Summary: Stuck in purgatory, our hero is given a choice. To either pass onto the afterlife or live on once more to the land of the living. We all know what happens next. But he got more than what he bargained for. At least he has super powers, right?

Man, I've been out for a long time. I was really busy with my college work and all that stuff. Sorry 'bout that. Every time I tried to make a story, it tends to end up becoming crappy or something cringe-y like my past works. So, scrap them up and make a new one. Reviews are deeply appreciated.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything aside from the hard work of writing this. Not even the picture. I'll upload a new one once I'm done with the design. You already know all that stuff anyway. Now, onto the story.

Prologue

As a kid, our parents would say things like 'don't talk to strangers' and guides to keep us safe. Why am I saying this exactly? Well it's because I'm talking to a creepy old man right here, wherever this is.

"...so, let me get this straight. I got myself in an accident where a truck came running out of nowhere and running uncontrollably, ran me over and killed me." "Yes, exactly." I stared at the old man with my eyebrows knitted together. Observing him, he looks very fit for an old man. Dressed in burgundy suit and black tie with a maroon mantle on top with silver accessories, he looked either very rich and something that came from the UK. Though the grin imprinted on his lips is really unnerving.

"Then, why do I still feel alive? And where are we exactly?" All I saw was eternal darkness, the abyss expands infinitely. And the floor was as reflective as a mirror except it was like water whenever I place a foot, creating ripples. And even if there was no light, we could see each other clearly.

"Well, that topic is not something I am greatly knowledgeable of but I do know that is more of your consciousness is always awake or something like that..." He laughed nervously. "And for where we are, we're in purgatory. The place between the land of the living and the afterlife where your soul will be judged by your karmas during the time when you were alive. You should know that already. After all, you were raised in a catholic family."

I sweat-dropped at his answer, knowing that it wasn't common sense nor someplace people have been before. I stared at the palms of my hands, and clenched it. I closed my eyes to remember what happened.

And I did. I felt the hollow pain from the time of the accident. The mortality of a human being, on how we can also die in unexpected ways. My mind felt numb as I thought of that. 'I really am dead.' Tears started to pour out of my tear ducts as I grieved to myself.

I won't be able to taste the pleasure of living, and I won't be able to see or embrace my family again.

It took me about a few minutes to wallow in my death and composed myself to wipe the last of my tears away. "I'm ready to be judged now." I said hollowly.

"Hmm? Who said you'll be judged. I didn't say anything about judging." He smiled at me strangely. And I looked upon him confused."W-what? Isn't this supposed to be the purgatory, where my soul will be judged."

"Yes, it is. But I never said anything about judging you." His creepy grin was back, and it chilled me to the core. And I struck a question towards him. "Wait, who are you?" I almost forgot that I didn't know who he is, but what I do know is that he's something terrifyingly powerful. The presence that he exudes is something that I almost did not notice.

"Are you god?" I blurted and his eyes widened, and laughed very hard at me as if what I said was very funny. "Heehee... whoooh boy, that's a new one. You are truly amusing boyo." He said. After he got ahold of his laughter, he then stared at me and spoke. "No, I am not the God of Christianity. Though considering my abilities, I could be a god."

"Anyway, where was I? Oh right. I'm not here to judge your soul, but instead to give you an offer." He said. "And that offer is?" I asked. "To live again once more, in the land of the living."

"Uhh, what?" 'Did he say what I think I just heard him saying?' I thought.

"You certainly heard it boyo. Now then," He then moved his left hand in his pocket to pull out...

A deck of cards. Though, obviously not poker cards but looking more like tarot cards with intricate images. "... pick a card. Any card." He said as he pulled out a table out of nowhere and spread out the cards in an arc."

"Wait, what? I haven't made my choice yet." I tried to refuse but my request was declined.

"Nonsense. We all know that you'd jump at the chance to live again" "But-" "No buts." He cut me off. "Just do what you are told, boyo."

I stared at him once more, remembering that this was no ordinary old man as I shivered at what he could do to me. "Fine." I relented and sighed, looking at the table as I observed the cards.

They gave me a nostalgic feel to me, as if I should know what they are. Yet I could not put my finger to it.

I observed them for a while, and then took my hand out to pick one out. I felt something pulling my hand and mindlessly moved towards it, taking it out of the table.

It has an image of a hooded robe-wearing man with a long gray beard, holding a staff on his left hand and a book on his right.

"A caster class card huh. Very strange. You do not look like you'd fit in those type. Although, the servants themselves are a strange bunch. Oh well. Now, give me that." The old the pulled the card out of my hands, and then shoved it to my chest.

"Install." He spoke with an eerie echo behind his voice. And I felt my body being hammered by an invisible force out of nowhere, buckling to my legs feeling sluggish and tired. The card dispersed into golden motes of light, absorbed into my chest and leaving nothing behind.

"W-what did you d-do to m-me?" I asked as I nursed my chest. He didn't say anything. He then took back the cards laying on the table, stacked them up and pulled out twelve more.

He pocketed the rest and placed the twelve cards on the pocket of my slacks. "Keep it safe. Do what you have to do with these. Choose well. Pave your path in the world. I believe in you. " He patted my side where the cards are pocketed in place.

"Now, I think it's time for you to go. You've been here long enough already. That thing behind you is your ticket out of here." He pointed the butt of his strange cane behind me, and there appeared a kaleidoscope of lights swirling like a whirlpool.

"W-what?" I groaned. I was on my legs, tired of what had just occurred to me. So, he shoved me into the portal.

"Wait, what!?" I screamed as I fell into the swirling myriad of colors.

"Good luck, boyo. And may fate be on your side. Make your own Grand Order." He parted with such words as the hole where I came from closed off.

And on that moment, somehow I recognized who he was. "DAMN YOU ZELRETCH!?" I screamed as loudly as I can while descending into the unknown.

...

...

...

...

*Thud* I landed on the cold hard ground on my back without breaking any bones. I felt rays of light hitting my face and looked upon the sky. It was night, as the stars in the sky glimmered and the borrowed light of the moon shone upon me

I felt my chest expanding and felt air go through my lungs. I was alive. The thought of that made me happy but felt my consciousness fading quickly, feeling tired and my body aching as if I was beaten up which actually did happened but not to that extent.

My eyelids suddenly closed, as I fell into a slumber. "I'm alive..." I parted a whisper before I slept.

On that night, I dreamt of a grandiose palace in the middle of a city of a kingdom in a desert. I dreamed about a man sitting on his throne looking upon his treasured city and his people.

Authors note:

Man, it's been a long time since I wrote a fanfic. This idea hit me a while back but never worked on it. I was busy. In a few days, I will be busy once more, back to college classes again. I will at least keep this updated this time around and leave a note in case my timeline is full.

I did have a lot of free time ever since the coronavirus went around but all I did was slouch and procrastinate. That's all I think I did since April. Actually, I did try to make new stories but I kept scrapping them up again and again. My ideas and plans tends to clash upon each other, so I tend to leave them behind.

Hoping at least I'd get this to a hundred page before I graduate and leave for work. That's all I could say for now.

[I had to edit some words and sentences after I already posted it. Don't worry, nothing large was changed. Just some rewording to make it easier to understand.]

Stay safe readers.

...

"Hmm! My, my, what do we have here?" The sound of a man's voice echoed upon the alleyway as he looked upon a battered golden haired teenage boy wearing a dirtied button up shirt and black slacks with a tattered black and red tie, laying on his back in a deep slumber. "You look like shit kiddo..." He said.

He picked up the boy, and walked away. "I got to get you to a hospital immediately. What is with me and picking up strays?" He asked rhetorically and chuckled. "Well, it's in my core as an angel, albeit a fallen one but still."

He looked upon the boys face and said. "You're gonna be alright now lad. This old man Azazel will help you."