"Leo, you're gonna be late for work!" his mother called out from upstairs. His head dropped with a deep sigh. Not again. Why did he have to work there anyway? He hated the managers, except for maybe two of them, and obviously, he didn't want to work in fast food in the first place. Yet, despite this, he conceded, got up, and searched for his oil-stained uniform and marked black pants.

"Yeah, Mom! I got it!" Leo snatched his keys and dashed up the steps, slipping on his nasty black shoes. In a few swift steps, he was already in his car, a song blasting, and looking at the time.

It would take him around 12 minutes to get to work if he drove normally, if he sped a little, was blessed with little to no traffic, and if the stoplights turned green perfectly in time for him, he would get there in about 8 or 9. His shift was scheduled for 4:00 p.m. on the dot, but the machine would let him clock in a minute late. So, he technically had an extra minute to spare. Leo smirked a little, despite having to head to his dreaded workplace. Mom always told him to get to work on time and don't go late, for obvious reasons. For example: getting fired or getting into a car accident. He didn't really care, but he appreciated his parent's concern. Honestly, he wouldn't mind getting fired, but a car accident would be bad. Well, only if it happened.

He pulled into the parking lot of his dreaded fast-food job. It wasn't too bad in the beginning, and some people may enjoy it. He didn't care nor would judge someone for working there, it's just that he honestly didn't want to work there anymore. Yet, for some reason, he didn't quit.

C1

It was dark. 10 p.m. to be exact, the roads should be clear and the streetlights should be on. He sulked over to his car, opened the door, and stepped in. He threw a bag of food into the backseats and looked in the mirror. Leo's dark hair was shaped into a helmet as a result of wearing his hat for hours. It felt disgusting. His hair was stiff, slick with grease, matted with old sweat, and whatever else lurked on his head. Today was a horrible day. Understaffed yet again, being the only one who would make the sandwiches while also dropping the fried products. He had to do this while all these customers decided they wanted to pull in at night and ask for heaps of food.

A long sigh escaped his lips as he took a left, in front of him was a stop sign. For a moment he stopped. Then the thoughts came flooding in.

What was he doing with his life? He really just couldn't quit a job that he hated, nor stop being lazy. Did he actually have no sense of direction? Or did he just not care about his life? Why didn't he take control of his life? At first, he could blame people, but it's been going on for too long now. The problem was obviously himself. Blowing money on stupid pixels in a video game, not doing things that would actually benefit his life, and letting his insecurities define him. Leo knew that others were suffering more than him and that his situation may not be horrible, but, what could they do to help him? Nothing. He couldn't do anything to help them either. Everyone has their struggles.

His arms steered to the left again, this time, he stopped at the red light in the left lane. There he would take another left, then just keep on going straight and get home. It would be about 8 or 9 minutes before he got home, probably. Then he would...then he would do what? Play games again? No, he'd just take a shower and go to sleep. Or would he? Leo shook his head, he'd contemplated this before. Especially on nights like these where he would just ponder his life.

The light turned green. A pair of headlights beamed in front of him, flooding his eyes. He paid this no mind however, his mind still fixed on the thoughts in his head. Leo steered left like he always did, and this car would turn to its right because that's where it was headed. Instead, it wasn't. It was coming straight ahead.

A flash of realization zapped his brain awake. He blinked quickly and for some reason, his foot shifted to his brake pedal and pressed down. The car wasn't turning to its right. What? How? Surely, it looked like it was going to turn into the lane where they were going to turn? So, how? Wait, why was his foot on the brake?

Leo couldn't even comprehend what happened next. It was the first time he had felt something so powerful. His bones trembled and broke, muscles bruised and slashed, skull shattered, and brain crushed. The last thing he ever heard was the sound of glass shattering and metal being ripped and torn. He didn't even get the chance to listen to the sirens or his last breaths. He couldn't even say: "I love you" to his family one last time.

The eldest of his family, the supposed role model, is now dead in a car crash. His dead heart panged at the thought of his family mourning him. What would his parents think? Or his siblings? Although he was dead, for a moment, he was conscious. He apologized to his parents for not being a better eldest son, and to his siblings for not being the older brother they wanted. It was too late now, they would never hear him.

This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.

This was the end.

Leo blinked. For some reason, he could still think. He couldn't feel anything, it was just pitch black and void. It was truly, nothing.

Then, a sloshing sound pierced through the emptiness, filling his ears and stimulating his brain. He was dead, so how was this possible? A few moments later, a feeling of warmth soaked into his skin, seeping into his flesh. Leo tried to open his eyes, but it was like they were sewn shut. His heart pounded, thumping inside this liquidy realm, its vibrations echoing around him. Was he really alive again? Born again? He had a second chance! A spark of excitement lit inside him. Leo hoped he would be born into a rich family, be handsome or pretty, and have some crazy talent, or maybe something even better, like being isekai'd.

His tiny heart raced even faster, maybe a little too fast for an unborn child. Despite this, Leo's tiny brain raced with the idea of being born into a fantasy world like those animes. Born into a world with magic, where he could fly, cast magical spells, see dragons, and become a hero. He would be able to gaze upon the pretty elves, see the otherworldly craftsmanship of the dwarves, interact with other humans, and so much more. Now all he had to do was wait, and he didn't have to wait long.

Moments later he felt his mother push him out of her womb. The warm, watery world he was in was now gone, and into the new he entered.

He still couldn't see but could hear better with all the water out of his ears. It was still muffled though, as the voices surrounding him were unintelligible. By the sounds of it, there were many, many people surrounding him. They sounded excited, or that's what Leo thought. He surely must be the heir of a great king or something if this many people were here. Through the gargled and muffled voices, there was a phrase he could hear.

"What should we name him?" Leo couldn't tell whether the voice was that of a man or a woman, but it didn't matter. Then something very familiar to him swiped across his vision. In a golden blur, words presented themself to him like those in a video game. Reminiscent of those RPG games, and here they said, in that classic font: "Choose your name." Leo gulped. He gets to choose his name? Shouldn't it be the other way around? He shook his head, not knowing it would shake his actual head, causing a stir in the crowd. Leo blinked his nonexistent eyes and focused again on choosing his name. There was no keyboard for him to type with, so he would have to say it. Except, could he even speak?

"Leo," he said, deciding that he would just keep his original name, it was cool enough anyway. "That'll be my name." With a glorious sound, the name: "Leo" was input into the textbox and disappeared into golden fragments. Then, his eyes opened.

"Leo? Are you sure that's a fitting name for one of us?" a woman asked from the crowd. Leo blinked wildly, absorbing the world around him. It was dark and cold, with millions upon millions of stars sparkling across the night sky like a canvas. It was beautiful. It was definitely not Earth, or at least not the one he was on. This was something entirely different.

He knew this, but nothing prepared him for what he saw in front of him. His tiny body jolted in his mother's arms as he looked upon someone who might be his father. The man in front of him had blueish-gray skin but still looked human. He was wearing a tattered brown tunic and some gray shorts. He had all the features of a human, but some features were a bit different. The man had dark brown hair tied up in a neat bun, with some strands hanging down as bangs, his eyes were a dull green, and his teeth were quite sharp. It was kind of like a prototype of a human. Not a neanderthal or anything, but just an unfinished product. If he wasn't a human, then what was he?

"Hilda, what do you mean by that?" the man asked, his words were slow, sizzling with anger. He looked over his shoulder towards Hilda.

"Aram, I-I'm just saying. A name like that doesn't seem right," Hilda stammered. Leo could see her in the back. She had messy black hair that flowed down her shoulders. Hilda was quite a chubby lady, as her figure was more round. She was big-boned, as the humans from Earth would say.

"That doesn't answer my question," Aram sneered, squinting at her. "Are you saying because we're not humans we shouldn't have such a name?" The crowd shuffled uncomfortably, their eyes now pointing to the ground. It seemed like they agreed with Hilda, despite not saying anything.

"I-if that's what you want me to say, then yes," Hilda said, closing her eyes and squeezing the hem of her shirt. The crowd murmured, some in agreement, some in disbelief.

"Hilda..." Aram closed his eyes, he took a deep breath before speaking. "No matter what we are, we are still part of the earth. We are still her children, whatever we are, it doesn't matter. I would understand if I was giving him an elven name, but a human name is too much? That's nonsense." Leo couldn't believe what was unfolding before him. Were they actually fighting over the name he chose? Why would it matter? After all, it's just a name.

"N-names, harness power. I'm sure you know, Aram. We are weak! We're, we're Dwendols! Why would we take on such a powerful name?" Hilda's voice pierced through the awkward air, her point was clear. This name was no joke.

Leo felt his mother stir, she shifted in her position and rubbed his head. "Honey, Hilda, please. The boy is cold, why don't we get him situated first? Then we can discuss the name after." His mother's voice was frail, clearly exhausted from labor, yet it still sounded sweet and warm, like honey. Aram glanced at her, then Leo, then quickly at Hilda, before his shoulders dropped.

"Of course my love. Let's make sure the boy survives so this debate is of value," Aram, who Leo now knew was his father, got up to grab something. A moment later, Leo's naked body was wrapped in a gentle, silk-like cloth. His mother said a quick word that he couldn't catch and suddenly, the blanket was warm.

Then, he was whisked away.