Chapter 1: The Black Void and the Cosmic Wheel
The last thing he remembered was the blinding rush of heat, the deafening sound of an explosion, and the warm, familiar hands of his children. They had been in danger, their lives on the line. Without thinking, he had leapt forward, sacrificing himself to save them, the ultimate act of love. He had always known that this day could come, but nothing prepared him for the overwhelming weight of that final moment. The blast had consumed him, and he felt his consciousness slipping away, his body disintegrating into nothingness.
And then… silence.
For what seemed like an eternity, there was nothing—no sound, no light, no sensation. Just an infinite expanse of dark, an oppressive void that pressed in from all sides. There was no up, no down, no sense of self. He was neither alive nor dead, but something between the two. He could feel his own thoughts, his memories, like fragments scattered across a vast, empty sky. But there was no clarity, no grounding, only an infinite sense of waiting.
And then… a voice.
It wasn't like any voice he'd ever heard, not from any human or creature. It echoed through the void, deep and ancient, yet pulsing with energy and amusement. "Ah, you've finally arrived."
The man tried to speak, but his mouth wouldn't move, nor could he feel his body. He could only think, his mind working independently, yet trapped within a space with no walls. "Where am I?"
"Where, indeed?" The voice chuckled, a sound like the wind rustling through forgotten worlds. "You are at the threshold, the space between everything you knew and everything you could become. Welcome, mortal. Welcome to the realm where fate itself is shaped."
The voice paused, its tone shifting slightly. "You must be wondering, why you? Why were you chosen for this moment, for this… transition?"
He could feel the weight of those words, like a thousand lifetimes being compressed into a single thought. He had indeed wondered. His life, though not extraordinary, had been filled with meaning, especially in the final moments when he had given everything for his children. Was this some kind of afterlife? A second chance? Or was this simply the end, an eternal waiting game in an endless black void?
Before he could ask another question, the darkness shifted. A vast, spinning wheel materialized before him, its surface gleaming with an ethereal light. It was made of countless segments, each etched with symbols and phrases he couldn't quite decipher, and it spun slowly, as if moved by a force beyond comprehension. The god's voice echoed again, full of intrigue and amusement.
"This is the Wheel of Destiny," it declared, the words reverberating in the empty space. "Each spin determines the next chapter of your existence. The paths are endless, and your choices will echo across realms far beyond your understanding. Do not mistake this for mere chance, mortal. This is your opportunity."
The man could feel his heart—what remained of it—pounding, an unfamiliar mix of fear and curiosity rising within him. He was about to embark on a journey unlike anything he could have ever imagined. But what would that journey be? Was it truly in his hands?
"Spin the wheel," the voice urged. "Let it decide."
With no other option, the man's mind focused on the wheel. As if sensing his consent, the wheel began to turn, the segments blurring as it spun faster and faster. The man felt an odd sense of anticipation, as if every moment in his life had led him to this singular event. Then, with a sudden stop, the wheel landed on a symbol that seemed to shimmer with an impossible brilliance.
"Michael Jackson."
The voice spoke again, its tone now filled with an air of recognition, almost as if it had been waiting for this moment. "Ah, an interesting choice. You shall be reincarnated into a new world, one where you will carry the essence of the legendary Michael Jackson. His soul, his influence, will guide you, shape you, and lend you strength. You will walk his path, but you will also walk your own."
Before he could process the full implications of the words, the wheel spun again. This time, it landed on a more abstract segment—one that seemed to pulse with a quiet, powerful energy. The voice did not need to explain; the man felt it deep within his being.
"A system," the voice said. "A guide for you to navigate the choices that lie ahead. You will see the multiple futures that unfold with every decision you make. But be cautious. Every choice has its consequences. What you choose will not only affect you, but the world around you."
The wheel spun a third time, and this time, the light it cast was intense, almost blinding. When it stopped, the man felt the weight of the final gift: two abilities that would set him apart from any mortal.
"Finally," the god said, its voice almost reverent, "you are granted the ability to see the future and to read minds. But beware. These gifts are both a blessing and a curse. You will know things that others cannot, but your knowledge will be hidden from even the gods. You will walk a path alone, knowing the future, but never truly partaking in it. You will be separated from the world you once knew, trapped between the knowledge of what is to come and the limitations of your power."
The voice paused for a long moment, as if weighing its next words carefully.
"Your journey begins now, mortal. Your choices are yours to make, but remember—every decision, no matter how small, shapes the world. The future is not set in stone, but you must learn how to live with the knowledge you carry."
And with that, the void began to fade, replaced by a new reality. The man could feel his consciousness slipping, his thoughts racing as his body began to form in a new world, one that was waiting for the choices he would soon make.
The weight of the future pressed down on him, but it was also a gift—one he had to learn to wield carefully. How would he navigate this world? What would he choose?
He didn't know yet, but as he stepped into his new life, the only certainty he had was that every choice he made would be his—and the future would never be the same again.