Ancient one' jumpchain

Pain.

That was the first thing Nelson felt as consciousness slipped back into him. The heavy weight of it pushed against his chest, dull and constant, radiating outward from his core. His limbs, motionless as they were, refused his command to move, weighed down by exhaustion and the creeping cold that threatened to swallow him whole. He tried to open his eyes but found the effort futile. Everything around him was fading, and he knew, in his heart of hearts, that this was the end.

At twenty years old, he should have been standing at the cusp of his life, filled with dreams and ambitions. Instead, he felt nothing—an emptiness that had settled in his chest long before the chaos of the battle had taken him. He had stumbled through his days, drifting without purpose, feeling like a shadow among those who seemed to know what they wanted. It was an existence filled with missed opportunities, regrets, and the bitter taste of unfulfilled potential.

In his search for meaning, Nelson had turned to the worlds of comics, anime, and literature. They offered him an escape from reality, a way to fill the void that threatened to consume him. He spent countless hours immersed in epic tales of heroes and villains, hoping to find inspiration or, at the very least, a sense of belonging. Yet, as he devoured story after story, a growing realization gnawed at him: while he could lose himself in their worlds, he was merely a spectator in his own life, watching as others forged ahead.

He loved the intricate plots, the compelling characters, and the way each narrative unfolded. He admired heroes who rose against insurmountable odds, wielding powers that transformed them from mere mortals into legends. Yet, no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't help but feel inadequate. He longed for a purpose, to be more than just a passive observer. But the harder he sought fulfillment, the more elusive it became.

The battle had been long—too long. Nelson couldn't even remember when it started. Faces blurred in his memory; the once-clear purpose of his fight now drifted like sand in the wind. What had he been fighting for? What had driven him so relentlessly into this war? He had sacrificed so much—too much, perhaps. His friends, his allies... and now his life.

The moment that marked his death echoed in his mind. The deafening sounds of clashing metal, the cries of pain and fury, the blinding flashes of energy illuminating the darkness. It had all been so chaotic, so consuming. And in the midst of it all, he had felt that familiar sense of emptiness. Even as he fought, he hadn't known if he was fighting for something greater or merely trying to fill the void within himself.

Somewhere in the distance, voices echoed. Faint and indistinct, they seemed to come from a world he no longer belonged to. Nelson focused on the voices, hoping for some connection to the reality that was slowly slipping from him. But the cold, that all-encompassing cold, swallowed everything.

Is this how it ends? he thought. After everything, this is it?

A single voice rose above the others, clearer, closer. It didn't sound familiar, yet it carried a weight Nelson couldn't ignore.

"Nelson..." The voice was soft, almost a whisper, but it carried a power that made Nelson's heart skip a beat. "It's time."

Time? Time for what? His life was over, wasn't it? His mind reeled as he tried to make sense of it all. Nelson forced his eyes open, the world around him a dark blur. His vision, fading as it was, couldn't make sense of his surroundings. He felt his body stiffen, a deep ache rising through him as the voice continued.

"You've fought well," it said, almost kindly, "but your journey isn't over."

The weight of those words hung heavy in the air. Nelson frowned, his mind sluggish from the weight of death creeping closer. "Who... who are you?" he rasped, his voice barely audible.

"I go by many names," the figure replied, "but you may call me Jumpchan."

Jumpchan? The name was foreign, strange, yet it resonated with something deep inside him. Something beyond the veil of his current reality.

"You're dying, Nelson," Jumpchan continued, her voice growing more serious. "But death isn't the end for you. No... it's only the beginning."

A cold shiver ran through Nelson. He tried to push himself up, but his arms refused to obey. "Beginning of what?" he asked, voice hoarse. "I've given everything. I have nothing left."

Jumpchan tilted her head slightly, her expression impossible to read through the shimmering haze of light. "That's where you're wrong. You see, Nelson, you've been chosen. Chosen for a journey unlike any you've faced before. You will travel to new worlds, new realms, each one presenting new challenges and dangers. You will be reborn, again and again, into these worlds, but you will not walk alone. Your memories, your skills, everything you've learned—they will stay with you."

Nelson's brow furrowed as he processed the words. "But... why me?"

"Because fate has deemed it so," she said with a hint of amusement. "Fate and destiny will guide you, but remember this: nothing will be given to you freely. You will have to earn your powers, your abilities, your place in these worlds. They will not come easy. And the choices you make—those will carry weight. They will stay with you, as will their consequences."

Nelson felt a knot form in his chest. This sounded like a second chance, but at what cost? He had lived his life making hard decisions, some of which still haunted him. Would he now have to relive the weight of those choices, over and over, in different worlds?

"You don't need to decide now," Jumpchan said, as though reading his thoughts. "But know this: there is no escape from this journey. You will be reborn, again and again, into each world. And each time, you will need to prove yourself worthy to unlock the powers you once held."

His heart raced. "And if I fail?"

"If you fail," Jumpchan replied, her voice grave, "you'll remain trapped—disembodied, conscious, but powerless. A ghost waiting for the end of time. Death will not release you."

Nelson stared at her, the full weight of her words pressing down on him. He wasn't sure whether to feel terror or excitement. The thought of being reborn, of having the chance to earn power and influence across worlds, was intoxicating. But the stakes... the stakes were far too high.

"I'm not a hero," he said, more to himself than to Jumpchan. "I'm not even sure I deserve this."

"That is for fate to decide," she said, standing. "Your journey begins now. You'll have time to reflect once you arrive in your first world. And remember: the past is always with you, but only when you've proven yourself worthy will you be able to access it fully."

Nelson's vision began to blur again, the cold creeping back into his bones. His chest tightened, and he felt his breath grow shallow.

"Nelson," Jumpchan called, her voice growing distant. "Be ready. The choices you make now will shape your destiny."

With those final words, the world around Nelson faded completely, swallowed by the darkness. And then... there was nothing.