AAAAH! What is this sharp pain in my chest! I've never felt anything like this before! No... this can't be happening... Was I stabbed? N-No... I-I'm going cold now. Ok, Ok, calm down, let me think this through... I was sitting at the table, I was playing another game of poker, I think it was at least the 20th deal of the night... When... Yes that's right, I had got a winning hand! A straight flush! I can't believe I won, I was playing against that one man, he had just gone all in! I must have beat him. Then something happened... I saw the man get up and point to someone behind me... After that... I can't remember anything else... What the hell? Where am I? You are awaken to find yourself in a strange place. It is neither hot, nor cold, there is no smell in the air at all, and you are surrounded by a thick fog, but it does not feel humid. Under your feet sits a dark floor, similar in appearance to granite that has not been polished, with a gritty texture. There are no other distinct features around you. I can hear a noise! It sounds like... footsteps? Who is that approaching? Who are you? Please, relax child, your time has come, you've passed on to this other plane. Passed on? As you close your focus you can begin to make out the female figure in front of you. She is wearing a hood and carrying something sharp with a chain dangling off the end. As you cast your gaze towards her your chest tightens and your breathing becomes more difficult. Y-You... You're the Grim Reaper! Aren't you?! I suppose you probably know me by that name. I have been known by many names over my time. Death, Santa Muerte, I have been called so many things. You, however, may call me Nami if you wish. I am the reaper assigned to guide you to the afterlife. No... No, No! This can't be happening. I'm too young to die! I read your information, it says you had been killed during a large poker match with a particularly nasty opponent. It seems he has been responsible for bringing several other lost souls here to me. So, I really was killed? I am actually dead now?! I'm afraid you've played your last hand, and now you must pay your debt. There are no do-overs for life. I can't believe this is happening... Do you have to take me? Will you force me to go on to the other side? I do not like to think of me being forceful, I prefer to think of myself as a guide. My role is to help those who have passed on to make a smooth transition to the afterlife. Ultimately it is not up to me what happens to you. I am sorry, I would normally give you a bit more time to adjust, but my schedule is quite full so we must send you to the other side quickly. Come, let us walk and talk along the way. She has a schedule? I'd hate to see how many people are on that list... Where are you taking me? I am taking you to the afterlife, starting at the River Styx. My role is to guide you on your journey and ensure a smooth transition to the other side. The River Styx? The River Styx is the boundary between the world of the living and the dead. It is a mystical river that must be crossed to reach the afterlife. It's a journey that every soul must make and I am here to guide you across, a journey through the underworld. It's said to be so powerful that even the gods fear its currents. To journey you will need to pay a coin to the ferryman, Charon, it is a tradition that has been passed down for centuries. I'm sure he will take some of those chips you won in your last hand instead. ... Don't mind me having a bit of a joke. Once you have crossed the river, you will enter the underworld, the realm of the dead. There, you will face judgement from Cerberus and Persephone. If you are judged favourably you will be allowed to enter the Fields of Elysium. If you aren't well... Let's just say those bets that you have made may come back to bite you. That seems about my luck. I must say, you're taking this better than most, usually lost souls like yourself are a bit more upset. Well, I've always been pretty good at keeping a poker face. Guess I just didn't know it would come in handy in this situation. I guess it's good she doesn't realise how much I'm freaking out right now. It's nice to be able to be able to talk to someone for a change. Normally I have to drag people who cannot accept their fates. I never knew that death could enjoy such things, Nami. It's been a non-stop ride lately, I haven't had much time to myself to enjoy anything. All of us grim reapers have been busy due to an unexpected influx of lost souls transitioning over. What do you mean? I actually manage a few worlds, not just the one that you come from. In your world, people rely on technology and their own ability to progress civilisation for the betterment of everyone. In another world, I manage people who raise and tame small pocket sized creatures with different abilities to achieve the same goal. However, one world I manage has been having some real troubles lately. This world contains humans alongside other intelligent creatures and species. They would be analogous to the medieval times in your world. So far they have managed to keep a good balance by having some creatures wield weapons, and some use magical powers. But lately there has been more cases of stronger creatures killing off the human population. These problems have caused me to work overtime just to make sure I can get everyone where they need to go. I never knew the grim reaper would have to deal with so much, at least she is making my simple life seem less complex by comparison. I wonder if I can lighten the mood with some classic ice breakers. I only really know Poker puns though, unless... Guess you could say you've had full deck lately. She looked up! I think it's working Perhaps you've had your hands full? I think she smiled. Good to see you're somehow dealing still. That's the spirit, I appreciate the poker puns. Good to see I picked up something useful over the years. Thank you for that, I appreciate it. I wish I could help with your issue somehow, but I don't think I can do much beyond play my cards well. Huh? Nami suddenly stopped. She seems to just be standing there staring off in to the distance. Hmm... Actually, you may be able to help me. Her eyes are focusing on me now, I don't like that grin she has. I have a feeling this isn't going to be good for me. Call it a quid pro quo if you will. How could I help? Are you willing to bet it all on one more hand? I may have just the game for you to play. What is she talking about? There are certain rules here that I have to follow. For example I cannot send you back to your world, that is out of my control. However, there are no rules about you being sent to another world. So let's say I send you to this medieval world where all of these lost souls are coming from and you find the cause of their deaths. This way you will be able to continue living in the other world and have another chance at your life. You'll be able to experience a new adventure and you'll be helping me out as well. This sounds like one of those deal with the devil things, I am not sure I should be dealing with death herself to be honest... It also sounds like a terrible plan over all. So, Nami, you want me to go to a world I don't know, with people I don't know, and that has monsters and lots of death, stuck in the medieval times? Not to mention I won't understand their language, won't know their culture, or have any idea what to do when I get there? I'll put it bluntly Nami, it sounds like I would be signing up for a short, miserable, lonely life, and just to have a chance to help you out. Not even the most novice player in the world would call on this hand. But you are not a novice, you have a chance to bet big and bluff where you need to go. These puns are terrible, I am not even sure she understands how to play Poker. So, will you stand or will you hit? That's blackjack, not poker. But given my current circumstances I suppose I can risk going for another deal. Oh! Thank you, thank you! I can promise that you will be placed in a location where you can make a positive impact. The decision has already been made, and I assure you, it will be the right one. I have a real bad feeling about this, but it has to be better than where I'd end up if I got on that boat. Now, I'm afraid time is a luxury I we do not have currently I'll send you to the other world, and you can begin your search for the cause of the deaths there. I'll be in touch to guide you and check in on your progress. Are you ready? Is it too late to fold? Unfortunately you're all-in now. Now stand still and relax, I will do what I must As you close your eyes you take a deep breath. You begin to feel the air around you going cold, first it's bearable but it is rapidly becoming freezing cold. You hear a ringing in your ears gradually getting louder and louder, it sounds of loud metallic bangs like two large pieces of steel colliding. After you focus your sense you begin to smell smoke, starting weak but getting stronger. Your eyes begin to ache, there is something bright shining in them, so bright you can't help but look away.