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“Hey kid, move.”

Eiric remains still on the castle stairs, Verdandi’s appearance leaving him dazed.

“What the, he’s a dog.” Eiric said.

“Wolf, you brat. You humans, maybe I should prevent you from causing trouble now.” The wolf man said.

“No need for that, committing a sin before the angels is sure to have dire consequences.” A human woman steps in front of Eiric.

“Hmph, if he causes trouble, it will be your fault.”

“Oh, he’s just a sweet child.” The woman kneels and fixes Eiric’s hair. Around her neck hangs a necklace the letters J and M etched into the pendant. “What, did you fall out of the sky? Ehm, I’m Livild.”

“Eiric. Thank you.”

“Of course, I’m sure you’re as surprised as I was. It will make some sense soon. Follow me.”

“Oh! I came here with a friend. Have you seen her?”

“A friend? I can’t say I’ve seen any youngster other than you.”

“What? She said she was here.”

“Did she? Strange, I’ve never heard of such a thing. Then again, we’re in a world of magic now. Maybe she got here before you, I hear time passes differently here.”

“Magic?”

“Oh yes! Let me give you the tour!”

Livhild drags Eiric inside the castle. The welcoming hall is an endless room with every amenity a person could need. Food, water, and beds, though souls never need any of it.

Guards like those of the stairs are placed around the room, the mass of souls inside stray way from them.

“Are we in heaven?” Eiric said.

Livhild walks Eiric over to a window. Outside is a vast mountain range with even more animals than those inside the building.

“Some call it that, but we’re only in heavens waiting room hahaha.”

“Waiting room?”

“Yes. You’ve been reincarnated, and now you’ll wait here until the angels get to you and send you off to the new world.”

“I see. Maybe I’ll find Sigrun there.”

“Sigrun? That’s a pretty name. Oh! Here, meet my friends, Jarnskeggi or Skeggi for short, and Halvard.”

Halvard and Skeggi are both human males. Halvard is young, maybe the age of a college boy, and Skeggi looks to be the age of Livhild who reminds Eiric of Ms. Hilda.

“Nice to meet you.” Skeggi said, “You’re the youngest I’ve seen, though that is for the best I guess.”

“He’ll have more time now.” Halvard said.

“We don’t know that. We could be sent at any age.” Skeggi said.

“Oh, I’d like to experience the wonders of youth even once more.” Livhid said.

“Didn’t you say you’re no older than 22?” Skeggi said.

“I was when I got here eons ago hahaha.”

“Oh please, we’ve only been here a few months. Though, the passage of souls has slowed. I wonder if they’re busy. Say kid, want to learn the ropes?”

“Uhm, I’m not sure where to start?”

“I have the perfect place. You’ve got a lot to learn after all. Luckily, there’s a pamphlet.”

Eiric jumps as a strange screen appears before him.

“Gahaha, he got spooked.”

“Stop bullying him dang it. Eiric. That there is your status screen. The pamphlet just helps open it for the first time, but you got it now.” Livhild said.

“Wow.”

“Hm, his stats are lower than ours. I guess age may have a something to do with it after all.”

“His intellect is almost as high as yours.” Halvard said.

“Hey… you’re right.” The three laugh at the sudden realization.

“Eiric, stick with us. We’ll keep you company while we’re here and teach you more about this world.” Livhild said.

“You will?”

“Of course. We can’t leave a kid alone. Even if we know little about this world, learning together will be much more fun. What do you say?”

“I’d love to.”

“Oh! Would you like to see your old family? I know it can be painful, but knowing they’re ok is always nice.” Skeggi said.

“I didn’t have a family.”

“You didn’t?”

“No. Ms. Hilda said I was found on the river and taken to the orphanage.”

“Oh, ow!” Skeggi rubs his head after a quick tap from Livhild.

“Well, it’s never too late to make family and friends. You can start with us.”

“Skeggi was disowned.” Halvard said.

“I wasn’t disowned! I was banished from family grounds.” Skeggi said.

“Whatever the case, we’re here to help. Follow me, we’ll get you some food and new clothes.”

“Now hold on tight. You got it!” Skeggi said.

A month has passed since Eiric’s arrival. Livhild, Jarnskeggi, and Halvard, have taught Eiric everything they know of their new world; from accessing his status screen to the basics of how magic is used down below, the trio have used their time to prepare the young addition for what is to come.

Today, they teach how to ride a winged horse. Although rare, learning to ride a winged horse is sign of great care and connection with the animal. For two weeks, Eiric struggled to form the bond, but today he takes to the skies.

“Eiric! You’re doing it!” Livhild said.

“I am? I am!” Eiric holds on tight to his winged horse as they circle the front castle stairs. “This is amazing!”

The winged horse hovers near the top of the castle. From this altitude, the edge of the land underneath the floating castle is visible. Below that is said to be the new world, though much farther down than jumping would make simple to visit.

“Hey, don’t those sides look different?”

Straight ahead, the world remains bright and blue. But such clarity is restricted only there, the other areas around the land of the floating castle are darker with one side covered in a thick haze. In total, there a five sides.

Eiric returns to the castle, hopping off the winged horse before running in front of the animal. “Thank you. Does he have a name?”

“None that I’ve heard. This one never allowed anyone else to ride their back before.” Halvard said.

“You must have a kind heart to ride them I’ve heard.” Livhild said, “Even most reincarnations from this world are unable to ride one. How was it?”

“It was great. Thank you.”

“No problem at all. If you can make friends with a winged horse, I think you’ll be fine down below.”

“Livhild, it’s going to be time soon.” Halvard said.

“Is it? I guess the sun is high. Say, Eiric, want to come with me today?”

“Where to?”

“To meet my son.”

The heaven’s waiting room has many rooms for different uses, one of which is used to view the world of one’s past life.

It’s a dark room with a large orb floating at its center. Livhild places her hand on the orb, the image of a young man sitting by a grave appears soon after.

“Every first Sunday of the month my son visits my grave.”

Mom, I hope you’re doing alright. I am. Job keeps me busy but I’ve finally started cooking again. Thank you for all the recipes you left me. I can’t make them as good as you did of course, but they take me back to my time with you. I brought some for you, we can eat together.

Livhild watches her son eat. Great care and somberness fill her eyes, a desire to return overwhelmed by the hope that her son continues to do well without her.

I’ll be back next month mom. I love you.

“I love you, my son.”

Eiric remains quiet as Livhild takes a moment to settle. He wonders if that is what family is like. He wishes to understand, but he has failed to do so in his time here.

“Ok, I’m ready. We should get back, those two always worry about me here.”

Eiric walks behind everyone as they return to their quarters for the evening. Everyday has been filled with joy since meeting them, but that only makes him feel guiltier.

“Everyone. I’m sorry.”

The group turns to see a teary eyed Eiric. “What’s wrong dear?” Livhild said.

“I know you all said to start with you. I want to think of you as my family. But I always believed I knew who they are, that I just needed to find them. I still don’t know, I’m sorry.”

“Eiric.” Halvard kneels, “It’s fine if you don’t think of us as the family you’re looking for, but you can always add more. I have my family back home, but I also have you guys now. I’ll always consider you a little bother.”

“You can?”

“Of course!” Skeggi said, “We get to keep our memories, you’ll always be part of my family.”

“Then, you guys will always be part of mine.”

“Aw, as you will be for ours dear.”

Eiric’s guilt fades. But, as they do, memories flood into his mind. Livhild distraught, Skeggi in pain, and Halvard crying. Eiric collapses.

“Eiric!”