I opened my eyes, startled, as if I had just woken up from a nightmare, but unlike last time, I could actually see things. I was in a place I can only describe as space-like, with stars and planets scattered everywhere. And this time, I could see what I was standing on. It was glass, or at least something that looked like glass. It stretched out into a long path for me to follow.
"Okay, let me think about my situation for a moment. I'm in space, standing on glass. Strangely enough, I can breathe just fine and, apparently, I can talk and hear myself too…"
For the first time since waking up in that dark place, I stopped to really try to understand what was going on. I had no memories of what I had been doing before waking up.
"Am I hallucinating? I mean, is this a dream? Something that could explain me being in this kind of situation, with my senses working at full capacity. I feel awake, everything feels real… even if it doesn't make sense."
To test my own words, I started hitting myself, pinching, trying to cause pain. After a while, looking like a complete lunatic, I finally exploded:
"HOW THE HELL DID I END UP IN THIS SITUATION?! WHERE THE HELL AM I?! PLEASE, SOMEBODY GET ME OUT OF HERE!!!"
I screamed endlessly. All I wanted was to go home—or at least to a place I could call home.
"PLEASE, SOMEBODY GET ME OUT OF HERE!!!"
"PLEASE, SOMEBODY GET ME OUT OF HERE!!"
"PLEASE, SOMEBODY GET ME OUT OF HERE!"
"Please, somebody get me out of here."
"Please… somebody…"
Honestly, what a shitty situation. I just lay there, collapsed on the ground for God knows how long. My mind was completely broken. I have to admit, I cracked way too easily. Wherever I was, things… yeah… fantastic things could happen. Honestly, I figured it was best to just adapt the mindset that I'd either been abducted by aliens or transported into some fantasy story.
After some time to pull myself together, I decided to stand up. Wherever this glass path was leading, it was better than staying here doing nothing.
I walked. And walked. And walked. For who knows how long. Strangely, I never felt tired, but I had stopped questioning things a long time ago. After a while (okay, a LOT of while), I finally spotted something in the distance—and honestly, I have to admit, I was surprised.
"…A tree?!"
Far ahead on the path I was following, there was an enormous tree. It was a bizarre sight: a giant tree in the middle of space, with the path leading straight to it. For now, I decided to keep following the path toward the tree.
It took a long time of walking before I finally realized that the tree wasn't simply floating in space; it was rooted on a piece of land, like a small island adrift among the stars. There was grass, other smaller trees, a person drinking something, animals like squirrels, monkeys, giraffes—there was even a small pond with fish jumping out of the water from time to time. The island was big enough that there could easily be other animals I just couldn't see. I have to admit: it was very strange knowing exactly which animals I was seeing without knowing where that knowledge even came from—it just appeared in my head. Wait…
"A person?! What—"
I decided to run as fast as I could. A person—how could I not be anxious? Maybe they had answers about where I was. I ran and ran, never stopping. This could be my golden opportunity, and I wasn't about to waste it.
I kept running until I finally set foot on the island. Feeling the grass and the soil beneath me was comforting beyond words. I decided to approach the spot where the person was sitting. They had their back turned, but as I got closer, I heard them turn and speak:
"@%#¨¨!@&&!(#¨%#%$!¨&¨!!"
Honestly, I didn't understand a thing. What the hell was this person saying? To me, it all sounded like static noise. As if noticing my confusion, the person placed a hand on their neck, as though adjusting something, and then spoke again:
"My deepest apologies, human. I was conversing a moment ago with a Tamberlieniete and neglected to perform the proper adjustment for you. Normally this adjustment occurs automatically, but I was distracted and failed to activate my ability."
Tamber… Tamberl… what? What on earth was this person talking about? Voice adjustment ability? What the hell? Suddenly, they seemed to brighten at my presence. I could see it clearly in the wide smile spreading across their face.
"Ah, esteemed visitor, it is ever a pleasure to welcome one so distinguished. Please, sit, and let us converse at leisure."
Their voice was neither masculine nor feminine. Their appearance leaned more toward the feminine side, but I couldn't be sure. I decided to accept the invitation and sat on a chair across the table.
"And so, who shall have the honor of being the fortunate one this time?"
"Fortun—
"Ah, whom am I trying to fool? You can't even recall your identification, what do you humans call it again?... Ah, yes, I remember now: a "name"."
"…"
This person was definitely lively, and formal too. They sipped from a small cup every now and then. Strangely enough, they already knew I had no memories. I figured it was time I got some answers.
"Well, you must know my situation better than I do, so… where am I? Why am I here?"
"Calm yourself, my esteemed friend. I am certain you have many more questions beyond these, but alas, I do not yet know who you are. Grant me but a few moments, and I shall provide you with answers."
Once more, they sipped from the cup in their hand. Were they trying to trick me? Perceiving my fragile state of mind, the person added:
"You know, a bit of tea before such a magnificent view works wonders for the soul—particularly in light of the nature of my occupation."
Again, they drank from their tea, but this time, they seemed to realize something—as if struck by a sudden epiphany.
"Ahhh, I see… Tragic, and yet possessed of a marvelous beauty. Carter."
The moment that word left their lips, a shiver ran down my spine. Carter… Carter… that was my name. I was sure of it, even if I couldn't remember—my instincts screamed that it was true.
"The remainder of your name no longer bears relevance, but this indeed is your name. Now then, to address your first question: where are you? I confess, it is somewhat difficult to explain.
The place you found yourself before—that realm of utter darkness—is known as the "Nothing." In truth, it serves merely as a temporary repository for your soul, and under normal circumstances, you would never have awakened there… yet you did.
That sphere of light you beheld is called the "Path." and one of its functions is to determine whether or not you are granted the opportunity to speak with me. This conversation we now share is, in a sense, a kind of advantage for you—provided, of course, that you know how to make use of it.
And know this: even had you not approached the light, it would have come to you regardless. You merely hastened the process, and by fortune, you were chosen for this dialogue. I admit, I was not fully prepared for your arrival.
As for this place you stand in now, it holds no inherent significance. You are here simply because it is where I am. Likewise, the appearance of this space bears no true importance, for I tend to alter it from time to time."
It was hard to make sense of everything the person was saying, especially given the formal tone, but I managed to grasp the general idea. Still, one thing caught me completely off guard.
"Wait a second… a temporary repository for my soul? What do you mean by that?"
"I believe it will be easier for you to understand once I answer your second question: why are you here? Well then, it will be simpler if I show you something first. But before that, I ask that you partake in some tea. I assure you, it is of excellent quality."
Almost as if by magic, a teacup appeared before me, filled with the very tea they had been talking about. I was a bit reluctant to drink it since it had simply appeared out of nowhere, and the person looked at me expectantly, as though they very much wished for me to drink it.
Feeling I had no choice, I took a small sip of the drink—it was still quite hot—and after a moment, I placed the cup back on the table. Honestly, this supposedly "excellent quality" tea wasn't anything special… though maybe that was just because I've never really been much of a tea person.
And then, it happened. Memories flooded my mind. Feelings, experiences, likes, dislikes, love and pain. All of it filled my head at once. I remembered—I remembered who I was. My name was Carter Silva Augusto. My somewhat odd name came from the fact that my mother was American and my father Brazilian. I had lived my whole life in Brazil, studied computer engineering, worked as a backend developer in a multinational company and… I was engaged to a woman, Fernanda, the love of my life. We met back in middle school and just clicked. We had lived our whole lives together, until…
Finally, we had aligned our vacations and decided to visit the homeland of my late mother, but then… then it happened.
"A terrible misfortune befell you, and in order to preserve the life of your beloved, you chose to give up your own."
She was in a hurry to get to our next stop and walked a little ahead of me. The signal was red for cars, but someone decided to ignore it. I saw the vehicle would hit her square on, and without even thinking, I pushed her out of its path. But in doing so, it struck me instead.
"It is tragic, yes… and yet it carries with it a beauty I cannot deny. It would not be the first time I have witnessed such a thing, and curiously enough, even among non-human races such stories repeat themselves.
Carter… I believe you already know the truth in your heart. But, should you not yet have accepted it, allow me to say it plainly, with all sincerity: you are dead."