Kara is dying.

  Her battle against the relentless juggernaut of cancer is nearing its bitter end. She lies motionless on her hospital bed—the bed that has defined her existence for as long as she can remember. The rare spinal disease that paralyzed her body ensured she couldn’t lift herself, couldn’t escape the pain that punished her with even the slightest movement. Every breath was an uphill climb, every flicker of muscle an unforgiving agony.

  Her family surrounds her, a sea of sorrow drowning in their grief. Her mother’s trembling hands clutch the edge of the bed, her father’s shoulders heaving with silent sobs. Uncles and aunts whisper prayers through shaking lips, while her brothers and sister watch helplessly, their hearts breaking in ways no words can express. Their love was heavy, suffocating in its intensity. It was meant to be a gift, yet to Kara, it had often felt like a chain. But unlike them, Kara wasn’t mourning. Her eyes glistened as tears streamed freely down her pale cheeks but not tears of sadness. They were of bittersweet relief.

  It was finally over.

  Her suffering would end, but more importantly, theirs would too. No more sleepless nights rearranging their lives around her. No more anguish watching her fade. No more burden. That thought brought her peace—a cruel irony, considering her own pain had stolen so much of it away.

  She wanted to tell them, wanted to whisper words of comfort to ease their despair. Don’t cry for me, she would have said. Live your lives. You deserve joy. But her body betrayed her. She was too weak, her voice swallowed by the relentless agony. The world around her blurring, her family’s wails muffled and distant like talking at the other end of a tunnel. Was hearing the first sense to go? Or had pain swallowed even that?

  Her lids grew heavy, but before they closed for the last time, she drank in the sight of her family. Her heart ached with the loneliness that had defined her life.

  She had dreamt of love. To find someone who would hold her, cherish her, and make her feel truly safe. Whether it was a man or a woman, her heart didn’t discriminate; she simply longed for that connection. Yet, those dreams always felt selfish, tainted by the reality of her existence. How could she ask someone to shoulder the unbearable weight of her life. A life consumed by pain and suffering? She couldn’t bring herself to curse another with that burden, no matter how deeply she yearned for it.

  Kara closed her eyes, ready to surrender to the grim reaper. But instead of the nothingness or a skeleton with a scythe and black cloak, like she expected something else appeared. A semi-translucent screen hovered before her, startling her with its sudden appearance despite her hazy mind. The words burned themselves into her consciousness:

  Her eyes fluttered open slightly. Her pale fingers trembled against the hospital sheet. Was she hallucinating? Was her pain-addled mind cruelly conjuring this vision as a false reprieve? Yet the screen stayed, unwavering, floating meters away as though demanding her attention.

  Hope surged within her. It hurt more than she expected, stirring memories of dreams long abandoned: walking without pain, running freely, laughing with friends.

  Could this be real? she thought. or the grim reapers sick way of trolling.

  A new body? A life without suffering? The promise was staggering, but fear crept in, shadowing her hope. What awaited her in this new world? Could it be worse than the one she was leaving?

  No, she thought firmly. Even if it was harsh, even if it demanded unimaginable strength, it couldn’t compare to the prison her body had been. Because this time-this time she would be free.

  Tears slid down her face, the first born from something other than sorrow. She had begged for this, prayed for anything beyond the agony of her existence. Her lips moved weakly, but no sound escaped. She tried to speak her answer, but her body betrayed her once more. The screen vanished, leaving her heart racing in despair.

  Was it too late?! The thought consumed her, regret rising like a storm within her. She would have cried, cursed her frailty, but before she could sink further, another screen appeared:

  Reading that and for the first time, a smile flickered across her lips. Blessed? I don’t feel blessed. My life was a hollow shell. It was miserable and full of broken dreams. But Thank you. Thank you for the chance.

  Her answer echoed in her mind. Yes. I accept.

  As the thought settled, a radiant light enveloped her body, gentle and warm. Her family gasped in confusion as the bed she’d inhabited for years became empty, the girl who had suffered so greatly now gone.

  ***

  The transfer felt like the gentle merging of colors, one shade fading seamlessly into another. It wasn’t abrupt or jarring, but a calming shift that wrapped her in an almost dream-like tranquility. Kara felt herself sinking into the softest bed imaginable—so plush and tailored to her fragile frame that it seemed to cradle her like an embrace. It was so comfortable it almost felt as though she were floating.

  Her eyelids fluttered open, heavy and groggy, as if waking from a long and restful sleep. She was greeted by an endless expanse of light, a luminous sky that stretched infinitely above her. Instinctively, she tried to sit upright but immediately braced herself for the familiar sting of pain. But it didn’t come.

  “Nnnngh—wait.” Her breath caught, her voice just above a whisper. The realization hit her like a flip of a light switch. “It… didn’t hurt?” She blinked, wide-eyed, and a smile began to bloom on her lips. Her smile was so warm and radiant, it could melt the hearts of both man and woman. “I’m healed?”

  She raised her arms, testing their strength, marveling as she stretched her fingers freely without the usual resistance. Her gaze lingered on her hands. Her smile faded. They looked the same as they always did fragile, weak, and almost like just putting flesh atop a skeleton.

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  Well, at least I can move. That counts for something.

  She took in the vastness of the empty space. It was blindingly white, stretching endlessly in all directions. The sheer magnitude of it should have overwhelmed her, but instead, she felt an unexpected calm settle over her. A sense of peace that was very welcoming. And when she looked to see what she had been laying on she realized that it wasn't a bed, it was a golden cloud. A cloud that was hovering two meters above a sea of fresh clear water.

  “So… is this, Heaven?” she said to herself. But then she hesitated, recalling the message.

  If she’d refused, she would’ve succumbed to her ailments with both her heart and brain giving out one after the other. But she hadn’t refused. She’d accepted the offer. And if she wasn’t dead…

  “No,” she answered herself softly, her mind piecing it together. “That message said this is the Preparation Area.”

  “That is correct, oh Blessed Soul.” A voice reverberated through the vast area. His voice seemed to be everywhere, so she couldn't pinpoint where this masculine, commanding voice was coming from. It was like thunder, the type of voice where if you heard it you'd pay attention. “This is not Heaven, but the Preparation Area, as you are not dead. I sent you here before your afflictions could overtake you.”

  Her lips quivered. The memories of the hospital room, the cancer that had eaten away her strength, her family crying their eyes out as they couldn't do anything to stop the pain but only wait for it to end.

  A hesitant tear slipped down her cheek. She wasn’t used to crying out of joy. Her life had been filled with enough sorrow to drown out such emotions.

  "You sent me here," her voice trembling. "You saved me from that-that life?"

  She felt the smile in the voice’s response. The kindness, the reassurance. It felt comforting. She's in a foreign area but he makes her feel at ease.

  "Yes. The suffering you endured and the loneliness you felt ends now."

  "What do I do, now?"

  "We will be preparing you for your new body. One that is healthy, strong, and capable of handling anything. One you are satisfied with."

  "A new body?"

  "Yes." She felt the smile from him again. "You will be sent to another world, one of magic and strong magical beasts. There will be elves, dwarves, beastkin, and many other exotic creatures like-"

  "Will it have rugby?"

  There was a brief silent from the powerful voice. "Rugby?"

  She nods. "I've always dreamed of being able to play rugby but due to my conditions, I was never able to. So, in this new world will it have rugby?"

  "No. It doesn't have rugby."

  "Okay." She lowers her head slightly in defeat.

  Kara yearned for the raw, electrifying rush of adrenaline that came from charging across the field with the ball gripped tightly in her hands, her pulse racing as teammates and opponents shouted in chaotic unison. Her heart ached to hear the cacophony of voices, commands, cheers, warnings, blending into a symphony of battle, a chaos the referee was there to tame. She longed to feel the thunderous impact of bodies colliding, the sheer, unbridled force sending vibrations through her bones, accompanied by the sharp, undeniable CRACK of a ferocious hit.

  Even if it hurt, especially if it hurt, she would welcome the pain with a smile, knowing it was the kind of pain she’d chosen. The sting of collision, the burn of muscles pushed to their limits, the exhilaration of giving her all. It was an intensity she had dreamed of, craved, and imagined living every single moment she spent confined to a bed. It was freedom. It was life. It was everything she’d been denied, and everything she wanted to feel for the first time.

  "I have found you such a world who has rugby. Or something similar to it."

  She shot her eyes to the sky; a smile returns to her face. " Really?!"

  "Yes, oh Blessed Soul. You get whatever you want. You get to choose what life you want to live. This world is called Arjania. Are you okay with that?"

  "Yes. But before I go, can I see what my new body will look like?"

  "Of course."

  About five meters ahead, golden light particles began to shimmer into existence. They danced and swirled, rushing together at an almost light speed. The particles collided and merged, gradually taking shape, a distinctly feminine form emerging from the radiant chaos.

  Within moments, the formation was complete, standing tall as a glowing golden silhouette. The brilliance of the light was mesmerizing, but it didn’t linger for long. Slowly, the glow began to fade, peeling away like a veil to reveal the intricate details of the figure beneath. Kara’s breath caught as she took in the sight before her.

  "Whoa..."

  Her fair skin gleamed with a radiant health, luminous and free of imperfections. Her blonde hair framed her striking face, cascading down her back in loose, golden waves. Unlike Kara who had lost hers due to chemotherapy. Intricate braids accentuated her strong features, their delicate patterns adorned with tiny metallic rings that glinted faintly in the light.

  Her face was undeniably commanding, with sharp, angular lines. Her high cheekbones added definition and structure. Her jawline was strong and slightly squared yet not overbearing so that it preserved her femininity. A subtly pronounced brow ridge lent intensity to her expression—not overwhelmingly masculine, but enough to emphasize her formidable presence. Her straight, well-proportioned nose and piercing blue hooded eyes completed her striking profile, softened slightly by light, well-shaped eyebrows that framed her gaze.

  This is the type of facial structure Kara likes. Strong sharp, powerful faces in both her men and women. It could be since she has more soft feminine qualities to her cute face that she is naturally attracted to the opposite. It's a known fact women gravitate toward taller men, valuing the dynamic of a sexually dimorphic relationship, Kara’s preferences go deeper. For her, facial structure reigns supreme.

  For example, if faced with a choice between two men: one standing at 5'7 with a rugged, masculine face and the other at 6'2 with softer, more 'pretty boy' features, Kara wouldn’t hesitate. She’d work to get the attention of the shorter man, over the tall pretty boy. The former man's strong facial features being way more appealing to her than height could. And technically he'd be shorter than her. The same holds true for her taste in women. She admires sharp, defined features that exude strength, but balanced by a striking feminine touch.

  The woman's quiet intensity extended beyond her striking face. It radiated through every inch of her formidable physique. Her body was of strength and balance; lean and muscular, built for both power and agility. She wasn’t overly bulky, nor was she slim; instead, she embodied the perfect all-rounder, capable of immense strength and explosive speed. Not to forget her perky breasts. Judging by big they are, those melons are certainly D cup.

  Her thighs were thick and powerful, filling out the shorts she wore, while her biceps pressed against the fabric of her short-sleeved shirt. Yet, for all her strength, her femininity was never overshadowed. Her curves softened the edges of her athletic build, creating a harmonious blend of power and grace.

  The woman stood at 5'6 inches tall, making her four inches shorter than Kara’s current body. Yet, her height was the last thing on Kara’s mind. What mattered to her wasn't her height, it was the undeniable strength and vitality radiating from this body. Unlike her own frail body, this one was powerful, capable, and bursting with life.

  "She’s absolutely stunning, almost looking like a Viking. Especially with that hairstyle. I think they called it Shield maiden braids. I like it." Kara smile widening as she took in the sight before her. "And her body. It’s perfectly well balanced." Her gaze lingered on the rugby attire the woman was wearing, sparking a curious thought. She wondered what club she might belong to, imagining the thrill of being part of a team.

  But then, a sudden realization struck her. "Wait," she said, her voice tinged with concern.

  "Yes?" the voice responded, calm and steady.

  "Am I… taking over someone else’s body? I don’t want to be a thief, stealing someone’s life from them."

  The voice reassured her without hesitation. "No. This is your body. Your soul will be the only one inhabiting her. When you arrive in Arjania, you will start as a baby. What you see now is a glimpse of your adult form. You will be immune to all diseases, poisons, and harmful magic. Additionally, you will not age in the traditional sense. Your body will remain in its prime, immune to the frailty and decline that comes with growing old. She is incredibly durable and built to withstand anything."

  Exciting boils inside her like water in a heating pot. "Wow. Not growing old? That’s… that’s amazing! Finally, I can live life!"

  "Live it the way you want, Blessed Soul. Are you ready to go to Arjania?"

  Tears streamed down Kara’s face. "Yes, I’m ready for Arjania."