Pain. It was her constant. Everything hurt, and the world was shrouded in darkness. Kindra looked out at the void, her heart racing and panic building. Why is there nothing? Did I go blind?

She waved her hand, expecting to feel the air, but her fingers sliced through it as if it were nothing. The hell? She tried again, waving her hand through the air and feeling nothing but a dull ache. It radiated down her arms. Am I in a coma?

Blinking, she tried to see anything, to smell anything. Nothing. Why is there nothing? The darkness pressed around her, suffocating, though she could somehow breathe. Panic grabbed her throat. Am I dead? She forced out a shaky, “Hello?” The hollow sound barely reached her ears before it faded, the void swallowing it.

“Please,” she whimpered.

As if in response, glowing runes flickered to life. They drifted and pulsed like little stars. Squinting, she moved closer to one and studied the intricate symbol. These were on the computer.

It ignored her, pulsing softly. “Am I dead?” she asked it, and the runes gathered around her, pulsing with soft light and lighting up her body. That made them move? She leaned closer. They are sort of pretty. She waved her hand through one and felt agonizing pain burn through her palm.

Jerking her hand away, she stepped backward and felt runes slam into her back. It burned. Agony lanced down her spine, and a scream ripped from her throat.

The pain grew worse, and the runes turned a vibrant red. The metallic smell of blood filled the air, and she jerked forward, hitting other runes. Pain lanced through her.

Pulling back, she looked for something—anything to protect herself. God? Please?

The runes pulsed again, brighter this time. They grew in size, turned red, and moved closer. Agony came with it. Her arms lit on fire, and the taste of blood thickened in her mouth.

Turning away, she fled, and the agony followed. It grew with every step. Her breath came in ragged gasps, and she clawed at her burning skin. "Please," she choked out. "God? Please?"

The runes appeared around her, and dismay filled her. What do I do? She looked up. “Please!” she screamed.

No answer came. The silence was as endless as the darkness. She fell to her knees and pulled herself into a ball, the unending pain crashing into her with each pulse of the runes. I’m in hell, she thought numbly. This has to be hell.

Closing her eyes, she lay there. Time ceased to have meaning as the pain surged to newfound heights before ebbing away, leaving her with nothing but the runes. They streamed around her. A language just out of reach, and a hell that had engulfed her.

Sorrow gave way to anger. Anger gave way to despair. And despair gave way to grim acceptance. Acceptance of the runes that now imprisoned her. Acceptance of the void and acceptance of her hell.

With nothing else to do, she studied the symbols, and patterns slowly emerged. A familiarity began to grow as the runes repeated, and the unknowable language didn’t seem as mysterious. Parts made sense, and some seemed the opposite of others.

Lying there, she waved her hands through the runes. If I figure you out, will you let me out? She sat up and sighed, letting out a long breath. “God? Satan? Someone? Please. I don’t want to be here anymore.”

Neither answered. The runes continued pulsing through their pattern, and rage filled her once more. Glaring at them, she grabbed at one, pushing every bit of her will into it and demanding it stop.

The rune flickered like a blown candle, and she gasped. It snapped back into place and drifted by as if nothing had happened. Wait...

Her eyes widened as the realization hit her. I can bend them. She watched the floating symbols with renewed focus, picking one out and willing it to change into another.

The rune resisted, wavering as though alive, and she pushed harder, forcing it to take the shape of another. It distorted and then snapped back into position, leaving her with a throbbing headache.

Kindra ignored it. At least I can feel something again. She tried again, willing it to take the shape of a rune that seemed to look the opposite. The rune shook and bent. She exhaled and slammed her will into it. Break!

The rune shattered, light spilling across the floor like liquid fire. It hung there, and it stayed there. Delight spread across her face. Yes. She grinned, adrenaline surging through her veins. One by one, she reached for more runes, slowly breaking them.

With each broken rune, the place lit, and the darkness trembled. Grabbing another, she shattered it. Light poured out of it. Wind whipped through her hair, and something thumped—soft, like a heartbeat.

“Svel’kal!” some woman shouted, her voice echoing through the place.

“Yeah, well, screw you!” Kindra shouted back. With a smirk on her face, she waited for the next batch. They appeared, and she resumed her work, shattering runes with a triumph blazing through her mind and heart.

The voice shouted at her again, and Kindra waited for the next one. “Come on. Feed me another,” she yelled upward.

“Interesting. Want to do me a favor?” a masculine voice asked.

Kindra jerked, tumbling over and landing in a heap. Looking up, she saw a young man with messy black hair. He held out his hand.

Who is this guy? Kindra struggled to process it, moving her hair from her eyes and blinking at him. He is there, right?

He reached down. “Up you get.”

“Are you real?” Kindra asked, taking his hand and pulling herself up.

“Yes.”

“Who are you?”

“Death, God, or whatever you want to call me,” he said. A desk appeared in front of him, and he sat at it.

She studied him. Did I finally die? Thank god. She looked at him and blushed. Glad he didn’t hear that.

He looked up and chuckled. “Sit down.” He gestured to the chair.

Not knowing what else to do, she walked over and sat on it. “So, I’m dead?”

“Your spirit is fine, and that’s what matters.” God smiled. “Now, I’m going to help you, and you’re going to help me.”

“How?” Kindra asked, running her fingers along the wooden chair. I can feel something. Joy flooded her as she ran her fingers along the polished, cool wood.

“I believe you know something of coding. I need an AI.” He gestured, and a computer appeared in front of her.

She looked at the glowing screen. “You need an AI?”

“Capable of handling requests and limited user training.” He smiled.

“Why?” Kindra shook her head.

“It’s for a little project.” God smiled and raised an eyebrow. “Do you have anything better to do?” He laughed and gestured at the empty place.

No, not really. Kindra looked at the screen. “I’ll need something to train it with. A lot of data.”

“Don’t worry about that. I have it, and we’ll adjust later.”

Kindra paused. “And you’ll let me out?”

“Yes.”

“Is my spirit trapped somewhere?” Kindra asked, ignoring the computer.

“Yes, and I’ll help fix that. Now, work, please.”

“If I don’t?” Kindra asked, raising her brow. Is he really God?

If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.

He frowned. “What’s the concern? That this is some elaborate scheme? I could do it myself and will if you don’t. But you are here, and I thought I’d get some help while helping you.” He gestured, and runes appeared around him.

“Why have me do it at all?”

He met her gaze, his eyes gleaming with some hidden depth. “Consider it a learning opportunity.” He turned back to his work. A surge of runes filled the air.

“What do they mean?”

“Consider them a quantum programming language.”

Kindra leaned closer. Some were new, and they shone a vibrant, blinding white. She felt the heat of them as she stuck her hand closer. “And I can see them?”

“Yes. That’s why I made the offer.”

I’ll build in a backdoor. Kindra turned her focus to the computer. She began typing, a smile on her face. Just get this done. Then we’ll be free. Runes appeared around her as she wrote. That’s fascinating. Is there a direct translation?

Experimenting a little, she tried different programming sequences and got different results. “These are more than a quantum language.”

“A loose analogy. The language of the universe is more complicated,” God answered.

Well, I want to learn it and need to get out of here. Kindra attacked the task with ferocity, adding a backdoor and glancing at him. How much does he know? Does he know I did that? No response came, and she resumed working. “Are you sure this isn’t some hell? You can tell me.”

“It’s more like a purgatory, and I will get you out of it.” He looked up. “You have my word.”

“How does being God work?” Kindra asked, working through the code that would act as a neural network.

“Focus on this, Kindra.” He went quiet, runes flooding through the air.

A strange, uncomfortable warmth came with them. Kindra worked and felt a dull ache growing through her body. Please tell me he isn’t the devil.

Finishing the first version, she looked at the runes gathered around him. They pulsed like stars. Those are impressive. Reaching out, she waved her hands through one, and text popped into her vision.

[System 3.14 install in progress. Please wait.]

“What? Did I do that?” Kindra asked. And how is it talking to my brain?

“No, you didn’t do that. I’m writing the interface with the mind. Please, Kindra. Focus on handling requests to the system.”

Kindra turned back and began verifying the code. “What is this for?”

“An aid for sapient life who have direct contact with the powers of creation. You’re writing the AI to help answer their questions.”

Kindra raised a brow. That’s wild. “You mean to answer prayers?”

“Basically, yes.”

She snorted, the laugh bursting from her mouth. “I think my pastor would be upset.”

“If Death visited his door, likely,” the man said with a soft chuckle.

She turned. “So, you’re Death?”

He nodded.

“Are there other Gods?”

“Sorry, Kindra. This isn’t a lesson on the divine. I’m just making things easier for everyone.” He stood and gestured. Her computer exploded, turning into a ribbon of glowing runes. They burned into Kindra’s eyes, fiery suns that filled the entire space with light.

“How do I learn what they mean?” Kindra whispered.

“You’ll figure it out.” He looked up. “Don’t break it, though. If you do, I’m adding you to my list. And I can hear thoughts, so I know all about your backdoor.”

Kindra blushed, and runes streamed through her, burning with the same intensity as the first day. Her mouth dropped. She dove, and the runes turned into a glowing ball of light. It stood there, radiating fire and light.

[System 3.14 install complete!]

Kindra turned. “What’s the system?”

Death looked at her and grinned. “I’m sure you’ll figure it out. Make your choices wisely and all that.” He waved and vanished.

“Let me out!” Kindra screamed, panic grabbing her throat and text appearing in front of her.

[Base Class Selection Unlocked. Please select a class:

‎ - Artificer (Tier 4): You will acquire abilities related to crafting. +2 Intelligence per level.

‎ - Necromancer (Tier 3): You will acquire abilities related to undeath and decay. +1 Intelligence and +1 Spirit per level.

‎ - Blood Mage (Tier 3): You will acquire abilities related to harnessing the power of your blood and the blood of others. +1 Stamina and +1 Spirit per level.

‎ - Thief (Tier 2): You will acquire abilities related to acquiring goods, dextrous combat, enhancement, and physical combat. +1 Agility per level.

…

‎ ]

She ignored the text. Dropping to her knees, she looked up, the panic surging through her. Her eyes watered. “Death, please. You promised!”

No answer came. The ball of runes sat there, glowing like the sun. As dread ran down her spine, she watched the stupid runes appear. With a furious scream, she willed the counters into existence, exploding them everywhere. Her focus shifted to the glowing sun, and she lurched to her feet. I will break everything if you —

[Kindra, give me a minute. I vow to get you out. ~Death]

She took a deep breath. You’d better. Text appeared in front of her face once more.

[Base Class Selection Unlocked. Please select a class:

‎ - Artificer (Tier 4): You will acquire abilities related to crafting. +2 Intelligence per level.

‎ - Necromancer (Tier 3): You will acquire abilities related to undeath and decay. +1 Intelligence and +1 Spirit per level.

‎ - Blood Mage (Tier 3): You will acquire abilities related to harnessing the power of your blood and the blood of others. +1 Stamina and +1 Spirit per level.

‎ - Thief (Tier 2): You will acquire abilities related to acquiring goods, dextrous combat, enhancement, and physical combat. +1 Agility per level.

…

‎ ]

She forced herself not to scream and glared at the text. “System, what do the tiers mean?”

[Tiers are based on the number of assignable attribute points acquired each level.]

Kindra looked at them. “So Artificer gives me four attributes? Necromancer gives me three? Like a video game.”

[Yes. That’s correct.]

Looking down the list, she willed the others into view and saw tier two and one classes more suited to a medieval setting. I don’t want to be some stinking necromancer or blood mage. She picked Artificer without another thought.

[Artificer Selected. Please confirm.]

“Is this a video game?”

[The system is designed to guide your magical growth. It is not a game.]

“What’s magic?”

[This data is unavailable. Would you like to submit a ticket?]

“Yes.” She sighed. “Are the runes magic?”

[Yes.]

“Is there a guide for new people?”

[This help document is unavailable. To create a ticket, please confirm.]

“Confirm.” She watched as a beam of light lit the room. It flowed into her, and relief spread through her. This is new at least.

[You have acquired the Artificer class.]

[You have acquired the ability: ‘Enhance Item.’ Imbue magical runes onto an item, unlocking additional potential. These runes will fade in time. Mana and materials affect rune strength and duration. ]

[You have acquired the racial passive: ‘Empowered Blood.’ You may use blood as a reagent in crafting. ]

[You have acquired the racial passive: ‘Runic Sight.’ You perceive magic and runes. ]

Humans have empowered blood and runic sight? She shook her head. Whatever. Just let me out.

Looking at the darkness around her, she frowned. Death, I will start breaking things if you don’t let me out.

The silly runes reappeared, and she promptly broke all of them. “System! You’re next!” She manifested runes and walked toward the ball of light. It thrummed, and a pillar of light engulfed her. Pain came with it, blossoming in her chest in exquisite agony. Gasping, she looked up and was launched into the light.

Reality hit her like a truck. Pain wracked her body, and she failed to scream. Her lungs refused to move. It felt like she was drowning. The metallic scent of blood filled the air. Blurs surrounded her, and everything went dark.