My name is Aprel. I am a healthy teenager at the age of eighteen...or at least I was. Right now is the most critical moment of my life...I died. A madman with a knife stabbed me to death, and before my dying eyes, when the police came in he slit his own throat to avoid prison. What kind of a coward is that? To take the easy way out in the most pitiful and shameful manner? And worse, he surrendered his life just to kill me.
I feel...cold. I am slowly dying...I see blurry visions of...people screaming at me. It’s no use...I am about to die, as my eyes slowly close into eternal sleep. I never really like to live that much, almost having nothing to live for. I tried to live though, playing sports, learning martial arts...in the end the only way I can live is because of...reading. I like to read the lives of others...and imagine myself being the protagonist of the story and enjoy the life adventurous life, especially fantasy ones in another world. Manga, games, and light novels...I am fond of them all.
And now, I am passing away, about to meet my maker in the sanctuary beyond the sky above me. I am...filled with regret. I want to live….truly live as a person, not just as a human being. I want to live a true fulfilling life...but now the darkness has claimed me, as I close my eyes for good.
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‘...Hmmm? What is that light?’
A dim, light like a small star in the night sky appeared...and it is growing bigger and bigger until it is blinding my sight completely…
‘AHHHHHhhh!’ I shouted in pain a little...as I see...a...man? The man spoke in a...calm, soothing, yet powerful voice that echoes with each word.
“Greetings, young mortal.” The man has no clear depiction whatsoever as I only see a man colored in bright white. However...his stature is similar to a short round man, and his posture looks like a man sitting down cross-legged meditating.
“!!!.....!” I tried to talk but no voice came out. I have no idea how to react. I should be panicking and scared...I should be. But something is wrong...I feel no emotion, just...peace. I am literally at peace with my death? …Ahh...I just want another chance to live my life without regrets.
“So you want to live? ...I can grant you that wish...but it will not be where you have died.” The man spoke as he placed his hand forward.
‘Huh...how did he know that? Is that guy psychic?!’ I thought in panic and confusion.
“No...I am a God, and I can read your thoughts.” The mans spoke as I am now filled with suspicion.
“...If you are a God....but first I did die right?” I thought a loud to confirm my suspicions. I should panic, but in my current state, all conflicting emotions are very short lived.
“Yes, you did.” The ‘god’ answered.
“...Why are you offering me this?” I asked as this is something that should not happen.
“...Because you are chosen to help change the world I am from into a better place...Although there will be trials in that regard.” The God said as I don’t believe.
The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.
“Also, you will have powers to help yourself in the new world to carry out my mission. What powers do you seek?” The man asks.
‘...I do not believe this, but screw it all...I might as well amuse myself in this regard. Let’s see...Ohhhh, how about superhuman powers and invulnerability, the power to control force, all the forces like electromagnetic force, gravity, and stuff. Ultimat healing capabilities and…’ However my thoughts are interrupted.
“It seems you are skeptical. Choose two powers I mean.” The man clarified in his case.
‘...Alright. I always wanted to be a force user...so I choose force manipulation, and I want a super body. One that has no flaws and can adapt, strong, etc...and can take the powers of others. My ideal kind of body.’ I thought out my preferences.
“I see...then close your eyes. I must warn you though...there will be trials to test your capabilities, and if you die, another will take your place.” The man said with a smile.
‘Give and take huh? I can deal with that...What are these trials you speak of?’ I thought a loud.
“...You will find out.” The man said with a smile as he place his hand on my forehead, as a hot searing sensation attacked my mind.
‘Ahhhhhhhhhh!!! Stop!’ I shouted as darkness takes my consciousness away.
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‘...Ow my head…’ I said in my mind as I opened my eyes again. I have no idea where I am though…
I tried to feel for my surroundings. I feel like I’m trapped in a goddamn coffin….Wait…
I am lying back down on something hard and stony, I stretched my arms and legs sideways to feel nothing more than stone. I then pushed up to feel...more stone.
‘Am I really trapped in a coffin?!’ I shouted to myself in my head as I tried to remove this damn thing! However, it just refuses to budge!
'I am going to...GRAHH!!' I shouted out loud (although no sound came out) as I...fired something from my palm in my anger and...blew the obstruction off my head launching it towards something like a ceiling ceiling, and broke apart as dust and rubble rained down on me.
'...The God wasn’t kidding.' I said to myself as I tried to exit the goddamn 'coffin'...and looked around. All I see are….torches and more and more stones, this time more polished and chiseled into works of art, meaning I am in a man-made room...or is it a tomb?
'...Am I really in a goddamn...oh don’t tell me…' I thought to myself...only to look down at my hands to confirm and see...white bone hands.
'...GOOOOOOOOOODDDDDDDDDDD!!!!' I shouted to the ceiling as I then looked over my body, yet no sound still emerged from my fleshless mouth. I see white bones with certain tattoos here and there around my body in sun orange...in cloud-like patterns dyed in golden light, small ones at that...I cannot see my head as there is no mirror.
'Dammit! No no no no no no no no no no!' I panicked and clasped my head in my dread upon seeing what I have become. I am...a frickin Skeleton…