《Black Heaven》 Chapter 1: Matters of Perspective Tanaka jolted awake to find himself in a strange white room that expanded to infinity he had never seen before; it looked almost like a hospital ward without any equipment. As he starts to adjust to his surroundings, he notices he is in a poster bed, swallowed by the softest blankets and the silkiest sheets he has ever felt in his life. The absurdity of it all causes him to grow more and more worried by the second. He surveyed his surroundings, taking in the almost clinical nature of the room he was in. A strange calm has come over him. A part of him felt like he should be worried, but it almost felt like his worries were far away at the current moment. A strange woman appears to be sitting next to him in a plush leather chair. She is clad in all black, a large scythe propped against the back of her chair. The woman stared intently at Tanaka, her deep green eyes watching his every move. She appeared to be the epitome of average; her proportions, her height, everything about her, down to the smallest detail, was nothing more or less than average for a Japanese woman. "Good morning, sleepy head." The woman chuckles. "Who are you?" "I''m the goddess of death, of course, Mikoto Inazami at your service." "Wait, goddess of death, does that mean..." "Yes, it means that you''re dead. You died on your 20th birthday. It was a sad sight to see, too. If you''re curious, we have prepared a highlight reel of sorts as to how it all happened." Tanaka, having a strange new morbid curiosity for such things, suddenly becomes interested. "Let''s see it," he chokes out, trying to feign his interest in this new development. A silver-bordered view screen appears before him, and it seems he gets to watch his final moments as though they were nothing more than a home movie. --- "KANPAI!" everyone cheers. "Tanaka! You''re finally 20 and able to drink with us! How does it feel?" Nakano asks. "To be honest, I''m not sure," Tanaka hiccups. He is clearly quite drunk from the evening''s festivities. "Well, don''t worry, pal, there will be plenty more of these events, now ONE MORE DRINK." "ONE MORE DRINK, ONE MORE DRINK," all Tanaka''s friends join in goading him on. Tanaka picks up his glass and slowly raises it to his lips as he mumbles, "kanpai", tipping his head back and quickly swallows his drink. He holds his glass above his head, showing his friends he has finished it. As he sets the glass down, he slumps over into his childhood friend Takeuma. "Alright, big guy, let''s get you home. You have had enough; let''s get you to the train station so you can get home." The two stumble out of the bar and to the train station, only falling over a couple of times. "This is your stop," Takeuma tells Tanaka. "*Snort* Huh, thanks, man, you''re the best," Tanaka says sleepily Tanaka stumbles out of the train. The smell of alcohol wafting off of him, drawing looks of other passengers, as well as those standing in the station. He stumbles multiple times on his short journey out of the station. As he begins to make his way toward his house, a terrible case of vertigo takes over, and he stumbles, his world spinning, causing him to hold back a spew of alcohol, bile, and regret. Reaching the highway nearly twenty minutes later, Tanaka is left to his thoughts and the drone of passing cars. ¡°Man, I really shouldn''t have drank as much as I did,¡± Tanaka says with a suspicious burp that could have turned to vomit any second had he not held it down. His vision blurs as the bright lights of a box truck blind him. The speeding truck comes to fill his vision as it barrels toward him. One moment, the truck appears as though it will continue speeding down the road, and the next, it is smashing into the guard rail. With the strike, the center of gravity causes the truck to lose equilibrium and begins careening sideways as it strikes the rail. There is but a moment where it appears the truck may right itself, but that moment is fleeting as it passes the point of no return, inevitably resulting in it tipping on its side.Love what you''re reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on. Unfortunately, drunk Tanaka doesn''t even have time to react before the truck spins and the box falls on him, leaving him as nothing more than a splatter. What is left of his body is now pinned between the sidewalk and the box of the truck. In his last fleeting moments, he subconsciously picks up on the fact that there is something amiss about the driver. However, in his drunken state, his dying mind wasn''t quite able to pick up on exactly what it was. --- Watching the playback, Tanaka notices the eyes of the truck driver aren''t that of a human. Still, they appeared as though they were filled with storm clouds, and Tanaka immediately takes an interest. "Ah, I see you noticed that too." Izanami smiles, noticing Tanaka''s interest. "What was up with that guy''s eyes?" "Unfortunately, I can''t share with you, dear. What I can say is this allowed me to bring you here and offer you a wonderful deal." "What kind of deal?" Tanaka pipes up. "Well, not so much a deal as much as a couple of options. Option 1, you get to go on living as a child of earth, and you would lose all your memories but be born again in the world you know." "And option 2?" Izanami smiles gently at Tanaka, knowing what will happen. "Option 2 is special, just for you. You would be reborn into a world of swords and sorcery. First, you would keep all your memories and knowledge. Also, you would be imbued with everything you need to survive. You would gain an affinity for magic, the ability to read and write well ahead of what is normal, and a family that loves you very much. You would have a do-over, but better if you will" Words spill from Inizami''s mouth one after another, which almost becomes rambling, causing Tanaka to think she is trying to make it sound way better than it actually is. "That sounds amazing, but what aren''t you giving me in this story, Miss Izanami?" "Well..." She starts but looks away quickly, trying to hide her embarrassment. "Well?" "There is one small problem, so small it''s almost insignificant, like you don''t even have to face it if you don''t want to. I''m just here to offer you this sweet, sweet deal." "Problem? What could be the problem? What you''re proposing sounds amazing." Inazami ponders a second, "Ok, I take it back two problems." Tanaka shakes his head playfully as a bit of frustration starts creeping into his psyche. "The problem is no matter which option you choose, you will be reincarnated as a child, well more than a child, an infant really; it''s hard to bring back older bodies, so no matter what you choose, you will be less than a year old when you are reborn. However, with Option 2, or ''The Isekai Option'' as I like to call it, we would also like you to aid us in taking the world back from evil." Izanami says in another case of word vomit. "Wait, wait, wait, hold on just a damn second, you expect me to take the world back from evil... As a baby... That is nigh impossible," Tanaka says, voice dripping with exasperation. "No, you misunderstand me, young Tanaka. You won''t be forced to do anything, but when the time comes, choices will have to be made," Inazami starts. "Around your 15th birthday, when you become an adult in the world of Tengoku, evil will approach you, and what you do from there is entirely up to you. Should you do nothing, die, or join forces, the world will come to an end by your 20th birthday." A great sense of pride almost instantly washes over Tanaka. "I would love to help this world. What do I need to do?" Tanaka says matter of factly. "Nothing, sweetheart. Just lay back and once again drift back to sleep." "Alright, I will do that, but will I see you again." "If you need me, I will answer your prayers offered in my temples." Tanaka suddenly gets very drowsy and falls asleep almost immediately. "Sssssstttttrrrrrreeeeetttcchhhh," Tanaka groans as he awakens. Upon opening his eyes, he notices that his hands are little ham chunks and that he is once again an infant. He inspects his surroundings and immediately notices six misty lights surrounding him, one of each: black, white, red, blue, green, and gray. Upon further inspection, he recognizes he is deep within a forest. Suddenly, the thundering sound of loud horses galloping approaches. The lights that were hovering around Tanaka disappeared just as instantly and brilliantly as they appeared. This causes him to cry out as his ears had not yet adjusted to the sounds of this world the horses sounded hundreds of times louder than they had in his previous life. A man and a woman come into view, wearing clothes that appear to be quite fine and modern. "I thought I was going to a world of swords and sorcery, not some backwoods world with 60''s clothes," Tanaka thinks and starts crying. Then he notices the man is wearing a sword, and the woman has a bow strapped across her back. "Did you hear a child crying?" The woman asks the man standing next to her. The man replies, "What''s in that bundle down there, Masako?" Masako gasps loudly, "It''s a baby, Naruhito. Who could leave such a precious child who is so small and young in the forest to fend for themselves? He can''t be more than six months old. What happened to his parents, I wonder?" "I''m not sure, but I will check the area and see if I can find any signs of them." Tanaka desperately tries to make the same sounds to what he assumes to be his parents in an attempt to talk to them, but all that comes out is gibberish. "Thanks, Izanami. I thought you said I would be able to speak, read, and write the language," Tanaka thinks to himself, knowing no one can hear him. "You are but a baby, Tanaka. Even in your own world, you couldn''t talk as a newborn, but don''t worry, the knowledge is there. It will come sooner than you might think. Remember, if you need me, seek me at the temple," Inazami replies. Masako starts cooing gently and checking Tanaka over, ensuring he isn''t injured as Naruhito inspects the area using his skills as a born tracker. But the more Naruhito searches, the more concerned he grows. "Masako, I don''t understand it. There is nothing, not even the smallest crinkle on the forest floor." "Maybe it''s the gods finally blessing us with an heir. I know every time we went to the temple, you begged for a little boy." Masako tenderly smiles as Tanaka reaches up and grabs her finger. Masako hands Tanaka over to Naruhito as she mounts her horse ." I think I''ll call you Tanaka. What do you think, Masako? He looks like a Tanaka, doesn''t he?" Naruhito dotes as he hands the baby up to Masako. "Tanaka sounds wonderful, dear. what do you think, little one?" Masako coos at Tanaka. "Thank God I don''t have to learn a new name, at least." Tanaka smiles and grabs Masako''s finger as he slowly drifts back to sleep along the ride to what he can only assume is his home. Chapter 2: The Ice Cream Incident Tanaka was an intelligent child, almost too clever for his own good. From the time he could walk, he started visiting the family library to learn as much as possible about his new world. But, as bright as he was, that didn''t mean he couldn''t cause trouble as well. "Miss Ellie, Miss Ellie." Tanaka rushed to the head maid "Yes, Master Tanaka?" Ellie replied "Father told me to come to find you and request a dessert for tonight." "A desert?" Tanaka smiled because he knew he had Miss Ellie right where he wanted her, and she could never say no to his cute little smile. Still, it wasn''t uncommon for Naruhito to send young Tanaka to the head maid if he really wanted a specific dish for meal time. "Yes, Miss Ellie, he said he wanted ice cream." "Ice¡­ cream?" "Yes, he said, ''last time I was in the capital, I had the most wonderful of deserts,''" Tanaka said, imitating his father''s voice (poorly) "So a desert you say, how would one make this desert, did your father tell you?" Miss Ellie said, now chuckling at young Tanaka Tanaka puffed out his chest "the maids were simply amazing. They first filled a pot with cream and sugar, and vanilla. They closed it up and used water magic to encapsulate it in ice. Another maid came with wind magic spinning the frozen pot till the cream hardened." "Hmm, fascinating, Master Tanaka. We are some pretty awesome maids here, and let''s see what we can do. Go find Miss Shirley for me, dear; she should be near the kitchens." The Eiyu family firmly believed that while they were nobility, they were not above providing aid to the common folk of their domain. This even included the maids in their employ. Also, Tanaka was finally getting some ice cream, so he didn''t mind doing whatever Miss Ellie asked. It had been two years since he had last had some. Tanaka was as excited as he could possibly be as he adorably waddled off toward the kitchens looking for Miss Shirley. "Miss Shirley, Miss Shirley, Miss Ellie needs your help with some desert father has asked for." Tanaka beamed, knowing his smile caused every maid in the house to melt like butter. Miss Ellie approached as Tanaka finished up explaining ice cream to Miss Shirley and the two maids got to work producing what Tanaka had requested. After 20 minutes and a few pointers, the maids seemed to forget to question how Tanaka knew the process so well. It was finished. They scooped a small portion for Tanaka as well as themselves and a more significant amount for the master and mistress of the house. Tanaka giggled as he happily ate the ice cream and even wiggled in his seat, making the maids swoon. "Let''s take this up to the master and mistress Tanaka," Miss Ellie said, smiling as she gathered up the two portions on a serving tray, keeping it cool with a bit of ice magic. Tanaka finished his small portion and giggled, following Miss Ellie, "okay!" Naruhito and Masako were both in the study talking of little Tanaka''s future as Miss Ellie and Tanaka approached. "He is just so smart we need to get him a tutor as soon as possible, dear," Masako remarked. "True, I will look into it, someone who can teach him the ways of the world, including that of the sword," Naruhito replied "But what if he has an aptitude for magic." "Masako dear, you know no one has an aptitude before 8." Miss Ellie knocks on the study door. "Master, the desert you requested is ready." This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it. "Desert, I don''t remember requesting a desert?" Naruhito looks puzzled "Master Tanaka said you requested ice cream, a treat you had last time you were in the capital." Naruhito spots Tanaka hiding in the hems of Miss Ellie''s skirt, grinning sheepishly. "Tanaka, what is the meaning of this? You know I didn''t request anything. Why are you bothering the maids?" "Wait, you didn''t request this. Where did it come from? Then it''s such a wonderful treat," Miss Ellie beams. "Please try it, father. It''s so wonderfully yummy," Tanaka also says, giggling at Miss Ellie''s compliment. "Hmm, I am interested, for sure. Miss Ellie''s cooking is always wonderful dear how could this be bad? What''s in it?" Masako says, becoming more interested by the second "Cream, sugar, vanilla, and magic," Tanaka says before Miss Ellie can get a word in edgewise. "So simple, yet so interesting. Wait, did you say magic? Tanaka, you can''t be asking the maids to use their magic for your own personal desires. What if they run out of mana and are unable to do their jobs now?" Naruhito is also now curious. "For something like this, I''d gladly do it the old-fashioned way, Master Naruhito," Miss Ellie interjects as Naruhito and Masako both take a bite of the ice cream. Masako''s face purses as she takes the bite. Naruhito lets the flavors roll around on his tongue, enjoying every second of the experience. "Where did this come from? It''s wonderfully sweet." Masako asks, looking to Naruhito for answers, still believing the capital story "Well?" Naruhito looks to Tanaka and Ellie for answers Tanaka gets all nervous and turns red as a beet. "Uh¡­.uh¡­ I imagined it, dad. What do you think?" Naruhito gets the biggest smile and announces boisterously, "This is the best damn imaginary treat I have ever had, the capital. Hell, idk if they could do something like this in the frozen south." Masako smacks Naruhito in the arm, playfully looking Naruhito in the eye, then looks at Tanaka. "Language" Masako giggles "But you''re right, this is wonderful, dear we should share it with everyone. What do you think, Miss Ellie?" "It''s easy enough to make the problem would be sourcing the vanilla for the common man." "Oh, you don''t have to use just vanilla. You can use any real ''sweet'' flavor," Tanaka pipes up This would later become known as ''the ice cream incident'' among the Eiyu family and the maids --- Seasons had come and gone since the ice cream incident, and Tanaka''s fifth birthday was rapidly approaching. He was spending time in the library as he usually did. Today''s book was "A History of Magical Theory, and its Practical Applications." As he reached the end of his chapter, a purple smoke started drifting in from behind him. Then came a slight tap on his shoulder. Tanaka became super confused and spun around almost immediately. Upon his turn, he realized there was another face almost touching his own. Tanaka found the little girl to be very pretty with long dark hair, a pale face, and dark red lips. She reminded him of the most beautiful geisha from the tales of old back in his own world. "Hai, I''m Kurayami. Nice to finally be able to get out and meet you." "Kurayami¡­ nice to meet you? Wait, what do you mean get out and meet me?" Kurayami giggles. "I''m just a part of your magic, silly." "That''s impossible magic doesn''t come to those on Tengoku till their eighth birthday." "But you''re not of this world. Remember Tanaka, the goddess Izanami said she would give you aptitude in all the elements. We have been watching over you since you were born of this world." "We? You mean there are more of you?" Tanaka says finally starting to understand the situation "Yes, I have five sisters. There is one of us for each element. However, they aren''t quite ready for their debut just yet, only me. You''ll probably meet Akari. Next, she likes to show off ''you can''t have darkness without the light'' she always says" Tanaka can tell Akari and Kurayami don''t exactly get along, but they complement each other''s strengths and weaknesses. "Now hold out your hand, and think of each element: darkness, light, fire, water, earth, and air. While I will disappear as this form, you will be able to see all of us," Kurayami instructs Tanaka. Tanaka does as instructed, and as he thinks of each element, a small orb pops up in his hand, and a glimmer of a memory pops up, as do the 6 spheres. "So you have been watching over me since I was a baby. I can''t wait to meet all of you. Thank you, Kurayami" As Tanaka says her name, she reappears in her cloud of purple smoke. "And I see you have figured out how to summon us. All you need is to say our name." Kurayami shows Tanaka some minor tricks, like how to make purple smoke puff up from his hand. They spend the rest of the evening playing together quietly and learning tricks.