I look around at the faces of my family and feel at peace, though.
Instead of a nursing home, they built a home for me on their land.
I must have done something right.
I look at my elderly children, my middle-aged grandchildren and my young adult great grandchildren.
Some of the latter are holding children of their own.
"To think that I would see my great great grandchildren as toddlers! Hah!
Death waits for no one.
Yeah, right!
You've all done me proud."
My chest tightened but, this isn't emotion!
"Well, I love you all but... you might consider calling an ambula..." I collapse to the floor and people start rushing toward me.
I hear their voices but, I can't understand so much as a syllable.
"Aaaand, hello! Welcome!"
"Wait! What?"
"Hi there, miss.
If you'll just look a bit lower."
I look down and see a child of about 12 years old.
"Where are we?"
"We are in the afterlife... Sort of.
See, your belated passing was an egregious error.
You were supposed to have died when you choked on the escargot you ate in France back when you were 27.
I am terribly sorry."
"Twenty seven!? That's a far cry from one hundred and thirteen years old, you miscreant!
What's the big idea!?"
"I've already apologized and I've been authorized to allow you the option to live forever in an alternate universe or, pass on to the afterlife.
The choice is yours."
"Wait! An alternate universe?
Live forever?"
"Yes."
"What other options are there?"
"Well, I could give you a limited lifespan."
"That's better.
What's this other universe like?"
"There are humans there too."
"Wait, that makes it sound like there are sentient non-humans."
"There are but, they're so poorly treated by humans that I've almost given up hope of ever seeing them treated fairly.
One man.
He and his wife treat all sentient beings as equals but, they live in the badlands.
Dense evergreens that tower hundreds of feet high.
There is also an old crone who is an abomination but, she wouldn't ever mistreat a beast person."
"What sort of non-human folk are there?"
"Well, let's see.
The reptilians are kind and gentle beings who are hunted for their skin.
Mammalian beast folk, such as felines, canines, mustelids, etc..."
"I'll be a sentient border Collie."
"Are you serious!? I can't!"
"Why not!? Is there magic in this world?"
"Yes but, beast folk aren't able to use it very well and canines? Even less so."
"Why is that?"
"Generally lower capacity and capabilities.
On top of that, canines are the most aloof.
Humans are also pushing to forbid it's use by non-humans because beast folk can't use it as well as they can."
"So, make my new body the most powerful in the world."
"I .... Wait, that might just work!
I can do that.
I can also grant you basic instinct magic that will protect you from physical attacks, as well as phenomenally boosting your speed and reaction timing.
What age do you want to be?"
"What age is one considered an adult?"
"Canine, lupine and vulpine beast folk live about 17,000 years... However, they physically mature by age two.
Why?"
"Make my age that of mid pubescence."
"Oh, wow! Alright.... Um.... What about your guardians?"
"Abandoned by my guardians and living off of the land."
"You're going to be envied and hated."
"So what?
Oh! Make sure that, no matter what, my future children will be as strong, if not stronger than myself....
With natural variation, of course."
"One million years before you'll be appearing, a hero slew a demon king and established the kingdom of Torian.
There is a magic academy there and beast folk are permitted to enroll, free of charge."
"That is perfect."
"Alright...
Anything noteworthy on your appearance?"
"Black and white type border Collie...
Wait, do they walk upright?"
"Of course, though digitigrade and better balance than humans."
"Alright. Deep emerald green eyes."
"Like this?"
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"Oh! She's adorable! Yes!"
"That's an adult."
"Even better."
"Alright, I've maxed out your skill and proficiency in anything that is in any way related to archery.
That includes stringed instruments, as well as fishing, knot tying and trap setting among others.
Also, you'll be starting out already knowing how to use any basic spells but, you don't need to chant unless you want to look silly."
