The Endless Void
*It was pitch dark, like the end of the universe.*
"Huh! Why is it all dark?" The last thing I remembered was getting stabbed and dying while rescuing a girl who was held hostage by a robber.
"I guess this is the afterlife, and I'm stuck in this endless void, or rather, waiting for my consciousness to pass away. Ah! So bright."
*While Satou was talking to himself, a bright light shone, leaving him puzzled and shocked. A being slowly approached the confused Satou. As it drew closer, its form seemed to shift, appearing both human and otherworldly at once. The light radiating from it was not blinding, but comforting, like the gentle warmth of the sun.*
"Who are you?" Satou asked, his voice barely a whisper.
"I am someone you people may refer to as God," *A melodic voice echoed in his mind,* "but I am a goddess."
*A heavy silence hung in the air.*"So... I have died."
"Sadly, yes."
"Oh. I guess there's nothing I can do about that," *Satou said, his shoulders slumping in defeat.* "So what happens to me now?"
A Second Chance
*The goddess's form shimmered*. "Satou, I know you had regrets in your past life, and that you died doing a selfless act. Because of this, I will give you a chance to start a new life."
"A new life? For real?" *His mind struggled to process the idea. He was dead, but not gone?*
"Yes, but it won't be on Earth. You will be reborn as a child in a fantasy world called Aalkaria, a world of magic, adventure, and diverse peoples. However, you are free to decline. If you choose to, you will be reborn as a new life on Earth."
*The space became quiet as Satou processed the information. A fantasy world, just like in the books he used to read. He could escape the pain and start over. But leave his family behind forever?*
"*I'm overwhelmed by this sudden blizzard of information,*" Satou said after a long pause. "Please, give me a few minutes to think."
*The goddess remained silent, patiently waiting.*
"So basically, I'll be reincarnated and start a new life from scratch?"
"Yes, that's exactly right. Plus, I will grant you one thing as you depart for your new life."
"For real? I guess starting a new journey isn't that bad."
"Your answer was wise. Please tell me what you want for your new life."
"I don't want anything extravagant. I just want to live a good life, and I want something that will help me achieve that."
"Okay, Satou. You are a very humble person, so with my authority as a goddess, I will try to fulfill your wishes."
"Thank you for giving me another chance at life. I will live my life to the fullest during my second chance."
"I'll begin your transfer right now."
"...Wait, is it possible to leave a message for my family? I wanted to apologize to them for their hardships."
"...It is not impossible. I will give you some time."
A Final Farewell
*Satou's voice was a choked whisper, tears streaming down his face.*
"Mom, Dad... I am so sorry. I couldn't live up to your expectations."
*His mother's hand went to her mouth, a sharp, choked sob escaping her lips. Tears welled in her eyes as she shook her head vehemently*. "Satou, who said you didn't live up to our expectations?" *She managed to say, her voice thick with grief.* "You were our first son, the one we held dear to our hearts. You were our pride and joy in every moment."
*Satou's father, standing beside her, placed a comforting hand on his wife's shoulder. His own eyes were red-rimmed.* "Don't think that, son. I still remember the day I rushed from the office just to hold you when you were born. We raised you to be a good person. You saved someone's daughter, and while your death was a tragedy, it was because you were a hero. We may feel sad at our loss, but we are so proud of the man you became."
*Satou slowly walked toward his siblings.He knelt and pulled both of them into a tight hug.*
"Yuta and Yuki, don't make trouble for Mom and Dad," *He said, his voice thick with emotion.* "Work hard and follow your own paths."
*Yuta squeezed Satou's hand, his small body shaking.* "Brother, don't go!" he cried. "Who will I play games with? Who will take me out? Who will buy me snacks?"
*Satou felt a lump in his throat as he held his younger brother*. "Don't cry," *He whispered, even as his own tears began to fall.* "I love you guys. Even I don't want to leave, but my time here is up."
*Yuki, who had been silent until now, finally spoke up, her voice small and trembling.* "Brother, where are you going?" she asked, her eyes wide and wet.
"You know, your brother here has received a second chance, and I will start anew," *Satou explained, trying to keep his voice steady.* "So don't cry, Yuta and Yuki."
He pulled them into a final, long hug, trying to imprint the feeling of their small bodies against his.
The Transfer
"Mom, Dad, Yuta, and Yuki, my time is up now. I'll be going."
" Son, don't keep the past in your heart. Live your new life—that is what we want."
"Mom, Dad," Satou said, *His voice cracking one last time,* "if the universe allows, let me be born as your son again."
*A bright light enveloped the scene, and the loving embrace of his family slowly began to fade, feeling less like a memory and more like a dream. The warmth of their hugs and the sound of their voices lingered, but were becoming distant, like an echo.*
"Are you ready, Satou?" The goddess's voice, now a gentle whisper, reached him through the fading light.
"Yes. Please begin."
*A blinding flash consumed everything. Satou's consciousness felt like a thread stretched taut, then snapped, his sense of self unraveling into the endless void. He was no longer Satou, not yet a baby. He was just a flicker of awareness, a soul in transit.*
May your new life be full of happiness, Satou. You have my blessings with you.
The goddess's final words were a soothing.....