I often question the existence of God.
But now, I might have the opportunity to learn the answer.
My name is Kazu, and this is the beginning of my story.
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I have never experienced a coma before.
But this might be what it feels like to be near death.
A man who looks like a samurai from a long-gone era sits on a huge rock. Leaves drift down slowly, as if time wants to freeze this moment.
I can't believe my eyes! He has the same face and features as my father.
Is this a dream? Is he here to take my soul and bring me to heaven?
As if!
Dad is still alive and well, enjoying his life every day.
I was very confused. Strange things had happened to me one after another, and I had no time to think at all.
Then the man who looked like Dad kept staring at me. He just sat there, his eyes locked on me; this was making me uncomfortable.
He wouldn't answer me, no matter what I said. He seemed to be brooding about something. I tried different ways of communication, including hand gestures, dance, and music. Nothing worked.
What about mathematics? This was supposed to be a universal language, right?
I picked up a branch and wrote "1+1=2" on the ground. Did he react? Did he understand? Was it that easy?
He did something amazing. A bright ball of light shone between his hands. Inside the ball, there was some kind of geometric pattern, like a hologram.
There was a symbol on it. I had never seen that kind of symbol before; could I read it?
It said, "u r a piece of s-h-i-t?"
Great. I had no clue what it meant.
Maybe I should draw a triangle on the ground?
He seemed to be finished. The ball of light shrank, turning into a red stone. He motioned for me to come closer.
When I touched the stone, it went into my body. It felt ticklish… I didn't know how to explain it.
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We talked for a long time. The red stone is a kind of translator. He keeps questioning me.
Shouldn't I be the one asking questions, right?
He seems to be curious about my life, especially on Earth.
What the hell? Is he an alien?
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I'm starting to feel irritated, it's been hours now.
◇
"Enough! I have some questions too. You never stop asking, are you crazy? Have you ever heard of 'Give and Take'? Do you see these fingers? Do you want me to stick them in your nose?" I show him my two fingers.
Oh, crap! I've crossed the line. I'm soaked in cold sweat. This guy does strange voodoo. I'm starting to feel sorry and regret my words.
I should prioritize survival, right?
The silence is killing me. Should I apologize?
Before I can say anything, he speaks first. "Right. Sorry, I've been so absorbed that I've ignored your situation. I'm too interested in what you're saying," the man who looks like dad says.
"You can ask me anything now. Go ahead." He smiles.
At last!
"What is this place? Where am I and why do you look like my dad?"
He said, "This? I call this place Draft Space. This…"
It's a place of imagination. Like a virtual world that is shaped by thoughts and creativity. You can make and interact with anything you want, such as animals, plants, buildings, or even magic.
He's using complex words; how did he come up with the name Drop Shit? Is it the right translation? He says that the translator works mainly through emotional emersion.
He said he pulled me here, and maybe that's why I felt shit.
The place looks like a forest and he looks like someone I know, so that I won't freak out or something. Dude, after what I've experienced so far… But, is this even real?
Anyway, he said he creates worlds. What does that mean?
When I asked him more, he meant it literally. He makes realms for souls to explore and experience.
A lot of what he said is hard to understand. Is he a God?
I couldn't believe it. He said that in my perspective, he might seem like a God. But he is not. Was he being modest?
A word like God might be what I think of if he works in my universe. This is getting absurd. You mean, this is not my universe?
Different rules apply in different universes. Things are getting more and more complicated.
He answered many of my questions, but not all. I was still puzzled in the end.
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He kept asking me more questions, and I answered automatically. But I still had trouble understanding what he said and sometimes asked for more explanation.
Huh.
So, you're saying that everything that happened to me was real?
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At last! He said that the Octave was the only one who could really help me. The Octave sounded like the big boss. Fine, let's go meet your boss.
He sent me away, just like that. He looked happy and restless, like a kid excited to play with his new toy.
Sigh…
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Woahh…
I found myself in a kind of tunnel, resembling a wormhole.
Is that what galaxies look like?
This scene has been so spectacular and wonderful that it has left me speechless. I have seen things that I could only ever witness in the movies that are based on the concepts of science fiction.
◇
A bright light shines at the end of the tunnel. I come out into space, but it's all white. Well, it's not white; it just looks that way because of a huge white ball that glows like a star. Its light is gentle and calming.
Words form in my mind.
"You've been lost; brace yourself for the journey ahead."
◇
Gasp!
I woke up, I was on a bed.
A dream? No. This couldn't be my room; the ceiling was shaped like a tent. Was this a hospital? There was an IV tube in my hand. But a tent, outside?
I saw several injured patients in other beds. I wasn't alone here. Some of them had lost their arms or legs. This was terrifying.
"Nurse? Hello!" I yelled. There was no staff. What was going on here?
Without the patients, I would think this place was deserted. Did they leave the patients behind when they evacuated?
Every patient was sound asleep.
I took off my IV and went outside to check the area.
What the hell!
Is this an apocalypse?
I saw some newspapers lying around.
The newspaper had a headline: "The End Is Here. Repent Now." I scanned the newspaper to see what had happened. And I saw some words that were too absurd to be true.
"A mysterious being attacks different parts of the world." That was the newspaper article. There were pictures of giant animals taller than buildings. Humans who could fly. Is this 2053? Is this the future, 20 years after I left?
What happened to Earth while I was away?
But this question of mine can't be answered anymore.
Because…
Arghh!!
Something pierced my chest. A spearhead. I felt a wave of pain. I tried to breathe, but it was useless. I… can't… can't breathe…
I died.