As she lay in dirtied snow, she began to grow cold. She couldn’t tell if that was a good thing or not, her brain felt so fuzzy. She looked up at the moon shining brightly over her broken body. Maybe if she focused on something the cold would start to fade.

“I should have wore my coat tonight, my Lady,” she wheezed out, barely more than a whisper. “Please, I’m not ready… still so much to do,” she began pleading with celestial body she had loved for as long as she could remember.

So it shall be…

It was so quiet, yet echoed through every cell of her body and down to the core of her soul. She felt an acceptance within as the world faded away before her eyes.

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Light. A serene light consumed her senses. It was everything everywhere, yet somehow a gentle nothingness. It was beautiful and calm here, and she was no longer cold.

This chance was not given lightly, my child. Before I send you on, there are some things to discuss.

The words were much clearer here, and she felt the weight that they carried. This is telepathy? She had thought the sound would stay in her mind… her HEAD! Where was her body? Had she actually died after all?

I understand you may be upset that this is how it has to be. Alas, your physical form was no longer inhabitable.

The voice came again, this time she felt some regret mixed with minor disgust on the last word. Inhabitable, meaning beyond saving in this context, she had died. Now, for the first time, she tried to speak.

I thank you my lady! Though I am unsure what you would like to discuss.

She really hoped it wasn’t going to be some kind of crazy quest she would have to complete. Or one of those prophecy of ancient myths.

Your… untimely passing was unfortunately an accident, that shimmer that accidentally blinded your…partner? It was another god who got sloppy dealing with a separate incident. As such, I am acting as intermediary as I am the one you called out to!

The apparent moon goddess’s voice passed through her once more. Speaking to the higher being was unlike anything she had ever experienced before. Feeling the intention and intensity in every syllable was hard to get used to. She decided to ask the goddess a question,

So is my partner, as you called him… alive?

She was almost afraid to know the answer. Her boyfriend of 3 years, tonight her new fiancé, had been driving them home from the winter festival they had visited earlier that night. Gavin, she had been planning to spend the rest of her days with him. They should have had a lifetime ahead of them. If he was in half the state she was… she couldn’t let herself start spiraling without all the facts first!

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Ah, no. It seems he was offered the same opportunity I’m about to give you, but by another of my kin.

At least the goddess was blunt with her. Although she had no idea if he actually took it or not yet, she had a feeling he would.

What is the offer, did he take his?

Her quick questioning earning her a brief feeling of laughter from the goddess.

Yes, I’ll answer your questions in order. One, the offer I have for you is to be sent to another world. There are some options you have with that. Two, he graciously agreed to his offer, with a request. The request being that where you go he will follow. That one seems rather sweet on you!

Sweet indeed! They’d had a conversation about this kind of scenario before! She was an avid reader and would often go to him, asking what he would do and his thoughts on it. They could have conversations for hours about it! She began to miss him, longing for the feeling of his rough palm against her own smooth one. Touch was no longer in this form, all she had right now were her memories and emotions.

Yes my Lady, we love each other very much. It appears I should hear you out on this one.

With that, the goddess gave her the options. Her first was to be sent in a complete rebirth. Second was to be sent in as herself with a healthy copy of her original body, at 23 years old, the age she was when she died. Lastly, was to be placed into the body of a child who had been in an illness induced sleep, and proceed as if the child lost their memory.

Out of her options, one and three sounded the best possible for her. Of course, she wouldn’t get to choose the appearance of her new body that way. That was something she could live with though. Sure, she was comfortable in her own skin, but new world new body has a nice appeal. There was a question beginning to eat at her though,

My Lady, can you tell me what he picked? I feel my decision would go easier if I knew what he chose. So I can try finding him when I get there.

The goddess was quick to answer,

No, that’s part of the journey. That is all I will say on this.

Cryptic, and didn’t make this easier for her at all! Assuming the identity of a random child would be hard. At the same time a total rebirth would be an incredibly long process! Suddenly another question for the goddess came to her,

I will retain my memories, but will my skills be transferable?

It took a moment before the goddess answered,

Ah I was beginning to wonder if you’d ask that, no one really ever does! The place where you will be sent will have skills similar to that of the video games you know of. So if you want we are able to give you one of your skills from your previous incarnation as a “freebie”, but choose carefully. Many will not be suitable for your new world.

That was a good question for her to ask indeed, this was helpful! She thought back an her life and soon decided, it would be her crocheting. She would say crafting but that’s incredibly broad by definition, and she wasn’t sure if that would be a problem down the line. Maybe she should choose crafting because of how broad it is, she would have more flexibility in what she creates. She could always ask first,

My lady, if I pick something broad, would I be able to narrow it down later? Like skill upgrades?

The goddess was quick with her answer this time.

You’re certainly taking care in your decision, little one! I like you! Yes, and if you do something particularly noteworthy or revolutionary then you will be rewarded as well!

She couldn’t help but feel a bit embarrassed that a goddess was complementing her. She had always been a little on the indecisive side, but now she had to make sure she knew what she was doing. She had to get things right now, so that hopefully the transition would be easier for her. Not that this would ever be easy. She was losing her family, her friends, and Gavin. Even if the last would only be until they found each other again. They could do it, she knew that in her core. She could do anything with Gavin in her corner.

My lady, I’ve made my decision.