After Life

Chapter 4

"When I was created, everything was fine. Sure, there were imperfections and nobody knew exactly what the next day would bring, as we weren't nearly as efficient as we became in time, but we were content. No one quite appreciates what content is, you realize. We weren't miserable, and perfection can never truly be obtained. Therefore, we were content. And life, as a result, was fine. 

"Humans eventually came into power. Oh, sure, your species had existed before, but never as top of the food chain. You created tools and began making discoveries about the world of the living. Truly, it was great fun to watch. Perhaps it was a bit dull, at the beginning. But humans bounded into the unknown with such a great zeal for life that even the most stoic of our kind could only smile.

"I'm getting ahead of myself, though. When humans created tools, we wondered what we could do with this leap in technology. Yes, we did have our own kind of technology and tools. But only fools discard new knowledge like a dirty sock. 

"Eventually, the higher-ups decided to test you. At that point, you were multiplying like bunnies and the human area of the afterlife was in danger of becoming crowded. If we could find a place for you in our section, then we can have more free space for the humans that failed the test. 

"The person that spearheaded the entire operation was named Harut. After many, many failed experiments, they found a way to make humans into superior beings. The serum would give humans greater strength and stamina, and a faster healing factor. All Harut asked for in return was to design and conduct the tests themselves.  

"Harut's tests were set up in three distinct parts. There was a test to determine one's instincts and a test to determine whether one can keep their head in dangerous situations.  The last one is more...brutal. In the third test, the humans that scored high enough are pitted against each other in combat. This is to determine how their physical attributes compare to other humans. Harut told us that it would be unfair for us to go against the people, as we were naturally stronger and more agile. 

"Those in charge readily agreed; they were so eager for the serum that they gave Harut dominion over all the humans. The official statement was that the transfer was to make sure that Harut would be able to do what they needed to do, but I just think that things were so busy in the afterlife, they decided to give part of the problem to Harut just to be done with it. Harut, of course, was thrilled at the prospect.

"Everything went fine for the first few test runs. Aside from some minor setbacks, things were running smoothly. Harut even decided what to do with the humans that took the serum; they became enforcers. Spread throughout the afterlife, the enforcers made sure that things were peaceful and calm.

"What a lie. Once Harut's enforcers were in every part of the afterlife, they showed their true colors. The enforcers, under Harut's command, attacked and quickly took control of the afterlife. Our species put up the most fight, but Harut eventually took control of our capital and publicly executed those that gave them their first taste of power. Anyone else that tried to resist were detained, coming back as mindless supporters. 

"That's when I escaped. As omnipotent as they seemed, Harut couldn't monitor everything at once.  When they were occupied with some dissent in another sector, I escaped from the capital and found my way to the living world. I've been here ever since." 

"Holy shit."