Reborn into a World Without Us

Alex Greid staggered down the dimly lit hallway, his steps as unsteady as a toddler learning to walk. He was barely able to keep his balance after a wild night of graduation partying and drinking. His best friend, equally tipsy, lurched beside him, trying to keep up.

"Dude, I think we might've overdone it," Alex slurred, clutching the wall for support. "I'm pretty sure my liver just filed for bankruptcy."

His best friend, with a look of intense concentration, replied, "Speak for yourself. I think I'm about to puke, and if I do, I'm blaming you. My stomach's doing the cha-cha with last night's nachos."

Just then, Alex's best friend let out a groan and stumbled forward, hurling his last meal onto the floor. "Great, just great," Alex muttered, trying to hold back his own queasiness. "I'm going to need to shower in bleach after this."

Alex, determined to make it to their dorm room, took a deep breath and pressed on. But as he rounded the corner, his stomach rebelled, and he followed suit, adding his own contribution to the growing mess on the floor. "Well, this is just fantastic. We're like a walking, talking horror show."

His friend managed a weak laugh between bouts of nausea. "At least we're a team. A puke squad, if you will. I bet we could start a trend with this. #PukeParty."

Alex grinned, though his face was pale. "Yeah, if by 'trend' you mean 'one-way ticket to the ER.' Let's just get to the room before we create a new form of biological warfare."

With great effort, they finally made it to their dorm room. Alex managed to drag himself through the door and collapsed onto his bed with a dramatic groan. His friend, still swaying, flopped onto his bed with a similar display of exhaustion.

"Good night," Alex mumbled, trying not to think about the mess they'd made in the hallway. "I'm too wrecked to do anything productive. I'm passing out before I faceplant into my own vomit."

His best friend, through a haze of drunkenness, replied, "Night! If you snore, I'll make sure to record it and send it to everyone we know. It'll be our signature move."

Alex chuckled, his eyes heavy with sleep. "Sure, just don't let them know I snore like a foghorn. I'll be dreaming of dragons and epic quests—anything to escape this hangover."

His friend laughed weakly. "Deal. If any dragons show up, I'll wake you up. But if you start growling in your sleep, I'm calling you out as the new mythical beast."

Alex managed a sleepy grin and slumped under his covers, barely registering the comfort before sleep overtook him. Little did he know, this would be his final night on Earth.

In the dead of night, Alex's overworked heart, fueled by too many drinks and too little sleep, finally gave out. The heart attack was as swift as a hit-and-run, and Alex's world went dark.

Suddenly, Alex found himself in a celestial realm, standing before a deity on a throne that looked like it came straight out of a high fantasy novel.

Confused and disoriented, Alex looked around. "Uh, did I die and get abducted by space aliens or something? This isn't exactly what I had in mind for the afterlife."

God, with an oddly calm demeanor, replied, "Relax. You're not in some sci-fi flick or anything. You've passed away. You died in your sleep after coming back from your graduation party. It was a heart attack."

Alex's eyes widened in shock. "I'm... dead? I didn't even get to see if my graduation speech was a hit or a joke. What the heck happens now?"

The reality of his death began to sink in. Alex's thoughts turned to his old world and what he'd miss: his messy dorm room, quiet study nights, and, most importantly, his best friend.

"I'm really going to miss my best friend," Alex said, a touch of sadness in his voice. "He's my roommate, even though we don't share the same major. He's the one who'd understand if I told him I left behind a fortress of snack wrappers."

God nodded sympathetically. "It's natural to miss those you left behind. It sounds like you had a close bond."

Alex remembered a promise he'd made to his friend. "I asked him to delete all my browser search history and wipe the Wi-Fi history from our dorm. I don't want anyone stumbling upon my late-night 'how to survive a zombie apocalypse' searches or 'why do farts smell' curiosities. He'll probably get a good laugh out of that."

God smiled reassuringly. "It's considerate of you to think about that. It's part of your old life that's now a memory."

Alex took a deep breath and refocused. "So, what's next? Do I get to choose my own adventure or what?"

God's face lit up with a spark of excitement. "I'm sending you to a fantasy realm—a place full of magic, mythical creatures, and epic quests. It's not Earth, but it's got its own set of rules and wonders."

Alex's curiosity was piqued. "A fantasy world? Like dragons, magic, and all that jazz? This is sounding like the plot of my favorite RPG."

God nodded enthusiastically. "Exactly! Enchanted forests, towering castles, magical creatures, and adventures galore. It's like stepping into a fantasy novel, but with you as the main character."

Alex's excitement grew. "That sounds epic. But what about the wishes you mentioned?"

God nodded. "You get two wishes to help you in this new world. However, they can't be overpowered. I don't want you turning this place into your personal playground. The wishes are meant to give you a boost, not to make you an invincible deity."

Alex considered this. "Got it. So, what can I wish for?"

God's face showed approval. "What are your wishes?"

Alex thought for a moment. "I'd like an eidetic memory—so I can remember everything perfectly. And I want all the knowledge of my current Earth, both the obvious stuff and the hidden stuff. I want to know everything."

God smiled warmly. "Great choices. With an eidetic memory and complete knowledge of Earth, you'll be well-equipped for whatever comes next."

As God began to grant Alex's wishes, a brilliant, golden light enveloped him. The sensation was both comforting and exhilarating. But just as the divine light was finishing, a sudden disturbance shook the space.

"What's going on?" Alex's voice was filled with confusion.

God's expression turned serious. "There's an anomaly disrupting the process. I'm trying to stabilize it, but things are getting chaotic."

Before God could explain further, the light flickered violently, and Alex felt a jarring disorientation. In an instant, the celestial realm vanished, and Alex was no longer in the divine presence.

When the light faded, Alex found himself in the middle of a lush, vibrant forest. Sunlight filtered through the trees, casting magical glows on the forest floor. The transition was jarring, and Alex's initial awe quickly turned to bewilderment.

"Hello? God? Did I just get dumped into a fantasy world without a manual?" Alex called out, but there was no response. The divine presence had disappeared, leaving him alone in this new world.

Determined to find civilization, Alex pushed through the forest, his senses alert for any sign of human activity—voices, vehicles, or buildings. But there was nothing. The forest was serene, filled only with the sounds of chirping birds and rustling leaves.

Hours passed, and despite his efforts, there were no signs of roads, towns, or people. The forest, though beautiful, felt strangely empty. The knowledge Alex had gained seemed distant and unhelpful in this unexpected solitude.

As he continued his search, Alex realized that his new life was not the grand adventure he had anticipated but an isolating and mysterious challenge. With each step, he felt the weight of his solitude, facing an uncertain future in a world that was both familiar and alien.