"Don't underestimate yourself, my child. The task at hand is perfectly suited to your abilities." Celeste explained, her voice tinged with urgency. "One of my avatars is in peril, and the inhabitants of that world are on the verge of repeating the same disastrous mistake that befell your own."

  While the situation did sound dire, I struggled to understand what any of it had to do with me.

  "I don't mean to sound selfish." I began, my tone firm, "But why should I get involved? I've endured unspeakable horrors these past few weeks. All I honestly want is to reincarnate into a new body and leave this f*cked up life behind me."

  Celeste released a weary sigh. "I had a feeling you might feel that way. However, I can offer you the opportunity to retain your memories, and I'll bless your new body with a gift to ensure a long and prosperous life."

  Her proposal piqued my interest. "So, you'll grant me immortality in my next life?"

  The prospect of living with immortality did hold a certain appeal. I hadn't experienced its benefits in my previous life due to the unfortunate circumstances that had befallen me. It would also be nice to keep the memories of my late parents, even if I could never see them again. This was a sobering thought, for I now realized the reality of my situation. I would never see my parents again, and just thinking about it made me want to break down.

  Celeste merely shook her head. "Immortality is a gift I no longer bestow upon my children. I learned that hard lesson long ago. In your case, I made a temporary exception to ensure your soul remained intact until I could reach you."

  Though her revelation settled like lead in my gut, I couldn’t bring myself to refuse. To decline a boon from a cosmic entity—a being who threaded stardust into tapestries of power—was unthinkable. This wasn’t merely a once-in-a-lifetime chance; it was a convergence of fate that might not grace ten thousand lifetimes of desperate souls.

  "Alright, no immortality. What other powers will you grant me?" I inquired, gauging the extent of her generosity. "I imagine I'll need considerable strength if I'm going defeat whatever can threaten your avatar."

  "Do not fret." Celeste assured me, providing no further details. "I will bestow upon you a power so great that death by ordinary means will be nearly impossible."

  I sighed, resigned to the fact that my negotiating power was limited in this situation. I steeled my resolve and made my decision. "Very well, Ms. Goddess. I accept your offer."

  Celeste's face brightened with a radiant smile, momentarily causing me to forget the gravity of our conversation. "Wonderful! There's no time to waste; I've already made the necessary preparations."

  'Isn’t this goddess forgetting something crucial?' I thought to myself, concern rising within me. "Wait! You haven't even told me what the task is! What am I supposed to do after I reincarnate?"

  With a casual wave of her hand, Celeste dismissed my worries. "All will become clear in due time. For now, simply live your life, Kane Reeds."

  Time appeared to freeze as the rushing stars halted abruptly, revealing a planet suspended beneath us. I had heard stories of the perspective-altering experiences astronauts endured upon seeing Earth from space, but nothing could have prepared me for the awe-inspiring sight before me.

  The planet's horizon stretched infinitely, far beyond the confines of my vision. Its resemblance to Earth was uncanny—vast oceans covering much of its surface, although these waters bore a striking purple hue instead of the familiar blue I once knew.

  'Definitely an alien planet.' I mused, a mix of excitement and apprehension swirling within me.

  "Adjusting shouldn't be too difficult." Celeste reassured me. "My children here share remarkable similarities with humans, albeit with a few additional organs here and there. Nothing too drastic."

  This didn’t do much to ease my concerns. Before I could respond though, Celeste's hand reached out, and I found myself shrunk down to the size of a baseball—helplessly hovering above her palm.

  "Stay still!" she commanded. "Precision is key; reincarnating into the wrong body will cause an unspeakable mess."

  This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

  Countless questions raced through my mind, but I was rendered speechless as Celeste reared back her arm like a seasoned pitcher. In an instant, I was hurtling towards the planet, my speed surpassing that of a rocket.

  As I plummeted through the alien atmosphere, a breathtaking panorama unfurled beneath me.

  An immense skyscraper towered over the sprawling continent, its gleaming surface reflecting the light-purple hues of the ethereal sky. It seemed more apt to describe this as a monumental tower though. The structure stretched skyward, past rugged, snow-capped mountains, piercing the dense cloud cover like a titanic obelisk. Despite the distance, the enigmatic tower commanded my attention—a mesmerizing anomaly amidst the unfamiliar landscape.

  With every passing moment, the landscape grew more vivid and expansive. A serpentine mountain range snaked its way across the continent, its jagged peaks casting long shadows over the terrain below.

  The immense scale of this world became ever more apparent as a sprawling cityscape emerged from the haze, a labyrinth of bustling streets and glittering structures that seemed to pulse with life. However, I wasn't slowing down. Panic soon urged within me—would I meet my untimely end before I could even step foot in my new body?

  In the blink of an eye, the urban jungle gave way to a desolate, windswept field, its monotony broken only by the occasional rocky outcropping or gnarled, leafless tree. At the heart of this barren expanse stood a solitary structure—a sprawling manor that grew in size as I hurtled towards it.

  With each passing second, the imposing walls of the manor rushed closer, looming ever larger in my field of vision. Before I could fully grasp the distance, they were a mere hair's breadth away, and I watched as the weather-beaten stone was now upon me!

  Darkness enveloped me, and I was suddenly immersed in a strange warmth. As I moved my arms and legs, I noticed they were somehow different, not functioning in their accustomed manner. I felt almost wet and slimy.

  Realization hit me; I was being pushed through something, and soon, an intense light flooded my vision. 'Am I being born?' I wondered incredulously.

  Labored breaths and pained groans filled the air. 'That must be my new mother,' I surmised.

  A man's voice, mingling excitement with concern, joined the chorus. 'And that must be my new father.' I concluded.

  The sensation of being lifted followed. Forcing my tiny eyelids open, I sought to absorb my surroundings. My father's image came into view, and I couldn't help but notice his elongated ears. 'Is my father… an elf?' I pondered, recalling the fantasy stories of my previous life.

  His golden, intricately braided hair framed high cheekbones and pointed ears, characteristic elven features. My concern stemmed not from any lack of attractiveness but rather his striking, almost feminine appearance.

  'I can't be reincarnated as a trap.' I shuddered, hoping that I didn’t end up looking like that dainty little man.

  "Kane." my father uttered, shocking me for a moment. I wondered if Celeste had somehow arranged for me to keep my name.

  The guy looked so serious, and it made me want to laugh. A devious idea popped into my mind, and I locked eyes with my new father. Our shared moment was disrupted as I mischievously winked at him, causing him to shout out in terror and abruptly toss me in the air.

  Horror gripped me as I plummeted, fearing the impact on my infant brain. In a futile attempt to break my fall, I extended my legs, but I belatedly realized that they were just useless nubs!

  Bracing myself, I resolved to simply reincarnate once more. I closed my eyes, hoping that Celeste had a contingency plan. ‘Surely they’ve thought of this already, right?’ I thought in dismay.

  Time ticked by, but my anticipated collision never came. Curiosity piqued, I dared to open my eyes, only to discover that I was suspended in mid-air!

  I was floating effortlessly, defying all laws of gravity. Shockwaves of bewilderment rippled through me as I tried to comprehend this astonishing ability.

  'This must be Celeste's blessing. I can float!' I reasoned, the truth of my newfound power causing me to grow excited as I thought over the possibilities. I hovered a few meters above the floor, glancing around to find my parents at a distance, staring at me with a mixture of shock and horror.

  "What?" I attempted to play it off, but all that escaped my lips was a gurgled "Bah?"

  My father's eyes glazed over with terror as he collapsed to the ground, leaving me to stare at him speechless. 'Is this really my new dad?' I wondered, unimpressed.

  Shifting my gaze to my mother, I noticed tears streaming from her eyes, their vibrant green hue reflecting a whirlwind of fear and worry. My new mom was undeniably beautiful, rivaling the grace and elegance of my real mother.

  She shared my father's golden hair and elven features—long, pointed ears and refined, striking lines—but her eyes were a vivid emerald, like lush forests teeming with life.

  Despite the distress evident on her face, my new mother managed a gentle, beckoning smile. It was as though she were urging me to float closer. 'They want me to go over there? But how do I even control this?' I pondered, unaware that I was already subconsciously drifting in her direction.

  She enveloped me in her warm embrace, wrapping me in a soft blanket. An overwhelming sense of security washed over me, and I was abruptly reminded of my tender age.

  Within moments, I succumbed to a deep, dreamless slumber—held tightly in my new mother's arms.