1 The Death Of Three

In a space between life and death, floated three souls. Each had died at precisely the same time, down to the millisecond. It was a deadly coincidence, yet was fraught with fortune.

In our reality, everything will die eventually, sooner or later. That always comes to pass. However, there is an exception, which can have, quite literally, otherworldly outcomes. The chance for such an occurrence is low, so infinitesimally low that with all the deaths in the Universe, only ten or so fall victim to this exception.

Their souls are ripped from their path to non-existence, and given an involuntary second chance. A chance, in another world. All three of these souls, underwent the release of death at precisely the same moment, and were all afflicted by the exception.

The exception, of transmigration.

The souls, all three of which were from the planet 'Gaia', belonged to men on different continents. Unaware of their demise, they had died so swiftly that their confused awarenesses cried out in the darkness.

Their unheard calls were silenced, when a presence descended upon them. The three souls trembled, all ramblings and mumbling ceased.

A honeyed, feminine voice echoed towards them from no particular direction, reverberating within their ethereal bodies from what felt like everywhere at once.

[Congratulations, you are now Players.]

Players? The souls mumbled, yet not a sound was produced.

[You have unlocked: Class Selection.]

Class selection?

One of the souls was completely at a loss, failing to recognize the terms the feminine voice used. The other two, on the other hand, were ecstatic. They rejoiced and cheered in their minds, unable to vocalize their jubilation.

[Would you like to choose a Strength, Agility, or Intelligence-based Class?]

Just as the souls thought that they would finally be able to speak, it continued.

[Information deficit detected, administering required data.]

The soul that recognized none of the voice's jargon, felt a searing cold stab mercilessly into his intangible brain. He cried out in silent agony, before the sweet euphoria of knowledge flooded his brain.

So this… is like one of those games shut-ins play? He thought, bewildered.

[If you would like to choose a specific Class within your knowledge, or create a new one, you have 5 minutes to do so.]

[Failure to choose or create one, or forfeiting your choice, will result in a randomly-generated class.]

The three souls got to work, scouring their fading memories for an answer to give. Two of them finalized their decisions within a minute, and the third was still at a loss.

Time passed by far too quickly for the third soul, frothy anxiety bubbling up within him.

Minutes ticked down like seconds, as the third soul floated defeatedly, sighing within his ethereal self.

[Two out of three souls have chosen and successfully created a Custom Class.]

[The third soul shall have a randomly generated Class. Beginning generation.]

A deafening silence hung in the strange, interdimensional space and its unending darkness. None of the souls could produce sound, as the System hummed.

The third soul heard a 'ding', and mentally perked up.

[Warning: This is a private message.]

A private message?

[Congratulations, your randomly generated Class is an Epic Class, belonging to the highest of three ranks!]

Uhhh… cool, I guess?

[Confirmation: Indeed, it is quite 'cool'.]

...I didn't need that input.

The third soul would have liked to scratch his head, but alas. He had neither the head, nor a hand to scratch it with.

But then it hit him.

That voice can hear our thoughts? Does it just reply when it chooses to?

[Affirmative.]

…

The soul was speechless. In this case, literally thoughtless.

[The Player Creation Process shall continue, initiating the next step.]

[The Players have been offered the chance to choose a title, which can grant powerful boons!]

A title? Wondered the souls. Is that how people are going to call us?

[Correction: A title is merely another tool to strengthen Players.]

[Although choosing a title is optional, having one can give Players a significant advantage over Non-Players.]

Non-Players?

[The time allotted for choosing a title is 5 minutes. If a Player is unable to decide, I will generate one for them.]

The first two souls cracked their brains open for ideas, as the third shook his non-existent head. Trying his hardest to think as loudly as possible, he gave 'talking' to the System another try.

Nice-sounding lady, you said choosing one was optional, right?

[Affirmative. However, it is not recommended to decline receiving a title.]

What about delaying my choice, and deciding on one later?

[…]

Hello?

[Surprise. I did not expect this outcome.]

Can it be done? I will take a title, I just want to make the final decision later. Since you… 'administered' knowledge to me, you know that all this is completely new to me.

[Approval. Sound reasoning. I agree, you will be allowed to make your decision at any time within the next 30 days.]

30 days? That's surprisingly generous.

[Did I ever say or do anything to imply otherwise?]

...No.

[All Players have made their decision. Player Creation Process completed. Moving Players to the World…]

Suddenly, a sourceless excitement gripped the intangible hearts of the three souls. Light bloomed from the darkness around them, bathing them in a familiar warmth. What was once empty space around their souls, was now clad in a nostalgic suit of flesh.

Blinding sunlight assaulted their yet unseeing eyes, failing to perceive their rapid descent.

Thump!

Three men crashed-landed onto a grassy field, being winded for the first time since their deaths… and now, their reincarnation.