Deep within the universe's most volatile object is an unfathomably dense force that warps the fabric of physics.
Every so often, this object in the middle of its system spawns formidable beings outside of its rim, but as they barely awaken their consciousness, it starts ejecting them into the vast expanse of unknown latitudes in different dimensions.
Upon awakening, these beings find themselves thrown haphazardly across the vast expanse of existence in mysterious uncharted territories. Devoid of memories, they embark anew as blank slates, utterly clueless about the unknown forces that birthed them.
But as their consciousness ripens slowly, time reveals the truth of their origin in a place earthlings call Black Hole, also known as the Void or the Abyss of those that knew the truth.
Beyond mortal grasp lies an unfathomable void that anchors the system that overlaps into every plane of reality yet it belongs to no one. Even the ancient entities murmur of it in low whispers dodging direct a reference or lest they offend the unknown.
Its profound mystery is downright terrifying, even they dare not approach too closely, as they are equally clueless about what lies within its unfathomable depths.
Beings born from outside of the Abyss are rare, they vary as the place that birthed them flung them away. These beings choose their own path, some rise as gods wielding divine power and shaping worlds with unbridled fervor, and ruling over the mortals, using them as they see fit.
Others emerge as monsters ruled by their primal instincts and unending hunger that gnaws their very being for every second. Some eldritch horrors embody incomprehensible forms, they are able to warp reality and minds alike with twisted ease, manipulating behind the scenes.
Some are destruction incarnate, they move across realms like tempests unmaking everything in their path with recklessness, however no one is truly powerful as even they fall to other beings inferior to them, for beings born of immense power comes arrogance.
And now, Deep within the inner rim of the Abyss another being stirs, its form begins coalescing as if it was already made and is destined for someone, this vessel is waiting for it to be taken. The surrounding is dark and devoid of anything present except a body floating in place.
The sound of the familiar notification echoed through the darkness:
Ping~
A distinctly familiar sound of the notification resounded through the void and manifested in front of his ethereal self:
"Notice! Requirement: Termination of the inferior vessel has been achieved!"
Words hung in the void like a verdict, their cold finality gnawing at him. As the man stirred slowly, his awareness flickering to life in confusion.
'W-where am I?'
Fearful dread coursed wildly through his being as his shattered memories erupted in broken fragments like a mirror. His voice cracked with urgency as he attempted to yell.
'there's still the hobgoblin left… No! JULIE, WHERE ARE YOU?'
Darkness swallowed his cries whole. No words escaped him no matter how hard he screamed, his voice was probably lost forever. He was mute, a silent scream echoing through only his mind. As his realization crept in like a thief, stealing his sense of self. He noticed that his physical form had vanished, leaving behind a soul adrift in the dark.
His thoughts raced as he tried to piece together what had happened.
'I was just with Julie…'
Then, it hit him.
'I died…''
The weight of the truth was crushing. A flood of memories came rushing back: the chaos in the mall, the screams, the children he had saved.
'…But what about my sister?' He thought the question pierced his confusion like a splinter. His heart or what was left of it ached fiercely at the thought of abandoning his family.
But then something happened, his memory from his past life before he died slowly faded, 'huh!? Wh-what is this No!'
Ping~
Another notification sounded.
"Notice! Memories from past experiences will now be deleted to make up space for the transfer, thereby avoiding any possible complications.
Panic surged through his disembodied consciousness as the words struck him like a hammer.
'What? No! I cannot forget them! Return my memories!' he shouted in anger, but no sound escaped from him.
The system's voice remained calm and detached:
"My apologies dear user. The system cannot retrieve the already deleted memories. The transfer of the soul to vessel shall now proceed accordingly."
He desperately pleaded. 'No… please! at least leave some of my memories intact!'
The system paused for a second, and continued as it was processing his plea.
"... Affirmative, reconsidering the user's request. Processing calculation to avoid complications during the transferring process. Please choose only one of the following: the user may choose to retain the names of individuals, or will you choose to retain the images and appearances of individuals. Choose one of the two."
'Why can't I just keep them both? I-i mean it's like you're making it harder for me to remember them, your being unreasonable' he demanded to keep both of his memory intact, his frustration is boiling over.
"The user's request is not feasible, if the user doesn't want to accept the terms the process shall start either way deleting the past memories," the system explained with it's tone unchanging.
"And If the user insists on retaining both of the memories, there is a high probability that the user will encounter complications during the soul transferring process. The outcome may result in the catastrophic morphing of the soul or physical body into an unknown form, since there are cases that happened in the past."
The system's cold logic sent a chill through him as he weighed his options. The stakes were clear: both of the choices weren't viable. He forced his rational thought amidst his inner turmoil somehow.
'Choosing the names may risk some strangers coincidentally sharing them, I might mistake them for my family, but if I opt for their images it ensures that I'll recognize their faces even if I forgot their names.'
His choice was obvious. He clung fiercely to the memories of their faces, he etched their smiles on his mind, the tears of the girl that still lingered in his mind, the essence of their being.
I'll choose the images.
"Understood. Image memories have been retained. Soul-to-vessel merging initiated."
The system's voice continued without pause:
"The character personality development can be impacted by a vessel's racial traits. You can access the system for guidance anytime when you've got questions. This system is unique to you only specifically to your essence, a unique bond. Note that there are other organisms that used a similar function but runs on a different parameter and be aware that pain's a possible side effect during the process"
'What!? Pain? Why di-'
His thoughts were cut off as the process began.
A searing agony ripped through him, an unutterable feeling of being yanked, contorted, reshaped. His consciousness shrieked soundlessly as it was injected into a new vessel, the darkness imploding into radiance and substance around him.
"Arghh!!!"
The Void reverberated with his anguished cry as his voice finally escaped lips. The pounding beat of his heart filled his body and his veins throbbed like they were about to rupture. Sweat poured down his body drenching him as his white silver hair clung to face, swaying with each convulsion. His fangs sharp and unnaturally protruded and when he opened his eyes, a pure crimson glow of a predator's stare can be seen.
"Ughhh! F-fuck! What kind of pain was that? I almost passed out!" he growled, as his annoyance was directed at the system. "You piece of…"
The system's reply arrived calm and detached as usual.:
"The system issued a warning about impending pain therefore allowing the user to mentally prepare for it somehow.."
His temper flared. "Then you should ha–Arrgh!!"
Another searing jolt of anguish ripped through him cutting him off in mid-sentence his body convulsed as if seized by unseen forces and just as he figured it might finally subside the air around him shattered.
The fabric of reality in front of him shattered as the shards of existence space scattered with an otherworldly glow. An unseen force slammed into him like a tsunami hurtling him through the rift and dumping him in an an unknown world.
End of chapter.