Before I could look around in pure bamboozlement, I heard a strange noise come from behind me. As I turned my ethereal body around I was surprised I saw color but what I saw was more than colors.

As I turned around, my heart raced in anticipation. The world around me seemed to blur, and a strange sense of detachment filled the air. It was as though reality itself had taken a breath, holding onto a moment pregnant with significance. And then, there it was—unfolding before me like a painting brought to life—an ethereal portal.

This portal, bathed in a mesmerizing dance of green and aqua hues, stood as an otherworldly doorway amidst the backdrop of the mysterious landscape. Its edges shimmered with a faint iridescence, as if its very existence defied the laws of nature. The colors swirled and blended, creating a mesmerizing play of light that seemed to reach out, beckoning me forward.

The portal itself seemed to pulse with a rhythmic energy, a living entity bridging the gap between worlds. It radiated a palpable sensation—an almost electrical charge that seemed to dance on my skin, hinting at the vast mysteries that lay beyond its threshold.

As I stared into the depths of the portal, my gaze was drawn deeper into its heart. It was as if I could see beyond the surface, glimpsing an endless expanse of swirling currents and cosmic energies. The colors seemed to twist and turn in a chaotic ballet, a visual symphony that defied explanation.

At that moment, the world around me faded, and all that remained was the portal—an enigmatic, tantalizing passage to realms unknown. Its very presence stirred a mixture of emotions within me—curiosity, wonder, and a touch of trepidation. It was a doorway to a world that promised adventure, mystery, and perhaps even answers to questions I hadn't yet formulated.

I stood there, caught between the allure of the unknown and the comfort of the familiar. Time seemed to slow as I contemplated my next move. Should I step through? What lay on the other side? Could I truly leave everything behind?

The portal's vibrant colors seemed to shift and swirl with a newfound intensity, as though responding to the thoughts racing through my mind. It was as if the portal itself were sentient, aware of my inner turmoil.

A sense of determination coursed through me. I was drawn to the portal, the pull of its mysterious depths impossible to resist. With a deep breath, I took a step forward, the threshold before me disappearing as my form melded with the swirling currents.

And then, as quickly as a heartbeat, I was enveloped by the portal's brilliance. Colors whirled around me, a kaleidoscope of sensations and emotions. I felt weightless as if I were floating in an ocean of dreams. The world around me blurred and twisted, and reality itself seemed to shift and reshape.

As I moved through the portal's embrace, a profound sense of both exhilaration and uncertainty washed over me. The colors swirled and danced, pulling me further away from the world I had known. With each passing moment, the familiar became a distant memory, and the promise of a new reality awaited me on the other side.

As I emerged from the portal, I see the same white room with Azrael waiting patiently for me. Even though I stepped into a real portal I still had a burning desire to let my question be heard and not a second more were they going to be dammed up behind my sense of bewilderment.

“What do you mean that they are not here? Placed in another world, ain’t there only one called Earth?”

I started to barrage Azrael with many questions. Asking how or why that is even possible while he sat there glowing and looking in my vicinity. Another World? I mean, I always wondered how God was able to just look at only humans. What kind of world, a peaceful one? Or is it more hellish in nature?

“Relax and let me continue. Put your faith in me that I will answer your questions as best as I can Alex.”

“Fine, why are they still alive if you said they were killed in the same accident that killed me?”

“One of my jobs here is actually not letting humans die very quickly. So I and Gabriel set up an exact schedule of when a person is to be born and when they are supposed to die. Leon and Katlyn were not yet supposed to die and hence they were given a choice to relive in another world full of magic.”

“Magic? Like teleportation or what we see in movie theaters? Come on, even that sounds a little far-fetched.”

“How do you humans think of such ideas then? You get them by your dreams, because not only are they like a movie inside your head, they are like a brief history in another world.”

“So magic is real, how does it fit in my younger siblings and why were they sent before me instead of with me?”

“Because remember they were not supposed to die in the accident but they did. Although it meant that you, Alex, were only supposed to die in the wreck that occurred.”

“Oh…” my voice was ushered to silence as I realized what he meant. I assume that I was going to get the Christmas tree alone and I ended up dying alone in the wreck rather than Leon and Katlyn too.

“You must be wondering why that brings you here then. Well, to put it bluntly, the old man in the sky you call God wanted me to give you a choice to also join them in this world as well.”

“Yes! Is that even a question? I wouldn’t have even gone on that drive to the tree farm if it meant killing my brother and my sister.”

“Settle down there champ. You see I have to let you know about all of the important or major changes that have distinguished their world from your previous one.

“How big are the differences then?” I started to think of what a magical world would look like and wondered how magic even exists in a physical realm. ‘Does it follow the rules of physics or am I about to step into a world that can be described as The Matrix? If there is one thing for sure I have to be cautious around every stepping stone.’

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“Well for starters, there is magic in the world and more or less everyone has an affinity to certain magical elements. Wind, water, earth, and fire are the main ones along with the rarer ones. There are also all kinds of species, like elves and reptile humanoids and others.”

“Wait, magic and other species-like races? Are there any humans in this world?

“Of course, think of this world as a side experiment. Are there other worlds? Yes, God is a busy man and creates angels to oversee those worlds. I was in charge of the fatalities on Earth. So basically I am in charge of you and I want to give you a chance at your life without the burdens of your world.”

“As long as I can see Leon and Katlyn I will be happy and glad. Though where are they in this world?”

“Don’t know, Uriel overwatches that world. He is another angel and a very picky one at that. The reason why your brother and sister are in there in the first place is because he owed me some favors. Now I want you there if you are willing, plus this will look good on my record, so it is a mutual exchange.”

“I will do anything to see my family again, so yes I will go.”

“Okay, now one thing that I do have to mention is that I was told that Leon and Katlyn were put in a safe and prosperous environment. While you on the other hand will randomly be put into someone else's recently dead body. Although I can bend the rules somewhat and let you choose your magic and some skills that will boost your chance at finding them.”

“I have no idea what you said, but I will follow the best I can. Wait, did you say dead body? Won’t it be my own body?”

“No, you will be given a body in that world that can handle the new stresses there instead of a world where there was no magic and all kinds of unique skills.”

“Yeah that makes sense, I still don’t like it.” As I point my invisible hand at him. “So, what kind of options do I have to choose?”

“Since you will be heading into who knows what I can give you six elemental choices to choose from. First, you have the fire that will give you fire-related skills…” Azrael starts naming all of the benefits of each element and how they can help me in the immediate future. I was anxious to see a new world, so I really was blanking out until Azrael reached the last element.

“Finally, we have the dark element. In what Uriel told me, these skills help the user to have a more diverse range of what you humans call rogue-ish behavior. Basically, to list a few he said that the basic spell is invisibility and other kinds of magic that are mostly based on deception.”

‘The basic elemental properties of the other elements are very useful in every situation, but from what I can tell most people would wield the basic elements but not the rare ones. The dark element could pose a better option, I always preferred stealth rather than charging right into the heat of the battle. Though I bet I have to master these skills in my own way when I see them for myself.’

“I will take the dark elemental power.”

“Okay and next I can give you two options, one I can make a skill from an item that was in your possession from your world or you can get a skill here.”

“Will the item dissipate to turn it into a skill?”

“No, it will still be in your hands permanently in the new world. Though for the skill to work, you have to be wearing that item somewhere on your body.”

“I will take that option and can I have the mask my mother gave to me before she passed away? It was always important to me. Plus, Leon and Katlyn will recognize that mask as my own.”

“An emotional item can grant a more powerful skill, good choice. Oh and do you want to stay human, aww I can’t bend that much I’m afraid. Uriel will flip a cloud, on that note is there anything else you need before you head off?”

“Can I come back here when I pass on in that world? Is heaven different from here?”

“No, not really. When you die again I will see you again and we can discuss from there. Anything else?”

“Can you tell my mom that I love her and that I am sorry that I could not give Leon or Katlyn a better life as promised?”

“I can and I will, alright better send you off before Uriel gets any wiser and suddenly appears here with me and you. Oh, and one more thing.”

“Yeah?”

“Not all humans sacrifice so much just to see smiles, even if they are your kin. You tried to make everyone smile and feel better, spoiler, you did. You are a good kid.” Azrael said in his or its monotone voice.

Before I can utter a word, color rushed to my sight. It was like I was rubbing my eyes constantly and stars were coming to my eyes with bright flashes of light. The next thing I was feeling was a burning sensation and what I can tell was my soul was being warped and stretched. I wish I could say it wasn’t painful, but I would be lying.

Then before I could even get a grip on what I was feeling I felt a cold chill up my spine as I turned around. A little waterfall was in front of me, its water running smoothly when I walked up to it. It was like a mirror, but the person the reflection was giving me was not my own. My skin was the same color but when I got a closer look at my skin it felt like my skin was stiff.

My face wasn’t my own as I had more of a jagged face. I do still look handsome though, at least I still have that with me. What is even more strange is that I have this new body and I don't feel at all scared or terrified that it isn’t me. Maybe that strange room is still having its effects on me still?

While I was lost in thought a spark of color showed through the little cascade falls. I slowly reached my arm through the water to grab what was on the other side of the mini falls. I grabbed the object and started to retract my arm as I started to realize what was giving that unique color scheme.

My mask! I started to hug the only thing that I had left of my previous world. No, I still have something more than that in this world. I will find you two if it is the last thing I will ever do. I have to make sure they are safe even if Azrael said that they were in a safe environment.

Though before I started my self-inspirational speech I could feel something pulling me back. I turned around and watched as an avalanche of water was heading right towards me. Though before I could do anything the shockwave hit me before the next pump of blood went through me.

“Wake up! Wake up!”

“Ugh Leon shut the lights out it is way too bright in my room”

As I utter my words I can feel pain shoot through my ribs. Reacting I jumped up as fast as I could and was surrounded by all kinds of people and creatures that looked human? Before I got another glance around I could feel a strange sensation tingle in my body. I was then violently forced to the ground, it was like gravity was stronger for a millisecond. When I looked up I could see a face that looked red and very pissed. I wish I could describe the smell from the man but, putting words to that would try to cool down the sun with a watering can.

“Alright listen you piece of shit, I bought you from the slave market because they said you will listen to orders and was healthy as an ox! But, just now I had to force-feed you a health potion to keep you from dying, err fuck this plague going around. Not only that you say nonsense about lights and shit?! Where the fuck do think this is? Now get dressed and get in line so you can mine all day and night for this bullshit.”

As he left I got up on my feet and looked around and wondered, where the holy fuck am I?