Jenny sat in stunned silence, staring at the glowing orb which was pulsing with light.

  “Jenny?” the voice (the orb?) prompted

  “What is thi…? Where did you…? How is thi…?!” Jenny stammered.

  I’ve finally lost my mind completely she thought.

  “You haven’t lost your mind; you are merely moving into the next stage of your existence. That is what this place is for” replied the voice. “I understand this is a lot for you to deal with, but you should be very honoured, it’s rare that one of us comes in person to speak to a soul in transit”

  “But you’re not here in person, you’re a glowing blob and did you just read my mind?” Jenny was starting to panic. “Does this mean I’m dead? You said I’m a soul, right? Does that mean this is the afterlife? What happened to me? I just don’t understand...?”

  “Enough!” The orb interrupted, growing larger and brighter, “Enough questions! Earth souls are so needy! Listen to me. Yes, your former life on earth has ended. You died in a heroic manner, which is part of the reason why I am here. You were returning from the supermarket with a surprising amount of cheese, a pack of pita bread, two jars of chickpeas, four rolls of toilet paper, and a snickers, when you were killed in a car crash.”

  That doesn’t sound heroic, but that sounds like my shopping list thought Jenny.

  “The heroic part is that you pushed a boy out of the way of an oncoming car. You’ll be pleased to hear that he is fine and should go on to live a full life thanks to you.”

  Jenny twisted the sheet in her hands nervously, “I’m sorry this is just a lot for me to take in. So, I’m dead. Finished.” She looked up at the orb, “What happens next? Afterlife? Eternal peace? Re-incarnation? I’m not religious but I’m willing to adjust my beliefs if that’s required.”

  This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

  “Yes, well most human beliefs are incorrect. Souls generally dissipate into the ether after death. But sometimes, when a special soul comes along, an overseer like me can step in. You are a soul full of potential, and you lost your life before your allotted time due to a heroic action, therefore I have deemed you worthy and will transplant your soul into a world in my demesne. You shall take up my mantel and become a great hero.”

  Jenny’s scalp started to itch. “Hang on, what do you mean a hero? I’m not cut out for that kind of thing; I think you’ve made a mistake. I’m not some kind of hero. You’re making it sound like I need to be some kind of knight or paladin and that is really not for me. I am not a fighter, and I really don’t respond well to authority. If I’m going to be in some kind of fantasy game world, I’d rather be a craftsman or a village healer or something, nothing high profile!”

  “You’ll be fine, you’ll learn new skills and work up to being a hero. It is a critically important role; the world is imbalanced and requires strong mages on the side of light. Your soul fits the profile and that is rare. Frankly I am disappointed in your attitude. I am here before you go into the transit chamber to offer you guidance and lead you to choose the skills and gifts that will serve our purpose the best and you are being churlish and immature.

  Jenny shrank back on the bed, startled by the sudden pressure in the room, as if lightning were about to strike. “I’m sorry, I just…I’m not what you’re looking for.”

  “Well, you are what I have. So, enough foolishness! Now concentrate, we don’t have much time before you need to enter the chamber and make your decisions. I cannot join you, as the choices must be made of your own free will. Once you are reborn, I can assist you to a certain degree. In order for that to happen you must choose Apostle of Light as your title. As a Transferred Soul, you can choose three titles and a variety of skills will open up for each title. Hero should be your second, and for the third I would prefer Battle-Mage, but if you must be difficult then I suppose you could take Healer. The skills are fairly self-explanatory, as for your appearance, I would recommend either full elf or demi elf as they have the highest innate mana. I do prefer my followers to be golden haired, but I will not insist upon it.

  My time is up. Remember what I said, Jenny. I suspect you will not remember this meeting until you come of age. Do not let me down!”

  With those final words the orb shrank down to a spec and then disappeared. Jenny sat in shocked silence in the blank room as her mind churned through the information that had just been dumped on her.

  That was awful, there is absolutely no way I am going along with all this. All I ever wanted was a quiet life. An Apostle-Hero-Mage?! Fat chance! How can I get around this, do I just pick the opposite of what she said? Dark apostle? No, that could definitely backfire. I suppose I will just have to see what’s available and go with things that seem normal. Maybe I can be a craftsman! That would be nice. Stupid ball of light. Why did I catch her fancy? In what world am I the one you pick for this kind of thing!

  Jenny’s considerations were interrupted by a metallic clunk and the wall across from her sank down into the floor, revealing a dark room with a large screen upon which was written in large blue letters, DON’T BE SCARED.