Darkness. I can't even tell if my eyes are open or closed. A moment later, a nauseating smell invades my nose, making me cough. My hands are resting on some kind of dusty, gray ground. As I keep turning my head, I notice a gate in the distance, similar to one from a castle. While I try to clear my thoughts and vision, I spot a figure in the distance, but I can't see it clearly due to a slight mist. Given the situation, I have no choice but to remain still. After a short while, as the figure comes close enough for me to see better, it turns out to be an old man, so ancient that I'm amazed he can still walk. Then, he starts speaking to me.

"Ah, so you're the new arrival, aren't you?" His voice was calm and gentle, but at the same time, it seemed as if he was using up the last of his energy. I didn't reply; it was as if my mouth was paralyzed, but I couldn't understand why. I wasn't scared; I just couldn't speak.

"You must have a lot of questions, I know. I was in your same situation when I started, but you'll get used to it." Get used to it? What did he mean? No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't grasp the meaning of his words.

"Who are you?" I asked after what felt like an eternity of silence.

"That's not important. Anyway, we shouldn't be talking; it's not allowed. But you remind me of someone dear to me, so I'll help you out. Your role here is simple: you just have to make sure the souls reach the other side of that gate, the Underworld. But remember: it's strictly forbidden for us to enter, never try to do so." Souls? Underworld? What does that mean?

"I don't... understand what you mean?" The old man smiled at me with kind eyes.

"It's normal that you don't understand, don't worry, you'll get it soon." After saying that, he offered me his hand to help me up. Once I was on my feet, I realized that the man was rather short, at least compared to my height. He stared at me for a few more seconds before speaking again.

"I'll give you one last piece of advice: don't get attached to anyone, trust me, or you'll end up just like I did." His expression quickly changed, and he almost seemed sad.

"Thank you so much for your kindness, I wish I could repay you somehow."

"There's no need, soon you'll be taking my place." After those words, I looked at him, puzzled, and before I could open my mouth, he placed his hand on my shoulder.

"It was a pleasure meeting someone who reminded me of my son..." The next moment, the hand on my shoulder started to crumble into a pile of dust, and soon after, the rest of his body followed.

"I think my time has come, I'm sorry I can't tell you more, but, while you can, don't waste the time you have: one day, you too..." Before he could finish his sentence, he disappeared. 

I stood there, staring in disbelief at the scene, trying to understand what had just happened. 

Looking back at the gate, I noticed it hadn't opened.

"What kind of joke is this? You said the souls of the dead would end up in there, right? But where's yours...?" 

Suddenly, new memories emerged in my mind, ones I didn't have before, and as I went through them, I began to understand everything. Still full of doubts, shaken and dirty, I got ready for my first task.