"Hmm?"
***
Death is a certainty, something we cannot escape. However, the purpose of life is not to dwell on this inevitability, but rather to make the most out of the time we have with our loved ones. At least, that's what my father always told me. As for where he and my mother are now, I have no clue.
Both of them were extraordinary. My father held a powerful position in politics, while my mother was a renowned actress; they were at the top of society's hierarchy. I often wondered if I, their son, belonged among such elite individuals. I never set high standards for myself; all I wanted was an average and uneventful existence. In other words, I am far from exceptional, just like any regular person.
The only two people who mattered in my life were Alan Williams and his twin sister, Ally. We've known each other since we were four years old, and they have stayed by my side for the past fifteen years. I never had any other close family members besides them.
Ally interrupted our conversation to share some news with me, using my nickname Nicky. I always enjoyed being called nicknames; it made me feel special. "Nicky, they finally caught that guy," she said.
"The serial killer in China? Yeah, I read about it this morning. It's a relief that they caught him, but it's still terrible that he killed almost thirty people. My heart goes out to the victims and their families. Let's hope they bring that sick bastard to justice."
We were discussing the infamous killer and cannibal who terrorized Liuzhou City in China. He targeted underage women, taking and consuming their organs. The city was known for its high crime rate and had given him the nickname "Eater".
When lunchtime rolled around, the three of us decided to skip it altogether. While I was checking the time on my phone, a flying object suddenly caught my attention.
As it got closer, I realized it was a man charging towards us with a sharp object in his hand. In a split second, I turned my head to make sure we were safe from harm. The man was short and stout, probably only 5 feet tall but weighing a few hundred pounds.
Despite his best efforts to sprint towards us with a knife in hand, I easily tripped him as he approached. He landed hard on the ground and started flailing around like an overweight fish out of water.
Tears streamed down his face as he cried uncontrollably. "Please! They're after me!" He pleaded, spitting and sweating in his fear.
"Wait...aren't you Carson's father?" Ally asked, trying to make sense of the situation as the man sat there in silence. Alan looked at me with shock, likely not realizing that I had accidentally tripped the man. The atmosphere was still and eerie, with only the whispers of wind breaking the silence.
"Just leave," I sighed, hoping he would take my advice and go home. A small crowd had gathered around us, curious about what was happening.
"No! The bad men are coming. Someone help me!" He shouted frantically.
"Sorry, I don't have that mu-" The sound of loud and fast footsteps cut me off, and I turned to see a tall, muscular man approaching. Behind him were five more intimidating figures.
A new man joined the group, dressed in a dark brown suit with matching pants.
"Hey there! You owe us some money, you fat piece of shit." He spoke aggressively as he approached us.
It was clear he was at least forty years old, with a coarse beard peppered with white hairs. Scars marked his face, including one over his right eye that looked like it was from a burn. Despite his age, he was still well-built and imposing.
The guy I had tripped scrambled to his feet and ran off once again.
I heard a metallic click behind me and turned to see Ally, frozen in fear. As I faced forward again, I noticed the man they called "Sir" approaching us with deliberate strides. His attention had shifted from the guy on the ground to something else. He pulled out a thick stack of money from his pocket and tossed it to Alan with a smile.
"Four grand in cold hard cash. All you have to do is keep your mouth shut." He put a finger to his lips for emphasis.
Lunch was winding down and I knew better than to get involved in this man's business, even if he was someone's parent. The fact that he had a gun on him only further solidified my decision. I took a deep breath and crouched down to pick up the money, signaling for us to leave.
As we walked away, I could feel Ally's eyes burning into my back with a mix of fear and frustration. She caught up to me and began whispering urgently.
"We can't just leave Carson's dad like that! We have to do something!" She exclaimed in a hushed tone.
I never considered myself a hero, and I certainly didn't plan on playing one in this situation. But my body seemed to have other ideas as my legs turned me back towards the man, who happened to be the leader of a dangerous gang.
"Can't you guys find a way to work this out?" My voice broke through the tense atmosphere. The man looked at me with confusion and anger evident on his face. It was as if he couldn't believe someone would say something so ridiculous - which, let's be honest, I did just do.
"Let me ask you something. If someone owed you thirty thousand dollars and they spent it all on food and porn, wouldn't you be pissed off too?" His grip on his gun tightened as an assistant placed a lit cigarette between his lips.
"I mean, I understand your frustration but maybe there's another solution-" A sudden sharp pain cut through my head, interrupting me. The world seemed to tilt as I stumbled on the street.
My hand flew up to my nose, which was now throbbing with pain. Blood gushed from my nostrils, making a mess on my hand and the ground below.
The man struck me with a pistol, it hurt-it hurt so fucking bad.
"I won't let some punk tell me how to handle my business and money. Take the cash I gave you and get lost," he spat at me.
I wanted to run away, but my body refused to move. It was like I was frozen in place.
I couldn't help but admire Ally's beauty as I glanced at her. Her dark eyes and hair were reminiscent of a raven's.
He took another step towards Carson's father and pulled him up to his feet. Suddenly, something inside me snapped and I couldn't bear to see the overweight man get beaten up... or worse.
I strode over to the boss and landed a solid punch on his face. Then, I pushed him off and onto the road.
Without a car or any other means to escape, I had to use my body to protect the big guy.
As I turned and ran, a searing pain shot through me. It started in my spine, then spread to my chest and arms before dulling down. I collapsed as something pierced my side - a bullet, no doubt. Thankfully, it didn't hit any vital organs, but I knew I would still bleed out eventually.
In that moment of agony and terror, I realized that I was not as calm and collected in the face of death as I always thought I would be. As I writhed on the ground, screaming in pain, Ally and Alan rushed to my side. Suddenly, gunshots rang out and both of them fell to the ground.
Even with my eyes closed and my energy draining away, I could sense the weight of another body falling on top of me after being hit by more bullets.
I couldn't see it but I knew Alan had fallen on me. The last shot rang as my ability to hear faded away and another thud was present. I assumed it was Carson's dad.
Is this what happens when you play the part of a hero? I got all of us killed. Is it my fault? My fault? Mine? Me? His?
There was blood everywhere. The heat of my blood was beginning to cool down. And then even the air around me was cold. No that's not true, we were in the middle of autumn. If anything was cooling down...It was me. I knew what it was, it was the embrace of death.
***
"Nick. Welcome to my paradise.", said a voice.
Or more like voices, it felt as if a choir of people was speaking perfectly in sync. Upon hearing my name I remembered what happened and I almost collapsed at the fact that I had been shot.
No matter what direction I looked in it was nothing but white. The white wasn't bright as if it was a light source rather it was a dull-looking texture as if it were the walls of a courtroom.
"Who are you? Where am I?" I asked as I spun in circles listening to the voice chuckle. It was terrifying. Even though I couldn't see anyone it felt as if the whole world was staring at me.
"Who am I? I am a God, I go by the name of Sataneal. But many just call me Satan" Boomed the voices.
My response was inadequate; I let out a nervous laugh in my haste.
"What's going on, Nick?" asked the 'God' who had brought me to this mysterious place.
"Oh, it's nothing. But isn't that an odd name for a deity? Doesn't it contradict everything in the Bible?"
"Do you believe the Bible to be our doing? It's merely a twisted version of the truth. I shouldn't even exist in this realm, but I know that much."
"What do you mean? Why should you not be here?" I questioned the voices.
There was a brief pause, as if the being was contemplating its answer. "The guardians of your world are away on leave, and I am taking their place."
The ground shook beneath me, causing me to stumble and fall. The tremors continued for what felt like an eternity before finally dissipating. I managed to get back on my feet and clear my throat before addressing the mysterious voices once again.
"What do you want me to do?" My voice was shaky with fear.
There was a brief pause, followed by a small sound from the voice before it continued talking. It then fell into a calculated silence.
"Mortals are highly valued in our realm, mere pieces in a game meant for our entertainment," the voice explained. "And that game is to craft heroes, or champions better yet."
"A game? What about the importance of life?" I interjected, but the voice ignored my question.
"All life is insignificant compared to The Creator," the god ranted, placing great emphasis on the word "Creator."
"Regardless, I feel obligated to reveal myself to you," it declared as all the voices joined together, creating one singular octave.
The being I had been hearing about suddenly materialized in front of me. It was a woman, with strikingly pale skin and eyes the color of turquoise gems. Her hair cascaded down her back in lush waves that matched her eyes.
"Why are you dressed like a schoolgirl?" I asked, snapping out of my daze. She moved towards me with graceful steps, causing me to feel a bit lightheaded.
"Because...I simply wanted to. This type of attire suits me," spoke Satan, smoothing out the wrinkles in her uniform. I couldn't help but notice how flawless she looked. The God or Goddess standing before me was perfectly formed.
I couldn't help but stare into Satan's piercing blue eyes as she spoke. They were like deep pools, pulling me in with their intensity. "So why do you need me? What exactly does this job entail?" I asked, my curiosity getting the better of me.
"Lottery, you simply got lucky I suppose," Satan chuckled to herself. "But on Earth, you were rather intelligent and quick-witted. I have no doubt that those skills could be useful in a crime scene."
I raised an eyebrow, still not quite understanding why she would choose a teenager for such a task. "If that's the case, why not just bring back a seasoned detective? Wouldn't they be able to help a lot more people than a 'lousy' teenager?" I scratched my head, trying to make sense of it all.
"I could, but where's the fun in that?" Satan's eyes gleamed mischievously. "Where's the fun in grabbing a star that illuminates the galaxy when you could fuel a nova that engulfs it?"
I shook my head, feeling even more lost as she spoke in cryptic metaphors.
Her voice was stern but tinged with a hint of amusement as she spoke, her lips curving into a sly smile. "Make sure you don't die," she warned, "it would be quite embarrassing for me." Her gaze shifted to the horizon as she stood and began to pace backwards, her long hair swishing behind her like a silky curtain. "I've placed so much on you already, and I plan on demanding even more as you continue to grow. So please, don't disappoint me." The weight of her expectations hung heavy in the air.
She turned back to face me, her piercing eyes locked onto mine. "Unless you want to die, that is," she added with a smirk, "or are you ready to be my hero?" My heart raced at the thought of being someone's hero, but at the same time, I couldn't shake the fear of failing.
"I-I guess? I don't know...I don't want to die, but I'm not sure I'm fit to be a hero either," I stammered nervously.
She shrugged nonchalantly. "That's fine. As long as you're aware." Suddenly, she held out her hand towards me. "Take it," she ordered.
Feeling both intrigued and apprehensive, I cautiously stepped forward and took her hand. It was surprisingly soft and cold against my own warm skin. She then placed her forehead against mine and took my other hand in hers, our bodies now close enough that our breaths mingled together.
It felt almost like we were praying together, silently communicating without words. A shiver ran down my spine at the intensity of the moment.
Her voice echoed through the stillness, commanding attention. "Listen to me," she instructed, her words carrying a weight of urgency and power.
"Listen, mortal, to my whispered plea,
A gift of might I bestow upon thee.
With power vast, reality bends at your call,
Kingdoms tremble, and foes shall fall."
As she spoke, the air around us seemed to shift and pulsate with energy. The wind picked up, swirling around us in a mesmerizing dance.
"But know this truth, a somber decree,
For every boon, a burden, as you'll see.
In exchange for this might, a path you'll tread,
Through trials and suffering, where solitude spreads."
I could feel the weight of her words settling onto my shoulders. The gravity of her offer was almost suffocating.
"Loneliness deep as the darkest sea,
Yet forward you'll march, unfalteringly.
Destiny's weight, a crushing load,
But victory beckons down the winding road."
Her eyes bore into mine, full of both sorrow and determination. It was as if she could see the future path I would have to walk.
"So pledge thy soul, in shadows cast,
To emerge triumphant, firm, and steadfast.
Do you accept this pact, in shadows deep?
To conquer all, and secrets keep?"
She released my hands and stepped back, leaving me standing alone in the eerie silence that had settled over us. Her words echoed in my mind, tempting and terrifying. But in that moment, I knew what I had to do.
"I do," I said firmly, accepting her offer with both fear and excitement coursing through my veins. "I accept this contract."
I thought and pondered back on earth I spent years doing nothing but pushing a boulder with a twig, I never got anywhere, I never did anything. If she was going to allow me to make myself useful to at least one person I could accept the risk.
I'll make sure nothing happens to the new people I meet. I'll protect them. even if I was unable to protect Alan and Ally, I can live on for them. Like she said I have to keep moving forward, so they can rest peacefully and I can live a life I'm proud of.
"For the sake of my new life, and for the sake of the old I, Nick Carlin accept this offer and contract," I spoke with dedication in my heart.
"If that's the case, you can leave now!" And with that, she snapped her fingers and I was stuck in almost a tunnel of white, black, red, blue, green, and any other color imaginable. It was as if I had been transported through a tubed aurora borealis. If it didn't feel like I was falling at a few thousand miles per hour, it would have been beautiful.
***
In the royal nursery, a new miracle had arrived. The walls were adorned with rich tapestries and the air was thick with the scent of candles and incense. Elden Kirchner lay in bed, her chest rising and falling in shallow breaths as she cradled her newborn son. His skin was as white as snow, hair a shock of ivory that seemed to glow in the dim light. And his eyes...they were a deep blue, like a tranquil lake reflecting the sky.
As the news spread through the castle, the Priests' clergy instructed a few trusted servants to inform the Emperor of his newest offspring. After what felt like an eternity, he burst into the room, his face beaming with joy and pride.
"Have you chosen a name yet?" he asked Elden, gently taking their son into his arms.
"Now now darling, it's the father's job to name a son, and the mother's to name a daughter." Elden replied with a small smile, though beads of sweat still glistened on her forehead from the labor pains.
"Right, well if that's the case I shall name him." The Emperor paused for a moment, his mind racing with thoughts of worthy names for his firstborn son. "Not just a name...but a title. Viktorius, for his perpetual pursuit of glory."
And with those words, Nick Carlin ceased to exist and Viktor Kirchner was born into this world. A day that would be remembered for generations to come, for better or for worse...
Next Chapter:2-New Life