Carla awoke slowly, her senses tingling in ways she had never experienced on
Earth. The sterile scent of hospitals was gone, replaced by an earthy aroma
that hinted at forests, soil, and the faint tang of magic. Her body—or rather,
her new body—felt different. Stronger. Agile. Limitless. The first thing she
noticed was the soft ground beneath her fingers, warm and
slightly springy. She lifted her head and blinked at the surroundings: a
glowing circle etched into the floor, faint runes pulsing gently along its
edge, and five figures standing around her.
Her mind raced, yet clarity prevailed. She was not afraid. Instead, she was
struck by awe. She had been called here—summoned to a place
she could scarcely comprehend, yet one that felt somehow designed for her
alone.
"I…where am I?" she whispered, more to herself than anyone else.
One of the figures stepped forward, tall and radiating authority. His eyes
glimmered like molten gold, and his voice resonated with an almost tangible
gravity.
"I am Lester, the God of Creation," he said. "To my left is Giovani, God of
Crafts and Trades; to his left is Sage, God of Medicine. To my right stands
Lostov, God of Demons and Beasts, and finally Layla, God of Entertainment. Our
war god, Earnest, is away handling conflicts threatening the human and beast
realms. Rozel, our former magic god, met her end in an unfortunate…experiment."
Carla's—or rather, River's—mind struggled to process the enormity of the
situation. Gods. Magic. Beasts. A world beyond her wildest dreams. And she
stood in the center, alive, whole, and somehow…essential.
"So…" she began cautiously, "you've brought me here. Why?"
Layla, the God of Entertainment, tilted her head and smiled, a playful glint
in her eyes. "You are to be reincarnated. Your purpose is to guide the world
into its next phase. You will introduce changes, assist its inhabitants, and
shape the course of history. You will have gifts beyond mortal comprehension,
and you will be immortal in ways that defy death."
River's mind buzzed. Immortal? Gifts? Change the course of the world? It
sounded like a storybook, yet somehow, every fiber of her being understood the
truth.
Lester stepped closer, his expression grave but not unkind. "You have been
given a second chance. On Earth, your life ended far too soon. Here, we offer
you what you could never have had: a body, powers, and the opportunity to live
without the limitations that once confined you."
River took a deep breath, her newfound lungs drawing in the crisp air of
this strange world. A smile crept across her face, tinged with excitement and
calculation. "If that's the case…there are a few things I'd like to ensure
before I step into this life."
The gods exchanged glances, a ripple of curiosity passing between them.
Lester inclined his head. "Proceed. Ask what you wish, and we shall grant
it—within reason."
River's mind raced. The hospital, the years of confinement, the longing to
explore and create—all of it shaped her desires. She wanted freedom,
power, and tools that would allow her to live fully and protect those
she loved. And so, she began to speak, each word carefully chosen:
"I want to be born as a male omega," she said. "Fair skin, thin but tall,
with strength enough to protect my family. I wish to be a hybrid: dragon and
vampire, with the abilities of both and the longevity of a dragon. I want to
shapeshift into a dragon at will, immediately and fully. I want magic to obey
my thoughts—fire, light, shadow, whatever I imagine. I want complete language
comprehension, able to communicate with animals and humans alike, even
telepathically if needed."
The gods listened in silence, some nodding, some raising an eyebrow. River
continued, her tone steady, even with the weight of her demands.
"I want a floating castle, one that can morph to suit its inhabitants. A
managing device that functions as both a ring, phone, and computer. I want to
shop from other universes, using currencies at discounted rates. I want the
maxed-out creation ability: anything I imagine can be made with little to no
resources. And lastly, I want unlimited mana. Immortality, true immortality, is
essential."
Lester studied her for a long moment. "Your list is…ambitious."
River's eyes sparkled. "Yes. I've lived a life where every day was precious.
I don't intend to waste another one."
Giovani, the God of Crafts and Trades, stepped forward. "Your requests are
unusual, yet fair. We accept them. The omega body, the hybrid form, the magic
and creation powers—all shall be granted. You may also request additional aid
later. The device you mentioned will connect you to us directly, bypassing the
need for prayer or rituals."
Sage, the God of Medicine, added with a nod, "Your physical form will be
extraordinarily resilient. You will have access to medical knowledge and skills
sufficient to care for yourself and others. Your health and safety are
safeguarded beyond mortal limits."
Lostov, the God of Demons and Beasts, tilted his head thoughtfully. "The
creatures of this world, those you bind or befriend, will respond to you as
companions. They will obey your contracts, and their loyalty will be absolute,
provided you maintain balance and respect."
Layla grinned, her voice playful. "And of course, entertainment and
amusement shall never fail you. Adventure, discovery, and joy are yours to
command."
River exhaled, her heart pounding with a mix of relief and exhilaration.
"Then…send me to my new life. I wish to begin."
Lester raised a hand, golden light coalescing around it. "Very well. You
will awaken in a noble family, not among commoners, but not at the very
pinnacle of power. This way, your growth is nurtured, your influence spreads
naturally, and your early years remain…manageable."
A brilliant flash engulfed River. The light was warm, inviting, almost
tangible, as if she could grasp it and never let go. And then she felt herself
pulled, stretched, and finally…reassembled.
When she opened her eyes again, she was staring into the loving, weary eyes
of a mother and the proud, firm gaze of a father. The room smelled of fine
linens, wood polish, and something else—home. Her new body was perfect,
healthy, and alive with potential.
River's first sensations were astonishing. Limbs moved with ease, strength
coursing through them already. She flexed her fingers, marveling at the fine
motor control she didn't yet need to learn. A tail flicked involuntarily behind
her, and golden-and-red eyes blinked at her reflection in a nearby mirror. She
had come fully alive, fully conscious, and fully prepared.
And so began the story of River Dayis Clayton, a being born of Earth, molded
by death, and reborn into a world of gods, magic, and infinite potential. In
that quiet room, the first chapter of his new life was written not with ink or
paper, but with thought, intention, and the immeasurable power of a second
chance.
The journey ahead promised challenges, wonders, and discoveries beyond
imagination. And River, the child who had once been Carla, smiled. At last, he
could live fully—not as a patient confined to hospital walls, but as a creator,
a protector, and a force that would shape worlds.