"What's going on?" Kade asked furrowing his brows as he looked between me and them.
"I knew I recognized you. You're the girl who went missing. There is this huge conspiracy centered around you. Apparently, three witnesses saw your abduction. All three were assassinated by a police officer's 9mm gun. When they found the police officer his throat was slit in his home office. I've heard that every time someone gets close to the case bad things happen. There is a conspiracy that you were taken by someone high up in the government. That rich people are covering it up with all their connections and resources" Beth said almost as if she was reciting from a book exactly. She looked at me in shock, sympathy, and interest.
They all looked at me as I shifted uneasily on my bare feet.
"Um… " I was cut off by a voice that sounds like it's coming from a speaker as it reverberates through the rooms.
I let out a sigh of relief at having their attention diverted from me.
"My name is Death and I would like to welcome you all to your afterlife. As you already know, it's not what you thought it would be. To be fair, we have been running out of space for about 2000 years when the population was only 170million on earth. Now the population of the living is 7.8 billion well...you can understand why the afterlife took a huge shift in perspective which has only been refined in today's age. Let's not even talk about the fact I only have jurisdiction over America." there was a pause and then the voice chuckled and continued.
"I'm about to impart some knowledge that is a little earth-shaking but hopefully.. exciting. You see the painful truth about life is that life is a vacation. It's the real paradise away from reality. In Death, you all will face the reality. The reality is this. The afterlife is a dimension built in the void. The void is full of not only vast wonders but vast horrors. It can create the impossible, it can bestow incredible things thought to be fiction. In exchange for power and magic, we have to keep the monsters at bay so they can never reach the living. The more the population on earth grows the more the monsters and creatures of the void want to eat humans for their souls. Because of overpopulation we organize souls and assign them to different starter homes." At that point, there was a long pause as everyone let Death's words sink in.
"Think of this as a game. The souls that stand beside you in your new home are your teammates and family. You want a bigger home and better amenities? work together to make it possible. The void grants us powers, but just like a game, we have to work at the bottom. Those who are categorized as souls that can't or won't change have already been… exterminated so don't worry too much. Your job in the afterlife is to help defend against the void. Whether that's on the Frontline or being a support teammate that is up to you. The Support class is just as important as the Fighter class. If you decide you want no part in any of this I'll be happy to reassign you to Elysium which is where you will stay for however many amounts of years it takes before fate decides your soul can be reincarnated...Of course, your soul will be wiped clean and you will stay in your room unable to enjoy any of the benefits of Elysium. If you serve for at least 2 years as a support class you can be fast-tracked on the waiting list for reincarnation bypassing the extreme boredom of Elysium. " Death drawled darkly and we all looked at each other in shock.
"Magic huh?" Ava said interested a look on her face as she sized us all up.
"I love video games… this will be fun" I whispered turning towards the fireplace trying to contain my excitement at the possibilities. In my life playing video games was something that was looked down upon. In my family, it was unladylike and childish.
"Well now, this just got interesting" Jinn said his eyes lighting up as we all waited to hear more.
"A box will materialize in your room. It's called a PIPA which is a Personal, Intelligent, Processing, Assistant pronounced Pip-uh. Put the PIPA on if you decide to help the fight against the void whether that is as a Support or a Fighter class. If you decide to go straight to Elysium place the red string of fate around your ankle and tie it. If you have more things in the box they are most likely from sponsors. Sponsors have experienced the afterlife already. They are souls who pick and choose newbie souls, like you, to give advantages to. Whether that's information or special items or even money. Each item will come with a card that says the name of the person who it is intended for and maybe it even says whose it's from. On the card is also a stipulation line. Some sponsors expect debt in return.. some don't so before you accept the item… well I'd read the card and make my judgment. You have 10 minutes to decide before the red strings will be transported to Elysium. Good luck Newbies" Death said with a grin and the speaker cut off.
Before another word could be said a large painting on the wall turned into a screen that said a timer of 10 minutes and it was counting down.
A very large box appeared on the ground silently as if was always there.
Tick Tock...
Immediately a couple of people approached.
I turned away from the box and faced the fire. I didn't expect anyone would send me anything.
I wrapped the hoodie sleeves around myself and shuddered at the thought of Elysium. That was hell in itself. Four walls and a roof like this, but alone… I hate being alone.
"Anyone not taking a PIPA?" John drawled his eyes piercing everyone and I could feel it on my back as if he expected me to not take it.
After several beats of silence there looked to be relieved looks.
"Good, we need everyone we got if we want to move up from this barren hell of a room. " Ava snapped approvingly as she looked at the room in disgust making Jinn roll his eyes at her.
"I'm more concerned about food and a bed but whatever it's all the same. Elysium sounds boring" Jinn sighed exasperatedly running his fingers through his hair.
"The ultimatum is meant to be so they can at least get 2 years of service before the lazy people get to reincarnate themselves" Peter pointed out as Beth said, " well, obviously. They make you feel as if you have a choice while getting the labor they want. They take advantage of those who do the bare minimum to get by. I'd hope none of you have that type of personality because if so ill vote you off this island the first chance I get" Beth added coldly as she stared straight at Jinn who grinned widely then gave me a passing glance before looking at Paisley who seemed to observe it all with amusement.
"Don't look at me, I'm a team player and I can adapt pretty well. I'd worry more about passing out those PIPA's before the timer went out" Paisley said amused and Beth just raised her eyebrow and started passing out the PIPA.
Paisley brought over mine and Kade's and we strapped it on our wrist.
"Here, you need help?" Paisley asked genuinely and I nodded silently.
As she flipped my wrist over on my left arm to secure it she gasped making me follow her eyesight to see a black tattoo symbol on my inner wrist.
I yanked my hand from hers recognizing the tattoo that was branded on me.
It was almost as if I felt the pain of when it first was branded. I knew it was phantom pains so I dug my nails into my palm to distract myself as I breathed in calming myself down.
"Thanks, Paisley," I said with a strained smile and I turned away on instinct.
I looked at my arm mentally taking in the crescent moon with a skull coming out the side of it.
If I didn't know how id got it I'd say it was pretty badass.
"Holy fuck, someone loves us we all got gifts," Beth said shocked and we all came towards the box eager to see what we got.
"Peter you got a set of 13 books," Beth said handing it to the boy who brightened up.
"That sucks ass. What did I get?" Jinn asked eagerly pushing aside Peter who snarled at Jinn.
"Don't be an idiot Jinn. Knowledge is power" Beth chastised him as Peter said " he wouldn't know intelligence if it slapped him in the face"
"settle down kids. Peter, take your books and go see if you're going to accept them. Remember don't open it till you have read the card. I have a feeling if you crack one of those spines open then it will be accepted that you follow through. Jinn enough with the comments. We need every advantage we can get. From the studious to the brawn" John said in a rumbling Alpha type voice as he stared them down and they instantly grumbled but did as he said.
"Here Jinn looks like you get a sword?" Beth said, handing over a sword in its scabbard that had a card with his name on it.
He took both and went back to his spot on one of the armchairs plopping down.
Beth grabbed her gift setting it aside.
Then she pulled out a really nice looking quiver that had symbols on the leather that looked like magic runes from games.
"Cool an enchanted quiver I wonder what it does. Does it affect your arrows?" I breathed amazed and Kade and John looked at me confused.
"You've seen this before kid?" Kade said accepting his gift from Beth as he ran his thumb over the symbols.
Ironically the symbols shined under his thumb enchantingly.
I nodded shyly.
"In video games, games that have magic items. They have a type of language called Runes. The process of placing runes on items is called enchanting. You can enchant items to do crazy things in games. So I don't know what's possible in our new reality. But in games you can strengthen the attack of the arrows, or enchant the bow to boosts accuracy… or even infinite arrows… " I tried to explain unsure as to what was possible now.
How do you explain to a bunch of noobs about gaming mechanics when our new reality might be different. I would not want to assume I know how something works just because a game told me so. it would just confuse them and me. ahh this is frustrating.
"Well, Death mentioned Magic so let's not say that isn't possible now" Peter offered as he looked at the quiver with interest.
"That sounds…different.. hmm I'll have to find out what it can do. Thanks Mia" Kade said then rested his hand on my shoulder making me blush and nod.
"John this is for you" Beth said handing over a medium-sized box that he took eager and curious.
John motioned for Beth to carry on as he gave the box a long look.
"Ava this is for you... a purse?" Beth said confused and Ava eagerly snatched it and ripped open the card.
She eagerly read it.
"I accept, so be it" Ava said and in a flash of light the card melted into her skin like magic as her body absorbed it.
"Did you even think that through" Beth accused looking at Ava as if she was stupid.
"Of course I did! It's an enchanted bottomless chameleon bag. You tell me you would turn this down. It says I can change its shape by thinking" Ava said excitement shining in her eyes as she grabbed the normal looking black bag and instant it changed into a blue handbag with a long strap. On the outside of the bag was a endless road of various blues.
Ava shrieked happily bouncing her blue locks bouncing.
" its a rare HERMES Togo Endless Road Birkin Blue de Prusse. This bag is worth about 39k it can auction up to even more than that!" She said happily squeezing the bag.
"Ok, I'll admit that's cool. Bottomless bag I want that" Paisley said grinning with admiration as she thought of all the things she could fit in that bag.
"I still hope you didn't sell your soul for that" Beth said dryly, wincing at Ava's squeals making me giggle in amusement.
"Naw some guy does want me to dance a famous ballet act for him. Apparently he's a fan. Hope he isn't some creep, if all I have to do dance for him and pretend I want his attention i can do that no problem" she said waving away Beths concerns.
Kade and John stood up straighter as their expressions became cold and fierce.
"You tell me when your going to dance for him i'll make sure I guard you. You don't know what fucken creeps made it here" John said to Ava who looked a little taken back and amused by the overprotectiveness that the men displayed. Even Jinn who didn't like her looked like a he was ready to slice the imaginary creep open with his new sword.
"Remind me later to have you repeat exactly what the stipulation said. Who knows what things this guy might pull" Beth said then went into the box and handed Paisley a long skinny rectangle box.
Paisley tore it open eagerly and pulled out a wand.
"Woah" she said as she looked at the beautifully crafted dark wood wand. "Its a cursed wand called the "Devourer" it has the ability to merge and take over other wands that I own. But never the same type of wands . Hmm so I can't just feed it starter wands damn. But still a good wand. It means I never have to exchange it for a better one I can just have this one consume that wand and it upgrades it and gives it more spell knowledge and capabilities. Huh that's wicked" Paisley said excitedly and then looked at the stipulation. " if I accept this wand then I have 3 months to bond with the wand and get it to accept me. If it doesn't like me the curse will kick in and devour my soul. It says here that this wand will only work for those who will never physically attack an innocent person on purpose. It only likes light affiliated witches. Its had multiple owners who have either failed its test or have moved onto reincarnation. When the wand touches the hand of a new owner it will revert back to a starter wand. Interesting… well. I accept, so be it" Paisley said and with a flash her card sunk in to her body.
A stunned silence befell us at Paisley's undisturbed attitude at the consequences should she fail.
Beth huffed and rubbed her temples in annoyance as I sighed shaking my head at the offhanded carelessness of my group.
"You guys are not even trying to think. " Beth grouched and Paisley grinned cheekily.
"Sure I am Beth… i know myself, if I have lived 19 years without wanting to attack an innocent i can do it for 19 more at least. It said nothing about devouring you for defending yourself just hurting an innocent which, yes, is subjective. But i'll mostly be against monsters right?" Paisley countered making Beth look relieved that she thought it through atleast.
"Last one is Mia's here" she said handing over a square box.
I took it eagerly and set it down opening it slowly.
Nestled in the paper was a ink black glass ball.
I grabbed the card.
I read it fast and then looked at the black transparent ball in shock.
"You ok Mia? What did you get? A glass ball. OK my enchanted sword is so much cooler than that" Jinn said sitting on the floor next to me.
"Can i borrow your sword for a second" i asked Jinn pouting and he nodded curious and handed it over.
I slid the sword out and pressed it to my palm allowing it to slice me.
I heard the exclamations of shock, as i let three drops of blood squeeze from my fist over the ball which then started floating around me.
I did the same to the other object tucked into the box that looked like a strip of black leather that had an embossed rose pattern.
Immediately the thigh band attached itself to my upper thigh and glowed.
"Woah what do they do?" Peter asked in awe approaching and trying to touch the floating black ball hovering beside me.
He touched air though because now the ball is bonded to me and no one can touch it.
"That ball is called an Oculus. Apparently there is a lot of different types but this one is a top rank Oculus which can do quite a bit and is considered the most expensive. Its bonded to me by blood which means its always mine and can never be taken away. It says that with this I can now understand a lot of languages. I can't speak or read them but I'll be able to understand what others are saying so it's good for eavesdropping. I'm Linguistic already so thats, eh, but it can also tell me the time, I can call others or send recorded messages. I can record video and have it be invisible from view if I want. It can be a light source. It can be like my credit card and handle transactions. Private communication mode where only certain people are able to listen in or communicate with one another, without anyone else hearing. I can use it to track people that are on my friends list. I can use it as my ID. I can store things and I can save audio notes on it. Apparently, you all will get an Army Rank Oculus which only has the capability of calling, sending messages, functioning as an ID, and it will allow you to understand 4 common languages on earth only." I said and they looked stunned.
"that's kind of broken, don't you think?" Jinn said a bit disgruntled as he looked at my Oculus Ball.
"First moment I get i'm making money and buying one of those" Peter declared envious as the others looked highly interested in my trinket.
"Whats the thigh band do, is it a thigh holster?" John asked curious as I read the card absorbing all the information my unknown benefactor gave me.
Everything that was written was over simplified. I had a feeling there was more to the Oculus and thigh band.
"Watch" i said eager to show off as i stood. I tapped the holster and i could feel the weird energy respond happily to me.
They watched as my fingers slipped into it slowly disappearing from view.
"Its a weapon holster thigh band. Its a custom inventory made by a top gadget manufacturer called Pandora's Charms and it stores your weapons for easy switching. I can also render it invisible to the naked eye so no one won't be able to see my weapons even if it's extended. This is also an top rank item and it can hold many magazines of ammo bullets or 15 hand bombs. 8 large weapon slots for whatever. It also has the ability to slowly repair my weapon over time. Apparently, if I feed it magic void crystals it can upgrade the holster. Isn't it neat?" i said grinning at their stunned expressions.
I looked at the stipulation that had Death's symbol and it said 'My daughter, while your entrance into the afterlife and my family was a violent horrible one. I still feel as if you are now my responsibility. Please except these gifts and know you are always welcome to come to me. Should you need me just call my name "Damien, Death or Dad if you prefer". Don't be shocked if you get approached by your brothers and sisters they might be curious and will be watching. I promised myself I wouldn't spoil you so this is all I can or should offer you until you are ready to stand on your own two feet. I made sure to put you with others who I can trust. Not that they know who you are. You all have something in common and it boosts the powers or stats of your group. Anyway, see you later little one love your Dad'...
"I accept, so be it. There isn't any debt. They felt they owed this to me. " I said being as truthful as I could without giving away my secret and watched as it sunk into my skin.
It tingled but nothing weird happened thankfully.
"Well, my swords just as cool shortstack. It's called a "Hexblade". Anytime I strike someone or something with my blade and it makes contact I do necrotic damage. It can put a hex on my opponent that does even more necrotic damage. It also when activated uses its gathered power to expell a spell called hold person. I can't just spam it. I have to gain Experience with the blade to have the energy to use the spell. It does exactly what it says. The darkness gathered around my sword will come alive and bind the person. If they are 5 levels higher than me atleast, they can break out. Also while holding my sword I can see in total darkness for 60ft. " Jinn bragged and Paisley snorted.
"You sound like a DnD nerd" she teased and he looked insulted making me laugh.
"Why you laughing you little" Jinn hissed at me playfully and reached out to tickle me and I went and hid behind John who was starring lovingly at a gun.
"I can spellcast with this thing, what a beauty" John said enamored with his new toy and I smirked hiding beside him still.
I stuck my tongue out at Jinn who smirked back and gave me a look that said he would get me back.
"What can it do?" Beth asked curious as she held her own weapon in her hand.
"You'll see. I accept ,so be it" he said and with a blinding light he was bound. He had a smug knowing grin on his face as he ran his fingers over the greyed sides of his dark hair. I shook my head at his antics. Doesn't he know in games its best your group knows all your capabilities.
"Alright, be mysterious. I got a Sakura whip and my petals explode. I love Sakura cherry blossom trees" Beth said rolling her eyes and she had this look on her face that scared me.
"That's pretty" I said cautiously as she accepted it proudly a wild dead look in her eyes that made me flinch and look away.
Just as she was done a whoosh sounded and the box in the middle of the room was gone along with the unused red strings.
"Good, now that you all have decided we can continue. Let's begin with phase one. On your PIPA, you will now start it up and fill out the required information. To make things interesting in the afterlife we have cosmetic options to change your appearance. It has an inventory system that is limited to how much you can hold. There is no tutorial and there is a lot of secret functions to your modified PIPA. For every function your group figures out you get a bonus of our currency here. Listen carefully as i explain our monetary system in as few words as possible as i have better things to do. 1 copperheaded bullion is equal to 10 silver grim which is equal to 10 cursed dabloons which is then equal to 1 voidstone coin. So now that this is established. The first group to figure out all the functions get 100 voidstone coins. As a bonus each function that is first discovered, that group will get 10 cursed dabloons. Just speak aloud the functions once you discover it starting now" the second the voice cut off I spoke.