Confusion was written all over Aliya's face as she stared at the strange, ancient pocket watch resting in her hand.
She turned it over and over, studying it carefully, her brows furrowing deeper each time.
"You'll use that, Aliya," Isaac explained, "to know when and where you'll guide a new soul."
Aliya looked down at the watch again.
So this means… our Lord King already gave her a mission.
Isaac himself had never encountered a soul keeper who remembered nothing about her death or even her past life.
He gestured for her to follow.
For now, he would serve as her mentor.
They descended underground.
The place felt heavy, filled with suffering. Somewhere above them, in the human world, countless animals were dying.
"What are we doing here?" Aliya asked quietly.
Isaac pointed ahead.
Aliya gasped.
Rows of animals were trapped inside cages.
"Don't worry," Isaac said calmly. "This will feel normal eventually. You'll get used to what you see… and who you guide."
"Isaac, don't frighten her like that."
Another voice spoke gently.
Aliya turned.
Daniel stood nearby.
Before he could say anything, footsteps echoed from above.
Humans were approaching.
Fear filled the animals' eyes.
Help us! Please help us!
Aliya froze.
"D–Did you hear that?" she asked.
"You'll get used to it," Daniel said softly. "You're their keeper now. Their guide."
"Guide?" Aliya blinked. "I'm supposed to lead them? To where?"
Let us go! Please—help us! the animals cried again.
"Can they see us?" Aliya asked.
"No," Isaac replied. "They only see us when their time comes."
Then a harsh human voice rang out above them.
"You're useless now. Old strays!"
Gunshots thundered.
The animals collapsed.
He`s heart twisted painfully.
"Look at your watch, Aliya," Isaac instructed.
Aliya stared helplessly at the bleeding dogs.
This place… it was a gambling den.
Captured strays were forced to fight each other for entertainment.
Only the winners survived.
"Aliya," Isaac reminded gently.
"S-Sorry…"
Her hands trembled as she looked down at the watch.
"When it glows," Isaac explained, "it means their souls are ready to be guided. Touch their bodies gently."
Aliya hesitated.
But she obeyed.
The moment her fingers brushed their fur, something incredible happened.
Their spirits rose from their lifeless bodies.
But they were terrified.
Confused.
They pulled away from her touch, thinking she meant to hurt them.
"Daniel," Isaac called.
Daniel stepped forward and placed a reassuring hand on Aliya's shoulder.
"They'll struggle at first," he said softly. "They're frightened. Just give them time to calm down."
Aliya nodded slowly.
With Daniel's quiet presence beside her, the animal spirits slowly relaxed.
"Can they talk to us?" she asked.
"Try speaking to them," Daniel encouraged.
Aliya knelt beside them.
"Come with us," she said gently. "We'll take you somewhere you won't be hurt anymore."
There's a place… for souls like us? one spirit asked weakly.
"Yes," Daniel replied kindly. "Just follow us."
The watch's glow slowly faded.
"Daniel, I'll leave her to you," Isaac said.
Then he disappeared instantly.
Isaac exhaled quietly.
XXX
They arrived in a peaceful haven.
It was a resting place for animals who had died in the human world.
Souls ran freely through the fields—tails wagging, bodies glowing softly.
The place felt warm.
Like sunlight.
Like safety.
Aliya watched in wonder.
She still couldn't believe she had become a soul keeper for the fallen creatures of Earth.
"You're still adjusting," Daniel said gently. "But you'll grow used to it."
Aliya nodded, glancing again at the pocket watch in her hand.
"What about you?" she asked.
"What kind of soul keeper are you?"
"Humans," Daniel replied simply.
Aliya blinked in surprise.
Humans.
Daniel smiled softly at her reaction.
"Before anything else," he continued, "let me explain how your watch works."
"It has three colors: black, white, and red."
"When it points to black, it means we're near the soul we must guide."
"When it shows white, there are no souls waiting."
"And when it glows red… the soul is ready."
Aliya nodded slowly, trying to remember everything.
"There are death angels too, right?" she asked. "The reapers humans talk about?"
Daniel chuckled quietly.
"They exist. But they're different from us."
"They escort souls."
"We only guide."
"The ones who truly collect human souls are the archangels. Their duty is far greater than ours."
Aliya tried to understand, though some parts still confused her.
Suddenly Daniel's watch glowed red.
"You're going to Earth?" Aliya asked.
Daniel looked down at the watch.
"Oh—right. It glows when it points to this color."
He smiled.
"Do you want to come with me? Seeing it yourself might help you understand."
Aliya nodded eagerly.
Daniel raised his hand.
And suddenly—
They stood inside a hospital.
Two souls floated nearby.
A man.
And a woman.
Then a powerful presence approached.
A figure dressed in white.
His aura was overwhelming.
"Mikael," Daniel said respectfully, bowing his head.
Aliya quickly followed his example, though she couldn't stop staring.
This must be…
An archangel.
"Are you guiding them?" Mikael asked calmly.
"Yes, Archangel Mikael," Daniel replied. "Since you are here, I believe my task is finished."
Mikael's gaze shifted to Aliya.
"You are newly appointed as a soul keeper?"
His voice carried authority—calm, powerful, unmistakable.
Aliya nodded nervously.
He asked nothing more.
"We will take our leave," Daniel said politely. "Thank you, Archangel."
Just then, Aliya noticed something else.
A darker presence nearby.
A woman dressed in black mourning clothes.
Her hands were bound.
Her soul looked twisted… distorted.
She had died in an accident.
But something was dragging her deeper into darkness.
She turned and smiled wickedly.
"Leah," Mikael said calmly. "Even in death, you cannot release your vengeance."
The woman smirked.
"I am bound to darkness now. I know the rules. There are people I intend to take with me. Each of us has our boundaries—you cannot interfere."
Mikael sighed.
"Vengeful souls curse themselves to darkness," he explained quietly to Aliya.
"Once they cross that boundary, we cannot intervene… unless they choose to free themselves."
"Do not involve yourselves with darkness," the archangel warned.
"Once you cross into it, you cannot return—unless you are released."
Aliya noticed a scroll in Mikael's hand.
"I must report this," he said heavily.
Suddenly radiant wings burst from his back.
Aliya stepped back in awe.
Moments later, he vanished.
Daniel looked at her gently.
"As he said… we cannot interfere when souls like her drag others into darkness."
Aliya sighed quietly.
"Humans still haven't changed," she murmured. "Even after death."
Daniel didn't respond.
They returned to where Isaac and the others were waiting.
So this…
This is what my afterlife will be like.
Aliya held the pocket watch tightly in her hand as the thought settled inside her heart.