"So that's how… My Game Over..." My voice was a whisper, barely audible in the vast emptiness. I looked down at my hands. The edges were dissolving, the solid form I knew dissolving into shimmering motes of light that drifted away like dust in a sunbeam. I could feel a strange tingling sensation, like static electricity, where my skin used to be. The void stretched out before me, an endless expanse of swirling nebulae and distant, twinkling stars. It was beautiful, yet terrifyingly empty.
Suddenly, a deep, resonant voice broke through the silence.
???: "Indeed, little one."
I jerked my head up, startled. Before me stood a towering figure, bathed in an aura of brilliance. His long, snow-white robes flowed like a majestic waterfall, and his beard, thick and pristine, cascaded down his chest like a frozen river of snow. His face was kind, with gentle lines around his piercing blue eyes, which held a strange warmth, glowing with an almost celestial light. He had a broad forehead and a slightly crooked nose, giving him an air of both wisdom and mischievousness. There was power in this figure, the very fabric of the void seemed to shimmer and bend around him, but oddly enough, it didn't intimidate me. It was a sense of calm, like the comforting embrace of a father on a cold winter's night.
Iruma: "Are you... God?"
God: "In the celestial flesh," he said, his voice rich with both authority and kindness. He smiled warmly, folding his hands across his chest. "Quite the dramatic exit you had there."
I squinted, the skepticism written all over my face.
Iruma: "I wouldn't exactly call getting pranked at my own birthday party and passing out in front of the fridge 'dramatic.'"
God chuckled, the sound filling the air like thunder rumbling across the sky. The stars around us pulsed faintly in response. He looked at me as though he could see right through to my soul.
God: "Fair point, little one. But now that you're here, let's talk about what happens next."
I tilted my head, intrigued by the shift in his tone.
Iruma: "So… what happens now?"
His expression darkened slightly, a flicker of something more serious in his gaze. He sighed heavily.
God: "You will be reborn, child. I must admit, I bear some responsibility for the life you had on Earth. It was far from what you deserved. Bedridden for years, only able to escape into the worlds of games and stories. The cancer… a cruel twist of fate, I admit. It was… an oversight."
The gravity of his words settled over me. I had lived a life of confinement, of constant struggle, and I had spent far too much of it dreaming of places I could never go. The pain, the isolation—it all flooded back, a wave of bittersweet memories. I felt a pang of regret for the life I'd lost, but also a flicker of excitement for what was to come. I nodded slowly, acknowledging what was said but feeling no real bitterness. After all, I was here now.
Iruma: "Okay, but let's skip the pity party. What are the rules of this rebirth?"
God's somber look evaporated in an instant, replaced by a mischievous grin. He snapped his fingers, and in a flash, a glowing book appeared in his hands. The pages shimmered with golden light, and for a brief moment, I thought I saw the sun itself dance within its pages.
God: "Ah, the rules! Yes, yes, let me consult the great Celestial Handbook of Rebirths!"
He opened the book, his expression exaggeratedly serious, though I could see the twinkle in his eye. With a flourish, he put on a pair of comically oversized reading glasses, which perched precariously on the tip of his nose. He muttered random phrases as he flipped through the pages.
God: "Clause 42, paragraph C... no, no, that one's about reincarnating as a beetle… Ah, here we go! 'Rebirth Regulations, Subsection 7B: Concerning the…' Nope. Still beetles. What is with all the beetle reincarnations?"
I stared at him, my face entirely deadpan.
Iruma: "Is this really necessary?"
God ignored my remark, scanning the book with fervor. Finally, he tossed it over his shoulder, and the oversized glasses followed suit. His laugh erupted then, booming through the air like an uncontrollable storm, causing the stars to spin playfully.
God: "THERE ARE NO RULES!"
I jumped back, startled by his sudden outburst. My heart was pounding, but I couldn't help the laugh that bubbled up in response.
Iruma: "What the—?!"
God spread his arms wide, as if inviting me to take in the grandeur of the moment.
God: "Rebirth is a blank canvas, child! You can have whatever you want!" His arms swept dramatically, like he was presenting the very concept of chaos itself.
I blinked, then slowly smiled, feeling the thrill of the moment.
Iruma: "Can I pick the world I get reborn into?"
God raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued.
God: "Of course! Narnia? Middle-earth? The Mushroom Kingdom? The possibilities are endless!"
I shook my head, excitement bubbling up from within me.
Iruma: "MHA. My Hero Academia. That's where I want to go."
God tilted his head, his eyes now glinting with curiosity. He looked like he was processing my request, taking it in as though weighing the implications.
God: "Interesting choice. A world of heroes and villains, Quirks and Plus Ultra. A world where even the most ordinary can become extraordinary. And what kind of life do you envision there?"
I grinned. This was my moment, the moment I had been waiting for.
Iruma: "I want to be reborn with the powers of Sans from Undertale. His abilities—bone manipulation, teleportation, Gaster Blasters—all of it, as my Quirk."
God stared at me, his piercing blue eyes scanning every inch of me as though he was peering straight into my soul. For a heartbeat, there was complete silence, and I held my breath. Then, to my relief, he smiled.
God: "A unique request. I like it! Very well, little one. You shall wield Sans's powers in the unforgiving world of heroes and villains. It will be a life of trials, but also one of great opportunity. Use this gift wisely."
A bright, glowing door appeared behind him, its edges shimmering with golden light, beckoning me forward. I took a deep breath, ready for what was to come.
God: "Your journey begins anew."
I hesitated for a moment, turning to look at him one last time.
Iruma: "For what it's worth... I didn't regret living in a dream. Thank you for making it feel real."
God's smile deepened, warm and knowing. He nodded once, a silent acknowledgment that I understood something he had hoped I would.
God: "And thank you, little one, for dreaming so beautifully. Now go. Your next chapter awaits."
I turned toward the door, my heart racing with both excitement and nerves. As I stepped through, the light didn't just swallow me; it enveloped me, a rush of colors and sensations, like plunging into a supernova. I heard a cacophony of sounds – distant city noises, the cries of birds, the murmur of wind – all swirling together. I felt a tingling warmth spreading through my being, a sense of… becoming.
Behind me, I heard God's voice, now laced with amusement and a hint of fondness.
God: "And so it begins… May the bones be with you."
The door closed behind me, and my journey in a new world began.
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