(?????) "What am I doing here? I was sent out to go get milk then..."

                 *Flashback start*

(?????) "OK. mom I'll be right back need anything else?"

(Mom) "No that's all Adam. Thanks." She says as I turn my back to her

(Adam) "Ok ill be right back then." I say as I start to walk out the door. Closing it on my way out I start the short walk towards the corner store, hoping that it is still open.

                 *15 minutes later*

(Thug) "Give me everything you have if you want to live." A gruff male voice says from behind me right after I leave the store.

(Adam) "Shit, I'm being robbed!" I realize as I spin around to face the man. Behind me I see a man wearing a black sweater and jeans jump back in fear. Not knowing what to do he thrusts the knife forwards straight at me.

In a panic, I try to duck out of the way but am too slow and feel a horrible pain in my side. I notice a warm trickle start to flow down my side. Hoping I'm wrong I look down at the knife lodged in my side.

(Thug) "I didn't mean to stab him! Shit shit shit what do I do? O god I got to get out of here!" He says in a panic before trying running away.

I looked down at the knife in shock. I grab it when all of a sudden it started to bleed even worse. It was at this moment that I realized I was going to die. With nothing left to lose, I grab the knife and pull. It comes out with unimaginable pain as it rips apart my side. Finally, the rest of it comes out of my side. Looking at the man who stabbed me I know what I need to do.

Pulling back my arm I throw the knife at him and watch as it fly's right at him. I hear a scream before he falls to the ground. Gargling sounds come from him for just a moment before he lays still. I feel satisfaction for just a moment though. Because right after he stops moving I also fall onto the ground. Realizing this is the end for me I start to think back on my life as everything starts to fade.

                   *flashback end*

(Adam) "I.. I died? Does that mean this is the afterlife? Nothing but darkness forever? This can't be it. There must be something else. Right? This must be a test of some sorts. To see how strong of mind we are. There is no way something like this can be the afterlife"

My panicking is cut off by a soft feminine voice.

(Voice) "For most it is. But you have been given a second chance at life. To be summoned to another world to be a hero and slay the demon lord. All you must do is step forward and accept your destiny."

After she says this I once again left alone. The only difference is there is now a white beam of light in front of me. Looking at it closer it doesn't seem to come from anywhere. Just a beam of light in the darkness. While looking at it quickly decide what I am going to do.

With my mind made I step towards the light and see... The thug that stabbed me. Next to him there are three people I never saw before. One is a young girl with blonde pigtails , green eyes, and pale skin. Next to her was an older man with a short black hair, brown eyes and is seems to be very tall. The last person I couldn't see very well but they seem to be young. Behind them are 5 figures I can make out even thought are right in front of me. Almost as if space itself is distorting their appearance.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

While I'm looking at them trying to figure out what is happening The middle one steps forward and starts to speak.

(Figures 1) "As the four of you have been told. You will be summoned as heroes to another world. You will be going to a game like world of swords and magic, Astoria. There is a system there that gives all the races stats, skills, lets them level up and much more. You will all be given an improved version of the human system. The hero system. Using this you need to stop the demon lord and save the people of this world."

After his long speech, he pauses almost as if waiting for a question to be asked. A few moments go by before the first person steps forward and ask.

(Young girl) "Why were we chosen to do this? There must have been many that were more suited to this task than us"

(Figure 2) "It is merely chance. We chose four young souls who had just died and had not gone insane from being in the void. You were just lucky nothing more."

(Older man) "Why do we get if we are able to stop the demon lord? You don't think we will do this for nothing do you"

(Figure 3) "If you are able to successfully battle the demon lord then each of you will be given one wish ....within Reason."

(Young  man?) "You said there where four heroes. Then why are there five of use here?"

(Figure 1) "That can't be there should only be four."

He says before looking around the room and noticing that there is five of us. A look of confusion appears on his face before he says.

(Figure 1) "Well, I guess we just need to send one of them back. But with one to send back."

It's at this point that I feel a gaze fall onto me.

(Adam) "Wait don't send me" is all I can get out before I see a white light all around me.

Right as the light starts to intensify. I hear a voice deep male voice that seems to be filled with glee

(?????) "You sure are unlucky, aren't you? About to be given another chance at life only to have it torn away from you. Well how about I bring you to that world instead? Of course, it will be on my terms, not theses washed up gods."

(Adam) "Why would you do that?"

(?????) "For fun. To see what happens. To spite theses old fools. Many reasons. But I don't think you have the luxury to worry about that right now."

(Adam) "...Do it!"

I say in desperation.

And with that everything around start to glow even brighter. Only to fade for me to see... darkness again.

______________________________________________________________________________________________

This is my first story so please point out any mistakes I made or ways to make my writing better.