'....This is really annoying.'
That was strangely the only thought that popped up in Alden's mind after he got hit in a car crash. The pain he suffered then was excruciating and the last thing he remembered was his irritatingly energetic personal butler Jon's constant bickering, while they are traveling to school. But still, he didn't really care.
As long as he is still alive, nothing really bothers him much.
'But I'm probably late for school, this is stupid, it was the last day as well… mother will probably make a huge ruckus if I'm passed out for too long.'
Alden lamented to himself as he consciously tried to move around and wake himself up, thinking he was still half-unconscious, only to find out that he was awake this whole time. It was an understandable mistake, as the only thing Alden's currently seeing is seemingly neverending darkness. surrounding him.
Although he can't see anything, he can obviously feel his senses answering his call perfectly, and his body working fine. To any other sane person, this might be good news, but to Alden, this situation was even more alarming.
'I see, so this is… another kidnapping attempt! Damn, they truly went overboard this time! Hahhh… no one gives me a break around here.'
It was only natural, for who is Alden? He was none other than the heir of an enormous conglomerate, ranking within the world's top 5. His mother is the so-called "queen of stock" in the business world and her name alone is worth at least 100 billion USD. A proper young master raised with a diamond spoon, if Alden's desperate, he would consider kidnapping himself too. So all of this isn't a first-time incident.
With that being said, it is nontheless a terrible experience every time. Alden would say, being popular with the kidnappers, is one of the reasons for who he is today.
With that silly thought, Alden immediately stands up and enters negotiation. He shouts.
"I'm awake, is anyone there? Whoever you are, I will cooperate fully so let's talk calmly first, please? Ehrm, Hello?"
Yet, there is no answer. Alden's voice was heard, but there is no echo ringing back at him, as though he was out in the open. It was complete silence.
The silence confuses Alden a bit until a voice answers his call. The only problem was that the voice came from seemingly right behind him.
"You are awake already? What an impressive record, 18.02 seconds, this is the first time I've seen someone have such a smooth transit to limbo like this!"
Startled by the unexpected childish and innocent voice, Alden quickly jumps and turns back, only to find a small boy.
Although it was clearly still dark, the boy himself seemed to radiate light and Alden could see the boy clearly.
The first thing he notices was that boy's weird costume, wearing an old-fashion leather armor-plate like in the middle age, covering only his chest. With an ocean blue long sleeve shirt and black pants underneath, and a similar leather glove covering the hands placed proudly on his hip. The boy looks like a proper healthy and energetic adventurer people imagine in the anime, with the only miss-match thing being his height, which indicates the boy to be only around a 6-year-old.
Another weird detail is his face. Although he was looking at Alden with a light smirk, the boy has a white cloth wrapped around his eyes area, which should clearly signal that he is blind. Other than that, Alden thought his face is beautiful. Yellow hair as shiny as gold, slim face, tall nose, and charming curved up lips. Well-developed and sharp facial features that are unbefitting for a child. The strange thing is, even with the cloth, Alden never thought he was looking at a blind kid. Just glancing at his eyes gives Alden goosebumps, as though his every move is being watched closely.
All in all, the beautiful boy exudes an unfathomable mysterious vibe, like a fictional character stepping out of some manga. Alden found himself being speechless, but not really because of his appearance.
"... So young, how unfortunate."
"Child, that is a pretty rude thing to say to a God."
The boy giggled, while the furious Alden is already in thought.
'These lunatics must have gone crazy! They're using irrelevant children now? And what it is about god again? Crazy!'
Although also a little confused about the boy's gibberish, It took Alden only a second more to accept the reality and bombard him with questions.
"Are you ok kid, how did you get here? Are you awake this whole time? Why don't you wake this brother up? Did you see the people who brought you here? Did they make you wear this weird costume? Such perverted savages-"
This odd development made Alden more anxious as he hurridly reach out to examine the boy, looking for injuries, especially in the head. Well, he tried to reach out.
Alden's body and hands, which he was sure still exist a moment ago when he examine himself, phase right through the boy as if there is nothing there. He also only now notice, that although the kid's appearance could be seen clearly, which means that there was light, his body is nowhere to be found.
He could touch it, but it is also not there like he is invisible. But he couldn't also interact with the boy, so is more like his physical body didn't really exist.
Looking at the furiously thinking Alden, the boy spoke with a slight surprise.
"Your thought process is a little impressive… But it seems that you woke up so quick that you are still a bit confused and unaware, child, you are already dead."
"...What?"
Alden flinches, he has a weird look on his face as the boy continues his speech. He had noticed for a while that he is highly fatigued right now, but at least, he can still feel fatigued!
"You now exist as a soul only, and this place we are currently in is called Limbo, a dimension for souls to rest and prepare for their next adventure."
"..."
Alden really wishes he could flee, but in this neverending darkness, his non-existence sense of direction is even more messed up, so running would be unproductive. Besides, although he couldn't really accept what the boy is saying, everything currently happening right now is weird. The weirdest being his intuition, which is trained tirelessly from an early age, kept telling him the boy is not currently lying.
The best thing to do when unsure, is, of course, ask.
"... I see, so I died in that car accident, is that correct? And who are you?"
The boy just smiled lightly at Alden's attitude, almost a small sneer, then speak.
"You seem to just simply accept it, even I am surprised."
"Well… I don't think there is a need for ridiculous lies like this. If you are a kidnapper, you wouldn't lie about such things."
"As expected, a bland response even in face of death. Well, your question will be answered with time, I have to do my job giving you your sentence first. Ahem, let's see."
With a grand and solemn voice, the boy ignore Alden's question and started to read out loud a piece of paper appearing suddenly out of nowhere. His voice rang clear.
"Alden Miller, 17 years old, the only child of Hila Miller, your father is absent and non-involved. Brother of Aria Miller, I guess the reason I took on this form is because you felt the most comfortable around her. With a wealthy background from your mother's side, you grow up quickly, judged to be more mature than your peer. A quiet kid who doesn't show particular interest in anything. You are raised to be an heir and are blessed with plenty of talent. Smart, good physique potential, excel in most subjects but are not outstanding at anything. Your favorite food is [blank], favorite color is [blank], noticeable hobby is [blank],..."
Alden face hardened in an instant. When he started to hear his life being put into words, he stood still with a disbelief face, like a prisoner receiving his sentence. Painfully, the list goes on for a while, accurately describing Alden with blanks everywhere, even the details he had carefully hidden being laid out clear, rendering him speechless.
"... most noticible connection [blank], worst regret [blank], most prized possession is [blank], and lastly, your dream or goal is also an empty [blank]."
At this point, the boy stops and looks back at Alden, who is now only sighing. He wanted to be mad, but he also understand himself that what the boy speak of is the truth.
'So I am really dead, this is anti-climatic. Although I already know what he is talking about, being described so vaguely like that…'
Alden is a bland person, his life is as empty as a room without any furniture, and there is nothing more to talk about. He heard from his mother that he was once a curious kid, always asking about his surroundings everywhere he goes and eager to explore. But after the first kidnap at the young age of 7, he changed.
It is pretty unsurprising how being locked up in darkness for more than 8 hours could turn someone's world upside-down.
His father is unknown and his mother was never around, only huge empty mansions and expressionless workers to be friends with. He was kept strictly like a treasure, and his peers either fear him or admire him, so Alden has no real connection with anyone. Only after the kidnap and the period of being lonely in the dark, did he start to notice these small details, but noticing it made things even worse.
There were even periods when resentment toward his mother become his primary, driving emotion. But as he grows up, he eventually understands. Being a single parent is hard and his mother stood in a position that just require that kind of commitment, and he forgave her silently in his mind.
Thus, Alden loses the last bit of emotion left. His mother provided for his every need and is still a loving mother whenever she's around, but time is always limited and is never enough. The world gradually lost its colors and he slowly turn into this truly empty shell called Alden Miller of today. His world now has long stopped being interesting and turned various shades of white.
Maybe a spark of happiness yellow is when Aria is adopted and brought home. Alden enjoys her company and played with her whenever possible, but that was already when he finish creating a shell for himself. Seeing the energetic and clueless bring Alden comfort, but at the same time, he felt lonely and couldn't burden her with his worries.
'Maybe that's why mother started to bring in such annoying maids and staff to work in the mansion.'
The butler Jon that was pestering him prior to the accident was also recently brought in, he was a nuisance, always bothering Alden but at least he was kind and always positive.
After a while looking at the thinking Alden, the boy continues to speak in an innocent and soft voice.
"Child, is there no reaction again? Your life holds no meaning. Your life is not of a human, you are a doll, maybe… a puppet?"
Speaking such a terrible thing with an innocent voice, Alden was disrupted from his trail of thought and brought back to reality. He was feeling insulted. Alden admits that he is more tasteless than water, but he also doesn't feel like there is a need to be condemned because of it. After all, he didn't do anything wrong.
"I won't deny my past but aren't you going a bit too far calling me a mere puppet! It is normal for me to be that way considering my experience isn't it, no one is controlling me either, I choose to live like this myself! Also, I didn't harm anyone by living this way, so cut me some slack at least!"
Alden slightly raised his voice facing this so-called God, who is wearing a bemused face looking at him.
"Is this some kind of test or amusement? if so, I would like just to go home? And more, you still have not answered my question, who are you?"
The boy smiled a little as he hears Alden complain and speak in an energetic and childish voice.
"Well, at least the puppet know how to be angry! As for your question, I am a God and there is no test. You can just return home as a wandering ghost but I won't recommend it, you will be dragged back to limbo sooner or later."
"..."
Startled a bit after hearing a firm declaration of being a god from the boy. Although Alden already have some doubt, hearing it so casually still made him hesitate about his current reality.
"Other than that, I also have a question. Child, do you even wish to live?"
Alden only regains his mind to thought about the sudden question, which he then answers after some thought.
"I have no regrets, although I died so suddenly, it's not either mine or my family's fault, so it was inevitable. But if you ask me if I wish to live, I do. I still have duties to fulfill as a child and brother, so I wish to live again if possible, God."
The boy/god smiled softly at this.
"Your death is decided. I just asked out of curiosity, it is a career thing so don't mind it. I talked to you only because I found your life to be amusing from the beginning, anyway."
The boy just giggled at Alden's hope for a miracle without any hesitation. He smiled and continue.
"But I have read your thought for a while now and will say this, child, you seem to be misunderstanding. Gods create humans not to simply exist, filling the empty space. We create you, children, to live. As you said, there is no external force controlling you, but that does not deny the fact that you are a puppet, acting in a self-directed stage without a purpose. You create no harm but also no good, your life leaves behind nothing. That is why I called you a puppet, there are no lies and maliciousness in my words."
The boy then paused for a while, almost like giving time for Alden to reflect.
"With that being said, child, I have a special proposal!"
While Alden remains silent, the god wears a mischievous smile as he continues. His arms crossed, chest puffs up high and raised his chin arrogantly. Striking a proper arrogant pose of high authority that makes Alden wonder in disgust if he had practiced a million times beforehand.
"Ahem, your thoughts are too translucent. My name is Asta, the god of adventure, and I wish for you, Alden, who lived as a puppet his whole life without an adventure shall be reborn as my apostle in his next life! Not in your previous world of course, but a world full of adventure! As an apostle, you are allowed to keep memories of your prior life as the first privilege. I hope that you can use it as a reference for what not to do, hehehe. What a perfect combination! A wonderful deal! Do you, Alden, accept?"