New Beginning: Star Wars

"MAN, THAT SURE WAS A BADASS WAY TO GO OUT!!"

That was the last thing I heard before a blinding light enveloped me, so bright it burned through every inch of my body, until I was sure my soul had been scorched beyond recognition. I braced myself for the inevitable end, for the void of nothingness that's supposed to follow death. But instead, when the light receded, I found myself in a place that defied every law of nature I had ever known.

I was sitting at a desk. A plain, modern conference room desk—nothing special, except there were no walls, no ceiling. Just an endless stretch of stars swirling around me, shining like jewels scattered across an ink-black void.

If this was the afterlife, it sure didn't look like anything I expected.

Across from me, sitting in a sleek black leather chair, was a being that seemed to exist in a constant state of flux—a shifting mix of light and shadow. The two energies seemed to balance each other, intertwining in an elegant dance that defied logic. It was both unnerving and strangely beautiful.

And then, it spoke.

"Hello there!"

It was as if the universe itself had just cracked a joke. My mind stuttered, caught between confusion and the overwhelming sensation that something deeply surreal was happening.

"What?" I managed to mutter, blinking rapidly, my brain struggling to make sense of the scene in front of me.

"Didn't you get the reference? Come on, it was hilarious!" The being grinned—a grin that wasn't quite human, but seemed to stretch across the cosmos.

"Ha… no… I mean, yes, I did, General Kenobi, but…" My voice faltered, unable to fully process what was going on. "What's going on here?"

"Ha ha ha! I knew you were a fun guy! I'm so happy I chose you!!" The being's laughter resonated, deep and rich, like the entire universe itself was chuckling in approval.

A wave of disbelief washed over me. I could hardly wrap my head around this situation, let alone keep up with the pace of it all.

"Wait a second—what is going on?" I asked, barely able to keep my composure.

"Pep, pep, pep, pep…" the being waved a hand in playful dismissal, and I had to admit it—there was something oddly endearing about it. "I know you have a ton of questions, so let me introduce myself first."

I could only nod, stunned into silence.

"I'm known by many names—God, The One Above All, The All-Father, and many others—but the name I most identify with is The Observer." The being paused, giving me a look that almost felt like a wink. "Sure, I created much of what exists, but most of the time, I just watch. And you, my friend, can call me Dave, as that's the name I use when I mingle with mortals." He leaned forward slightly, as if genuinely interested. "Any questions?"

"Yeah. A few," I replied, still trying to make sense of everything, the shock still heavy in my chest. "But first…" I straightened up in my seat. "It's nice to meet you. I'm Gabriel."

"You don't seem as freaked out as I was expecting!" Dave said, tilting his head slightly. "Most people usually faint the first time they meet me."

"Don't get me wrong," I said, raising my hands in a 'no offense' gesture. "I'm still pretty shaken. First, I die, and then I meet God, who drops a Star Wars reference as one of the first things he says. But… I'm trying to get a grip and be polite. You seem like an okay guy."

"Ooo, thanks!" Dave chuckled, his form flickering with a brief, joyful glow.

The absurdity of the situation wasn't lost on me. I had been fighting in a war just hours ago, staring down death in a battlefield, and now I was sitting in what could only be described as the "waiting room" of the afterlife, talking to a cosmic entity with a sense of humor.

"So, what am I doing here?" I asked, the curiosity finally overtaking my disbelief.

"Well, Gabriel," Dave's voice turned somewhat more serious, though it still carried a playful undertone, "you just happen to be my favorite being in your little universe. I mean, you became the John Wick of your world, didn't you?" His eyes sparkled as if this were some private joke only he was in on. "So I thought I'd give you a second chance at life."

I blinked, stunned. "Really? You're telling me… you're giving me a second chance?"

"Yup," Dave confirmed with a single nod, his ethereal form pulsing with light. "You not only were a hero, but you saved a lot of people with your final act. That deserves recognition, don't you think?"

"Thank you." The words felt strange in my mouth. A second chance? The weight of it was still sinking in. A second chance at life—something I thought I'd never get. "So, how's this all going to work?"

Dave leaned back, his form somehow becoming more fluid, more in tune with the stars that surrounded us. "Well, for starters, I've already picked the world you'll be reincarnated into: the galaxy far, far away." He grinned wide.

A grin tugged at the corners of my own lips as I let out a breath I didn't realize I'd been holding. A second chance… in the Star Wars universe? The sheer absurdity of it, the possibility of living in that world, was beyond anything I'd ever imagined.

"You'll also get three wishes," Dave continued, his tone shifting to something more matter-of-fact. "But there are rules."

"Of course there are rules," I muttered, but I was already hooked. How could I not be?

Dave raised a finger. "Rule number one: no breaking the universe's rules. No wishing for a kryptonian bloodline or a Sharingan. Those don't belong in that universe."

I raised an eyebrow. "Alright, fair enough."

"Rule number two," he continued, raising another finger. "Don't wish for absolute power or mastery. You've got to earn it. You can't just waltz in and start conquering the universe."

I nodded thoughtfully. That made sense. The idea of instant godhood was tempting, but it wasn't satisfying. Power earned through struggle was what appealed to me.

"And rule number three," Dave said, raising a third finger with an exaggerated flourish, "No systems. I hate that shit."

I chuckled, despite myself. I'd read enough of those stories where the protagonist gets dumped into a new world with a "system" telling them how strong they were and what abilities they could unlock. "I get it. No shortcuts."

Dave's smile deepened, pleased. "What do you think? You good with the rules?"

"The rules are fine," I agreed, the weight of it all sinking in. "I want to earn what I get. Nothing handed to me."

"I'm glad you agree." Dave's form rippled in a way that almost felt like he was about to dance. "So, what are your wishes?"

I paused, feeling the weight of the moment. What should I wish for? A second life, in the Star Wars universe… the possibilities were endless. But I knew, deep down, I didn't want to squander it on something trivial.

"My first wish is…"