From Real to Realm

Christina hadn’t replied yet. The gravity of her situation was still sinking in. Qhemeria gave her time to think—to try and weigh her options.

A decision like this wasn’t one that should be made in the moment. While Christina understood where Qhemeria was coming from, it didn’t snuff out her doubts.

Taking someone’s place wasn’t a small ask, let alone being injected into another family. She didn’t give an answer right away, instead making her way to the bed to sit.

“I know this is a lot to ask of someone,” Qhemeria started, “but you get a second chance at life. A life you get to live however you want.”

“This world is more alive than your old one, you have more freedom to be who you want. If you wanted to move out to forge your own path, you can, nothing is keeping you with the family. You can also do the opposite, you can bond with them, rebuilding something you lost from your old life.”

Christina didn’t like this. The more Qhemeria talked, the better the opportunity sounded to her. No one was getting hurt by the swap. Her main concern was existing memories.

If I have her memories then it would be easier to fit in. What if I don’t keep them?

“Do I get the original girl’s memories? Do I keep my own as well?”

Qhemeria shook her head. “You won’t have the original girl’s memories. Your memories, on the other hand… I will be forced to block a lot of them.”

The idea of having her memories blocked immediately set Christina off.

Who the hell is she to decide what memories I keep?! What if I forget mom’s laugh, or dad’s bear hugs? Our family vacations together…

“Because not every memory from your past life is safe or helpful to bring into this world. Certain technologies and knowledge, like gunpowder, could severely disrupt its balance. So I must block those.”

“I can also block memories of your loved ones if you wish, to spare you pain. But otherwise, you’ll retain the memories that will best help you adjust and thrive.”

Would choosing to forget about my family be the right choice?

Christina was facing a harder decision now. Forgetting her family felt wrong, it made her feel nauseous just considering it. However, it could help her fit into her new life.

“Alright, I—I’ll do it, but is it possible to partially block memories? I still want to remember bits and pieces of my family. I don’t ever want to forget my true parents. I’m not sure I can move on with all my memories intact, though.”

Qhemeria’s expression softened, relief finally washing through her. But before celebrating, she asked again—this time with quiet certainty.

There could be no second guessing.

“You agree to the swap? To begin a second chance at life while saving someone else?”

Saying yes felt like abandoning her original self. It was akin to starting with a clean slate, especially when she considered all the memories she’d lose. Yes, she was asking for some aspects to be blocked, but that wasn’t because she wanted to forget them. If she was expected to start a new life, with a new family, her old memories could slip out.

Christina could hear her parents… their laughs, terrible dad jokes, the clinking of silverware. A normal dinner? Or maybe one of dad’s big family barbecues? The warm sun softly beating down on her face while her little cousins ran around shooting each other with water guns.

“I—I don’t know…”

Christina looked down at her hands, flexing them. It still didn’t feel real that she was dead… she felt so alive. Regardless of that, she had two options before her. She lowered her hands to her sides, then looked up to meet Qhemeria’s gaze.

I won’t forget them completely, ever.

She clenched her fists as tears welled up. With a struggle she finally found her voice.

“Yes, I agree to the swap.”

Qhemeria smiled.

Then she motioned for Christina to follow her.

“Well, now that you’ve agreed, we should move onto the next part.”

Christina wiped a few tears. “Next part? What else is there to go over?”

Qhemeria couldn’t help but chuckle. “You won’t look the same if you’re taking this girl’s place. I will be showing you what she looks like. It’s only fair.”

I guess that makes sense.

Being another person meant she would look different for the rest of her second life.

I wonder if she looks similar? What if she’s nothing like me?

A shiver ran down her back. It’ll feel like another person is looking at me every time I look into a mirror.

“Ah, here we are.”

When Qhemeria said that, it dawned on Christina that they had been walking for a few minutes. She stopped to turn around, expecting the bed to still be there, in the distance, but it was gone.

She still couldn’t make sense of how this white abyss worked. Even if they had been walking for a while, there should still be a bed, her bed, sitting somewhere right?

Maybe she brought the bed to comfort me. Something familiar… to keep me grounded, maybe.

“Don’t just stand there, we need to hurry. The longer we dawdle, the more likely her soul becomes too fragile for the swap.”

Christina turned to continue walking with Qhemeria. However, the Goddess was no longer standing next to her.

In the distance, Qhemeria was standing next to a small table. Pristine white wood with gold accents swirled into beautifully elegant designs. Sitting atop the table was a small tray, holding two tea cups and a tea kettle.

Even across the small distance the Goddess didn’t need to raise her voice. To Christina’s surprise, it sounded like she was standing next to her when speaking.

Qhemeria had already taken a seat, pouring herself something. Whatever it was, it was steaming. If Christina were to guess, it was likely tea. 

Wait, do gods even drink tea? Is divine tea a thing?

“I said not to dawdle.”

Suddenly, the entire dimension around Christina shifted. Gravity seemed to warp around her as she felt that weightless lurch in her stomach.

Without a word she was standing next to the table. Her nose was immediately filled with the aroma of whatever was in the kettle. It was strong, but sweet, with just a hint of spice on the tail.

It was jolting to see such… power being used just to move her 20 feet closer. Next to the table a small ripple appeared in the floor as something slowly rose up.

She could have done that the entire time? What would’ve stopped her from forcing the swap on me if she’s this powerful?

“Oh, stop being so dramatic,” Qhemeria said, waving dismissively. “I wouldn’t force such a choice on someone against their will if they told me no.” Qhemeria brought the cup close to her lips. “I need you over here for the mirror.”

She took a small sip. “How else would you see your new look silly?”

Christina glared at the Goddess for a moment.

Of course she read my thoughts again—how do I keep forgetting that?

Finally, a beautifully framed white gold mirror finished rising from the ripples in the floor. It was tall, easily dwarfing Christina’s height once it reached its apex. The mirror itself was blurry, like it had been covered in steam. With a snap of Qhemeria’s fingers the blur on the mirror started fading, slowly revealing another person.

Standing there in the mirror was a thin woman with white hair. When Christina leaned in to get a better look, the woman did the same. It startled her so much that she stepped back a few feet, causing the woman to do the same. The soft giggling of Qhemeria irritated Christina the most.

“We don’t have much time, but that’s not stopping you from fucking with me, is it?”

“Oh come now, don’t be that way,” Qhemeria said with a pout as Christina glared at her. “I just didn’t expect you to react like that.”

“I look nothing li—“

Then it dawned on her.

Qhemeria wasn’t lying when she said it was Christina’s reflection. It wasn’t a reflection of her current form… it was the new one.

She gasped, quickly covering her mouth, her eyes going wide. She moved closer again, taking in the frail form she would be inhabiting soon. Without thinking, she reached out, her hand touching the mirror. The reflection mirrored her movements, their hands separated by a thin pane of glass.

The unknown girl wore the same shock and sorrow filled expression Christina had. She looked terrible, whatever was eating away at her had done a number.

Poor girl… I can’t imagine what it’s been like going through that. God… her family has been watching it the whole time too.

All things considered, she didn’t look completely helpless. It would take a while to recover, but it was still possible, if they swapped now.

“I’m glad I didn’t need to spell it out for you.”

Qhemeria sat her cup down. “I wanted you to not only see what she looks like, but come to terms with what you’re agreeing to. You won’t be in a healthy state when you wake up. The next months are going to be hard on you. Emotionally, mentally, and physically.”

Being told the girl was going through a debilitating illness wasn’t the same as seeing it.

Christina didn’t understand how magic worked in the world she was going to. The fact something every person had coursing through them, did this?

How many other people experienced this? How many weren’t lucky enough to have a Goddess step in to fix it?

“Too many I’m afraid,” Qhemeria said, sighing. “I wish I could help everyone afflicted with such a malformed illness. It’s not as easy as plucking a soul to swap. I chose you because you were a good hearted person in your first life. You were never cruel to those around you. You always showed kindness, love, and care.”

Christina glanced back into the mirror, into those emerald green eyes of her soon to be new body.

I just never felt the need to be crappy to others for no reason.

Her parents raised her to be a good person. Treat others how you’d want them to treat you, the golden rule.

“When souls cross over, we are able to see the truth. If someone was vile in their previous life, or prone to violence, we can see that. Anyone with violent tendencies, unwarranted violence, would never be chosen for something like this.”

“We could never afford to let a mistake like that happen.”

Christina sighed. “I wasn’t the most active in my past life. Without modern technology I’ll have plenty of time on my hands now. More time for rehab.”

She looked to Qhemeria. “I could also try reading up on the world, gain knowledge that way maybe?”

Qhemeria smiled at Christina’s positive outlook.

After finishing her beverage she stood, walking behind Christina. Placing her hands on the girl’s shoulders, she looked into the mirror, a soft expression on her face.

“Just keep in mind the world you’re going to is nothing like the one you left. The technological difference isn’t the only aspect you need to keep in mind. Monsters, creatures, thieves, sell-swords, you name it. Whatever you could imagine on a world like this, it likely exists.”

She squeezed tightly. “You’ll be dropped into a world you know little about, so remember to be careful.”

Christina nodded. “Don’t worry, I wouldn’t risk the second chance you’re giving me, unnecessarily.”

With a quick wave of Qhemeria’s hand the table, tea set, and chairs all faded into the floor. Christina was too focused on the reflection of her new body to notice such a casual use of power, though.

She was going over potential things she’d like to change about her new body.

Maybe different hair color? What about her body? Can I change my height? Bust? Is it the same as a video game character creator? Or is this it?

“Is this… final? I’ll look exactly like she does now?”

Qhemeria smiled, walking around her. “Not necessarily, there’s some minor alterations we could make. Did you have something specific in mind?”

Christina looked into the mirror. “I might have a few ideas.”

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