Chapter 1 - The Damnation

How things work:

-” Dialogues, things spoken aloud. “

-’ Thoughts of the MC. ‘

*Quotes*

I opened my eyes and then closed them immediately. -’ No, This can’t be real! It must be some sort of a dream. ‘ I willed myself to believe those words. -’ There is no way for it to be real, right? ‘ I tried to convince myself, despite the sensations and sounds coming at me.

I tried to peek again. My vision was strangely wide, much wider than it should… -’ But that’s not the issue! ‘ I wanted to scream aloud, but I manage to control myself enough to turn it into a small gasp. My agitation was caused by a gigantic figure that was standing around twenty feet away from me. Despite all of my disbelief a nightmarish fiend did not show any signs of disappearing. Eight feet tall beast stood on two hoofed legs and was covered with thick, blood red fur. It seemed similar to a werewolf from a fantasy games due to the long claws and a snout, which exposed a line of wickedly sharp canines.

I closed my eyes again, trying to remember anything that might have explained the strange situation. -’ What’s the last thing that I remember… Hmm, I remember skipping school to play games again. That was like a fourth day in a row that I marathoned without food… ‘

-’ Certainly I do not take drugs. I seldom leave the house… ‘

The answer wasn’t coming to me and the beast started to move around. I tried to remain motionless while fiend paced around, making loud thudding sounds with its hoofs. I shivered uncontrollably when it hit something with a whip that it had been carrying. -’ Aiiieee! ‘ A strange, shrill cry of pain resounded.

-” Enough sleeping runt! Go to work! “ Fiend growled the words and smacked something with a whip again. I was too afraid to peek, chances of being found out and whipped were too big.

I concentrated again. -’ Ok, I was playing my favorite MMO for the fourth day in a row, and I shut myself in the room to stop the parents from nagging me… But what happened next? ‘ My memories were strangely fuzzy, I clenched my teeth, which felt strange, and focused harder. -’ There was something… Yes, we killed Oneyron - the last boss from the Throne Of Doom! My guild was the first one to clear it! ‘

I almost forgot where I was, barely stopping myself from jumping up and cheering at the victory. A sudden grunt of the beast brought me back to reality, it suddenly stopped pacing around and began to listen attentively. My guts froze in fear and I desperately tried to remember what happened later. -’ Hmmmmm… ‘

-’ Ah, yes. I remember that I jumped up and suddenly a pain erupted in my chest. Then the floor hit me, I fell I think… ‘ That part of my memories was really fuzzy…

I didn’t know why, but an image of some really young girl came to my mind, but I was not sure why…

Then it hit me.

-’ Aieiieiie! ‘ Something screamed next to me, roused by a sudden blow. A small body scampered close by and then walked over me. I was too surprised, by my returning memories, to pay much attention to it.

-’ I remember! ‘ Memories flooded into my mind. I recalled how I was dejectedly looking on a familiar body laying on the floor and how I realized that it was me… Dead due to a heart attack caused by the malnutrition and exhaustion.

- ' Then there was a flash of light and I was transported somewhere.... ' My memory revealed a bright place full of clouds, where I stood before a magnificent golden gate covered with complicated etchings that depicted winged silhouettes, clouds and suns. I remembered how I tried to get past the gate, but was stopped by an old, robed dude.

-” You shall not pass. “ He said, giving me a pitying look before readjusting his white beard.

-” Gandalf is that you? “ I asked in confusion. -” And, why can’t I pass? What is this place anyway? “

-” I am not Gandalf! “ He responded, agitated. I blinked when he suddenly collected himself and continued in a calm and chastising manner. -” We have had many like you coming here! Useless humans, that did nothing in life, and now try to go to heaven. “ He gave me a disapproving look. -” What do you have to say for yourself? “

-” But I did nothing wrong! “ I answered, as I was sure that I haven’t done anything bad. -” Well, I haven’t harmed anyone… or interacted much with anyone for that matter. “ I admitted unwittingly, under the piercing gaze.

-” You did nothing good either. Moreover, you made your parents miserable because they had to take care of you. While it is not a sin, as for that we would need to punish the babies too, it certainly won’t grant you a free pass into heaven. " He stroked his beard. -” Moreover, I think you should burn in hell for being useless and wasting all of the gods grace bestowed unto you! “

-” Isn’t this a bit too harsh? And aren’t you a bit too, well, hostile for an angel or something? “ I exclaimed, shocked by his contempt.

-” Hmph. I might be called merciful and kind by others, but it does not change the fact that useless trash won’t get into heavens as long as I draw breath! And I am several thousands years old! “ As he spoke he became more and more agitated. Then, yet again, he suddenly calmed down and took on a more professional approach, buying time with readjusting his robe and coughing to clear his throat. -” Khem, anyway... With the power bestowed upon me by the gods I condemn you to a purgatory. Let your soul know not the blessing of the high heavens till its worthiness can be proven. Begone vagrant soul! “

At that moment the clouds parted and I fell down to a place full of grey mist. I looked around and realized that I was in some sort of a queue, with people standing in a line in front of me. I noticed another person appearing behind me.

-” What’s going on, where are we? “ I asked a person standing before me.

-” Purgatory. We have to wait for the curator to decide our fate and atonement plan. “ He gave out the answer in a deadpan, low spirited voice before turning away from me. I was a bit taken aback by his attitude. I was about to try and ask him again when a sudden voice interrupted me.

-” Hey, come here. “ A young girl’s voice whispered from the mist to my right. -” I can explain what's going on. “

I was curious and ventured into the mist. Soon I was met by a surprising sight - a girl in a cosplay. She seemed to be around twelve years old and had really long, black hair. Her almond shaped eyes were red and were really enticing for some reason. I realized that I was gazing directly into her eyes and I awkwardly tried to focus on something else, my wandering gaze travelled to her ears, which, I noticed, were pointed. With her smooth, white complexion and frilly, black dress she looked almost like a doll. -’ A gothic lolita! ‘ Unwelcome thought came to mind and I grew beet red.

She titled her head, making large bow on her head tilt, and looked at me with her big, enticing eyes. My heart was beating fast for some reason.

-” Are you well? “ She asked in an innocent tone, getting half a step closer. -” You should lay down if you feel weak. “

At that moment I thought that I would die of embarrassment, I felt like a protagonist of a comedy/ecchi manga… -’ Getting off on such a little… ‘ I kneeled on the ground to cover any awkward signs of the crime. -” Khem, sorry. I was really surprised. “ I tried to regain my composure. -” My name is Keita Shinamoji, and I seem to be a bit lost. “

-” They call me Deidre. “ Her eyes seemed to have a mischievous twinkle in them. -” I am a guide of sorts, I can help you find your way around. “ She gave me a shy, cute smile.

-” Nice to meet you, Deidre-san. “ I felt really awkward speaking with the little girl so openly, especially after what just happened. -” Could you tell me what is this place? “

-” Of course. “ She gave me another small smile, that one seemed playful and somehow knowing. -” This is a purgatory, as you have heard, and in this place souls await the trials for the misdeeds they had in life. “ Her smile slowly grew solemn and her features turned into a look of pity. Somehow, the change was so fluid that it seemed to be almost magical, I felt enchanted by her vivid expressions. -” I am afraid that you will stay here for a long, uneasy time. “

Her sadness and pitying voice pierced me to the core. -” At least I met you, it's always better to have a company. “ I tried to joke to lighten the mood.

-” Unfortunately I cannot stay with you for long and you will find the company of others… rather dull. “ She inclined her head in the direction of the queue.

I sighed in angst. -” Is there anything that I should know about to make this smoother? You mentioned that you are a guide? “ I hoped to find some sort of an easy way out of that mess.

-” That I am. “ She said with a bit of pride and gave me an evaluating look. -” For you I might know a way to get out of purgatory’s confines. “

-” Really?! “ I exclaimed and jumped to my feet. -” Can you really help me? “

-” You seem more responsive than the others, therefore there still might be a chance for you… “ Her voice grew soft and she looked at me inquisitively, as if evaluating something. -” ...but getting out of purgatory is not easy. In fact it’s quite complicated. If you become something akin to my apprentice or cousin I should be able to help you. “

-” I kind of get the apprentice, but what do you mean by a cousin? “ I asked in surprise.

-” If you sign a blood contract with me you will become like a relative of mine… “ Deidre gave me a strange look, meaning of which I didn’t understand. -” ...a distant relative. “

-” This isn’t some sort of scam, right? “ I asked, suddenly wary of the strange circumstances surrounding the girl.

-” Look for yourself. “ She reached out and a scroll appeared in her hand.

-” Wow, what was that? “ I almost jumped her to examine how she did the trick, but I stopped myself with an utmost effort of will. -’ It’s a crime, you don’t want to get in trouble for assaulting a little girl! Even if this is afterlife. ‘ I thought frantically. -’ Hmm, wait can I even get more sins now? Since I am dead and all? ‘

One look at the girl, which innocently stood before me and unaware of my deplorable thoughts, made me want to pray to the gods for mercy upon my wicked soul.

I collected myself and reached out for the scroll. Deidre seemed blissfully unaware of my inner struggles and patiently waited the whole time. I opened the scroll and scanned the contents.

Blood Contract

Per the rules of this covenant, that I sign with Deidre the White, I shall forge familial bonds with her, joining unto her realm as one of her relatives. I shall denounce the fate of purgatory and join my fate as a newborn child of my new family.

That I sign with my very lifeblood, and let eternal damnation befall me if I were to break it.

-” Em, this contract seems… rather extreme, especially the damnation part. I don’t really get this relatives and child part too, could you explain? “ I asked in confusion.

-” You don’t yet realize this, but things in the afterlife are final. There are no disputes - there are only choices. You cannot leave the purgatory without breaking your ties with it, and you cannot be my relative unless you expressly become adopted. “ She smiled at me, with cute and innocent looking smile. -” If you think about this, isn’t this a simple adoption letter? “

I looked at the contract again and I had to admit that apart from extreme penalty for breaking it the contract seemed rather innocent. -’ Ok, I will do it... “

Sudden pain rose me from my memories and I screamed into the air. -” Aie eeee “ Just like the creatures earlier. My back hurt, and the fiend was raising its whip again.

-” What you waiting for imp! Time to work! “ Beast's growl froze me, but smack of the whip that followed it made me rush out of the chamber.

-’ The Hell is this?! “ I thought desperately as I skimped out of the room. Small hooves, back angled knees, thick skin, unnaturally wide vision and something hanging on my back made me realize that I was not in my body anymore!

============

Hey~, Author's Here~

Here's chapter one, I hope you will like it. Feel free to leave comments - I like to eat them. And worry not I always read them~

Cheers,

Mea

http://www.royalroadl.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=26410