Hello Young Spirit,

I'm sorry to wake you. My name is Osiris. Although, I suppose you know that already.

You don't?

Well then, I suppose introductions are in order. You may call me Osiris and I preside over this realm.

What realm you ask?

Well, that's fair; very few can see it. Even now, all you can likely see is a black void. I am, of course, referring to the Underworld; the place where you now reside and my domain.

Nevertheless, I really must get to the point: I need your help.

You have earned your rest, I know. You lived a full, happy life and deserve to sleep. But there are more like you who may never rest. 

I've seen spirits disappearing from the Underworld. Souls just like yourself enjoying their well-earned rest suddenly snatched away. 

By what I am uncertain.

What I am certain of is that after a few days I see them in the Mortal Realm, trapped in the body of a mortal, and very much awake. I cannot image how tormented they must feel, locked in consciousness but unable to act for themselves. 

I know not how these mortals come into possession of a spirit, but I do know that containing a spirit somehow grants them an immortal life. Personally, I have no problem with this. If someone wants to extend their miserable existence I couldn't care less. But forcing a resting spirit to remain conscious after death? I cannot allow that.

However, that makes me a bit of a hypocrite doesn't it? 

I promise you I would not have awoken you if it was not my last resort. I cannot enter the Mortal Realm to free these stolen spirits myself. Doing so would create too much suspicion about what lies beyond death. But what I can do is send in one of my spirits as my avatar, my Specter if you will.

I need you to be my Specter in the Mortal Realm and help me free the stolen spirits.

I promise, as soon as the spirits are freed you may return to your slumber and I will not bother you again. But, if you wish to go back to sleep, I will honour that wish.

The choice is yours.

-Credits-

@startselect__ (on X/Twitter) - bed pixel art

Slynyrd (on Reddit) - grass path pixel art

Penzilla (on Itch.io) - interior pixel art - https://penzilla.itch.io/top-down-retro-interior

Cainos (on Itch.io) - exterior pixel art

Universal LPC Sprite Sheet Generator - character pixel art - full credits under "Character Art Credits"