Prologue

"So you're telling me this is what happens after death?" Finn asked the person sitting across from him, meanwhile sipping at the crystal whiskey glass. They were here for some time already, but somehow the conversation quickly went to a more serious matter.

"What you perceive to be the happenings after death are whatever you want to be Mr. Haller. It is up to you to decide what is real and what is not." Said the man that introduced himself as Somebody in a practiced and smooth voice. It sounded like a famous voice actor you heard before but never really acknowledged.

Finn took another sip from his glass. It was empty again making him refill it, yet the ice remained intact and the bottle stood untouched on the table. It was still full, cold condensed drops forming on it's surface. Whiskey wasn't supposed to be drunk that cold. Just as he thought that the drops vanished and the glass in his hand returned to a more adequate temperature. 'Huh, Strange'.

"But I'm dead for sure, you are saying? Giving the circumstances I find that quite hard to believe, I'm sure you understand. All sorts of things could influence me to experience this as well. Maybe proof of the truth of your words would help?" Finn said after leaning back in his armchair and taking another sip. Somehow he wasn't even remotely drunk yet...

Somebody crossed his fingers and leaned forwards onto the table, showing off quite the repertoire of expensive and elegant rings. Each seemingly with an important meaning and purpose. It fit his outfit he supposed. He reminded him of the Godfather, somehow the elegance, style and aura made him feel respect and trust.

Somebody smiled, showing his cared for white teeth. "I am sure, that you very well remember how you ended up here. After all you decided to come her to me yourself, no? So I don't need to proof you anything. You yourself are the answer." They looked into each others eyes for a second, until Finn adverted his eyes to the window in the room showing him the great outside.

"I do remember yes... " He did now at least. There was an accident, somebody threw a stone off an Autobahn bridge. He was driving at the time. Somehow his memory showed everything in the third person. At least he would imagine it to be so. Considering what Somebody said just now, it might just be.

Taking another sip of the brown liquid, Finn asked the next most important question. "What is going to happen now? I don't think I could quite imagine myself. Is there actually something you are going to do now? It's been quite a while already I think and I wouldn't want to decide everything myself."

It was true, he wasn't sure if he even wanted to do anything specifically. It would be boring to only sit here forever and drink whiskey out of an everlasting bottle. He was sure it's been a long time he sat here for. He could look at Somebody's face for a long time, and he did, but his human instincts were making him uncomfortable at a certain amount of time.

'Did he even like whiskey?' Finn took another sip awaiting somebody's next words. The liquid tasted a little better than before. 'He did'.

"Basically, something is going to happen at sometime and you are going to go somewhere else. The details would be yours and in extension my responsibility. As I said before Mr. Haller, everything is and was how you simply will it to be." Finn didn't like Somebody's vague words but he supposed it fitting the situation and overall picture. It wasn't supposed to be easy, was it?

"I suppose you are going to handle it for me then? I'd like that I guess. I can trust you to handle everything according to my preference?" Slowly everything became more clear to him and he felt intrigued.

"Preference may not be the most fitting word, but yes. Everything comes down to you signing the contract." Somebody slid a piece of paper over the table and handed him a fancy looking pen. The only weird thing was that there was nothing written on it. It was blank other than the formalities.

"Contract? Would I even want to sign this, or will I regret this afterwards? I am not selling my soul or anything right? Respectfully, this is looking quite fishy." This came unexpected. This was very important somehow but he wasn't quite sure why. He couldn't read what it entailed after all.

Somebody gave him a light chuckle. "There wouldn't be if you wouldn't want to. It would only entail your own security, that much I can tell. Remember my words Mr. Haller, after all you can trust only yourself." It was true. He didn't need any other clarification. Taking another sip and putting the glass down, Finn took the decorated pen and signed the blank contract. 'This is just the beginning'. Finn smiled. Somebody smiled.

"The beginning of a legend Mr. Haller. Don't sell yourself short now, will you." Somebody said and laughed heartily. Finn looked at him, he only had a few questions left. "Will it all be just as before, or different? And..."

Somebody interrupted him right there and wagged his index finger at him. "tz tz tz tz, Mr, Haller you know the answers to those questions yourself. No need to pointlessly prolong now that you are already this close. There is only really one question you should ask me before you go." He smiled at him.

It took him a moment to think and take another sip. Holding his glass with his left hand in front of the outside and letting the light shine trough it he sighted. Leaning back into the chair and looking Somebody in the eyes again, Finn asked his final question: "What can you give me before I go?"

"This" Somebody said proudly and slid a ring across the table. It fit him perfectly as he slid it over his right ring finger. It was a thin silver ring, he knew it looked just however he wanted it to at the moment. 'Neat'. The most important thing were the displayed words "unum ex pluribus" engraved around the ring. "Heh, one of many."

"How you are going to interpret it, is entirely up to you." Somebody said smiling and stood up to extend his hand. Finn also stood up after downing the last content of his glass. Staring at his hand he got nervous. It was just a small gesture, but It would mean so much more.

"Are you ready Mr. Haller?" Somebody raised his eyebrow questionably. "You tell me." He said and extended his hand towards him. Smiling, they both chuckled.

Somebody took his hand gave him a solid squeeze. Just as he imagined it to feel like. Giving him a last nod, Finn blinked and found himself somewhere else.