Fluffysky still nesting in Terchel's unruly hair, cleared her throat and continued speaking, "The Light Realm has given you a chance to fulfill both your destinies in one. Do not ponder to much on the details. As the days pass by you will see it's all meaningless and The Light does as it pleases. Use this opportunity wisely lest it be snatched it up like a thief in the night".
She giggled and opened her tiny wings flying off his head and landing next to The Light.
Terrchel stared at her in unbelief, "Seriously you sat on my head knowing you could just fly off!?"
The Light: "Terrchel for a being that promised to do better than the average human, you surely are starting splendidly"
There was a hint of sarcasm mixed with stern warning in the tone of The Light.
Terrchel gulped and awkwardly smiled, " I have so many questions. Won't the humans be alarmed by this Arnold Maximus person being alive suddenly and a change in... I don't know... EVERYTHING? Because I'm me but I'm him at the same time weird".
The Light: "Child do not bother me with your many questions. Go and do not make me regret my decision. I've altered many aspects of your appearance and soon you will be leveling up your abilities and become aligned with this current version of yourself. You might think you're connected to Arnold, but I assure you, there's a reason for this".
Fluffysky smiled innocently "Plus most the humans that built relationships with Arnold died in the waiting period while your souls dwelt in The Light Realm awaiting your next destination. It's simple".
Terrchel thought to himself, "I've pestered them with enough questions. I wouldn't want to loose my new life before I experienced all the possibilities. So, it's best I remain silent and just nod".
When fluffysky saw Terrchel nod in agreement she called someone by the name of Lady Luciel Leghorn aka the General. She had a cybernetic leghorn appearance and she stuttered with confidence, her posture poised like a top executive.
Terrchel thought to himself 'What in the sass fueled high powered robotics is going on here?'
The Light gave him a knowing look which made Terrchel doubletake and pounder if he spoke his thoughts aloud. At the same time Lady Leghorn gave Terrchel a death stare and without words whilst maintaining eye contact she used a gun to open a portal.
The whoosh of the portal opening sent a strong wind through that blew through their hair. For a moment Terrchel thought the cybernetic chicken looking lady was going to shoot him. He was relieved to see his life was being spared once again. Now he could go live he's new life to the fullest.
Stepping into the floating portal, he expected to step into a beautiful life on the other side, like opening a door to paradise but instead, he stepped through the portal and fell straight downwards into a dark spiral with flashes of pink and blue blinding his sight.
This descending spiral felt forever. I was left panting uncontrollably without any time to think about what's happening. Until suddenly landing on a fluffy cloud. Terrchel's mind immediately reeled with scientific gestures and explanations but none of it made sense as to how he was suspended on a collection of tiny droplets basically.
He decided to discard all logic and let it be. The cloud felt warm and smelled like butter popcorn. His mind screamed "IMPOSSIBLE, this is supposed to be a rain cloud what is going on". The battle between science and what he was experiencing made him feel nearly insane to the point where he wanted to rid himself from Arnold's expertise.
By going against what his past self knew and trusting his gut he decided to lay his head on the fantastical nimbus and his entire body felt at peace and calm. The scientific nagging stopped and was replaced by his Fly selfs perspective 'This feeling was definitely not like anything I've ever experienced before' .
He nearly didn't care about this new promised life thinking "If I could stay here forever, I'd be happy." Just as he was enjoying the moment, the cloud evaporated from beneath him. Sending Terrchel flying into a dumpster in some gloomy dark alleyway.
Looking up to the sky he exclaimed out loud, "A trash can, wow, is this because I'm a flyman? How rude and stereotypical!"
However, he would be lying if he said the aromas of dirt and rotten treasures weren't sending him into a euphoric state of nostalgia.
It's nighttime in Arcadia, the stars are visible, and glistening. He looked up and down the alleyway. The street was illuminated by yellow flickering lights. The environment seemed run down as if at war with nature; trying to reclaim territory against an attempt failed cyberpunk redo.
Faded flicking lights and advertisements could be seen throughout the area from where he was dumped, and tall skyscrapers peered through in the nearby vicinity up ahead. Which almost seemed detached from where he currently was.
The streets were rowdy, as if it's daytime with this buzz of energy in the air.
Terrchel felt a door swoosh open before seeing it happen. He could sense one person emerging from behind the door.
He turned his head so fast It cracked! Which alarmed him. 'I really need to get used to this body and the speed and agility I'm moving at' .
An elderly man wearing a dirty apron and chef's hat, carrying a dirt bag in the one hand and a dirty cloth over his shoulder appeared in the yellow night light.
He seems to have spotted Terrchel immediately and was making his way slowly towards him. Panic sets in, this would be Terrchel's first encounter with a human again since being reincarnated.
Terrchels eyes darted from the old man's hands to his shoulder. 'Is he going to hit me with that cloth thing on his shoulder. I recall seeing humans use this for various reasons including killing flies! But I'm human now so I shouldn't worry' .
Yet, he worried.
Restaurant owner: "I haven't seen you around The Undergrid alleyways before".
Terrchel: " WWWhat is The Undergrid ?".
Restaurant owner: "Are you drunk, young man? The Undergrid...
He paused thinking Terrchel was playing around but upon seeing the attentive look in his eyes expecting an answer, he continued.
Restaurant Owner : " The Undergrid used to be a hidden network of abandoned infrastructure left behind in Arcadia...you know after The New Arcadia city up ahead was built, where those skyscrapers can be found. Most of the undergrid remains abandoned but these parts we've brought to life".
The old man pointed to the skyscrapers.
Terrchel: "Uhm, no, I don't seem to recall any of this, but I sure it will come to mind sooner or later. All I care about right now is starvation.[stomach GROWLS] Do you plan on tossing that dirt you're carrying with you in here, perhaps? Or was the swot cloth intended for me instead?".
Restaurant owner: "hahahah. What a strange sense of humor. It's the year 2050; nobody does dumpster diving anymore. You certainly bumped your head, or you're high?".
The restaurant owner looked at Terrchel with confusion and shook his head. "you kids really ought to stop smoking all these Dark Market nonsense, it's clearly popping your braincells".
He then walked up to Terrchel and gently placed the bag of dirty next to the trash can instead of throwing it on him as expected.
This is certainly was new to Terrchel's fly self. A memory being thrown with dirt whilst eating out of trash cans as a fly and the rush of anticiping each movement so he wouldn't be crushed in the process flooded his mind.
Restaurant owner: "Kid, I don't know who you are or what your case is, but you can't stay here. Find your way home before the night alley Arcadia patrol finds you. This might be The Undergrid, but that Lawrence Abstainace guy has everything under his control regardless of not taking care of this part of town".
Terrchel: "Yeah, yeah, I got you, old man. I'm heading out now" .
The restaurant owner looked at Terrchel one last time and shook his head. After a long day of work, he thought to himself that he definitely doesn't have the energy for some drunk kid stealing out of trash cans. So, he decides to walk away as if that entire encounter did not happen. He knew kindness could only extend thus far before causing him unnecessary problems.
Terrchel swiftly hopped out of the trash can and grabbed the dirt bag plopped next to it.
As he walked down the dark alley of the Undergrid, he thought about how kind that restaurant man was. Both the fly him and the man in him weren't treated very pleasantly during their time alive.
He couldn't help but wonder if this time will be different. Knowing very well he have no idea where to go right now, but guessing he would just find a bench to sleep on until he could find a way to the main city once the sun is up.
This part of the city seemed unfamiliar to Terrchel despite the fact that Arnold's memories collide with his own. He had no memories popping up of being here in the Undergrid. Which made him think that maybe he used to lived in the main city.The New Arcadia City.
The Undergrid must be for the unruly, and less fortunate, seeing that The New Arcadia City is where the elites parade he thought....
Whilst leaving the alleyways looking for his next stop, a sign over a abandoned road the read "New Arcadia City this way" caught his attention.
The sky turned lavender morning hours approaches. The road didn't look too pleasant. Stumbling down the road, in the opposite direction. His mind filled with questions. 'Who was I, really? What was my purpose in this new life? And what lies ahead for me in this strange and wondrous city?'
As he slumped down the road taking his time he sensed eyes watching him from the shadows, but when he looked nobody was there.
It seemed it was all in his imagination. However, the sensation that he was being watched was definitely present and he knew it was only one person.
Looking around one more time, taking in the sights and sounds of the Undergrid. Looking at everything from this perspective, it was a world unlike any other. With a lavender sky and evident stars even in the morning light.
Terrchel had a long journey ahead of him. A journey to discover who he was and what his purpose was in this new life. But that was definitely tomorrow's worry; right now, he needed a place to crash.