My praetors and I are lead to some sort of tram system that seems to extend off into the distance. We are escorted by the men wearing black and Lena who also enter the tram with us. Before I know it, the cart shoots off at incredible speeds. From what I can tell, we’re approaching a large city. "So why did you come to this dimension?" Asks Lena.

"We are looking for a way to Heaven. I’ll spare you the details, but I can’t get there normally." She looks confused.

"Do you mean Avennium? As far as we know, some sort of ancient powers made the afterlife."

"No. See, there are an infinite number of dimensions, each with their own planes made by the dimension’s gods. I’m assuming this place you call Avennium was constructed by a now-dead pantheon that used to rule this dimension. But beyond all that there is the true God, Yahweh, and Heaven and Hell. Unless the gods make some sort of safety net for souls, which in your case they did, the souls of the dead will be subject to one of these two fates."

"Then why can’t you go there? Just move to a dimension without an afterlife." I do not answer her.

----------------------------------------

The tram grinds to a halt at the outskirts of the city, which is of course covered by another dome. One of the men escorting us gathers our attention.

"The god-queen will have her doors open to visitors in one hour. Until then feel free to explore the city." He says.

I walk around the streets of the tightly packed city, examining how closely the architecture and technology resembles my home dimension. They’re even selling Nintendo products in that store. Guess they’re still around, too. As I walk, I feel a tug on my focus pouch as it’s ripped from my waist. "Hey! Get back here!" I yell as I chase the perpetrator around the corner into an alley. When I finally catch up with them, I realize the entity that stole my pouch was a small white creature resembling a fox. What the hell… The goggles of revealing tell me that the type of soul the creature has is a wise soul. Could it be? As I approach, the fox creature, with nowhere to go, drops the pouch and bears its fangs at me. I pick it up by the neck and insert a replica of my personal speech device into its neck.

This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

"Ow, hey!" It thrashes around in my hand until it realizes what just happened. "Did I just… talk?" It looks shocked as its eyes gravitate towards me and it ceases its struggle. "How did you…"

"I take it you don’t normally look like this. Tell me, did a god happen to summon you to this world?" It eyes me with a relieved expression and starts to tear up.

"Thank you… so much… I’ve been stuck like this for a year and you’re the first one who I’ve been able to talk to…"

"That’s great and all, but mind telling me why you stole my pouch?" It stops crying and an expression of fear washes over it.

"I… uh… thought there might be food in it. I haven’t eaten in days…"

"How is a creature like you even on this planet?"

"Well, the creature I am is called a Nyx. It’s a genetically engineered type of pet people keep that can adapt to the gravity of any planet."

"The goddess of this world summoned you… as a pet?" I feel my blood boil. "I promise you that bitch will pay for it. Anyways, if you’re her pet, why are you on the streets?"

"Apparently, I wasn’t ‘polite’ enough to her guests. Guess I wasn’t the trophy pet she wanted…"

"Interesting… I didn’t expect to encounter something like this on this expedition. I have a proposition for you. Come back with me to my base and I will grow you a new body; your old body. It will be designed off of your subconscious thoughts and the emanating Desidirium (Desire) Essentia from your brain. I offer this because I pity all who are stuck in your position, and I myself am stuck in the same situation. I will not force you to accept my offer. After your body is complete you can either continue to work with me, or I can send you to your home dimension. What will you choose?" The small "Nyx" creature puts its paw up to its face as if deep in thought.

"Well… I didn’t understand half of what you just said, but going back to my old life is all I really want. Take me with you."

"Glad to hear it. For now, in order to maintain a low profile, I’ll be taking this." I rip the device from the creature’s neck and it lets out a small yelp of anger. "Sorry." I pick it up and carry it towards the palace.

----------------------------------------

I approach the palace with the white creature under my arm. At first glance I can see several automatic turrets mounted on the top of it. Even for such a large building, it seems they spared no expense on defensive systems. Reminds me of the White House. As I approach the palace I see the praetors waiting for me alongside the men wearing black.

"What’s that thing?" One of my praetors asks, referring to the creature I carry.

"It’s of no importance." I hear a small yelp of annoyance. "Our focus right now is meeting the god-queen and establishing inter-dimensional communication." The men wearing black nod and begin to lead us inside. Let’s kill this fucker.