Xander's eyes fluttered open, his vision swimming into focus as he took in his surroundings. He was no longer in the icy grip of the ocean, nor was he in the familiar confines of his homeland. Instead, he found himself in a vast, endless expanse of brilliance—a room without walls or a ceiling, stretching infinitely in all directions. The light was soft yet intense, enveloping him in a haze of disorientation.
A small, blue screen materialized before him, its surface shimmering with an otherworldly glow. Two circular lines pulsed and moved like eyes, and a wavering line acted as a mouth, contorting and shifting as it spoke. "Welcome, new host candidate," it greeted, its voice echoing slightly in the boundless void.
Xander blinked, his confusion and shock showing clearly on his face. "Where am I?" He managed to ask, his voice hoarse and uncertain. "What's a host candidate?"
The blue screen seemed to regard him with an uncanny intelligence, its eyes flickering gently. "I am system 0973," it said, the mouth wavering with each syllable. "You are in the nexus, a realm between realms. The creator has chosen you, Xander, as a potential host candidate."
Xanders brow furrowed as he processed this information, his mind racing to make sense of the surreal situation. Chosen? By whom? And for what purpose?"
System 0973's eyes seemed to narrow slightly as if considering how much to reveal. "The creator had established a system to aid souls who have unfinished business or regrets in their past lives. These souls wish for a different outcome, and the creator has made it possible for them to have a second chance. As a host, you will be assigned to a specific individual whose life you will temporarily inhabit, altering the course of their existence to fulfill their deepest wishes and resolve their regrets."
Xander's heart pounded in his chest as he grappled with the enormity of the decision. "But how does it work? What happens to the person whose life I'm inhabiting?"
System 0973 explained, "the host system allows an entity to temporarily take over a person's body for a set period before their natural death. During this time, the original soul reincarnates into their next life, but fragments of their soul and their regrets linger. Your mission as the host is to change the outcome of their life, addressing their regrets and fulfilling their wishes. Once you have successfully completed your mission the lingering soul fragments will be resolved, and the soul can move on peacefully.
Xander looked around the endless, bright expanse, his mind reeling. "And if I refuse?"
System 0973's eyes flickered softly. "If you refuse, you will be automatically processed and reincarnated into a new life. However, if you choose to stay and work as a host, you will eventually be given a chance to relive your own life. This time, you will have the power to take revenge on those who hurt you most."
The endless, bright expanse seemed to pulse with an unseen energy, waiting for his response. Xander took a deep breath, his decision weighing heavily on his shoulders. The thought of helping others find peace was tempting, and the allure of revisiting his own life and setting things right was a powerful motivator. He had to choose between moving on and seeking vengeance.
Xander took a moment to weigh his options, but his mind was already made up. The chance to make a difference and the sweet promise of revenge were too enticing to pass up. He looked up at system 0973, his expression a mix of determination and excitement. "I'll do it," he declared. "I'll be a host."
System 0973,s eyes seemed to brighten and its mouth curved into an approximation of a smile, clearly pleased with his choice. "Good," it said, its voice carrying a note of satisfaction. "I'm am sure the Creator will be pleased with your decision."
Xander felt a surge of anticipation. The thought of embarking on this new journey, of gaining skills and knowledge to become an effective host, and ultimately, of exacting his revenge, filled him with a sense of purpose he hadn't felt in a long time.
System 0973 continued, "Now, it's time to send you off to the Host Academy. There, you will be taught every possible skill you could need during your time as a host, you will learn about the nature of your role, the realities of the nexus, and the mechanic's of soul fragments and regrets. When you graduate, you will be assigned a new personal system that will follow you through the various realms, aiding you with your missions. But that will be explained more in detail at the academy."
Xander nodded, a sense of curiosity and relief washing over him. He hadn't expected there to be a structured training program, let alone an entire academy dedicated to hosts. The idea of having a place to learn and grow, rather than being thrust into his new role unprepared, was comforting.
"When do I start?" Xander asked, his eagerness evident in his voice.
System 0973's eyes flickered gently. "You will be transported to the Host Academy immediately. Prepare yourself, Xander. Your new life as a host begins now."
The endless, bright expanse around them seemed to shimmer and shift, the air crackling with energy as system 0973 initiated the transfer. Xander took a deep breath, steeling himself for the journey ahead. He was ready to embrace this new chapter, to learn, to grow, and ultimately, to take control of his destiny.
Before Xander could even fully blink, the vast, endless expanse of the nexus shifted and morphed around him. In an instant, he found himself standing before an imposing fence that stretched out in both directions as far as he could see. The fence was made of a shimmering, iridescent material that seemed to absorb and reflect the ambient light, giving it an otherworldly glow. Beyond the fence, a grand, white building stood tall and proud, its architecture a blend of modern and ancient designs that defied easy categorization.
The building seemed to be constructed from the same luminous material as the fence, its surfaces smooth and unmarred. Tall , arched windows lined the walls, their glass panes shimmering with a soft, inner light. The overall effect was one of ethereal beauty and timeless elegance, a stark contrast to the endless, featureless expanse of the nexus he had just left behind.
Xander took a moment to absorb the sight, his breath catching in his throat as he realized that this was the Host Academy, his new home and place of learning. The air here was different, charged with an energy that hummed just beneath the surface, a tangible reminder of the power that flowed through the nexus.
With a deep breath, Xander stepped forward, his footsteps echoing slightly as he approached the grand entrance of the academy. The doors were massive, made of the same luminous material, and they swung open silently as he approached, beckoning him to enter and begin his new journey.
As he crossed the threshold, the doors closed behind him with a soft, final thud, sealing him off from the past and propelling him into the future. The chapter of his life as a host had officially begun.