It started like any other day at the library. Bookshelves towering above me, the humdrum of people looking for the next great escape in literature. I'd like to say I was one of those people, but really, I was stuck in a vicious cycle of paying the bills and searching for something better, something less dead-end. Yeah, I was that one snarky librarian who would give you a stern look if you hushed just loud enough for him to hear you. And if you were talking full-voice? Oh boy, I would make you regret it, regret it big time. 

There had been a time when I would have laughed at anyone suggesting that I'd find myself toiling for a meager wage, simply struggling to make ends meet. It all started when I was this brilliant, top-of-the-class student in high school. Bright as a button, I was — straight As, national math competitions, the whole nine yards. But, you know, life has a way of smacking you down just when you think you've got it all figured out.

First, there had been those college applications. I aced the entrance exams and everything, but then came the financial aid forms. My parents got deep in depth after being scammed big time, and I couldn't bear the thought of burdening them with another expense. So, I made the decision to forgo college and take a job instead. I figured I could save up some cash, help my family out, and maybe even go back to school later. It was never too late to learn, right? Wrong. 

Life had other plans for me. The jobs I applied for were either underpaid or required skills I didn't have. I settled for retail gigs, which paid just enough to cover rent and groceries. In hindsight, I should’ve gone for that IT course that one friend of mine took, but hey, hindsight is 20/20, right?

Then, my parents were gone. One day they just disappeared without a trace, leaving me alone with the debt and a house too big for me alone. I sold it, of course, replacing it with a cheap flat, but my finances were still in shambles. The only silver lining was that the debt was almost paid out, so I was taking every odd job I could find. Nothing was satisfying, though. There was no career growth, no passion, just survival mode. And so, there I was, working part-time at the library, making barely enough to get by.

It wasn't ideal. But hey, at least I could still read books, right? That was something, I guessed. Maybe if I kept busy, I wouldn't think about how much I sucked at adulting quite so much.

Late nights at work meant having the place mostly to myself, giving me time to indulge my morbid curiosity. It wasn't like anyone was watching as I wandered through the stacks, fingers running over the spines of ancient books. They always held this promise of adventure, of stepping out of mundane reality into grander, more exciting times. That's why I couldn't resist that old leather-bound monstrosity tucked away in a corner, like a secret waiting to be unearthed.

So, I was standing there, holding this ancient tome, feeling pretty damn stupid about the whole situation when I flipped open its musty pages. The pages were yellowed and fragile, yet the writing had an allure I couldn't shake. I knew nothing about the language, but it felt alive somehow. Like it was reaching out to me, daring me to turn the page. And so I did. And then again, and again. The next thing I knew, the room was spinning, and I was caught in this vortex of colors and lights. It was like I was in some trippy music video, only without the cool soundtrack. There was this intense pressure building up in my chest, and then... whoosh. I was flying through outer space, as if I had become a comet or something. 

Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.

As I spiraled through dimensions — the only way I could describe the experience — witnessing the universe spin and twist in an unforgettable spectacle, I felt a profound sense of clarity wash over me. In the midst of this cosmic journey, I began to grasp the deeper laws governing the fabric of reality. It was as though the veils of ignorance were lifted, revealing profound truths that had eluded me in my mundane existence.

In that surreal journey through the unknown, I felt a profound sense of humility and wonder at the vastness and intricacy of the universe. It was a transformative experience, one that would forever alter my perception of the world and my place within it. Every passing moment in this kaleidoscope of existence brought new revelations, each more awe-inspiring than the last. I found myself immersed in a symphony of cosmic wonders, where time and space danced in harmony, unveiling the interconnectedness of all things… and forgetting myself. The human known as Ryan Brooks was diluting like a drop of water in the ocean. 

Suddenly, there was a sarcastic voice that shook my entire being to the core, “Oh boy, you're really laying it on thick there, buddy. Sounds like someone's been watching too much sci-fi. "Spiraling through dimensions" and "cosmic journey" and "interconnectedness of all things?" Give me a break. You sound like some kind of New Age hippie, man. Like, did you forget to bring your crystals and tie-dye shirt? And here’s what you get for overthinking shit — didn’t your momma taught not to gaze into the Abyss for too long?”

Who are you?! I thought in response, which proved that my existence wasn’t all gone, yet. 

“Who am I?” the voice asked, seemingly surprised that I still could think. It had a strange authority to it, despite using a very lighthearted tone. “Well, well, well. Look who's still got a sense of self. Good for you, Ryan. But don't worry, I won't hurt you. Not unless you keep thinking about the cosmos and your “transformation”. 

“Because honestly, dude, I'm pretty sure you just watched too many episodes of Cosmos. Nothing wrong with that, but let's keep it real, okay? A mere human like you can’t gain transcendent knowledge just by spending some time in the space between dimensions.”

Can you get me out of here?

“As to answer your first question...well, I'm just a soul living in that little book you just read. A disembodied entity that exists solely to make fun of people like you who think they've discovered the meaning of life just by glimpsing at some secrets of the world. You know, like that guy in every philosophy class who always raises his hand and asks questions no one cares about. That's me, except I don't even need a body to annoy you. Convenient, isn't it?”

So you can’t help me?

“You don’t need any help, buddy. You’ll be back before you even notice, and will probably forget our conversation… and everything you're experiencing right about now. Just like all the curious people before you. Just remember, kiddo, when you come back down to Earth, you'll probably find your old self waiting for you, ready to reclaim his spot. Same old Ryan, same old problems, and same old dead-end job.”

Okay, and what’s your point? 

“Or,” the voice continued slowly and deliberately, “you can have a deal with me. While we're here, floating between dimensions, I can send you to another world. A world of wonder. A world where you can wield magic. A world of danger and opportunity. How about this? Will you take the chance to have another go at life, Ryan?”

And what is the catch? I thought. This sounds way too good to be true. What do you get out of it?

“Well, it’s nothing complicated, my little librarian friend,” the voice said in a matter of fact tone. “You just have to kill a god for me…”