From Human to Skeleton: Revived with Infinite System Crystals

Jade's mind raced as she tried to process what was happening. "I... I see... does this mean I have died?" she asked, her voice small and uncertain.

The skeleton, now towering dozens of feet above her glowing soul, leaned in closer, its massive form casting a shadow even in this strange realm. "Well, it means your soul has been kicked out of your body," it explained with a dismissive wave of its bony hand. "But that happens in near-death situations. Usually, the person isn't even aware of it."

Jade felt a rush of relief mixed with confusion. "So... I'm not dead?"

"Well, let me take a look," the skeleton mused, its hollow eyes examining Jade's glowing form with unsettling curiosity.

Jade's soul hovered there, her thoughts racing as she tried to make sense of her strange new existence. How can I even see? I don't even have eyes... This is so weird... I wonder if Ty felt this at some point.

Time seemed to stretch on endlessly as Jade waited, her impatience growing. The skeleton seemed to be in no hurry, and after what felt like an eternity, Jade couldn't help but blurt out, "Hey, what's taking you so long? If I don't get back, everyone I care about will be lost."

The skeleton continued its examination, seemingly unfazed by her outburst. After a few more moments of silence, it finally spoke. "No worries there. Time does not move at the same pace here. I act outside the flow of time itself; it's how I can process so many souls nearly instantly, at least from the perspective of everyone else."

Jade's frustration eased slightly, but her concern didn't. What does that even mean? she wondered, her thoughts still frantic.

The skeleton, as if reading her mind, tilted its head and continued. "However, for you, my dear Jade, it seems you've sustained quite the collection of injuries. Let's see... a punctured lung, seven cracked ribs, a broken jaw, and somehow you even managed to burn your collarbone."

The skeleton paused for a moment, as if considering her injuries more deeply. "Ah, but that's not all, is it? Let's not forget the shattered left arm, fractured in three places, and the deep laceration running across your abdomen, dangerously close to spilling your guts. Oh, and that nasty head injury—your skull is cracked in two places, and there's significant internal bleeding.

You're also missing two fingers on your right hand, crushed to the point where they're little more than pulp."

Jade's soul would have winced if it could. Great... just what I needed to hear. She couldn't shake the feeling of urgency, despite the skeleton's assurances about time. How am I supposed to fight with all that?

The skeleton's hollow voice echoed through the void, laced with a sinister calmness. "Well, you simply don't. You accept that you have died and move on to the next phase of your life. Or at least, that's what I would like to say. But you still have part of my eye, and I have a feeling Ty, the skeleton, should be making his appearance on Earth in the next week or so."

His tone shifted, more calculating now, as he continued. "So how about this? I'll lend you more of my power—enough to live for three more weeks. After that, your soul will be mine to keep and devour. In return, you get to save your friends, help defend Earth from the invasion of Kaiju, and clean up the fake zombie attack."

Jade's soul hovered silently, contemplating his offer. "Kaiju and fake zombies? What do you mean by 'fake' and Kaiju?"

The skeleton's thoughts rippled through the void, tinged with amusement. "Oh, well, I never told you, but I see everything you do while you have my eyes. That boy you fought? He's from an entirely different universe—an Eldiran, from the 11th universe. Not sure why he has the marking '3,' but if my guess is right, he's joined a 'Kingdom' and is part of an elite squad of 12 other fighters.

Though, I know all of the Eldirans' 12 fighters, and he isn't one of them."

The information settled in Jade's consciousness, raising more questions than it answered. Another universe? Kaiju? Fake zombies? It was overwhelming, but she forced herself to focus on what mattered.

"But regardless," the skeleton continued, "the Kaiju were the bright flashes of red light, and the fake zombies... well, that's an odd one. It might be a timed release, but I can't agree with them being true zombies if they don't pass the infection. They might come from another world as well. But what do you say?"

Jade's soul pulsed with deep consideration, the gravity of the situation weighing heavily on her. The temptation to accept his offer—to borrow more power and save her friends—tugged at her. But then, thoughts of Ty filled her mind, strengthening her resolve.

After a few moments, she sent her decision through the void. "NO, I decline that offer."

The skeleton's white, pristine jaw seemed to crack at the shock, the sudden shift in his composure palpable. "Wh-what?! What do you mean?" His thoughts were laced with disbelief, as if he couldn't comprehend her refusal.

Jade's soul rippled with a sensation that could almost be described as laughter. "I do not agree with relinquishing my soul to you. It simply belongs to my beloved Ty Hockenson! And I know how badly you want to fight him, or whatever it is you plan to do. So I believe I have more leverage in this situation than you're letting on." Continue your adventure at empire

The skeleton's gaze narrowed, his thoughts growing colder and more calculating. "You... you dare to defy me?"

"I do," Jade's soul replied, glowing with an unyielding light. "My soul is not yours to take. I refuse your offer, and I will find my own way back. I will protect my friends and fight for Earth without owing you anything."

"If you do not accept my offer, you will simply pass on and cease to exist! However, you played your bluff well, and I will up the offer, just this one time more, and if you choose to decline, I will find another pawn to find this skeleton."