Floating in darkness, distant sounds a soothing lullaby, warm and safe, Brenda slowly wakes. Her eyes blink, but see nothing, she tries to breathe and gets a mouthful of liquid, but doesn't find it choking. Everything around her has been like this for longer than she can remember. She has memories of a life before, filled with mistakes and regret, but it is too far away from her now. All the edges of the past are worn smooth, and all she is really left with is a name.
Brenda stretches, kicks and turns upside down. She doesn't know how she senses directions in this place, but can orient herself. Moving is one of the few things to occupy her time, but she tires very easily.
Then, a tremor shakes through the darkness - something has changed, and now everything seems to happen quickly, before Brenda can even understand. Pain, falling, squeezing, cold, an impact - Brenda was held upside by her ankles and spat out water in confusion. Everything was far too different from before, lights, sounds, temperature and touch, it was scary!
As she drew her first breath, Brenda started crying and screaming in fear, an unfamiliar voice declared "Congratulations, it's a boy!"
Years passed, and Brenda grew up into a young boy. She was very confused about life, about her memories, and about love. This world seemed a lot like the translated Chinese cultivation novels she once read, but there were many differences. Young masters didn't roam around provoking people, causing trouble and courting death. Demonic cultivators and monster cultivators stayed within their own territories, and trade was prosperous. Sects competed over resources, but they didn't kill indiscriminately.
This world seemed to have an abundance of resources, and any attempts at monopoly were quickly defeated. There were few prejudices, and fewer real conflicts. In a strange way, this world existed in an almost unnatural harmony.
Brenda was at first scared that this was simply a dream, and she would wake up to find everyone had been lying to her. But then, as she got older, her parents found her mental health more and more worrying, so they decided to explain.
In this world, when children reach 16, they gain a fated choice. The Heavenly Dao of this world dislikes conflict, so it gives children the chance to decide their future - some choose to be extra lucky, some choose a powerful skill or tool, others choose a personal secret realm, and many other ideas. The Heavenly Dao weighs the child's soul, and then grants the choice to match the weight. For example, a powerful soul wants a secret realm, and they will gain an entire valley to use as they please, but a weak soul would only get a grove of trees.
Brenda was extremely excited after hearing this. It seemed her greatest wish - to love and be loved by many people, could be realised.
As she grew older, many friends and relatives tried to sway her choice - why choose something as fragile as a human relationship, when you could have a heavenly treasure, or talent? However, Brenda would say to them in return - food gets eaten, treasures get used, and talents have flaws. Only real love can last, so why choose anything else?
Finally, tomorrow Brenda will be 16, and will get to make her fated choice - but how will it be granted?