In the ruthlessly capitalist Land of the Dead, the lowest class of destitute ghost are burned to their second and total deaths as industrial fuel.
"Beyond this River is the Land of the Dead. Soul of the recently departed Youth...I see that you have a surplus of Play Coins..."
It felt like an eternity (Truthfully, it had been 1,123 years) since my Death. I barely remember the cause. I barely remember my name. But now I stand before the Ferryman of the River Styx themself, and as the phantasmal form speaks, I can see their eyes burn through me and at the monetary compensation for my final resting place.
"My name is Charon. Let me show you something."
His hand touched my soul, and it felt comforting as it did cold. He pointed to the east, and I had seen something...Lights rising to the sky. Signs that flashed. A Fog that moved like the River Styx itself.
"The truth is, your amount of Play Coins is great...but not great enough."
I wished to question why he kept calling the compensation "Play Coins", but he leaned deeper to bring his voice to a whisper.
"However, the Land of The Dead is...Overpopulated. I am more than certain that some of you are falling into the Styx from an accidental bump. So I offer you a proposition."
He opened his hand, showing me an orb of blue and green.
"Relinquish your Play Coins, and you can return the world of the Living, right before you died. Use that time to reflect, and try to live longer."
He pauses.
"...If you decline, then you can risk becoming part of the Aether that powers the Land of The Dead. Once that happens, you relinquish your soul and the void truly takes you. I will not shed a tear for you, because it will be of your choice to make."
The thought of becoming a part of a machine emraged me. I could not place why, but as a soul I had felt an indignant anger well within me. Before I realized it, I had accepted Charon's deal, and handed them my monetary possessions. Holding them in his hand, a chuckle that sounded a shade of sinister rumbled out his throat.
"Thank you for your Patronage. I do not envy you, going from one God's Machine to another, but the Living tend to create their own Paradise. Do try and stay alive, this time."
And before I knew it, I was back in my body as if I had woke from a dream. I stared ahead, looking at my friend who smiled at me as they invited me to a fishing trip. The words of Charon rung in my ears: Stay alive this time.