Chapter 1: Questions for God - Negotiations with a God

He had died. It was really quite obvious. The last thing he remembered was the hissing mask of sleeping gas being placed over his face. After that, he found himself in a dark space, an empty void. Well, empty would be misleading. He could see a black mist occluding the surroundings, so if there was anything else he was being kept from seeing it. The only thing he could actually see was the platform beneath his feet. It was made of glowing white rocks - shaped almost like river rocks, and it provided the only source of light for the space.

The other thing he'd noticed that made him certain that he was dead was the fact that he was standing. It had been an abrupt realization: he was standing. The legs that had never supported him, that had broken easily on many occasions, were now able to easily bear up the weight of his body.

He even recognized how foolish it was of him to get so excited over that and his ability to fully extend his fingers. Was he overreacting?

Well, a smile bloomed across his face, he would take it even if it was overreacting. The useless body he'd had was now replaced with one that allowed him to move as he wanted. The lack of a heartbeat in his chest was rather off-putting, but it was worth it.

His personal inventory completed James turned his thoughts back to his parents. His mother...wouldn't be doing too well right now. His father would be hurting too, but he'd try to hold it together for his mother.

James really hoped that they would act on his request for a younger sibling soon. If they could just replace him it would make it easier for them to move on...

"That," a mild voice echoed from behind him, "is a foolish thought."

James turned as quickly as he was able and nearly dumped himself onto the floor. Standing? Fine. Walking? Practice needed.

Once he'd turned around he focused on the man behind him. He had white hair that fell down to his shoulders, wore a white robe, and had a neat beard the same color as his hair. Apparently, he also hadn't finished speaking.

"It isn't possible to replace one child with another. When one is lost a hole is created that can't be filled by anyone or anything. For a time, this hole can threaten to swallow the person. Some are swallowed. Your parents will be fine with time."

James started walking shakily over to where the man was, even falling once in his haste to reach him. Once he almost got close enough to touch the white-haired man he asked,

"You are certain that my parents will be fine?"

A gentle smile spread across the face of the man and he rested his right hand on James' shoulder, "Yes, but it will take time."

James lowered his head and balled his hands into fists in an effort to stop them from shaking.

"Sorry, but I need to ask: Who are you to tell me this? I don't know who you are, I don't know if I can believe you."

The man reached up with his other hand, began to stroke his beard, and nodded thoughtfully. "Yes, that is a good question. Don't worry, I don't take any offense at it. Quite simply, I am the God of Earth."

It was interesting. When James heard those words he believed God without a moment of hesitation. No matter how he thought about it he couldn't see the words as anything but truth.

God chuckled, "Well, I am a God of Truth after all. When I speak all men know what I say is true. It's a part of my [Authority]. Even you didn't doubt that I was telling the truth about your parents, you just doubted my identity."

James nodded. Everything did indeed line up. The fists he had balled up were slowly lifted up to place over his eyes. He didn't know why, but he didn't want to show God his expression.

James felt God's gentle grip on his shoulder tighten a little, but still remained comforting, "The reason is simple. You have a question you want to ask, but feel you shouldn't. It's a question that all humans ask about me their entire lives. The question is: ‘Why?’

“'Why would God do this to me? Why would I have to experience this or that?’ It's a question that burns in your heart, but a part of you doesn't want to hear the answer. Fear not. I find that your ‘Why?' is one of the best ones I've seen. Please ask me your why."

James lowered his shaking fists from his eyes and looked God in the eye for a long moment. He took a deep breath and nodded, "Why would my parents be cursed with such a son as I? I was doomed to die from the beginning. I was nothing but a burden. I..."

James cut himself off, unable to say anything more. The torrent of complaints threatened to surge forth ceaselessly if he didn't stop it there, and he still hated complaining. He'd even said more than he wanted to already.

The smile on God's face got broader - more like a proud Grandfather than God, "Hmmm. This is why I like your ‘why.’ You could have asked me why you were born crippled, why your parents had such a hard time taking care of you, or why you didn't die sooner, but instead you ask for another's sake."

God let out a loud and booming laugh, "This is why I like you! Very well, the answer to your ‘why?’ is a simple one, and it reflects the very question you asked. Your parents weren't cursed with you, they were blessed with you."

James felt a bit dazed on hearing that. He knew his parents did the best they could, but he couldn't see how...

“‘How?' That is also very simple: they wouldn't have been able to love anyone as much as you. Love is a skill or talent like anything else. It starts from something small and needs to be grown. It is hard for a child to understand the love a parent has for them, but it is a tremendous thing. In your parents, it became truly spectacular.

"They were continually aware that they could lose you at any moment, they knew how limited their time was, so they endeavored their entire lives to love you more and more. I placed you with them FOR them. They will treasure the memories they have of you their entire lives, they will brag to your younger sister constantly about you, and she'll grow up loving and respecting you despite the fact that she will never meet you. They'll be able to love her more deeply and quickly than would normally be possible. You have made an impact - a good one. For that, I can't be more proud of you."

James felt his knees give way, and he fell into a chair instead of the floor. It had appeared out of nowhere.

They hadn't loved him "in spite of," but "because of"... To be completely honest, it rocked his world. He had to take a minute to process it.

For the first time, he felt a true sense of peace.

He looked back up at God who had patiently been waiting for him. He felt a swelling emotion in his chest that he tried to express in the best way he could:

"Thank you."

"You are welcome. Please don't worry about your parents. I will see that they are looked after. I have mighty blessings prepared for them. You are about to have a task placed before you, please focus on it and move forward. There is no need nor reason for you to look back."

James lowered his head, unsure how to respond. Move on, could he? He wasn't sure, and a task? He was dead. Was there something the dead could do?

"No, the dead have no power, but your fate isn't to remain with the dead. Come, there is another who you will need to speak to."

God helped James to his feet and led him to a path made of the same white stones that he hadn't seen earlier. With God's help, walking became much easier for James and it gave him some much needed practice as they spent quite a bit of time walking along in silence, before reaching the end of the path that lead to another platform - similar to the ones James started on, but far bigger.

To his left, there was an hourglass of settled sand with only a single grain of sand in the upper half. Across the room, there was an overly plush pink armchair that made him uncomfortable to see for some reason. It probably had something to do with the floating robe that was placed where only a torso was, but it outlined legs as it fell to the floor. He could tell where the respective hands were because they were both stained with paint. There was also a streak of paint across what seemed to be the forehead like the ‘person’ had forgotten they had wet paint on their hands and tried to wipe off sweat. As for the feet...what were those? Crocs?

...

...

...

Moving on.

The whole thing about this...person made James pretty uncomfortable. The banner hanging behind the invisible person only added to the feeling. The words: "Welcome to Trans'Du'Niir James!" were written in big capital letters and the rest of the space was filled with little designs: smiley faces, stars, whorls, hearts, confetti, and more.

James felt all the features on his face go neutral and his eyes became half-lidded in an unimpressed expression. He glanced over to see God making the same expression.

James was able to notice all those details in the short time before the floating torso began moving. It stood up, the paint stained hands spread wide, and ‘he’ shouted, "Welcome to Trans'Du'Niir Brave and Noble One! I am Raften the Overseer! You have been blessed to win the Afterlife Lottery, a rare chance that will allow you to be sent to another world to-"

God disappeared from beside James, appeared right in front of Raften, and proceeded to punch him in the face, he went flying back, and slammed through both the garish armchair and the lurid banner before hitting the platform.

James had to give God some points, that was a satisfying punch. The fact that he seemed to do so out of righteous indignation more than anything else helped his impression of the move. Unfortunately for ‘Raften,’ God wasn't done with him yet.

"What kind of lies were you planning to feed the boy, o wicked one?"

"Geh! What are you doing here? Your part has expired!"

God snorted in derision and pointed at the Hourglass. "So long as there is still a single grain in the upper half James still falls under my authority and I will not let it fall until he agrees to this task without being deceived!"

Raften, who had just been lying on the ground, suddenly appeared next to the hourglass and pressed his face up against it. James could see it having a weird effect on the glass as the Overseer's breath began fogging it up. The weird part was that he couldn't see his head, not that his breath was fogging it up.

"There really is a grain in the upper half!"

James felt his unimpressed expression return as the one who so impressively introduced himself began to throw a fit on the ground.

"It's not fair, it's not fair! Your time has been up for years! It's my turn now!"

Raften was even flailing about and rolling around as he said the same thing over and over again.

James turned to God, "Is this really the guy you wanted me to talk to, we didn't take a wrong turn somewhere? No, please tell me we took a wrong turn somewhere."

God rubbed his forehead and sighed in embarrassment, "Sorry, I cannot lie. This is indeed the God we need to speak to - please bear with him. The more powerful a God is the more extreme their personality becomes. This guy, for as childish and easy to distract as he is, remains a very high ranking God. There aren't many that surpass him. Even my rank and [Authority] remain far below his."

James stared at God with a: ‘are you sure about that?’ face. To which God responded with a slow nod.

James placed his head in his hands and let out a long, slow, sigh.

"Oi, oi, oi! You shouldn't sigh like that! Your happiness leaks out with every sigh!"

James looked next to him to see that Raften had approached him abruptly.

The only response he could muster to that was to communicate: "you're an idiot" with his eyes. Based of the motions made by the paint stained hands, Raften flinched.

"That hurts kiddo, that really hurts."

God raised his right hand and said, "I sustain the boy."

Raften's shoulders slumped and he walked back to where his chair had been, created a new one, and sat down before he spoke, "Why would you be so mean?"

God responded, "This much punishment is deserved, you tried to lie to him."

"I just figured that it would make the whole thing easier..."

"Just tell the truth, it's the easiest way to convince him to agree."

James crossed the platform and internally celebrated the fact that he didn't stumble once during the whole process. Once he joined the two Gods who were having a staring contest he waited patiently for them to remember him.

It took a bit of time. About five minutes after it began the staring contest ended in Raften's loss.

The Overseer looked away from God and said, "Fine, I'll tell him the truth, but he doesn't need to know everything."

God nodded, "I can accept that. I will remain here to keep you honest."

"I won't lie again!" Raften shouted angrily.

God responded with a sigh "That's already a lie."

James had a feeling this argument could go on for a while, so he cut in, "Can we just get started? You mentioned something about a task and this guy mentioned something about reincarnation. I would like an explanation."

The two Gods looked at each other for a long moment, then turned to James. Raften seemed to be giving a thumbs up and God nodded.

Raften then cleared his throat loudly and began, "Well, like you heard earlier we want to send you to another world. It won't quite be reincarnation because we'll arrange a body for you the same age as your current one, but as far as the task...I'll tell you later."

James cocked his head in confusion, "Tell me later? Why not now?"

Shockingly, God cut in to support Raften, "Because knowing before you're ready will cause issues. We both have an understanding of your personality, so if we gave you the task now you'd try to finish it as fast as possible. In your rush you'd go down a road that would actually leave you unable to complete the task. It appears Raften's plan is to give you a broad level of freedom until you are in a position to complete the required task."

James frowned, "So you're not telling me something you want me to do because you don't want me to do it yet. You've already warned me, so why not tell me?"

They both responded, "That won't work on you."

God added, "You won't be able to move either of us on this point."

"Yeah, but if you don't tell me what you need me to do there's no way for me to prepare to do it!" James retorted.

Raften chose to shoot down this argument, "You are incorrect sir! The world we're sending you to will allow you to level up like in a video game. Because of your nature you will definitely seek to become stronger. That alone will allow you to prepare for the task we have for you.” Raften fell quiet for a long moment, the paint streak on the forehead tilted like he was thinking, then he said, ”Actually, I suppose it's fine to tell you the task now that I think about it."

God glared at Raften, "Whatever happened to not being moved?"

Raften shrugged, "Relax, I'm not going to tell him the specifics, just the general stuff. He's a smart kid - give him six seconds and he could figure it out on his own. For fun, let's have him guess. I'll just say ‘yes’ or ‘no' to his guess."

Guess, huh. Well, if he could guess that means that he's been given enough clues. The first relevant detail was that he'd be able to level up in this world. Cool, definite upside, but from the reasons they gave him for NOT telling him the task it sounded like levels aren't everything - so rushing to level up will result in failure.

Patience, Strength, and...Danger. They hadn't said it directly, but the price of failure would be dying again. From the sound of things, he'd only have one chance to complete his task. If he put it all in video game terms that would mean his task would be...

"Essentially, I need to hunt down a secret boss or bosses - something stronger than a mere final boss. The kind that requires you get all the special skills and weapons to win, not just pure levels or stats."

The paint mark on Raften's head bobbed, "Full marks. Because of the system this world uses, power needs to be built slowly over time. You can't just rush to the end and start building up there because you won't have a foundation. You'll also have lost several opportunities along the way.

"It's a balancing act. You need to spend time at each magnitude building strength for the next magnitude. If you fail at any stage to build up enough strength before moving on then you'll only end up as half baked.

"So what do you say, will accept this task?"

James didn't even need half a second, "Nope."

In response God doubled over laughing, while Raften let out a scream of “Why?"

Raften’s whining James the time he needed to review his thoughts and reasons. Simply, he didn't stand to gain anything. He hadn't been given a reason to accept, and from his conversation with God he knew he hadn't asked a very important question: "why?"

God chose to cut in to his thought process, "Actually, you stand to gain a lot. You'll have power, fame, money, and a body with no issues. There's a reason for you to accept."

James shook his head, "Wrong. Power and a capable body are givens since I need them to complete the task. Fame and money are irrelevant in the grand scheme of things. Fame is just annoying and I don't need an excess of money, I only need enough for my needs. Based off your argument I still have no reason to say yes. That also leaves out the answer to my "Why?""

Raften chose this moment to cut in -both vocally and physically- to the argument. He reached out and grabbed James' shirt with both hands while tears outlined his invisible cheeks.

"What is it you want? The best weapon in the world? A lost magic art? The most powerful spells? Overpowered Skills? Beautiful Women? TELL MEEEEEEE!!!" Raften let out a crying wail with those last few words.

God muttered in the back, “Not that he’ll be able to get you most of those things…”

After a flickering glance at God, James looked at Raften and a shark-like grin appeared on his face. "Well, I don't know what I want. You'll need to answer my questions so I know what I want. Is that fine?"

Raften nodded vigorously and turned around to return to his chair. God leaned over to James, "You look more like a villain with that smile than a hero."

James wiped the smile off his face, glanced at him and responded, "I have this nasty habit where I like it when things go my way. I had to be careful before because it could cause issues for my parents, but against this guy? No issue."

"Hmph, true."

Raften took this opportunity to sit down heavily in the chair, he rearranged his robe, then informed them with a voice that bled regality, "I am ready, what are your questions?"

The smile appeared on James' face again. Time to begin.

---

James sat back thoughtfully. It had taken a good five hours of questioning, but he'd gotten all the info he needed. At some point he'd been given a chair and God had been sided tracked by his work, but he hadn't really noticed when it all happened. He had been too focused on his victim.

The victim in question -Raften- was currently flat on his back on the ground looking more like the victim of a beating than of a questioning.

He'd learned a lot - it had been very beneficial. To summarize: he'd learned about the world, the system, the races, some of the history, differences in culture, the religion, and his "why?" Honestly, five hours wasn't enough time for him to learn absolutely everything he wanted to know, but he'd be fine learning the rest with time. The answer to his "why?" was kinda stupid. "He had the soul that they were looking for." Raften had refused to explain anything more than that - no matter how much James tried to pry it out of him. Regardless, the thing he focused the most on was his questions about the system.

He spent three hours on that alone. He only touched lightly on the history and geography of the world, and he honestly didn't care about the politics so he didn't ask, better to not get involved in any case. He'd spent a bit of time on the various races and the religion because those would be very relevant, but all the questions besides the ones about the system were there to satisfy simple curiosity.

It had helped him reach a simple conclusion: it was really easy to mess up with the System of this world. Oh, that didn't mean that he wouldn't be strong, but it meant that every time he messed up his upper limit was decreased significantly.

The upper limit for what? [Classes], [Skills], and even [Affinities]. It made him weep internally to hear about, but he would need almost a year before it all became relevant to him.

Regardless, he'd reached his decision.

"Raften," the God in question lifted his head up off the ground, "I know what I want."

Raften laughed eagerly and hopped to his feet, "I'm all ears my boy!"

James smiled gently in return, "I want information."

"Huh? But I just-"

"I need a way to know when the time is right to [Evolve] [Classes] and [Skills]. From what you've told me I need to get it right without making ANY mistakes. I can't afford to guess or I might have to start over, and I couldn't stand the wasted time. That is my request."

Raften sat back in his chair and appeared to go deep into thought. Behind James, God was grumbling over a stack of paperwork. No need to bother him.

The moment of pondering for Raften lasted a minute before he responded, "It's do-able. I can create a [skill] for you. You'll receive it the second you become connected to the system, but are you sure that's all you want?"

"I'm certain. Don't add or do anything else."

Raften shook his head, "Sorry, no can do kid. I can't have you on the same level as everyone else. For this task you and your entire party need to be head and shoulders above everyone else."

"Then I won't go."

"Relax kid. I won't give you anything you don't have. In fact, I won't even get to decide it."

"What do you mean?"

Raften waved his hand to gesture at the dark mists around them, "This place is called Trans'Du'Niir, just by passing through here with help from a God you will receive blessings. These blessings will enhance something you already have. I don't know what they'll all be, but I can promise that there will be five of them. I know for certain what one of them will do, but that's for you to find out. Decide for yourself how useful it is."

James pinched his chin in thought, "You won't tell me anything, huh?" He could tell Raften was serious this time too, "So you're saying that there's no choice here?"

Raften bobbed his head, "Pretty much, yeah. I can take away the Blessing, but I won't do it. In fact, my plan was to call your party members here one by one during their sleep so that they can receive the same Blessing. Trust me when I say this," for the first time, Raften's tone became dead serious, "You will need all the power you can get to complete the task I have in mind for you - don't turn your nose up at this."

James closed his eyes and thought for a long moment about what Raften had just said. Well, he didn't really have a reason to refuse. He wasn't really sure what Raften meant when he hinted at what the Blessings would do, but he would see.

"Very well, I accept your proposal. You accept my demands?"

"I do."

Raften reached down, took off one of his Crocs, and threw it at God. It bounced off his face and he slowly started to put down his pen while glaring at Raften.

Once he'd wandered over, Raften spoke once more, "Then, with the God of Earth, who I call upon as a God of Truth as our witness, I declare this agreement a binding contract. I, Raften, the Overseer do here-by agree to gift the recipient -James- with all the basic things he needs to fulfill the task which he has been given. At his own request I will also be endowing him with a special power that will assist him in understanding the system of his new world.

"As a part of the basic "things" he needs I will also be gifting him with a body so that he may be physically capable of performing the necessary task and I will provide [Quests] on occasion for him to gain strength. Though limited, due to my lack of [Authority] over this world, I will assist in whatever ways I can.

"In exchange, James has agreed to complete the task given and will do everything and anything to gain the strength needed to do so. I will personally act as his [Administrator] and also as the [Administrator] of those who he recruits into his party and/or Guild if he decides to create one. Does the recipient accept?"

"I do."

God said solemnly, "As witness and by virtue of my position as a God of Truth I uphold this agreement to be valid. May you both remain oath-keepers."

A light shined between the three of them that blinded James. Once it had faded they looked at each other for a long moment, then looked over to the corner of the platform where the hourglass had shattered.

God spoke softly, "My role is done. James, I will uphold the promise I made to you about your parents, you make sure you uphold your promise with Raften." He then disappeared like ink on a whiteboard being wiped away.

Raften stepped forward cheerfully, "It's time for you to go." He clapped a hand on James' shoulder and lead him to the edge of the white stone platform, "Ah! By the by, I hope you like your new name. Because of the method I used to get your body, you can't keep your old name or appearance, but I'll have you know the name is special, and I adjusted your new body to be a near perfect fit for your soul. I had to interfere quite a bit with the course of history in that world, but there's no issue, so you have absolutely no need to worry."

"Wait, hold on! What are you-?"

Raften casually shoved him off the platform, as he fell he heard Raften's voice echo down to him, "Have fun Crimson, make me proud!"

Crimson? Wha-? Was that...his new name?

"What kind of name is Crimson? Your naming sense is horrible!" Crimson's outraged cry probably didn't make it to Raften's ears, but he'd still make his displeasure clear!

What kind of delusional mind would you need to think Crimson was a good name???