Win or Lose 2

Hey, it's me, Erik. A lot has happened since the last time I told you about my life--er, death--so let me cut to the chase here.1

Where we left off, I was just waking up in what looked like a normal hospital room. That is, until the doctor walked in. He was one of those things with the scaly head, and tentacles hanging out of his mouth. A Mindflayer, I think.2

"Mr. Erik? Welcome to Afterworld. I'm Dr. Octogonapusbla." With a wave of his hand, a holographic display report appeared in front of him. After examining it, he said, "A human Earthling? Why in blazes would they be interested in that? Anything odd about you?"3

I pretty much told him all about it, with Alyssa and her witch friend and the werewolf revelation, and the fight and--4

"Ah! You don't know a thing about those who resist the mysticism of the universe. They are not from SWAT, mind you. They are from... HARdKWR." He pointed out the name on the holographic display, accompanied by pictures that clearly showed uniforms not unlike the soldiers that had tried to kill Alyssa that evening.5

"Perhaps your ability and initiative to resist HARdKWR is the reason that, after your previous body's untimely death, the executives of Afterworld saw fit to give you a new one."6

I practically jumped out of the bed. "HOLD IT!" He pushed me back down. "It's not ready to walk yet." The readout switched to a diagram of what looked like one of those sci-fi armor suits. "Touch the sections to learn more about the individual features." He pushed the readout to hover above me, so that I could read it while laying down comfortably.7

The first thing I noticed was my hand as I reached up. It was covered in many flaring sections of dark metal, but I could feel things on the surface of the metal as if it was the hand itself. So, I decided to start by examining the hand part of the diagram, and so on.8

Basically, my new body was made of a special material with modifiable properties. To understand the specifics I probably would have had to take four years of Chemistry and Engineering classes in college. "How long before I can start messing with this thing?" I asked, trying not to sound as excited as I felt.9

"The head is already complete. Simply ask the Program to change it, and it will access your memories to find an appearance. The upper body should be finished in a few minutes, and the legs will be in absolute working order within the hour." A small readout popped up near the doctor's face. "Ah! I have things to do. If you have any more questions, just ask the Program."10

Of course, I spent quite a while experimenting with it. I mean, it let me look like anybody I wanted to. Sometimes I'd try a movie star or a character from a book or movie or a cartoon. Other times I'd just make something up because it sounded cool. I'd always tell it to be a mirror so I could see the result. This thing was amazing.11

After a while, though, I started to think about what I'd do when I got out of here. I remembered Alyssa and my promise. "Program, can you show me what Alyssa is doing right now?" The image of her flickered onto the screen. She was lying to the police about my death, still bawling. My body--my old body, as I thought of it already--was still laying there at the exact spot.12

"Program, give me the appearance of my old body. And show me how to get back to Earth."13

I felt the familiar tingling as my form changed. I wondered what it was like for Alyssa to go through this without such a level of control.14

I looked up at the display.15

[TO LEAVE AFTERWORLD: Leaving Afterworld requires direct verbal permission on a case-by-case basis from His Worthiness, Death. During a period of Challenge, this permission may be given by the Royal Council.]16

So basically, I had to meet Death, apparently the ruler of all Afterworld, and get him to personally send me back. Steep but not impossible, right?17

"Program, how can I set up a meeting with Death?"18

[You cannot. Only Death can set up an audience. However, you are scheduled for an audience in fifteen minutes. PURPOSE: knighting ceremony.]19

Well! The good luck that I thought I'd lost after this whole thing started seemed to be coming back to me. "How do I get to it?" The Program showed a map, which I quickly memorized and rolled off the bed.20

The display followed me around as I walked through what looked similar to school hallways, pointing me in each direction. I honestly didn't want to get too used to it, because I'd be going back home at some point. Hopefully.21

Before arriving in the hall, I had the Program replace my clothes with parts of my new body's first appearance. I personally felt that the metal suit gave a powerful air. Plus, I was being knighted. Wearing armor made sense.22

The Program display closed as I approached the door. "Name?" barked one of the various sentinels.23

"Erik," I stated. Four of them stepped aside and opened the door, showing me a drastically contrasting fancy room.24

The sides were covered in windows that combined cathedral glass art with penthouse views of sprawling cliffs and ocean surrounding, leading up in arches to a point at the high ceiling. Along the center of the hall, a classic royal red carpet led to a second, faraway door, lined with more sentinels. Each was fully covered by the classic armor suit and held a long spear.25

I became conscious of my posture as I headed to the door, none of the sentinels moving an inch, like perfect statues. Walking like that actually takes a lot more effort than normal, especially if you're made of metal.26

The gigantic door opened to reveal a mass of fire and darkness. It formed into a human-ish being and called out in a resounding, booming voice. "Sir Erik, you have come to be knighted, correct?"27

"Actually--Your Majesty--I was hoping you would give me a pass to go back to Earth."28

"I cannot allow that. You have only just arrived. It is not possible."29

"OBJECTION! I sort of had a feeling you'd say that, so... I Challenge you!"30

"Do you really?" It laughed and slowly diminished. "It has been a thousand years... and you, one who has only just arrived at Afterworld, now stands up to me?"31

I nodded. "Yeah. And I'd like to hold the fight right now!" I added the helmet to my form and produced a sword. Death mirrored it exactly.32

"Begin!"33

Its hand reached my face in an instant, missing by my backroll. Springing forward, I slashed at its body, slicing thin air as it appeared behind me.34

"Fool. My form can change and shift instantly at will. You will not strike any part of me."35

I knew my capability was a little slower, but maybe I could outsmart him. "Hmmm..."36

My body slowly shrunk until the very tip of Death's toe seemed a colossal mountain. "Coward!" it roared. "Where have you gone?!? It is impossible for you to leave this place."37

I made myself lighter and added a pair of wings. "Sucker." The effort to fly up there was like a journey in itself. Suddenly my hold on his lower leg jarred as he sat down, waiting impatiently.38

I sighed with my tiny little voice and continued up there. After a long, long climb, his face loomed ahead. "You're going down now. Mark my tiny little words."39

The helmet had a bit of an opening at the bottom by the neck, my target. Flying in, it seemed impossibly dark in there. So, naturally, a light-emitting body for me was perfect. This transformation really did come in handy.40

Finally, I crept into Death's yawning mouth. "Any last words? No?" I leapt down its throat, slashing it up with the sword. As the stomach raced towards me, I asked my Program to bring me back to full size as fast as possible.41

Green blood flew in fifty directions as I hit the floor. My next horrifying look up revealed Death left in two pieces. "That was easy. A little too easy."42

The head of Death still spoke. "I told you... it's been a thousand years. And, admittedly, I was a little tired of this job. Also... you remind me of the way I once was. Except that you, unlike me, have a purpose. Fulfill it as you take my place. Long live Lord Erik."43

With that, both halves exploded in a flash of light, leaving nothing in their wake.44

The door opened.45

"Your Worthiness!" cried a sentinel. "What brings you away from your throne?"46

"I have business outside of Afterworld. Prepare to send me to Earth immediately."