Arc (I) - Prologue : Torment of the Deviant

It was cold. The air was cold. I could feel tingles crawling up my spine while darkness was the only thing I could see out of my eye sockets. It turns out, staring into the empty void isn't exactly a good way to stay sane.

It wasn't even worth it to walk around. I always ended up in the same spot I was before. Looking back at it now, this doesn't seem much different from the state I was back in Tokyo. I just decided to sit down on the floor that seemed invisible waiting for whatever was going to happen to me.

All of a sudden, something or someone appeared out of the darkness. It was more of a shadowy cast with a purple glow. I couldn't see who or what it was, but I could tell it was looking at me. It looked more like a human now that I focused my eye a bit more.

Ever since I was brought here, I had this strange mask covering the left half of my face. I would probably look stupid if I saw myself in the mirror. This mask was impossible to get off. No matter how hard I tugged, it wouldn't budge. So I just let it stay. However, there's still this strange thing in front of me and I have a feeling if I tried to talk to it then it'll rip my head off.

After a bit I decided to approach it, my surroundings not changing one bit and bringing me back to where I was before once again.

"Who are you?"

I demanded. No answer. It just stood there looking at me, I think. It's not easy when the other person is pitch black and only a purple glow is given as an outline. It eventually looked up and spoke with a feminine voice.

"You shouldn't be asking the questions here," she said in response.

At this point, I was getting irritated. This woman randomly appeared and was already giving me a tone.

"Just answer the damn question. Stop trying to act so mighty and tough." I said back.

She then sighs and walks to me until she passes my body before saying.

"I am V0-1d."

I wasn't sure if I heard that correctly. Did she say her name properly? It was more like a jumbled mess that came out of her mouth.

"Excuse me?"

She then got a bit irritated herself and said:

"Alright fine just call me Void."

She sat down on a throne-like chair that came out of the ground, its black and gold colors not giving the slightest shine due to the darkness we were in. Its gold intricate patterns scattered across it giving it an otherworldly look.

"Yeah alright, that name kind of works then," I replied a little nervously.

This was strange. She was some sort of magical being or goddess. But at the same time, It didn't seem right. I've seen how things have worked back in Japan and all the different beliefs and everything in the world but nothing about some void goddess. I have a feeling. This girl will probably be how my new magical adventure starts. After all, she can't just let my death be in vain right?

"So why did you bring me?" I asked a little excitedly unaware that she could probably rip out my internal organs any second.

"I'm fascinated by you...to say the least. You haven't been enjoying your time in your world right?"

She was half-right. As a high school teacher, I haven't been doing too well. Things have just stopped being interesting for me and it feels like she could read my mind by choosing me for whatever she had planned for me.

"So you brought me here because of my current mental state? Sweet! So what will you do with me? Will you grant me amazing powerful abilities?! Will I get to see a cute princess!? Be a ruler of another world?!" I knew I was being greedy and childish here but this was simply an opportunity I couldn't pass up. I looked quite silly too, going up to her with my hands curled up and placed to my chin as I jumped up and down in tiny amounts.

"No. I'm not stupid enough to let you get everything you want. You may be somewhat lucky that you found me but I'm not a genie."

My smile faded a bit as I looked down. It wasn't long before I decided to speak up.

"So why did you bring me here?" If you couldn't tell, I've read many different manga and one of those that have been blowing up recently are those of Isekai's. Being transported to a new world could turn out horrible or well but I didn't want to take my chances.

"Just so you know, hiding your thoughts from me isn't a good idea."

"Crap."

"You don't want to give it a try? I have one already set up for you and I know you'll like it." She says as she steps to the side with her arms out revealing a blue portal with a swirl in the middle.

I nervously shook my head as her engaging smile just ended up fading.

"It's either this or I'll kill you." She says a little quietly and seriously

"Alright Alright fine whatever..." I said a little annoyed but I was smart enough to know her being a goddess or whatever meant that she would kill me if I didn't do what she wanted.

"How wonderful! I wish you the best of luck then. You never know what could lie on the other side..." She had to say that last part with the most sinister tone possible.

I ended up looking at the portal and then looked back at her, at least I could see her face now from the blue light coming off the portal. She was...pretty. But that look still ended up telling me that this is where my life would probably end. I finally took a deep breath and walked in as she waved, that innocent smile still plastered onto that face of hers.