(This is being crossposted from a different site, so expect 22 chapters to be batch-released.)
Hello, before you get started, I'd just like to say that this is the first time I've ever written a story. I'm actually quite embarrassed about the first few chapter now that I've gained some writing experience, so if you don't enjoy say, the first five chapters, push on through.
It gets better, hopefully.
Anyway, enjoy.
...
What is death?
That is a question I find myself asking, as I take in my strange, new environment.
There are those who seek it, and others who wish to manipulate the fear of it for their own gain. Some, rightfully, see it as oblivion; while others view it as simply the first step in ones existence. It is the fate that awaits all life, and yet, some people welcome it.
Not me.
While it can come for you at any moment, most ignore its inevitable grasp on them. They live in intentional ignorance of their end, but are ultimately happier for it. It is only when faced with their own mortality that they look back and wonder:
'Why did I waste so much time?'
…
Unnatural silence. That is the first thing I notice as my awareness grows. The kind of silence that has never been disturbed by the peskiness of life.
I know I went to sleep in my own bed, in my own house, with my tinnitus drowned out by the white noise of my bedside fan. I dreamt, as I always do, of the verdant field and the overcast, grey sky that gifts me total serenity.
My happy place, as I like to call it.
Now, as I open my eyes, I find myself standing underneath that same sad sky, with it neighbouring grass poking up between my toes; and I can feel, with absolute certainty, that I am dead.
What is one supposed to feel and think when faced with a situation such as this? Do they fell rage? Do they... cry? Are they meant to fall to their knees and clutch their face, overcome with despair? For me, all I can think is, 'I hope my dog is okay.'
The silence is broken by a simple, 'Hello', from my left. Surprised, I turn toward the voice, and see small bolt of ever-shifting, white lightning. "Uh-," I choke out, "Hello?" It doesn't respond. "I heard you speak... I think, are you not going to reply?"
It starts to slowly move towards me, causing me to back away in fright. "Please," I begin to beg as I step back, "I don't know what you are, and I understand, somehow, that I am dead... but you're scaring me." The bolt stops its advance, and begins to emit a golden light.
Its shape begins to warp, forming a series of unrecognisable words. As I stare in confusion at the unknown language in front of me, the lightning begins to speak, its voice soft and clear. "Oh. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to frighten you, something else drew part of my attention for a moment." She? It? Apologises.
"Anyway, allow me to introduce myself." It coughs, somehow, clearing its... throat? Does lightning have a throat? I think humorously. "The identifier that I am permitted to reveal to you is, 'That Which One Sees at the Point of Death'. But I understand that the people of your planet would find that to be quite the mouthful, so you can just call me, 'Twos'."
I get the impression that its giving me a smile.
"Ah," I begin. What does one say to a bolt of lightning? "W-Where am I? What are you? A-And... why am I naked?" I'm starting to ramble, I know. But, what the fuck? This is so far past the point of anything that I've ever experienced.
"Okay, first of all, you need calm yourself a little, young miss, or you'll start to dissipate, haha." Please don't laugh, that isn't helping. "I am a... law, I guess you could say, sent out to guide those who have gotten lost on the path to death. And I do apologise for your nakedness, but all must be laid bare in this sacred place." It almost sounds embarrassed.
"As I'm sure you understand by now, you're dead. As for where you are? That's going to be a bit complicated I'm afraid. You see, when most die, they go straight to wherever they are meant to go; be it an afterlife, saṃsāra, or nothingness... But you," It whispers, "You dream of grey and green."
"...Grey and green?" I question. "You mean this place? I don't understand its importance, but I am familiar with what I'm seeing. I dream of it every night."
"Exactly!" It suddenly shouts, excitedly, before taking a second to calm down. "You have no idea how rare it is for something to be able to enter here. This place, its... its one of the most powerful things in all of totality; a font of pure potential, the birthing chamber for the creation of... well, everything." It finishes with awe in its voice.
"I... I don't understand. If I... died, why am I here?" Fear starts to well up inside me. This isn't something I want anything to do with. I don't like being subject to something so far beyond my ability to control.
"Because," It spoke, it voice low and full of wonder, "You've been invited. Out of everyone and everything, you've managed to be chosen. Not because you are special, or because a higher power is looking out for you; but because your name was pulled out of... essentially, a great, big, cosmic-sized hat."
Something's fucky.
Stuff like this doesn't happen in the real world. The universe is ordered and understandable; It exists, it will fade, and humanity will be a part of it for a microsecond. There is no greater power or god, there is no fate or predestination, and there is certainly no life after death.
This whole... thing, is the stuff of fiction; something you'd read in the half-coherent writings of a mid-thirties virgin. There is no such thing as 'Isekai', there is no chosen one, and there is no greater purpose that one is meant to achieve; you live, you are unhappy, you die. That's i- "Ah, that's where you're wrong."
"...Are you reading my thoughts? Fuck! What the hell is going on?! Why am I here?!" I shout, furious. This can't be real. I'm still at home, sleeping, dreading the coming morning shift I have to work tomorrow, with my dog curled up next to me.
"Don't get snappy with me, little one. Just because you're closed-minded, it doesn't mean that the truth will change to fit you." It chided me. "I'll be frank, you don't need to be accepting of your new situation, it won't change what is to come. Just know that this is how things are, and that this is a gift."
"As the 'chosen one', as you put it, you have, at the point of your death, been brought here to be given a unique opportunity; freedom. All creation is under the purview of the Heavenly Dao, which you'll no doubt recognise from those trash-like webnovels that you are so fond of." It mocked.
I go to interrupt, but it flashes and rumbles warningly at me.
"But the Seedbed, here, can be used to move beyond, to explore universes untouched by the Heavenly Dao. This, is what you have been 'chosen' to do."
"...Okay. Yeah, okay. I'm calming down somewhat; sorry for snapping at you." I apologise. I shouldn't get this worked up, what happened, happened. "So, what? Am I meant to go to from universe to universe and conquer them in the name of the Heavenly Dao? Because if so, I refuse. I'm not some kind of general; killing my way across the land in order to increase the 'power' of my 'master'. You'd be better off sending me on to wherever I would have gone if you hadn't scooped me up."
"Don't be ridiculous." It chided. "The Dao isn't some kind of cosmic evil that wants to consume all life. In fact, it just wants to see what lies outside of its limits; to explore and understand the unknown."
Thank god, or the Dao, I guess. I'm not a conqueror, or a leader, that isn't me. I'd much rather be sat at home reading, or continuing my studies.
"Come." Twos ordered, interrupting my thoughts. "Follow me. Your adventure cannot begin until we have travelled to the Heartof the Seedbed." It changed back into its state of shifting lightning and started moving away from me. I moved to follow, feeling the soft grass flatten beneath my feet.
The journey to this Heart started with a single step, beginning a walk that lasted an indeterminate time, perhaps hours, or maybe days. As we travelled, I saw things that I doubt any human has before. From the half-formed body of a towering, shining, humanoid; to a flying, whale-like creature made of crystal and time.
At what I came to be informed was the halfway point in our journey to the Heart, we came across a gravestone, inscribed with a language that hurt my eyes to read. When I asked Twos who the grave was for, it helpfully replied, 'God'. It's a good thing I'm not religious, or that definitely would've caused a crisis of faith.
When we finally reached the Heart, It was nothing like what I had been imagining. Instead of something complicated that I probably couldn't even begin to comprehend; or something mythical, like a lake of life-creating water, I instead found a chalkboard. The board was full of notes and diagrams, displaying such things as a salmon with human legs, and a snowman made of fire.
To say I was surprised would be an understatement. Seeing my expression, Twos laughed and said. "I know. It's not what you'd think to find at the Heart of creation." Twos lightning form moved to the board and struck it with a bolt, erasing its displays.
Twos tapped the board, causing it to float up and expand, making it slightly larger than me. Twos turned to me and said, "Okay, when you're ready, step into the board and be sent you off to your new reality." It explained, quite cheerfully.
"...That's it? No explanation on where I'm going, or what I'm expected to do? Am I still going to be me, or is this some kind of transmigration situation?" I ask. I'd prefer to know where I'm going; even if I end up in a death world, I'd at least like to mentally prepare.
"Oh, sure, sure. I was just going to send you off to a random reality, but you can choose from a select few if you want." Twos replied. I'm just gonna gloss over that. "As a gift from me, to thank you for the conversation on the journey here, you can decide if you'd rather just be placed there, instead of the planned transmigration." It graciously offered.
"Great, thank you." I thanked him sincerely. At least I have some choice when it comes to my future. "So what are my options? Oh, and I'd like to stay as myself, please."
"Depending on where you choose to go, you might miss out on some inborn talents; are you sure?" It queried. The potential benefits are intriguing, but I've been in this body for my entire existence, and I'm comfortable with who I am. Who knows, I might end up as a man.
Isn't that a dreadful thought.
"If that's your preference, then so be it." Twos replied, respecting my decision. "So, as you've chosen to limit your potential options, you won't get to know the name of your choices, and will only gain an impression of the reality. Sorry." Twos apologised. "Step forward and stick your head through the board. Don't worry, there's no danger involved."
Doing as Twos said, I step forward nervously, but stop. "Are you sure there's no danger? I'm not gonna stick my head in there and gain the attention of some unfathomably powerful entity, who'll kidnap me and force me to doing its bidding for its entertainment? Right?" I begged.
"...You read too many stories. Trust me, the process is perfectly safe. If anything could get through the board, we'd have much greater problems than that."
Finally, trusting in Twos, I stick my head into the Heart.
The first thing I notice is a complete absence of physical sensation, and the great increase of my senses. Looking around, is see five distant lights, that each exude a different feeling.
Focusing on one, I don't initially get an impression from it. Trying again, I finally start to feel something; the... colour orange? And... eyes? The fuck?
Pulling my head back, I turn to Twos and question, "Am I doing this right?"
"Why? Because you felt a colour? Don't worry, you've just been restricted by the senses of your species. What you are sensing is correct, if limited." It comforted me. Happy that I didn't do it wrong, I stick my head back in and focus on a different light.
This time, I get the impression of bats, and a... quiff, of all things. Okay, I have a good idea what that's meant to represent. Before moving on, I pull out again and question Twos, "I'm pretty sure I know what one of those realities is, and its fictional... probably. Is superman real?" I ask excitedly.
It laughed, "Everything is real if believe hard enough, ya fool."
Laughing along, I stick my head back in and focus. From the third light, I get the feeling of six glowing stones and... glorious purpose? The fourth light, the crawling of bugs and a fedora. And finally, from the fifth light, titties and dragons.
I'm pretty sure I know what all of they are, apart from the first and fifth lights, so I'm gonna ignore those. The options available to me seem to be DC, the MCU, or marvel in general, and Worm.
Fuck any of those, honestly.
Pulling back a third time, I turn to Twos for his help, "I think I know what three of them are, and they're basically death worlds. The other two I have no impression of, so I've decided to ignore them. What do you think I should do?"
For some reason, Twos started flashing and thundering. "Girl, this is your singular chance to gain absolute freedom, and you want your first choice to be decided by some... other? This is your future, it is for you to create!" Twos rumbled angrily.
Twos' anger is unexpected, but he's not wrong. This is the most important decision I will ever make, and it must be given great thought.
"...I'm gonna roll a dice."
"...Sure."