In a world millions of lightyears away from Earth... that's where I'll be going. It's a world with limited technology, so it's nothing like modern day Earth. They're basically stuck in the Victorian era. As someone who has come from an advanced world, I do wonder how hard it'll be to live where no phones exist, nor television, nor pants for women. That's not the only difference by any means. This new planet I'll be going to is one where magic exists. Supposedly, it's one of the leading advancements in that world.

"What's the name of the planet?" I ask, wondering if that will be another difference. "And will I have to start all the way from zero? Like a baby?"

God leans against the big tree behind us. They take a deep breath before shaking their head. "Well... I have plans in mind, but seeing as you're one of my blessed creations, what would you prefer?"

I feel somewhat touched by the question. It feels nice to get a choice in my next life. Though I probably would have liked to be born in my own world again as it's a place I already know. But I suppose starting somewhere new isn't a bad thing. If I have to choose...

"I'd rather have a consciousness if possible." I look up at the unmoving sky. "So even if I have to grow up from a baby to an adult, I don't want to be aware that I've been reincarnated until I'm able to make decisions for myself."

"Oh." God nods. "In other words, you want to skip the diaper phase."

"If possible."

The smile the celestial being gives me is somewhat terrifying. I feel like my fate has actually become harder... or rather I just don't know what to expect. Essentially, my luck as Morgan Slate ran out once I died, so it's wholly possible that this new person I'll become is just a regular being. If that's the case, I can already see a lot of hard work ahead of me.

I stay in place as the being next to me pulls out a device from thin air. It looks like a phone and I become fully convinced as they begin to type on it. They move at the speed of light on the device while I sit and contemplate if this is the right choice or not. My stomach clenches as I become more and more nervous.

Closing my eyes, I think back to my life before. Is my mom okay after having to bury her only child? I never got the chance to even make a will, but now I wish I had taken that advice and done so early on. I just hope none of my money will go to that son of a bitch Jameson.

"Okay!" God claps, effectively pulling me out of my complicated thoughts. The phone disappears as they look over at me and smiles. "I hope you'll also enjoy this next life. You're to become a person named Chrysanthy Torbum."

"Oh?"

"Currently, she's the empress of the kingdom Torbum. She's also the daughter of a duke, so that does make her a very powerful being. And before I forget, she's also-"

"Wait! This person already has a life?" I ask, accidentally cutting God off. "I thought I would be reincarnated, but this is a little more..."

God sighs almost as if they didn't want to tell me this part. "Yes, I'll be giving you an established life."

The idea sounds nothing but ludicrous. So many questions are floating around my head in regards to my next life. The main one is in regards to this other person. What about her? It seems impossible for me to coexist with a woman I don't even know. My body no longer exists in my world so it's not like we're doing some sort of switcheroo.

"Wait," I sigh and put my head into my hands. "I don't quite understand. What about this person? It's her soul right... Do you mean to tell me I'll be kicking her out of her body?"

God tilts their head to the side and smiles. "As I thought, you're a good person. But no, not quite."

"Then what's going on?"

"Where would the fun in that be if I just expose everything to you now?" they ask. I've never wanted to knock someone out so bad... well, other than my idiot husband. "That's blasphemous, Morgan. Or should I call you Chrysanthy?"

"This isn't very funny. How can you expect me to become a completely different person overnight? Especially not knowing anything about her or where I'm going?"

Each word that leaves my mouth makes me feel like I'm a barking dog. It seems like none of my concerns are getting through to the god sitting next to me. It's like I'm back to being a child in a room full of adults. Again, this must be what it's like to have fallen from grace. Though I suppose I should stop being so arrogant. For the first time, I realize that my strong presence alone isn't enough to command the whole room.

But with this thought, it's like I've just had a revelation. My life as the world renowned actress Morgan Slate may be over, but my new life is that of an empress. There's a whole empire under my feet and they have no choice but to listen to me. I'm the mother of the nation.

Something inside me wells up and I feel like I've been broken. My chest tightens as a root sets and blooms within my heart.

"Oh?" I look up to see God staring at me thoughtfully. "This is an interesting development, Morgan Slate. Just a minute ago you were caring about the soul of Chrysanthy Torbum... but it looks like you're more than willing to go. Just what have you been thinking?"

I was under the impression that this all powerful being could read my thoughts. Are they playing around with me?

God narrows their eyes before tutting their tongue. "Morgan Slate was truly an interesting creation. I hope she doesn't lose herself completely as she becomes someone new. I thought you would be good for Torbum and good for Chrysanthy... but it looks like something interesting has awakened within you. Alas, it's too late to turn back the decision. I only hope Torbum doesn't fall into ruins."

I want to retort and express that nothing I have touched has ever burnt into ashes, but my lips won't move. In fact, my body freezes along with the breeze that was once blowing. Everything stops and an ominous silence covers this place. As I still sit, God stands and bends down in front of me. They curl a strand of hair behind their ears before touching my forehead with a long and skinny index finger. In that spot, I feel warmth. And then I close my eyes and I feel myself falling back.

***

Waking up feels as if I've been stuck in a coma for twenty years. Blink, blink, blink. I can't blink enough to shake the grogginess that fills my head. Lifting from what feels like a million feathers under me, I throw my feet over the side of the mattress. Pressing a hand to my forehead, I flinch as my soles meet a cold floor.

I go to stand, but a weight in my midsection makes the task difficult. Mumbling to myself, I look down to see a bulging stomach coming from my body.

Don't scream, I instinctively tell myself. Stay quiet.

This is an unfamiliar place. I could've been kidnapped for all I know... but then what about the car accident? Did I survive? Maybe I was pregnant in the midst of that?

So many farfetched thoughts race through my mind as I try to reason with why there's a growth on my stomach and why I'm somewhere unknown. But as I look around, I can't help but admire the interior of this place.

It's not a hospital at all. Instead, it looks like I'm in a luxury five star hotel with the room being the size of a high school classroom. Turning my head to the side, I take in the cream and gold accents. Sunset yellow curtains cover large windows but are pushed to the side to allow sunlight to filter into the room. A fireplace sits across from where I am on the bed and two chalices on top. A fire crackles, providing a somewhat comforting warmth.

Looking back at the bed, it appears as a California king. On top is a canopy with a see through drape that's tied off to the side. After taking in the ugly paisley printed walls, I spot a wall mirror. Before I can think, I'm rushing over to the object, desperate to take in how I look.

I stub my toe against the bed frame and gasp in pain, but that doesn't stop me. When I reach the glass, I stare into the eyes of someone unknown. Her features are beautiful, but the complete opposite of me. Instead of brown eyes, green ones are on a skinny, heart-shaped face. Gone are the short brunette locks. They're replaced with long, wavy blond hair.

"What is this?" I cry in terror while touching my soft, flushed cheeks. This is the equivalent to waking up in the twilight zone.

Running my hands through the smooth tresses, I curl my lips in disbelief. In the mirror is no longer Morgan Slate but a petite woman who is much shorter than me and undeniably pregnant. 

*Chapter two is complete. How was it?*