I made a terrible mistake. Everyone else knew that, sooner or later, I was bound to make a blunder while cataloging a human's death. It took me some centuries, but it finally happened. One human soul was taken before its determined death.
Now it falls on me the responsibility to fix this. Surely, the higher-ups could just give me a scolding and erase that soul. But I couldn't. No, it's not that It would be shameful to request that to happen or that it would make me seem like a drawback. It is more of a selfish sentiment. To me, that soul doesn't deserve to be ripped from the cycle of incarnations because of something I did.
That's why, as soon as they came to face me I bowed down a bit awkwardly. It was my first time using human anatomy as my existence vassal, losing balance right now would be embarrassing.
"I'm deeply sorry!"
There was no response from them, but that didn't bother me. Souls tend to be quiet when arriving at the post mortem planum.
"Because of my mistake, you died. I will take responsibility for that and compensate you by reincarnating your soul right away."
Still no answer? Ah, they are probably mad at me. Please, don't hesitate and scream whatever you want at this Vagalume. There isn't anyone who wouldn't be angry at someone who killed them by mistake.
"I'll also be giving you perks and blessings to help you start living again. If you have anything in mind, please tell me and I'll see if it can be done."
No, I did not come here unprepared! This isn't the first time a soul needs to be reincarnated. I read all I could from the past incidents where this occurred and I'm confident I can give the most accomplished result for both parties! Extra powers? Caring and wealthy family? Special body components? I already got permission ahead of time from my supervisor! I'll make this mistake disappear with a perfect conclusion!
"Ah... Thank you, but I refuse."
"Eh?"
I stared at the unshaped floating soul.
"Refuse? Ah! Perhaps you don't want any blessings then? If you want to be an average person in your next life, I understand, but it will be bad if I were to let-"
"No, that's not it. I don't want to be reincarnated."
I have no idea what expression my human face is making for the soul to let out a heavy sigh. They don't want to reincarnate? I- I didn't read anything about this happening before. Is this what non-illuminated beings call luck? Or the lack of it.
"Listen," the soft voice started again to get my attention, "I'm actually really grateful that you killed me. I've always been scared of death and pain. But you made me pass away during my sleep, so I didn't feel anything and wasn't scared before that happened. For me, it was the perfect way to die."
Okay, I can understand that part. Somewhat. Those that don't know about the soul cycle tend to expect to just be erased into oblivion after what seems to be their first death.
"But living again? I don't want that. So, uh, you can skip this part and just do what comes after that."
This is troublesome. I was determined into granting this soul its wishes, but the one thing they are asking for is impossible for me to do. Even after checking my imprinted rules for reincarnation, skipping it altogether is a clear violation of our code.
"I'm sorry. I can't do that." I bowed again. While doing that, I re-check what I knew about this soul's previous life.
"Aren't you God or something? Also, isn't this easier for you? I don't know anything about reincarnation, but isn't doing this more work for you?"
"You could say I'm something akin to what you imagine to be your God. And yes, this does require more effort than simply erasing you. Nevertheless, I have to reincarnate you."
"Wha- Why?!"
A soul became enraged when only given the option to reincarnate. This will be a new entry to the code.
"Amaia, my mistake made you die, and your soul came back to the post mortem planum much earlier than planned. Here, your soul can't exist for too long. You need to be attached to an organic matter to create what we call Time. That is what makes the infinitely expanding planes of existence to be connected and perpetuated. It's also what makes me exist too."
"Okay... I think I understood that."
"Well, even if it seems like one soul disappearing won't do much in the greater scheme of the universal balance. It actually does. Souls cannot be recreated. Once they are gone, they are gone forever. And if lesser and lesser souls are producing Time... at some point, there won't be enough Time to maintain all the planes."
They stay silent, probably taking in my explanation. I did simplify it so they could get some level of comprehension, but I'm sure the most important topic was not undervalued.
"Right, okay, so you need my soul to make something while alive to feed you. And deleting me would be bad for your food-producing income, making you scared of going hungry and then dying."
"If that is how you understand, then yes you are correct."
"Can't you just erase my memories before reincarnating then? Isn't that the usual after someone dies when they are supposed to die?"
My hand finds its way to scratch my head on its own. I could do that, but the results would be different. That's because I need Amaia to produce more Time by living a while longer. Not the next Incarnation, but the Amaia incarnation.
"For some years, no. I can't do that."
"Because I passed away before due time?"
I nod and the soul hoover on a lower level than before. Ahhh, this is not going as I predicted. Their aura is even changing color from the distressing emotions.
"What I did to you is irreversible and deplorable. That's why, just for some years, please reincarnate and live until your next incarnation cycle. I'll help with all I can so that you won't be even more burdened by me. That's why, please..."
"Ok, ok! I get it so don't cry!" The soul panicked a little and approached this one's face. I don't know what she meant by crying, but it may have looked that way to them.
"Thank you! Your reincarnation, I'll make it so you'll never regret it!"
"This person, really..." They talked as if troubled. Yes, I am once again determined to do an exceptional job! As I list all the preview reincarnators' wishes, Amaia listens and asks any doubts they get. It seems like they don't want anything that could highlight them as an amazing person. So no superpowers or a rare race.
"I can't be a slime? It would be so easy to just eat anything and lay around."
"You can't! Slimes have too short of a life and I can't turn you into an irrational being."
Amaia mumbled something about unfairness after my decisive answer. I am absolutely sure we didn't reincarnate any soul as a slime, though?