One

A fuzzy feeling came from under me. The smell of a forest is surrounding me. Longer...Just a while longer did I want to stay here. But there was a feeling that this body...this place where I lay was different from everything else that had previously happened. Alas, I open my eyes, the sun blinding me for a second before I decide to sit up. What is this place? I don't remember ever being in a forest. I thought to myself. Maybe I passed out here, that had to be it...but how did I get here was the real question.

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I got up after what seemed like 15 minutes of sitting and questioning everything. I took a look at my body. This is not...my body. I'm slimmer than normal and my complexion is paler than normal. What is going on? I couldn't stop questioning everything that was going on. Then I heard voices. There must've been people nearby, maybe they could help me. Without another thought, I began to walk in the direction of the voices.

When I finally found them and I waved my arms, frantically, but when I tried to speak, nothing came out. Over and over I tried to speak but I failed. I couldn't call for help and I didn't know sign language. Just my luck. No voice no clue as to where I am and no money. Can my day get any worse?

Just then, I heard the softness of a female voice call out to me. "Venus, my dear....welcome back to the land of the living" She spoke. She slowly made her way down to my level, she stood in front of me, maybe a few inches taller but that didn't matter. I just knew she had to be some high goddess or something.

"Venus. How are you feeling? You can speak to me. The only time you can use your voice is when I am here with you." I took a hard swallow before opening my mouth "Who are you? Who am I...Whose body is this, Where am I?" The questions started to flow but the woman stopped me and told me to walk with her.

We walked deeper into the forested area until we came to a halt in front of two big doors. "You have lots of questions I bet. The things inside will help answer them...Follow" We entered the temple-like building and there were images of my life and all the memories I had. "Why are all of these here? Where did you....No How did you get my memories and images of my life?" Speaking as I walked up to a few of the short video images.

The room was full of them, they seemed to be in the order of when I was very young and throughout my adult life. There was a darkened area at the end of the hall though. I grew curious as to why it was the darkest area there. "Why is it so dark over here...?"

She sighed and looked down to her feet then back at me. "I'm afraid to tell you this...but I think you should see for yourself and ask questions later." She lowered her head again and brought me to the darkened area of the room. There was a singular video image of my current, what would've been my current, body. The more I watched the more eager I became to know what happened to me and why I was in this body.

Just then....was there a loud bang then...blood. Lots and lots of blood. My body lay on the street, lifeless and bloodied. I was killed and left to lay in my pool of blood. My eyes widened in awe at the sight before I turned away, unable to look at anymore. "I died huh? And I was reincarnated as a second chance at life? Right?"

"Wrong actually. You were reincarnated as a punishment for your behavior towards those who were poorer than you. You are the god of this land-" I cut her off before she could finish speaking. "What type of punishment is this? You say you punish me but you make me a god? I could easily kill the people here. What powers do I have?"

The woman stared at me and we kept eye contact for a while before she scoffed. "You have no powers. You are a powerless god without a voice. People look up to you...and you now have the job of keeping these people safe and taking on tasks. But there's a twist. Every time you fail to do a task correctly. You must do the same task over the next day. And that's how it'll be until you do all 10 tasks correctly"

My jaw dropped. No powers...no voice? What kind of God am I? "What do you take me for? A peasant? I do not work for those who are clearly below me. What are you going to do about it if I refuse to do any of the tasks?" I laughed, thinking that I had her beat. But it seemed she also had another trick up her sleeve

"Well, since you act like a smart ass then how about this. If you fail or refuse to do a task that'll only keep you in this world...with no powers and no voice...longer than you truly have to be. The choice is yours. Stay stubborn and not do the tasks? Resulting in you staying in this world forever. Or...Do the tasks and do them correctly then your soul can pass on to the afterlife."

I stood, speechless by everything she had told me. Not only was I a powerless and mute god. I had to do 10 tasks before my soul could pass on, and I had to do them correctly, or else I had to do the same task over. Will, it really be worth doing the task and leaving, or should I just not do it and see what happens....why is it so hard to make such a simple decision...