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Entering Varsus

Death. The greatest achievement in my mortal life was death. It was the turning point where fantasy ended and reality began. Through generations, humans have always worked hard and strived for this perfect life but they know nothing. They have no clue that when a person takes their last breath life just gets more complicated. Many days I yearn for the simplicity that humans have, the life I once lived. When I took my life I had no idea what was going to come when I crossed the barrier between human and spirit. Now I wish I had done it differently, to go back and see my family, my friends, to live out my years, but it’s too late now. I am out of the dream and beginning the true adult phase of existence. When my eyes closed for the last time, hanging on a tree in my backyard, they opened in a place called the Varsus.

    I don’t remember much about crossing the barrier between Earth and Varsus. It was a rush of energy and emotion happening almost instantaneously. It left behind the gut-wrenching feeling of falling that twists the stomach into a knot. After that my body went numb, vision went dark and air stopped being a necessity. But when it was all over, I found myself waking up on the floor of  a great ballroom. Confused and scared, all the stories of the afterlife began rushing through my head. Would I punished for my wrongdoings? Would I be ushered to Hell? Or would I be welcomed with open arms to my new home in the clouds? If I had one I’m sure my heartbeat would have been racing when I first realized what was happening.  A tall man with a long white beard ushered me to the long table in which I now sit, awaiting my judgment, a life after life.

    As I sat at the ordinate table I began to take in my surroundings to try and calm myself down. The table was made of mahogany and was lined with gold trim, it was full of every food I could ever imagine and even some that I had never seen before. All around the room was doors. Ten in total not including the one behind me that I assumed was the entrance. The man who had seated me was in flowing robes that glimmered with precious stones every step he took. Gems in ten unique colors lined the collar of his shirt, each perfectly set so that it shone in brilliance with every move. I had never seen a man so strong and beautiful looking simultaneously. When he approached me he spoke with the voice of a god.

“My name is Logan, the reigning Ashe of Varsus. Welcome to your new home. You have much to learn in the coming days.”

My heart almost stopped, this world is real, I am not dreaming. He lightly brushed the hair off my shoulder.

“Every being to come and live in Varsus is given a choice upon arrival. Each door in this room represents a different path that can be taken. In our world there are ten lifestyles, ten jobs that will shape everyday for the rest of your eternity. You may only choose one and cannot change your mind so choose wisely. There will be a representative from each arriving shortly to give you an idea of what lies behind the doors.”

He sat down at the end of the table in the chair opposite to me and nodded solemnly. As if by is command, one person emerged from every door clad in the colors of their people. They sat with us in the seats next to their door and we all began to feast. When the food was gone and cleared, a young woman sitting to the left of the Ashe stood, bowed to him and began to speak. The door behind her was labeled Protection Her words were stern, her body built. As se spoke you could see that every aspect of her life had been hardened. She was trained for battle and spoke of the many war heroes that belonged to the Protectors clan. When she was finished speaking she bowed again and sat, while throwing me a dangerous looking glare. The fear building up inside me from just the look of her eyes was enough for me to know that would not be the path I chose.

One by one each of the elders told me about the jobs I would be doing if I chose their path. Harvesters who make sure the needs of the people are met, Reapers that lead souls across the barrier, Internal Affairs who make sure that humans do not discover who we are. Each one telling me if they thought I would be a good fit for their clans. After seven had already gone an older man with kind eyes and a gentle face stood and grabbed our attention. I could not see the plaque on the door behind im but I was drawn regardless to what it would say. He had a pull to him that felt almost magnetic, like this was where I was supposed to be all along. I leaned in to soak up every word as if this was the Bible itself.

“Child, I know in your life you wanted nothing more than to make people happy, you had a strong will and an empathetic heart. I have been watching and waiting for the day you would finally make your way to Varsus and appear before us. The way you lived, striving for the love of everyone around you is the perfect fit for our people and I strongly encourage you to follow me home.”

After he sat I knew I didn’t need to hear anymore. None of what the others had to say really mattered anymore, my mind was made up. My heart belonged with this man clad in blues. The rest of the leaders gave their speeches and the Ashe stood once again.

“Now it is time for you make a decision Grace, each of these people will be waiting for you just inside their door to welcome you home. There is no bad choice but remember you can only make it once.”

By his command the room emptied leaving me with just my thoughts. Without a shadow of a doubt I made my way to the door behind where the man in blue was just sitting moments ago. Nailed into the door was a gleaming plaque with the word “Guardians” etched into the plating. I pushed my way through the door and into the embrace of my new life.