Wake up.
Wake up, Mary.
Now is not the time to keep on sleeping.
Many stories starts with the main character sleeping and so does this one.
Mary was lying on a bed. She was naked from head to toe and peacefully slept. Well, until now that is. She had heard a weird voice in her head and slowly awoke. She sat herself up and looked around.
She saw an infinite area which looked like space itself. Stars sparkled all around her. A few meters ahead of her, a black sphere floated in the air. It was barely bigger than a head. White sparkles flew around it.
She looked around a bit, then noticed her current state.
'I see, I'm naked... Why?'
Why indeed, dear Mary.
Mary looked around, unsure of what she had just heard.
"Who goes there? Why can you read my thoughts?"
Worry not, Mary. You're thoughts are as open to me as words written on a piece of paper. There is no way for you to hide them from me. But, yet again, worry not. I am no enemy of yours. I am naught but a guide, existing to help you in your existence.
"Ah... I see. My guide, huh? Alright, 'Guide', what's going on here?"
What, indeed. This is your rebirth. In your old life, you had died. I have given you another chance; You shall be reincarnated in another world.
Mary was quiet. She tried to remember her old life, but...
Worry not. Your old life concerns you no longer. Only what lies ahead is important from this point forward.
"Ah... I see."
I see? That is everything that you think of this?
"Well, if I don't remember it and you tell me that it isn't important, then I will just accept that. After all, a voice which can read my thoughts and communicate with my brain appears pretty trustworthy."
I'm glad you understand. Very well then, let me explain.
The world you are about to enter is one of fantasy... Though you are not used to any kind of world. So this shall be the standard for you.
"Yup, go on."
In this world, you shall be the main actress. 'Tis but a story created with you as the center piece.
"So I'm the Main Character, huh?"
Precisely. You are the Protagonist, Mary.
Mary nodded shortly, then looked around.
You are probably looking for clothes.
"Nah. I think clothes are kinda useless... Though I should wear something, I suppose. I don't have a problem walking around nude but there are probably some who do, right?"
Precisely. I am glad you turned out so well, Mary. You have the knowledge one should expect of someone who lived. You have your own personality. You are already yourself. Despite that, your existence is new and fresh. I am glad.
"Whatever. By the way, what should I call you from now on?"
My name? How foolish. I care not.
"...hm. I think if I gave you a name it would only turn out bad, in some way or another. I'll just call you The Voice for now."
That is fine, Mary. Now then, for the start you shall wear this.
Brown sparkles appeared around Mary and she began wearing a brown tunic. It was in a bad state and resembled one of a beggar.
"What's that now?" She sniffed on the clothes and her face grimaced. "Yikes."
The clothes she was wearing smelled... intensely. "When I said I didn't care about clothes I didn't expect you to give me such dirty rugs... Wearing nothing would be better, I suppose."
I cannot argue with you about such earthly manners. However, starting at rock bottom is exactly what makes a story special, don't you think so as well?
Everyone likes a good fools journey, after all. And just like the Fool, you shall start with zero.
"Those rugs ain't zero, they are even worse!"
The voice did not respond but instead went on.
It is now time to start the choice you have to face. Just like your memories are no longer existent, so are the skills your body inherits. Worry not. As the main actress - the Protagonist - I have prepared a fabulous choice of possible starting points for your life. Let us not chat around for any longer.
The black sphere in front of Mary suddenly expended greatly, swallowing everything around it, including Mary and the infinite space that surrounded them.
Mary found herself again in an endless dark space. She saw herself from a third person view. Her long white hair was a source of light that showed only her in this endless darkness.
And from this darkness, multiple... Somethings called out to her.
'What's going on?' she had to think for this world had no sound. The Voice, however, picked up her words just fine.
The core of this world are "Fabula Anima" - souls which reside either deep inside the myths of the outer world or inhabitants of the outer world who have reached a similar level. Such souls are scattered across the world. Once found, they shall give feed their new lord with power. You, Mary, will be given a choice. I shall bestow upon you three such Fabula Anima. First, I shall give you the armor that will protect you in each and every time, no matter what to come. Second, I shall give you what makes the being you are to Mary. And the third and last one shall be yours to choose.
You are currently in a sea of Fabula Anima. You can spend as long as you want here. You can search for eternity until you are satisfied. This sea holds any Anima Fabula imaginable.
Mary thought, but not long. Her mind flew back into the body of hers, stuck inside a giant sea of Anima Fabula. She was overwhelmed. It was probably because she had just been infused with two Anima Fabula, but she began to see it more clearly; The sea around her was, in fact, filled with a seemingly infinite number of souls and concepts.
The Voice did not lie. She could spent all of eternity here, if she longed for it. But it was not what she longed for.
Amidst all those souls, one had begun to shine, if even only for herself. It was as if it called out to Mary. She did not know nor care if it was fate. She slowly extended her hand and grasped the souls. With a loud bang it properly entered her. With this bang, the infinite darkness disappeared. Mary was sitting in a white room, in front of her a being she could neither perceive, nor describe.
This being was the voice.
Very well, Mary. It is now time to start the curtain of your adventure, is it not? Worry not, for I shall always be at your side, guiding and aiding you. I will stay at thy side, Mary.
Mary just shrugged her shoulders. "Sure, alright."
A door appeared in front of her. She went to it and slowly opened it. "So, see you later?"
Indeed.
And without turning back again, infused with three Anima Fabula, the white haired girl went through the door which lead to the start of a journey.
Now, the pieces have finally been set, dearest viewer. 'Tis time for us to watch the story. Go now, Mary. Go, my greatest Magnum Opus.