Aisekai

[ AN: I intend to keep this limited to one written branch (from myself) at a time. Choices in my branches will be voted on via public poll and updated weekly to bi-monthly; the poll will open next sunday as I work on including supplementary materials and future-proofing organization. To those familiar with the bulk of me preceding work - if the title art didn't key you in, this is the same world James lands in in 'Prompts Through the Multiverse' yes. ]

What... happened?

I was going up the stairs, right? Just about to hit the top and then...

...and then?

There wasn't an 'and then.' Ah! My head it- it's fine? The hell?

I clutch at my skull, rub at my hair. Back, front, side, other side. My hand is clean when I pull it away. No headaches. No soreness. I'm... fine?

Well. Actually, I am clearly NOT fine, but physically all is well. It's just...

(Note: Male MC is default. I have art for a female, but will generally write male myself unless you get yourselves flipped).

What the hell have I gotten into?

I don't have too much time to dwell on the surreal skybox of I'm standing in before the platform I'm resting upon - floated as it is in the open air - begins to lose its balance.

As I fall, the platform somehow remains affixed to my feet - it's almost like the world is tumbling around me rather than the other way around.

Pink clouds, green aurora, dark shapes, and multi-colored stars all start to dance in and out of my vision as I pinwheel into the mysterious 'something' below me. Two falls, one day, seriously?!

Below that pink misty layer of potential is nothing but blind, dark, blindness and confusion. Yes, blindness twice; sue me, I... I'm going to die for real this time aren't I? Maybe I'm already dead?

Amidst animal panic, I feel myself pulled in three directions at once. The sky, stars, sun, moon, and everything continue revolving wildly, but these three points - impressions - three female voices... They all promise their own safety. Somehow, I know I can land at one.

—The scent of the sea. A warm and motherly voice which reverbrates strongly of tender care and maternal affection. But something's... off. Not in a sinister way, it's just; I feel like there's something more here. For whatever reason, this impression feels the safest. The most natural and stringless. [ Wildcard Start; stringless, most freedom, least closeness to named characters. ]

—The scents of wax and oils; sterile hospital cleaners and plastic, new-machinery. A cold, callous, domineering voice commands me to answer the call and fulfill my destiny. It speaks of a terrible danger, a doom that must be averted, and asserts that I can make it right. [ Hero Start; least freedom, strict expectations, amidst humanity with divine ordainment. ]

—The chill of frost and depression. A lonely spark. A voice begs me to be well, to be safe, to be healed. Yet, her words are breathless and laced with an undertone that's altogether unsuitable for the scene her words and desperation convey. Like a woman crying over her lover's dying body while... No way, right? [ 'Villain' Start; tightrope of freedom, no expectations, amidst demonkind with affection of high-ranking demoness; delicate balancing act for all involved ]

Three choices.

A mother's love; a savior's mandate; or a lover's despair.

I'm falling...