“So….What’s all this?”

Looking around there’s nothing in sight, not like a room but just nothingness. Not even an echo.

“It’s what you want it to be, right now you don’t know what to think, so it’s a clean slate.”

“Is that so…” Struggling to hold back a jump I turn around in a circle looking everywhere for the disembodied voice.

“Over here son, take a seat.”

As I turn I finally see a man and two chairs in a space I was sure was empty when I spun around. I calm myself for a second before I slowly walk towards the unknown man.

“Don’t be afraid, I’m not one to be on edge about.” Possibly noticing my second of hesitation as I sit down

“Tea, coffee, or water?” He gesture to a table between the chairs.

That wasn’t there when I first looked. “Um… Water please.”

“I’m sure you have questions…” He reaches down and pours two glasses of water. “And to be completely honest some, or even most, of them I might not be able to answer, but trust I will do my best.”

Reaching out he hands me a glass.

“Okay…Then I guess I’ll start with who are you…” taking a sip I observe the man and his movements. He’s not old but not young, but he gives off an air of age.

“I’ve been known by a few names, I’m not too particular on one over the other. In the end they are nothing more than just that, a name. But for the time being I guess you can call me Milas.”

“Milas…..okay. So where are we, you said before it is what I want it to be but what do you mean by that.”

The man…Milas… chuckles a little as he sips his water.

“I can’t tell you that, even with how long I’ve been around. Even I can’t discern the origins of this place. Some speculated that this is where it all began. Some see it as a type of purgatory before the decide what to do after.” He sips again and exhales slowly.

Purgatory….wait, does that mean…

“You didn’t die. If that’s what’s going through your mind. From what I’ve seen since Ive been here in this space, you were chosen to come here.” He continues to drink casually all the while I’ve all but forgotten I even had a cup myself.

“What do you mean I was chosen, any why?” Confused I places my cup back on the table and turned towards Milas.

Shaking his head he smiles softly. “That I can’t answer either. I’ve seen many types come through, be it great men and women or the worst of murderers and war mongerers. Those from all walks are chosen to come here for one reason or another. I know not why you’re here but I know I’m here to help guide you to what’s next.”

“What’s next…?”

“Take a look at this.” Milas waves his hand in front of the two of us and a ripple appears. Slowly opening to about the size of a front windshield of a car what appears to be stars and space appear. “You’re an educated young man, so I assume you know the general idea of how your world and universe was created. Right?”

“Kind of? I mean were taught in school about the big bang but people still doubt it…” Getting even more confused I get lost still staring at the small dots in the spacy void.

*Snap*

A single snap echo’s throughout the area and an explosion appears in the void in front of them.

“Sh**!” Falling back into the chair I watch as all the small dots get consumed by the fireball.

“Congratulations, you just witnessed the creation of a universe.” Smiling Milas sits back and crossed his legs.

Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more.

“Wait…so you’re telling me that just….”

Laughing “No I’ve just watched this a few too many times I’ve gotten the snap timed perfectly, I don’t have the power to create a universe myself. I guess you can say this is a recording of the Naru Universe. The thing is, each and every universe is special, like how your world science was fact and magic is fantasy, there are worlds where that fantasy is reality. The monsters and beast from story time are real. Even those novels you read, the ones you think are fiction…even those can be real. It’s all a matter of just finding that universe. ”

I just have to find it….in all honesty, though I’m keeping a calm outside my inner nerd if freaking out about the possibility to live the life of an adventurer or dungeon diver. Like the books or comics, I just have to find the right universe.

“Wait, you said you don’t have the power to make a universe, but does that mean you can send me to one of those universes where all that is real..?”

“Correct.” He leans over and casually pours another glass of water.

“It’s as I’ve said before, this space is nothing more than a halfway point, in between your past and you’re future. What happens here in this moment will determine what will happen when we’re done with our talk.”

I stay silent for a bit thinking over the conversation from beginning to now and even about what could have lead up to this point. He himself was nothing special, only 25 so I’ve barely even lived a life back home. I’ve done nothing major aside from completing my 4 years of mandatory service and fighting in the pointless war that was going on back there. No family, or girlfriend….getting depressed thinking back on it I laugh and shake my head.

“So, are you ready to move on to your future?” Milas stands up and looks down at me still with a smile and calming eyes, like the eyes of a teacher whose student is moving on to the next grade.

I’ve got nothing to lose leaving my old home, so I sand with him “Alright, let’s do it. I want to move on.”

“Wonderful.” Milas waves his hand and everything around them disappears leaving them standing again in the nothingness.

“The world I’ll be sending you to is called Remis, It’s a world of magic, dungeons, demons and monsters. But you’ll be fine ill help guide you. For the most part at least.” Smiling even more so he starts to walk off slowly fading as if turning to glass.

“Where are you going? Wait!” I try to run to catch up but my limbs get heavy and my vision starts to go black.

‘What’s going on….i can’t…i...

[Name?]

“What?”

[Name: What]

[Confirm? Yes/No…]

“No!”

What’s going on here, is this like some game or something, character customization?

[Name?]

“Thomas Allen” let’s see what happens when I use my real name...

[Name: Thomas Allen]

[Confirm? Yes/No…]

“Yes.”

[Name Confirmed]

[Sex: Male/Female]

“Male”

[Age?]

“24”

‘It really is a character creation….i wonder if I choose my job and skills to…’

I laugh a little bit waiting for the next question to come but it doesn’t, instead a simple message appears in front of me.

[System: Welcome Mr. Allen, to Remis. You will soon be placed randomly in the world. Good luck.]

‘That’s it?’ A little disappointed I was about to voice my dissatisfaction with the lack of details, but once again my vision goes black.

A few seconds later I start to get feeling back in my body and my eyes start to clear up again. Laying down I feel the usual feeling of grass on the bare skin of my arms and the gentle blow of wind across my face.

“If I could not have that happen again that would be appreciated” I mutter to myself as I slowly prop myself up to take a look around.

“I’m sorry about that Thomas, I tried to make it a smooth transition but it has been a few hundred years since I’ve don’t it.” Again Milas voice was herd where his body was nowhere to be found.

“Where are you now?” I observe my surroundings not really looking for him but absorbing the beauty of the scenery around me.

Sitting up I realize I’m in an open field of grass that seems to go on for quite a while before it comes to a forest in the distance. Watching the wind blow waves in the rolling grass was calming, it helped ease myself a bit.

“I’m back in the space, I can’t leave yet until it’s the proper time, but I can talk to you and help out when you need. You just have to think my name and I’ll answer. And don’t worry no one else can hear me, just you.” I swear I can hear his smile in his voice. “I’m a little tired after using my powers after such a long time so I’ll keep this quick before I sleep for a bit. I made it so that it’s like those games and novels you read so it shouldn’t be too hard to survive until you get to civilization, just think it and a menu will appear in your vision. Neat huh!? I also gave you a few skills and gear to help get you started so you’re not completely defenseless out here.” His voice gets a bit faded with the last sentence. “I have to go now, I’ll be able to talk to you again in about a week, survive until then okay? Have fun Thomas.”

‘What….”

And Like that he’s gone….and I’m here….alone….

I hang my head a little bit and laugh.

“What have I gotten myself into” I mutter as I stand up. “He said it’s like a game so, let’s have fun like it is one.” I begin walking towards the forest in the distance.

Lets experiment then.

Info. I think to myself since its like a game I must have a stats panel and inventory right? Almost as soon as I finish thinking it, a screen about the size of a piece of paper appears in front of me with some words on it.

Name: Thomas Allen

Age: 24

Title: -none-

Job: -none-