Suppose, that after death, your soul inhabits another vessel and you begin life anew while keeping memories of the one before it. At first, I thought I would gain experience, knowledge, and power thanks to living life after life. I was foolish. When I inhabited this body, I realized something terrifying. I can barely remember the first incarnation of me anymore. Who I was, what country I was from, and how I died. Hell, I can’t even remember my damn name! This "miraculous" power is a curse! Apparently, there is a limit to how many memories a soul can fit. And I seem to have hit it. I’m scared. I feel that the current “me” will be gone the next time I am born. Who the hell will I become then? I don’t want to find out. I have to finish the task she gave me. I will be free then.
Yes… free…
----------------------------------------
I was woken up by the chirping of birds outside. Half-consciously, I glanced at the clock on the wall. It was around five in the morning. I rubbed my eyes and lazily got up out of bed. Looking at the mirror, I could see a young man in his early twenties, his hair long and dark. What stood out the most were the different-colored eyes. One red, one – dark brown. A sight that was all too familiar to me. Heaving a deep sigh, I brushed my hair and put it up in a ponytail. I grabbed some random clothes that were haphazardly laying around the room and put them on. I looked pretty ridiculous but it was comfortable and it was all that mattered to me. I needed some fresh air, so I went out on the balcony.
The sun was rising over the vibrant city. The cool morning air refreshed my mind and the golden sky was a breathtaking sight. There was a bottle of wine left on the floor, probably from the last night. I grabbed it and took a swig from it. I leaned on the balcony railing and gazed at nowhere in particular. I tried to recall whatever I was still able to.
----------------------------------------
The first thing I remember is finding myself in some sort of void. I looked around but all that surrounded me was nothingness. Initially, I thought I was in some sort of a dream. I tried pinching myself, only to discover I didn’t have arms. In fact, all of my body was missing. Yet, I didn’t feel any panic, even though I should have. Suddenly, a bell chime could be heard echoing through the emptiness. I heard footsteps and looked toward the source of them. I could see a girl, with long flowing dark hair and a pure white dress. Her blue eyes were so serene that you could easily get lost in them. She looked at me with an affectionate smile and said:
“Welcome, dear child.”
It was strange to hear a girl so young calling me a child but didn't dwell much on it.
“Who are you?”
Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.
An even stranger thing was that I could speak without moving my mouth. Not that I had one at that moment, though.
“I will explain everything, so rest easy,” she reassured me. “Let us review the entirety of your life first.”
That’s where my memory gets fuzzy. I think she did something and my whole life flashed before my eyes.
“As you can see, your name on Earth was ■■■■■■■. Your life was a wonderful one, you were living as a good person should, and generally, you were, without a doubt, worthy of going to Heaven. Alas, you ■■■■■■■ ■■■■■ ■■■■■■■ and also ■■ ■■ ■■■■■■ ■■■■■■■■. This alone would make your salvation impossible now,” her tone was getting more stern with every word, which made it disturbing. “However, our benevolent Lord has decided you can still repent for your sins.”
“How can I do that?”
“You are to be reborn in a different world, as a different person. You will build your strength, using everything at your disposal. Death will not be the end of you, though. Your soul will inhabit another body while keeping the memories of the previous one. It is irrelevant as to how much time it will take. But you must complete your objective.”
“And that is?”
“Kill the biggest sinner that this world has ever seen.”
This was getting weirder and weirder every second. I was supposed to kill somebody? Wasn’t one of the rules of belief not to kill?
“But killing is a sin.”
“An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. He, who has committed so many atrocities is no longer to be deemed human. It is not a sin to take a life which has taken millions.”
“May I ask who it is?”
I immediately regretted asking that question. The air got cold, and I somehow started shivering, even though I didn't have a body. The girl looked as though she saw a ghost. With eyes opened as wide as they could be, she started speaking loudly.
“HE, WHO IS PRIDEFUL, FOR HE CONSIDERS HIMSELF ABOVE EVERYONE ELSE.
HE, WHO IS GREEDY, FOR HE STOPS AT NOTHING TO GAIN EVERYTHING.
HE, WHO IS LUSTFUL, FOR HE DOES NOT VALUE CHASTITY.
HE, WHO IS ENVIOUS, FOR HE ALONE WANTS TO REIGN OVER EVERYTHING.
HE, WHO IS GLUTTONOUS, FOR HE HAS DEVOURED AND DEVOUR HE WILL.
HE, WHO IS WRATHFUL, FOR HE WILL STRIKE DOWN EVERYTHING IN HIS PATH.
HE, WHO IS SLOTHFUL, FOR HE NOW IDLY STANDS ABOVE ALL MAN.”
That didn’t answer my question, I wanted to ask for his name but she continued.
“THE SINNER, WHO IS DEEMED THE MOST POWERFUL MAN ALIVE BY THE MASSES – THE EMPEROR”
She didn’t give me his name, though. But before I could inquire more, I felt something weird.
“You are to start your work immediately,” she suddenly went back to normal. “You need not any more knowledge from me to succeed.”
I was flabbergasted. I didn't know anything, and she was saying that I knew enough?! But before I could raise any protests, I was already in my new body.
But that is not important now.