Chapter 33 : Reincarnation

In the void,

Embra opened his 'eyes'. No, the correct term would be that Embra tries to gain a vision of the surrounding. But, all he could feel is coldness as if he is in the field of nothingness with nothing to see, nothing to hear or nothing to feel- even his own limbs. He could not see himself but, right now, he is just a soul, a floating blue ball in the void.

'So, this is how death feels. It is cold. *sigh*... If it is like the novels, I would have to spend ... years? *shudder* Let's not think about that and just set my goal to stay sane till I meet them. I really hope I see them again... Keinnayi and Sethar. ... I wonder who will mourn for me? Kyel Sin? Who else?...' (Embra's thought)

At first, his mind is filled with sadness, loneliness and desire to meet the woman he loves, his sister and his friend. While thinking this and this he thinks about the people who will mourn for him. He thought about his loyal subordinate and wish that he meet them again in the next life. While thinking about people who loved him when he was alive, his thought reached to his last moment where he died by a metal that pierced his heart.

'Oh right... One Pie*e. SHITTTT... I did not read the last volume. Fu*k. I want to punch me of three days ago right now. Why did I even refuse Eiichiro-san's goodwill and say that I will read the manga on the same day it officially comes out... *Kuh* This is the second regrettable thing in my life. Fu*k. I want to go back and read the book. ' (Embra's thought)

One Pi*ce, that particular manga is something he liked to read since his teenage years. He likes it so much that he even built a studio for the creator of the manga in 2011 and gave him as a gift. And, no matter how he is busy, he tries to meet with the creator of that manga and maintain a friendly relationship with him. Of course, with his money and power, it is not difficult for him to completely buy the work of that manga but, he never did.

Like other fans, he always read the manga at the official release date. And, three days before his death, Eiichiro informs him that he will be holding the signing event for the last volume and that he will gift the book to Embra but, Embra denied it saying cool things along the line of 'I will read your work as the other fans of your' and 'I don't want to take advantage of our relationship'.

And, remembering those words make him feel worse and he regrets it so much that he wants to be reborn to the earth again just to read the book again. At the same time, it becomes the second most regrettable things in his life after the first regret - 'Not being able to confess to Keinnayi'.

'Fu*k... Now I am tired. *sigh* regret will get me nowhere. Let's stay calm.' (Embra's thought)

Learning his lesson, Embra calms his mind and try to meditate. Hours passed. Days passed and Years passed. But, Embra does not know how long he has spent time in here. While he was spending time in here, he would either spend his time on either meditate or think about old but pleasant memories and remembering them like reading his favourite mangas, light novel and watch animes or the time when he becomes a billionaire and spending money like water...

Currently, while he is meditating, a suction force pulls him. He senses the suction force and a feeling of happiness wash over him from getting the chance to leave the void.

'Ah. finally.., my time has come.' (Embra's thought)

He went towards the light and soon, he is greeted with the sight of a blonde woman sitting on some kind of vehicle with golden wings furling upwards. She is a beautiful goddess who will not lose to Kenniayi in terms of beauty. And, that beauty greeted Embra.

"Welcome to my palace. I am the goddess of reincarnation, Lashili Ksliphmi." (Goddess Lashili)

"I greet you, oh beautiful goddess. I am called Embra." (Embra)

Embra politely answered to Lashili who looks so divine that it is unmistakable for Embra not to recognize her as a goddess. He can't bow as a courtesy because he has no shape or body but a soul. But, it seems his feelings are transmitted to Goddess Lashili because she smiles and laughs softly.

"Fufu. You are calm, aren't you?"(Goddess Lashili))

Lashili's speaking is slow but, her voice is so clear and Embra could not pay his attention to anything else but, her voice.

"I have been taught by experience that panic will get me nowhere. Besides, I have spent a long time in the blank space meditating. I have reflected my life for a thousand times that I remember clearly. So, my calmness should not be a surprise." (Embra)

"*smile* Hae... You have earned my interest, Sky Embra. ... Now, I called you here to ask some questions." (Goddess Lashili))

In Embra's mind, Goddess Lashili's smile is exactly the definition of the words 'Goddess smile upon us'. Her smile is contained gentleness and at the same time powerful something which Embra could not quite understand. After a few second of silence, Goddess Lashili begin to ask some questions to Embra who now become one of her favourite soul.

"Yes, you can ask anything." (Embra)

"Do you have someone you love?"(Goddess Lashili)

Embra felt puzzled for a moment but, he does not dwell on it much and answered calmly. However, his habit of calculating the motives of everyone he talks with did not disappear even after an unknown amount of time in the void.

'Why is she asking that? Does she know my past? Had she met with them before? Hm.. calculating based on her voice, tone frequency, there is a 70% possibility that she has met with them and actually know them. And, though it is a low possibility, they are also listening on this conversation, Keinnayi and Sethar. So, she is not testing me but, testing them, huh?' (Embra's thought)

Many thoughts run through his minds but, it was just a two-second delay. After two seconds, he answers calmly.

"Yes, I have. I have five people I regarded as the most important people in my life. A woman I love with all my heart. A younger sister. A best friend. My mother and my cat that died long ago." (Embra)

As soon as Embra's answer ended, Goddess Lashili laugh heartily while covering her mouth. She laughs for a while and asks Embra with her hand still covering the lower half of her face.

"*laugh* I can understand the four people you said loved but, a cat? *laugh* But, Sky Embra, why don't you think of the possibility of me testing you and your resolve of whether you will choose to meet with them or reincarnate?" (Goddess Lashili)

Embra calmly answered her back because he has already thought of the possibility of Goddess Lashili asking this question. Well, after encountering a goddess who not only read his current thoughts but, his past memory too, Embra had long since put the possibility that every god 'maybe' able to read minds in the back of his mind.

And, Embra has already thought of that possibility since he meets Goddess Lashili and now that she ask the question, his possibility is confirmed. Embra no longer make effort to think of elaborate words or lies and calmly answers,

"Oh Goddess Keinnayi, I have already thought of the possibility that you know of me and my past since you welcome me. That gives away the possibility that you regard me as an interesting 'mortal'. Second thing is that you do not make effort to give a positive impression of yourself on me. The last thing that gave away is that your eyes are amused at my behaviour and my words. So, naturally, the conclusion I arrived is that you do not want me as a pawn or something you can control and you are not testing me for you already know of me, Goddess Lashili." (Embra)

When Embra's words ended, the response Embra get from Goddess Lashili is not a round of clap or a laugh but, rather a snicker from Goddess Lashili, an obvious expression of disgust.

"*snicker* Cheeky. Arrogant. And full of self-confidence. Are you sure you are not a narcissistic person, Sky Embra?" (Goddess Lashili)

But, Embra does not mind her and instead reply with a laugh.

"Haha. I do not. Oh, by the way, Goddess Lashili, did I ever mention that you have the most beautiful eyes I have ever seen? " (Embra)

To translate the hidden meaning of Embra's words: "Why are you lying, Goddess Lashili? Your eyes are giving away everything."

Goddess Lashili doe snot change her expression and continue to look down at Embra who do not waver or feel afraid under her gaze. A few seconds later, Goddess Lashili laughs heartily again. This time she doesn't hold back and laugh out while looking upward. So, her laugh reverberates through her realm. Goddess Lashili is amused by Embra's wisdom and his courage but, she does not forget the purpose of Embra's soul in her realm. So, she proceeds to reincarnate Embra.

"Nhaha . HAHAHA. Amusing. Amusing. Sky Embra. It has been a long time since I was this amused by talking with someone. ... I apologize for my immature questions. Now, let's proceed to your reincarnation. We don't have much time left. Ever heard of Karma points?" (Goddess Lashili)

"Yes. I know a little bit." (Embra)

"Karma Point is something that we god of reincarnation used to determine your future after your death. Simply put, it will increase if you do good deeds and decrease if you do bad ones. And, you have a great amount of Karma Points. You deserve gifts. State your three wishes you wish to have as gifts in next life. Oh, you do not need to wish to remember your current memories because every reincarnation allows you to retain your past memory." (Goddess Lashili)

By the time Goddess Lashili finished speaking it, Embra becomes a thoughtful. He erases the thoughts of how she is pushing forward with his reincarnation quickly or when will Keinnayi and Sethar comes out. Now that they have a little time, Embra thinks of the wishes he wants to have. It did not take long because he has already thought of them when he was in the void. But, before he can voice out loud, a sound can be heard beside Goddess Lashili,

"Goddess Lashili, May I have a word with Embra?" (Keinnayi)

Thinking that this is the time for her to come out, Keinnayi asks permission from Goddess Lashili who gives away easily by dispelling her power covering Keinnayi and Algadore.

"Ah. I don't mind. Keep it short though. I spent quite a time talking to him. So, he is only left with a little bit of time." (Goddess Lashili)

"Yes." (Keinnayi)