3 It Always Starts With A Dream

*Arthur's POV*

*Sips*

I'm currently drinking my cup of tea outside of a cafe and siting across me is Solomon in his human disguise. After he killed the orderly and spoke to me he waved his hand and for some reason we're sitting and drinking without a care in the world...interesting. The customers and people walking down the street seems to not pay any attention to us. Why would they? to them we're just a couple of guys hanging out.

<Like your new clothes?>

After we broke out Solomon gave me new clothes to wear, a white T-shirt with black leather jacket and a pair of black jeans and white shoes. I find my outfit to be...monochromatic.

"Yes, thanks I appreciate the clothes. Now then while I'm glad you broke me out of the Institute, but why exactly did you help me and how did we get here?"

Solomon placed his cup down smiling eerily.

<All will be explained, but first tell me what do you see?>

I immediately look around casually glancing at a few things and here are the things I've noticed.

1.There's too many foreigners, that imply I'm currently outside of the country

2. The foreigners are Asians so that means I'm on the Eastern side of the world but which one.

3. The signs and advertisements around me are in different language and fortunately for me I know this language.

All in all I've figured it out where we are.

"We're in Japan."

Solomon smiles and sarcastically applaud to my deduction.

<Bingo, I love an intelligent child and because of that you'll get a prize. But we'll come to that later as of now I'll explain to you the reason I broke you out.>

I don't like this...I feel like I'm being played here.

<First off, a congratulation is in order for being chosen by The Elders on 'Walk' down to the path of absolution.>

Solomon claps like a child causing me to feel slight discomfort.

"What be you mean by chosen and who's The Elders?"

Solomon took a sip from his cup and proceed to continue his talk.

<My dear Arthur, The Elders are well...the simply way to explain it is that they're gods and they have chosen you for the 'Walk' because they know about the 'incident'.>

I immediately jumped from my seat attracting attention to our table. I took a deep breath to calm myself being to emotional is not going to help me so I sit down.

"*Breathes out* since you know then what is this 'Walk' specifically?"

Solomon smiles and tap the table with his finger.

<The 'Walk' is when the chosen is assigned quests to be completed when traversing through different worlds and dimensions...a different reality.>

A different reality...wait this seems familiar.

"Isn't this one of those reincarnation stories I read so much about. What your saying is basically I'm going to be reincarnated and travel to these world doing The Elders bidding and...why the hell would I say yes to this exactly?"

<AHAHAHAHAHAHA. Your close but not entirely correct I've increased the value of your prize because I hadn't had a good laugh in awhile.>

Well I'm glad you're enjoying this but you're not answering the question.

<Alright,alright. If you completed your 'Walk' The Elders may grant you one wish of any kind.>

My pupils immediately dilate at his words. I wanted to ask if I could wish 'that' but looking at Solomon I realized he's the Devil while smiling with red eyes, he knows what I want to wish for. In the end, I can't exactly pass up this opportunity. I pursed my lips.

"Alright. My answer is yes, I'll do it."

Solomon's mouth turns into a monstrous grin while his eye's glowed red.

<Attaboy, That's exactly why you were chosen, you do not hesitant when presented an opportunity you'll do whatever it takes to get what you want. Well then, we'll shall begin your orientation.>

*Snap of a finger*

I quickly open my eyes and sat upright, I see Solomon seating in front of me eating cookies. Argh my head feels groggy like I was crush in a compactor.

"Wh-where are we Solomon?"

<Don't you recognized this place. *Chuckles* we're in your mind.>

"My mind. Huh...didn't expect it to be this clean."

<Likewise, well anyways now for your orientation. Listen well Mr.Winchester, The Elders have chosen you to 'Walk' on your path of absolution in order to complete their quests during your travels on multiple worlds.>

"And these world you speak of will be different than the one I'm currently familiar with?"

<Yes, some worlds during your travels you might be able to recognized. Next, once you complete your 'Walk' The Elders will summon you to grant you your wish if you survive that is.>

Solomon grin as he explains.

"So during my travels do I get anything, system,power you know the usually reincarnation things."

<No.>

I nearly fell off the couch when he respond casually.

"So what I do get? how am I suppose to complete the quests which I assume is going to be dangerous?"

<You have to earn your power. And no there won't be any point system, every world you visit you must complete their quests and only then will you receive your rewards from that set world.>

I see I guess that's fair oh well was hoping to be a vampire like Alucard to make my life easier. But now comes the next dilemma. How will the world be selected and how many quests must I complete for each worlds before I can meet The Elders.

<The number of worlds can be vary but fret not the more worlds you go the more rewards to be obtain, also the number of quests is also vary but is separated into four categories C,B,A and S but there is also a hidden quests for each world while it is not compulsory but you'll get high rewards from it.>

I held my chin contemplating his words 4 types of quests that must be completed and a hidden one...interesting.

"Solomon..these quests, If I were to fail one what would happen."

Solomon have a sinister smile on his face as I asked my question. Damn there's a catch, there's always a catch.

<High risk, high rewards. You can only fail 3 quests for each world if you fail for the fourth then...it's game over for you.>

"I see, fair enough at least it gives me an excuse not to fuck around. These quests I assume there will be time limit as well."

<Yes, some quests do have time limit and some are merely optional but here's an advised focus on the main quest meaning the story/plot of the world you'll be visiting.>

"Not only will they be categories but also optional quests. This is beginning to sound more like a game instead of a reincarnation tropes."

<Ahahahaha, that's one way to put it.>

"Alright so basically as followed, go to different world finish up some quests and be rewarded and then move onto the next until The Elders summon me."

<Yup,I'm glad your quick on the uptake.>

"Alright I guess that's that, well then what are we waiting for, let's just get this over with. Oh wait, wait, how will I be receiving these quests exactly?"

<A window will appear before your very eyes to remind you of your quests. Also I'll be following you to keep an eye on you and regulate you power so it would kill you if you overuse it.>

"And how do you plan on doing that I mean don't get wrong I enjoy the company but....you can be quite distracting."

<Oh heaven no, you don't need to worry about that here give me your hand.>

I raise my left hand towards him and as soon as he grab hold of it I felt a searing pain on the back my hand.

"HOLY FUUUUCKKK!"

It fucking hurts that it cause me to fall to my knee.

<Huh, you're still conscious even after all of that I'm impress, the value of your prize have been increased.>

"You keep saying that what exactly is the prize that I've won?"

As I try to get up clenching the pain I notice there's a symbol on the back of my hand.

<That there is the Seal of Solomon. With that on your hand you and I are connected and I can speak to you telepathically. Also the prize I've mention are my personal gifts to you for continuously impressing me.>

"Wait you can do that, I thought The Elders are the one rewarding?"

<Oh they do but who said I can't do the same. To make it easier I'm a broken system that will be following you.>

"I see. well then what is the prize?"

<Oh did you think it will be that easy, like I said you must earned it, sure you collected...I guess you could called it Solomon's Point (SP) but you must give me something in return for these prizes>

"That's not how prizes work."

Solomon merely stands there smiling. I see, so that's how it is, he doesn't care about me, to him this is nothing but entertainment. Huh....it reminds me of Death Note.

"Alright can you tell me what the prizes are?"

(Johnny Cash - Hurt)

Solomon laughs and starts to speak out my prizes, the prizes he mentioned cause my pupils to shrink but that's not all. The thing that shook me the most was the price I must pay in order to obtain it. At first, he told me it's optional but fuck him, he and I both know the prizes he mentioned can put me in an early advantage to the first world I'm going to.

I bit my lips and it starts to bleed.

<Now then will you except my offer.>

Solomon slowly raise his hand in an attempt to shake hands. Tears starts streaming down my cheeks...this cruel, this is beyond cruel but Solomon was right if given the opportunity I won't hesitate.

I grip Solomon's hand tightly with my left hand.

"I accept your offer and I'm willing...I'm willing to pay the price."

Solomon smiles and laughs like a child receiving his candy. Then the mark on my left hand starts to glow brightly and shine a blinding white light

<Well then Arthur Winchester, let's us begin your 'Walk'>

Then a small window pops up.

[Host received Solomon's gifts]

[Host will now be transferred into the world of High school of the Dead, upon arrival Host shall received his first quest.]

[The Elders wish you luck on your path of absolution.]

My tears stop streaming and my eyes are now filled with conviction.

The blinding white light swallowed me,

Only then I realized there's no turning back and now I choose to walk this path.