The sky was unlike anything Riley Carter had ever seen—an endless tapestry of swirling colors and glowing constellations, painting a surreal and beautiful landscape. He blinked rapidly, disoriented. The ground beneath him shimmered like crystal grass, and strange, unfamiliar items floated weightlessly around the air. His head swiveled to take in the bizarre world, when a soft but powerful voice echoed across the space.
"Riley Carter."
He turned, startled. "Who's there?!"
Suddenly—without warning—eight figures appeared out of nowhere, seated around an enormous table made of living wood and stardust. Each one radiated power, presence... and something unearthly.
A tall woman stood. Her earthy brown hair flowed like a waterfall of leaves, and her bright green eyes sparkled with warmth and life. Her dress, made of flowers and vines, danced in an invisible breeze.
"I am Gaia, Goddess of Creation. You have been summoned to our personal divine realm."
Then, to Riley's utter confusion, she gasped and shouted, "I am SO sorry!!!!"
"HUH?!" Riley yelped.
Another woman stood, adjusting her glasses with a composed elegance. Her long, violet hair shimmered with knowledge itself. Her dark blue dress was etched with glowing runes.
"Gaia, he doesn't know what you're talking about. You need to explain it to him," she said calmly.
"Oh! Right! I'm sorry again!" Gaia said, taking a deep breath. "You see… I may have made a tiny blunder. I accidentally dropped some lightning into the world below and... well, you know the rest." She laughed awkwardly.
"Huh..." Riley muttered.
Gaia bowed deeply. "I am really sorry!!!!"
A woman with flowing black hair streaked with purple laughed from the side. Her eyes sparkled like stars. Her outfit clung to her like the night sky itself.
"Sorry about our sister here. She gets a little excited. But come on, you've got to admit it was kinda funny getting hit by lightning."
"Nyx, stop that. It's not funny. He died," came a mature voice. A silver-haired woman with golden, gear-like eyes stood. Her dress was elegant, black and silver with intricate time motifs.
"You're no fun, Chrona," Nyx pouted.
Riley, utterly confused, raised his hand. "Excuse me?"
All eyes turned to him.
"Yes, Riley?" Gaia asked gently.
"Okay, three things. One: Who are you ladies? Two: Why am I here? And three: Can I go back to my world?"
Gaia gave another awkward chuckle. "Right. Well, I'm Gaia, the Goddess of Creation. And these are my sisters, also goddesses."
Chrona stepped forward and introduced herself, adding in her cool, controlled tone, "I am Chrona, Goddess of Time. You're here because of an unfortunate error, and we wish to make amends."
"Nyx, Goddess of Chaos," the playful one added. "I say we roll with it. Could be fun."
"Sophia, Goddess of Wisdom," the scholarly woman said. "Though I'd prefer more structure to this apology process."
A booming laugh erupted from the table. A tall, muscular woman stood, radiating power and pride. Her armor gleamed gold and white.
"Athena, Goddess of Strength! I respect your calm in this madness, Riley."
A petite woman with lavender hair peeked from under her hooded robe. Her glowing blue eyes shimmered with magic.
"Selene... Goddess of Magic," she whispered shyly.
An energetic blonde twirled her twin tails, dressed like luck incarnate. Her grin was mischievous.
"Fortuna, Goddess of Luck! Wanna play a game later?"
The last to speak was the most striking of all. A woman with flowing pink hair and eyes like wine. Her white and rose gown barely clung to her form.
"Venus, Goddess of Love," she purred. "You're adorable when confused, Riley."
Riley, overwhelmed, tried to make sense of the divine spectacle before him. Eight goddesses? Seriously? he thought.
Selene's gentle voice cut through the haze. "The second thing... we're here to apologize. And to give you a second chance at life."
His eyes widened. "Really? I can go back? I can be with my family again?"
Venus's smile dimmed slightly. "That's the third thing. You no longer have a body to return to."
Riley froze. Then dramatically exclaimed, "I don't have a body?!"
Gaia fell to her knees in apology again. "I am SO sorry again!!!"
Riley sighed. "It's okay. I mean... apologizing won't fix this. I'm already dead."
"But," Venus said with a hopeful glint, "we can allow you to be reborn. In another world."
Nyx chimed in. "With our divine blessing. And, y'know, maxed-out stats."
"Whoa. Awesome," Riley blinked. "What kind of world are we talking about?"
Athena stepped forward. "One of strength, conflict, and honor. You'll need courage."
Fortuna added, bouncing in her seat, "It's a fantasy world! Swords, magic, monsters! Oh—and a leveling and skill system that slaps."
Riley tilted his head. "Fantasy? Skill system?"
"Try thinking... 'stats'," Selene whispered.
"Stats?" he repeated mentally.
Suddenly, a glowing blue screen materialized before him, displaying a series of options, abilities, and numbers. Riley's eyes widened.
Riley stood frozen, his brain scrambling to comprehend the whirlwind of events. Eight goddesses. Divine realm. Lightning. Death. Apology. And now...
A glowing blue screen floated in front of him, pulsing with mystical energy. He blinked.
Status Screen
Name: Riley Carter
Age: 18
Race: Demigod
Level: 999 (Max)
Class: [Unselected]
Titles: Chosen of the Divine, The Reborn, God-Touched, Lightning Survivor
Blessings: Gaia's Creation, Chrona's Timeweaving, Nyx's Chaos Veil, Sophia's Insight, Athena's Might, Selene's Arcana, Fortuna's Gambit, Venus's Charm
HP: ∞ (Max)
MP: ∞ (Max)
Strength: 9999 (Max)
Agility: 9999 (Max)
Endurance: 9999 (Max)
Mana: 99999 (Max)
Luck: 9999 (Max)
Charm: 9999 (Max)
Normal Skills:
Divine Endurance: Grants limitless stamina and immunity to fatigue or exhaustion.
Infinite Stamina: Allows continuous physical activity without rest.
Language Comprehension: Instantly understands and speaks all known languages.
Perfect Balance: Maintains flawless equilibrium in any terrain or condition.
Keen Vision: Enhanced sight allows zooming, night vision, and seeing through minor illusions.
Predator's Instinct: Instinctively detects danger and hostile intent.
Universal Cooking: Can prepare any edible item into a delicious dish with magical buffs.
Divine Cleanse: Automatically keeps the body clean, fresh, and immune to illness.
Spiritual Awareness: Senses spirits, auras, and divine presence nearby.
Weapon Mastery: Innate proficiency with all melee and ranged weapons.
Artisan's Touch: Instantly masters any craft or artisan skill upon attempting it.
Ability Skills:
Time Slow: Temporarily slows time for everything except the user, allowing for faster reactions and movement.
Nature's Call: Can summon and communicate with natural elements and creatures.
Arcane Sense: Detects magical energy, hidden enchantments, and the presence of supernatural forces.
Divine Reflex: Enhances reaction speed and agility to divine levels.
Blink Step: Instantly teleport a short distance with no casting time.
Elemental Surge: Temporarily boosts the user's elemental magic output.
Beast Whisperer: Communicate and befriend any animal or magical beast.
Sky Step: Walk on air as if it were solid ground.
Battle Focus: Enhances combat instincts and resistance to distractions during battle.
Phase Shift: Temporarily become intangible to avoid damage or pass through obstacles.
Magic Skills:
Grand Elemental Mastery: Full control over all elements—fire, water, wind, earth, lightning, and ice.
Soul Enchant: Empowers weapons, armor, or items with mystical soul-based enhancements.
Reality Shift: Can temporarily alter small aspects of reality, bending the rules of the world in subtle but powerful ways.
Astral Projection: Send one's spirit out of the body for reconnaissance or communication.
Arcane Forge: Instantly creates powerful magical equipment using mana.
Dimensional Pocket: Grants access to a private storage space in another dimension.
Healing Light: Instantly heals self or allies from injuries and ailments.
Curse Breaker: Dispels curses, hexes, and maledictions.
Mirror Image: Creates illusory duplicates that mimic user's actions.
Stormcall: Summons massive magical storms with lightning and wind.
Inferno Burst: Unleashes a devastating explosion of fire in all directions.
Frostlance Barrage: Fires multiple sharp icicles that pierce armor and freeze targets.
Chain Lightning: Sends arcs of lightning bouncing between enemies.
Void Flare: Channels destructive dark energy into a massive concentrated blast.
Celestial Beam: Calls down a divine ray of energy from the heavens to smite foes.
Unique Skills:
Divine Resurrection: Automatic revival upon death, once per day, with full health and magic restored.
Chaos Control: Can create or manipulate chaos energy to disrupt or enhance magical effects.
Perfect Memory: Remembers everything with flawless clarity, including spells, faces, voices, and books read.
Love Magnet: Unconsciously increases affection and charm toward the user from others, particularly effective with romantic interest.
Origin Flame: Summons a divine fire that burns through magic, lies, and illusions.
Voidwalker: Can enter and traverse the void between worlds, dimensions, and dreams.
Absolute Command: Can issue a single binding command to any being once per day.
Foresight: Occasionally receives visions of the future in dreams or battle.
Mythic Shift: Temporarily transforms into a higher divine form, boosting all stats and powers.
Wishmaker: Can grant one true wish per year—no limitations, but heavy consequences.
Heavenly Rain: Unleashes a downpour of divine arrows from the sky.
Final Nova: Sacrifices all mana to deal catastrophic area damage and purify everything within range.
Judgment Chain: Binds a target with unbreakable energy and delivers divine retribution.
Weapons:
Aetherblade – Sword of the Celestials (from Athena): A divine longsword that adjusts its weight and size to match its wielder's needs. Can cut through magic and reality.
Starweaver Staff (from Selene): A staff of pure starlight used to channel high-tier magic with zero casting delay.
Chrono Daggers (from Chrona): A pair of silver blades that can cut through time itself, freezing anything they strike.
Bow of Fortune (from Fortuna): A golden bow that never misses and has random magical effects on impact.
Rose Whip (from Venus): A charm-infused whip that can enthrall or disarm foes with elegance.
Items:
Divine Credit Pouch (from Gaia): Contains 1,000,000 gold coins usable in most kingdoms.
Elixir of Eternity: Restores full health and mana instantly. Infinite uses.
Map of the Known Worlds (from Sophia): A sentient map that updates in real time and offers advice.
Portable Villa (from Fortuna): A fully furnished magical mansion in a pocket dimension.
Love Perfume (from Venus): Temporarily boosts charm to irresistible levels.
Rune Compass (from Nyx): Locates hidden chaos sources and secrets.
Seed of Creation (from Gaia): Can grow any plant instantly or terraform land.
Timekeeper's Pendant (from Chrona): Lets the user rewind time by 10 seconds once per day.
Grimoire of the Ancients (from Selene): Contains spells lost to history and new ones written by Riley himself.
Riley blinked again. Then again.
"I'm... OVERPOWERED?!" he shouted. "These stats are ridiculous! I'm basically a cheat character! I mean, race: Demigod? Max level?! What even is 'Love Magnet'?!"
His thoughts raced. Blessings from eight literal goddesses? Titles that sound like they came straight out of a power fantasy anime? This is insane... But also kinda amazing.
The goddesses chuckled among themselves, their reactions ranging from amused to impressed.
"I told you he'd be shocked," Nyx giggled, her starry eyes glinting. "Chaos Veil is my favorite part."
"He has potential," Chrona added, arms folded. "We'll see if he can handle it."
"I gave him the best insight magic possible," Sophia said proudly. "He'll never lack knowledge."
"I infused him with my strength," Athena said. "Let's see if he grows into it."
Venus winked. "You're welcome for the charm. It's... potent."
"This level of power should make his life easier," Gaia said with a gentle smile. "Especially after... you know, the lightning."
Riley shook his head and chuckled softly. "Well... I guess if you're going to die, getting reincarnated as a demigod isn't the worst deal ever."
But then he paused, rubbing his temples. "Still... starting over in a fantasy world at my age is a little... Wait, 18?"
"Yup!" Gaia beamed. "That's part of the divine apology start-up campaign. We wouldn't want you beginning your new life as a 40-year-old, would we?"
"Fair point," Riley muttered.
Gaia stepped closer, her voice soft. "Now, with your new body, I will etch this world's common language and knowledge into your soul."
Her hand glowed green as she touched his forehead. A sudden rush of memories, symbols, voices, and history surged into his mind. It didn't hurt—it was like remembering something he had always known.
Venus clapped her hands. "Now for the fun part—your class! What would you like to be?"
Another glowing screen materialized before Riley, displaying several dazzling options:
Divine Champion
Godslayer
Eternal Avatar
Omniblade
Supreme Ascendant
Archmage
He looked over the choices, eyes lingering on each one.
"Man... this is hard," he mumbled. "But... I choose Archmage."
Gaia nodded with a proud smile. "Eternal Avatar, initiate the process."
From the space between spaces, a golden core shimmered into existence. It hovered in front of Riley before slowly merging with his chest.
System: Class confirmed. Archmage selected.
System: Eternal Avatar Sequence Initiated.
Chapter 3: Rebirth
The moment Riley chose his class, the system responded.
System: Class confirmed. Archmage selected.
System: Eternal Avatar Sequence Initiated.
Golden light began to swirl around him. It wrapped his form in warmth and power, like a cocoon of divine energy. Slowly, his new body began to form—cell by cell, feature by feature.
Height: 6'2" (188 cm) – Tall and well-built.
Physique: Lean and muscular with well-defined abs and toned arms — the body of someone who had trained intensely for years.
Hair: Jet-black, slightly messy but effortlessly cool, with a natural shine.
Eyes: Piercing golden eyes with faint glowing patterns — enhanced by his divine power.
Skin: Smooth and lightly tanned — reflecting his godlike endurance and resistance to damage.
Face: Sharp jawline, high cheekbones, and a straight nose — naturally handsome with a slightly roguish smirk.
Expression: Confident and calm, but his golden eyes reflected a hidden intensity.
Scars: A faint line across his left eyebrow — the kind that made him look "dangerous but hot."
As his new form took shape, Riley's consciousness hovered between two worlds. He gasped as the transformation reached its peak.
"Wh-what...?!" he stuttered, looking down at his glowing, forming body.
When it was done, he stood tall, renewed and reborn. Gaia gave an approving nod and a cheeky grin.
"Yep," she said, hands on her hips. "Really good looking."
The other goddesses chimed in.
"Handsome and heroic," Venus purred.
"Hmph. Strong enough to impress me, at least," Athena added with a smirk.
"He looks like someone from a legend," Selene whispered, slightly blushing.
"Data confirms extremely appealing visual symmetry," Sophia stated, adjusting her glasses.
"Mmm, chaos looks good on him," Nyx said with a wink.
"Time well spent," Chrona remarked calmly, but her smile betrayed a hint of pride.
"He turned out amazing!" Fortuna grinned. "I knew rolling the dice on him would pay off."
Riley smiled awkwardly, rubbing the back of his neck. "Thanks, I guess...?"
Gaia raised her hand slowly. A brilliant light blossomed in her palm and spread beneath Riley's feet in the form of a radiant magic circle.
He shielded his eyes. "Wh-what's happening now?!"
"It's time for you to go, Riley," Gaia said, her voice both warm and bittersweet. "Time to begin your new life."
The goddesses offered their final words:
"Good luck out there," Athena nodded firmly.
"Live, love, and maybe cause a little fun chaos," Nyx giggled.
"Don't forget the wisdom we've given you," Sophia added.
"Stay true to yourself," Selene said softly.
"Time is always moving. Make the most of yours," Chrona said.
"May your luck never run out," Fortuna winked.
"And... I hope to see you again someday," Gaia said, blushing slightly.
Riley's eyes widened. The last thing he saw was the beautiful smiles of the eight goddesses as the light overtook him.
And then... he was gone.
The divine realm fell silent for a moment.
"Do you think he'll do well?" Selene asked.
"He has everything he needs," Sophia replied.
"He better not disappoint," Athena muttered, crossing her arms.
"I think he'll surprise even himself," Gaia said, smiling.
Riley slowly opened his eyes. He was now sitting on soft grass in a beautiful forest. Sunlight filtered gently through the leaves above. In front of him, a serene lake sparkled in the sunlight.
He leaned forward, catching his reflection in the clear water.
"Whoa... is that really me?" he whispered. He examined his sharp features, glowing golden eyes, and muscular frame. "Damn... I look like a fantasy poster boy."
He stood slowly, taking in the vibrant colors and the hum of magical energy in the air.
"So this is it..." he said, his voice steady. "Here I am now. I guess this really is my reality."
He smiled to himself. A new chance. A new world.
A new life—as a demigod with unimaginable power.
And it was only just beginning.