2 Rebirth - Oz

Blake, who was shocked awake by the booming voice shouts out into the void.

"Who are you? or rather, What are you?"

After a short period of silence the void shakes with a booming voice again.

{Hahaha! even me speaking doesn't shake you as much as previous visitors to this realm, I certainly like you boy}

"Previous visitors?" said Blake "So this really must be the afterlife or something akin to it at least..."

{Correct boy, this is the afterlife. If you want to get technical however, its the path to the afterlife}.

Blake suddenly felt a wave of regret over him.

"So I really did die huh, with nothing to show for it".

Although Blake suspected as much, he still held out a small amount of hope he'd get a second chance or something, a chance to right his own wrongs and make something of himself. The many hours spent walking in the void had allowed him to brood over all aspects of his life. He realised quite quickly and painfully that it wasn't just that the world around him was unfair, it was also the fact that he himself didn't have the drive, the motivation to move forward in such a life. With his grades he could have pushed himself into a simple job yet he refused, he thought himself better, and constantly searched for a job that was something he'd enjoy as well as earn a lot from. How foolish he felt when this all clicked. However, now the chance was gone there was nothing to do.

An eerie silenced filled the void for a while after Blake uttered that sentence, the being of the void, or rather maybe even the void itself seemed to be thinking of a response.

{So you feel unfulfilled at a life you realised could have had a lot more if you just put in the effort... and yet you haven't faltered in this void. You kept walking even after facing yourself}

"What does it all matter now its all over. I've always looked at my life with a calm and analytical outlook yet now I have the answers with no sheet to write them down on".

{Understand boy how incredible your feat is, I've presided over this realm for as long as time itself and I usually see the same reactions to this endless void. Some people break down in terror of something unknown, others shout for help, some quirky ones scream "This is it! I can get a harem in another world" until they finally realise after my interference that this is just the afterlife and thats all there is, then they break down like the rest. Some of the smarter ones do the same as you and walk, but when they think about their life and how it could have been so much better they also end up breaking down. You on the other hand are different, you stared your problems in the face and accepted them, even when I told you this was the afterlife you didn't completely break like those before. That sort of willpower is worthy of my recognition and a reward}

"A reward?" said Blake "What sort of reward would help me now I'm dead?".

{Didn't you want a second chance to make something of yourself? I wouldn't be able to reincarnate you into your own world again as that affects the timeline of said world, however I can transport you to any of the other myriad universes out there, whether it be fictional or non-fictional. The decision is up to you. Ill also throw in a special ability, your people seem to love that}

Blake froze after the void spoke to him.

'Another chance and ability. I could finally make something of myself. I can't pass this opportunity up'

"I accept your reward Mr.... uh Void?"

{Very well! I shall give you some time to think on what world you want to be transported to and what ability you'd like. Understand however, the second you go to the world you pick you'll be alone so pick the ability you want wisely}

Soon silence was welcomed again in the void as Blake slowly sat up from his lying down position. He started to ponder to himself what world he'd want to go to and what ability he'd like.

'The void told me I'd be alone when I enter whatever world I pick, I need to be careful at what choice I make. Dragon ball world? no the world and universe is constantly under threat and chances of me reaching a safe combat level are slim, Attack on Titan? no thanks those titans freak me the fuck out'

Blake spent a long time thinking on where he wanted to be transported to, after all this would be where he'd be making something of himself so he needed to be thorough in his thinking. Blakes eyes flashed eventually and he seemed to have come to a decision.

"Mr Void errr... thing, If I were to pick the Harry Potter world would I be able to use magic or would I be born a muggle?"

After a brief moment of stifled silence the void responded in kind.

{I can make that exception yes, you'd be able to be a wizard in that world and you still would have a special ability to pick as well}

'This choice seems the best, Although there's danger in the Wizarding World, there are many ways around it. I've read plenty of fanfiction on the subject, watched the movies numerous times so my knowledge of the world is broad. Now is just for the special ability and I already know my choice'

"Okay I've made my decision, I'd like to be born into the Harry Potter World with my special ability being 'Perfect Memory'".

{Might I inquire on the choice of 'Perfect Memory' as your special ability here?}

'Funny, although this void doesn't have a face I can't shake the feeling its grinning right now at my decision'

"If I'm to be born as a wizard in the Wizarding World, then that already ticks off the box of having magic, I'm sure magic can be trained over time so asking for more magic would be a waste. The most important thing in the Wizarding World is knowledge, knowledge of spells, of wards, of potions, of the dark arts. Having knowledge can make you supreme. With this ability, unlike Dumbledore who has to constantly use the pensieve to remember things in that massive brain of his, I'd be able to recall anything instantly. I could become a supreme wizard if I just put in the effort and this time after realising my past regrets I will put in the most effort I can possibly muster".

'Wizard huh... back in high school people always nicknamed me Oz from my second name and from the film Wizard of Oz. Maybe fate is playing strange trick here...'

{An excellent decision! okay boy you shall be a wizard in the Wizarding World. Due to having magic and being in Britain you'll eventually be found by the Ministry and Hogwarts so don't worry about not receiving a Hogwarts letter. As for being reborn, the most direct option would be to simply put you in an orphanage in England as a 5 year old boy. Ill smooth over all the details so you fit in the orphanage with no questions asked about you. My final question to you boy, would you like to keep your name}

'My name huh so I could even change that here'.

'Blake Osborne was the name of a man who took life for granted and never put in the effort despite having the tools at his disposal. Blake was a fool. I've always liked the nickname Oz though, and it stays as one of the only connections to my family I have left. Okay I know my decision.....'

"Please change my name to Oz"

{Just Oz? no second name?}

"While I understand that having no family name will make me stand out in some areas, it'll be a stark reminder that I'm alone in that world. Until I'm strong enough to take care of myself and maybe even have a family of my own. Id like to only be known as Oz".

{Oz huh...… Interesting..... well although it'll give me more work to do, I'll allow it. I'll be transporting you to a orphanage located in Cornwall so be prepared}

Blake.... no Oz now stood looking into the distance a renewed fire in his eyes ready to take this new life by storm.

"I'm ready" says Oz

{Then good luck to you}

As soon as the void uttered those words Oz vanished, nowhere to be found.

{Well that was certainly entertaining! What an interesting young man! The place where I'm sending him however and the body he will be in... It's almost like im giving him two powers instead of one. He should end up being a descendant of that man...}

{Yes... a descendant of Merlin}