PART 1: WHITE
Chapter 2 - Light Blue Flame
Endless darkness...
Endless silence...
A constant feeling of being in a void...
Was dying really such a peaceful thing?
If it was this peaceful, why hadn't he died earlier?
– Why are you closing your eyes?
Huh?
What was that voice?
– I'm talking to you!
Who did that voice belong to?
Could it be that he hadn't died yet?
He slowly opened his eyes:
– Who are you?
A very bright, light blue flame dazzled his eyes.
– Ahh, I'm practically blind now!
– Sorry about that.
He opened his eyes again. He was starting to adjust to the light. Then the voice came again from within the light:
– You finally opened your eyes...
– A-A talking flame!? Am I dreaming?
– No, you're not.
Was he going crazy? But he clearly remembered dying just a moment ago...
Now, in front of him, stood a flame shaped vaguely like a human silhouette.
As if reading his mind, the flame responded:
– Don't worry, you haven't gone insane yet.
Then it added:
– By the way, before you ask: You are currently dead.
– ...!
Mahey had nothing to say. He was still in shock:
– S-So, where is this place?
– A place like limbo.
– Hmm. Interesting... I thought I'd end up in Hell.
– Don't worry; you won't be going there.
So then, why was he here?
Again, as if the flame read his mind, it answered:
– I suppose you want to know the reason you're here?
– Yes, I really want to know.
– Don't worry, I'll explain. But first, let me ask you a question.
Mahey nodded, and the flame continued:
– If you were given a second life, what would you want?
– I don't know. Honestly, that's not something I've thought much about.
– Well then, think about it now...
Mahey thought for a while:
– Damn it, nothing comes to mind.
– Think harder.
– Hmmmm. Really—
!!!
– Actually, there might be a few things.
– Can you tell me what they are?
– I can, but... would it really change anything?
– It could. It could change everything...
– Alright then. I'll trust you and answer the question: If I were given a second life, I'd want to have a loving family, also an honest friend or friends, and lastly... I'd want to fall in love.
– Is that all?
– What do you mean "is that all"?
– I mean, is there anything else?
– Hmm, let me think. Actually, yes; I'd want to find a solid purpose in life. Up until now, I've lived aimlessly and emptily...
The flame chuckled:
– Good, very good!
– What is it? I don't get it.
– I'm going to give you a chance to have all of that!
Mahey hesitated. What is it talking about...?
– I don't understand anything right now.
– Ahh, right. I got too excited. Let me explain briefly: I'm an entity in charge of guiding souls. That means I can bring you back to life. And through that, I can help you achieve what you desire.
– Really!? So I could have a family? Or fr—
– Yes, you can have everything you mentioned.
Mahey was in shock. At the same time, he was overflowing with joy. He finally had a chance—to change everything...
– But this will be a little different.
All his joy vanished instantly.
– What do you mean?
– Uh... Let me explain like this: You won't be resurrected in the normal world. You'll be reborn in a magical world. It's a bit different from your current one.
– Huh?
– You didn't get it, did you? But it's the truth; you can't return to your original world.
CRACK!
– What!
– Ahh, no! This place is collapsing...
Probably because of the soul density.
Then the flame continued:
– Time is running out, so you'll only get to hear this once. Listen carefully!
– Wh—
– I'm sending you to that magical world now. You'll be reborn in the body of a child. Also, there'll be changes in your consciousness. Your memories will fade over time, and only those etched into your soul will remain.
It paused briefly, then quickly added:
– Burn this into your memory; I'm sending you right now. The place you'll arrive in is near a human settlement, so make good use of this opportunity.
After saying that, a distant bell rang. Then, a blue mist began to envelop the surroundings.
Mahey, still filled with unanswered questions, asked one last time in hope:
– But why me?
– That, I don't know either...
The blue mist thickened...
Mahey had no more time to ask anything.
His eyelids grew heavy, then slowly closed...
Everything happened in an instant...
– See you for now... Watching you from above is going to be really interesting. Hehehe, let's see what you'll do in your second life.
End of Chapter 2