Chapter 2: The Afterlife

Pitch black.

That was the only thing I could “see”, wherever I was.

One second, I was seeing the back entrance of an ambulance but now this… Is this the in between pathway towards the afterlife? Or is this depressing place the afterlife?

I guess for now I should just walk in a straight line. Maybe I will trigger an event like in those open world games.

“Hello? Is there anyone here?”

I gestured my hand horizontally hovering over my forehead as if the effort of sight was being produced.

You can hear a needle drop with how silent it was. Did my soul mess up direction wise? I expected many other souls to be jam packed here like an airport.

Wherever I am, it seems this is neither Heaven nor Hell. Did I really live such a polarizing life that God couldn’t decide?

Wait am I actually in a anime?? From all the isekai I watched, they were always in a different dimension that wasn’t what most people would think the afterlife is. I began to run with tears of joy in my eyes shouting, “WHERE ARE YOU MY BEAUTIFUL GODDESS?! Heh heh!”

This must be how kids feel when they are at the candy store. Surprisingly I haven’t tripped yet or bumped into anything.

…

“A-ahem… cough, cough.”

“I think it’s time.”

Am I hearing things?

I tried turning my neck both left and right….. Did I not learn my lesson from just a moment ago. Maybe concussions can carry on after death?

Snap.

That sounded like someone’s fingers. While I thought that, the once dark room was filled with lights. A bunch of confetti and colorful powdered smoke consumed my view.

“Uhhhhh….” I continued to look at the bizarre scenario as the smoke began to outline two shadowy figures.

“Who is there?”

“When you need guidance-“

“When you need a path-“

“There’s no one to go to other than Alma and Aide!”

…

I don’t know what I find more annoying: them going back and forth in unison or the weird collaborative pose they are doing. All I can do is stare at them in disbelief.

After a few moments of silence, they stopped doing their pose. Finally… They weren’t getting a standing ovation from me.

“Well so much of an audience, he’s so boring.” The young woman said, dusting the confetti off her body.

“Well, it’s to be expected. Not many people would know how to react, after going from dark to this.” The little boy next to her followed in response.

Actually, it’s the fact that I’m seeing this first thing after dying.

“I know what would get a response from him.” The woman smirked, snapping her fingers.

A strange device appeared in the air, projecting a floating rectangular screen.

“You should have just said you wanted to watch some Netflix with me.” I jokingly responded after seeing how attractive she was. Long flowing angelic silver hair that reached down till the beginning of her butt. I could talk about her butt for hours and how perfectly shaped and ample they are, but I will spare you all.

“First thing we are showing is you luring and taking a little girl to your home.”

Wait what?!

“You got that wrong!” I shouted panicky.

“The footage isn’t doing you any favors.” The woman countered back.

The footage shown was during my third year as a wrestler. I was out in the parking lot during my day off, so I didn’t have my mask on. I’ve been so secretive that no one knew who I was behind the mask. There was a little girl who looked lost and scared without her parents.

Me being the good-hearted person I am, decided to go help her out by getting her attention. It took a while at first due to her being hesitant of a stranger. A few peak a boos later and I was able to gain her trust. She told me she lost sight of her mother, so we went on a quest to find her.

As she held my hand, we walked past a few blocks before walking by a couple. It so happens that that was the moment I opened my mouth to say, “After we’re finish, I will go to my van and get you some candy.” Next thing you know, I felt a tap on my shoulder to see an officer smiling at me, pointing towards his car. It took a lot of explaining to free myself, at least the girl was safely back to her mother.

I summarized the context of the story to the woman and kid. Yet the woman had a look on her face that you would only give to someone bullshitting.

“How can I believe your story and that you didn’t have any ill intentions, when’ve you been staring at my ass the entire time.” She crossed her arms in, slanting her body slightly to the left.

“I wasn’t at all!”

“Sir, please try to be less obvious with your stares.” The little boy said, scratching his long black hair.

Man, I thought my peripheral vision was enough to not get me caught… I should have just looked directly instead.

“I have something else to show you.” The woman said snapping her fingers which changed the footage.

Hmm, this footage seems awfully familiar, like I have seen this before. I squinted a little harder to get a better view. Wait a minute, is this…. IS THIS FOOTAGE OF MY DEATH?!

I won’t lie, reliving the chokeslam that caused my death hurt, but what hurt most was the woman hysterically laughing as my soul began to leave.

“HAHA OH MAN, NOT ONLY DID YOUR SOUL WAVE AS IT LEFT BUT YOU WAILING YOUR ARMS AROUND LIKE A CRAZED FOOL WAS THE CHERRY ON TOP!” She dropped on her back, kicking her feet while holding her stomach.

“Alma, please don’t laugh, that’s rude.” The little boy gestured politely for the woman, who I now know is Alma, to control herself.

Even though I still can’t see my face, I feel my eyebrows and the end of my lips twitch in anger. I will give her a piece of my mind.

“Why are you laughing at my death?! Are you that insensitive? You do know it’s bad karma to laugh at someone’s death!”

“What do you mean? Was that not funny? Because I found it very funny!”

There was a pause after as the little boy, who by process of elimination, is Aide, calmed her down. Then suddenly… “Pfft!”

“You really aren’t taking this seriously??”

Alma’s eyebrows relaxed as she looked straight into my eyes.

“No, I take this job very seriously,” She said wagging her finger, “Tragic souls dying from brutal or natural deaths, pains my heart as I diligently guide them.”

That sincerity in her eyes and tone, I think I could fall for h-

“You on the other hand have a personality I don’t like, so no respect for you.”

She looked at me as if I was trash on the side of the road.

“I’m tired of hearing your voice, where is the Goddess?”

“Huh? What do you mean? I’m right here?” She raised her eyebrow in a confused look.

I will ask one more time.

“I’m tired of hearing your voice, where is the Goddess?”

“Hello? Are you blind? I’m right here.” Alma began waving her hand in the direction of my face.

“I’m tired-“

“Sir, please don’t push her buttons.” Aide interrupted me with a warning voice tone.

“I don’t believe you what type of goddess would laugh at a dead person?”

“Don’t talk to me like that with that face.”

At that moment, my heart dropped to my stomach. Cold sweat began to produce out of my body.

“Y-you can see my face?!” I tried putting my hands over my face.

“Um yeah, the whole time.”

…

“Wait why? Is there a problem?”

“I’m not allowed to show anyone what my actual face looks like!”

“But who car-“

“This is bad! This is bad! This is bad! This is bad! This is-“

“Why are you worrying so much?”

“Because I will have to answer for my crimes!”

Someone who knows about my career and face is a seriously bad thing. There’s not supposed to be a connection between the two.

Alma looked more unmoved, “But you’re dead.”

“Huh?... Oh.”

“Yeah.”

Don’t stare at me like I’m dumb after you finally said something rational.

“Alma please don’t pay too much attention to our guests unusual face, that’s rude.”

At least Aide is on my sid-wait a minute, what’s unusual about my face?!

“What did you mean by that?”

Before Aide could answer a bright light flashed down from above, blinding us all.

“Goddess Alma, you must be quick with your clients.” A soft angelic voice permeated the void.

Alma flashed a displeased look at the angelic being. Must be another Goddess or worker.

“Ugh what do you want?”

“Have you forgotten me? I’m the one who transfers the souls to their destination after you guide them.”

“Oh, this whole process is insignificant, I don’t remember who you are.”

“That attitude is why you have the most complaints out of all Goddesses.”

Alma crossed her arms, “And? I still have this job.”

“Actually, Goddess Alma, those complaints are exactly why I am here earlier than usual. The way you treated your new client was the final straw.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“I have received word, that you have been fired from your job. As for your punishment, hmm, you will accompany the client.”

“!? NO THAT CAN’T BE RI-“

Before Alma could finish, the other Goddess placed a mute spell on her.

“Oh I forgot. Sir, what is your name?”

I don’t feel like giving my real name…. My wrestling name should be fine.

“My name is Nemo as in nobody.” Although it doesn’t mean much, since my face is visible….

The other Goddess paused for a moment as if she was caught off guard hearing a strange name.

“Nice to meet you Nemo. Is there any request you would like to make before being sent off?”

That was an easy question to answer.

“Can I please have my mask with me? I don’t like having my face visible.”

The Goddess smiled, “As you wish.”

At that moment a mask appeared in my hands. It looked like an exact replica of my original mask.

Across from me, Aide is trying to calm Alma down. Currently, she is silently screaming and punching the air.

“Okay are you all ready? I will now transport you all.”

“Wait, is it possible for me to come with Alma?” Aide calmly asked.

“It seems you are more attached to Alma than what you lead on.”

“I guess you can say that.” Aide shyly confessed.

The Goddess smiled softly, “That wish is granted.”

“On the count of three, you all will be gone.”

Okay let me brace myself.

“One….. TWO!”

Suddenly a huge hole appeared as it sucked all three of us simultaneously.

“Oh…. Alma never said where you would have been sent…. You all never got to that part…. Good luck!”

Huh?!?! What happened to saying three?! Wait???? What was that last part?!?

The last thing I saw was a crying Alma as Aide held on to her and the Goddess giving us a smile.

Thud!

That wasn’t the softest landing, like…. At all.

I hit the ground hard. Not only that Alma landed on my back forcefully, followed by Aide.

I slowly lifted my head up to see where we were.

It was just empty, like a wasteland.