Prologue

"Ar. .ou ...?"

I suddenly started to hear a voice.

"Are you ..?"

Perhaps because the speaker was closer, or perhaps because I was waking up. Wait, Waking up?.

"Hey, Are you ok?"

The voice sounded a lot more clear this time. The message was properly transmitted this time.

Still, I felt heavy. My eyes were closed, and my eyelids showed no sign of moving.

I thought of answering by speaking, but not to mention my voice, my mouth was not responding.

What first came to my mind was certain phenomenon that happened to me years ago when I was a small child. It was until a year later that I learned the name of such a phenomenon, it was called sleep paralysis.

Not sure why that came to my mind at this moment, but it felt pretty similar.

Although, at the same time... I had this hunch that it was different.

"Hmmm, he is not responding. I wonder if he is still numbed by this place. Although, as he is now, I am not sure how to wake him up". I got the feeling that who said that seemed at lost.

The same voice from before spoke again. Now that it is this close, I could focus on the fact that it is a male voice. Not sure who this person is though, he does not sound familiar.

It seems that from his point of view, I am still sleeping. That is not wrong to assume, I guess.

In cases like this, I am suppose to stay calm. I did not panic this time, but I can recall that at that time years ago... I was seriously scared.

"For now, I guess I will wait for a while for him. I have a lot of free time". The voice muttered before quitening again.

Not sure if I should be saying this but... Are you sure you want to spent your time watching someone sleep?.

No, I think that I should be worried that some guy I don't know is watching me sleep.

With a new found motivation, I tried to recall the way to get out of this situation.

Let's see... little by little, try to move a part of your body, I need to focus in that particular zone. From there to the rest of the body.

The process might be slow, so I need to do it patiently.

I don't know how long I spent doing it, but some time later, I could finally move my hand, from my hand then to my arm.

Just like that, I could finally move.

It was rather fast, I think.

"Oh, you are finally moving, at long last you are awake. I have been waiting for 4 hours straight". The voice said, perhaphs answering my inner question.

Or maybe not, I am not very good at counting the time that pass.

"If you are awake, why don't you get up? I don't think we will be able to talk like this". The voice insisted in me getting up.

Since a while ago, when the feeling of my body returned, I learned that I was lying down somewhere. But the feeling was not one I recognized.

I guess my only option is to follow what the voice told me too.

But as I open my eyes, what appears on my sight is... pure whiteness.

"What the...!?". I with all my heart muttered in surprise.

I could not help but say those words out loud. But I could not be blamed, this whiteness is not that of a room painted in white, not matter the tone, you can at least notice the edges of the walls and ceiling... yet, not here. This looks like an open space where there is nothing, but it is still this clear.

"Surprised? But before you start asking questions, this place is not somewhere you can easily come. In fact, this not the planet Earth you are familiar with". The same voice from spoke.

The male voice suddenly said while I was still staring at this bizarre looking space.

Once again hearing the voice, I turned to finally see the speaker. And before I started to question what he said. I saw him (?), or it?.

"...!?"

My eyes widened .

I am surprised that I kept that exclamation inside.

Quick question, you guys have seen human beings all the time because you yourself are human, I hope. So you are familiar with the common features of one. Two arms and hands, one chest, two legs and feet, one head. That is what usually defines one... Yeah, that was what I had seated at my side.

That does not sound extrange at all you say? Haha, that is because you can't see what I can.

No other features at all, no mouth, no nose, no eyes or ears. For the record, it does not have clothing, but to further described the body. You could say, it fits perfectly with this space. A pure white, if I don't focus on it, I might even lost sight of it. The only reason why I can see it is because there is a thin line surrounding its shape, a black line.

I was at lost for words, but not minding such a thing. Or perhaphs he(?) since it had a male voice, decided to continue speaking just because he did not want to wait anymore.

"Hey there, stranger... You are finally awake. I have been waiting". He(?) said.

Speaking (I can hear the voice, but he(?) has no mouth) to me, and using a tone of voice that lacked hostility, even sounding almost light hearted or excited. Just from hearing those words, I somehow understood that he(?) did not mean any harm. You could say it was more of guess, or instinct than having a certain proof.

"Stranger you say... To me you are the same". I said.

Somewhat trying to keep my beating heart controlled, I did my best to answer him(?) with the same tone of voice.

My surprised mind was working full throttle to understand what is going on.

My first thought is... that I am simply dreaming.

This white space does not look real to me no matter how I look at it. Still, I have this feeling... that the creature, or being in front of me is real.

"Hahaha, indeed. I am a stranger indeed". He replied to my comment with a laugh.

It seemed somewhat eeiry that he(?) was talking but I could not see him do it, still I keep quite about it.

"I guess, that I have no other option but to ask this... Who... No... What are you?" I tried to ask somewhat politely since the question could sound pretty offensive.

But, maybe mocking my intentions of being careful with my words.

"Me? That is a good question. I have been wondering that question for a long time. But I have not come with answer to that. I was just born here, existing here. No more, no less than that" He(?) replied as such with no particular change on his tone of voice.

I guess his answer is not wrong, but that does not help me to understand a thing.

My mind finally in calm after the couple of surprises, decided that I should just ask straight-forwardly since he(?) seemed to answer things without bothering.

"Then, what is this place?" I asked what I hoped was a question with a meaning full answer.

"Oh, this place? Hmmm, this is... 'Outside', I guess". He replied to my question with that.

I am even more confused after hearing that.

"What do you mean with 'Outside'? Outside of what?". I once again asked in hopes of understanding this space.

"That is... How to explain it... You see, if imagine that all that exist fits perfectly in a box. Yes, imagine your planet, your universe... All that inside a box. This place could be said, just outside that box". Thinking for bit, he just dropped that explaination on me.

This took a sudden turn from weird to ultra weird. He(?) just started talking about the universe that lightly. Argh, a headache is coming.

"By the way, I know why am here, but... Why are you here?". In a tone filled with curiosity he just asked.

I was a little at lost with that question, I am really surprised I myself did not question that.

I... I can't seem to...

"I can't remember...". I muttered that after failing to come up with answer.

What can't I remember? Well, putting why am I here aside. My name, I can't even recall that.

"You can't? How about I help you... Here". Taking action after saying that He(?) put his(?) hand on my head and I...

Memories came to me, slightly vague but they were my memories, I would not confuse them.

My last memories were of...

* Flashback starts*

I was riding a train. Doing my best to ignore the noise from the other passages, I had headphones on.

When suddenly, I heard an awfully loud noise, a lot more stronger than anything the passagers could make, not to mention it was metallic.

That was the start, everything started spining... and me, and the rest of passagers were the same.

I probably lost my conciousness for a moment during all that, because after opening my eyes the scene was totally different.

This is... bad.

I was lying down in what it looks to be a window. The train is apparently off the rail so it looks like getting out of here will prove to be difficult.

I quick glance around my surroundings, I noticed how low is the number of people getting up. Not sure if they are unconscious or this accident killed them.

Laying here won't help me too much. I try to stand up but a sharp pain coming from my head stops me. Moving my hand to inspect my head, I feel some dampness. Putting my hand in front of face, I notice the blood. It looks like I took some damage like the rest of the passagers and I am not completely unscathed. It could've been worse I guess.

I once again tried to stand again, still feeling the pain but standing anyways.

Another look at my surroundings makes me question what should I do.

My phone is not nearby, this accident must've sent it far away. I can't call for help like this.

That leaves...

Looking for an exit, or helping the people around me.

I was about to choose the first option before my eyes caught the sight of a mother hugging her child, probably to protect him from harm. Protect huh. I changed my plans and started to try to wake up the others passagers, starting from the mother.

As lucky as it sounds, both the mother and the child were safe. Or at least they look like it. They still need to get checked at an hospital.

After waking up, the child started to cry. The cry was rather loud, causing me headache.

Perhaps noticing my reaction, the mother did her best to calm her child. Doing a great job, the child stop crying rather fast. Good job, Miss Mother.

With the cry gone, I once again took care of checking and trying to wake up the other people.

With a large number of people waking up, I could only leave alone those that did not do so. Checking their vitals, there were none.

I could do nothing about that. I had no powers to bring the death back. I truly wished I had... if I had it them I could... No, this is not time to reminiscing the past.

Finding an exit is what I need to do.

Thankfully, there plenty of broken windows, so I climbed out from one and I saw it. The reason of the accident.

The train crashed into another one. I could hear the sound of sirens in the distance, maybe the police or an ambulance is on their way.

Regardless, what worries me is that the place of impact is starting to catch fire.

I once again could just leave on my own, it was the safest choice I could take.

Yet... the image of that mother protecting her child came to my mind as fast as I thought of going on my own.

With a curse to myself, I then started to help the people to get out.

With every people I helped out, I questioned my actions. They are strangers, there is no reason to go this far. You have even helped that mother already. She is even at a safe distance.

Still, after you help her... she thanked you.

Something you have not heard in a while.

Too many things changed, after the death of your family. You have abandoned the little interest you had to interact with others. Everything seemed dull, and yet... and yet.

That heart full thanks, was... something that made you remember those happy times when even little actions with your family were fullfiting. Even though you had different hobbies, you got along.

Hobbies, another thing you abandoned, you pursued them with great passion, or at least that is how you saw it. Now, you no longer got into it.

A slightly smile came to your lips as you remember those times, you staying late to read books, light novels, even watching anime o playing video games. Just to have your parents scolding you the next day. Truly good times.

I think that I tried to forget everything that might remind me of them. No matter how small.

How laughable.

I started to keep people at certain distance.

But, those words from that woman. I can't ignore them.

I am not help people to get away just because I want their thanks, I doubt their words will touch me as much, but I think I have been such a dumb*ss.

Maybe it is that I started to feel guilty because I was planing to leave on my own.

That does not matter, I started to feel my emotions again... for that. I think I need to act in a way that won't make feel remorse later.

It might be pityful or laughable. But I am doing it for that.

Yes, only for that.

And, with such a thing in mind, I kept helping people, and helped again.

Until... I fell.

I had forgotten but... my head was bleeding, it looks like it was serious.

*End of the flashback*

"I... died, I guess. Otherwise, I would be lying down on an hospital bed and not here". I said after taking a moment to catch my breath.

My back was full of sweat, I can't tell how much time I spent remembering, but it sure came all at once.

Thinking about it, if I had left as soon as I could and gotten medical assistance faster. I would've been alive, still... I don't regret it. Staying gave something I had forgotten.

Perhaps, I could've been living... but that was hardly something worth calling being 'alive'.

"That, I am not sure. To begin with, this is no place for dead people. No, this is no place for people at all" He(?) started talking and said such a thing.

"What do you mean? I thought this was what people called the after life. I was never a believer of God, but with here...". Because what he said did not make sense to me, I asked that.

"Me? God? Not really, I am no God. I don't have that kind of power, to create life... No matter the form. I told you what this place was, this is 'Outside'. To explain it better... while you are here, you are not under the protection or rule of anyone" He(?) denied being a God with a straight face(?).

I could feel a new headache coming to me.

In times like this, I can try to dig further for answers, or just accept things as they are.

As a lazy individual, I decided to stop thinking about it.

There is another question I have that takes priority.

"I will put all that aside. Since I am here, now what?". I asked since my situation is so abnormal, I would really like to know what am I suppose to do.

"That is also a good question, but I have no way of answering that. Over here, you are lucky to being able to not lost yourself and disappear. Although I guess I played a little part in that. Since it has been a while that someone comes here". His answer did not help me at all, it makes me think that He(?) is rather unreliable.

I expected some sort of quest from him(?), or he would just erase me since I am an annomaly. But I guess He(?) does not care about it one bit. I feel slightly dejected at that.

"Then... Is there anything I can do?". I once again asked in hopes of some sort of useful answer.

"There really is nothing here to do. Once in a while there are people that are able to come here on their own, I sometimes talk to them. Other than that... I guess that I also take a peek inside those boxes I explained before". He(?) nonchalantly said something absurd.

Wait, people that comes here on their own?.

"You said there are people that come here? What about them?". I asked.

Although I myself am not sure what to do with that answer.

I have died in the in Earth but... I finally recovered the feeling of being alive moments before it happened. I finally found the that motivation I had before the death of my family.

I don't know what I want to do but... just doing nothing is surely something I don't exist to do.

"They? I said people for you to understand easier but they are not always 'people'. Do be careful if you want to ask more, you common sense might not be enough to handle it". He(?) said in a tone that indicated a warning.

I am not sure I want to know now that he said that but... if there are others that came here and right now there are none, maybe there is a way to leave this place.

"They can come here, but they also left right? How did they do it? Can I do it?" I asked.

"You are not the same as them and I am not talking about your origen or your shape. They came here by their own hands. They called themselves with many names, but what they were seeking was the same. So I started to refer to them as 'Travelers', beings who sought to go beyond their planets, their worlds. Unfortunately, you are not like them, you did not come with your own strength, by your own medium. You just happened to drift here". He(?) answered me, but I... don't know how to react to that.

From his words, I am a separate case from them. Does that mean I can only stay here? I... No, there might be a way.

"Is there truly no way for me?" I tried asking once more, I still did not want to give up.

"Well... I might be able to do something about it. But, Are you sure? You can't go back to the place you came from. You no longer belong there. Allow me to apologize since it seems to be something rude, but when I helped you remember, I saw your memories. Those places that held your memories, whether sad or not, you can't go there again. Your current motivation is somewhat tied to your world. No having a place there, Why do you seek to continue? Why? I don't understand". He(?) seemed clearly curious when he asked.

I can't go back, I have no place back.

I certainly heard that, but I still wish to move on, no matter if it has to be somewhere else. Now that I know about the 'people' who travels, I might have a chance in the future.

"The reason why I can't go back, it is because my appearance here is an annomaly, right? Then, if I become like those 'people', I might have a chance to go back. Tell me, What do I have to do?". I asked.

"You want to bet in the future huh. A possibility. That is certainly something that will push you to continue. As expected, I might be able to look at the lives of people from an outside perspective, but talking to one sure is different. I can't understand those desires like hope but I will be waiting here to see how you did it. As for what to do... Hmmm, good question. I don't have a world of my own so unfortunately I can't send you there like you are. If I had that kind of authority then this would be easy...". He(?) used and uncertain tone of voice while he answered me.

Going as I am is not possible huh. Figures, it won't be that easy.

"You will have to become a person of that world... It will take time but... How about it? It is not something you get to experience often. Rebirth. I can just alter a few things from my end, and you will get your new chance". He(?) told me what He(?) came up with.

The concept of reincarnation does sound a novel idea. Not to mention that it is something you don't get to experience more than once. I will literally start from zero this time. A new opportunity.

"But... Where will I go? Where will you send me to? If what you said it's true... There are many places, where there will be different kinds of creatures". I asked something I was curious about.

"You wouldn't like to be something too different from a human, so I will focus on looking for places where you can be as much 'human-like' as possible. Although this might take a while so... I would like to have a talk in the mean time, you can also take a look around if you like". He(?) once again said something I was not worried about.

I should be thankful of such a consideration.

Although, talking is easy, it is the least I can do. But looking around? I can't see anything here.

"I can talk as much as you want, I doubt I would provide entertaiment to someone who has seen much more than me though. One questions I want to ask, how can I see around here? You said I could look around, but there is nothing in my sight". I asked all I wanted to know.

He(?) seems very friendly, that makes me wonder why He(?) would help me at all.

"Hmmm? Not at all, I have hardly any chat partner. Almost no one can reach here, or the ones that can usually come here only once. Oh, I forgot about it. Yes, there are several troubles for those who come here in fact if they stay too long they start losing themselves. Usually I point them a direction and they follow along, so I forgot about it". He(?) seemed thoughtful while he told me that.

Wait, losing themselves?.

"What about me? How long do I have left?". I immediately asked.

"You don't need to worry about it, Do you recall when I helped you?. As I found you, I helped your soul to stop dissipating. You had problems with your memories remember, at that time you had been affected by this place. Later, when I fixed your memories, I made it so you could spent here some time with out problems. With that said, you sure you can't see anything at all? I did fixed you with my powers so you should've received some influence from me". He(?) replied to my questions.

He(?) said that I should be influenced by him(?), but I don't feel any different.

I tried looking around... around... looking around... and nothing.

I can't see anything, just a never ending whiteness.

"I am sorry, but I can't really see whatever you meant, to me all this space looks white with nothing in sight". I told him(?) what I saw(?), or tried to at least.

"I guess it is a matter of time, you have to get used to this place. Just in case...". He(?) said and once again came closer to me and his(?) hand on top of my head.

I did not feel anything, but whatever he did must've worked because He(?) removed the hand.

"I tried putting a bit more of my power in you, but I think the problem is that you have no idea how to really use it. In your memories I noticed how lacking was your world in what you guys would call 'super-natural' phenomena. So I think you won't be able to do much even with my help". He(?) said.

I feel slightly disappointment at that, but with all He(?) is doing for me, it seems rather shameless of me.

"By the way... I think found a couple of places I could send you to. They are somewhat tied to your world. Before you ask, I will tell you. 'People' is not the only thing that wanders around here, sometimes the wills of some, even records of their worlds ended up drifting by. Even, what you guys write in literary works and use as stories could be information that by coincidence drifted here and ended in your world. Although, you can also say that what it is in those books is what the written imagined it could happen. At the end, the content that drift by is never complete so I think it is praise worth how many people in your world reached succes with it". He(?) once again said something outrageous.

From what He(?) said, famous literary works could have their origins in information from another work. If this was somehow known to the people in my world, and gets acknowledged, it would cause a huge change in the perspective of people.

Although, putting that aside. He(?) found a place already. He(?) seemed somewhat unreliable at first but maybe that was because it was outside his area of expertise.

I still got to ask him(?).

"That is great, but I have to ask something first. Why do you help me? You are doing this much for me". I decide to ask since I am not sure if after going we will talk again.

"Aren't you overthinking it? To you, it might look something difficult, but not to me. I found it interesting, I saw your memories, I could even taste what you call 'feelings', you went through some what times and you still found light at the end of the tunnel. Perhaps it's because I shared your memories, but I could for the first time, feel sympathy. No other 'people' who came here dared to talk to me to much. In fact, just a few words were difficult for them. Of course, there were many 'strong' people amount those that could spare more words, but it was mostly due fear or reverence. From you, I felt a certain urgency to do something, but what truly moved was... 'gratitude'. Like you, that feeling of gratitude was important". He(?) answered my question as such.

I see, I guess we are rather similar. Indeed, someone of his(?) level must've seen a lot, yet maybe because his(?) so called level, many things were different.

"I see, sorry for the question". I had to apologize since my question after hearing his(?) answer, was rude.

Now, I guess that what it's left is my destination.

"Then, what kind of world is that?". I asked with my full curiosity and expectation.

Going to never seen places sounds great.

"I am not sure what to choose for your destination, but... considering that I gave a small part of my power and even then you could not use it. I was thinking that your lack of experience dealing with 'super-natural' phenomena is the problem, to fix that, I have this place in mind, a place where you will get familiar with energies not found in your planet. Be thankful, you will surely enjoy this world. As a fan of that work in your life in Earth, you will enjoy that place (probably). Just in case, let me give you something that might come in handy". He(?) said and once again came to put his(?) hand on my head.

I feel like He(?) said something I should worry about, but perhaps is my imagination.

"You are not going to tell me what kind of place it is?". I asked with an uncertain tone.

I asked because I feel like it will help me to prepare mentally.

"Consider it a surprise. I will send you right away, a perfect opportunity for you is about to appear so you don't have much time. Too bad, I would've like to talk some more. But I will be waiting, Will you be able to come here? I'll surely be waiting. Your hope, do not abandon it. Keep it close to you. Well, we might be able to talk sooner than expected if the opportunity arises". He(?) said at last.

Since putting his(?) hand on top of my head, He(?) did not remove it. I wanted to reply to him(?) but before I could do so... I felt a little push and I was falling the next second.

While that happened, I could swear that He(?) suddenly had a smile with his(?) new mouth which I am certain that He(?) did not have before. But the thing that somehow picked my interest was the 'thumbs up' signal that He(?) gave me. For some reason, I had a bad feeling.

Sadly, before I could think about it... everything when black.