COVID-19 (prologue)

In a graveyard, by the west, near a tree, a large number of people gathered at the same spot, facing a gold coffin that was laid down on the ground, six feet. 

Sobs filled the air, omitting the usual comforting words of the priest. 

Seth Fiske just died of covid 19.

After struggling to survive for fourteen days, Seth was shamefully defeated by death. It all started on the day he went to Audrey's place — his teen girlfriend. It was a day Seth would never forget even after residing in Heaven, or Hell perhaps — who knows where he might end up being after his Soul Judgment. 

He noticed that Audrey's brother — a chap who just returned from New York — somehow, was showing symptoms of the dreadful disease. However, his pessimistic manners suddenly died off the moment he got drunk. Seven bottles of rich lager beer and a 70ml whisky, three mouthfuls of harsh German gin, and a bottle of an alcoholic wine. 

This was what drove Seth into the world of death — a birthday party.

He left his project behind. His book "Legacy of Gods" was to end on his birthday in style. The "stay at home" situation could have played a good part, making his dad — the Governor of Orlando — a part of his book success and birthday party while he stays home that day. 

Nonetheless, after getting infected by the pandemic disease, everything made a sharp turn, ending him up in the isolation center with Audrey's brother and the others. 

Everyone wasn't really suspected to be infected, but Seth's situation made it obvious, since he sat close to Audrey's brother that day, talking and spitting at their faces as they sang. No one ever saw this coming, except for the fool who knew he was infected and still stayed in the party. 

Though Seth's punches had sent him to his ancestors before Covid 19 could do so, and that seemed to have made Seth a little bit relieved. 

'Let him die before me since he took the ticket of death before me.'

These words rang inside of him the moment he got into the hospital belonging to infected prisoners. His father made that order since Seth committed murder, and Seth was never going to forgive that.

However, the most tragic part was that he wouldn't be able to finish "Legacy of Gods". What would have happened to his main character, Ryder Faron, who had just been cursed by the Demon God? 

Seth's soul grieved the moment these thoughts came flooding in. But at least, the Newbie Fantasy Author luckily saw the first hour of his birthday before passing away. To him, it was a privilege, after noticing that Audrey's brother and the others had died two days back. 

Before he made his last breath, he made a statement that made the doctors amazed and confused at the same time: 

"When I get to heaven, I'll write a novel and sell it to angels and other dead souls. If possible, I'll ask God if he is interested in trying my book. But if he refuses, I'll try promoting it in hell, I think the Devil is a lover of fantasy... So that should be the ride of my life after this miserable death."

After a long period of grievances, the grave was finally filled with gravel, and flowers were placed on the grave of the sixteen-year-old Writer. His name was written on a board, positioned in the middle of the stony grave. 

This marks the end of Seth Fiske.

*******

In a twilit yet lonesome chamber, high above the top, an old man with wrinkled fair skin and long grey hair stood firm, close to a stone-made stretcher. He was holding a short gleaming staff, with white lights glowing in his eyes. This old man was the Psychopomp God of Natures, The Savior of Souls, and the Trade Realm's Innkeeper.

[Human Soul 21659 - name detected]

[Human Soul 21659 - race detected]

[Human Soul 21659 - cause of death detected] 

[Human Soul 21659 - killer detected]

[Human Soul 21659 - market value detected]

[Human Soul 21659 - soul type detected]. 

Chiming words rang inside the Psychopomp God's chamber, as the lifeless soul of the young boy was driven down from the Store of Souls. Soon, the Psychopomp God pointed his staff toward the direction of the lifeless body, causing it to jiggle atop the stone-made stretcher. 

Green lights pulled out from the staff, towards the chest of the lifeless soul beneath. Suddenly, the chest of the young boy opened for absorption. As the enchantment progressed, the lifeless body got raised into the air, aiming towards the direction of a slowly moving caravan.

[Human Soul 21659 - reviewing for rebirth] 

[Human Soul 21659 - nominated for Soul Trade]

Soon, the lights dimmed, finally placing the lifeless body of the young boy in the moving caravan. As the Psychopomp God watched, he let out a sigh of relief and said loudly:

"Reincarnate!"

[Human Soul 21659 - reincarnation granted]

[Human Soul 21659 - soul trade in progress]. 

Shortly, the moving caravan drove into an expansive hall, close to the Psychopomp God chamber's edifice. As soon as it got out of sight, the entrance of the hall quickly closed, blanking the view of the old man. 

After standing for a while, finishing with other dead souls, he finally charged towards the wide hall, seated at the east, on the top of a blunt mountain. Tardily, the Psychopomp God, himself, was out of sight. 

[Soul Traders assembling at the Trade Mall]

[Reincarnation of 30,000 souls in progress].