¡Bang! ¡Bang! ¡Bang!
And there I was, facing the person who had emptied all the magazines into my chest. Each bullet hurt like hell, not even the bulletproof vest I was wearing could have stopped them all. His betrayal was the last thing I expected in these moments.
I tried by all means to stay on my feet, but my legs simply gave way due to the blood loss and I fell to the ground like a sack of potatoes.
Writhing in pain on the floor. I spat out a huge amount of blood; there was so much going down my throat that it was already hard for me to even breathe.
—G-general… why?— I tried to say, but my voice was breaking.
The general said nothing; he just stood there watching as I bled out little by little. That look reminded me of someone pityingly watching a hungry puppy thrown on a sidewalk. Then, he let out a cold laugh that chilled me to the bone and blew the smoke still coming from the barrel with which seconds before he had filled me with holes.
My ears started ringing, but even so, I could hear that damn phrase.
—I'm sorry, sergeant. That's just how things are.
Rage invaded me.
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The general put the pistol in his pocket. My vision was starting to get more and more blurry; the little I could observe were the three stars on his shoulder straps, something I aspired to wear one day too. However, fate is cruel to some.
Without saying another word, he started down the stairs, without any hurry; that calm was that of someone who had fulfilled his mission... The one to finish me off.
Each of his steps left an echo behind that made my skin crawl; my soul felt a mix of disappointment and rage.
I tried to raise my hand to reach him. But I had already reached the point where even my arms didn't respond. All that was left was to watch helplessly as my general's silhouette walked away, while my blood spread across the entire floor, consuming the little vital energy I had left.
I let out a melancholic laugh.
<
The situation was super ironic; it was hard to believe that for people like him was why I had passed that damn selection test.
My eyes were clouding over; everything around me was turning gray, as if they were putting a curtain in front of my eyes.
However, I could still feel some warmth amid the cold that was beginning to invade my body. A light peeked in from the corner of my eye, as if a pinch of hope was embracing me.
I could hear a soft, feminine voice resonating in my head. It spoke to me with maternal condescension.
<
I couldn't believe what I was hearing, so I tried to laugh with the little strength I had left.
—Hahaha, no way... I'm already delirious....
That was the most obvious answer after all.
My eyelids were heavy; I fought with all my strength to keep them open, but it was impossible; they were closing little by little until I could no longer see or feel absolutely anything.
Then, darkness flooded everything.
For a while, I felt like I was floating; I didn't feel heavy, and the pain that was burning my skin had completely disappeared.
I thought it was all over, when suddenly that voice spoke to me again.
<
I tried to clench my fists, but of course, I didn't even know if I had a body to do it with anymore.
I simply let my repressed emotions take center stage in that moment.
—Yes. It's fucking unfair.— I replied.
That voice began to laugh; what seemed strange to me was that it no longer echoed in my head, but I could hear it perfectly, present, close to me.
—Don't worry. I'll give you the worth you deserve.— she whispered, leaving an echo that resonated throughout the room.
Then I opened my eyes, only to find myself floating in a completely white room. There was no floor, no ceiling, not even walls. That's when I understood that where I was was something beyond the material, what we'd call NOTHINGNESS.
In front of me was her. That voice that had previously comforted me, wearing a white dress that seemed to blend into that room.
I looked up a bit more and noticed long, wavy blonde hair falling all over her body, with purple tips at the ends. On her head, she had a shining halo, a white face, and beautiful yet piercing eyes of the same intense purple as her tips. Her pupils were the strangest thing I'd ever seen... they were diamond-shaped, green in color.
That woman was sitting in the air, legs crossed, looking at me.
—I introduce myself —she said, with a mischievous smile on her face— I am Lumina, goddess of justice.
That comment left me speechless; the situation itself was already surreal, but a person calling herself a goddess? That went beyond the limits.
—Is this real? Where the fuck am I?— I asked, trying to understand at least a little of my surroundings.
The woman spread her arms.
—As you can see, you're in the void. Or what many call "heaven."
—So heaven...
—Yes. This is where all those who lived following a noble ideal come.
There was no other possible response to what I'd just heard.
—So am I dead?
—Yes... and no.
I looked at her with a furrowed brow; that statement left me with more questions than before.
—I don't understand a damn thing.
—Relax, you'll understand with this question. Who are you?
—What do you mean, who am I?
—Just answer me; I want to make sure my blessing kept your memories intact.
Intact? What the hell was this woman talking about? No matter how much I tried to rack my brain, I couldn't understand anything.
With resignation, I just sighed and answered her question.
—John, John Millers. I am (or was, I don't know) a Delta Force sergeant for over ten years. My comrades usually call me by my code name, Cash.
She smiled. Though at first glance there was nothing strange about that smile, I couldn't help feeling a chill run up my entire body.
She raised a finger, and from that void, a floating screen appeared showing a rooftop—one I remembered perfectly. It was the place where I'd been killed minutes before.
—John Millers no longer exists. At least not in your world.— she replied.
Hearing that triggered all the doubts I had. So I lowered my head.
—I already knew... The general attacked me from behind when I was returning from a mission.
She, in a quick movement, floated toward me, took my arm, and leaned in to my ear. Her touch felt warm and protective.
But what she said next wasn't.
—Tell me, John... do you want revenge?
I squeezed her hand in rage.
—Didn't you say I couldn't go back?
—No, you can't.
She let go of my arm and moved away slightly.
—But I can give you the revenge you desire. You just need to help me with a small favor, dear.
—What favor?
The screen in front of me changed. This time it showed a man with a perfect beard, a scar crossing his entire left eye, and dark hair perfectly combed back. His gaze caught my attention; as a soldier, I knew how to tell when someone had combat experience, and I could say that man was dangerous, very much so.
Suddenly, Lumina's voice snapped me out of my thoughts.
—This is Cedric De Fitz. A high knight of the kingdom of Luminia. In a few years, he'll make a pact with the so-called "God of Destruction" and stage a coup d'état.
I was stunned. All that seemed simply surreal, like something out of a generic RPG.
—God of destruction? Are you kidding me?
—Haha. I would be if we were talking about your world. But that's not the case.
Something still didn't add up, so I crossed my arms.
—Luminia... has to do with you, I suppose.
She nodded.
—Exactly. I am the main goddess of that world. And it was my duty to find you, Cash.
I stayed silent a bit longer and looked at her fixedly.
—So I'm something like the chosen one?
—Correct!
I had a feeling, let's not lie.
—And don't worry, I already took care of making your revenge... fruitful.
—What? What are you talking about?
The screen changed again. The general had just finished going down the stairs. But, to my fortune, a couple of figures with turbans and AKs came out of an alley and riddled him with bullets before he could even react. His dying body crashed against the wall, painting it with his blood. I won't deny that it felt super satisfying to see my former general end up with a fate even worse than mine.
Lumina's voice spoke again.
—If they had known the general was on their side, they would have been more careful.— she paused and started laughing— What a shame! Don't you think?
I could feel a cold sweat running down my neck. I was a bit terrified of this woman's power.
I swallowed.
—Did you... do this?
Her diamond-shaped pupils widened more, showing a gaze that gave me goosebumps.
—Gods never act directly, dear. I just pulled some strings for this to happen. Your general had many enemies after all.
I couldn't help looking at her.
—You did it so I'd be in debt to you, right? So I couldn't say no.
She winked at me.
—They don't call me a goddess for nothing.
Then, she extended her hand with the palm up.
—What do you say? Do you accept?
I took a deep breath and shook it. After all, my life was already over; I didn't really have a place to return to.
—As if I had another choice.— I replied.
Suddenly, upon shaking her hand, my vision started to blur again, with Lumina's voice resonating strongly throughout the place.
—I, Lumina, goddess of justice, grant you my blessing. Please, change this world, hero.
With what little I could see, I noticed Lumina approaching me and giving me a hug. Soon after, I could feel her lips kissing my forehead. It felt warm, though accompanied by a slight burning.
—Your path will be hard from now on. Prove to me I didn't mistake you, sergeant.
From that moment on, I couldn't see anything; I only heard Lumina's voice, completely full of exaltation, fading into the distance.
—HAHAHAHA! LONG LIVE JUSTICE! HAHAHAHA!
Then it happened again; I felt like my body didn't exist.
---
After a few seconds, I came back to my senses; this time my body was heavy and hurting, especially in my ankles. I had extreme hunger; I could almost say it was killing me.
—Where the fuck am I now?— I whispered, hearing a slight dripping of water. The smell of dampness was horrible too.
I tried to move to orient myself, but I noticed the pain in my ankle came from shackles that were squeezing with extreme force. I looked toward them and saw reflected what seemed to be my face. Though what seemed strange to me was that it wasn't the same as in my previous life. I could see a boy about 15 years old, with two-colored hair—black and white—and red eyes.
The situation only got weirder when I managed to make out two deep voices in the distance.
One of them spoke.
—What do we do with the prisoner?
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