Spade knew he died. The dizziness he felt was the result of him not getting enough sleep or maybe the bad thing he did to himself.
"Damn it. I should have listened to mom."
The darkness continued when Spade's consciousness resurfaced, yet there was nothing awaiting him.
How much longer? I died, I can figure that much out. Is this what people are left with? Just unending darkness until I go mad?
Spade had expected that at least something would have happened once he had died. Something; a white light, a person to judge his sin, even the fiery pits of hell would have been better than this.
Perhaps this is purgatory? I've never been a religious person but if they could tell us…
Spade's thought was interrupted by a noise, he wasn't sure what. Despite inwardly groaning for some time, only now did he truly become aware that he was lying down and had his eyes closed.
If I've been half-asleep mumbling…
He opened his eyes and was rewarded with more darkness.
Great, either I'm blind or I've died. Or I've gone crazy in the last half hour.
That last thought gave him pause. How had he known that? It wasn't a good sign for his sanity. He pulled himself upright, and noticed something disturbing; his body was illuminated. He was still wearing the same clothes when he died.
Odd that I didn't notice that.
Despite being illuminated himself everything else was dark.
"Hello?"
Spade felt slightly stupid for saying something like that but nothing else came to mind.
Silence…
"Figures."
"Oh…Hello."
The reply jolted Spade. It sounded like an old man yet it sounded like it came from everywhere at once.
"Um… could you please…?"
"Hold on a second, I don't want you to have to repeat everything when I get there."
Spade waited a moment, finally hearing footsteps on whatever this floor was made out of. It had no texture or temperature yet its resistance was still present.
Eventually, an old man emerged from the darkness. He wore what could only be described as a toga with a purple sash. He was quite an odd sight; his face was round yet his eyes displayed a clear wisdom, with gray swept-back hair and a well-toned body despite his obvious age.
He looked like a senator from ancient Korea. He offered an old hand to Spade. Spade took the hand and rose to his feet. It was still surreal to him that he could stand in this place. The old man continued to look straight at Spade, his inane smile reminding him of mom.
"I thought they got everyone. Looks like that wasn't true."
The old man rested his hand on his chin, looking down as if in deep thought. Spare couldn't respond, shocked by what was happening in front of him. The old man started to agree with himself, nodding all the while. His eyes darted up towards Spade.
"Oh, so sorry. My mind does tend to wander at the most inappropriate times. My name is Nero- God of Storm."
Nero, as he called himself, bowed dramatically. It took him some time to right himself with considerable groaning.
"Well, it looks like you missed that boring induction thing."
Nero nodded over his shoulder. That section of darkness receded slightly. Figures emerged from the darkness coming into focus. People, many people. Some of them looked familiar; hoodies, suits, uniforms and a silver ponytail.
"Ah."
The people faded, rippling back into the darkness.
"Hey! What happened?"
Nero looked bemused before looking over his shoulder again.
"Oh, is that how long has passed? Um, how to put this," Nero turned back to Spade, putting his hands into his toga, "You've just missed it."
"Missed what?"
"The summoning of course. That's why we grabbed you guys".
Spade looked on without an expression. Nero cocked his head, still smiling.
"Well, we kind of needed foreign souls."
Nero's eyes beamed with a fiery intensity.
So that's meant to explain everything?
"Um, okay. Perhaps we should start from the beginning."
Nero gestured to his left. Surprisingly, there was a large round white table with four chairs. Spade was sure that it wasn't there before. It appeared to be made from the same texture-less material as the floor. Spade was no longer surprised by this, he simply took a seat, Nero taking the one to his right.
"So…" Spade began, "I take it that I'm dead and this is some sort of afterlife?"
"Well, sort of. You're dead alright. I saw you die inside your room." Nero imitated how he fainted. "You abused your body and that your body gave up."
"So why am I in my body if I already die?"
"Because we are gods?"
"That's…"
"To be honest, we don't really understand everything we can do. Just because you can use it doesn't mean you know exactly how it works."
Hmmm, like electricity. I don't understand exactly understand how electricity works but I could still use light switches.
Spade nodded.
"So is there anyone else aside from me?"
"That's a good question."
Nero didn't appear to be lying. He leaned back in his chair.
"We think that it's some sort of old dimension. There should be someone here to keep the natives in check but they've long since died out. For the meantime, we use it as sort of a way-station between worlds."
"There are more like you?"
"Yeah, most of them aren't as cultured as me though." Nero burped loudly and re-adjusted his crotch.
That was on purpose, but to what end? He might just be an eccentric god… wait, what?
It was something simple stated at the beginning which had been overlooked, this old man said he was a god, but was it true?
Before Space could ask, another sound echoed throughout the darkness. This was clacking on the mysterious floor substance. Heels emerged from the darkness before the body. Red high heels with straps tight halfway up her long legs. The rest of her emerged from the darkness and it took Spade's breath away. She wore a short red dress with rubies embedded as though they were sequins, slits on either side showing off what little of her legs it didn't cover. Spade's eyes traveled upwards. The dress barely covered her ample breasts yet there were no straps to hold it up as if it was being held up by magic. Beyond that her face would have been called handsome rather than beautiful, the sharp edges more befitting a warrior. What stumped Spade was not her blood red eyes but her hair. It was the same red as everything else but it flickered like a flame, wisps flying off as it swayed then disappearing into nothing. It was quite hypnotic to watch. She continued her approach, hips swaying with every step.
"Hello…. Nero."
Nero slowly turned towards the red woman, obviously trying to irritate her. He saw her as she walked and stopped. Spade could see his mouth turn up in a smile.
"Really, you thought wearing that was a good idea?"
The red woman looked at her clothing, tracing her hands over them.
"I think it looks good."
Not just good, though if you're like him what are you trying to achieve?
"And how many souls do you manage to ensnare?"
Her face twitches violently. She let out a sigh.
"None, just like the last time. And don't say "ensnare, you make me sound like her."
She continued walking without the swaying of her hips and took the seat opposite Spade, swinging her legs onto the table. Her dress didn't leave much to the imagination.
"You can be somewhat unapproachable wearing something like that, they always seem too scared to talk to you."
The red woman frowned before retracting her legs.
"And look at you, you've got no-one"
"That's not true!" Nero said with sarcastic shock, "I have ... .er….what was your name again?"
"Spade, and you didn't ask."
She smiled at this and started chuckling. Stratos shuffled to hide his embarrassment.
"Well, go on, tell him your name."
Nero appeared quite grumpy.
Perhaps I shouldn't have been so rude, although the red woman appears to be enjoying it.
She was still looking straight at Nero squirming with a happy expression.
"My name is Ifrit - God of Flames. It is a pleasure to meet you."
Ifrit reached over and shook Spade's hand. He had to focus very hard to keep his eyes matched with hers rather than falling down.
"So, what have you told him?"
"Nothing much yet. Still waiting for the other one."
Ifrit glanced over at the empty chair before returning her attention back to Spade.
"She'll still be a while. Something about needing to look appropriate."
Nero and Spade glanced at each other before looking back to Ifrit. She appeared to understand the look. Her dress began to glow, extending back over her legs and covering her chest and extending to her neck.
"That's better." Ifrit put her legs back onto the table again, though she was still wearing her red high-heels.
"So, shall we start then?"
"I don't see why not."
Nero cleared his throat.
"Well, since we don't have much time I'll keep to the basics. We stole your soul after you died. Your world's gods don't like it when one of their toys has been taken. Very dangerous but we needed to. Our world is being overrun by demons. They're killing everyone and everything in their path, including our followers and disciples."
"So why was I not taken, ensnared, by those other gods?"
"Well," began Nero, "You were deemed to be a weak soul. Every fundamental was severed to even call you a spirit."
"Okay. So you can ensnare a weak soul rather than a spirit?"
Stratos nodded.
"Correct. But if we all band together we can forcibly drag foreign spirits or souls through this place. It is filled with mana, though souls from our world seem to slip through while yours drag bits with you. Think like a sponge soaking up water and grime."
"I can use magic then, that's pretty cool."
"Yes, but you'll still need some help." Ifrit said, "Though that's the least of your concerns now."
Ifrit gestured behind her. In the darkness there were pairs of eyes and teeth, not joined but circling, coming closer.
Spade flinched reflexively.
"Don't worry, they can't get at us yet. Give them about twenty minutes and they'll tear you apart."
"That's the other reason why you aren't popular Ifritt."
"Shut up Nero."
"So those are the residents you were talking about?"
Nero looked at the swirling teeth and eyes and merely chuckled.
"They're harmless to gods."
Again, I'm not a god. Spade thought.
"Anyway, we usually summon a group and they can choose their god." Ifrit turned her nose up at this point, "It's just that most go for this Elven goddess and her friends, tend to leave us by the wayside. After Nero heard you, well, we thought that we could become your patron gods."
This seems good then. Spade thought again.
Nero and Ifrit smiled, they must have seen Spade's expression change.
"All right, I'll take you as my patron gods. This means I get lightning and fire powers?"
"You're going along with this quite easily." Nero looked concerned.
"Either this is some crazy dream and my death is a part of that dream or this is real and I should take everything I can." Spade explained.
Ifrit nodded while Nero smirked. The residents were getting closer, their teeth were gnashing as though the invisible field around them was shrinking and weakening.
"Well, let's get this underway." Ifrit swung her feet off the table and both stood up, gesturing for Spade to do the same.
"I thought you two hated each other?"
"More…dislike. Although our circumstances…" Nero and Ifrit looked at each other and smiled.