John, an ordinary man in his late twenties with dark hair and black eyes, trudged wearily home from another monotonous day at work. As he approached his apartment building, he couldn't help but let out a sigh, feeling the weight of the day settle upon him.
Entering his modest apartment, he dropped his bag with a thud and flopped onto the worn-out couch. His tired gaze fixed on the TV screen, tuning in to the nightly news. "Good evening, everyone. Today's weather forecast predicts..." the reporter's voice trailed off as John's eyes grew heavy, eventually succumbing to sleep.
Suddenly, the ground beneath him shook violently, jolting him awake. Panic surged through his veins as he scrambled under the sturdy dining table for cover. "What the...?!" he exclaimed, his heart pounding in his chest. The powerful earthquake rattled the apartment, causing objects to crash and shatter around him.
After what felt like an eternity, the tremors ceased, and John cautiously emerged from his hiding place. As he stepped outside, the full extent of the devastation became apparent. Houses lay in ruins, debris scattered like confetti, and injured people cried out for help.
"Help! Help! My foot is stuck!" a man's voice cried out in desperation. John's instinct to aid those in need kicked in, overriding his own fear. "Are you okay?" he asked, his voice filled with genuine concern.
"Do I look okay to you?" the man snapped, his pain evident in his voice. Though embarrassed by the retort, John persevered and rushed to assist him, carefully freeing the trapped limb.
With the injured man's safety ensured, John quickly dialed emergency services on his phone. Just as he relayed the location and requested an ambulance, a deafening crash reverberated through the air. "Hey! Watch out!" the man shouted, his warning too late. John instinctively glanced up, his eyes widening in terror as an electric pole came crashing down towards him.
In a desperate attempt to evade the imminent danger, John dodged, but his reflexes were not swift enough. "Ah!" he cried out in agony as the electric pole struck him, its weight and force proving fatal. Darkness engulfed him as his life slipped away.
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After a moment, John regained consciousness and found himself in an unfamiliar place. Confusion washed over him as he tried to speak, only to realize that he couldn't. Panic started to set in as he attempted to move his limbs, but there was no response.
"What is happening? Am I dreaming?" John wondered, his mind racing. Gradually, his memory came back, reminding him of the tragic accident that took his life. He let out a resigned sigh, accepting his fate.
As he looked around, he noticed a faint glow in the distance, slowly approaching him. The glow took the form of a luminous ball, hovering before him. "Hello there, mortal," a voice echoed in his mind. It was a blend of masculine and feminine tones, almost like a robotic voice.
Startled yet intrigued, John turned his head, trying to locate the source of the voice. "Who's there?" he thought, his thoughts projecting directly to the enigmatic entity.
"I am Nothingness, born before everything else. I am the most powerful being, and I can take different forms depending on how you perceive me," the voice replied.
John processed the information, his curiosity piqued. "So, you're like a god or something? And why do you appear as a glowing ball?"
"I am not a god, but you can
consider me as such. The form you see is how you perceive me. To others, I can appear as a human or an elf," Nothingness explained.
Fascinated, John contemplated the situation. "So, this is not a dream or the afterlife?"
"No, mortal. This is your reality now. You are already dead," Nothingness responded.
John sighed, acknowledging the truth. "Well, that's unfortunate. So, what now? Are you here to guide me to heaven or hell?"
"No, I am here to offer you a chance to live again, but not in your world," Nothingness offered.
"A reincarnation?" John mused, thinking about the possibilities.
"Yes, that's correct, mortal. You will be reincarnated in a world where sword and magic coexist with advanced technology. But first, you will be granted three boons of your choosing. What are your desires?"
John's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Reincarnated with three boons? Just like in those novels! Alright, the first boon I desire is..."
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To be continued...
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