The moment I opened my eyes, I was greeted by the nothingness before my eyes. Black. Pitch black. That's what death exactly looked like.

It was the kind of black that made you feel hopeless, that no matter how hard you try to search for light, the darkness would still consume you. Wala na akong takas. Hindi na ako makakaalis dito. Iyon ang ipinapamukha sa akin ng dilim.

I tried moving my fingers, but my attempt to physically feel my body was futile. I felt nothing. Nothing at all. I even tried pinching myself, but I still felt numb.

What happened to me? Why can't I remember anything? Am I dead? What exactly is this place? Despite the abundance of my questions, none of them was answered.

Literal akong nangangapa sa dilim.

I was just forming my own theories when a shadowed figure gradually materialized in front of me. Shit, that freaked me out. I could only gape when I finally caught a glimpse of its true form.

It was a man... Yes, a man. He was neatly dressed in a formal suit. His face was the epitome of beauty, so perfectly sculpted yet archaic in comparison to the generation faces we see today.

"Greetings, Soul."

Napakurap ako. "W-Who are you?"

"My name is Gabriel, and I am here to enlighten you." I felt a sense of relief when he smiled warmly to me. "I know that you are still in shock, but more so you are curious. Am I correct?"

I nodded frantically to him.

My eyes couldn't believe it. I was standing face to face with this mysterious man who introduced himself as Gabriel, and the place was engulfed in darkness. We were literally in the middle of nowhere.

"Nasa'n tayo?" naguguluhan kong tanong.

"This is a place called Oblivion. Apparently, the mortals who die... this is where they spend eternity when their soul parts from their physical form. This is where souls like you end up."

I was dumbfounded. If that's the case, then I'm really dead... But how did I die? When? More importantly, who am I? I don't even remember my own name!

"So basically, I'm dead." I blurted out absentmindedly.

"Yes. But since you lived as a human with integrity, the heavenly Father wants to grant you another shot of lifetime." Gabriel told me, his eyes twinkling in bliss. "He shows mercy to those who remain faithful until the end."

"He?" Napakamot ako sa pisngi. "You mean... like, God?"

He chuckled heartily. "He was right. You truly are amusing."

Hindi ko alam kung pinupuri ba niya ako kaya ipinagkibit-balikat ko na lang ang komento niya.

"Anyway, you were given a mission. If you get to finish it on time, you will be reborn. That is, as another person."

I didn't know what to say, so I just stared at him. He couldn't be that Gabriel, right? I mean, the angel? Seriously? That's kinda sick.

That aside, his claim caught my interest. According to this man, I lived as a human with integrity mortal.

Totoo ba iyon? Naging mabuti ba akong tao noong buhay pa ako?

I wanted to know who I was, but the fact that he dubbed me as someone with integrity was already more than enough. Somehow, it gave me a sense of comfort.

"Soul."

I turned to Gabriel. He was still smiling to me while adjusting his black tie. He looks like someone who just went to a funeral. Perhaps... my funeral?

"You will borrow a vessel for awhile. Take good care of her, and make sure you never interfere with her personal affairs."

Huh?

"Save him. Remember, your name is Stellar... and he is innocent."

He suddenly vanished in front of me. I called him numerous times, but no Gabriel popped out. Great, just great! After breaking the news of my death, he suddenly disappears into nowhere!

He should have been more specific, at least! Who needs saving? Who's innocent? Just who, Gabriel?

I was still in the mode of self-pity when I felt the place shaking. Without any warning, the ground beneath me collapsed and I fell into nothingness. Everything was still dark before my eyes, but I could feel myself in mid-air. I was falling. I was falling into god-knows-where.

Until I flapped my wings.

Wait. Wings? Did I say wings? What the fuck?

I was really losing it when I saw a spot of light below. The deeper my body fell, the bigger the light became. I could only let out a bloodcurdling scream. Why the heck is this happening to me?!

Black.

Pitch black.

That's what death exactly looked like.

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