Dean was on his second step when the void space to his left rippled.

The ripples started slow and barely noticeable, but in the space of a few seconds, the tempo of the ripples sped up and began to rotate around some unseen epicenter.

Before long Dean was facing a 7-foot tall oval whirlpool of distorted space that was slightly higher than his height.

Dean didn't have to stare slack-jawed for long before the whirlpool quivered and began slowly spitting out a left foot that was soon followed by a leg and then the rest of the body of a humanoid figure.

"That's enough," The whirlpool shuddered once more before quietly imploding into itself. "You have earned the qualification to embark upon the path, any further acts towards the souls of this place is hereby prohibited."

"Follow me to meet The Master," With that said the figure didn't spare Dean a second glance before beginning to walk away.

"Wait! Where am I? Am I really dead? Is this place hell? Can you help me get back? I-I want to live. I'm not ready to be dead yet. You have to help me, please!"

A torrent of questions and admittedly embarrassing pleas escaped from Dean's mouth.

Dean was relatively calm till now, but after seeing another 'living' person all of his earlier nonchalance was quickly tossed aside exposing the vulnerability he'd kept hidden to now.

It didn't even matter that this new strange figure seemed like some wraith made out of pure darkness. Dean was even willing to overlook those two terrifying whirlpools that seemed poised to snatch his very soul.

Sure, that thing was terrifying but nothing was scarier than the knowledge that you were about to be completely erased from existence like countless others around you.

Find this and other great novels on the author's preferred platform. Support original creators!

As far as Dean was concerned the devil himself could have shown up and he'd still be happy.

Seeing that the wraith-like figure ignored all of his questions and was getting further and further away, Dean hurried along to catch up.

"Hey, did you hear me? I need he-"

"You speak too much," The wraith-like figure finally stopped and regarded Dean once more. "I will talk and you will listen. We don't have much time. The Master does not like to be kept waiting."

"As I'm sure you've noticed you're no longer alive nor are you on Earth.

This is the Under. The place where all souls in existence come once they have shed their mortal coils.

Souls come here and in time they are cleansed until all that remains is the quintessential essence that resides within all living things.

In time this quintessential essence is recycled and placed into another world to begin the process of life once more.

A human quintessential essence will always be recycled into another human while the quintessential essence of a troll will always be recycled into another troll.

Of course, there are always exceptions, like you for instance. Very rarely the Under bears witness to ordinary souls like yours that display the potential to embark upon The Path.

The Path to transcendence.

You were able to seize two quintessential essences which entitle you to two Boons from The Master.

One of them is automatically utilized to activate your personal world interface while the other will be chosen by random chance in a process dictated by The Master.

That is what you would consider the 'good' news.

The 'bad' news is that by seizing the souls of other humans in this place, you have committed sacrilege that has resulted in your soul being corrupted at fundamental level.

You are no longer able to remain human.

Instead, you will be transfigured into another type of creature that is also determined by random chance in a process dictated by The Master.

We are here.

When you meet The Master do not attempt to speak. How your new race and Boon will be decided will be readily apparent in a manner that is consistent with your experiences in life.

May you choose wisely."

Dean was still processing all of this information when another whirlpool twice as big as the last one appeared in front of him.

A huge tugging sensation accompanied its arrival and before he could voice any of his questions and concerns, he was dragged through the whirlpool to meet The Master that he'd heard so much about.