Once I’d decided to take my role seriously, it was okay. Easy even. It was so much easier to ignore the pull of the void once I threw myself into understanding how this game worked, it's rules and exploits, the quest structures and items and the limited lore involved.

  After all, it was the kind of thing I did in life, if I really thought about it. Throw myself so completely into fantasy worlds, whether in books or games, to lessen the draw of the cold, dark nothingness that grew inside my mind. When I found a new narrative that could suck me in, I wrapped myself in it so completely, so absolutely, I'd ride it until the wheels came off.

  Initially, it was simple for me to completely throw myself into it. Despite the lack of a plot line per se, the amount of spells, items, combat systems and enemy types to learn about and study was impressive. The kind of level that I'd say was overwhelming for most. But as a lifelong RPG player, I took to it all like a duck to water.

  Meph would be waiting for me each morning in the communal lounge of the Guild Hall, and walk me through everything from monsters and challenges that the Players could face, to the spell systems, weapons, armour, items, everything. It was like reading volumes and volumes of Dungeons & Dragons Guidebooks, but directly in my mind and field of vision. That was the hardest part, at first. It felt so weird, going through menus and lists and textbooks worth of information, just by concentrating hard enough on them. It was almost like going on a deep dive through the internet in my own mind.

  But I got used to it, and Meph relaxed further around me, elated with how easily the way the Game worked seemed to come to me. Before long, it felt less like he was quizzing me on it so much as two avid gamers chatting about tactics and play methods.

  Except we weren't gamers here, not really. We were part of the game.

  "How are you even here, Meph? If you're a demon...sorry, an Infernal, how come you wound up stuck here?" I finally asked one day, while we took a meal at the Tavern. The chef, Armand, had been populated so we could have some food. Serena was there too, blissfully unaware of our earlier interaction. It was hard to look at her.

  "Well, some Divine and Infernals do like to drop in, now and then, and play along. Sometimes they'll even be a Boss for the Players to beat. But yeah, I'm a little different. It's a bit of a long story," he said.

  "Well, I got nothing but time, as it turns out," I asked, needing a story to take my mind off Fireballs and Magic Missiles and Enchanters and Mimics.

  You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

  Meph pursed his lips, eyes fixed on me. Then he shrugged, "Sure, why the hell not.

  "Basically, a long, long time ago, Infernals and Divines took a more...active role in events on Earth. Well, the whole Mortal Realm, really. We were fascinated by it, and some would leave the Pleroma to try and learn more, in a more hands on way, like the mortals did. In a way, we were actually kind of jealous of you. Grass is always greener and all that.

  "The thing is, when we're away from the Pleroma, new knowledge doesn't seem to get taken in the same way. We begin to separate from everything, and become more...instinctual. With time, we would dissipate completely, but not before potentially causing a lot of damage. Despite being an Infernal, I saw what we were doing, how some of my fellows would love to strike bargains and force souls down their path, all the while losing themselves to uselessness and destruction. I didn't like it at all."

  He paused, as if thinking about what to say next, while he took a long drink of his beer. He put his tankard down and let out a long, refreshed sigh. But I could see in him, then, some pain.

  "I put a stop to it. Locked Infernals, and the Divine, out from the Mortal Realm. None of them were too happy about that. And, well, here I am."

  He threw his hands up in a flourish, and plastered a smile on his face. I decided not to press him for more details about that.

  "I'm still thrown that you all treat this as a game, you know. Everyone's immortal souls just made to perform for your entertainment," I said, changing the subject slightly.

  "Oh, it's not just to entertain us, you know. While not the Pleroma, we found that in this realm, we don't lose ourselves completely when we come here. And we can see it and act on it, even mould it, from the Pleroma itself. All the knowledge of the universe is pretty boring if there's nothing to keep it flowing.

  "And it helps work out where those of your lot who get lost along the way to your final destination should go. Can't blame us for wanting to at least make it a little fun."

  "I think I can," I snorted.

  Meph settled his elbows on the table. "Look, I can totally understand the frustration, and even the animosity. But before we started this method of sorting through the lost souls that came to this realm, they all just lingered. Doing nothing. Forever separated from the heart of creation, but close enough to feel it. Like lost ships in a fog, never finding their way home. At least this way, we could bring them home, and yeah, revel in the surprises you bring along the way too."

  A silence settled between us at the table.

  "Except for people like me," I finally said.

  "I'm sorry about that, Rusty, really I am," Meph eventually said, quietly. "I've never really liked what happened with...you know."

  I grinned. "You know, for a former devil, you're incredibly empathetic."

  "Tell me about it," Meph snorted. "Part of why my lot couldn't wait to kick me down here, to be honest. I never did quite fit in with the rest of my kind."

  "I can relate to that," I said, and I raised my tankard in a toast. Meph smiled, clinking his own tankard to mine.