Chapter 1 - How did I get here?

I can't help but shift uncontrollably in my seat as the two angels scribble furiously into their respective clipboards, writing down every virtue and sin I had accomplished in my life. Their unflinching gaze pierce my very being, despite the fact I can barely make out their faces underneath the bright light that shades them. Which frankly makes their appearance far more intimidating than it should be.

The two had been interrogating me for the past hours or so. Or has it been months? Years? It was hard to keep track of time when they've been interrogating nothing but my life's story.

And I do mean my ENTIRE life story. From the moment I gained sentience all the way until my death, they have been grilling my every decision and thoughts I've ever had. Memories that have long forgotten were being drenched out from the deep recesses of my mind. Every single detail of my existence was brought out and scrutinized under the intense gaze of these angels.

Really, I thought this was an open and shut case, considering I hadn't done anything too heinous in my life. Sure, there were some selfish moments here and there. A few white lies. Maybe even an outright, but nothing too bad.

At least I hope not. Unless their counting in whatever kinky and depraved thoughts I have ever had in my life.

…

Please don't tell me they count that kind of stuff too.

But if the amount of scribbling and writing they have been doing is any indication, it's more than likely to be the case.

Which brings me back to the present. With my hands tightly gripping my pants, I sit in my chair nervously. My head hung low, waiting for the interrogation to end.

After what felt like eternity, the angel on the left finishes her writing, her quill ceasing its scratching. The other quickly finished behind. They both look at each other for a moment before shaking their heads, and my heart drops.

Was that bad? Am I going to hell? I haven't really done anything too bad, right? With my mind racing with speculations, the stress and anxiety was slowly getting to me. Sweat dripping out like a water park feature, as the angels stand up, their chairs squeaking against the floor.

"Do you know which of your actions I carry?" I tried to speak up at her question, but the words just won't come out. Only retching feeling of my heart out threatening to jump out of my chest. In the end, I settle to shake my head.

She held up the clipboard in her hand. "In my hand carries the weight of all your sins." and suddenly that tiny thing holds far more weight than it should.

"But also, in the hand of my colleague carries the weight of your virtues." She gestures to her colleague, the other angel giving a small nod, holding the clipboard in the same manner as the angel before him.

"And while your virtue is more numerous," I watch as they both put their respective clipboards onto the scale in front of them, watching as the scale shifts and wobbles back and forth.

"Your sin is far heavier."

The silence is deafening, and I feel the air slowly leave my lungs. My eyes dart around the room, trying to find a way to escape, but no matter what I do I stayed glued to my seat. Unable to do anything as a pair of scales determined my fate.

After what felt like forever, the scales finally came to a rest.

I blink. Once. Twice. Before relief floods my system.

A tie.

I let out a breath, the tension in my shoulders lessening as I slouch into my seat. My hands rub over my face, wiping away the sweat off my brow. While I knew that I hadn't done anything that was worthy for hell, it didn't lessen the absolute pounding my heart was giving me. Though the feeling was fleeting as a new anxiety set in.

What happens now? Does a tie mean anything? Is a tie good? Am I still going to hell for all the sins I've committed? Or am I am absolved for it?

I looked at two divine beings, waiting for a response. The two just stared at the scale with empty eyes before sighing. "Reincarnation it is then."

They both turn towards me, boring through mine, and I brace myself for what they have in mind. I've already read enough fanfics and self-inserts about reincarnation to know what the deal is, whatever it is, I can take it.

"Child of the Pruned Earth," I'm sorry WHAT. "In light of the weight of your sin, you have been deemed unfit for Heaven or Hell."

No! You can't just drop a massive lore dump without providing any context. That's just not fair! What does that even mean that the earth has PRUNED? What the heck happened to the world while I was dead!? Is that why I was suddenly sent here? Because the world has been pruned?

"You are hereby sentenced to be brought back to the land of living, where you'll be able to live again. Only this time you'll be tasked with redeeming yourself." I sigh to myself, knowing that my question won't be answered anytime soon, I nod, accepting their sentence.

I've done this whole 'living' thing before, and it's not that bad. Besides, it's certainly better than being tortured for eternity in the fiery pits of hell.

"But," Aaaand there's the catch, I can't help but lower my head at that. "You have sinned, and your actions must have consequences." Yep, here it comes. The part where I'm going to be reincarnated as some sort of animal or monster and suffer through some tough challenges until I learn my lesson. Hopefully, it's not too bad.

"And for your punishment, you shall walk on the path of the First Murderer, Cain."

I hang my head in resignation, cursing my luck as the angels continue to speak.

Being given the role of the first murderer is not… ideal. Not only am I going to live through the early stages of humanity's history, but they're literally putting me in the shoes of the Father of Betrayal.

At the very least, they could've given me the role of someone less evil.

But noooo. I'm forced to be stuck inside the body of the first murderer, and have to suffer through all of his trials and tribulations.

Well, I mean, it could have been worse. I could have ended up as the first murdered victim. At least as Cain, I can still try and defy against fate. As Abel on the other hand, I would only end up as a punching bag with my fabric ripped opened and my sand poured out of it.

Zoning back into the conversation, the angels continued explaining. "…keep in mind of the fact that you are a foreign soul, so we had to merge your body with another person so the Counter Force won't instantly erase you from existence." THE FUCKING WHAT NOW?

Like the Counter Force? THE Counter Force? The same Counter Force that's in many of Type-Moon's works? The very same Counter Force that fuck over many people for it's own (technically Humanity's) gain? THAT Counter Force?

It's not that I'm unfamiliar with the term, far from it, considering the series that it came from had a chokehold on the better parts of my life. It's more of the fact that an actual divine beings was actually using the term and is actively finding loopholes against it? It's a bit much to take in. Does this mean that Nasu is psychic or something? Or am I being isekaied into the Nasuverse?

Either option is terrifying, to be honest.

"There's no need to be afraid, for your host shall have a compatible personality and mindset as well as a similar past to yours." Seeing my obvious distress, the angel on the right tried to reassures me on the issue. Unfortunately, he was shit at guessing which issue I was freaking out about.

Being sent into the Nasuverse is a fucking death sentence if I ever saw one.

"Are you seriously going to–"

"Now go forth Cain, and fulfill your duty as the First Son. Best of luck on your journey." Before I could finished my sentence, the two angels were quick to interrupt, materializing a lever before pulling it down.

And just like that, the floor beneath me disappeared. Sending me plummeting down the endless abyss.

"WAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH–" But my screams fell upon deaf ears, and within the next moment, I was in my next life.