The Third Party

Chapter 1 - Customization Room

Ken looked around him but found himself in an endless world of white. An icon popped in front showing the words ‘Welcome’ and below it, the word 'Enter' blinking in a faint light, he reached out but felt awkward when his hands went through.

"You may access the panel using your mind" jumping slightly, he turned to the voice, eyes blinking at the globe of white. “….” His face scrunched in a mix of doubt and bewilderment, but did as the ball instructed.

Another window opened showing him a variety of information, one would be his ‘stats’ or so they say, he’s seen this from a game, but…

“You’re awfully qu- my bad.” Ken glanced at the ball and nodded in gratitude, the torrent of emotions creating turmoil in his heart.

To be suddenly thrusted into this kind of situation while fully expecting to slowly drift into space, accepting death.

Why was he here, why was he still… the word lost in the sea that was his thoughts.

‘What is this?’ another question begging to come out of his mouth, swallowed by… the crippling flow that which is his sentences, sealing shut his mind from functioning.

Taking a deep breath, blinking away hard to form opinions, Ken turned to the ball. “I think I get the gist of why I’m here, what will be my first mission?” scanning the panel, so this is the exchange of his wish huh.

“You’ll be sent to a newly formed universe and complete tasks at a planet similar to the planet ‘Earth’, you’ll have the chance of living one life in that world for good while your wish is fulfilled.”

“Is there a way to jump from one universe to another?”

“Yes, only if you’ll give up your life on this first world”

Not knowing what the entity meant by that, it seems he’ll be doing something heroic for this venture, not- it-, unwillingness creeping through.

But agreed nonetheless, what good would having one life when…

The memory doesn’t serve him well. Forget about the world where he came from.

It’s better to do his task, be done with it and move to another world.

“Call me White”

“Huh?”

“My name is White” Silence reared its comfy head, having the notion that this entity read his thoughts, Ken came to terms with his situation, quite hastily at that.

“Okay” closing the panel, Ken turned around him to find somewhere to sit, or lay down, but with no furniture present, he settled for the floor.

“Go take a rest.”

‘huh’

“The bed’s over there.” Somehow Ken knew where ‘Mr. White’ was pointing at and turned to the direction, finding a bed.

“Thank you” tucking himself in, he waited as sleep took him, the lights slowly dim, giving cozy comfort.

But why does he still, could not find it within himself to rest, to forget, today’s event running through his head.

He found himself drifting through the thought of his death, how sudden it was. How moments before, he had just bought himself a home he could finally call his own after 10 painstaking years of labor.

Finally, after 10 long years he could say goodbye to the cold apartment whose landlord demanded rent two times more than the usual price.

He thought about his two younger siblings whom he had practically raised and helped graduate from college. He had sent them an invitation to the housewarming party he had prepared to celebrate.

He had given them both a hug, the two reciprocating with a tighter one, both showing excitement at one of the events they waited for to happen to their big brother.

He had thought about how the two had ushered him excitedly to show him his place, checking every room, exploring every feature it had, rejoicing at the tub they found at the CR and cried -exaggeratingly- that they can now use hot water as many times as they want.

How the three of them danced in a circle while jumping in the living room.

He thought about their happy faces proudly presenting their own achievements for the day, his sister exclaiming that she had just gotten promoted at her job on an appliances company just days ago, but decided to put it off for the day of the housewarming party.

While his brother had finally passed the licensure exam for teachers a month prior to the party and had also put off from telling their big brother, asking his sister to help him whenever their big brother would ask

He remembered how he poutingly acted spoiled and dismissive of them with the two’s confessions but quickly smiled happily and congratulated the two saying he understood how the two wanted to make this day extra special for everyone.

He could no longer experience being called out at night by his siblings in their nightly activities to get something to eat and talk about the day away.

His sister’s tight hugs, his brother’s wit and brain, no more dragging him out of his bed on weekends when his siblings got any event for the day.

No more scolding the two for forgetting their things at home or missing an appointment with one another, no more cuddling in one room when one of them feels blue.

No more cramming in one room to sleep even when all of them had rooms on their previous apartment. Or caress their hairs whenever the two of them start fighting one another.

The two ending up hugging him tight, letting them feel his embrace.

He has no more time for his family.

Drained, heavy, and suddenly stricken with sadness, Ken looked at the wide expanse of white before him, tears blurring his vision, the shape distorted beyond recognition, they gathered up in the corner of his eyes, and fell quietly on the pillow, pitter pattering steadily on the fabric.

No other sound had left him other than the droplets of his sorrow and he could only let the emptiness in his chest to swell and stab what was left of his heart.

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“Did you get a good rest?”

“Somewhat” climbing down from the bed, barely with energy, Ken wondered if he looked ever a resemblance of what he once where, he was but a soul now, because no matter how much he wants to subvert the truth.

This was his reality now.

“Good, here’s something that will help you on your journey” But his years of trying to seem and look okay, taking in on the work he knew would take a toll on him, but he would still accept with a smile.

He adapted the demeanor he usually uses when he would be swamped with obligations, a half-smile, while pretending he was fine.

The quiver in his eyes and the shakiness of his breath, betraying his intentions, but he brushes them away.

White went on the things Ken will do on the world he’ll be entering, like the basics of him living in the world while completing his missions, to what would be the features of the space he’s currently in.

Nodding along absentmindedly as he reads the paragraph on the screen, Ken solemnly reminisces what he can and can’t do, blinking slowly, he turns the page of information in silence.

Thinking that his host does not look like someone who would take initiative of things at the current moment, even missing out on a crucial information.

White sighs, catching Ken’s attention. He opened an interface for Ken.

“An ability, to bring with you.”

“Hm…?”

“Thought it might speed things up for you.”

Left deep in thought, Ken sits on the floor as he reads the information, body leaning to the side slightly, his mind shifting back and forth whether he should start the mission now or later.

He has no qualms of whatever may accompany him for this world, yet…

*sighs*

“May I… have some more time to myself?” Seeing as there’s no rush in doing things, White allowed for what he needed.

“Thank you”

As Ken quietly walks to the bed, slowly reading the information.

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