A boy with a lean, slightly muscular build, short brown hair, and black eyes lay on his bed, listening to music through AirPods while reading comic books. His relaxed and content mood was evident. His room was filled with posters of various fictional characters plastered on the walls and action figures displayed on wooden shelves. Scattered clothes littered the floor, making the room a mess, alongside several empty soda cans. Having just graduated from high school, he could do whatever he wanted at home while deciding whether to attend college, university, or get a job. But his peaceful day was shattered by a loud bang at his door. His mom, looking angrier than ever, stormed in and punched him hard in the stomach, nearly making Ellis puke.
"PUT THOSE AIRPODS AWAY AND HELP ME FOLD CLOTHES DOWNSTAIRS BEFORE I PUNCH YOUR GUTS AGAIN!"
Hyejin, with long, silky black hair tied in a ponytail and a slightly muscular build from her past as an MMA fighter, had piercing black eyes. After venting her anger at her son, she left the room. Ellis sighed, his day now ruined. He had hoped to relax all summer, but one punch from his mom left a bruise on his stomach.
"Mom sure loves to punch me and Dad when we're lazy…" he muttered.
He took off his AirPods and headed downstairs. His mom was folding clothes and packing them into a suitcase, her eyes glaring at him before she pointed at the pile of laundry. Ellis sighed again, wondering why his mom always packed so many clothes for vacations. With no choice, he began helping her fold the clothes and place them in the suitcase.
"Glad you're alive, son!"
Ellis's dad, Ronnie, burst in with a grin, ruffling his son's hair. With short brown hair, brown eyes, and a huge, muscular build, Ronnie towered over the family. He was a constant troll to both his son and wife and often forgot to duck his head, smacking it against doorframes. Despite his playful nature, he was always cheerful and ready to help whenever needed.
Ellis groaned, annoyed. "What kind of dad says that to his son? I'll be glad when Mom beats you again for snoring on the couch."
Ronnie snickered, smirking at his son. "Look, buddy, you know your mom's weakness. Bet you covered your ears last night when we were… you know."
Hyejin swiftly smacked the back of her husband's head. "Stop wasting time and help me fold these clothes. Ellis, stop being a baby. You're grown now. One day, you'll find a sexy girl like me, and I'll be thrilled to have grandchildren," she said casually, making Ronnie laugh as he started helping with the clothes. Ellis sighed and rolled his eyes, having heard this spiel from her countless times before.
"Woof!"
A dog bounded in from the kitchen—Blue, their male husky. Unlike other dogs, Blue wasn't a troublemaker, which was a relief, and he seemed to understand human language better than most. Energetic at home but shy outside, he was clearly excited about the family vacation.
"Woof woof!" Blue barked again.
"Blue, I know you're excited. Don't worry, it won't be long," Ellis said with a smile, patting the husky's head.
(Timeskip)
After leaving home with their bags packed for the long road trip, the family headed toward the vacation spot Hyejin had booked. While driving and listening to their favorite radio station, Ellis pulled out some unread comics and manga to pass the time, making the journey less boring.
Ronnie noticed his son engrossed in reading through the rearview mirror. "Why don't you read on your phone instead of buying books from the store?" he asked curiously.
"I refuse to read on my phone because those annoying ads keep popping up in my face, Dad," Ellis replied.
"It's good that you're spending less time staring at screens," Hyejin said proudly to her son.
Ellis grinned. "I learned from the best, just like you guys taught me."
Even if Hyejin often punched them for being unhelpful, or Ronnie told terrible dad jokes when they were bored, or Blue barked with excitement and licked their faces, or Ellis, as the only child, teased his family relentlessly, they always stuck together. No matter what chaos they stirred up, their bond was unbreakable, and they were always there to help each other. You could say this family was chaotic from the start.
As happy as they were, nothing lasts forever. Suddenly, a truck in front of them veered out of control and crashed into their car, killing them instantly.
(Meanwhile)
As countless memories flashed by at hyper speed in the void, the family's descent came to a sudden halt. Their eyes widened, struggling to process what had just happened inside their car. After seemingly falling through an endless void, they landed on solid ground, their car comically crumpled like something out of a cartoon. Shocked by the surreal events, they could move their bodies, but their minds were reeling, unable to fully comprehend the situation. Even Blue, their husky, looked utterly flabbergasted.
A booming voice echoed through the void, and the family slowly looked up to see a radiant silhouette of a female figure in dazzling white descending toward them.
"Greetings, mortals. My name is Lora, the Goddess of Reincarnation. I will guide your souls to a new world!" the mysterious deity announced, offering them a new beginning.
However…
"WHAT IN TARNATION IS THIS!? A GODDESS!? AM I DREAMING!?" Hyejin yelled, staring at Lora in disbelief.
"What the hell just happened? If this is some prank show, I'll be thrilled to be on TV!" Ronnie said, scanning the surroundings for hidden cameras.
Blue cowered behind a seat, trembling with fear, while Ellis tried to calm him down. Despite his own surprise, Ellis felt a spark of excitement, recognizing what was happening.
"Excuse me, beautiful lady. Are we dead?" Ellis asked casually.
"Dead!?" Hyejin and Ronnie shouted in unison, their faces frozen in shock.
Lora nodded and said, "Yes, the boy is right. You all died in an unfortunate accident, but do not fear. As the God of Reincarnation, it is my duty to guide you to a new world."
Hyejin, still struggling to process the situation, protested, "Hold on, slow down! First of all, if what you're saying is true, this has to be a bad dream. There's no way you're a goddess from our world!"
"I'm afraid this is not a dream," Lora replied calmly. "I'm sorry to disappoint you, but I am not the goddess of your world. I promise, however, that this new world will change how you see things."
"Okay, you can't just send us off to some random place without an explanation, right?" Ronnie interjected, crossing his arms.
Lora gestured toward Ellis. "It would be best for you two to listen to your son's explanation. He seems familiar with this concept."
Hyejin and Ronnie turned to Ellis, their eyebrows raised in confusion.
Ellis pointed at himself and sighed. "Really? She already said we'll be transported to another world, like a rebirth thing. Don't you guys ever listen in church?"
Hyejin and Ronnie exchanged glances, muttering "Ohhh," though they looked more confused than enlightened. That was fine, as the goddess began chanting, and a circle of strange symbols appeared beneath their feet.
"Ellis… what's she doing?" Hyejin asked, her voice tinged with worry as she stepped back from the goddess.
Lora smiled reassuringly. "Do not be afraid. Our time is limited, and you must go eventually. Once you arrive in the new world, Ellis will explain and guide you through this unexpected journey."
"Woof! Woof!" Blue barked excitedly, jumping around on the glowing circular symbols as they grew brighter.
The goddess chuckled at the dog. "Your pet seems eager to be transported to the new world."
"Wait! Wait!" Ellis interrupted. "Before we go, is there an end goal once we're there? Like, what's our quest? Do we have to defeat a demon king or something?"
Lora's expression softened. "That depends. I will guide you on your journey and provide direction, but I cannot shape your story for you. Whether you choose to intervene or ignore, to change things or leave them be, the choices are yours."
With her final words, the light beneath them blazed even brighter, and in the blink of an eye, the four family members vanished, leaving only faint shards of light behind. Lora smiled, closing her eyes. "May their brave souls find a safe journey through harsh realities. Though the challenges may be great, their bond remains stronger than ever."
Journey to Another World with Family