I wake up, my eyes blinking rapidly as they adjust to the intense white light. As it fades, I take in my surroundings, my mind still reeling from the sudden change.
Where am I? Is this heaven? Did I really die?
A gentle voice cuts through my thoughts. "Welcome, Cecil."
I turn to find a petite woman standing beside me, a warm smile on her lips. A soft, ethereal glow surrounds her, making her appear almost... divine.
"Hi, Cecil. Pleasure to finally meet you." she says, her voice soft.
My gaze lingers on her, taking in the strange radiance around her. Who is she? And how the hell does she know my name?
"You are probably wondering how I know your name, right?" I nod, surprised, and she giggles softly.
"My name is Aethera, and I am the Goddess of Balance and Fairness," she says as a silver scale appears in her hand. My eyes widen at it. The scale shimmers, reflecting the light around, before it disappears as quickly as it appeared.
I look back at the Goddess and wince when I notice she is holding back her laugh.
"Okay? And what am I doing here when we are at it? Wasn't I supposed to be dead?"
Aethera's smile is gentle, but her eyes
sparkle with a hint of uncertainty. "The Celestians have taken pity on you, Cecil. You're being given a second chance – a new life in a new world."
My mind spins. A new world? What does that even mean? I try to process the information, but my thoughts are interrupted by Aethera's next words.
"However, there seems to have been... a slight complication with the transfer process."
My instincts instantly kick it. Complication? What kind of complication?
Aethera's gaze lingers on me, her expression thoughtful. "You've been granted a unique ability, Cecil. One that will allow you to adapt to your new surroundings in ways you never thought possible."
Her smile returns, tingling with a hint of mischief, "You'll be able to wield the power of the Celestians, bending reality to your will. However, with great power comes great responsibility... and a target on your back."
My mind stumbles, trying to find the hidden meaning behind her words. What kind of responsibilities? And what does she mean by a target on my back?
Aethera's eyes sparkle, and she leans forward, her voice barely above a whisper. "You'll understand soon enough, Cecil. Your journey is just beginning. This was your fate all along and it's time to make it come true…"
And with that, she vanishes, leaving me staring at the spot where she once stood.
A golden glow enveloped me, its warmth seeping into his skin, making me feel... different.
As the glow intensifies, I feel myself being pulled in every direction, my senses overwhelmed. I closed my eyes, deciding to trust the Celestians and their mysterious plans.
The last thing I remember is the sound of Aethera's voice, echoing in my mind, "The Celestians are watching, Cecil. Make them proud."
And then, everything goes black...
When I wake up again, I am laying on a bed in a apartment that sure isn't mine. The walls are all dark gray and the decor is mostly black and white. Definitely not my style.
I get up from the bed and stretch my body. I had this habit for a few years and can't get rid off it, so I just added it to my morning routine.
I hear knocking on the door and wince. I was so focused on the stretching that I completely forgot that I don't know where am I.
"Come in." I yell and stand still, not knowing what to expect. The door opens slightly and I see my father's face.
"D-Dad?" He smiles. "Morning, son. Come downstairs, Molly already prepared the breakfast for us."
I stare at my father, my mind racing. Dad? What's going on? And how come he is here?
"Uh, okay," I said, trying to sound calm. "I'll be right down."
My father nods and disappears from the doorway, leaving me feeling more confused than ever.
I look around the room again, trying to take in every detail. There is a big desk in the corner, with a single chair tucked underneath. A closet door was slightly ajar, revealing a glimpse of neatly hung clothes. There is a grey blanket thrown over the black leather armchair by the bookshelf, which is full of business and law books.
I shake my head, trying to clear the blurry fog from my memories. I need to get downstairs and figure out what was going on.
I take a deep breath, trying to calm my racing heart.
As I walk out of the room, I catch a glimpse of myself in a mirror hanging on the wall. I look... different.
My eyes seem brighter, and my hair is slightly longer than I remembered. I shook my head again, telling myself I was just being paranoid.
I make my way downstairs, my father already waiting for me at the bottom. The smell of bacon and eggs wafts up, making my stomach rumble. I didn't realize how hungry I was.
"Morning, Cecil," a soft voice said as I entered the kitchen. A woman, probably Molly, smiled at me from the stove. "I hope you're hungry."
I nod, still feeling a bit dazed. My father gestures for me to sit down, and I take a seat at the table.
"So, uh, Dad," I start, trying to sound casual. "What's going on? How did I... how did I get here?"
My father exchanges a look with Molly, and I feel a shiver run down my spine. Something is definitely off, and I am not sure I am ready for the truth.