Nathan opened his eyes, or what he believed to be his eyes. In actuality, he was merely sensing his surroundings in soul form. Nathan was only able to feel a minuscule amount of space around him. But the most startingly thing of all was when he looked at his body. It was incorporeal and transparent.
'What's that blinding light? And what the hell happened to me? Am I dead?' Nathan questioned internally.
Although Nathan couldn't see much farther than an arm's reach around his apparent soul body, he could see an incredibly bright light. It pierced through what looked like a dark cloudy expanse from his limited sight.
'Is this the bright light those people who came back from the dead referenced?' Nathan inwardly questioned.
"Well, just in case it is, I won't be going towards it. No reason to cement my death, haha, if I am dead, that'd be quite the ironic line," Nathan said out loud, not realizing he could speak in this form and place.
"Guess that rules out space. I wouldn't be able to hear myself speak if it was," Nathan said out loud once more.
The bright light began to transform into what looked like a humanoid form, right in front of Nathan. Then the white light was now beaming due to its proximity.
"Hmm, This is quite peculiar indeed. Oh, and sorry to destroy any remaining hope of your survival, but you're dead in reference to your body at least. But you're spirit or soul, whichever way you'd like to describe it as is intact. Unfortunately, your soul is currently cursed," the bright humanoid light said.
"Wait, so I am really dead?" Nathan asked, still slightly in disbelief. He had thought maybe he was in a coma or perhaps cardiac arrest. Finding out he was no longer alive hit harder than he expected.
"Yes, you are. At least as far as your previous mortal life goes," the bright humanoid light answered. Although Nathan was a bit dejected, he didn't make much of a fuss, nor did he plead for answers. He merely looked as if he'd accepted his fate.
Surprised by the reaction, the bright humanoid light asked, "Are you not curious about how you died?"
"Not really. I can't change anything about it so, I'd rather not know how it transpired me being aware of the outcome is enough. It's not like things were going great for me anyway, and with this, maybe the one thing that was I may see in the future," Nathan answered.
"Ahh, you're referring to that woman. Ashley was it. She did seem like quite the individual, your life was full of turmoil, yet she stayed with you through it all. It's rare to see that in this universe. Perhaps I can arrange something in the future. I do owe you a debt, after all. Although even if I do so, it'd only be if the other party is willing. If she doesn't want to, it'd be out of my hands," the bright humanoid figured responded.
"So I am going to be reincarnated then? The way you said previous life made me believe that I would, or maybe I've lived as something other than a mortal before, but now you've pretty much confirmed it. And just knowing there is the possibility of me seeing her in the future is more than enough!" Nathan said, bursting with excitement.
"I will be passing you on to the wheels of reincarnation. However, there is something to be done before that. You've only lived one life, so this curse on you is incredibly unusual. It would've affected your karmic luck, but it's weird since the curse is faint. Therefore, it probably caused misfortune at the height of fortune. When usually, it would cause pure unluckiness at full strength.
"Your universe doesn't contain enough spiritual energy to form this type of curse directly onto your soul. Meaning you were somehow affected by forces outside of your universe, which is why you're here. Usually, you would go to Grandma Meng to get your memories wiped to move onto your next reincarnation, releasing you from your past life's burdens. But I intercepted you before that happened to resolve this issue," the bright humanoid light said.
'At least I'm not dead forever. I'm going to miss Ashley, but that was the only good thing I had left before I died. Maybe this second chance is what I need to get things going in the right direction,' Nathan inwardly thought.
"Wait, spiritual energy like qi in cultivation novels? Are there universes out there where one can cultivate for real? And how was I cursed then? Did it happen because someone with my name got cursed on one of those worlds, haha?" Nathan shot off several questions in quick succession at the humanoid light figure.
"Yes, and yes to your first two questions. Spiritual energy goes by many names ki, chi, life force energy, qi, amongst others. There were even 'cultivators' in your world. Many stumbled upon breathing techniques that allowed them to cultivate their inner ki although, it was a minuscule amount, so most didn't notice. Those individuals would only seem slightly more capable than most. As you humans say, 'art imitates life,' it shouldn't be too surprising that cultivators nor cultivation truly exist."
"Although you seemingly asked the question in jest, it's incredibly probable that is what happened. You may share the name of a cultivator who got cursed by someone much more powerful than them. Usually, something like this shouldn't affect you. But if they share both your first and last name, it could justify it to a certain extent you are incredibly weak after all. The fact that this pitifully weak curse impacted your life so much in a separate universe shows just how powerful the person who did this was," the bright humanoid light said.
'Seems this is unprecedented. I might as well use this to my advantage to ask for some favors in my next life. From what he's shared so far, it shows he is intent on helping me might as well make the most out of it. The information alone is priceless, even more so if I can get preferential treatment. Also, the way he says humans there made it seem like he has no relation to us,' Nathan inwardly thought.
"I meant to ask earlier, but I got a bit of an information overload and forgot, what are you? To me, you appear to be human or at least humanoid, but you're so blinding I can't see any features, just the general shape. Are you a God?" Nathan said.
"Oh, sorry about that, the light is something I emit subconsciously," he said, dispelling the light around him.
Although the light was no longer covering his figure, Nathan still couldn't perceive how he looked. But before he could even say anything, "Your inability to see me is for the best. Revealing my presence in its entirety would destroy your soul down to its very last fiber. I'm sure neither one of us would want that."
"To answer your questions, I am no God, at least in the sense you're referencing. I can do similar things to what those you deem 'Gods' in your realm can do. But I once was a simple human in the universe I came from, one where cultivation was commonplace. However, I've long since left my mortal vessel behind. I'm what you'd refer to as an Immortal to keep things simple. You can refer to me as the Overseer."
"I've long since forgotten my actual name. While observing all of the universes in my jurisdiction, laws, even some of you humans and other lifeforms at other times, it was easy to get lost in the vicissitudes of time. Sorry for droning on there. Let's get your issue resolved," the Overseer said.
'Man, that was a lot. At least, I know that there is a universe where cultivation does exist. Hopefully, he can send me there as great as writing and reading about cultivation was experiencing it firsthand would be better, without a doubt.' Nathan inwardly thought.
"Speaking of resolving my issue, would I be able to choose which my reincarnation location?" Nathan asked.
"Sure, I was going to ask you what was your preference in regards to that anyway," the Overseer replied.
"I'd like to go to a universe that has cultivation and has many mythical creatures and beings. Preferably dragons, phoenixes, elves, the more, the merrier. If you know of any places that fit those criteria, it'd be perfect!" Nathan exclaimed.
"That shouldn't be a problem at all. I know the perfect world. It was the one I planned to recommend, albeit out of a bit of personal bias. Your personality and past should make it relatively easy to get acclimated there."
"It's my homeworld. Although there have been numerous changes, the diversity of the universe has remained unchanged. It's the perfect world for you. Also, it's the world I have the most influence in, so I can provide you the most benefits there," the Overseer responded.