You know, dying isn't so bad. Sure it hurts at first, but then the overload just kinda makes you shut down. Electric shock isn't such a bad way to go. It tingles and burns, but then it gets to your brain and you just stop.. being, I guess. This white void isn't what I expected. I can't move, I can't talk, I'm not even sure if I can see. All I know is that I'm dead.

"Welcome. Please answer all questions honestly and completely."

I looked up, or what felt like up, at the feminine voice that rang through the space around me. This must be Death or something.

"Do you believe you were a good person?"

If I was a more deluded person, I'd say yes. I made my share of mistakes though. I tried as hard as i could to be a good person, but things get tempting, you know?

As though the void could read my thoughts, a small ping sounded.

"Were you a violent person?"

Not anymore than anyone else, I would think. Sure I got mad and hit some things, but I never struck anyone with intention to hurt them. Though, if thoughts are what make you a violent person, then I certainly was.

Another ping.

"Were you a fan of video games?"

An odd question, but yes. I enjoyed many of them. Usually the more.. violent ones.

Ping.

"We have no further questions. Your new world and format will be decided."

Now that was peculiar. I had always believed in reincarnation, but I thought it would be an instant process.

"We apologize for the questions. Simply put, sometimes the past lives of some people put safeguards on the soul to protect some information." A woman slowly came into view. She wore a fitted three-piece suit in black and white. "We also apologize for the bindings. Some people do not go peacefully."

I felt the semblance of feeling returning to my limbs as I found myself able to stand again.

"Who are you?" I asked, my mouth feeling as though it were full of cotton.

"We are life and death and rebirth. Some call us God. We preside over the many worlds which exist together and apart." She sat, a kind look upon her features. "Some exist in others as works of fiction, but we can assure you, any world that you could imagine does exist."

I thought for a second, taking in the information dropped into my lap. All fiction is actually fact, just not in every world.

"So you're God?" I spoke hesitantly, suddenly rethinking all my beliefs. A smile slowly graced my features. "You know, almost everyone thinks you're a man."

She laughed then, a hearty sound that was full of warmth.

"I know I know. Who do you think gave them that idea?" She laughed again, loud enough for it to echo across the void. "The looks on their faces are just so amusing."

After regaining her composure, she rose from her seat and approached me.

"You're life was cut short by chance, just as it is for many everyday." She took me by the shoulder, guiding me along side her. "You have also faced many hardships in your life. Seeing how you affected those around you has shown that you are a good person." She suddenly stopped, turning to face me. "The flaws you believed you had and the mistakes you made are forgiven by both I and those you wronged. Only one does not forgive you, but she loves you far more than she blames you."

Emotion crashed into me as I realized I'd just left everyone and everything behind. Tears flowed freely as her words settled in my mind. Before I could stop myself I was sobbing and my legs couldn't support me anymore.

Not even five second later I felt a pair of arms around me that weren't my own.

"It's okay. I'll let them know how much you love and will miss them. You won't ever be forgotten by them." Her voice was soft and loving and felt so much like a motherly assurance. I clung to her until I felt the weight on my heart ease.

"I'm sorry for getting tears and snot on your suit.." I rubbed my arm as I stood straight again.

She moved her hand over the stains and then they were gone.

"Think nothing of it. You needed a hug, so I gave one. It's what you would have done." She smiled at me before she turned for me to follow again.

We walked for maybe two minutes before I saw what looked like a table. She walked to the side opposite me.

"With this, we will decide your new world and format." She sat down and motioned for me to do the same. I didn't question it when I found myself sitting in a modestly comfortable chair that wasn't there before.

Looking down at the table, I could see a plethora of worlds playing out. Dragons fighting amongst themselves as well as against adventurers, Fae living within separate courts, kids with wings running and fighting against wolf men. Some of the worlds looked like the regular world, but with slight changes. Others looked completely different.

"So I'll be born into one of these?" I shuffled uneasily. "Will I retain my memories?"

"If you want to, then you may. Some find it easier to simply forget their last life and begin fresh." She hit a button on the 'screen' that looked like a shuffle button. "You will be born with all your mental faculties in order, your body will have to simply catch up." She looked down and I did the same as a 'ding' rang out from the table. I could see two people fighting each other in a forest before one disappeared in a flash of yellow light.

I blinked, suddenly recognizing the scene as she stopped the image.

"I know this scene.. That's a scene from Naruto.. Minato fighting Obito after Kurama was released.."

"I know what you're thinking, but this happens so much more than you'd think. Books, movies, manga, anime, video games; so many people get reborn into the worlds that exist therein." She looked up at me. "Now your format will be chosen and we can decide some other things."

The image on the screen shifted again. It finally landed on 'RPG FORMAT'.

"Lucky you! That should help you a great deal. It also means I can be just a bit more involved at some points!" She grinned at me, and I couldn't help but beam back.

I looked down and saw a twenty sided die. I looked back up and she had changed her outfit drastically. She was in a full suit of armor.

I tried to keep my laughter inside at the mock seriousness on her face, though I could tell she was enjoying this.

"Roll six times for your stats." She said, her face finally slipping into a smile.

I tossed the die onto the table. "Do you do this with everyone?" I asked, genuinely curious. "I mean, I have no doubt you can be helping many people at once, but are you this involved with them all?" I looked at the die. 17. I rolled again.

"Well," She began, sitting back in her chair. "Most people just want the process over with. I don't usually get to spend this much time with them. Sure, some people do spend some time with me, but they're usually skeptical or unbelieving in me."

Her expression turned sad and I couldn't help but feel a bit bad for her. I looked back down. 13.

"Well I've reached a point that's kinda like nihilism, but more optimistic." I said, rolling again. Nat 20. "So this isn't too strange, even if it isn't what I expected. I think you're great and I'd like to keep my memories if it means I get to remember you." I said honestly.

She smiled, warmth radiating from her. "Thank you. You're much too kind. Now make your last three rolls."

I did as I was told. 12, 14, 19.

"So now I need to put them into my stats, right? Strength, Dexterity, Constitution, Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma like regular DnD, right?" I asked, hoping I was right.

"You're right. Choose wisely." She said, smiling all the while.

"17 Strength, 13 Dexterity, 19 Constitution, 12 Intelligence, 14 Wisdom, 20 Charisma. Do I get ability score improvements?" I quietly pocketed the die.

"Yes, at levels 4, 8, 12, 16, and 19. though your level cap is fifty. You see, this part may be like DnD, but the rest will be like an rpg on console. Abilities and skills will be dictated by level and experience." She stood up slowly, motioning for me to do the same.

For a few minutes, the only sound was the clank of her armor and the swish of her cape. If I looked at just the right angle, I could swear I saw spots of dried blood on both.

She stopped abruptly, causing me to nearly crash into her.

"This is where we say so long." She turned to me, her clothes changing to a typical jonin uniform from the world I would soon be joining. "Once you make these last few decisions, you'll be reborn." She hugged me once more and I could feel the love she held for everyone, including me.

"Will I have to die again to see you?" I asked, my voice wavering slightly against my will.

"No, you won't. I'll be in touch. Live long this time, and come back with stories." She leaned down and kissed my forehead, leaving me feeling content and cared for in a way I never had been.

I looked up and all I was greeted with was a screen.

'PLEASE SELECT GENDER'

I tentatively selected male.

'DO YOU WISH TO RETAIN YOUR MEMORIES?'

I pressed yes.

'ARE YOU HAPPY WITH YOUR SELECTIONS?'

I pressed yes one more time.

'THANK YOU'

Then everything went dark.

Comments and criticism welcome