The morning sun streamed through the curtains, casting a warm glow across the room. For a moment, everything felt surreal—like a dream that lingered just beyond the edge of consciousness. But the pounding in his chest, the cold sweat on his skin, and the sharp clarity of his thoughts told him this was real. He was truly back, twenty years in the past.

The young man—who had once been a battle-hardened survivor in a shattered world—took a deep breath, trying to steady himself. He glanced around his room, a place filled with remnants of a simpler time: posters of bands long forgotten, books he hadn’t touched in years, and a half-finished model of a spaceship that would never take flight. Everything was as he remembered, yet it all felt so distant, as if it belonged to someone else entirely.

He ran a hand through his hair, feeling the vitality of youth coursing through his veins. The lines of age and war that had once marked his face were gone, replaced by the smoothness of a twenty-year-old. The realization hit him again, this time with the force of a tidal wave—he had been given a second chance, a chance to change everything.

But with that realization came a flood of emotions. Amazement, yes, but also deep, gnawing regret. How many lives had he failed to save in his previous life? How many friends had he watched die, powerless to stop the inevitable? The memories were fresh, the pain still raw. He could see their faces, hear their voices—people who had placed their trust in him, only to be betrayed by the harsh reality of their world.

He clenched his fists, the weight of his past failures pressing down on him. But he couldn’t afford to wallow in regret. Not now. Not when he had a chance to set things right. He pushed the memories aside, focusing on the present, on what needed to be done.

The divine simulation—he had heard rumors of it in his past life, whispers of a mysterious event that granted individuals god-like powers on their twentieth birthday. He had dismissed it as a fantasy back then, a story told to give people hope in a hopeless world. But now he knew better. It was real, and it was the key to saving the future.

As the clock on his bedside table ticked towards noon, the young man braced himself for what was to come. He didn’t know exactly how the simulation would begin, but he could feel it, a growing presence in the back of his mind, like a door waiting to be opened.

And then, as the clock struck twelve, it happened.

A rush of energy surged through him, unlike anything he had ever felt before. It was as if the very fabric of reality had shifted, bending to his will. His vision blurred, and for a brief moment, he was no longer in his room. Instead, he stood in a vast, ethereal space—a domain of endless possibilities. It was his godly realm, a blank canvas waiting to be shaped by his hand.

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A voice echoed in his mind, calm and authoritative. “Welcome, Deity. You have been granted a domain in which to build your empire. Choose your race and title, and begin your journey.”

He hesitated, the enormity of the task before him weighing heavily on his shoulders. But then he remembered why he was here—what was at stake. He couldn’t afford to be indecisive. He would create a race strong enough to defend themselves, loyal enough to trust in his guidance, and powerful enough to conquer those who would seek to enslave them.

He closed his eyes, reaching deep within himself, drawing upon his memories of the future and the lessons he had learned. He would forge a people who could survive the coming storm, who could stand against the invaders and emerge victorious.

But just as he was about to make his choice, he felt a presence—no, multiple presences—entering his domain. He opened his eyes to find several figures standing before him, each one radiating a powerful aura. They were other deities, just like him, each one a potential ally—or rival.

One of them, a tall, dark-haired man with a confident smirk, stepped forward. His eyes gleamed with a mix of curiosity and challenge. “Looks like we’ve got ourselves a new player. Welcome to the game. The name’s Kieran. What’s yours?”

Another figure, a woman with fiery red hair and a fierce, determined expression, crossed her arms and nodded in his direction. “Don’t let Kieran intimidate you. He likes to play the tough guy, but he’s all bark and no bite. I’m Elara. It’s good to see a new face around here.”

The young man felt a strange mix of emotions as he looked at these two. They seemed familiar somehow, as if he had known them in another life. Perhaps he had, or perhaps they were just figments of this new reality. Either way, they were part of the simulation now, and he would have to navigate this complex web of alliances and enmities if he was to succeed.

He took a deep breath, pushing aside his uncertainties. There was no turning back now. This was his new reality, his new mission. He would not fail.

“My name is...” He paused, choosing his words carefully. His old name had died with his old life. He needed a new identity, one that reflected his resolve and determination. “Zephyr. You can call me Zephyr.”

Kieran grinned, a spark of interest in his eyes. “Zephyr, huh? Well, welcome to the divine arena, Zephyr. Let’s see if you’ve got what it takes to survive.”

Elara gave a nod of approval. “You’ve got potential, Zephyr. But remember, this isn’t just a game. The stakes are higher than you can imagine. Don’t underestimate what’s at play here.”

Zephyr met their gazes, his resolve hardening. He knew what was at stake—everything. And he would do whatever it took to protect the future he had once lost. The divine simulation was just the beginning.

With newfound determination, Zephyr began to shape his domain, knowing that this time, he wouldn’t be alone in the fight.