The light that defined the Junction intensified. The immense figure continued its explanation, its voice cutting through the panic that had been clawing at my chest.
"THE CONDITIONS FOR TRANSFER ARE MET. BEFORE YOUR SOUL IS SENT FORWARD, YOU MUST GRASP THE NATURE OF YOUR NEW REALM."
A series of holographic schematics and chilling images materialized in the empty air, projecting directly from the light of the figure's robes. They rotated rapidly, showcasing ruined skyscrapers tangled with grotesque, organic growths, and figures clad in heavy, scarred armor fighting shadowy, multi-limbed horrors.
"What are those things?" I demanded, the memory of the truck finally succumbing to the terrifying projections. "Are those... demons?"
"THEY ARE PREDATORS. THE WORLD IS NAMED EREBOS. IT IS A SHELL WORLD, BROKEN BY THE VOID. YOUR TIMELINE TERMINATION WAS A CHANCE AT A NEW BEGINNING. DO NOT WASTE IT."
"Erebos... a shell world," I whispered. "And I'm supposed to survive there?"
"YOUR TASK IS SIMPLE: SURVIVAL. THE REALM IS RUTHLESS. A CURSE! THREATS ARE CLASSIFIED: VOID-BORN, ABYSSAL HOUNDS, WRAITH-KIND, ZOMBIFIED CREATURES. HUMANS ARE FEW, CLINGING TO LIFE WITHIN FORTIFIED BASTIONS, CALLED CITADELS. THE PATH TO POWER IS THROUGH THE MANA ARTS. YOU WILL BEGIN WITH NO RANK."
No rank. I was starting as less than a zero in a world where everything was armed and hungry. "How am I going to survive that?"
"This is too much to comprehend," I said, forcing my mind to focus. "The threat is existential. I require the means to endure."
"A COMPENSATION FOR YOUR UNTIMELY END. THREE BOONS SHALL BE WOVEN INTO THE FABRIC OF YOUR SOUL. CHOOSE WISELY, FOR THEY CANNOT BE UNDONE."
"I understand" First, I need a power source "I need to never run out of energy. I want an inexhaustible, regenerating power source woven into my being so I can use whatever powers I eventually learn without burning out."
"GRANTED, YOU WILL RECEIVE AN ETERNAL CORE. YOUR POWER WELL SHALL REGENERATE INSTANTANEOUSLY."
A deep, cold certainty settled in my chest, a vast reservoir that felt impossibly full. Good.
"The psychic and spiritual threats—the Wraiths and Void-Born. My second wish is total, absolute immunity to all forms of psychic attacks, spiritual domination, mental corruption, and curse"
"GRANTED, YOU WILL NOW HAVE MENTAL FORTRESS. YOUR MIND IS NOW AN IMPREGNABLE BASTION. NO ENTITY SHALL COMMAND YOUR SPIRIT."
A silent pressure enveloped my thoughts, feeling like a massive, impenetrable shield. Safety.
"Finally, I must catch up. I want a unique innate ability that lets me learn, master, and enhance any skill or power I witness instantly. Something that lets me copy the heroes and the enemies alike."
"THAT SHALL BE ACCEPTED. THE ABILITY OF OMNI-MIMICRY. YOU SHALL MASTER ANY SKILL UPON OBSERVATION. YOUR GROWTH POTENTIAL IS WITHOUT LIMIT."
A profound, ancient energy pulsed, confirming the gifts were woven into my soul.
The projections vanished, and the glare of the white room began to pulse rhythmically. The Figure of Light stepped forward, its form blurring and swirling like a distant galaxy.
"YOUR DESTINY IS SET. FEAR NOT THE DEATH OF THIS BODY, FOR THE SOUL IS ETERNAL."
The light intensified, becoming a solid sheet of impossible energy that slammed into my consciousness.
[SOUL TRANSFER COMMENCING. COHESION SUCCESSFUL... 3...]
My vision tunneled into a whirling vortex of green and black.
[2...]
The resonant voice faded into a whisper, leaving me with one final, urgent directive.
"YOU MUST... SURvive"
"1..."
The world dissolved. And then, there was only the smell of smoke, the sound of distant screams, and the rough, splintered wood of a coffin pressing against my back.
To be continued...