"What a three months it's been," I muttered softly to myself, reclining on the hospital bed, eyes fixed on the ceiling tiles, waiting for the doctor to whisk me away to surgery.
During this time, my bond with the kid had grown immensely. While not the typical grandpa-granddaughter relationship, it felt more akin to that of an older brother looking out for his younger sister.
In those past months, the kid had faced her adversaries in a three vs. one showdown four times before emerging victorious. Though not unscathed, I had imparted some unconventional wisdom on handling bullies—knowledge I shouldn't condone but felt compelled to share. After all, bullies deserved no quarter. Thanks to my guidance, she had earned the nickname "Crazy Celine" and now ruled her school with a newfound confidence. Witnessing her growth filled me with immense pride.
She had also forged new friendships through her acts of courage against the bullies. While she had mentioned being pals with Katherine for some time, she had now gathered a band of allies, including Mary, Stacey, and Angela. Twice a week, they would gather at my bedside, and together we'd immerse ourselves in anime, engaging in spirited debates about our favorite shows.
Oh, and the kid had found herself a boyfriend. Naturally, as her guardian, I had to vet him, but he proved to be a genuine lad. Sometimes, he'd join our gaming sessions in the hospital, and during our guy talks, he'd confide in me about his feelings for the kid—details I promptly shared with her, playing the role of the supportive wingman.
As memories flooded my mind, I snapped back to the present, preparing myself for the impending showdown with the brain tumor.
The door creaked open, not the doctor as expected, but the kid, accompanied by her friends and her boyfriend.
"Hey, Celine's gramps! Today's the big day, huh?" Mary chirped, bounding into the room with palpable excitement.
"Easy, Mary. Remember, the surgery could still go south. It's scary; you should be more considerate," Katherine interjected, her expression clouded with worry.
As Mary and Katherine bickered, the kid remained silent, lost in her thoughts.
"Hey, kiddo, what's on your mind?" I inquired, arching an eyebrow.
Her gaze shifted from a distant stare to a focused look at me, catching me off guard with its intensity.
"Everything okay, Celine?" her boyfriend asked, concern etched on his face.
But the kid remained mute, her eyes locked onto mine, not uttering a word. When did she develop such an endearing expression? And when did I grow so fond of her? For some inexplicable reason, I felt a strong desire for her to accompany me into the surgery room. It was as though having her by my side would ease my nerves. But was I nervous? I placed a hand over my heart, checking its rhythm—it beat steadily.
Suddenly, tears began to cascade from her eyes, capturing everyone's attention in the room.
"Please don't leave me too," she whispered, her voice trembling with emotion.
"Too?" Did she mean me, not as her grandpa but as myself? Did she not want me to leave her?
Just then, the doctor and his team entered, all clad in face masks.
"Alright, folks, it's time to wheel the patient into the operating room. You have a couple of minutes to bid your farewells," the doctor announced before departing, leaving us alone with our thoughts.
Was this the part where we exchanged our final words? But why did I entertain the thought of finality? I wasn't going to die... was I?
"Ahem."
Mary cleared her throat deliberately, drawing our attention.
"We've decided that we won't offer clichés like 'good luck' or 'I hope you'll make it through,' since they sound like death flags," she declared, a mischievous grin playing on her lips.
"After your surgery, when you return to us in a few hours, we'll simply say..." Katherine paused for effect.
"Welcome back!" they chorused in unison, their voices filled with warmth and hope.
"It was Celine's idea. So, you better come back to us," her boyfriend added earnestly.
Was this the kid's doing? For me?
A pang of regret washed over me. Perhaps I had been too hasty in my eagerness to proceed with the surgery.
As the kids filed out of the room, leaving only the doctor and me, a sense of dread settled over me like a heavy shroud.
"Are you ready now, sir?" the doctor inquired.
My words trembled as I spoke, "Erm, is there any chance we could just forget about this surgery thing now?"
"That won't be possible. Everything's already set up," the doctor replied matter-of-factly.
"But couldn't you just unset it? I'll even help you if you want," I pleaded.
"Even if we did that, it wouldn't solve your brain tumor," the doctor explained patiently.
"But doctor, I've been feeling fine recently. In fact, for the whole three months, there hasn't been anything wrong with me. Do we really have to go through with this?" I questioned.
"The only reason you feel fine is because your tumor hasn't worsened yet. Give it another month, and it'll start affecting your body as it deteriorates. In the next four months, you'll die," the doctor stated bluntly.
"So, you're saying that even if I don't have the surgery, I'll die regardless? Both options lead to death?" I asked, feeling a sinking sensation in my gut.
"The surgery has a 3% probability rate," the doctor offered.
"But what about the kid? I can't leave her. I don't want to leave her! Who's going to take care of her while I'm gone?" I panicked.
"For the whole three months, you've been in here in the hospital while Celine has been at home going to school by herself. In a way, hasn't she been taking care of both you and herself?" the doctor pointed out.
In that moment, it hit me like a ton of bricks—I needed the kid more than she needed me. If I died, would anyone even remember me? Would she eventually think more of her original grandpa than me? Would it mean I never existed in the first place? No! I wanted more time with her! I didn't want to be forgotten! I didn't want to die! Fear gripped me like icy claws. Celine, please! Help me!
Moments later, I found myself in the operating room, an oxygen mask snug against my face as they prepared for the operation. Deep down, I knew I wasn't going to survive this. I hadn't even had the chance to say goodbye to Celine.
I hadn't kept my promise to her.
As my vision began to fade, I realized this was the end of my road. Would the next time I woke up be as the same person, or someone else entirely? Or perhaps even as Celine's grandpa again? Who knows? All I could say for certain was... goodbye, world.
What did she say my name was again?
...
...
"Oi! Magni! Don't ye think with this headless body I look far more fearsome? Hahaha."
"Ye looking fearsome, Modi? Don't make me die of laughter!"
"What?! Are ye trying to call me ugly?"
"Wait? Why is this a shocker to ye? Yer ugly mug is probably the reason why father abandoned us."
"Why don't ye try say that to my face!"
"I'll happily!"
"Why must you two imbeciles always squabble? Ye're Asgardians, so start acting like it!"
"But Magni started it!"
"What is this I'm hearing? My little brother tattletaling to granddaddy, is he? Hahaha!"
"Why you-"
Urgh. What's... with these sudden conversations? My head hurts... Urgh... Where am I? Why's it pitch black? Or is it meant to be pitch black? Oh! Wait, my vision is slowly coming back... almost... Focus... Focus... And finally, it's bac-
"AHHHHHHHHH!" I screamed instinctively as my vision returned, revealing an incredibly tall and fiercely muscular man before me.
His icy blue eyes bore into mine, framed by long blond hair tied into three separate braids. The longest braids were adorned with multiple rings at their ends, adding to his imposing presence. Scars crisscrossed his entire body, each one telling a tale of battles fought and won. Strange ink markings, resembling a cryptic language or ancient runes, covered his chest and extended to his back and face.
This behemoth of a man was clad in attire befitting a warrior of legend. Gold leather pants were secured by a blue armored loincloth, complemented by belly armor that gleamed in the dim light. A silver leather belt adorned with a decorative piece of golden armor cinched his waist. Blue bracelets adorned his powerful arms, while golden leather boots completed his formidable ensemble.
"Wait! That headless body is actually alive?!" the muscular man exclaimed, visibly startled as he flinched.
"Hahaha! Don't tell me ye're scared, Magni?" taunted the headless body, its voice dripping with mischief and amusement.
As the voice that responded to the startled muscular man sounded behind me, I turned to look, only to realize that my body was suspended in mid-air. Could it be that I possess the ability to fly?
And it just dawned on me, the sight before me was beyond marvelous. Could this be heaven? The entire floor was blanketed in gentle grains of golden sand that sparkled and glistened under the radiant sunlight. As I turned my head, my eyes beheld stones and rocks adorned in sapphire hues, reflecting the sun's brilliance.
Numerous waterfalls cascaded down from towering cliffs, each with its own unique color—pink, green, even yellow—as if painted by the hand of the divine. Where the waters converged at the bottom, they mingled, creating an ever-changing kaleidoscope of colors. Lush tropical trees and bushes dotted the landscape, bearing fruits of irregular shapes and vibrant colors.
Above, the sky stretched out in a pristine shade of blue, untouched by clouds.
"Me scared?! Ye dare to disgrace me, younger brother!" the muscular man bellowed, his anger palpable, interrupting my moment of awe for this heavenly paradise.
"Hahaha! Don't be scared, brother. Just think of it like when ye behead an animal for supper, the body still moves on reflex, aye, grandfather?" the headless body quipped with mischievous humor.
"Ye dare to continue to mock me with yer words!" the muscular man growled, his stance shifting as he prepared for combat.
"Don't ye imbeciles ever listen to what I say? I told ye this would soon happen. Or did ye doubt my words?"
I could hear the third voice, though its source remained unseen. It carried an aura of dominance, exerting a high-pressure presence that made me tremble in its wake.
"Modi, swiftly set that body down!"
Instantly, my body was flung aside with tremendous force, hurtling across the ground like a leaf caught in a storm. I skidded uncontrollably, my momentum carrying me at breakneck speed until I crashed violently into the unforgiving walls, the impact reverberating through my bones.
"GURRRGH!" I bellowed, the sound echoing through the paradise.
"I said to set him down, not to toss him!"
"Aye, same thing."
Although I let out a huge groan, the pain wasn't as intense as I expected. Still, the experience of being flung through the air at such speed was terrifying.
"ARGHHHHHH! Another fearsome muscle-bound man!" I screamed in utter terror, finally realizing that the sensation of levitation wasn't due to flight, but because I was being lifted by another imposing figure. This one had fiery red hair and a beard that covered half his face. His hair and beard were braided, much like the blond brute, and he wore the same piece of formidable armor. His icy blue eyes bore into mine, intensifying my fear even more.
"Do all this headless creature know is shouting? It's hurting my eardrums," the blonde brute grumbled, his irritation evident in his tone.
"Grandfather, art thou certain this fellow will aid us in our escape from this prison?" the red brute inquired, disappointment evident in his voice.
Hold on? Did he just say prison?!
"What? But I don't wanna break out of this prison. Is this even a prison? I love this place!" the blonde brute exclaimed.
"Aye! Same here! There's naught outside for us, but this place has all we need. The sunshine, and unlimited fruits to feast upon! 'Tis the best!" the red brute declared enthusiastically.
Wait? Is this paradise we're in a prison?
"Blast it! The prison is already taking effect." the third voice lamented, its tone tinged with resignation.
Taking effect? What the hell does he mean?
Suddenly, a black bird descended before me, adorned with a black eye-patch over its right eye, while its left eye gleamed with an icy blue color.
"You there! Rise swiftly! Ye should be barely hurt, especially after being tossed about like that!"
The raven's voice resembled that of the third anonymous voice, revealing that it had been emanating from the raven all along.
"I'll need to test thee to see if thou art suitable. Thou shalt be facing my two foolish grandsons in combat," the black bird declared abruptly.
"Fighting? What? What's going on? Where am I? Who am I, for that matter? I'm completely lost! And who are those two intimidating muscle-bound men? And who are you, telling me to fight? Can someone please explain?" I exclaimed, feeling on the brink of a panic attack.
"Where thou art located is a matter I shall address anon, and as for who thou art, it remains a mystery to me. However, to answer thy query regarding my identity, I am Odin, a deity of this realm, seeker of wisdom, and keeper of knowledge,"