New Journey
His name was Rave arnet and now he was dead as his last memory was a banana peel.
"A banana peel? No way… I actually died because of that?"
It didn't feel real. He had died so suddenly and that in a silly way. He wasn't sick or old, he was just really really very unlucky. His fists tightened when thinking about his death. He wanted to shout and curse, but what was the point in doing all this? No one was there to even hear his sad story.
He felt really embarrassed. "Of all the ways to die, why this? Why not something cool, like saving a kid from a car or fighting a robber? But, I slip on a banana peel like a joker." Anger bubbled up inside him, but it quickly faded, leaving him feeling empty. What did it even matter? He had no family to miss him, no friends to cry for him.
"I guess that's a good thing… No one's hurt because I'm gone. Thats a safe side for being an orphan"
It was a strange thought, but it made him feel a little better. He wasn't leaving anyone alone. No one has sadness or pain because of his absence. Maybe that was the only good thing about being alone.
Still, where was he? He looked around, searching for anything—walls, doors, even a shadow for company him a little more. But there was nothing. Just white going on forever.
"Is this what the afterlife looks like? Some kind of waiting room for the dead?" He thought watching the surroundings carefully. Then, suddenly—
"Do you wish to live another life?" The words hit him like a wave. Deep and strong, filled with something he didn't understand. The whole place seemed to shake, like the voice itself had weight.
Rave's breath caught. "What…? Another life?" His eyes darted around, but he saw no one. His heart, although he don't had one, it beated rapidly.
"Who… who's there?" His voice came out shakier than he wanted. The silence felt heavy, like the whole world was waiting for his answer.
The air shook. A soft hum filled the white space as golden particles began swirling around like fireflies in a storm.
Rave tensed up in sudden events and started watching at the golden light. "What now?" The air vibrated more, and a strange feeling ran through him. The golden specks spun faster, shining brighter until a sudden burst of light happened, making the particles exploded. The whole area filled with bright light.
Rave raised a hand to shield his eyes and when the brightness faded, a figure stood in front of him. It was an old man. His beard was long and silver, and his skin was wrinkled. But his eyes were sharp, too sharp for someone so old. He walked with a wooden staff that cracked with age. He looked wise and powerful.
And he was laughing. But not with kindness, rather with amusement, like he found something about this situation really funny. Rave's jaw tightened. "Great. This guy already annoys me."
The old man looked at him for a moment before speaking. "So, boy. Do you want to live another life?"
His voice was deep, carrying a strange weight, but Rave could hear the teasing tone. The way he asked made it seem like his answer didn't really matter here.
Rave exhaled slowly. He wasn't dumb. Whatever this man was, he had all the power here. But that meant Rave didn't have to act like a clueless kid.
"If I say no, what happens?" he asked, keeping his gaze steady on the old man.
The old man's grin grew wide. "Then you will stay here. Forever. But I had the capability of granting another life you. What do you want?" he asked looking into the rave's eyes.
Rave looked out at the endless white void. "Yeah, not exactly a tempting choice." He crossed his arms. "Fine. I'll take the second life."
"How nice." The old man nodded. "Then no more questions. Lets start the process now."
Rave's frown deepened. "Hey, not so fast. Who are you?" He has many doubts and want a clear answer to them.
However there was no reply. Rave narrowed his eyes. "Where exactly am I?"
Despite hearing the Rave's question the old man only gave a smiled.
Rave's patience wore thin. "If you're sending me into another life, the least you can do is give me some details. What kind of world? What kind of body? Do I get a say in any of it?"
But nothing.
The old man just lifted his staff, acting like all the questions were just a noise in his path.
Then he spoke, his voice calm but with a hidden meaning.
"Live happily."
Those words sent a chill down Rave's spine. There was something strange about how he said it. It felt more like a warning than a blessing. Before Rave could ask anything, the old man pressed a finger to his forehead. A warm rush filled Rave's body. Power. Something new yet familiar settled deep inside him. His vision blurred. The bright world shattered like glass.
And then—
Darkness.
Darkness surrounded him, it was deep and endless. His mind felt foggy, like after too much to drink, slow and heavy. Every thought was hard, like his brain was still waking up.
But there was more. A cold wind, sharp and biting, brushed against his skin. It felt real. It felt… alive. With the wind came a faint smell of fresh and wet earth.
"What the—?"
Slowly, Rave tried to open his eyes. At first, everything was a blur, but gradually, it became clear. The air felt thick, like stepping out of a dream.
His body ached. Every move was heavy, but he pushed through. He had to see where he was. Had to figure out what was going on.
The first thing he noticed was how big the place was. A wide grassy plain stretched out, the grass swaying gently in the wind. The sky was pale blue, with no sun in the sky shockingly.
This isn't right… His heart raced. He was alive. Really alive.
"No way. I'm… alive?"
Rave laughed softly to himself, almost in disbelief. The thrill of being alive again filled him. There were no signs of death. No endless white void. Nothing strange about his body. He moved his fingers, flexed his legs, and everything worked perfectly.
"Thank you, old man… Thank you so much for your help."
His excitement grew, but he felt a tug to understand where he was and what this place was. He stood up, brushed off the grass from his clothes, and looked around. The world felt both familiar and totally new.
Then something caught his eye. A strange shape in the distance didn't belong in the rolling hills.
His breath caught.
"What is that?"
It wasn't an animal or a person. It stood before his face, very close to his face and unmoving. Rave's curiosity sparked.
The air grew colder. The smell of the earth faded. Then, as he stepped closer, the wind stopped. Everything was still. "Is this.. that thing?"
Rave froze, his heart racing. The answer was so close. And yet… too far.