Chapter 1 - The Damnation


    How things work:


    -” Dialogues, things spoken aloud. “


    -’ Thoughts of the MC. ‘


    *Quotes*


    I opened my eyes and then closed them immediately. -’ No, This can’t be real! It must be some sort of a dream. ‘ I willed myself to believe those words. -’ There is  no way for it to be real, right? ‘ I tried to convince myself, despite the  sensations and sounds coming at me.


    I tried to peek again. My vision was strangely wide, much wider  than it should… -’ But that’s not the issue! ‘ I wanted to scream aloud, but I manage to control myself enough to turn it into a small gasp. My agitation was caused by a gigantic figure that was standing around twenty feet away from me. Despite all of my disbelief a nightmarish fiend did not show any signs of disappearing. Eight feet tall beast stood on two hoofed legs and was covered with thick, blood red fur. It seemed similar to a werewolf from a fantasy games due to the long claws and a snout, which exposed a line of wickedly sharp canines.


    I closed my eyes again, trying to remember anything that might have explained the strange situation. -’ What’s the last thing that I remember… Hmm, I remember skipping school to play games again. That was like a fourth day in a row that I marathoned without food… ‘


    -’ Certainly I do not take drugs. I seldom leave the house… ‘


    The answer wasn’t coming to me and the beast started to move around. I tried to remain motionless while fiend paced  around, making loud thudding sounds with its hoofs. I shivered uncontrollably when it hit something with a whip that it had been carrying. -’ Aiiieee! ‘ A strange, shrill cry of pain resounded.


    -” Enough sleeping runt! Go to work! “ Fiend growled the words and smacked something with a whip again. I was too afraid to peek, chances of being found out and whipped were too big.


    I concentrated again. -’ Ok, I was playing my favorite MMO for the fourth day in a row, and I shut myself in the room to stop the parents from nagging me… But what happened next? ‘ My memories were strangely fuzzy, I clenched my teeth, which felt strange, and focused harder. -’ There was something… Yes, we killed Oneyron - the last boss from the Throne Of Doom! My guild was the first one to clear it! ‘


    I almost forgot where I was, barely stopping myself from jumping up and cheering at the victory. A sudden grunt of the beast brought me back to reality, it suddenly stopped pacing around and began to listen attentively. My guts froze in fear and I desperately tried to remember what happened later. -’ Hmmmmm… ‘


    -’ Ah, yes. I remember that I jumped up and suddenly a pain erupted in my chest. Then the floor hit me, I fell I think… ‘ That part of my memories was really fuzzy…


    I didn’t know why, but an image of some really young girl came to my mind, but I was not sure why…


    Then it hit me.


    -’ Aieiieiie! ‘ Something screamed next to me, roused by a sudden blow. A small body scampered close by and then walked over me. I was too surprised, by my returning memories, to pay much attention to it.


    -’ I remember! ‘ Memories flooded into my mind. I recalled how I was dejectedly looking on a familiar body laying on the floor and how I realized that it was me… Dead due to a heart attack caused by the malnutrition and exhaustion.


    - '' Then there was a flash of light and I was transported somewhere.... '' My memory revealed a bright place full of clouds, where I stood before a magnificent golden gate covered with complicated etchings that depicted winged silhouettes, clouds and suns. I remembered how I tried to get past the gate, but was stopped by an old, robed dude.


    -” You shall not pass. “ He said, giving me a pitying look before readjusting his white beard.


    -” Gandalf is that you? “ I asked in confusion. -” And, why can’t I pass? What is this place anyway? “


    -” I am not Gandalf! “ He responded, agitated. I blinked when he suddenly collected himself and continued in a calm and chastising manner. -” We have had many like you coming here! Useless humans, that did nothing in life, and now try to go to heaven. “ He gave me a disapproving look. -” What do you have to say for yourself? “


    -” But I did nothing wrong! “ I answered, as I was sure that I haven’t done anything bad. -” Well, I haven’t harmed anyone… or interacted much with anyone for that matter. “ I admitted unwittingly, under the piercing gaze.


    -” You did nothing good either. Moreover, you made your parents miserable because they had to take care of you. While it is not a sin, as for that we would need to punish the babies too, it certainly won’t grant you a free pass into heaven. " He stroked his beard. -” Moreover, I think you should burn in hell for being useless and wasting all of the gods grace bestowed unto you! “


    -” Isn’t this a bit too harsh? And aren’t you a bit too, well, hostile for an angel or something? “ I exclaimed, shocked by his contempt.


    -” Hmph. I might be called merciful and kind by others, but it does not change the fact that useless trash won’t get into heavens as long as I draw breath! And I am several thousands years old! “ As he spoke he became more and more agitated. Then, yet again, he suddenly calmed down and took on a more professional approach, buying time with readjusting his robe and coughing to clear his throat. -” Khem, anyway... With the power bestowed upon me by the gods I condemn you to a purgatory. Let your soul know not the blessing of the high heavens till its worthiness can be proven. Begone vagrant soul! “


    At that moment the clouds parted and I fell down to a place full of grey mist. I looked around and realized that I was in some sort of a queue, with people standing in a line in front of me. I noticed another person appearing behind me.


    -” What’s going on, where are we? “ I asked a person standing before me.


    -” Purgatory. We have to wait for the curator to decide our fate and atonement plan. “ He gave out the answer in a deadpan, low spirited voice before turning away from me. I was a bit taken aback by his attitude. I was about to try and ask him again when a sudden voice interrupted me.


    -” Hey, come here. “ A young girl’s voice whispered from the mist to my right. -” I can explain what''s going on. “


    I was curious and ventured into the mist. Soon I was met by a surprising sight - a girl in a cosplay. She seemed to be around twelve years old and had really long, black hair. Her almond shaped eyes were red and were really enticing for some reason. I realized that I was gazing directly into her eyes and I awkwardly tried to focus on something else, my wandering gaze travelled to her ears, which, I noticed, were pointed. With her smooth, white complexion and frilly, black dress she looked almost like a doll. -’ A gothic lolita! ‘ Unwelcome thought came to mind and I grew beet red.


    This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.


    She titled her head, making large bow on her head tilt, and looked at me with her big, enticing eyes. My heart was beating fast for some reason.


    -” Are you well? “ She asked in an innocent tone, getting half a step closer. -” You should lay down if you feel weak. “


    At that moment I thought that I would die of embarrassment, I felt like a protagonist of a comedy/ecchi manga… -’ Getting off on such a little… ‘ I kneeled on the ground to cover any awkward signs of the crime. -” Khem, sorry. I was really surprised. “ I tried to regain my composure. -” My name is Keita Shinamoji, and I seem to be a bit lost. “


    -” They call me Deidre. “ Her eyes seemed to have a mischievous twinkle in them. -” I am a guide of sorts, I can help you find your way around. “ She gave me a shy, cute smile.


    -” Nice to meet you, Deidre-san. “ I felt really awkward speaking with the little girl so openly, especially after what just happened. -” Could you tell me what is this place? “


    -” Of course. “ She gave me another small smile, that one seemed playful and somehow knowing. -” This is a purgatory, as you have heard, and in this place souls await the trials for the misdeeds they had in life. “ Her smile slowly grew solemn and her features turned into a look of pity. Somehow, the change was so fluid that it seemed to be almost magical, I felt enchanted by her vivid expressions. -” I am afraid that you will stay here for a long, uneasy time. “


    Her sadness and pitying voice pierced me to the core. -” At least I met you, it''s always better to have a company. “ I tried to joke to lighten the mood.


    -” Unfortunately I cannot stay with you for long and you will find the company of others… rather dull. “ She inclined her head in the direction of the queue.


    I sighed in angst. -” Is there anything that I should know about to make this smoother? You mentioned that you are a guide? “ I hoped to find some sort of an easy way out of that mess.


    -” That I am. “ She said with a bit of pride and gave me an evaluating look. -” For you I might know a way to get out of purgatory’s confines. “


    -” Really?! “ I exclaimed and jumped to my feet. -” Can you really help me? “


    -” You seem more responsive than the others, therefore there still might be a chance for you… “ Her voice grew soft and she looked at me inquisitively, as if evaluating something. -” ...but getting out of purgatory is not easy. In fact it’s quite complicated. If you become something akin to my apprentice or cousin I should be able to help you. “


    -” I kind of get the apprentice, but what do you mean by a cousin? “ I asked in surprise.


    -” If you sign a blood contract with me you will become like a relative of mine… “ Deidre gave me a strange look, meaning of which I didn’t understand. -” ...a distant relative. “


    -” This isn’t some sort of scam, right? “ I asked, suddenly wary of the strange circumstances surrounding the girl.


    -” Look for yourself. “ She reached out and a scroll appeared in her hand.


    -” Wow, what was that? “ I almost jumped her to examine how she did the trick, but I stopped myself with an utmost effort of will. -’ It’s a crime, you don’t want to get in trouble for assaulting a little girl! Even if this is afterlife. ‘ I thought frantically. -’ Hmm, wait can I even get more sins now? Since I am dead and all? ‘


    One look at the girl, which innocently stood before me and unaware of my deplorable thoughts, made me want to pray to the gods for mercy upon my wicked soul.


    I collected myself and reached out for the scroll. Deidre seemed blissfully unaware of my inner struggles and patiently waited the whole time. I opened the scroll and scanned the contents.


    Blood Contract


    Per the rules of this covenant, that I sign with Deidre the White, I shall forge familial bonds with her, joining unto her realm as one of her relatives. I shall denounce the fate of purgatory and join my fate as a newborn child of my new family.


    That I sign with my very lifeblood, and let eternal damnation befall me if I were to break it.


    -” Em, this contract seems… rather extreme, especially the damnation part. I don’t really get this relatives and child part too, could you explain? “ I asked in confusion.


    -” You don’t yet realize this, but things in the afterlife are final. There are no disputes - there are only choices. You cannot leave the purgatory without breaking your ties with it, and you cannot be my relative unless you expressly become adopted. “ She smiled at me, with cute and innocent looking smile. -” If you think about this, isn’t this a simple adoption letter? “


    I looked at the contract again and I had to admit that apart from extreme penalty for breaking it the contract seemed rather innocent. -’ Ok, I will do it... “


    Sudden pain rose me from my memories and I screamed into the air. -” Aie eeee “ Just like the creatures earlier. My back hurt, and the fiend was raising its whip again.


    -” What you waiting for imp! Time to work! “ Beast''s growl froze me, but smack of the whip that followed it made me rush out of the chamber.


    -’ The Hell is this?! “ I thought desperately as I skimped out of the room. Small hooves, back angled knees, thick skin, unnaturally wide vision and something hanging on my back made me realize that I was not in my body anymore!


    ============


    Hey~, Author''s Here~


    Here''s chapter one, I hope you will like it. Feel free to leave comments - I like to eat them. And worry not I always read them~


    Cheers,


    Mea


    NEXT CHAPTER: Chapter 2 - The Exploitation


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