[New York City.]
Ethan Wright was living a routine life in New York City. By day, he was a software engineer, engrossed in lines of code and algorithms. By night, he lost himself in video games and takeout dinners, with his closest companions being his gaming console and a few friends who shared his interests. Life was comfortable, if unremarkable, until one fateful evening.
After a long shift at work, Ethan was walking home through a dimly lit alley, his thoughts occupied by the intricate plot of a new game he was eager to explore. The city was eerily quiet, a stark contrast to its usual bustling nature. The silence was abruptly shattered by the sharp crack of a gunshot. Ethan staggered, pain exploding in his chest, and he fell to the ground, darkness closing in.
[Later...]
When Ethan awoke, reborn with infinite stats, he was no longer in the alley. Instead, he lay on a grassy knoll beneath a sky that defied earthly logic. Constellations swirled in vibrant patterns, and floating islands drifted lazily among the stars. The air crackled with unfamiliar energies, and a hum of magic seemed to resonate from every corner.
As he stood up on the lush green grass, he found himself under a goddess. Goddess Illyia walked up to Ethan and welcomed him to the new world. Ethan asked, "Where am I?"
Goddess Illyia replied, "This is the Purelands," and then continued, "The Purelands are the section between the Holy Consolidation of the East and the Dark Consolidation of the West."
As Ethan realized where he was, he asked, "Am I dead?"
Goddess Illyia responded, "Yes, you have died due to gunshot fire." Ethan took a moment to breathe in and out. He then looked up and asked, "And are you God?"
Goddess Illyia answered, "I am one of the Seven Great Goddesses. The Seven Great Goddesses rule over the seven great countries of the EtherDawn. They are as follows: Aerion, Goddess of the Sky and ruler of Aerilon; Thalassa, Goddess of the Sea and ruler of the Kingdom of Thalassa; Gaia, Goddess of the Earth and ruler of Eldoria; Ignis, Goddess of Fire and ruler of the Republic of Firouz; Luna, Goddess of the Moon and ruler of Lunaria; Aura, Goddess of the Wind and ruler of Borealis."
Ethan then asked, "You said seven great Goddesses. Are you the seventh?"