It was supposed to be an ordinary day. Just like any other. I had only recently graduated from University, and was enjoying days at home with parents, the peace that came with knowing I finally had a future to look forward to. No more exams, no more late-night study sessions. Only existential crisis about life and job.
My morning walk had become part of my routine, helping me clear my mind and think about what came next in life. The sun was warm, the sky was clear, and felt… alive. That was, until I passed by the small football court in the park.
*Wham!*
Out of nowhere, the soccer ball slammed into the back of my head. The impact sent a jolt of pain shooting through my skull, and I stumbled forward, my vision swimming. Instinctively, I reached for the back of my head, rubbing the sore spot.
*Just my luck*, I thought, grimacing as I looked around for the culprit abruptly stepping off the sidewalk.
I barely had time to react before I felt something else—a sudden, sharp collision with the back of my head, while I am just regaining senses.
*What the—*
It was all too fast. I had tripped into the path of a speeding bicycle. The rider shouted in alarm up close, but it was too late, too fast. The handlebars clipped the side of my head with a sickening crunch, and I was sent sprawling to the ground. Add to that a small slip of leg and falling head first.
* Universe is targeting me..*
Pain exploded in my skull, a bright, searing ache. The world spun, my vision flickering between light and dark. The cyclist had already stopped, looking shocked and guilty as he shouted something at me, but his words were a distant murmur, lost in the roar of pain.
*It's just a bump… right?* I thought, trying to shake it off, but as I sat up, something didn't feel right.
My head throbbed like never before. A deep, pulsing pain settled in, far beyond a simple bruise or bump. I pressed my hand to my head again and felt something wet. I pulled my hand away, squinting through the haze.
Blood.
I blinked, trying to focus, but my thoughts were getting sluggish.
* Is.... body so....fragile*
The pain wasn't going away. It was getting worse. A cold panic crept into my chest as I realized that the impact from the bike hadn't just bruised me. It had ruptured something—something important.
*No, no... it's just a small ... injury,* I told myself, struggling to stay calm. But my body wasn't listening.
The cyclist was still shouting at me, his voice becoming more frantic as I tried to stand. My legs wobbled beneath me, my head spinning, my vision blurring again. My hands lost their strength.
*What's happening?*
I couldn't think clearly anymore. The dizziness was getting worse, and a creeping numbness was starting to spread through my limbs. The warmth of the blood running down one side of my head was the only thing that felt real.
I opened my mouth to say something, to complain, to tell the cyclist that this was all his fault, but no words came out. Instead, a sudden wave of exhaustion washed over me. My knees gave out, and I collapsed back onto the ground.
*Its too silent ....*
The world around me started to fade, like someone was slowly turning down the volume and dimming the lights.
*This can't be it... not like this..* I thought, as my consciousness started to slip. The last thing I saw before everything went dark was the sky above me, bright and beautiful, completely unaware that my life had just ended in the most ridiculous way.
Stillness
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Reincarnation:
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The darkness was absolute. No pain, no thoughts, just an empty void that stretched on forever. Just a thought in void.
*Is this it?*
I was dead—there was no question about that. The football, the bike, the bleeding… It was all over. I had drifted into unconsciousness, and now I felt like floating. And why the heck am I thinking? Oh is it the inevitable last 10 minutes before your brain die?
Or at least, that's what I thought.
Suddenly my vision came.
I am ..... lying in bed at home . What the...?.So it was all a dream?
"No"
Someone said. I hastily turned my head to the side of the bed to see a white fog condensing into a humanoid shape. No facial features and no gender characteristics only a pair of golden eyes.
I jumped out of my bed and move over to the corner taking the only weapon I could find. A mosquito bat from the table.
The entity was still there. Not an illusion. I tried calling my mom and dad aloud. No response.
I am feeling the tension and nerves were flaring but I couldn't but stop when sensing no drumming heartbeat like usual. My hands involuntarily reached my chest. Why am so brave now?
Usually it would feel like ready to leap out of my ribs under such situations.
Suddenly, the humanoid figure grew brighter, more intense. Before I knew it, I was bathed in a warm, golden glow. I blinked, squinting against the light, trying to make sense of what happening. And strangely I was back to where I started. In the bed, but sitting up straight.
And then, I saw him up close.
A figure stood in the center of the room, radiating sacredness so powerful it made my skin tingle.
I tried to speak, but no words came. My throat felt dry, my mind still struggling to process the fact that I was standing in front of what could only be described as a god or a ghost.
The being smiled softly, as if amused by my confusion. But that expressionless and featureless face doesn't make that seem obvious.
"Welcome, mortal," he said, his voice calm and soothing, echoing through the space. "You've had an... interesting end, haven't you?"
I opened my mouth to respond, but only managed a dry croak. I shook my head, trying to regain my composure. "Am I… dead? yeah I am."
He chuckled lightly, the sound like distant chimes. "Indeed. But death is not the end. Not for you, at least."
I frowned, my confusion deepening. "What do you mean? Why am I here? Who are you?"
He stepped forward, his movements graceful, almost floating. "I can be considered many things...First of all you yourself is me. Besides I have other titles. The God, Will of creation, the one who governs everything for everyone, The first consciousness..." His voice carried a weight that made it impossible to doubt him.
"Me?? God like ... Jesus? And not a ghost? I am not dreaming?" I echoed, still not fully understanding.
The god nodded. "Yes, God, the true God unlike beings created by faith or energy, and your death, while tragic, was premature. You see, there are many souls destined for greatness, and yours is just one of them. But fate—" he paused, a slight frown creasing his perfect features—" is not always kind. You died in a way that was not meant to be."
I felt a spark of indignation flare up inside me. "You mean because of some *stupid ball* and a cyclist?"
He chuckled again, though there was sympathy in his eyes. "Indeed. A rather unfortunate series of events for you.
.... I was the one who willed it though.. ."
I stared at him in disbelief. "wha.. What did I do to piss you off? Sir. Please don't say I am getting ticket to hell for that."
He smiled, nodding gently. "Nothing. It's for my wish... For me to die. To reborn*stupid football* as a mortal.To enjoy the process of growing in strength.."
"Can't you do that yourself then, sorry sir why must involve me…" I whispered, the idea starting to sink in. "Why me?"
"Because I am you. You will be me. That was meant to be, I just had the thought.. and I just took you in.. for greater things. When you have everything, one would envy the mortal life. When it seems meaningless, one can find the joy in the journey to the peak."
The god replied, his voice filled with conviction. "In your first life, you were merely surviving, but in this new life, you have the opportunity to thrive. To reach the heights that you were always meant to."
I swallowed hard. This was... insane. I had been given a second chance.. and he is saying that I am him??
"What's the catch?" I asked, narrowing my eyes. "There's always a catch."
The god's smile faded slightly, but his expression remained kind. "There is no catch, but there are expectations. This second life will not be handed to you on a silver platter. You will still face challenges, trials, and dangers. However, the knowledge of your past and the wisdom you've gained will be your greatest tools.
You see power over creation is not something your being could entertain at will. It needs to be in the right hands and best mind."
He gestured toward the space behind him, and suddenly, an image of many worlds appeared, vibrant and bustling with life. "You will return to the worlds you knew in your memories from fantasy arts whatever you call it. But with the opportunity to make different choices. To become stronger, to forge a new destiny. And who knows—perhaps you will play a role in shaping the future of that reality itself, not that it matters in anyway"
"Are these world real??." I asked.
"Oh indeed they are real. The vastness of creation is not something human mind can decipher. Whatever that could happen will happen unless I wish it not. But I usually will not interfere. There are indeed many random omnipotent and omniscience beings but the thing that distinguish themselves from myself is that they are my creations and I am the creator. "
" There is an insurmountable chasm between them and myself...Some of them will also transfer some souls like yourself and then you have many overpowered characters running around realities..for you to understand even 'fan fictions' also are around' but it's fun seeing my creations prosper.. the joy, the rights, the wrongs meaningless ideals and ambitions and everything in between..
Anyway for you to grasp the power I hold, I order thee to grow..and I will grant you some means and thy wishes which I already know but for the purpose, you may speak..now"
'Whatever that can happen will happen? then that means any worlds in literature from beginning to end of time already exists? I am going to fictional worlds??? '
I stood there, staring at the god, baffled for some time thinking about the latter order he just gave me. This was more than just a second chance—it was an opportunity to change everything.
***
After who knows how much time I stared and contemplating these wishes, I said:
My wishes are..
...