Getting up from bed, I went to use the toilet. But, between one step and the next, I found myself falling into an endless abyss. For a mad moment, I thought, "did I just encounter a falling through the world bug?" But the thought was quickly banished as the images started passing me. I fell past scenes of wilderness, of great battles, of old wizards casting eldritch spells. They passed by quicker than I should have been able to see, and yet, each one was carved in my mind as if I had stared for hours. I knew, somehow, they were true images.

My fall ended as suddenly as it began. I stood on nothing, surrounded by strange glyphs. And in front of me were three empty circles, waiting to be filled. Each glyph I looked at poured more information into my mind. A new world, a new fate, and three gifts from beyond to see me through the new challenges I would face.

Three chances to cheat death.

Immediately, my wonder, anxiety, and fear were banished. Replaced by a storm of outrage. A world of magic, free from the terrible constraints of physics, and the first thing I'm promised is INEVITABLE DEATH? Fuck that. If magic can't cure death, it's useless. I have my quest now. Either I'm ripping open a hole to the afterlife, if one exists, or I'm hacking reality to cure death forever.

What tools do I have for this? Well, since I haven't cured death YET, I'll need a long lifespan. Vitality is a must. Of course, no problem was ever solved without a great mind to solve it. Mind it is. And since magic is clearly the most important hint/tool/resource I'll have, Magic for number three. Some of those other options are quite tempting, but everything else comes second. If I'm lucky, I'll be able to blast my way back to this gap between worlds and bring these boons to all peoples. In the meantime-

Before I could finish the thought, my fall resumed. The three glyphs I had chosen fell with me, and each burned onto my body. Lifespan over my heart, Mind on the back of my left hand, and Magic on the right.

This time, the fall did not end. Instead, I saw the blackness below me receding, revealing a vast landscape. New glyphs dotted it, and a glance at each revealed that they represented locations I could choose to appear in this new world. I barely hesitated. The elves of the forest promised the greatest leads. I'd be happy to work for the right to their knowledge, if it meant a headstart on my quest.

My fall accelerated. I knew I'd be arriving shortly. But just before I completed the transition, a flurry of faces surrounded me, each blurry and indistinct. I heard phantom words, coming from all directions. 'Who will you find? Who will you face?"

I shouted back, "Send me the greatest mind you can! I need to learn everything, immediately! And my only foe is Death himself, if he dares to stand against me!"

A massive crash shook the forest, and I lost consciousness.