NOVEL NEXT Chapter 1 ‘A meeting… with a God?’
‘To think my dream would come true so soon… gosh, I really am blessed’
Floating in a dark, endless abyss, Leion could hardly process the bliss constantly filling his entire being. Gaining the opportunity to forever indulge in his dreams was a pleasure beyond compare.
‘Man, if I knew death was going to be like this, I would’ve tried it a lot sooner...’
Now, don’t misunderstand Leion. He, like the average individual, desired to live. In fact, Leion would go so far as to state his desire trumped the average individual ten times over. Unlike the average person, who could only experience the pleasures of reality, Leion was capable of escaping it and experiencing far greater joys. Joys found in sleep. This naturally resulted in Leion having a higher desire to live.
‘Hehehe... what should I dream of next?’
Leion had arrived in this paradise some time ago—not that it mattered much. A paradise like this rendered such concepts irrelevant. A good thing for the dead, in terms of one of their many perks. It was perhaps only second to the loss of basic needs. No longer did Leion need to waste time eating, drinking, defecating, and all the other problems that came with being alive. The lack of a body was simply stellar.
‘Ah, that would be just lovely'
Finally picking a particular lucid dream scenario, Leion felt his consciousness slowly start to fade away, ready for his next grand adventure.
That’s enough.
A light, humorous voice echoed in Leion’s mind, stealing his sleep. Reeling from the shock and confusion, Leion tried to search around with his nonexistent eyes for his attacker. Abruptly, pressure pushed down on him.
‘My body?’
As the pressure gripped him, Leion’s bliss turned to a dull ache. What had once been a pleasant void now felt suffocating, the darkness twisting around him like iron chains. His lack of a body suddenly wasn’t a comfort—it was a prison. Panic flared for the first time since he died.
Still completely baffled, it took Leion a scarily long time to notice he was falling. Never having moved through the black abyss, Leion simply assumed it was nothing—merely the absence of light. But now, as the tendrils of darkness tickled his body (?), he pondered for the first time in what must have been ages... where exactly was he?
His body seemed to accelerate faster and faster until suddenly stopping. The darkness around him was still ever-present, yet for some reason, its presence felt weaker.
‘Ugh, this feels so wrong’
A sensation long forgotten assaulted Leion’s mind. How was it even possible for the dead to feel sick? Was he really dead? Leion had always just assumed when he opened his eyes and saw nothing but darkness. He hadn’t really felt his body until now, but that didn’t necessarily mean it hadn’t existed.
‘Agh! Enough thinking!’
Deciding to focus on the important, Leion ignored the distractions to focus on his happiness.
Oi, are you seriously trying to sleep again?
The darkness under Leion parted. Light, in the shape of a giant, emerged from the separation. It rushed over and grasped him before swiftly descending.
Do you know how much trouble you’ve caused me?
A humanoid being made of incandescent white light loomed over Leion. Its presence radiated overwhelming power, yet its tone was almost... amused. Leion struggled to comprehend it, suffering a sensory onslaught. Suddenly, he was breathing, gasping for air. A low hum, accompanied by a sweet smell, burnt his nose and ears. The skin on his body writhed in pain at the gentle, warm touch of the humanoid figure.
My, aren’t you a dramatic one?
The hand holding Leion let go.
A whimper—the product of a failed scream—was the only sound made as Leion’s body crashed into the glass-like ground. Vision still swimming, body still aching, Leion laid silently.
Are you ready to talk?
Eyes glazing blankly at the scenery, Leion pondered the words. Sitting across from him right now was a giant humanoid made of light. Beneath it—and him—was a clear, glass-like ground forming a thin barrier between him and the darkness he had grown to love. Above him was what could only be called an evening sky, dotted with countless purple and blue stars.
It didn’t take a genius to realise this wasn’t a normal situation.
Closing his eyes, Leion did the most logical thing.
Sleep.
You know, if you keep doing that... I might really be forced to zap you into oblivion.
Sitting up, Leion decided to properly address the being in front of him. After all, it was only polite behaviour and common courtesy.
“Greetings, I am—” (L)
Leion Halfheart, an aspiring businessman, entrepreneur, and future billionaire.
Pausing, Leion gazed at the giant, who spoke with an amused tone. Did it find such words amusing? Possibly. Claiming to achieve great feats without actually accomplishing or even working toward them would indeed be quite amusing.
With a smile, he concluded,
“How may I be of help?” (L)
The giant raised a hand to its face—lacking features—and chuckled.
Well, since you’ve offered so earnestly...
The giant soundlessly clapped its hands together. A book coloured a shade of orange similar to the sky fell on its lap. The giant flipped through a couple of pages before expressing:
Yes, here. Leion Halfheart. Championed as Humanity’s Light, Leion Halfheart is considered to be one of the greatest, if not the greatest, humans to have ever been born. Gifted from a young age, Leion Halfheart’s contributions to grand society drove human development and research, allowing humanity to reach heights once thought impossible. The effects of his work rocketed humanity into a golden, eternal age, from which it was impossible to fall.
'How unfortunate'
The giant stopped reading and looked up at Leion. Wordlessly, it continued:
Listed below, one can find a brief summary of his life’s contributions:
Academic: Awards in the disciplines of Social Sciences (Archaeology, Area- Studies, Geography, Anthropology, Cultural-Ethnic- Studies, Gender-Sexuality- Studies, Psychology, Sociology, Economics, and Political- Science), Natural Sciences (Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Earth- Sciences, Space Science), Formal Sciences (Applied Mathematics, Pure Mathematics, Logic, Statistics, Systems- Science, Computer Science), and Humanities (Religion, Literature, Arts, Linguistics, and Philosophy).
Political/Social: Formation of Gan-Galaxy League, Institutionalisation of the Sumun Committee, Establishment of Archaic Madam’s War Law, Party founder of the Great Summit...
'For crying out loud... how long is this damn list?'
It didn't even sound like something a person could accomplish if given three lives.
The sheer boredom of listening to it all was making Leion doze off.
'I'll just close my eyes for a little bit'
Surely, the giant couldn't expect him to 100 percent pay attention.
'Yeah...a few good seconds of shut eye never hurt anyone'
Plus, it wasn't like he was going to sleep through the damn whole thing.
A light shockwave woke Leion up.
This is the exact problem you need to help me with.
Displeasure was evident in the voice of the giant.
Sleeping when someone is in the middle of talking to you is truly on another level.
Composing himself, Leion spoke up. He was more than used to such complaints.
“My deepest apologies; I suffer from narcolepsy and sometimes struggle to keep attentive.” (L)
Lie to me later.
Leion stared mutely at the giant, deciding not to speak.
After a few moments, it made a noise akin to a sigh.
I have a great love for creating stories. With every piece I create, I pour my very essence into it. Blessing it.
Leion sat up a little straighter. Gone was the formerly amused giant. Present was a sombre being.
It... It is why my very being ACHES when those stories are destroyed.
A quiet wrath encompassed the giant's voice.
Beings who would destroy something so precious, so dear are a kind of wicked that should cease.
The giant took a pause.
Do you know why I told you the story of Leion Halfheart?
That was supposed to be you, you know?
Quiet, Leion continued staring. That sounded a little too grandiose.
Ah, yes. I remember creating it so finely. Such a spectacular story it was. Filled with all the important particularities! Suspense! Sorrow! And finally, sweetness! It was supposed to be the journey of a lifetime—a one-in-a-trillion story!
Leion gazed at the giant. The one spouting disturbing things. Picking up his professional voice once again, Leion spoke:
“Ah, I’m truly sorry for the inconvenience.” (L)
Bowing, Leion continued:
“I precisely understand just how terrible it is to pour your heart into something only for it to be destroyed.” (L)
Head still lowered; Leion waited for the giant’s reply.
Tell me, Leion... Why are you so wicked?
The blood in his now brand-new body ran cold.
Never have I experienced such indignation, such fury.
Humourless laughter rang out.
Do you know why you were trapped in the lands of the Common? It was to not only cleanse you but to rid me of my fury. Yet, despite my efforts, not only do you remain unchanged, but I find my fury has returned.
‘Is that what it’s called?'
Despite the situation, Leion struggled to care about the fury of the giant before him. He couldn't help but be more interested in getting back to the land of the Common. Unfortunately, he still needed to buy time before requesting to return.
Asking now would be an awful idea.
That... that precise attitude and mentality is why...
'Ah, crap'
The giant stood.
You must atone.
"Wait, wait! Can we-!" (L)
Leion Halfheart, you have cheated me out of a story. For your wickedness, I sentence you to a life bound with hard labour. You will create me a story. One worthy of two great lives. A story legend.
Scrambling back, Leion tried to flee. Things have gotten too far out of hand. Distancing himself from this absurd creature was the right call... until a pain bloomed in his body. It resulted in him crumpling down like a puppet whose strings had been cut.
The giant took a singular step yet managed to not only reach him but hoist his body up by the leg.
In spite of your failings, my graciousness still extends to my beloved stories. And, as such, an aid will guide you to ensure you follow the correct path.
The hand grasping Leion loosened gradually before finally letting go.
Don’t fail me. I won't be so forgiving again.
The cold words echoed in Leion's mind as his body fell.
Short-lived panic filled him as his neck made contact with the ground.
It was dark again.
And, unlike before, no dreams greeted him.