"Tired, I'm so tired"

Laying in his hospice bed, Alexander, now an 89-year-old man, reminisces over his memories of his childhood.

He grew up in a relatively well off family in the States, life was quite easy and mundane. Alexander didn't enjoy many topics in school, finding them monotonous. Although he did procure a taste for History, specifically past conflicts and wars, that ignited his interest in schooling at the young age of 9.

His interests in grade school even showed up in what he did during his downtime, playing strategy and role playing games like Dungeons and Goblins, Europe Globalization, and Urbanization 5 with his friends.

After he graduated highschool Alexander gained entry into West Point, figuring that the best thing he could do during his time in college before military service would be to prepare himself as best he could for anything that could be thrown at him. Therefore he aimed for a major in Defense and Strategic studies with a minor in Terrorism studies.

Once Alexander graduated from West Point and completed a 12 week course, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant. Over his four years of military service, mission after mission, battle after battle, the men and women in his platoon became like family. Sometimes death felt so close that he could hear the Grim Reaper calling his name. And yet, he made it through with his brother's in arms. At the end of his service Alexander could not resist the call of the battlefield. Instead of re-enlisting he decided to found a combatant mercenary company, Sol Invictus, with his comrades.

Over many years, Alexander grew his organization through cunning business contracts and ruthless battlefield tactics, always preferring to have his boots on the ground and going through what the men under his command did until he was too old to keep up.

When Alexander was 32 he met the love of his life. After only a couple of years they married, having twins not long after. He couldn't have been prouder of his children as they followed in his footsteps having exceptional military careers, and subsequently joining Sol Invictus.

At the age of 69 (nice) Alexander finally retired. He continued to live in peace, but every now and then he missed the adrenaline pumping through him as bullets flew by, and the gratification of fighting against insurmountable odds and coming out victorious. Even though Alexander wanted to command men again, he always longed to be in control of an entire army or nation to truly put his experience and talents to use.

Now, on his deathbed surrounded by his family and remaining friends Alexander's face feels heavy, tears form in his eyes. As Alexander's head slumps ever downward he closes his eyes. Feeling his last breath leaves the cold embrace of death takes hold. A single thought appears in his head.

"Damn, I guess I won't be able to see Wars in the Stars: Episode XVIII Mary Sue's Republic Strikes Back."

Then, a flash, a distortion of light and sound. Alexander feels himself being torn, bent, and broken every which way. 

"Aaaarrrrgggghhhh!!!"

Alexander shuts his eyes and screams in agony. Pain, unimaginable pain, every cell… every atom being torn asunder and put back in place only for the process to repeat. Then, after what feels like an eternity, all the pain stops.

As the old man reopens his eyes, he expects nothing but a hellscape to appear before him, for where else could he be but hell if he just went through such torture. Instead, as he looked around he saw nothing but a void.

Then, a distorted and amorphic voice is heard from all directions…

It: "Earthling named Alexander, it is a pleasure to meet you. How do you say? The flesh?"

Alexander: "I know I'm dead, so who might you be? God perhaps?"

It: "Haha!! Yes, and no… But, I do go by many names, some call me... Tim."

As these words are said, a female figure apparates before the curious man. Tim has raven black hair that flows in the void like it was submerged in a calm ocean current: flawless olive skin with just a tinge of green; lips that have the hue of a star-like purple; eyes without white, but instead an almost sickly yellow, irises absent of all color that have the gravity of black holes, and pupils that burn the brightest of reds like staring into the gates of hell.

Tim: "I am what you might call an observer. I watch and enjoy the chaos that unfolds in your dimension."

Alexander: "What do you mean by my dimension?"

Tim: "Ah, yes, this is what you Earthlings call the 7th dimension. We observe other dimensions like you would one of your television shows. And, sometimes, interfere either because one of us found a civilization boring or we wanted to just have a little fun. In fact you Earthlings have many stories that are caused by our interference, such as those that detail "demigods", the great flood, and even the extinction of those giant birds. So with that out of the way, I brought your consciousness here because I found your personality and ambition interesting. And, I'd have you entertain me."

A sweet yet sly smile creeps across this strange being's face. Alexander is a bit stunned at all the information he just heard. But, at the same time he has a sense of understanding. Put in Tim's position would he play God? Of course he would! To these beings all life in other dimensions is nothing more than entertainment, just like in Mims, how a person would torture their character's eventually for enjoyment. 

Alexander: "Then, if it is to entertain you, I'll have to create quite the show, ahahahaha!"

The being's smile grows even wider as it knows it chose somebody... fun.

Tim: "Indeed Earthling. There is a dimension parallel to yours with a world not too different from the game Dungeon and Goblins that you played as a child. There are a few other beings in the 7th dimension that particularly enjoy watching and interfering with that certain reality. I want you to shake things up. As a world still at the technological and social level of your Dark Ages or worse, you should find it a playground."

Alexander: "So, do I get any advantages or special abilities in this new world?"

Tim: "I believe your life experience is more than enough, but I'll make sure that you can be born to the race that you want and with any appearance you desire."

Alexander: "Oh well, I guess being overpowered would be boring, especially if I was born stronger than everyone without earning it," he states sarcastically, staring behind him like somebody else is watching his actions.

"As for my race I'd like to be a half-wood elf, since I'll be a bit faster and more agile than other races. Along with this they can see in the dark for a distance of around 120ft and only need around 4 hours of sleep. I'll also have the advantage of a longer life span by well over a couple hundred of years compared to a human, but with the same maturity rate. Although I know there will be racial bias against me, it's well worth it, and may even turn into an advantage."

Tim: "Haha!! Truer words have yet to be said Earthling. And, as you say, that race seems like a decent choice. If you had said you wanted to still be a human, I would have shoved you into the body of an ogre. Now then, how do you wish to appear? Be mindful that what you desire would just be your potential. If you don't work for it you won't be able to look like what you envision."

Alexander then closes his eyes as the body of a young man begins to appear in his mind. The man stands at a height of 6ft 2inch with a fair copper skintone; a bodybuild with the muscle mass and definition of an elite soldier; hair, white like the snow that tops the highest mountains with a wavy disheveled look as it was tied back at neck length; a strong jawline with a well-trimmed and groomed beard; a pair of bright green eyes that were like a field of clovers kissed by morning dew; and, of course for the final touch… well endowed.

As Alexander opened his eyes, the being in front of him nodded, and his vision began to blur, then fade as the voice of this 7th dimensional being said its final words.

Tim: "Have fun Earthling, do as you please. Cause chaos, bring order. Savior, villain, it matters not. But, never forget… entertain me… my new favorite toy."

As the voice faded away Alexander lost all sense of his surroundings. Until, after what felt like weeks or perhaps months, he could hear the distinct sound of a heartbeating.

Thump thump… thump thump.

Alexander felt warm, cozy, comfortable and yet anxious. He began to move, or so he tried, with all his might. It seemed like instinct as his body was guiding him towards something. Then a light started to shine before him, and he realized what was happening.

"Happy Birthday to me."