*Nix POV*
Hey, wake-up." A voice woke me from the eternal darkness. Though it was still dark.
"What? Where am I?"
"Your in Limbo, the land in between death and life."
"W-what? Why am I here?"
"You were supposed to pass on to the afterlife after you threw your self into the hole. Your here because I want to ask you a question."
"...What?"
"Do you want come back to your world?"
"Of cou... I don't know."
The events today replayed in my mind. No matter the reason, it doesn't change the fact I was betrayed and sacrificed.
"Oh, wait hold on, this might not be fair. Here, some stuff happened while you were falling to your death."
I felt a warm hand touch my head and the events that happened post my death flowed into my head.
"Let me give you a few minutes." The unseen voice said before going silent.
I watched the events that transpired over and over.
The appearance of the betrayer, and the reveal of the bet. I clenched my fist as I realized that my death, and my love's betrayal was all just to satisfy the gods' egos.
"You gods, played with our lives for a simple bet!?".
"Yup, gods, me included, tend to treat mortals as ants at worst or pets to raise at best."
"You guys are assholes!"
"No real defense here. Your singing to the choir."
I still couldn't get over how I was killed over something so stupid. And this god in front of me wasn't even denying it or defending himself.
"How could you do this, we offer prayers and our faith to you but you simply play with our lives."
"Uhuh, that tends to happen when farkers have power. Divinity, Nobility, Military... you don't need to be a god to play god."
"... This isn't right."
"Nope, but without any power there isn't much we can do about it really."
"This is depressing."
"Sure is kid, the sooner you start seeing clouds in every silver lining, the sooner you realize that godhood isn't really a sign of good moral character."
"Why are you talking so much to me?"
"Well, you interest me, and to be totally honest I'm self-aware enough to know how farked up this whole situation is."
"But that doesn't sound like something a god would do, why do you care?"
"One, I used to be mortal. Two, I'm not that much of a farker to not help out someone who got royally farked right in front of me. Three, I dunno, just felt like it."
"Huh... I guess not all gods are so bad."
"Nah you just haven't seen me at my worst. Anyway, do you want to go back or not?"
"I... I do." I finally stutter out.
"Why?"
"There's going to be a demon that tries to wipe the kingdom in a few years. I can't just let that happen."
"Huh, why do you care? No one saved you, why does that kingdom deserve your effort? Not trying to offend, just genuinely curious."
"My family, I want to make sure their okay. No, they didn't save me but I doubt they even knew or could have done anything."
"Makes sense, how about that girl? Are you planning to get back together or something?"
"... I don't know. I don't hate her, and I still love her but..."
"But what?"
"Right now, I don't want anything to do with her."
"Huh.. alright then. You've satisfied my curiosity. Thanks for answering."
"Your welcome?"
"So moving on, I'll be straightforward about what come next. I can't really send you back in your original body, Old Gravebones will throw a fit. I can only send you back in a new one. This means you won't have your old identity."
I nodded at this.
"Luckily, I'll also be able to get you... Lets call it a 'system'."
"What's that?"
"Huh... think of it like an internal grimoire that can let you enhance your strength and uses illusion magic to help visualize information on your body, strengths, powers, etc."
"Okay? I think I get what you mean."
"So anyway, I'm sending you back to your kingdom. Since it feels like you want to help them out with their crisis whenever that arrives."
"Thank you."
"Also, when you wake up there's going to be a recommendation letter in your pocket. It will help you apply as a walk-in to the academy you were supposed to go to. Though you don't have to, your going to need all the training and resources you can get if you want to fight a Balor as a mortal. I'll let you handle this whole new identity thing on your own if you meet anyone you knew before. Just don't come crying if they think your crazy or a demon spy."
"Okay, I understand. Again, thank you."
"Mhm, no problem kid."
I feel another warm sensation as something feels like it is turning on inside my brain.
Suddenly a screen appears before me.
[Status]
[Enter new Name]
[Stats]
Strength - 15
Dexterity - 14
Intelligence - 12
Charisma - 14
Constitution - 16
Wisdom - 12
[Traits]
Blessed by the Betrayer
- You are blessed by the Betrayer, also known as the Lord of nightmares. Your body will be resistant to fatigue, disease, poison, and negative mental magic. You will only need to sleep two hours a day to gain the full effects of an 8 hour rest.
- You are blessed by the Betrayer, also known as the holder of shadows. You can hide in any shadow for as long as the shadow is present and you are not detected. You can still be hurt if the shadow you are hiding is intentionally attacked.
After getting over my initial surprise, I understood for the most part my skills and abilities. However, I was wondering what exactly the numbers next to my statistics meant.
"Uhh, Kyr? What do these numbers exactly mean?"
"That? Those are a way to measure how strong you are in each statistic. An average adult mortal has a 8 in all their stats and I'd be pleasantly surprised to see someone reach 20 on even one of them. Right now, your probably in the top 90% physically, and 80% mentally among mortals, keep in mind this is only your starting point so you still have potential for growth."
"I see..."
"Now go, I'll send you of near the academy entrance."
"Alright, thank you."
"See ya kid."
I felt force pulling me away from limbo and I started to lose consciousness. Before I fully lost consciousness, I heard a voice in the air.
"Ara-ara, what do we have here?"