The Thirteenth Dantian

Death is underwhelming. We spend our whole lives dreading death but the truth is we don't dread death, we dread thinking about what the people around you will go through without you being alive.

Most people think that when you die, the darkness swallows you up and you get to descend into peaceful state for the rest of time, but the truth is so much more underwhelming.

These were the thoughts of Carter as he floated through never-ending darkness... or at least he thought he was floating. He had no point of measurement. He realized he was consciously thinking some time ago though he was not sure how much time. He had no perception of time nor space, he was just... there.

He was thinking back on how he died when suddenly he was in a room. The first thing he realized was that he could feel his body. Then suddenly he felt the room shake and a light-pitched male's voice could be heard.

" TESTING! TESTING!"

The first two words reverberated throughout the room as Carter's eardrums nearly ruptured.

" Oops sorry, how's that?"