Note: much of the first few chapters will follow closely to Worldkeeper, as I intend to have it take place in the same universe, so I want to keep the system much the same.
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With the new void that seemed to be my only company, I thought it right to introduce myself. I am Kuan Yin, a twenty year old woman who’d died in a rather awful car crash. I can’t remember the details all too well, and to be honest, I’m not sure I would want to.
There had been a man in between me and an oncoming car. I hit him first. The car, headed towards us perhaps accelerating faster, hit him next. Then our cars had hit eachother. Now, I was here.
Wherever here really was. An endless fog that reached up to my waist stretched out for what seemed to be forever. Of course, I didn’t really have a waist. I wasn’t sure how I was seeing, either, but that wasn’t truly the focus of my attention.
No, it was the seismic ripple outward through the fog that had just originated from me. I watched it fade into the infinite distance, utterly confused. What just happened? As if on cue to answer my question, bright blue light assaulted my eyes.
World Reset finalized. Welcome to the ranks of World Keeper. Please begin designing your new world with which you will participate. For options, simply think ‘Options’
I paused in sheer confusion. For a moment I hesitated, but it would probably be boring to spend an eternity in this mist-filled void. Options.
Options - Additional Options will be available as you progress. Body Designer System Companion Designer World Designer Current Statistics
Without a body, I wasn't exactly sure how to choose any of the options. I sat there stumped for a second before realizing how stupid I was. It had just shown me how to do it before this menu. With a thought, I chose the one that was most appealing at the moment. Body Designer.
Please imagine the body you wish to create for your personal use. This body may be changed at any time through the Options menu.
With this, I truly hesitated. I thought of my old world, my old body. Would I change anything about myself? Deciding that, at the very least, since I would be some kind of creator or god... Yes. I would. I had to look the part, after all. Not too drastic of a change but at least enough to make me look somewhat divine. I started to visualize my body in the ether.
I wouldn't change my asiatic skin tone, though. I made my face soft, kind. My hair, previously, had been somewhat thin. But now, it was full -- thick and silky, and a deep black. The body stood at nearly 170cm in height, just as before. It was well proportioned, and you can't blame a girl for making herself so. The rest of the body was well toned.
As an after-thought, I added clothes on top of the body. I didn't want to walk around naked. It was a hanfu as black as the void surrounding it, with intricate misty designs of chinese dragons stitched into it. The sleeves were long and loose, much like the only hanfu I had owned before my death. There were simple wooden geta on my feet.
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Mentally trying to confirm the submission, I waited in excitement. It felt like minutes passed before anything happened.
Body data accepted. Please wait while your new body is constructed.
A large portion of the mist that surrounding me gathered at my rapidly forming toes. I wiggled them around, dumbstruck. I watched in awe as the rest of my body formed from the mist. The clothing was formed last, gently layered over my body. The fabric was unbelievably soft and smooth, and cold to the touch. With a few testng stretches, I examined my body. It felt... great! More than great, I suppose, it was exactly what I had always wanted to be before my death. It was perfect.
Looking at the rest of the options, the next move was obvious. A system companion would be necessary. I had no idea what the hell I was doing.
Please choose an option below.
-Custom Companion: For experienced Keepers who just want an extra companion to keep them company. Allows a modifiable body and mind, but does not contain system knowledge.
-Default Companion: Recommended for new Keepers, contains extensive system knowledge, and allows a modifiable body. Mind is randomized, but can be altered through natural growth.
I felt giddy as I read through it. I got to design their body too? I tried to suppress the excitement inside of me as I remembered the hundreds of hours I had poured into the sims and other games like it. Setting my emotions to the side for a moment, I selected the default companion option. I was definitely not experienced, and it was the only real choice offered. I doubted it would be much more than ruining my second chance at life if I selected a custom companion.
Input accepted. Please visualize a body for the companion.
This one would be the most challenging, I imagine. If I was being the 'creator' of a whole new universe, these companions would basically be a shoe-in for a pantheon of gods right? I should probably think of a theme for it. Asian fantasy would certainly be the most fun, but thinking about the hundreds of deities and religions was a headache. I smiled as I came up with a decent idea. If I was to go off that, then the answer for the first companion was quite obvious.
Without hesitation, I imagined an azure dragon. Dozens of meters in diameter and height, I imagined it as long as a river. With long whiskers and staunch, resolute eyes. Of course, I gave him cute little claws as well; couldn't miss that part. I thought about the randomized personality for a moment. What if he got a really silly one? I hummed in thought as I finished imagining the last details on his tail.
Body data accepted. Mind profile determined. Please wait while the companion is constructed.
This time, I was an outside observer as the body formed. It seemed as if the entirety of the mist I could see swarmed into the enormous size of the dragon. Minutes passed as it gradually formed, the head of the dragon being the last to reach completion. Several moments passed as I waited for it to wake.
It's eyes opened, his snakelike pupils meeting my own. "Hello, Creator." A deep and booming voice spoke to me. I let a wide smile form on my face. "What is my name?"
"Hello, it's nice to meet you." I pretended to hum in thought. "A name? Well, let's see. It needs to be something powerful." I saw agreeance flash in his eyes. "Well, then. I think I have the perfect name for you." His desire to know seemed to radiate off of him. "Qinglong."
The dragons enormous mouth opened and let out a laugh. "What a great name. I will cherish it for as long as we live, Creator."
"Please, call me Kuan Yin." I bowed towards the dragon. It felt wrong to be in a higher position of power to such a mighty beast, but I suppose I'd have to get used to it.
I was the Creator now, after all.