We have an exclusive interview on the blog with insight from the afterlife. I have gotten my hands on a transmitting device that lets me communicate with the other side. As to how I got it . . . that is a tale for another time. Let me tell you, there are many frequencies to tune into, and a lot of it is a jumbled mess. I did manage to make one clear connection, with a being known as Malpherities.

He had previously been in contact with fellow author Heidi Angel back in 2017, and now, we can ask him about the afterlife. What happens when we die? What is he? Where is he? And the list goes on. We have such a short time as the afterlife communication device is not stable, and Malpherities says he is preoccupied.

I am honoured to conduct this one-of-a-kind interview. Below is a transcription of the interview itself, or you can listen to the raw, unedited recording from the Patreon where I activated the afterlife communication device.

Interview with Malpherities

Konn: Hello, Malpherities? Are you able to hear me?

Malpherities: Yes.

Konn: Great, glad we were able to make this contact. Thank you again for putting aside some time to chat with me. I, among all of humanity, have many questions for someone from the other side.

Malpherities: I’m sure you do.

Konn: Yes . . . can you –

Malpherities: Look, I don’t have long. I’m dealing with one of you humans right now, trying to figure out who they are and if they’re a problem.

Konn: Of course, we’ll respect your time. Can you introduce yourself to the audience? You’re not human, from what I understand.

Malpherities: No, I am not made of the same carbon building blocks as you flesh-beings. My name is Malpherities. I am a ghoul, closer to your human mythology’s origins than the glamoured-up variant it mutated into. Wait, what time are you from?

Konn: 2021

Malpherities: Oh, that is undoubtedly a troublesome era for you humans.

Konn: Tell me about it. So, you’re a ghoul, closer to the original mythology?

Malpherities: Ghoul is the best fit for what I am, according to your tongue. The word comes from Arabic, meaning ‘to seize.’ It also describes someone who is gluttonous or greedy. In their mythology, ghouls eat the dead and shapeshift. Although I do not shapeshift, my ethereal form can morph shapes to resemble others – hence presumed I can shapeshift.

Konn: Fascinating, so you are the origins of the folktale?

Malpherities: Myself and the other ghouls fit the term. Origins? Maybe. I never really thought about it.

Konn: Where are you and the other ghouls, exactly?

Malpherities: We reside in the Midway when we’re not realm-crossing. It’s a gateway letting us access anytime, at any place. Ultimately, we return to Death’s Vortex – our home – like all souls do.

Konn: That’s a lot to take in. Let’s take a step back . . . realm-crossing?

Malpherities: Yes, that is why I asked about what time you’re from. The Midway lets us ghouls tap into space-time. We can also access realms, dimensions rather, and trust me, don’t get involved with that. Dimensions get complicated.

Konn: You change space-time to allow you to feast on the dead?

Malpherities: Yes. Not the physical person, but the soul’s agony as it leaves the mortal realm and into the afterlife. Energy sustains ghouls.

Konn: Fascinating. Does this hurt the soul?

Malpherities: I suppose no more than feeling heartache or anger. When intense emotions are expressed, they are radiating powerful energies all around. If a ghoul, or a vampyre, is not leeching off this energy, it dissipates – like vapour.

Me: And when a soul passes from the . . . mortal realm . . . what happens to it?

Malpherities: That’s a significant question. I’ll give you an example. Right now, I am dealing with one of your kind, who I’ve dubbed the Nameless One. They can’t recall a single memory, which is beyond frustrating. Still, the Nameless One did die, and their soul went through darkness, light, and an array of colours filled with shape-patterns and feelings of euphoria – the same kind of thing I’m sure you’ve heard of before about near-death experiences. The Nameless One’s soul was supposed to enter its next stage of existence.

Unfortunately, since we don’t know anything about this Nameless One, we do not know if they were supposed to go to Death’s Vortex as their final resting bed or enter a new life. Now the Nameless One is here, in the Midway, where I am trying to dissect their mind to see if there is anything left. Sadly a soul’s memory is wiped when transitioning to their new existence. The Nameless One didn’t finish their transition, so I have hope. I need to know why they were pulled from a soul’s natural journey and dropped into the Midway. It’s no place for mortals.

Konn: So life after death is reincarnation?

Malpherities: I suppose it is similar. Presuming they don’t go to Death’s Vortex. Then, there are other realms like Dega’Mostikas’s Triangle and the Heavenly Kingdoms, but as I said – that’s a significant question.

Konn: This Nameless One, you’re concerned that they are in the Midway?

Malpherities: Yes, I am. They don’t belong here, and there are only a few answers to how it happened. Manipulating a soul’s trajectory is a powerful ability, one that I have seen used before.

Konn: And you think the Nameless One has this ability.

Malpherities: That is what I am going to find out. Oh, it appears they are awakening from their last witnessing. I must go.

Konn: Wait, witnessing?

Malpherities: Yes. I’m helping the Nameless One witness into the macrocosm, where you and your people reside. Goodbye.

Konn: Malpherities, hey, wait. Can we talk to you again?

I’m trying to adjust the transmitting device to see if I can get his signal. So far, I’m not having any luck. I think he’s blocked us somehow.

Well, there you have it. This was the first interview with a being from the afterlife and a significant historical milestone for humanity. We have lots to think about and plenty to dissect with what Malpherities had to share with us. I know I’ll be pondering over his obscure answers for a long time, if not for the rest of my life.

Into the Macrocosm

Short Stories of the Dark Cosmic, Bizarre, and the Fantastic

This story is found within the collection.

Enter the expanding universe through the lives of 22 souls, as the Nameless One and their ghoulish companion attempt to unlock the mysterious past of how they died.

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