I wrote this story some time ago. This seems very much like a prologue to something much bigger and I’d hoped the rest of it would make itself known, but no such luck. Yet. It’s always a possibility when a character like Gericko appears, they have a greater purpose. I’m still learning about this one.

The Being listened as The Ultimate droned on and on about their upcoming transition to mortality. It’s not like it was their first time living a material existence. They were sure it wouldn’t be their last. So the Being, Gericko, daydreamed of their upcoming reward for the last several difficult situations they’d solved.

They thought back to their previous existence on the Material Plane. They’d grown up in poverty, fought against the ruling class, and became a folk hero of the people. Sir Oberon, as known then, had gathered the multitudes, leading the people to freedom from a tyrannical overlord.

Before that, they were Lady Zdynia, mother of the giants of Takris.

That was when the words “… to save them from themselves once again…” broke through Gericko’s ruminations.

“I’m sorry, what?” asked the Being.

“You weren’t listening,” said The Ultimate, with a heavy sigh. “Ah well, it’s not like you’ll remember this conversation after you arrive at your new life.”

With that, The Ultimate snapped its wings open, lifting into the air, Gericko held firmly in its talons. The Being both hated and loved this part of transition. The exhilaration reminded them that life was a series of feelings, rushes, and disappointments.

They loved the physical and emotional sensations of a corporeal form. Wind rippling on skin, scales, or feathers during flight; strong internal emotions—either positive or negative—causing full-body physiological changes. They hated forgetting all of this until the trial’s completion.

Despite their misgivings, Gericko could barely contain their excitement. Would they enter the world as a male? A female? A neuter? Something new?

Gericko’s last conscious thought before being thrust into their new life was: Wait, what did The Ultimate mean, ‘save them from themselves’?