Honestly, I was a little surprised when I realized that I was still... well, me, and sentient.
Just... chilling, relaxing, and lounging inside an endless void of pure darkness, able to think and rest to my hearts - well, not 'my' heart, but y'know... - content.
It was a blessing and a curse, but really just a blessing.
At first, it was terrible - I can admit that much, since I was just... floating around thinking about how I had been betrayed by those I considered close, and wondering how the world would now be without me being there.
Would the small Goblin Tribe down the coast be able to survive, or would they be subjected to scorn and ridicule for being one of the weakest races?
How about Molly and her bakery; would she keep making those fluffy cakes and fudge brownies until she grew old?
I really hope she passes her patisserie skills off to someone to keep that bakery going... it was a treasure to the world!
Both the Demon King and Ranked 1 Hero loved it, so that is obviously the truth!
Was Sister Deruca going to continue serving her God faithfully until the end, just like she wanted?
What about that orphanage that she helped run, would those kids grow up under good, guiding hands like hers?
There were so many thoughts flitting across my mind as I drifted, until eventually I had to turn away from them, to ignore the questions about what would happen.
It... was tiring, and it only made me worry more.
So instead, I reminisced on the good times, enjoying this dreamlike half awake state of being that I was in, thinking about the small things that made life worth enjoying.
Those things that you take for granted because, well, they aren't important in the moment.
The softness and warmth of your bed when you wake up under a safe roof.
Delectable food that smells so good it manages to assuage your hunger even as you hold yourself back from pouncing on the table.
Conversations about nothing in particular with strangers on the road, swapping stories and folktales with one another before parting ways, never to see one another again.
Then there were the core memories; my first kiss, my first time, the first drink I had with Sergei, meeting Sister Deruca, finding Cerberus, dancing under the moonlight for a festival...
Things that stuck with me even now that I was... dead.
I had no idea how long I drifted, but eventually I managed to reach a comfortable state of mind as I replayed those memories over and over, enjoying the scenes each time as I floated along, feeling cozy and warm.
This... was what I wanted; to laze around and enjoy what I had, but my journey as the Ranked 1 Hero Tiberius 'Hades' Aurelian prevented that entirely...
But now?
Now I could relax.
That thought led me to wonder... If I could do it all over again, how would I live my life?
There was such good that came from my actions; people saved, families brought together again, natural disasters stopped or helping those affected by them...
With my status and availability, I did such good for the world - at least, I like to think I did.
Would I really give that up just so I could relax?
I...
Maybe?
There are ways to help from out of sight, things I could do that would have eventually reached the same conclusion.
A mentor, perhaps?
Be what Sergei was to me for someone else, guide them to that what is needed, but something that I didn't want to do.
Yeah... I think that could work, couldn't it?
Use what I know to help someone climb to the top and do everything that needs to be done, while I work to better just those around me.
My friends, lovers, people I consider family.
Yeah...
"Yeah, that's an admirable desire~!"
A very feminine, smooth voice filled my mind, and I tried to look around before remembering that I was drifting inside a void.
"I finally found you~! Tiberius Aurelian, my favorite human ever~! Hehe..."
A slightly creepy giggle filled my mind, and I flinched as I wondered just what was capable of speaking to a dead man.
"Oh, that's so simple silly~! A Goddess could! Here!"
The black void around me was replaced by a blinging brilliance, and I instantly noticed that I could... feel again; a slight breeze wafted against my skin, while a warmth cocooned around me as I was wrapped in a white robe.
"Mmm~ Tiberius, Tiberius..."
Looking up, I met the dazzling crimson and violet eyes of a strikingly gorgeous woman, her multicolored eyes holding far more power than I was ever used to.
Plump lips glistened beneath the soft light, while her rounded, beautiful features made the woman before me breathtaking.
Her long silvery hair floated behind her, small sparks of crimson and violet appearing inside its expanse, while her creamy dress hugged her curvaceous body tightly.
Skin that was a healthy pale was laid bare, her deep cleavage and juicy thigh exposed from beneath her dress, giving her a sensual air that treaded the line of distasteful, but remained elegant.
Her dainty hand rested on her breasts, and she smiled at me, making my heart - I took note of that too, that there was something beating in my chest again - flutter, though I stared at her quietly as I waited for her to speak.
"You are just as handsome here as you were down there, amongst the other mortals... such good looks, such firm muscles..."
She approached me, her hands stroking my body as she walked around, observing me like some kind of animal.
"Hah~! You think so crudely sometimes, my dear Tiberius... Yes, I am a Goddess, but I love all the mortal children on that world... though, I certainly do love others more... like you~! Such a good man... When I saw that you had died, I was devastated! To think that someone as great as you had fallen..."
Stopping in front of me, she smiled sadly, but her eyes spoke a different story.
Anger welled in those multicolored orbs, and her hands clenched into fists as she stared towards my face.
"I was shocked, Tiberius... Honestly, I was... But then I decided to search for you, amongst all the other souls. To find you and see you again..! I couldn't BEAR the thought of never seeing you again..."
She stroked my chest, those eyes glowing dangerously as she smiled more, revealing her perfect white teeth - with two fangs pointed down towards her lower lip.
"My Tiberius, gone..! Oh, the agony I felt..."
The Goddess leaned forwards, her bountiful chest pressing against my body as she embraced me, resting her head against my chest.
Seeing her look slyly up at me, I gulped as she added "But I was a little relieved too... I could finally... FINALLY meet you, Tiberius... I could finally have you..."
Pressing more of herself against me, she trailed her hands over my back as she whispered "You could finally... find yourself beside me..."
Those plump lips were pursed as she looked me in my eyes, her intentions crystal clear.
"Perhaps... inside me as well, my dear Tiberius... I waited a long time for this. Watching you from afar was enough to assuage my desires, but now that you were dead, well... I could have you..! So please, my dear Tiberius... if you want anything - anything at all - please ask me for it..."
I gulped again as this beautiful woman slipped her hand into my robe, trailing her fingers over my bare skin as she caressed me.
"We have all the time we could ever want... All I want is for you to be happy... With me..!"
Her eyes took on a crazed glow as she grinned, and I shuddered as I recognized the look on her face; I had seen it on many women before as they pined after me, and it only held terrible promises for me...
"Well... you said anything I want, correct?"
"Oh yes Tiberius... anything for you, my handsome man... Anything at all!"
I nodded, enjoying her warmth and softness for a few moments more before asking "Could I be sent back to being in that void?"
She froze, before her eyes narrowed dangerously.