I was floating in some dark space, no light. There was only a torturous silence.
Nothing to see, nothing to touch, nothing to hear my puns.
There was nothing.
I had nothing to do but sit and think.
...
"Damn basterds, couldn't just let one loose end."
I've done everything I could to pay the price for freedom.
They should have let me go.
They knew me. They knew how long I've stayed loyal, they knew me since I was a kid. I was only alive and kicking back then because of them.
I made sure that before I left they'd know that—!
Deep breaths...
...I kept my words, I kept my promises. I even sacrificed some of my own damn fingers just to prove I ain't just barking.
"But it wasn't enough for those fucks, was it?"
"..."
I sigh and closed my eyes, there's nothing for me to see anyway.
...
I had one last thing to think about. One person.
'Boss...' I remembered the last few things I seen, heard, smelled, and felt. All of which were from boss.
What was more important was that boss warned me, and I didn't listen.
I'm a stupid piece o' shit.
"I'm sorry, shoulda listened to you."
With that, I decided I'll just take a nap. There's nothing to do.
The afterlife sure is boring.
...
....
...
[.Processing..]
[..Processing.]
"Hm?" What the hell. Please, I've been through enough. Let me sleep.
And yet that damn robotic voice still continued.
[...Processing...]
[Process Complete.]
[Transfer is now allowed by Administrator.]
'Administrator? Ugh, I don't wanna deal with this...'
[Transferring Host...]
[...Transfer Complete.]
"Fine." I payed attention to whatever this voice is saying, at least there's something to do.
[System Installation is now successful.]
I then heard a soft ding, like one of those message notification sounds.
[Massage: The Host is asked to please take a rest by Administrator.]
"'Take a rest?' Aye, sure. Was going to anyway." I adjusted myself onto a more comfortable position. Can't go to dreamland hunched over, shoulda done that earlier.
Though, I can't sleep yet.
"If you don't mind me asking, who are you? And who's this Administrator?" I asked, curious as to what new insanity I got myself into.
[I am your System, Host. As the information for the Administrator, I have no answer. It is classified to me.]
"Okay. But my... 'System'? What do you mean by that?" I'll keep my questions about the Administrator to myself then.
[I am a "System," able to provide you with the necessary knowledge and strength for survival. Although I lack certain qualities and information, until you discover them yourself, Host, I will help you however I can. I was created by the Administrator to ensure your survivability in your new life.]
"Damn, give me a second. That was a lot ta drop on me there, uh, System, aye? Should I just–call you that or...?" I asked the System if they even have a name that I can call them by.
[Yes, "System" is the standard. However, if you wish to call me by a name, you will have to tell me first, Host.]
"Alright, I'll think 'bout that later." The System seemed rather happy with the suggestion of giving them a name, despite the fact that they have no face and a voice that sounds like one of those, uh, phone assistants. Eh, anyway. 'Yeah, I'll think of one later.'
I close my eyes, "I understood almost everything you said there, System. 'New life' though... Am I getting resurrected to have some new Identity or something?" I asked, laying back on nothing and crossing my legs.
[Wrong. You will be reincarnated.]
"Oh."
Huh, didn't know that was possible.
"That's er, something..." I didn't know what to say or even think of what the fuck I just learned.
The intruding, invasive thoughts whispered crazy things. Sinking in those random, crazed voices full of chaos. It handed me only two choices.
Should I choose the hard way? Think about it, go crazy and lose more sanity then those gamblin' cracks at that one casino? Become some Alice in wonderland and get my head chopped 'cause I somehow offended the queen?
Or, accept it. Go with the flow and have a nap. Don't worry about it, don't question it right now, think about it later.
...
I'll just choose the easy way, so I don't go too far down the rabbit hole called existential crisis.
"Ye know what? I think I'll do what Administrator said, yeah? Let's talk more later." I wanted to think later. I've had enough shit to go through already.
Like damn, universe. Give me a break.
Right now, I just need a nap. Thinking will be back after a nice, relaxing nap...
[Yes, this discussion can be continued once you awake. It is a wise choice to follow, Host.] System agreed, and encouraged?
[But I must warn you. Once you wake, you must not panic at what you might see. Especially, yourself, Host.]
Right now, my brain, if I even still have one, isn't functioning enough to process all this. "I don't know what that means, I might ask you 'bout that later. But alright, no worries. I seen worse, so whatever happens, happens."
[You are a brave one, Host.] The System complimented? Well, they tried.
"Thanks, I guess." I said, still very fucking confused.
[Commencing co...]
I ignored the rest of whatever the hell System was doing and tried to get comfortable on nothing.
'I'll think later. Later. Yeah, later...'
I inhale then exhaled as I started to feel the actual stress of everything taking a toll on me. Every part of my body felt heavy, like invisible heavy weights was placed on each one of them.
It was uncomfortable. It scared me even. I haven't felt this sort of exhaustion in years.
I guess that's what happens when you've been treated well. I really did hit the jackpot when I signed up on that crumbled paper.
But I couldn't hold on to the thought as the discomfort suddenly changed and felt as if millions of seering hot, long syringes went too deep, then began to take blood from me.
With the sudden change, I tried to move, I tried to call out for System, but I couldn't. It's like I was having sleep paralysis all over again.
'Shit.' My mind was blacking out, my eyes got too heavy trying to keep them open. I am still conscious despite all this. Maybe the pain was what kept me up, it was agonizing.
I couldn't help but think about how the pain was starting to feel similar to how it was before I died.
So exhausted beyond belief that I couldn't move. The heat from my body slowly fading into the coldness of both the snow and death, sinking into me like needles.
Mind so damn muddled with every sensation and too many things it was hard to even think.
But a certain pain was alot more prominent then the others to me.
I felt the growling pain of hunger.
My stomach felt so empty, I swear I thought It was eating me. It was worse then any other pain that I felt there.
All I wanted to do was eat something, anything!
I was hungry, so hungry... no. Starving!
I was, I...
I am hungry, starving...
'I-What...? No...' I tried my best not to give in to... whatever this is but it's too hard. Everything is starting to get all muddled on me. I feel so...
So scared? Afraid? What the hell am I supposed to feel with all this shit...?!
Amidst all this mind fuckery, I somehow felt something else, something actually physical. A hand held my cheek, it felt familiar. Calming. Comforting.
"Focus. You're better than this."
It was as if my mind cleared and all the pain stopped the moment I focused on the hand. I started to feel calm, I could think clearly. But I couldn't open my eyes, nor could I move.
"You'll be okay." The familiar voice said.
'That voice... Wait. Wait! I know that voice!'
I somehow opened my mouth to speak, it was weak, but I couldn't speak my shit. It was too late.
I felt the hand on my face softly leave.
"Goodbye."
That was the last thing I heard before I really did take a damn fuckin' nap.
— • • • —
[Host successfully comatosed. Initiating System Assimilation process in 15 seconds.]
The System was going to question the sudden presence of another physical being, and maybe report it, but they have been messaged by the Administrator to never question the person.
The Administrator told the System that their presence will be brief, and they would continue the process with no set backs.
The person the System could not identify what their detailed appearance could be, as they have appeared like a humanoid blur to the System. The System assumed they were here for the Host.
After what the System could assume was what lead to the Host's now calm and comatose state, the System then 'felt' as if they were being stared at by the Guest's eyes.
The System didn't know how the person could 'see' them, however, the System had a 'feeling' to never question it. The System also did not know how they 'felt' it either.
There was another 'feeling' the System 'felt', they don't know what it was but knew it was from the person's gaze.
"You will take care of them, won't you?" The person asked. Although the System would have identified it as a statement with how the Guest said it.
The System then 'felt' obligated to answer, even if they didn't know how or why.
[Rest assured, Guest. I have been chosen and assigned to the Host. Permanently. I have been given strict instructions and warnings by the Administrator themself. I am aware of how the consequences and result of failure to tend to the Host will affect me.] The System tries to reassure the Guest.
From what the faint humanoid shape the System could barely see, the Guest nodded at them.
"Take care." The System saw the Guest's blurry figure starting to fade.
"Goodbye."
The Guest left as fast as they appeared, leaving nothing but the Host's sleeping form behind.
With that, the System decided to start the Assimilation process.
[Initiating System Assimilation process.]