Water stretched endlessly. The sky was nothing but a white void, with no signs of life hanging anywhere. Atop the still waters, two figures could be seen in each other's arms, embracing. The girl's eyes fluttered open, confusion clouding her mind.
"H-huh? Where am i?" She asked herself as she raised her head to look around, "Didn't i die?" She checked the wounds on her body, remembering the excrusiating pain she felt before dying, but they were no longer there.
Countless questions filled her mind as she surveyed the area, she glanced next to her to see Cain, lying ontop of the waters as if he was sleeping on a comfy bed. Misha's heart soared as she saw Cain with her, their love carrying them together into the after life.
'Y-you're here..you're actually here with me...' Misha thought, she didn't know whether to feel sad or happy that she died with her lover.
Tears streamed down her face as she gently shook him, "Cain! Cain!" Misha called.
Cain grunted in his sleep and soon opened his eyes. "M-misha?" Cain asked, he looked at his chest and there was no wound, it had healed or so he thought. The revelaion had struck him that they both might've died, but they were not standing at the golden gates that would take them to the after life.
Misha wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him into a tight embrace, tears flowing from her eyes freely as she sobbed in the crook of his neck. Cain didn't understand what was going on, they were in a mysterious place and many questions came to his mind. He hugged Misha back, his eyes roaming the place for answers.
'Where the hell are we? This is so strange, we couldn't have died could we?' Cain thought to himself, trying to piece the pieces together.
"Interesting..." A voice echoed through the vast void. The voice carried a hint of feminism and authority. The waters rippled slightly as if a earthquake had happened just a second ago.
Cain and Misha looked around the place, their eyes scanning the area to find where the voice had come from. Cain swallowed hard as he spoke "Who are you!?" He asked as his voice boomed and echoed. Stretching into the vast emptiness.
'Is this hell? Heaven? Where the fuck are we?' Cain questioned internally.
Just then, a bright light appeared infront of Cain and Misha, blinding them temporarily. The light was warm and conforting, despite its strange appearance. When the light subsided a woman stood before them, she wore a long white gown, her eyes shone a bright golden colour and she had a large pair of golden wings on her back, completed with a halo above her head.
Cain and Misha felt an overwhelming sense of awe, their gazes locked on the celestial figure as the air around them grew heavy with an unspoken power. This was no ordinary encounter. Cain had seen this setting somewhere,but he couldn't put his finger on it.
"Greetings, my children." The goddess spoke, her golden eyes shining affection for both Cain and Misha. A warm smile tugged at her lips.
Cain didn't know what to say, his throat felt dry as he couldn't mutter a word. Misha on the other hand looked more composed "Greetings, i assume you're a goddess, correct?" Misha asked in a casual but respective tone. Cain looked at her with a bewildered expression, her ability to switch personalities was terrifying.
"Yes, that i am." The goddess affirmed with a chuckle, amused with Misha's straightforwardness, no one had ever spoken to her like this before."I am Celestara, goddess of rebirth and fate. Your heroic actions have been recognized by us gods, and we wish to bestow a request upon you."
Cain, finally managing the strength and courage spoke up "Our actions? You mean when we saved the people on the bus? Are they safe? Did the police rescue everyone?" He bombarded the goddess with questions, his heart racing.
Celestara nodded, her wings lifting slightly "Yes, everywhere was saved. Except you two, the medics couldn't arrive on time to save the both of you, so you have perished." She said.
Cain looked down at the waters he was standing on, a tear escaped his left eye as he remembered about his family he left behind. He couldn't comprehend how sad they must be feeling, Misha noticing Cain's distress grabbed his cheek and wiped away his tear with her thumb
"Hey, i know it hurts to live your life behind. Trust me, i feel sad i have to leave my family behind too, but in all honesty i'm really happy that i got to die by your side." Misha said with a smile, the smile urked at Cain, how could she be happy about dying? He thought.
But he nodded and straightened himself. The goddess narrowed her eyes in interest about these two, she began to speak again "Though you both have perished, your actions have been recognized by me. Thus i will choose you two for reincarnation."
Cain blinked trying to come to terms with what the goddess had just told them, Misha looked a bit suprised and asked "Reincarnarion? As in reborn in another world? With swords, magic, and other races?" Her tone carried a spark of excitement, but was mostly replaced by her nonchalant expression.
The goddess chuckled, she had already developed a strong liking to this girl "Yes, in this new world magic is possible, monsters are a stepping stone to rise to fame and power, and various nations and kingdoms have their own taste of uniqueness to them." The goddess explained before continuing.
"But, there's another thing. A great evil will soon ressurect and destroy the world, this evil will be more powerful than those residing in that world. That's why we have chosen you both, to save this world from its eminent destruction."
Cain nodded taking in the goddess's words, "But if that's the case, why can't you gods go and take of it yourself?" Cain asked respectfully as to not offend the goddess.
The goddess sighed, her wings drooping in dissapointment "That, i cannot tell. All gods are forbidden to interfere with their worlds after they have been created, so this is why i chose you two to go in my stead."
Cain and Misha looked at each other, and nodded understanding the task bestowed to them. Misha looked back at the goddess and nodded to her "We'll do it." She said, a smile evident on her face.
The goddess blinked a bit suprised, but shone a bright smile, her beautiful face making Cain blush a bit.
"Excellent, i'm glad you have made the right choice. This new world you will be born into will have it's challenges, so i will bestow you powers that exceed that worlds." She said as she spread her arms.
Suddenly a large amount of glowing orbs materialized infront of Cain and Misha, each one a different colour and pulsing with power. "These orbs will grant you your systems, talents, and abilities. They are ranked from F to S, so choose wisely. For this will decide your fate in the next life." Celestara said.
Cain swallowed hard as he eyed the orbs with a calculative expression "Systems? As in the ones in novels?" He asked the goddess. Finally remembering the weird feeling that this was a bit familiar.
"Yes, they will be an an essential tool in your next life. Talents are blessings from the gods, these grant people unique abilities that make them a step above the rest. But are very rare to find in that world, thus making those who have it a nations treasure." She labelled the ground for them.
Misha came foward and asked "So we just pick one?"
Celestara nodded, "Yes, let your hearts guide you into making your choice."
Misha and Cain gave each other a knowing glance, they turned their attention back to the vast selection of orbs, each one holding untold abilities. They scanned the orbs contemplating their choice among the many.
Misha's eyes fell on a particular orb, this one pulsing with a bright green hue. She felt a strong connection to nature as she looked at it, Misha felt drawn to the bright orb as her hand moved to touch it.
As soon as Misha's hand brushed against the orb, a bright light enveloped her body. A sensiating warmth spread through her body as her eyes glowed a green colour.
The goddess's eyes widened as she was not expecting this, "Ah, how fortunate." The goddess remarked, "That is one of the best ones." She said a smile tugging at her lips.
Cain looked at Misha who was holding her head, feeling light headed. He readjusted his gaze to the orbs infront of him, darting his eyes from one to the next, hoping to find that strong gut feeling that came when something good was about to happen.
His eyes landed on a golden orb, high above the rest. It shone much brighter than the rest, casting a warm glow below the orbs.
Cain reached for the orb, feeling his heart pounding in his chest and that strong gut feeling spreading warmth through his body.
He felt a strange feeling as he reached for it, one that he couldn't describe, but he knew it was dark despite its bright colour.
Cain closed his eyes as he grabbed the golden orb, the warmth spreading through his body. He closed his eyes as he felt power coarsing through his veins. His eyes glowed a bright golden colour for a moment before subsiding, leaving him feeling disoriented.
The goddess chuckled in amusement, a flutter of happiness in her heart "You two have chosen the best of the best, i'm suprised honestly. With those abilities, i'm certain the world has a fighting chance." Celestara spoke.
Then her tone changed to a more serious one as she eyed Cain "Though for you Cain, things will be more difficult. Your powers are the best, yes, but to others they are a curse, a dark omen of sorts. You must make sure nobody sees your abilities, no matter the cost." She warned.
Cain couldn't even concentrate on what the goddess had said, he felt a strange warmth coursing through his body and it was extremely nauseating, same for Misha.
Celestara watched as the light around Cain and Misha began to intensify, the two slowly fading from sight. "Now, go forth and carve your paths. May your courage and love guide you through the trials ahead," she said with a gentle smile.
The light swallowed them, and their consciousness faded into the warmth. When Misha opened her eyes again, she found herself surrounded by luxurious silks and polished marble. She looked down to see delicate hands, much smaller than she remembered. She was lying in an ornate crib, and beside her were a pair of proud faces—her new mother and father. It didn't take long for her to understand: she had been reborn into a high-ranking noble family. Servants bustled around, and she caught glimpses of the wealth surrounding her.
Yet, amidst the elegance, her heart ached. Cain wasn't there beside her. She could feel a deep connection pulling at her heart, reminding her of her resolve. "I'll find you, Cain," she thought, her tiny fists clenching with determination. "No matter how long it takes."
Meanwhile, in a small, humble village, Cain's new life had also begun. He opened his eyes to find himself swaddled in simple cloth, cradled in the arms of a kind-faced woman who beamed down at him. He looked around, taking in the rustic wooden walls of their modest home. The quiet simplicity and warmth around him brought a sense of peace, yet something felt incomplete.
Cain quickly realized that Misha was nowhere to be found, and a pang of longing struck his heart. He didn't know where she was, but he remembered the promise they had silently made to each other. "I'll come for you, Misha. No matter what stands in my way, I'll find you."
Thus, in different parts of this strange new world, Cain and Misha began their lives anew. Both were determined to seek each other out, undeterred by the obstacles that lay ahead. They clung to the hope that their love would guide them, even across realms and lifetimes.