*****, 2033

Have you ever felt that this is not your place? That you don't belong in this world? All my life I felt it and for years I tried to change that feeling, doing everything possible, until I discovered something that gave me a purpose in this world.

War.

This world contains many wars due to the scarcity of natural resources, resulting in allied countries turning against each other and deaths reaching billions.

Naturally, I, who felt at ease in these wars, enlisted when I turned 18 and fought in many battles, small, medium and large, killing people but also helping many others.

I never saw myself as a guy who was mean but i wasn't that good of a person either, so I felt like I did well considering everything that was happening in those times, but that changed when I met my wife.

She changed me, i started participating in wars less often and when i participated it was only in the rear, always helping civilians and wounded soldiers.

The years passed and I ended up marrying her and having 3 children, 2 girls and 1 boy and having a happy life.

However, that feeling that I did not belong in that place was still there , not as strong as before but still he was there, always bothering me and remembering who I was , a man with no place to call home .

And it always made me ask, 'if I don't belong to this world, where do I belong?'.

Now, after 63 long years of life and after a few years of happiness, I see myself again on the battlefield, this time not following that feeling of belonging but for revenge.

This world , even after many years , wars were still ongoing , but this new war that took place took my wife away from me , my only foundation in this world. Our children, now grown up, were fine.

But I wasn't, I was very angry , having to deal with the death of my wife put a huge burden in my back , so even with my old age I went back to the battlefield to put a definitive end in that war for her and for my family , even if it means my death.

Have you tried to enter a war where your only intention is to stop it ? I will not lie, that was difficult, very difficult, and it was one of the greatest wars the world has ever seen, but unfortunately it will not be the last that this world will see, it may be that the world will have a period of peace for some time and we can hope that stay like that for a good 100 years.

The allied countries finally defeated our enemies and the world is at peace . I managed to avenge my wife, help make a better world, but it came with a price.

I, now 68 years old, lost an arm and a leg, but honestly I didn't care much, my wife was already left me and my children and grandchildren were already well in life, I was just waiting for death to look for me to finally find my wife and who knows, maybe I can feel at home .

Finally, after 5 years since the final war, lady death came to get me. At the age of 73, I died sleeping peacefully. And now, the other half of my story begins ...

…..

I died. I don't know how I but I know I am dead , it must be some sort of sixth sense.

Now I wonder what to do….

'My life is over and I will not go back , so I will think what to do as soon as I find out where I went.'

I opened my eyes, hoping to see heaven or hell but what appears around me is a white space, literally everything here is white, except that person / thing in the distance. I tried to see better what it looks like but for some reason the ''person'' is blurred .

That shocked me quite a bit , but I gathered my courage and tried to talk to it , '' Hey , you there … can you tell me where we are ?''

Right before my eyes 'it' stopped blurring , and surprisingly I think I was in a presence of an angel or some celestial being. It have wings , a ring above its head and its presence is definitely not human.

With a face that don't have any imperfection and with a smile that can start another war , I was 90% sure that it was an angel.

I was naturally entranced , but only for a second , I can't let this surprise me and lose focus on what I need to do.

''Can you please tell me where I am right now ? I know I am dead, but I doubt that heavens will be an empty space like here and hell it's definitely more crowded .'' I asked and waited some reaction or some clue that this angel could give me , but its face didn't even move.

'' You sure are curious aren't you ? '' the 'angel' said with a smile on its face and suddenly looked right into my eyes and said,'' you died sleeping at age of 73 , leaving behind 3 children and 5 grandchildren , witch all are successful on life. War hero , participated in most wars in your time and one of the most powerful soldier that ever lived . Mastered all sort of fight styles , ranging to the more famous style to the most secretive. Know how to use all kind of weapons and possess a strategic mind way above the average , almost the perfect soldier , but you always held back. Until here everything is right? ''

''Y-yes.'' I manage to answer with difficulty , and for the look on the angel face , it still have more to say.

'' As I said , you participated in almost all wars and even when you lost a battle, you always managed to survive ,'' the 'angel' said that and the look in his eyes changed , '' you are a blessed soul , even against all odds you still manage to survive all that carnage and be a good man.''

"Now that you died, many places tried to get you , but in the end your soul was ... not willing to go. You fought back and in the end you come here, because you still needed some kind of answer to a question that you had your entire life , and this is the only place in this universe that can give you an answer. '' the 'angel' said.

I , still processing everything that was happening to me , asked in a hurry , '' And what question is that? '' I asked and when the 'angel' looked back at me the answer came, '' you know that I had a feeling that I was out of place ?''

''We know everything child , we know why you feel like that and how to fix that, '' the 'angel' said ,'' do you want to know why do you feel out of place in that world?''

'' Yes , please , I have to live with this feeling all my life , I need to know the reason'' I said in a hurry. How could I not ? It's the answer that I was searching for all my life.

'' I will answer you , but before that you will have to listen to what I am about to say.'' The 'angel' said looking a little distraught .

''When you are born, there was an event that was not supposed to happen. '' the 'angel' said , '' Your soul , for some reason that we still don't know, was been diverted from the path that you should have taken , and you ended up coming to a parallel universe , not your real one. That is why you has always feeling out of place , because you're not even from this universe.''

I began to think really hard about everything he was saying and it is possible that is true , but before I could even ask some question , the 'angel' continued speaking.

''When you got there , in that other universe, yours emotions have been suppressed , you became partially unemotional , this is the reason why you liked war and your late wife, you could only feel something when the sentiment was real or strong. From here on out , your feelings will come back like a volcano , maybe causing some changes in your personality.''

I had so many question to ask about this but the thing he say in the end caught my attention , '' What do you mean from here on out ? '' I asked.

The 'angel' smiled and said , '' I was just getting there. You see , you're the only case that we know about of something like this ever happening , so we feel like you deserve some kind of second chance in life , but this time in your real universe.''

'' We , from time to time , reincarnate good people , with theirs memory wiped out and always in the same universe and planet. But your case is special, you are born in here and died here but you do not belong here. So , we discussed things and reached an agreement regarding your situation.''

'' And you guys , whatever you guys are , decided to reincarnate me in my real universe right ? '' I asked the 'angel'.

'' Exactly , we manage to find your real universe , but…'' the 'angel' said that and immediately look at me , '' your universe face adversities far more dangerous than the one you lived until now. Actually , your universe may very well be devoid of any intelligent life in the next 100 years if nothing is changed,'' the 'angel' said , '' and this is why we came decided to bring you 2 choices.''

''Tell me, '' I spoke , feeling a little nervous from all this situation.

'' You can choose to reincarnate in the universe that you lived and died , with no memories what happened here or your past life , but having to live with that feeling '' the 'angel' said,'' or we reincarnate you in your real universe with your memories intact and some gift of ours to you , gifts that you definitively will need to survive in that world. Who knows , maybe you can save the universe as well.''

''Can you give some time to think about this ? '' I asked , processing every single thing that this angel said to me.

'' Of course ,'' the 'angel' said ,'' you don't need to think fast about this , this place is outside of the jurisdiction of time and space , you can think about this for as long as you want.''

And just like that he just dropped another huge information into my brain , which was already overloaded.

'I need to think about this carefully , I don't think I can live with that feeling any longer, it consumed me my entire life and I don't need that anymore. But in the other hand , a universe that was in the brink of destruction is not that good either.'

I need more information before making a decision , but before I ask those questions , there was something that I should have asked since the beginning , '' Hey , mister angel '' he looked at me , '' we have been talking for some time already and I don't even know your name '' I said while smiling.

The 'angel' looked surprised for a moment and suddenly smiled as well ,'' You can call me anything you want , but some call me ' Charon '. They said that my function is similar to what he does and this why the name.''

'' You like this name?'' I asked , really curious if he actually likes this name.

'' It is the name that people give me , so I suppose I have to accept it. '' the 'angel' said that and with a voice that appears like a whisper he continued ,'' but only between us , I don't really like that name, it feels like Is missing some sort of identity for myself.

I nodded ,'' yeah , it is really missing something ''

The 'angel' also nodded ,'' it really is''.

I looked at him and suddenly inspiration strike me '' Do you mind if I gave you a name?''

The 'angel' looked at me in surprise and began to think . In the and he gave his consent , '' Go ahead , but please be good at this.'' He said this while smiling.

''Ok…. based on what I could gather with the information at hand , you are some sort of gatekeeper and at same time you also transport people to their new home , so a mix between those two ….maybe Keepor ? '' I said that and looked at him to see if he likes.

The 'angel' had a strange face when I talked the name , but I think he likes it.

''Well , it is certainly …unique but it fits what I am so , from today on out my name is Keepor.'' The 'angel' said.

''Great. And before I go back to thinking about my reincarnation , I need to know another thing ,'' I said '' which species are you ? Are you an angel or something like that ? ''

The 'angel' looked thoughtful for a moment and nodded, '' Ok , I will tell what I am and . I am a Seraphim , an angel from heaven.''

'' But you said that this is not heaven , so what are an angel doing here ?'' I asked .

'' I can't tell you , because it is far too dangerous for you to know , at least for now'' the Seraphim said , '' maybe in the future , when you grow strong enough , I will tell you . ''

'' Ok .. thank you for giving some answers .'' I thanked him and went back to think about my situation .

I will not lie , the situation it is not looking good for me. 2 choices , one worse than the other , and not even a chance to escape from any of them.

'I don't want go back to this life of mine , almost without feelings. But I also don't want to go to the other universe only to die shortly after I was born. I need more information'

I looked at the angel and asked again , '' Can you give me more information ? I don't think I can make a good choice without more information .''

I thought that he would be angry, but it was the opposite , he was still smiling , '' Of course , what you want to know ?''

'' Can you give me some information about my original universe? What is like , what year is it , war , species , everything that is relevant. Please , it is very important for me.'' I asked and waited for an answer .

For the first time since I met the Seraphim , he had a serious face.

I thought that I made some sort of mistake and was about to tell him that he doesn't need to tell me , but he started talking before I could start ,'' Ok but ….this is going to be shocking for you ''

'' More than what happened here ? '' I asked , already preparing myself for what he was about to tell me. Hell , to be more shocking than reincarnation being real and another universe existing , this is really going to be crazy.

''Yes , way more shocking . What I am about to tell you can change your view of the entire multiverse, are you sure you want to know ? You can go there after you reincarnate to see it for yourself if you want.''

'' I need more information , so .. please tell me ''

'' Very well .. have you ever heard about videogames, novel and things related ? '' I nodded. Who never heard about videogames and novel? Even I played and read it when I was alive , '' what in some universes is about fun and distraction , in another universe is … theirs reality .''

He was right . This is way more shocking. I stopped thinking for a moment and began to remember some of those media. Resident Evil , Fallout , The Last of Us , God of War and many others. To think that they existed for real , dealt a huge blow in me. '' This is crazy''

'' Yes, it is'' the angel said ,'' But don't worry that much, it is not all the games or novels that exists in reality , only a few. Some other celestials beings send the story of said universe, the majority of it is facing some sort of apocalypse or extinction , to another universe as a message , always through dreams , in hopes that through it they maybe can find a way to change the destiny of that universe. But the message is not clear and the people thought of it as inspiration to some forms of entertainment , always missing the point of the message.''

'' Only a few gave results , so even thought that it is not that good of a chance , they continued to send it the messages through dreams , during years , and one of the said universe is yours . ''

'' Which one ? '' I asked in a hurry .

'' Mass Effect .'' the angel said .

''W-what ? That game that , even when we win , we still lose ?'' I asked in shock.

The answer that I received was a nod.

Fuck Me.

AFTER A UNKNOWN PERIOD OF TIME

After the Seraphim said that , I entered in some sort of a trance , not even noticing he leaving me alone to think.

'This is crazy … Mass Effect , my original universe. The implication of that name is huge , Commander Shepard , the Reapers , Asari , Turian , Krogan , all of it. And it is going to be destroyed … What do I do? '

What he told me changed my perspective on this matter. I thought that I had the answer to which universe to choose , but now…

As I was contemplating in what to do I start remembering my life. I was not a hero or anything like that but I always choose to help those in need , even risking my own life in the process. Now that this world , were I died , is at peace for the next generation , I was not needed in there . So my only option is…!

''Keepor , '' I screamed his name ,'' I already decided ''.

''Hhum'' came a voice behind me , and Keepor was there , '' and where did you choose ? '' he said while smiling. This angel already knew my answer since the beginning , doesn't it ?

'' I am going back to my original universe , they need me more than my old one. '' I said that but I knew that was false bravery. What can one more soldier change in a war that will consume the whole galaxy ?

''I knew that you would choose your real universe . And I also know that you think that you can't make a difference in that universe but believe me , you can and possibly will do it . Remember that Shepard is also only a person and she managed to unite the whole galaxy to fight against the Reapers.''

I took a deep breath , '' Ok , when do you plan to put me there? Is now or there is some kind of process before that ? ''

'' In a moment , '' the angel said and snapped his finger , '' before you go, we decided to give you some 'gifts' in order to you survive in that universe , you will need it. Now , come closer child''

I , who was already here for quite some time and developed some kind of trust with Keepor , went closer.

Keepor placed his hand on my head and started talking , '' There are 5 gifts for you , you may think that some of those are not for humans to use and you're right , they are almost too strong for you to have it , but we decided to give it to you anyway , you will definitively need it. ''

'' The first one is : Map , you have the ability to see all the places that you visited and all what yours eyes can see. Also have the ability to differentiate between allies and enemies. Very useful against the indoctrinated , if you ever had to face them.''

Some kind of information came to my brain. I automatically know how to use it. If used the right way, it is very powerful against any kind of enemies.

''The second one : Teleportation , just like the other ability , you can travel instantly between places that you visited and to the places that your eyes can see. The most powerful ability that we can give you.''

Again , another huge wave of information came to me , how to use it and its limitations. This ability have many limitations , way more than the first.

'' The third one : Inventory , just like the games that you played , you can keep almost everything in a personal space that we created for you . Has some limitations but it is very useful . ''

Some kind of space was created in between my eyebrows. I believe that the inventory is located there.

'' The fourth one : Unlimited Stamina , perhaps the ultimate gift that we can give you. Can keeping fighting for days without the need of a rest. Perfect for a warrior like you .''

Unlimited stamina is the dream of all people. This also serves to remind me that even with all those powerful gifts , I don't have any idea how to defeat the Reapers .

'' And the final one : Biotics , you will have one of the most powerful biotics of the universe , even without bio-amps. Of course , you need a lot of training in order to access the full potential of your power , but when you do it , you will definitively be a threat to your enemies.''

Now this is good, I definitively can fight toe to toe against almost everyone .

Ok , the gifts that Keepor give me is really good , definitively way too strong for a human to have , but in the end , even with all this gifts , I still have no idea on how to defeat one Reaper , imagine thousands of them.

As I was lost in thought in who to use these gifts , Keepor spoke to me '' Hey ,'' I looked at him ,'' now that you know yours powers , you must be thinking how to use them, right?''

I nodded.

'' I knew it. But now it is not the time for this , you will have plenty of time to do it. Now , you have another gift from us .'' Keepor said and snapped his finger , and suddenly an box with a body that have my face appears in front of me, '' You will have the chance to make your body , your aparance , every aspect of your body , you can make to your liking.''

''Wow … are you sure you can give me so many gifts ? '' I asked.

'' Believe me , even with all this , your chance of succeeding in preventing the Reapers is way too small. In fact , we think that it is too little , so this is nothing compared on what you're about to face. Now go on and make yourself , literally.'' Keepor said while smiling.

Before he even stopped talking I was already doing it . Oh boy , this is exciting.

After 10 hours..

'' Finished ,'' I screamed ,'' this was taking too long , but now i think that I am looking good. Let me see , green hair , 6'3 , pen .. 11 inch … , yes I am looking almost the same with my past life , so this is all good .''

'' Keepor , is there anything else that you want give me ? Because I am ready to go.'' I asked.

'' There is some things that you need to know and accept before we began the process. The first one : You have the option of choosing where you will be born , if you want your new family to be rich or poor , or we can choose that for you . So , what will you do ? ''

'' What do you think i have to do ? I really don't care where I am born or if I am rich or poor.'' I told him. '' And what about my name ? Do I choose this or is up to you as well ? ''

'' Well , if you really don't care we are going to make that decision for you. And unfortunately you cannot choose your name , neither can we , only yours parents. Now that this is out of the way , there is another news for you .''

'' Go on.'' I told him , and for the look on his face this is going to be rather important.

'' You are going to be born 10 years after Shepard , meaning by the time the first game starts you are going to be 19 . Shepard is a female , she is a biotic , her background is Spacer and , if not goes wrong , she is a full Paragon and War Hero.''

'' You can try to change destiny , but let me tell you , it is going to be difficult. If you suddenly start to say that the Reapers are coming back they will not believe you , just like they didn't believe Shepard until it was too late , so go after evidence of their return as soon as possible and do everything possible to stop their plans for all eternity.'' Keepor said.

Evidence and allies. I need them both if I want try to stop this cycle and all others.

'' You can only make contact with us if you're in trouble. You need to be in deep sleep to try it , and it is not always that we are at available.''

'' Now , do you have any other question that you want to be answered ? '' Keepor asked.

I shake my head.

'' Good . Now we will began the process of bring you back to life ,'' he said that and suddenly I was being sucked , although slowly , by some black hole. '' Now , remember this : A feather can only cause a small ripple,'' his voice started out calmly , then suddenly grew fierce , '' But a Titan can raise a tsunami with a simple step. ''

'' Now it is your choice , '' his figure and his voice are getting far away , '' who will you be ? A feather or a Titan ? When the time come and you is faced with this decision, I hope that I can see you rising against everything and everyone that stays in your path.''

'' Bye, and good lucky in your journey.'' Just as he said that , my mind received an impact when I was swallowed into the black hole and lost consciousness.

And the old me is no more.

With Keepor

As I whatch the man that will possible change that universe going into his new home , several another angels began to emerge from the space around me.

'' Why we didn't tell him everything ? '' One of them asked .

'' But we did tell him everything he needed to know.'' Another talked.

'' We just omitted some parts , like his late wife being reborn into that universe too , nothing important. ''

'' Nothing important? He would freaked out if he knew that…but I bet that they will find it other again ''

'' Leave it to later guys , lets talk with 'Keepor' , '' one of the said that and began to laugh.

The others started to laugh too.

'' His sense of name is horrible hahahah''

'' Enough ,'' I said that and all of them shut their mouths, '' We have a lot of work to do , so go back to your posts and do your best .''

''Okay boss , your call''

As they are dispersing I looked up again , into the location of the universe where I send that man.

'' Good Luck my friend , I hope you will succeed in your journey.'' I said that and went back to work. I have a lot of universes to maintain.