-Planet Earth ???. North America. 3RD POV-
After collapsing at work, the 28-year old black-haired Idahoan, James Dawyer, found himself in a darkness deprived of senses until an elderly voice appeared. Although the encounter didn't happen how James would expect, he confirmed his abnormal situation was real and the entity's capabilities. Then, trusting the mysterious being a little, the sleeping mortal continued asking him questions.
"My Species isn't important, my occupation is." The elderly voice corrected and continued after a pause. "I am a Guardian!" He introduced proudly, resounding within the darkness dramatically. It was this enthusiasm for the Job and reliability that made him favored by Superiors. A fact he was proud of.
"Uhh, okay..." James retorted, confused, and not all that impressed.
The Guardian simply continued in a calm demeanor.
"I am a Protector of my Existential Kindred. A Caretaker of Souls. I am--"
"WAIT! Souls are Real??!" The shocked human interrupted, pressing for confirmation. Although he already had high suspicion from their brief conversation.
"...Yes, indeed. Almost every creature has one. But Souls are all different in different ways..."
"Ohh... But why can't we see them?!"
"Because Spirit doesn't interact with Matter directly. Typically, not even with Forces like Electromagnetism. And Souls are very restricted in your Universe as it is."
"Woahh... Elusive like Dark Matter!"
"No, that's easier."
"Seriously...? Wait, then Reincarnation is also real?!!"
"Of course. It's a natural process in most Realities that accept Souls. Deities watching over Worlds also exist, but--"
"Yes! YESSSSSSS!" The Human blurted out loudly, rejoicing without restrain.
"Hm... You are really excited about it..."
"Of course! Isekai exists!"
"Earthlings sure dislike Earth lately... It's a good Planet, you know?"
"Erm... Maybe, but...for many of us, Earth has become boring lately. Too restrictive. Many would rather go to a World of Magic than ask for immortality on Earth. Maybe our imagination made people crave things they could not experience on Earth?"
"That is certainly a reason..."
"Either way, life here feels too deprived of meaning. More and more people want Escapism. Pixels only fill that hole so much..."
"Hm... Earthlings have also lost much Perspective. Earth still has much to offer."
"Maybe... Maybe for lucky few..." James rebutted with disappointment.
"Well, Earth is not the only interesting World."
"OHH!! Sooo, are you like a Real God?"
"W-well, let's not get carried away with the definition of 'God.' I am a Highly Evolved entity from a Superior Plane of Existence, but I'm not an omni-Creator..."
"Woah... That's still impressive!"
"For a mortal. But you lack perspective. I may be more powerful than Deities from these lower Realities, but to my Manager, #355, I'm just a simple caretaker in the 99 947 262nd place of our Hierarchy."
"Daaaamnn... That's craaaazy... Almost 100 millionth place?"
"Yes, but I'll rank up to the ...261st place soon..."
"Haha... Like a promotion?"
"Yes. But the origin number doesn't change as your designation."
"Ah... So... Manager, huh?"
"Yes. My Job is to oversee the growth of certain Souls over periods of a thousand year. You are one of those Souls designated as #7DSE00028111029643270."
"Wooooah... That's a looong list... I don't have to wait that long for Reincarnation, right? Haha, I have like the, uhh, 28th Billionth place!"
"That's just your place in that Hierarchy. You are a young Soul."
"Damn... How many Hierarchies are there?"
"As far as I know, there's a Main Hierarchy, and thousand others."
"Damn... Say, what should I call you?"
"That-... Hm, I've long since forgotten my first name. I am now Guardian #355GSE99947262. Call me what you wish."
"So casual! Alright, I'll call you Guardian then."
"Very well. But you should still memorize our designations. You might need it..."
"Oh? Alright..."
...
The protector repeated the two strings of numbers and the human did his best to memorize before becoming aware of his situation again.
"But damn... This is amazing... I'm talking to an actual God-like being! Me, a nobody--wait, why am I talking to you? Am I gonna die soon?"
"No, not yet."
"Is my body's condition that bad?"
"Not yet. You are recovering so fast that the Hospital will discharge you prematurely. Despite the Doctor's diagnosis..."
"Wait... What Hospital?"
"The one closer to your Workplace..."
"Ugh! Figures..." James cringed, recalling his medical debts.
"Unfortunately-..."
James felt a cold poured on his excitement.
"Based on what the doctors said and my inspections, I predict that you'll live normally for around six years, then your body will deteriorate at a faster rate. Your Heart problems will relapse, the Asthma will worsen, and diabetes will come after that. Keeping your internet hobbies will be difficult. Not to mention, the hospital bills..." The Guardian elaborated in a severe tone.
"Holy--! That's a horrible future!" James retorted, slightly incredulous, but noticing the accurate details. "Wait... Can you actually see the future or something? Nah, that can't be--"
"Actually, yes. I can see and calculate events, but the certainty decreases the further into the Past or Future."
"No. Freaking. Way..."
"It is easier in other Realities though."
"...Really...?!"
"Yes. Guardians aren't allowed to Lie or mislead or trick you in a poor mental state. Though there are things we're not allowed to say..."
"I see... My mind does feel very clear... So what do you want then?"
"I am here to offer you a deal before you die."
"!!--Waaaait... You aren't some Devil harvesting Souls, right?"
"What?! No! I have absolutely no need to do something so demeaning."
"O-okay..."
"Although, admittedly, there's some similarities... We grant wishes, guidance, and protection, but...take each Lifetime away."
"...W-WHAT!? Losing the memories is unacceptable for Reincarnation Fans!"
"Even though you'd lose most of them without our intervention?"
"...Really?!!"
"Have you seen otherwise?"
"No... There would be many geniuses running around--wait... Some DO remember!"
"Indeed. In most reincarnation cycles, the Soul automatically discards most memories and some spiritual progress before seeking a compatible vessel. Older Souls naturally accumulate more random memory residues. And enhancing the connection with the vessel, by living long or other means, provides more memories that can influence lifetimes more."
"Woah... Being old rocks! But why does that happen?"
"Because of the Reality's restrictions. Usually, only a few Soul strands can intrude in the dimension and attach to a vessel... Over time, these Spiritual filaments imitate the brain activity, recording memories and reinforcing self-awareness and accelerating the Soul growth. However, they squeeze out of the dimension after death, and not much survive this uncontrollable process..."
"Woah... What a roundabout method of Spiritual evolution!"
"Well, there are also less restrictive realities where you keep more memories, access them in some way, linger around like a ghost, or use your very Soul offensively. But they always have downsides. Souls can get destroyed or eaten like Candy. Physical and Spiritual limitations. Or some dubious purpose..."
"Yikes! A destroyed Soul means dead...forever, right?"
"Sort of... Depends... Now you get we Guardians exist? We help and protect Souls... And I'll have you know; my record is impeccable!"
"Uhh, yes, lucky me... I got the employee of the, uhh, Epoch?"
"I don't feel enough gratitude..."
"...The Gods in Novels do this in a white space and don't take memories though. Soo..."
"There were...circumstances. But I'll show you something better." The Guardian announced mildly upset. "As for the memories...our directives are absolute. I'm sorry. I haven't broken a rule in tens of thousands of years."
"...Old! As expected... But I get it... It's not your fault... Still, does this mean we can never keep all memories? A human brain can hold hundreds of years of memories. It's like 3 Petabytes of information, right?"
"Yes...but depends... A typical Human Brain can only hold so much without causing problems, and they normally discard what's not important or to make room. On the other hand, a Mortal Soul can store hundreds of times more information than the brain. The processing speed and capacity increase with higher stages of evolution as well."
"Woahhh! Hundreds of petabytes of data? That's like shrinking the brain to like the size of an Ant! Why the huge disparity between the Brain and the Soul? What's even a Soul?"
"Because... Souls are High-Density Energy Constructs formed with the unique code of your existence. And they can transcend dimensions, even time... They have fewer restrictions than the vessel. The vessel is just a means to an end, and it can be almost anything."
"Coool... Even a Robot?"
"You need to be compatible..."
"Oh, that's a thing too?"
"Yes."
"I see... Hm, if only each Lifetime got their bodies Cloned... AH! Or preserve the Soul Parts like in the Harry Potter movie!"
"...!! That...works..." Affirmed the Guardian, surprised. "But not without requirements and problems."
"Eh, as long as it works."
"Is that... so...?" The guardian quizzically muttered while recalling an early order. "James, I'll reiterate... Our goal is to help you Evolve to your full potential. You must materialize your Soul and Ascend..."
"Hmm... That sounds contradictory considering what you guys do, isn't it?"
"...To clarify... We negotiate the arrangements of your next life after you die, then extract your Spiritual memories and keep them safe until you qualify to reclaim them."
"Extract? You mean rip my soul apart! Ugh... Treating my memories as commodities--how horrible..."
"Rest assured, it's not painful... Furthermore, our system is better regulated than the natural reincarnation process, so you'll evolve faster than normal. It's not just about having a 'second life.'"
"Really?! You get a pass then. But...isn't your visit too early? I still have a few years left to live..."
"Well, I sensed your poor state and figured you wouldn't want to live wretched days or be a burden to your family. Then, I was notified that you have an extra Wish available, but it's only for today."
"Woah... I won the reincarnation lottery!?"
"Possibly. I'm also willing to guide you as much as possible now since my shift ends in 18 years and we probably won't meet again... You'll miss a Guardian like me..."
"Hmm..."
The mortal's attitude immediately changed from mere curiosity to actually considering the shady deal regarding reincarnation. But he was still doubtful about the whole ordeal and proceeded carefully.
"So... What was it that you wanted to show me? Sick of this darkness..."
"Naturally. There is something in the Krosmous that you qualify to see already."
"Eh? EHH!!? What is it...?"
"Due to its nature, you have to be there to perceive it closely with your own consciousness."
"Uhh, okay...?"
"Now, get ready. I'm going to bring our consciousness into deep space..." The Guardian instructed as he finished connecting their Spirits and carried their senses away through a microscopic dimensional corridor.
"Waii--!" The human cried out when his mind felt like being tugged away. Then after an unknown time, his view suddenly brightened. "AGH!" He uttered and recoiled by reflex, but his vision quickly adjusted. What he saw made his mouth agape.
A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.
The two had appeared as transparent humanoid figures within an enormous molecular cloud with dense regions forming stars that blink from all around creating a baffling colorful scenery.
"Oh. My. God..." James blurted with balled eyes admiring the breathtaking scenery as his body slowly rotated. "Where is this...?!"
"An Alternate Universe in a different Multiverse with slightly different Laws on the same Plane of existence. It has a Cultivation Xuanhuan System."
"Wooaaahhh... Cooler than a Parallel Universes! Which is from the same Multiverse, right?"
"Sure, let's go with that."
"Cool... And what's a Plane thingy?"
"Energy Divisions of a Krosmous. It's where Universes, Multiverses, and other dimensions are created. Ours has four. And we are in the second. But Planes have a range of energy levels too. This Universe is superior to Earth's."
"Woaaah... So, it's like an apartment building where Planes are floors and apartments are the Universes?"
"Close enough."
"Fascinating... What else is there about Reality? What's beyond...?"
"Hoho... So curious~ That's good. But unfortunately, I can't tell you much now."
"Aw, man..."
"Now, our Krosmous is one among a hundred million within a Cosmorial. It's what allows spontaneous or artificial creation of Krosmouses and other structures..."
"Daaaang! That's crazy big... It's like a City! Amazing..."
"Except that Size is complicated in higher dimensions."
"Ohh..."
"Krosmouses have wildly different energy levels as well. Some even have hundreds of Planes! It's...a difficult Stair to Evolution. Even harder for some of us..."
"Ahhh! Like a Dungeon... Fascinating... What else?"
"Beyond that is the Primordial Hyper-Space. Where Cosmorials and other structures typically exist. Then, it's Hyper-Reality. Literally encompassing everything possible and imaginable."
"...WOAH! That's...hard to wrap my head around..."
"Indeed. The scale of Hyper-Reality is simply too great and complex to explain with a Language. Beings that transcend Cosmorials just say we are about one-third of 'Ethuantian infinity' to Nothingness. And that it's like a sphere where energy and information become infinitely smaller towards the center. But even I don't fully comprehend..."
"Uhhhh... Wait... Sooo, our reality lacks energy and information like a bubble in a liquid then?!"
"It is so."
"Wooow! So, then, what's the 'Nothingness' outside?"
"Another concept that's hard to explain. Basically, it's nothing as you know 'something' to be but everything in possibilities and energy forms in infinite infinities. It's like a Hyper-Existence."
"Uhhhhhhhh... Anything simpler I can recognize?"
"There are also hyper-consciousness."
"Uhhhh... Hyper-rabbit hole... What about Realities...?"
"There are other Hyper-Realities with things we can't even imagine because the possibilities are beyond ours..."
"What the hell...?! We literally can't think it?"
"That's right."
"So bizarre... What are these 'Energy Forms' though?"
"The best I can put it is, 'Existence fluctuations.'"
"Hmmmm... What???"
"It's like the Big Bang."
"...Uhhhh... I think...I kind of get it... But that doesn't explain what it is made out of."
"Well, when you discover what 'Space' is, then you'll be closer to understanding Hyper-Existence."
"...Did I just get Homework?"
As James pondered in excitement, he unknowingly willed his weightless body to rotate at an accelerated rate until he spun out of control.
"Uwaahh?! Help me NASA! I didn't train for this..."
"Enjoying yourself?"
"Yes, I aaaalmost have the Record Guinness for spinning in space--This is fucking confusing!"
"Just think how you want to move..."
But unable to orient himself without a sense of direction, the Guardian intervened and forcibly stopped the spinning figure.
"...Phew!" James sighed in relief and willed his hands into view. He could see through the crystalline limbs many colors, dense clusters with breathtaking contours and stars flicker in the background. "This is...Astral projection...?" He asserted and looked at the other transparent humanoid lacking distinct features.
"Close enough. I'm sustaining these artificial vessels harboring our consciousness while maintaining a connection to our true bodies."
"I see... So, our bodies are fine while 'we' are here?"
"Yes. Nothing to worry about."
"Phew... But isn't outer space supposed to be more...colorless? No, wait, how can I see any light with a translucent body?!"
"Because I process a wide range of the electromagnetic spectrum for you. Not just visible light."
"WOAH! That's why it's so vivid." James affirmed, leaving his mouth agape and admiring the view for a few seconds. "Yep! This is way better than a picture..." He affirmed, nodding at the Nebula, then looked at the fuzzy figure. "Say... Are you Human?"
"...No. I only use the appropriate appearance and behavior to interact with Souls..."
"I see..."
"I'm not showing you..."
"Aaw!"
"I know you are curious about my magnificent form, but this isn't about me."
"Somebody is shy~"
"Nonsense! Now, come on. You'll love this..." The Guardian declared and oriented their bodies in a particular direction.
"Pfft!"
A region of the nebula magnified increasingly faster as the two traversed vast distances more quickly than light without feeling the speed, giving a sense of incongruity.
"Hm?! Navigator! We appear to be moving at Warp 5!"
"We are skipping space to avoid time differences. And to get there within your lifetime..."
"Ah... Right... But can't you just teleport there...?"
"It's safer to approach this way. The Dimensions around here become increasingly unstable the further ahead. A collapse of Space could harm us..."
"Woahhh!? That's worse than I thought!"
"Don't panic, James. Guardians aren't as reckless as you."
"S-sorry... Ha ha ha..."
They continue passing stellar objects for 10 minutes, but their destination didn't seem any closer, and the human on the right became increasingly bored.
"Hey, you know that I'm quite accepting of other creatures, right?"
"I know, James. You have been different creatures yourself. But still not showing you..."
"...EH!!? Wh-what creatures...?"
"A Rat, a Wolf, A Draconian, and Human three times."
"...S-seriously??!! So many lives... The people who called me 'animal' would be happy to hear that! Haha..."
"Oh, yes, you are quite the oddity. Souls tend to find compatible bodies in the same species. But six is not really many... You didn't even start from the lowest lifeform."
"I see... Guardian, you-... How long have you watched over me?"
"Hmm... It's been around six hundred years since your Soul sprouted within a common rodent in the first Plane."
"...Wh--at!!? I'm so old!!" The mortal exclaimed and then muttered embarrassingly. "And you...you have been like a parent to me..."
"No, I've been your Guardian. I look after other hundreds too. It's my Job, and I'm good at it. Though you are the most troublesome. I should've traded you!" The guardian complained making a slight smile barely visible.
"Ha Ha Ha... Hm? Now that I think about it, I have some dreams of the animals that you mentioned."
"Your hunch is correct again. You get to keep a very small memory imprint of your choosing. And they usually emerge in dreams."
"Woah?! It's not all gone? Good, good... I could confirm which dreams are actual memories. Can you tell me...?"
"Sure. First, it was a curious Rat that wandered into a She-Wolf's Den and...curiosity killed the Rat."
"Ouch!"
"You wouldn't believe the hurdle it was dealing with it!"
"...Sorry?"
"That's alright. I managed."
"But I can't remember anything relevant."
"And you won't... The animal was short-lived, and the Soul was too frail..."
"I see..."
"But you'll recall the next one. The little rodent desired to be his predator, and from the very Wolf that ate it, you found life once again."
"Woah! My killer became my mother...ironic."
"A rare compatibility... But you didn't stay in the same pack for long. The Gray Wolf ventured in the wild and encountered another curious canine doing the same. A White She-Wolf. The partnership grew into affection and eventually, she became your Mate. You experienced love and happiness for the first time in your existence, James."
"...AH! How could I forget those bittersweet dreams...? I remember what it felt to have a Pack, to have children, to hunt and defend our territory together... But...they're all gone now... Did we...did we have a good life?"
"Yes, it was a successful Pack even after you were gone, but ordinary wolves have short lifespans, so it wasn't forever. You demanded to watch them from my pocket dimension..."
"I see... And that was allowed?!"
"For a time, yes. The Grey Wolf watched the she-wolf grieve him on the spot he perished until she passed away there as well. But it wasn't enough. He also watched their descendants for years..."
"Y-years!!?"
"You were very stubborn. Even got enraged when I couldn't meddle with their Souls. Unfortunately, it was beyond my capabilities at the time to locate her Soul, and no external help appeared."
"Sorry? Again... But I understand the sentimental Wolf. She was an outstanding Alpha. I would want to meet her again as well."
"Perhaps you will meet that Wolf again someday..." Guardian declared oddly confident.
"Ah! The Soul preference thing... Well, I wouldn't mind being a wolf again to meet her."
"Hmm-hmm... That's what I like about you, James. You are open-minded and don't deny your beast past like others..."
"Oh? Thank you. But maybe I'm just envious of my Wolf self haha..."
"Because of infidelity...?"
"..."
"...Understood." The Guardian interpreted the silence and resumed the previous topic. "The Wolf wished for his future self to live long and experience affection as he did, so I found him a compatible vessel in a modern world. He was curious about the Human creature. Although it was a Dragon-human hybrid, a Draconian!"
"Aha! I knew that dream felt a little too detailed and...the emotions a little too strong..." James affirmed with mixed feelings and recalled reluctantly.
The hybrid lived a normal life in modern England until an explosion destroyed his workplace and was saved by the Dragon lineage, but it made him unable to continue living among humans. Luckily, Beast relatives took him in, and provided for his needs, but he was forced to live secluded in the mountains watching civilization ravaged by war. The Draconian lived the rest of his days bitter and grieving before the last traces of his race disappeared with his death.
"The Draconian was...an interesting individual. He lived 3 times the normal human age and experienced much. Laughed like a maniac after meeting me too. His mind was broken for a while..." The Guardian narrated with a nostalgic tone.
"Ugh... I can imagine from the intense melancholy in that long, long drea--nightmare. Poor guy."
"...You haven't remembered everything, it seems. He left that imprint on purpose."
"I see... But I rather not recall."
"Understandable. Then, moving on... He received two wishes like you and wished for his next lifetime to reborn in a Video Game-like World as a Human with High-level System privileges."
"Say, whaaaaa--!!? I was in a Skill world with a cheat before? Did I make a harem?"
"Weeeell... Do you remember the dream of the bloody city where you met the 'Monster?'"
James recalled the memory where he was a timid Hunter in a party with 5 other classes to subjugate a high-level Monster that threatened a Town. But they were too late. The humanoid creature slaughtered thousands and used their bodies to adorn the buildings like Halloween decorations. The party, confronted with the horrifying scene, realized the severity of the situation and decided to take drastic measurements to complete the mission. They quickly found the target sitting on a church's window and sent their weakest member to gain time while the mages charged a powerful spell.
"No way... T-that really happened!!? Those bastards really used me as bait?? I really went to live with that...that thing?!"
"Yes. They used the 'creepy Hunter' for 'the greater good.'"
"Ugh! Kinda glad they all got killed instead... But why was I spared?"
"Your Spirit felt soothing for the Monster and took you to live in the wild despite its hatred for humans. You solved the problem peacefully..."
"Ugh... So much for a Harem... And that monster was genderless!"
"But that didn't stop you from--"
"Don't say it!"
"--Living a good life with it."
"Oh..."
"However, the Hunter sacrificed too much for other people! They hindered his growth, and that Monster was too overprotective, so the Special Skills never developed. An opportunity given twice in your existence was...wasted! All the Draconian's hopes and efforts were...wasted!" The Guardian admonished sternly his disappointment.
"Ack! T-that--... Ughhh! I get it. That 'me' really blew it. The draconian would be furious if he finds out..." The mortal reproved his past-self with an assertion. "But I don't like playing Hero. I know that I must evolve and discover all reality has to offer!" He declared with a firm resolve and boundless curiosity.
"Good. Good. I wish the Hunter were that reasonable and motivated. He just wished for the next life to be a handsome human that could 'Charm' women."
"Ugh... He prioritized womanizing over evolution and discovery...? The fool!"
"Foolish indeed. But at least your Soul evolved enough to Ascend to the 2nd Plane."
"So, I just started on this Plane?"
"Yes, on the lowest energy range too."
"Can you send me to the third Plane?"
"Denied! An energy density higher than your Soul would harm it. High enough density could even dissolve your Soul."
"Seriously!!?"
"No shortcuts, James."
"Alright. I get it." He shrugged, coming up with another idea. "So, what about the First Plane?"
"Your Soul would be strong enough to influence the Reality greatly and become a Super-Human."
"FOR REAL?!!"
"Yes, things like Telekinesis and anime-like Martial Arts are all possible."
"Awesome! I could have a power level over 9000!"
"But there is a downside to descension." The Guardian denied with a short shake of his head, ruining the Mortal's fun.
"Oh, come on..."
"A Soul from the Second Plane would have a very slow Spiritual progress down there. Even thousands of times slower..."
"Yikes! Only to visit then..."
"Perhaps you'll get the chance one day..."
"Yeah..."
"Now, about the playboy... He enjoyed the upper-class life fully until the 18 birthday when--"
"The dude was rich too??!!"
"...Yes. But that was his undoing. He attended the opening of a Resort built over caves that were unsealed after centuries. Only, they weren't empty. Ancient Serpents were trapped inside by a natural disaster and woke up hungry from hibernation. You were one of the people eaten in a hurry."
"AAH! I remember! I was fucking swallowed alive! Goddamn ittt! That nightmare was real too..."
"A horrifying end, no doubt. The young boy cursed endlessly too. Took a while to recover mentally too."
"Uuugh... Did the girls accompanying him survive?"
"They did not. All humans there perished one way or another."
"Dang! I hope they got sued to oblivion!"
"You said the same back then. And yes, they did..."
"Good. But to find snakes in the middle of nowhere... Is my luck negative or does reality refuses to let me live long?!"
"Don't exaggerate. A worse fate befell those serpents who struggled to survive for so long, ate some people, and died without knowing what happened. Humans turned their skin into purses and belts. It was an unfortunate event..."
"Uh-huh... Why do you sound sympathetic for the snakes...?" The human asserted suspiciously.
"I'm just...easing your trauma. He left those memories behind after all."
"Ugh! That asshole... Wait... Are you a snake too?"
"How insulting... I am a Guardian! That's all you need to know. Hmph! A mere snake, he says... Honestly..." The protector snapped and grumbled unhappily.
"Erm... I'm-I'm sorry, Guardian..."
"It's okay... What upsets me is that none of my protected Souls ever visited my real body in the next Plane..."
"Really?! It would take forever though."
"You need all the motivation you can get."
"Alriiiight... So, anyways, what stupid thing did the playboy wished for me?"
"Believing in bad luck, he wished for a Vessel with high-survival chances and a safer World."
"Laaame! And how was that achieved?"
"By finding a person in the Multiverse who survived countless accidents, or a World with System privileges which is riskier."
"Woah! You can do that?"
"Not very extensively, so another being did it."
"Sweet! I had a Cheat... I should've worked as a Daredevil..."
"Yes, you even survived suicide, twice, yet illness still got you, somehow."
"Ugh! That was...a dark chapter of my life... But how are genetic problems my fault?"
"Well, the vessel was carefully selected from countless people, so its life was practically assured, but the Soul is an outside influence..."
"Hmm... Are you saying that I'm so unlucky that I'm killing an unkillable body?"
"Not exactly..."
"Ughh..."
"Perhaps it wasn't your fated body."
"Uhh... Is that a thing too?"
"Factually, it's the vessel in which you evolve beyond mortal constraints. Religiously, it's a fated body that completes your being and breaks the rebirth cycle."
"Riiiiight... So, are there really infinite versions of my current body doing many things?"
"Yes. All kinds of Jameses..."
"Haha... And combinations with different Souls too?!"
"Precisely. But there is something that makes your Soul Unique. We are...kin, in a sense. Our Souls do not originate from this Reality like others."
"SERIOUSLY!!? I figured there was a reason for being favored, but...that's ridiculous! Why is it...?"
"Understandable. You see, Eons ago in the highest Eternity, two slivers of Hyper-consciousness appeared at the edge of Hyper-Reality and scattered pieces of their vessels. The 10 biggest Fragments became self-conscious as constructs and went on to implement instructions from the Main Body. The rest wandered through dimensions. Most have found Realities and became creatures already. Your Fragment chose Life in a Universe recently for the first time. That's why you only have six lifetimes."
James' eyes became round in astonishment. "WHAAAT!!? I have one of those Fragment attached to my Soul? Why?! W-what should I--?"
"Wrong! The Fragment IS the embodiment of your Existence! It's the Unique Code of your existence which defines the Soul at the most fundamental level."
"Huuuh?! T-t-that means..." James stammered and paused momentarily as a cold realization crept into his mind. "I'm not...really 'me,' I'm just--I'm just a piece of somebody!?!? No... I don't want this..." He blurted as a turmoil of emotions raged in his mind with an existential crisis of the likes he had never experienced.
With his right hand, the Guardian moved his right hand immediately and taped James' shoulder without stopping their advance.
"You ARE, you! What you are does not dictate who you are! Imagine it's more detached than being part of a Universe. It's like that Entity just introduced a new possibility into this Hyper-Reality, like a Seed that sprouted."
With strong encouraging words that pierced deeply into the troubled mind like a ray of light through the darkness, the mortal flinched and glanced to the side, calming down. He felt embarrassed and lowered his head.
"S-sorry..."
"It's okay. It's normal." The Guardian dismissed, then pulled back his hand. "But you know... Some of us actually feel proud to be part of that Entity."
"Haaahhh..." James did a long mental sigh of resignation and blinked once before retorting. "I get it, but I don't feel completely free."
"For now... One day you will appreciate the benefits."
"...Benefits??!"
"Oh, yes... The Fragment is indestructible and has a Spatial pocket where the Soul enters upon death. And other convenient functions..."
"Awesome! I have a Cheat... How big is it?"
"Inside? Around 3 cubic feet currently."
"SMALL!!"
"It grows with your Spiritual evolution."
"Ah!"
"The outside is bigger than an Atom, but it doesn't grow much..."
"Can I get things inside?!"
"Yes, with energy manipulation. But the current 'you' can't even sense it and your Spirit is far too weak for the restrictions on Earth..."
"Oh... I see... What's Spirit exactly?"
"The influence of your Soul in the dimension, like roots of a tree."
"Ah, cool..."
"Yes. Although the Fragment doesn't have an actual 'Gate,' so your Soul can still be destroyed by intruders, hence our Job..."
"That's...a fatal flaw of epic proportions..."
"Make it yourself."
"Oh... Huh..."
"Although the Soul will reform as long as the Fragment is active."
"That's...somewhat comforting..."
"Actually, if the Soul is gone, the Fragment may become inactive or slip off the Universe to wander again for eons."
"Ahhh... Yeah, that's bad. Must avoid at all cost!"
"Well, better be careful where we are going then..."
"...Why..."