void that surrounded the area in the slightest.
"Hopefully I'll see you guys again after a very, very long time, right guys?" Observer exclaimed with a huge grin on his face.
Savien and Jackson just gave him a nod.
Omari lifted his arm and gave him a thumbs up
Damian just stood there and looked at The Observer with hollow, lifeless eyes.
"I'll make sure to give you guys a reward if you end up succeeding!" Observer exclaimed.
He waved his hand. "Bye now!"
The blue circle began glowing brighter as it engulfed the four men. It's light pulsating rapidly as it transported all four of them to their new lives.
After a while, the blue light died down and the men were no longer there.
The void became quiet again. No one but The Observer left in it.
"I guess it's time to get back to observing other worlds and wait until someone else quilfies for judgement. I might even check up on those four whenever I get the chance."
A smile appeared on his face as he said that.
—
Location: kell Village.
Time: 1 year after reincarnation.
—
In a small far-off village, inside a small house, a group of 4 women were sat together at a table.
An assortment of foods were laid out in front of them.
Yet their gazes were set elsewhere.
Four babies were sat in a circle on the floor nearby. From an outsiders point of view it seemed like they were having a business meeting, but they would be wrong.
Even if it wasn't a business meeting, there definitely was some business being discussed.
The babies seemed to be communicating with each other through words, though non of their words could be interpreted by anyone of the women as the babies weren't even saying any coherent words to begin with.
A woman with long ash brown hair placed her elbow on the table and her chin on her palm. "It's been two months since they first met each other and they are already friends, how cute~"
Another woman with long white hair tied up in a bun studied the four babies on the floor. She was desperately trying to decipher what the four babies were talking about.
" I still don't know what they are saying."
"I'm trying to figure out what they could even be talking about at such a young age to be sitting in a circle like that." A woman with blonde hair and a wolf cut spoke up.
Another woman with short black hair was taking a sip of water. Her gaze also fixed onto the infants.
"Maybe they're talking about training?"
"Oh shut up, you tomboy!" The woman with brown hair exclaimed.
"Can't I add my own theory into the conversation?" The black haired woman complained.
"Not one that ridiculous."
"Then what could they possibly be talking about, hmm?"
The brown haired woman shrugged. "Beats me."
While the woman continued to speculate on what the babies could have been talking about, the conversation between said babies continued.
"Our moms are arguing about us again," Savien said.
"Just leave them be. We have more important matters to attend to," Jackson replied.
"Damn Savien, you already have white hair on your head and you're fresh out the womb! I'd be livid if I were you." Omari exclaimed.
"Come on, you know I get it from my mom… I think?"
"Didn't you have white hair when I first saw you in the Waiting room? Where you that old when you died?"
"No… I was 35 before I died."
"DAMN UNC!!"
"I got my white hair from my mom in my previous life too, you know!" Savien roared.
"Yeah yeah I totally believe you unc."
"I'm not old!"
"Can you guys stop, we have much more important things to talk about," Jackson interjected.
"Come on bro, we all agreed that we'd worry about the mission once we all turn twelve years old. Just relax and enjoy your childhood," Omari said.
"I'm just saying, we at least need to plan for the future."
"We'll worry about it later. We're too young to fight anyways, so calm down," Savien said with a pacifier in hand.
"Come on Damian, you have to back me up here." Jackson pleaded.
They all turned their attention to Damian, who was crawling towards a chair.
He then grabbed the chair and lifted it over his head.
"Our powers don't manifest until we're 5 years old, so relax." he replied, his voice having a flat tone to it.
He continued. "This is our chance to gather more information about this new world we've been born into while creating a game plan, so to a certain degree I can understand where Jackson's coming from."
"See!" Jackson screamed.
He slowly turned his head towards Jackson. "But we also all agreed to use this time to get to know each other better and build a bond, so calm down," Damian said, his hollow eyes fixed onto Jackson.
"Yeah, calm your ass down brotato. I'm still trying to enjoy my time as a baby! This is the perfect excuse for me to become a fat chud while getting my basic necessities taken care of!" Omari exclaimed, his tone filled with glee and hope.
Savien inspected his pacifier as he spoke. "Well, for now we're going to focus on becoming stronger."
"I'm just saying it's better to get this over with now than later," Jackson argued.
Omari rolled his eyes snatched Savien's pacifier, throwing it at Jackson. "That's a problem for later, bro."