Chapter: 1
"I do hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I am sorry to say that you are dead."
The old man bowed his head before me. We were floating in a sea of …. clouds? Now that's surreal. Though floating would be a bit misleading, as the two of us were sitting on carpets or is it mats? Anyway, according to the old man I was dead. How odd, he says I am dead but I myself feel very much alive.
"So, I was smote?"
The old man blinked at me. I blinked back. The old man in question had claimed himself to be God with a capital 'G'. The situation went something like this. According to God—yes, capital G, thank you—there had been a "clerical error." Apparently, a bolt of lightning was meant to strike well none, but thanks to some bad luck I became a lightening rod, and zap! There I went. Straight into the afterlife.
"I... see," I said slowly. "So, divine misfire? You don't see that very often."
"Well," God said, rubbing his beard sheepishly, "Truly, I am sorry about my mistake. I never intended for it to strike anyone... the chances of it happening are so low to begin with! Really, I cannot apologize enough."
I gave him a long look. He coughed and looked away.
"So what now?" I asked, folding my arms.
God gave me a kind smile—equal parts apologetic and mysterious. The kind of smile you'd expect from a teacher who just gave you an extra credit project after misplacing your original assignment.
"Well," he said, "I intend to make it up to you. You were not meant to die yet, and that is my fault. So, to set things right, I will send you to another world. A new world."
I raised an eyebrow. "You mean like reincarnation?"
"Sort of," he said, waving a hand lazily, and a small ripple passed through the clouds around us. "But not in the traditional sense. You'll retain your memories and personality. Think of it more as... relocation. You'll be dropped into a world with magic, monsters, kingdoms, adventures, the whole shebang."
"...That sounds suspiciously like a video game setup," I said, giving him the side-eye.
God chuckled. "I suppose from your perspective it might feel that way. But rest assured, it is very real. The world is vast and beautiful, with mysteries aplenty—and just dangerous enough to keep you interested."
My eyes narrowed slightly. "Okay. But if this is compensation, do I get some kind of... edge? Or gift? Seems only fair, if I'm getting tossed into a fantasy world full of potential things that want to eat me."
God smiled wider now, clearly expecting that question. "Yes, of course. You may choose a single boon. A blessing. Anything, within reason."
I didn't hesitate.
"I want... great luck. And great fortune. In every form. Not just money—though that's nice too—but fortune in the broad sense. Encounters. Decisions. Timing. Even combat if it comes to that."
God's eyebrows rose slightly. "Hmm. You are a thoughtful one. Most would ask for power, a weapon, or immortality."
"Well, seeing that I did of misfortune and bad luck. Those came to my mind first. Is that a problem?"
"Not at all," God said, his eyes twinkling. "In fact, that might be one of the intriguing choices I've heard in quite some time."
'in quite sometime' he says. Don't tell me this is a regular occurrence and people die left and right because of divine misfire. Now that'd be terrifying.
"Very well. You shall receive great luck and great fortune, in every form, as requested. Within reasonable limits, of course—I can't have you breaking the natural flow of things too much." Thus, I was blessed.
"Right," I nodded. "Wouldn't want to win every dice roll in the universe."
"Exactly," he said, chuckling again. "But you will find that the world often bends subtly in your favor. Doors will open. Opportunities will arise. You will still face challenges, but fortune will help guide you through them."
I leaned back on the cloud-mat, exhaling slowly. "Alright then. Another world. A fresh start. A generous apology from the Almighty himself. I guess I'll take it."
God gave me a satisfied nod. "Good. I will now prepare your soul for transfer. When you awaken, you'll be in your new world—young, healthy, and ready to explore. You'll have enough language comprehension to get by, and your body will match the environment's standards."
"Wait—what do you mean 'match the standards'?"
He waved his hand dismissively. "Nothing drastic. You won't be turned into a goblin or anything. Just... adjusted to be reasonably fit. Think of it as a free tune-up. And worry not, your mind remains untouched. That keen awareness of yours is staying right where it is."
"Thanks, I guess." I stood up, brushing invisible dust off my pants. "So, just to check—I am being sent to another world, I am also blessed with great luck and fortune and finally my body has been tuned to be healthier and fitter. Is that correct?"
"Verily so." God gave an affirming nod. He smiled with real warmth now. "You'll do well, Ishant."
That surprised me. "You know my name?"
"I know all your names," he said, eyes gleaming with something cosmic. "But I'm quite fond of Ishant. It suits you. Now then... time to begin your journey."
As the two of us getting ready for my departure, I paused.
"Umm, before we proceed could maybe give me sometime?" I requested.
"Sure that is not a problem. However I am curious for your reason." He affirmed to my request as the two of us sat down once again.
"Well, I just realized that I have to still figure out a story my origins." I answered truthfully.
God raised an eyebrow at that, folding his hands neatly in his lap. "Your origins? You mean… how you'll explain yourself to others in the new world?"
"Exactly," I said, tapping my chin. "I can't just show up in a village dressed like this"—I gestured to my thoroughly modern clothes—"with no background, no past, no explanation. I need something plausible. Something that fits that world."
God nodded thoughtfully. He stroked his beard again, more contemplatively this time. The clouds beneath us seemed to pulse faintly with his mood. "An excellent point," he said. "Most do not consider that, and it leads to... awkward first impressions."
"Awkward?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Let's just say that one fellow insisted he was a 'Space Paladin from the Seventh Galaxy' and was nearly burned at the stake." God sighed. "I do admire the creativity, though."
I winced. "Yeah, I'd prefer not to be torched before lunch."
God snapped his fingers, and a scroll appeared in the air before us, gently unrolling itself. "Very well, let's consider some options. You'll want an identity that is local enough to avoid suspicion, vague enough to avoid contradictions, but unique enough to let you move freely. How about… a traveling scholar from a distant land?"
"I don't know any actual scholar stuff from that world yet." I said.
"Hmm. What about an orphaned noble? You'd have a reason to be alone, dressed oddly, and unaware of local politics."
I rubbed my chin. "Not bad... but I don't want to draw too much attention either. Nobles come with baggage. Assassins, arranged marriages, angry uncles..."
God chuckled. "You have thought this through."
The old man gave a knowing smile. "In that case, how about this: you are the son of a wandering herbalist—one who perished en route through a remote region. You were left with some notes, some survival skills, and a knack for light magic—picked up from treating injuries on the road. You're not remarkable enough to attract trouble, but skilled enough to be useful."
"Light magic? I have an affinity for light magic?" I asked in surprise.
"Ah. There it goes, a surprise spoiled." He said with some disappointment. Well, this is nothing new, I have spoiled a few surprises for myself in the past. Oh well. Still light magic, huh.
"Light magic?" I repeated, still turning the idea over in my head. "Healing, barriers, purifications—that kind of thing, right?"
God nodded. "Precisely. Light magic is valued almost everywhere. It's rare enough to be respected, but not so rare that you'll have a target painted on your back immediately. It fits neatly with your herbalist background too. Treating wounds, easing illnesses… you'll have a believable story."
I tapped my fingers against my knee, mulling it over. "Alright. Wandering herbalist's kid. Knows a bit of survival and has good affinity some light magic. That's a solid setup."
"Very good." God looked pleased. "Simple, plausible, flexible. And should you wish to build a new reputation later—well, fortune will favor you."
That made me smile a little. "Thanks. This... honestly feels a lot less terrifying now."
God rose from his mat, and I followed suit. The clouds around us began to glow faintly, like the first light of dawn.
"It's time," he said gently.
I squared my shoulders. "Let's do this."
He raised a hand, and golden light wrapped around me like a warm breeze. I could feel something pulling at my very being—lifting me up, up, up—while at the same time tugging me forward, like a cord tied to destiny itself.
"One last thing," God's voice echoed in the light. "Remember: fortune favors the prepared. Luck alone can open doors, but it is your choices that determine where they lead."
I gave a brief, two-fingered salute. "Message received. Also, thank you for your generosity."
The world around me dissolved into brilliance.
Weightlessness.
A brief moment of silence—
—then the feeling of solid ground beneath my feet.