Death isn’t what I imagined. Even my cause of death was strange. Rather than just being killed, I was assassinated. And not by just any old assassin either, but by the woman I was in love with. A woman who I probably am still in love with.

From my last interactions with her… she really didn’t want me to die. Unfortunately for us, I’m currently floating through a sea of nothingness. Things just never seem to work out for me.

Before I can wallow in self-pity for the umpteenth time, strange lights start appearing in front of me. It reminds me of the fireworks I saw when I was younger. All I can do is stare since I have no body to do anything with anymore. 

The lights coelesce until a colorful palette paints itself into the empty nothingness. A figure steps out, a long gown trailing behind them. It’s like whatever portal they stepped out of attached itself to their gown as they fully materialized in front of me.

My breath would’ve been taken from me if I still had lungs, but whoever it is that stepped out of the portal looks like the most beautiful woman to ever exist.

“Flattering but I’m here to offer a deal, not be showered in compliments,” she says.

Her voice sounds like a choir of angels just serenaded me. Woah, she must be some kind of goddess or something. But wait, did she read my mind?

“Yes I did, and yes I’m a goddess of sorts. Not one that your world would know of, but one from a different world.”

Did she just confirm different worlds existed? But did she mean worlds as in planets or worlds as in different universes? This would be a discovery of a lifetime if… I were actually still alive.

“Different universes, though of course there is life on different planets. Now stop asking questions and listen. I have a deal that you would be perfect for.”

I try not to think about how aliens are real and focus on whatever this goddess wants to offer me.

“I can give you a second chance at life. My world is in sore need of an outside perspective and your parameters in your world is one that might change the course of my world’s destiny.”

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“Parameters?”

“Your karmic potential. How heavily can your actions influence the future? How many people’s fate’s are dependent on yours? With your karmic potential, you were likely a great historical figure in a past life. Multiple past lives even. And it’s the reason why you died so young. Destiny hates people who can change its course more than anything.”

“Wouldn’t that just mean I’ll die quickly in your world too?”

“Possibly. But you won’t be powerless in my world. You’ll have magic.”

“What type of world is yours exactly?”

A smile crosses her face. I can already feel the hook reeling me in.

“A world of magic, demons, and monsters. There are vast kingdoms full of bright minds and great heroes. Everyone has magic, though not everyone can use it to its full potential. Some use it for good, others not. And then there are the monsters that prowl outside of the kingdoms, and a continent full of demons. It’s a world full of adventure, something you’ve always wished for no?”

She’s not wrong. I’ve always been fascinated by fantasy worlds. This might literally be my only chance to live in one.

“So do I have to fight back the demon invasion or something?”

“No. I just need you to prevent the apocalypse.”

“From… the demons? The monsters…?”

“Something you’ll need to discover yourself. I’m not… allowed to say much on the future. Even I can’t mess with fate that much. Me meddling with just this is already pushing it.”

“So what exactly is my quest then?”

“This isn’t a game Misaki. There is no quest. You have to figure it out yourself.”

This is sounding more and more like something that I… probably shouldn’t involve myself in. But it’s either that or stay dead.

“What exactly will I have to my advantage?”

“Something no one else in the world has. I’m bestowing on you both magic and curse power. You’ll have two different affinities no one else in the world will have.”

“Uh… how exactly does that work?”

“Magic is something attached to your soul. You’ll have a special affinity that’s unique to you based on whatever you’re most proud of. Curse power is something that only demons have, and it’s the inverse of magic. Instead of your pride, it’s hidden potential you never thought of. The potential for each is based on your karmic potential so expect to have… a high ceiling.”

“Great. So how do I use it?”

“Think of it like this. Magic is your mind, and curse power is your heart. Now do you accept? I do have other things to take care of. You can figure out the rest in my world.”

“Oh yeah sure. I accept your deal.”

“And it’s done. Watch your landing,” she says before I feel myself free falling through the air.