The Murphy's Law

Chapter 1

All Desmond Murphy wanted was a simple life. Peaceful without any major complications.

That was all he ever asked for.

And yet, fate or whatever otherworldly entity always had it for him to disrupt any moments of peace. Like he couldn't do anything normal without something outrageous happening. Groceries? There's a one of a kind surprise sale for some cool product which everybody suddenly has a need to buy to the point of starting a brawl over it. To make things worse, it even made the tv news. Cashing checks at Bank? Someone wants to rob it on the day he wants to withdraw some money. List would go on and on much to Desmond's dismay and friends' amusement that every time something like this happened they dubbed it "The Murphy's Law".

"But hey. The Day will never be boring for you, so you're lucky."

Desmond would always reply that they should switch with him then. The only response was the crickets.

"Something is wrong here"

That was the first thought that popped into Desmond's head as he woke up with a massive headache. Sure he was no stranger to wild parties as much as he liked to avoid them, but it looked like getting out of bed was going to be way harder than he thought it'd be.

"Alright, easy does it." Desmond said to himself as he got out of bed.

As he was adjusting his eyes like a photographer adjusts the lenses of the camera, another thing that seemed to prove that something is wrong here, was the sound of Sea Waves coming through the window.

Ennis was never this close to the sea.

Also, Desmond didnt remember ever dressing up like he was going to go to a beach party.

Desmond went for the door, anxious about what was going on. Immediately Sun rays have hit his eyes which took Desmond some time to adjust. One thing was for certain.

He was not in Ireland, that was for sure.

It was some sort of tropical archipelago, consisting of 3 islands of various sizes across each other. From what Desmond could find so far, he was alone. There was this Hut where he woke up, with some Outhouse to his left and he stepped outside, a road started forming under his feet - every time he took a step - which further encapsulated the bizarre.

Still, taking the stroll beat sitting in one place so Desmond took a stroll. Maybe it'd help him figure out where he was and maybe how he got here.

Alas he found no clues on that last one.

What he actually found was a tall obsidian platform, looking like a portal from Stargate. Taking a closer look, It was more than appropriate comparison, especially with the compass, buttons that Desmond didn't knew it's purpose and such, and engravings placed on it's arcs. Next to it, it was some sort of pod that could contain a person.

"You really outdid yourself this time Desmond" - Desmond said to himself, clothed in what he wore yesterday, before continuing his train of thought - " Question is … how did that happen? All I remember was going out with my friends like usual… How did I end up here?"

Then the Panic induced paranoia went off. Desmond frantically went to find his cellphone, and went to call every single number he had in his memory card. Maybe if someone answered it would give Desmond something of normalcy… but to no avail.

Desmond got Robinson Crusoe'd.

He tried Google Maps.

No results. As if he wasn't even on his Earth.

"What the HELL is this place?" - Desmond sat on the ground out of frustration.

"I believe I can explain that, Desmond Murphy." a female voice caused Desmond to jump to his feet.

"Who are you? Show yourself" - said Desmond. Still not knowing what was going on, but if he wasn't the only person alone maybe they know the answers. Unless they were behind his kidnapping.. They'd regret it if they did.

A woman showed up in Desmond's sight. Looking like, She just came back from some Punk rock concert: Black Hair with purple hairdye on the hair ends. Nose ring, the choker with chains, black leather jacket and Blue jeans. Possibly similar age to him, if Desmond had to guess, being 28 years old.

"My Name is Kalea, nice to meet Ya" - Kalea looked up at Desmond and put out her hand for Desmond to shake. He reluctantly did.

"Kalea… do you know what this place is? I tried to find my location on Google maps, but gps went wonky for some reason." Desmond said as he looked around the lands once more.

"Well it's not exactly a place where the GPS of your world would work." replied Kalea - "It's a place outside of space and time somewhere in the Wastness of Omniverse. Cosmic Archipelago"

"Sure" said Desmond, but then he eyed Kalea - "That doesn't explain how you know my name?"

Kalea took a bit of a pause, as if she was regretting what she was going to say next.

"As for your other questions currently going through your mind… as much as one would like to believe it is a dream or afterlife or some drug induced hallucination, I assure you that it's not."
"What is then?" - Desmond started to get annoyed with the cryptic bullshit.

"Let's address the Elephant in the room first Desmond. You... are dead." - said Kalea with sadness on her face. - "You have died in your world and while I was able to revive you here, I'm afraid that You can't go back to your world. Apologies."
Desmond's initial shock at this revelation, turned into a bitter, almost insane laugh, much to Kalea's visible confusion and worry.

"So this is how it ends for me, huh? I can't even have my Death peaceful? Always getting into some shite." - Desmond cursed out before turning back to Kalea - "So what now? You'll judge me upon my life?"

"No No No No. I'm not your Final Judgement. I'm your Benefactor" said Kalea much to Desmond's confusion.

"What do you mean?"

"You, Desmond Murphy, like many others in vast Omniverse, have been chosen to become a Jumper - an individual with an opportunity to travel worlds, gather power and be able to do things some people would kill for. Beings like yours truly give you said opportunity in exchange for what you'll do with that opportunity for the next decade or so, depending on the setting"

Desmond rolled his eyes out. It seemed way too much of a green card for some asshole to unleash some hell on poor saps. As if Desmond had enough trouble…

Then again, he was dead, where else he could go?

Kaela, seeing Desmond's doubts forming inside his head, replied.

"I know how it sounds, trust me some people actually went that route. I didn't say Benefactors were of any crystal character either"

"Then why did you pick me?"

"Because I saw potential in you"

Desmond had a hunch that there could be something more to it, but whatever it was - Kalea was good at hiding it.

"Of course, I won't let you go on a journey through Omniverse buck naked." said Kalea and soon after, she snapped her fingers; enveloping Desmond in bright light for a moment.

"What just happened?"

"To show that I mean well to you, Desmond. First Gift I bestow upon you, I cured you of any and all physical ailments. Plus I gave your looks a minor appearance upgrade. My second gift to you is before you make your first jump. I'll give you a chance to frontload any 2 jumps you want." - said Kalea with a smile.

"What's Frontloading?" - Desmond asked, still checking around his body.
"Remember that scene "I know kung fu" from The Matrix?" - asked Kalea - " It's Something similar. SO what's your pick?"

That was a good question. Especially since Kalea could theoretically throw him anywhere. Literally anywhere… So after some thinking, Desmond replied.

"Kill Bill and Kung Fu Panda"

"Alright" - said Kalea as she snapped her fingers again.

Desmond's head exploded in hell of a headache for the next 5 minutes, as the information came to him like a muscle memory.

Once it was done, Kalea helped Desmond to get up.

"Now we can send you on your journey. I think I have an idea where.."

Kalea grabbed Desmond and both arrived on Portal Dai. As Desmond stood in front of the Portal Dai, Kalea - His Benefactor - gave him a tablet before she went to put on coordinates.

"So what's the first world i'm facing?" asked Desmond

"Red Dead Redemption. Should be relatively easy, while having some sort of challenge for you. Fair warning, every next world will be bit tougher. Everything on the Tablet should cover anything possible and necessary to buy if you want to survive next 10 years " - Kalea looked at Desmond before going back to put on the coordinates.

So Desmond went to work. As he finished, the Portal was ready. Before he went through, Kalea grabbed him by the hand.

"You'll be fine.. Think of this as a new start. Who knows - maybe you'll discover something bout yourself you didnt knew before?" - she said with a warm tone

"Or fuck things up six ways till Sunday. But hey it'd count as entertainment. But thanks." said Desmond and after taking a deep breath, he went through the portal.

As he disappeared, Kalea thought to herself with a gentle smile forming on her face.

"You always wanted a simple life…Understandable. Yet I believe that there's potential in him to be a hero. Gods know Omniverse needs those more than ever.."

AN: Hello.
After being a longtime lurker... This shall be my first ever story on this site.

Im looking forward to see what you think. Feedback and your general thoughts about the story are always welcome.

Desmond has took his first steps on the journey across the Omniverse. How will that turn out for him, I wonder?