A start
Have you ever contemplated what happens after you die? I've always wondered about it, its so interesting to see who thinks differently as well as why, is it a spirituality reason? Is it because of their religion? Perhaps its just the way they want to think to provide reasoning for it. I don't tend to think about it too much, I don't want to hurt my head too much with thinking, but I still drift to that line of thought sometimes.
Out of all the things I could've thought of, I didn't expect post-death to be a black void filled with literally nothing while I'm just a ball of something existing, then again I don't think I should be surprised about it. So why am I talking to myself like this? Mostly because I think Id actually go fucking insane while floating (maybe?) around in nothingness, I cant even exasperatedly sigh, honestly a favoured past time of mine.
There's literally nothing to do beyond narrating, and its incredibly dull after a bit, makes me wonder if anyone else does the same?
"HELLO"
A voice, deep dark and booming speaks out, I'm not sure if it was actually spoken verbally or into my metaphorical skull, and it makes me jump, figuratively of course, letting out a completely-manly-scream thank you very much.
"WE SEE THAT YOU'RE SETTLED IN HERE QUITE WELL, A SHAME REALLY"
And with a swirl of dark clouding my vision, I feel my butt plopped into quite a comfortable chair. I feel around a bit, actually feel around, and feel my body, my face and hair and lips and holy fuck I'm human again instead of a ball. I cough once and twice again, apparently my vocal cords aren't exactly fresh, humming to warm them up.
"OKAY, WE BELIEVE ITS NOW TIME TO DISCUSS THE SITUATION HERE HUMAN"
Another swirl of dark-black occurs in front of me, and upon a chair appears a figure clad in a dark cloak, covering his being and fa- oh is this death? Why'd it take me so long to realise that? Am I actually dead then?
"I CANT COMMENT ON THE SECOND ONE, BUT YOU ARE CORRECT WITH THE OTHER TWO"
I guess I shouldn't be surprised that death can read my mind, I'm still gonna make noises anyways cause I miss the sound of it. Anyway, whats going on here?
"JUST LIKE YOU SAID HUMAN, YOU'RE DEAD, VERY DEAD ACTUALLY, AND WE'RE HERE TO DISCUSS THE AFTERLIFE"
I, suppose that's fair? I don't really have much to comment on that, do you mean 'we' as in you and I? You've said it quite a bit.
"NOT QUITE, WE ARE DEATH, A FORM OF WHICH YOU CAN COMPREHEND, HELPS WITH A SOUL TO COME TO TERMS WITH WHATS HAPPENED, WE DON'T QUITE UNDERSTAND WHY MORTALS REACT THE WAY THEY DO"
Okay, I'd imagine its cause people, or mortals in general I suppose, don't really react well to death in others let alone themselves. Anyways, so lets get started then. What happens in the afterlife?
"IT VARIES FROM MORTAL TO MORTAL, SOME PREFER TO BE SENT TO HEAVEN, OTHERS PREFER REINCARNATION, SOME WISH TO VISIT VALHALLA, SOME RESTLESS SPIRITS WHO DON'T WISH TO ENTER AN AFTERLIFE EITHER INVOLUNTARILY OR WILLINGLY BECOME GHOSTS, OR MALICIOUS SPIRITS"
I reach up and rub my head (I actually have hands and other bodily parts, how long was I in there?) and cough once more, letting out with a croaky voice "I, see, kinda anyways. So am I to be given a choice in where to go then?"
"THE ALTERNATIVE IS TO SPIN A WHEEL,A FIGURATIVE MEANING OF COURSE, SURPRISINGLY ENOUGH A SMALL AMOUNT OF HUMANS ACTUALLY ENJOY THAT CHOICE, WE DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY BUT IT WAS A SUGGESTION FROM A HIGHER UP"
Huh, I wasn't aware something was higher than death. I hum again, and then frown. I tap the arms of the seats and swallow the remaining spittle down my throat. "Right, I think I'm at least coming to terms with it at least, though how did I die? Is it allowed for you to tell me, or is there some law against it?"
Death remains quiet for a moment, I can imagine something happening that skeletal skull of his before he replies,
"DRUNK DRIVER, COMMON DEATH FOR YOUR WORLD, RAN A RED LIGHT AND HIT YOU, A PAINLESS DEATH THANKFULLY AS YOU HUMANS SAY, THOUGH VERY MESSY"
"Really? I die to a fucking drunk driver? Not like the god damn hero I am?" I blanch and let out a disgusted sound before making a mock chest puff, before slouching in my chair "Well, not exactly the way I'd wanna go out, but at least it was fast"
"WE DO NOT UNDERSTAND THE HERO MENTALITY SOME MORTALS HAVE, THOUGH IT IS RARELY OUR CONCERN, WHAT IS OUR CONCERN IS WHERE YOU MUST GO"
Oh yeah, that whole business, I guess I do gotta make a choice. You know, I've always wanted to be a spooky ghost, but at the same time, there was that Christian upbringing I had, maybe I could meet my family up in that great beyond? Ooooorrrr...
I throw my hands in the air and let out a hearty laugh. "Ah fuck me up Death, lets do this spin the wheel bullshit, I've made plenty of bad decisions so lets make some more!" I smile wide and bright, honestly if I'm already dead then I don't have much to lose, right? Death tilts his head, silent for a moment longer
"ANOTHER INTERESTING HUMAN, STRANGELY ITS MOSTLY YOUR KIND THAT ACCEPTS THE RANDOM CHANCE, WE DO NOT UNDERSTAND, BUT WE WILL GIFT THIS TO YOU" He says this with an, almost softer tone, something I didn't exactly expect from him. He raises his hands and, with a flash of darkness, two sets of dices appears in his hands, he stands up, frightfully tall as his cloak sways along with his movements. I hold out my hand to catch the die as he drops it, icy cold to the touch, sending a shiver down my spine.
"What am I to do with this, then? Throw it out and see what it lands on?" I question him, rolling the die between my hands, maybe I don't produce any warmth, but nothing seems to stop the chills of these things. They're all pitch black, though not too different to common dice from home, maybe they're adjusted to the person who wishes to spin the wheel, or rather, roll the dice? The inscriptions on them is of something I cant read, and attempting to do so only pains my skull, I don't think I'm meant to be reading this, but they're so intricately detailed, and pleasant to touch despite the cold.
"QUITE SO, SIMPLY ROLL THEM, AND THEY WILL DECIDE YOUR FATE." He says as he returns to his seat, simply gazing at me. I take a deep breath, still rolling the dice between my hands and working up the courage, I toss them out onto the floor. The second they touch the floor I feel a deep seated wrongness in my chest, was this a terrible idea? Why did I do this? I had the chance to choose what I wanted to do, you fucker.
The dice spins and smacks against the floor, each tapping of it enlightening the impact zone with a blue hew, almost similar to electricity, though just a bit off. One stops, then two, then a third, the final one continues to spin and crackle, though no different to the others, it defies what it should by all means do, it almost seems like its doing it to spite someone, would that be me, Death, or another? Speaking of Death, he looks upon the last die, a seemingly intense gaze from the darkness of his shroud.
"INTERESTING. VERY VERY INTERESTING" He speaks plainly, whatever going through his mind wouldn't affect his speech I'd imagine, but he spoke softer before hand, or was that my imagination? I have been floating for a long time.
"So? Whats the verdict Mister Deathman?" Despite the sinking feeling in my stomach, I can at least try to fake being calm, leaning back and relaxing into the chair, a false grin upon my lips "Am I to achieve my fantasy and be a great big ass Hero for people to flock to?"
"EACH DICE REPRESENTS YOUR STARTING SITUATION, WHEN YOU WILL BE REBORN, IF YOU RECOGNISE WHERE YOU ARE, AND ONE REPRESENTING WHAT MORTAL BODY YOU'LL INHABIT" He explains. Now I might've failed maths, but I did throw four pieces of dice, whats up with the last one?
"I WAS GETTING TO THAT, MORTAL. THE LAST ONE IS A WILD CARD, SOMETHING THAT A GOD WOULD'VE THOUGHT HAVE BEEN AMUSING TO HIM AND OTHERS, ITS INABILITY TO STOP SPINNING IS, CURIOUS." I jumped slightly when he responded to my thoughts, I forgot he could do that. I do listen to him very closely though, a God injecting a wild card dice roll for amusement? In truth I don't quite know who that could be, but that's not an issue right now.
"So Death, am I being kicked out now? Am I going to have to go through the whole being born process? I can't imagine that'd be pleasant to me, though" I inquire. I actually take this time to observe myself. I still have long brown hair, my face still feels chubby, hell, even my fingernails of all things is still reminiscent of what I normally do to them, torn apart either by my teeth or other resources.
"WHEN YOUR SOUL IS PLACED INTO ANOTHER MORTAL BODY, YOU WILL NOT REMEMBER THIS MEETING,A ND YOU WILL NOT REMEMBER YOUR LIFE AS A HUMAN, SUCH IS THE REQUIREMENT OF SUCH A DEAL." He responds, his bony hands clacking against his arm rests now, I wonder if he himself is restless of this conversation?
"I guess so, it's a shame that I wont remember, but alas." I shrug and continue to laze into the chair, the deep seated wrongness still tight in my chest. He holds his hand up once more, another swirl of black as i breath heavier, something in my chest twisting and turning. is this meant to happen?
"GOOD BYE, MORTAL, MAY YOU ENJOY YOUR NEXT LIFE" And with that final statement, it feels as if a chills been forced into my body, chilling but feeling as if I'm being burned. I squeeze my hands onto the arm rests and grit my teeth. It'll be over soon, it'll be over soon...
A final flash, and warmth, I feel warmth and care, a stark difference from the over powering cold from before. I take this change to smother myself in it, god bless the warmth. What's going on though? Is this meant to happen? I still remember things, was this intentional? Or the cause of that fucking spinning dice? I try to speak but all that comes from my mouth is throaty gibberish and gurgling, I cant move my body beyond my hands. So I am in a body, a physical actually existing one.
There's another warm feeling from above, a comforting and soothing one, soft tones of something invading my head, its actually really nice. I haven't been this comfortable in a long time, I still dont have a clue whats going on.
There's a soft feeling pressed on my head, that much I can be sure of, and I feel my mind slow, another gurgle escapes my mouth, am I being compelled to sleep? Everything seems to point towards it.
I grit my teeth and frown, I wanna see whats happening god dammit. I struggle against the warm and try to force open my eyelids, they're heavy and feel stuck, but I will push through it dammit. And I do, through will I open my eyes for a few seconds, I see a dark sky with flickering stars, shining far brighter than what I've seen before. There's an orange glow upon the trees around me, is it fire? The final thing I see is a woman, a very human woman bringing me up to her face (was I on the ground? What for?), a middle aged woman, there's the wrinkles on her face that older ladies get, could it be from stress or overworking? Her eyes are a gorgeous dark blue, like the deep sea, and her hair trails from her head, clinging together by sweat, a light brown colour. She seems relieved, is that cause of me?
She smiles, a soft sweet motherly smile, and gives me a kiss on my head. And with that, i cant hold my eyes open for a moment longer, I drift off to sleep and into the darkness