Trigger warnings:
#death#discussion of the afterlife# religion/not really real rules#body horror#Chrisdeservesitbutstillalittlejacked#moral dilemmas# neves is back
"Holy shit, where am I ? I can't see anything." Taking a moment to himself, Chris attempted to steady his breathing only to realize he wasn't. Trying to force air through his lungs, feeling like he was trapped under something he noticed he couldn't move either. " What's going on?" Confusing his own initial feeling of panic for frustration, attempting to do something other than speak and lay there. Several hours passing, exhausting himself somehow to the point of falling asleep. He woke up cold, his head aching but still in the same situation. He screamed, being more than a little on edge. After finding out he wasn't actually talking to himself or anyone for that matter, he had a moment of clarity. He hadn't been making a sound this entire time. Skin crawling as reality hit, causing a sense he hadn't had in decades. He was sure he'd felt it when he was probably a stupid kid, but couldn't pin it exactly. Trapped wasn't the word for it though he was at the moment. Frustrated but far from angry he had to ask himself with the knowledge that he had actually died " Am I scared..?" He remembered now what he'd done. Nothing different than usual, although that particular night he chose the wrong person. He'd be trembling if his body responded to his remaining functions just thinking back on what had done him in. First death, angels, more death, maggots, and then this guy....
" That would be a fair response, especially for someone as sick as you. " A voice came through the dark, making him wish he could see."
You have quite a lot on your record, it could take weeks to count and judge what you've done. Fortunately for you though, you've escaped the pits of hell already."
By this point, his patience was practically non existent. Anger, frustration, and fear overpowering his sensibility." What's happening? Who are you? I don't understand what the fuck you're talking abo-"
The owner of the voice sighed more audibly than necessary, interrupting him. " As I said, you're being judged. I'm Neves, messenger of the being known as god and demon of self service. You will be able to move after you're assigned a place in the afterlife. Didn't your mother take you to church? Besides, we've known each other for lifetimes. I'm teach, as you used to call me. You've finally graduated. "
All previous feelings immediately faded at the mention of his mother. Thoughts of what was going to happen to her since he died and what she'd think finding him in this mess. They'd take the house, the car, everything from them. What was she going to do?
These thoughts also came to a screeching halt when the messenger spoke out again. " Perhaps you should've thought about these things before starting this path. There's nothing you can do about it now. " He heard the floor creak as the other sat beside him, patting him on the back. " You should ask Isaiah for a lot more. He's very naive when it comes to dealing with humans like you. "
' humans like me.' He thought to himself bitterly. Human, that's all he started as and its how he'll end. Everything he did, everything and everyone he tore apart and fought through was pointless, damning, and exhausting. He couldn't help but feel bad for wasting others lives for power he'd never gain. " it's not an insult, friend. Just another opportunity. " the voice commented, cutting off his pity party. " what do you know about it? I've killed, I've bled, I searched, I studied, I did everything right. That should fucking count for something! I didn't do good, but I did my best. How could I still just be a human?" Neves shook his head in response. " what human lives after death? You exceed the title human, but haven't claimed any other. " He laid there, thinking about what they said, trying to figure out what opportunity they spoke of. He would still die, especially if he swore not to fight. " You're not even chris anymore. Chris would've said okay, deal, then walked out. Seriously? 500? At your leisure, no less, and already planning to die. I'm disappointed. " It finally made sense. Though magic and ethereal creatures were indeed stronger, they were very rule tight. He didn't have to actually do anything. Leisure. All the time in the world. " Neves?" " Mhm?" " When did you get here, and why did you let me die?" " I'm a demon. His will to kill you was stronger than mine to save you. I can always find another magician to teach, he can't just find another rapist to kill. Especially one involving his sister." He would've lowered his head if he had any mobility. She was an accident, golden and glowing with magic that he couldn't have. If he had stolen her magic as he had others, he would've been incinerated. He couldn't let her go though, he'd be in an electric chair if he had and he couldn't convince her to stay or stay silent. " she was beautiful. But like most things you love, you ruined it." " I'm sorry.." " Sorry doesn't bring the dead back, buddy. " He said, dismissing it. " like you, she was great at what she did. Unlike you, she wanted to better everything around her and not just herself. " " The world needed more people like her." " so you defile her and kill her?" " I wanted to be like her. I wanted that light." " Ascension and descension doesn't mix well. That's active purgatory. You chose your path, my friend. " He went silent, taking a moment to sulk into a blank thought. He refused to think about this, he wouldn't. He just found out he had it made, empathy was a human trait and he exceeded that title. He doesn't have to cry for the dead, they made their choices too. Neves smiled sensing the others return to their senses, getting up to leave. " there's the chris I know. Just wait this out. You'll be fine. " and with that he left, allowing chris to begin manifesting.
