DIVINE REAPER

Chapter 1: Just a Signature

Author's Note: First-Time Novelist (aka AshenBlaze)

Hello, readers!

I'm so excited to be sharing my very first novel with you - and also a little bit terrified. Full disclosure: I have no idea what I'm doing. But hey, isn't that half the fun of starting something new?

I promise to do my best to create a story that will make you laugh, cry, and maybe even forget that you're reading the work of a total newbie. And I'm fully aware that there will be mistakes along the way - plot holes, grammar errors, maybe even a character or two that makes absolutely no sense. But isn't that what makes reading a book so entertaining?

So please bear with me as I fumble my way through this first-time novelist thing. And if you have any tips or words of wisdom, feel free to share - I'm all ears. Let's see if we can make it to the end of this thing without completely losing our minds.

Happy reading!:)

Chapter 1: Just a Signature

William's throat was stuck with water. He could feel himself losing consciousness under the cold touch of the liquid. Due to the dark winter's freezing water and loss of blood, his body was losing its warmth; it would be a very cold night for him in many ways. The last thing he could remember was Jake telling him that he would take care of Jenna in his place, laughing merrily and calling him a loser.

'LOSER' That word kept echoing in his brain for a very long time. It was a long time of struggle underwater, at least for William. Until he let out his final breath and closed his eyes, for he knew he would never see the long-awaited sunshine that would make his dreams come true. Ironic to his thoughts, his sleep was disturbed by the glaring light source that seemed as bright as the sun. His instincts urged him to walk towards it, just like fireflies are attracted by fire. A tall door made of a sturdy material of unknown kind welcomed him to a white space that extended to infinity. His brain worked in 10th gear, telling him to explore the place, for he doesn't need to fear anyways, for sure he was dead. Wherever William walked, it was white, and white was all he could see. No walls, no doors—even the sturdy door disappeared, which confirmed his hypothesis of the afterlife. He could not feel his own body. He didn't even know how long he walked in that space.

"Mr. William this way" startled by the sound behind him, William turned to see a gorgeous young lady in business attire wearing specs. The typical business women started walking to her left towards another door, god knows where it came from. Seeing that the lady was about to disappear, William hurried behind her without a second thought. William reached a beautiful landscape with trees bearing golden fruits and white blossoms everywhere. Among which a exquisite white table was laid out holding a elegantly carved tea set. A serene young man with long golden hair tied into a ponytail was sitting gracefully. His calm demeanor along with the backdrop of floating islands and mountains made him look like an angel that descended from heavens. The young men made a slow motion for William to sit, which he took generously.

"Mr. William Harris Walker, born on July 16th, 1998, of earth's modern calendar, Lost both parents at the age of 10. Your elder brother disappeared at the age of 16. Excellent in academics, excellent in sports (28 states and 12 international championships), Topper of the school, university, and research institute. You, a world-hailed genius wanting to pursue the footsteps of your brother, joined the National Bio Research Institute and were also the first founder of the "Gene-X" a stimulant that could tap into DNA, allowing humans to get superhuman abilities. Death at the age of 25 and the Reason: 'Betrayal'. You were poisoned and drowned by your own trusted allies and partners." William anticipated that the young man might know about him but was surprised when his biography was read in detail in front of him.

After some silence, William took the courage to ask some questions. Sir, may I know where I am? Is this the place in the afterlife where my sins and righteous deeds are calculated? And you are.....?

The young man slowly poured himself a cup of hot liquid with a heavenly aroma from the tea set as if he already expected and was accustomed to these kinds of questions. I am...well, you can call me whatever you want—Creator, God, Messenger, Jesus, Allah, Buddha, Shiva, or anything else you like. This is the world's edge. It's true that there are departments in the world's edge that calculate your sins and reward your karma, but the one I work for is a little different.

So, umm... Mr. God, umm... creator sir, what department are you in charge of? hesitantly asked William.

"Rather than that, William, are you happy with your death?" asked the deity.

"Happy with my death? How can I be? They betrayed me. I could have given them all fame, money, profit if they had asked for it. I thought I had everything in my life except for parental love. But, but... even Jenna, my most trusted childhood pal Jake, they... how can they do this to me... how... how? I am really a loser, yep, a big fool loser... If I had not found Gene X, no! If I had not been a genius, I could have lived a humble life of a 9-to-5 salary man, married with a good wife, had children, grown to be an old man, and died after living a fulfilling life....."

"Oh, William, calm down. Not everything is over yet."

"Huh! What do you mean not everything is over? I am dead, ain't I?"

"True, you are dead. But I can give you a chance."

"A chance...?" William was surprised by this twist. He hoped to go back to his life if he could.

"Yes, a chance, Mr. William. A chance to stay two days back in your world. You will gain a temporary container, aka body, to house your soul. During that time, you will be able to settle the matters over there. So William, what will you do if I give you that chance?"

"Revenge, I will kill them," William said at the spur of the moment, looking down, worried that he would be sent to hell for his wish for revenge.

"Then do it," the god replied calmly.

"Really ? I can go kill them? Won't I sin then? William has never thought of hurting others. Violence, to him, was always a stranger. He was too brilliant for others to pick a fight with him."

"Oh, sin," the young man's mouth made a subtle upward arc for the first time. "It's not a sin to take the life of sinners, is it?" He made a grabbing gesture in the air, and magically a paper holding something like a contract came into being. "Sign this with your blood" he said, pointing to the bottom corner of the contract. "If you sign this contract, you can have your chance."

William could not understand the words that seemed like symbols. Despite being taught on Earth, not to sign a shady contract without reading it, he still nervously bit his fingers. He let a drop of blood fall onto the designated area. Just when the blood touched the contract, the paper dispersed into ashes.

"We're in a deal, Mr. William," said the deity enthusiastically. He called his secretary, the gorgeous businesswoman Emma, to send him back.

With a swirl, Emma took him back to the pool where he let his last breath. With little words, "Meet you in 48hrs Mr. William," soon vanished the secretary.

"So, what do I do now?" William questioned himself, looking at his own white, pale hands that needed to be painted red. Unsure of what to do next, he chose the path that seemed most certain.