A Change in Plans
Copyright© 2006 by Asa Strong
Chapter 2: Decisions and a Different Window into the Past
Science Fantasy Story: Chapter 2: Decisions and a Different Window into the Past - George Rice, a dying, emotionally detached scientist who plans to stage his own accidental death after losing his wife and receiving a terminal cancer diagnosis. At the brink of suicide, he is intercepted by a higher being named Alama, who offers him a chance to “right a terrible wrong.” George accepts and dies—only to be reborn into another world and another body.
Caution: This Science Fantasy Story contains strong sexual content, including Ma/Fa Ma/ft Consensual Romantic Science Fiction Isekai First
As I stood there unable to think, I was barely able to absorb what the old man said. The whole situation was so surreal I could not wrap my mind around it. What was going on?
I blurted out the first thing that came to my mind. “What do you mean? I need to right a terrible wrong and why is it my time to do this?”
With a raised eyebrow, he said, “This time is relevant because you have decided to end your life in this plane of existence and you contain within yourself the abilities to change what will come.”
His answer was not what I expected; hell, the whole scene before me was crazy. I then said the only thing that came to my mind. “Who are you? Why do I need to do this?”
“You may address me as Alama, and I am what you might call a higher deity. I also cannot force you to accept this challenge I put before you. That decision must be made entirely on your own. However, you should consider that if you decline, this conversation will be removed from your memory, and you will continue on with what you came up here to do.”
I talked with Alama for a long time, trying to come to some kind of understanding of what was happening. The net result was that he could not or would not tell me anymore than was necessary about whatever this mission was going to be.
He also made it clear that even though I agreed, there was no guarantee that my involvement would result in any change. He would not even state what my role in this enterprise would be. The only thing he said was that I had the skills and ability to somehow avert a terrible consequence somewhere.
I was skeptical, to say the least, about Alama being a god of some kind. As best I understand it from our discussion, there are many gods and many places where they reside. In any case, I never was a great believer in religion and I stated as much. He was not moved in the least, but I did get him to admit that he had no real power here and could not impose his will on me. Hence, the requirement was that if I wished to participate, the decision had to be mine.
When I mentioned that my health was not very good, and certainly my advanced age was not that of someone who could be expected to play hero, his only remark was “It is not relevant or important”.
I sat on that log for a very long time. When I finally was aware of my surroundings, the sun was far in the west. I had reached a decision. I was 60 years old, in such bad health that I would not last much more than two or three more months. What did I really have to lose?
“Alama, okay I’ll do it. What do I have to do?”
“You are certain that this is what you want?” He asked.
“As certain as this crazy situation allows. Let’s get it over with.”
Alama walked toward me and extended his right hand. “Take my hand and hold it. Don’t let go until I tell you to.”
When I reached out and took his hand my world changed. I mean that in the truest sense. It was like a massive electrical shock, except there was no pain. I felt my whole self being sucked and condensed into something. I had no idea what. My vision blurred, my sense of touch, smell, and hearing left me.
I immediately tried to remove my hand but Alama maintained an iron grip.
After what seemed like ages, I started to regain my vision. As my vision cleared the first thing I noticed was I was lying back on the log with a small smile on my face. I was not breathing.
“Alama, what happened to me?”
“Your body has expired, I have removed your essence from your body, and now it resides in a pure energy state. When someone finds your corpse you will have died from a massive heart attack.”
Strangely, his answer was not disturbing. It was like I had obtained a sense of calm that could not be explained. I distinctly remember thinking that this would be better; at least the funeral could be conducted without a beat-up corpse present.
I looked for Alama, but the old man was no longer present. I could sense him; he was close. Actually, I could feel him right next to me, but I could not see him. I could see everything else with a perfect sense of vision but not the old man.
“Alama, where are you? I can feel your presence, but I cannot see you!”
I heard a slight chuckle, and he said, “I no longer need to maintain a physical presence. You are in a state where a physical presence is no longer necessary. Besides, it is time for you to begin your education.”
“What do you mean by my education?”
He waited a bit, then said, “I am afraid that you will have to take a good look at your old life, as it will be necessary to understand how you lived your past life to accomplish the task I will set before you.”
With that comment, everything went black—absolutely black. No light of any kind. I was in a void with nothing to distract me and nothing to focus on.
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