He pinched himself lightly as he observed the figure before him. He was sure this was a dream but when he pinched himself, he didnt wake up.
"So... I'm dead?"
The figure before him smiled sadly and knodded. She was a beautiful, youthful girl. Her skin was dark and free of blemishes, her hair was black and long, almost reaching the floor. Her voluptuous body was draped in a white fabric that clung to her curves while covering up her entire body, leaving only her hands free.
He was in a space that was a bit different from what he would imagine the afterlife to look like. It was a circular room and it was so tall one could not see the ceiling. It was properly luminated without any signs of a light source and he couldn't tell what color the walls were because they were covered in books of all shapes and sizes. Behind the woman standing before him was a rather large writing desk with paper and various writing tools all over it in no particular order.
"Yes... unfortunately, you did die."
He felt dread wrap around his body and his heart. He had wanted to propose to his girlfriend tomorrow. His friends had all helped him plan for the day and her family was flaying out next week to celebrate the engagement. They were all sure she'd say yes. The had known each other for five years and she had been waiting for him to ask for the last year. He felt a wave of sadness as he realized just how heartbroken she'd be. He'd give anything to go back to her right now.
"I'm afraid that's impossible... Once you exist your old world, you can never go back."
He felt himself sink deeper into sadness.
"However, you did not finish your story in your world."
He was still confused... Who was this woman... Was she even a being called 'woman'?
"I assume you want an explanation?" She paused to confirm and Alaric knodded. She smiled softly and gestured for him to follow her. She led him to a corner of the room where a table was set for tea, complete with cookies and bread with jam. Alaric waited for her to sit before he took his seat and waited for her to start. His mood was gloomy as he reflexively added a teaspoon of sugar to his tea and stired it, his mind still in shock.
"Well, to start, I'll explain what I am. My name is Elena and I am one of the many Authors serving under an entity you would call God. Each world is under the charge of a council of authors who are responsible for all the people in that world. We make sure that each person walks their destined path, however we do not control humans. You lot have never been ones to be controlled," Elena smiled warmly as if she was talking about her own mischievous children whom she adored. "You earnestly fight fate... and sometimes, you win," she laughed lightly as if she was proudly bragging about the accomplishments of her children and sipped her tea.
"So you're not a Goddess?" He was a bit surprised.
"Oh no no. Though I am a divine existence. The being that rules all the worlds is an indescribable being, even I do not understand that entity. Though many of its creations have thought up some very amusing descriptions for it," Elena giggled. The sound shocked him. He would never expect such a beautiful woman to also be this cute.
He took a sip of tea to calm himself and asked the question that was weighing on his mind. She had said his story wasn't finished..... so.. "Why am I dead?"
Elena's expression darkened dangerously for only a second before her gentle smile returned. He felt a chill.
"Well, an Author incharge of your world made a mistake. She mixed your storyline with another who's life should have ended that day. We would undo it but we are forbidden to do that," He could feel the air around her thicken and he felt a sense of pitty for the one her anger was directed at. But then he thought about the tears that would be steaming down the face of his almost fiancee and his pitty turned to malice.
Elena sighed deeply and massaged her temple, "However, we have decided on a fix. I will personally take responsibility and place you in the world I am in charge of. You will have a very luxurious life there as an appology for our neglegence. I am sure you will enjoy that world greatly." She smiled earnestly at him and he just stared at her, unsure what to say.
He was angry at the Author who ended his life prematurely, but he was also grateful to this Author as she was obviously worried about him and determined to make up for the trama. He nodded at her proposal and didn't ask anything else. He was sure he could trust this deity.
"Well then, I enjoyed our time together. It's not often I get to meet the humans under my care. Thank you for granting me your company, although unwillingly. I hope you enjoy your time in my world."
He held his head as he suddenly felt dizzy. He could feel his consciousness slip away as the woman before him started to fade.