Darkness… Silence…
"Where am I? It's so quiet, so peaceful. I guess I'm waiting… maybe for heaven, hell, or even reincarnation. Hopefully, I can just enjoy this peace for a while longer."
A voice echoed from the void, unfamiliar yet calm.
[Aren't you confused?]
"Huh? Confused about what?"
[About why you're here in this darkness. About whether you really died.]
Brandon chuckled softly, the sound absorbed into the infinite blackness. "I know I died for sure. Those bullets were laced with poison, and one hit an artery. I was as dead as a doornail the moment I closed my eyes. There's nothing worth being confused about here."
[Then why are you so calm? Most people who come here are afraid when they hear my voice. But here you are, holding a conversation as if nothing happened.]
"I was my country's greatest weapon," Brandon replied, his voice steady, even in the face of the unknown. "I've seen so much, carried so many responsibilities, that I'd rather let the natural course of things flow."
[You are a strange child, Brandon, but that only reinforces the faith I have in you. How about becoming my champion?]
Brandon hesitated, the gravity of the offer sinking in. "Eh? Wait a second… First, I presume you're God? And since I've prayed to only one God, you must be the God of Light?"
[Correct.]
"So, do I have a choice in this matter, then?"
[Yes, you do have a choice. But trust me when I say that you would benefit greatly from becoming my champion.]
Silence followed, stretching into what felt like hours. Time had no meaning here, where there was no body, no light, only the vast expanse of nothingness. Brandon pondered the offer, weighing it against the life he had lived.
Finally, he broke the silence. "Fine, I'll do it. Please, inform me of what needs to be done."
[I thought you might ask more questions,] the voice said, amused. [But before we move on, may I ask why you agreed so quickly?]
"Because my last life was fulfilling," Brandon said, a faint smile in his voice. "Whether it was luck or blessings, I stood at the top."
[Even with the way you died? Even with leaving your wife and daughter behind?]
"That was something I was prepared for the moment the super soldier experiment on me was a success. I knew what would follow, so I blame no one. Kayla knew as well, and we still agreed to live our way."
[A fine candidate indeed. One moment, let me make you more comfortable.]
A soft hum filled the darkness, and suddenly, Brandon felt as though he had been teleported. Light flooded his vision, and when his eyes adjusted, he found himself in a vast, pure white hall. The walls gleamed with a soft luminescence, and at the far end sat a large man on a golden throne.
The man looked middle-aged, with long blonde hair that cascaded over his shoulders. He was dressed in a white dress shirt and matching slacks, exuding an aura of elegance that was almost blinding. His skin was smooth, like polished jade, and his eyes were a deep, serene blue, like the ocean's calmest waters.
[Come, my child, we have much to discuss,] the God of Light said, his voice resonating with warmth and authority.
Brandon looked down at himself and realized he had a body again, though it was transparent—a sign that he was still a soul. Nevertheless, he walked forward, each step echoing softly in the grand hall. When he reached the foot of the throne, he bowed deeply to the God of Light.
"So," Brandon began, his voice steady, "can we discuss what being a champion entails, and what my duties will be?"
[Every few thousand years, we gods of different worlds and religions hold a contest,] the God explained, his tone both matter-of-fact and awe-inspiring. [We select champions from amongst ourselves to compete on different worlds, to see who can become the strongest. The champion who triumphs brings glory to their god or goddess and earns the chance to step onto the path of godhood themselves.]
"In short," Brandon said, piecing it together, "you need me to become stronger than every other champion and bring you glory."
[Precisely. How you achieve that is up to you. Whether you raise armies across the worlds you'll compete in, or become a force of chaos, slaughtering all who stand in your way, is your choice. You could even become a king across universes. I care not how you do it, as long as you win. But be warned—on this path, you will face situations that may challenge your personal values.]
"Understood," Brandon replied, his mind already calculating possibilities. "So, how does it work for me on a personal level, compared to my enemies?"
[You really don't waste time with unnecessary questions, do you?] the God of Light noted, a hint of amusement in his voice.
"You're God," Brandon replied simply. "And I've never felt mistreated by my fate. Why should I question you now?"
The God of Light paused, considering Brandon. This was unlike the naive children he often picked—those who had spent too much time with novels and games, or those who fancied themselves protagonists of their own stories. They were chosen because their imaginations helped them adjust to their new realities. But Brandon was different—his acceptance and pragmatism made this process surprisingly smooth.
[Very well,] the God of Light continued. [You'll be given a choice of four gifts to take with you in your next reincarnation. The world you'll be going to first is a version of Earth with supernatural powers integrated with modern technology. On this Earth, one in every ten people is born with supernatural talents, and some, like yourself, will have multiple talents. All contestants must go through this process, regardless of their origins. The Earth you'll be sent to will have two other contestants, but I am not at liberty to provide details about them, nor about you to them. The gifts you ask for will shape your path. I cannot recommend anything, nor guide your choices, so choose wisely, Brandon. Your imagination is your only limit. Now, the interesting part begins.]