Episode 2 Vocaloid Playing Call of Duty

I opened my eyes to find myself in a place that defied all sense of reality. There were no walls, no ceiling—just a vast expanse of pure, blinding white. It was as if I had been transported to a dimension where the boundaries of space and time no longer applied.

For a moment, I lay there, disoriented and bewildered, trying to make sense of my surroundings. I couldn't help but wonder if I had somehow transcended the realm of the living. Did I die? Yeah, I think so. I hope not.

A soft, ironic chuckle escaped my lips as I considered the possibility. It was a bitter, humorless laugh, tinged with a hint of disbelief. If this was the afterlife, it certainly wasn't what I had expected. No pearly gates, no angels, just an endless sea of white.

I contemplated my situation, feeling strangely detached from the anxieties and worries of the world I had left behind. In this all-white void, there was no pain, no fear, no danger. It was a stark difference from the chaos and uncertainty of my recent life. Hey, I don't need to find a 'real' job.

Memories of my family rushed back, a cascade of emotions and regrets. I couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt for leaving them, for what they must be going through after the accident.

I knew they loved me, and I loved them in return, but I had always felt like the odd one out. I was the useless eldest daughter. I had wanted to find my own path, to prove to myself that I could be more than just the underachieving sibling.

Tears welled in my eyes as I thought about the love and support my family had always shown me, even in the shadow of Emma's accomplishments. Fuck you, Emma—I love you. I love you, sis. I love you Mom. I love you Dad.

It was a love that had been unconditional, and I had taken it for granted.

Maybe—just maybe—I can go back to them?

The unexpected sound of a video game echoing through the all-white expanse snapped me out of my self-wallowing. I turned, surprised, to see a teenager with bright blue hair immersed in a game of Call of Duty. The familiar gunshots and explosions filled the air, a stark contrast to the serene stillness of the surroundings.

"Uhh," I looked at the gamer, they looked like Hatsune Miku with how long and blue their twin-tails were.

For a moment, I couldn't help but smile at the weirdness of it all. Here we were, in this enigmatic void, and yet someone had managed to bring a piece of the outside world with them—a virtual battlefield.

The teenager's intense focus on the game was evident, their fingers moving deftly over the controller as they navigated the digital battleground. It was a scene that felt both out of place and oddly comforting, a reminder of the diverse interests and passions that people carried with them, even in unexpected places.

I approached the gamer cautiously, not wanting to startle them. "Hey," I ventured, "mind if I watch for a bit?"

They glanced up from the game, surprise evident in their eyes. "Sure," they replied.

For a while, I forgot about the weight of my past regrets and the uncertainty of my surroundings.

The teenager's game of Call of Duty finally came to an end, and they let out a sigh of mixed relief and frustration. They set the controller down and reached for a can of Red Bull from their side, popping it open with a satisfying hiss.

I watched as they took a long sip. It was a familiar sight, the post-game ritual of many gamers seeking that extra boost to keep going, or in this case, to stay awake in this surreal place.

"Rough round?" I asked, attempting to strike up a conversation once more.

They nodded, taking another swig from the can. "Yeah, it's been a tough day. But gaming helps me unwind, you know? Escaping to a different world, even if it's just for a while."

I nodded in understanding. It was a shared sentiment, a universal language that transcended the boundaries of the physical and the digital.

The teenager introduced themselves, "You can call me the God of Gaming."

I couldn't help but chuckle at the declaration. "The God of Gaming, huh? That's quite the title."

They shrugged, a hint of humor in their eyes. "Well, in this realm, I suppose I can be whatever I want to be. Um, so you died, right? Welcome to my room."

The revelation from the God of Gaming hit me like a thunderbolt, shattering my assumptions.

"Is this your name?" They said as a clipboard appeared in their hands.

I nodded.

I felt my heart drop; a chill was creeping over me. The words echoed in my mind, a stark reminder of the accident, the strange white realm, and the uncertainty of my circumstances. It was as if the surreal landscape around us had taken on a new, eerie significance.

"Died?" I stammered, my voice trembling. "But I'm here. Is this... Heaven?"

The God of Gaming looked at me sympathetically. "No. This is Purgatorio. Purgatory is a place beyond the realm of the living, a state of transition where souls are judged before moving on to their final destination. It can be a place of reflection, of seeking closure, or of making amends."

My mind raced as I tried to process this revelation. I thought back to the accident, the truck, and the disorienting all-white realm. I would be judged for my actions and decisions. I did so many shitty things, though.

"What happens now?" I asked, a mixture of fear and curiosity in my voice.

The God of Gaming sighed. "Now, you'll face your judgment. It's a time for introspection, a chance to reflect on your life, your choices, and your regrets. Only then will your path be determined."

As I absorbed the weight of their words, a sense of uncertainty and unease settled over me.

"Oh," they suddenly chimed, "I remember someone... three people making a special request for your soul, though."

"What?"

"Yeah, they were gamedevs. They said you liked their game so much you racked up over 10,000 hours." They whistled low. "Nice."

It seemed as if my anxiety and confusion was obvious. The God of Gaming put a gentle hand on my shoulder. "Listen, judgment on a soul isn't easy. For now, I can send you over to the waiting room, which is Limbo."

"Limbo? Um, so what do I do there? Do I float around? Or prove myself? "

"Well, I'll definitely be watching. See if you're messed up in the head and decide if you deserve eternal damnation and torture," they shrug casually.

I swallowed my spit down my throat. "S-sure."

"Don't worry, I can go and boot up your favorite game while we wait for judgment."

The mention of my favorite game brought a flicker of comfort amid the uncertainty of this surreal place. "That sounds strangely reassuring," I admitted with a wry smile.

The God of Gaming pulled out a flip phone from the air and speed-dialed a number. I can't help but be dumbstruck. This was very casual.

They shifted their weight around as they played with their long hair. "Yeah, this is me. Can you do the same thing again? What? Soul-transfer is definitely a real genre."

The person on the other line talked. They laugh.

"No, for real, it's up there with reincarnation and transmigration. No. No. Yes, it's like that, but different."

They ended the call. The God of Gaming who looked like a Miku Hatsune cosplayer turned to me.

"They said it's cool." What's cool? What are they talking about? Who was the other person in the call?

The God of Gaming walked over to me, their playful demeanor returning. With a mischievous glint in their eye, they flicked my forehead gently.

I couldn't help but laugh, the tension in my shoulders easing ever so slightly. "What was that for?" I asked, a hint of amusement in my voice.

"Just a little reminder," they replied, their voice warm. "In this realm, even in the face of judgment and uncertainty, there's still room for laughter and camaraderie. Don't forget to enjoy the moments, no matter how strange or unexpected they may be. There's still room to grow, Reina."

I was surprised at the mention of my name. "I wanted to ask you something."

"Shoot."

"Why do you use a flip phone? There's literally—"

"I like retro stuff, okay? Leave my phone alone, hater."

The world before me began to blur and fade, like a dimming light gradually succumbing to darkness. I blinked, trying to make sense of the sudden change. But there was no escaping it. My vision faded to black, and I felt as if I were slipping away into a void of nothingness.