This fucking sucks. She thought to herself as she curled up in her bed, having just finished her lessons with a creature named Funa, the great dark spirit.

It had actually gone pretty well, and learning to use her magic had been a welcome distraction, but now here she was, alone with her thoughts again.

Who’s incredible idea was it to split us all up after the second day? How am I supposed to deal with all of this by myself?

The queen and her husband had been genuinely kind, letting her make a home with them and providing some stability to her life, and her teacher was more than accommodating, but when the day was done and she was left to her own thoughts she couldn’t help spiral.

How was she supposed to help fight some world-threatening invaders? She had been planning her move for university only a couple weeks before, all prepared to finish high school and start her new life, enjoying a final trip with everyone she spent the last four years with, and now here she was. Dead.

A part of her would wonder if this was all a dream, while another questioned if it was hell. Sure it seemed kind enough for now, but maybe it was all leading up to whatever monsters would be coming to destroy everything, and taking her false sense of security with them when they did. No one seemed to know what the invaders did to anyone that didn’t escape their world, but given the savagery she’d heard from different accounts as she was being taught it was undoubtedly bad.

Even if all of this was real, wasn’t the thought of being brought back to life specifically to go off and die again just too cruel? What sort of gods thought this was a good idea, and where did they get off deciding this on their own without even asking any of them first?

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A small part of her knew that even if they did ask she would have chosen to go, it was better than being dead after all, but being given the illusion of choice could have made all the difference to her.

<Damn, that’s all pretty heavy. Can’t say you’re wrong though.>

“What? Who said that? Who’s there?” She pulled her head from her bed and looked around, trying to find the speaker.

<Relax, I’m not here to hurt you. Seems like you won’t be able to hear some things, just like the other one.> The voice said with a sigh.

“Wait, are you in my head? Is this Glob? If it is stay out of my brain you slimy little jerk or I’ll beat the crap out of you!” The only skill she knew her fellow otherworlder had was barrier magic, but it was undoubtable he had one or two more.

<Relax, I’m not Glob. You could say I’m just here to make conversation while I->

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The thought seemed to cut off, and for a few moments Karly was left in silence.

<Well I’m trying to do something is all, nothing bad for you so don’t worry.>

She was still suspicious, not willing to give the mystery voice in her head any trust. “In that case who are you then?”

<I’m->

It cut off again, longer this time, and when it came back seemed filled with annoyance.

<Really? I can’t address myself like that either? Fine if none of those work then what about fairy godmother? Can I call myself that at least?>

“You expect me to believe you’re my fairy godmother? And who else are you talking to? Is someone else there?”

<Oh good, you caught that. Sure I’m your fairy godmother I guess?> It said, not convincingly, but more like it had come to resign itself to the role. <And why wouldn’t you believe it. Not sure how much you’ve looked into the world you’re stuck in, but it’s kind of insane.>

She couldn’t exactly deny that, given everything else she’d learned in her time there so far, with things only continuing to get weirder. “Fine, whatever. Who else are you talking to then?”

<That's a bit harder to explain. Let’s see, how would you understand without it getting cut off. Have you ever had to change your password on something because you kept getting it wrong, but when you put in the new one it would say you couldn’t reuse an old password and be left screaming at the screen? That’s me right now.>

Did it look into my memories to make that comparison? The world didn’t have anything as convenient as phones or computers in it. To keep in touch with friends she’d needed to start sending off letters, and even though hers were given priority treatment she still hadn’t gotten to hear back from anyone yet.

<Full disclosure, I can hear your thoughts but not look into your memories. Don’t ask, I won’t be able to explain. Now if you aren’t up to anything, why don’t we chat for a bit?>

“No offense, but I don’t want some random creep in my head.”

<Man is that any way to talk to your fairy godmother? Give me a chance, I honestly probably won't be able to help much but sometimes it’s just good having someone to talk to.>

Karly wouldn’t bite, opting to ignore the voice and sit in silence instead.

<Huuh, fine. In that case, why don’t I spitball a little and let me know if I’m close? Since coming to this world you’ve been struggling with all sorts of things, the obvious ones being what I already heard you thinking about. Separated from everyone you know in the world, struggling with the fact you’re dead, being expected to fight and possibly die maybe soon. I never really considered the ‘is this hell’ angle, but honestly fair enough. There's probably some other struggles too, missing friends and family still on Earth, never being able to do things you like again, the world being less technologically advanced than your old one in a lot of ways, missing foods and other experiences. How close am I?>

“You don’t score any points for being able to see the obvious.”

<Ha, honestly fair, but have you asked yourself what you could do to try and improve at least some of your conditions?>

“How the hell am I supposed to do that?” She all but yelled. “I’m dead! And I’m stuck in this world just waiting to die again! How am I supposed to make things better?”

The voice grew softer after her outburst, kinder. <I’m sorry, I know you're struggling right now. I just meant that you don’t need to be alone. Is there any reason you and Funa couldn’t go to see some of your friends that came to this world? Besides that, trying to meet new people and make new friends is sure to help a bit. I know starting from scratch can feel scary, and I’m not saying you should forget about your old world, but working on building your life here might help you more than you think. There’s nothing better than having people who care about you to help you out.>

“I swear if you’re telling me to befriend Glob-”

<No. I don’t think he’s quite as awful as he seems, but when I get the chance I’m going to make the little grey answer some questions before I give him any trust. You have Pelenia, Abrus, and your teacher currently, right? And I’m sure you could get out and try to meet some nice succubi, maybe Pelenia has some friends with kids?>

“Oh my god are you really suggesting a playdate?”

<Cards on the table, I’m pretty bad at this. Not sure how to go about meeting someone, but when you do, just make them be around you enough that you get to know each other and force them into friendship. Being alone isn’t going to help you.>

“...I’ll think about it. At the very least I like the idea of traveling a bit to see some of the friends I already have.”

<I’m sure many of them would love to see you too. Remember, everyone you arrived with is probably dealing with the same thing at the moment.>

Karly did feel a bit better. Talking about her problems and working on a plan to try and make things better was nicer than spending the night sulking anyway.

<Anyway it looks like I need to go. Before I do though, what food do you miss most from your world?>

“What? Spaghetti I guess. Why?”

<At the very least I may be able to help a little with that. See you soon.>

With what felt like an ominous goodbye, the voice was gone.