My new mother had twirled me around the room with joy, wide green eyes gazing on me with a squeak of happiness.
"My dear! you just talked!" she gasped, snuggling me with her cheek.
Haha, I clearly did, before the double door was pushed open wide by her foot and scramming to who knows where.
Bam! Creek!
I was surprised by her speed, wondering how such a fragile looking woman was able to run this fast without a hint of exhaustion on her body language. I was getting dizzy at her place, my head bumping into her shoulder on some moments, but she was careful on holding me, preventing some that can cause me a concussion.
'She clearly has done this before.'
At that, she finally stopped at two large golden doors, was every corner of this place made in gold? it's making me feel poor.
Barely holding her content and excitement, she knocked way too loud, even considering it to be disrespectful to whoever is inside that room. Placing me in front of her, soft hands wandered on my face.
"You're going to be like your siblings, I'm already seeing it."
'Then? you're going to hire a tutor for me or something? no thank you.'
It's something that should happen, my mother, well, former mother, had gotten me a tutor when I showed interest on swordsmanship when I was young because she had a 'feeling' that I'm going to be good at it.
And this one isn't that much different. 'Well, I was planning on practicing it on the future. It's better if I also learn customs here, you can never know everything.'
"I wasn't able to use it on you before since I was so busy... but now that you're with me..."
"Ah, I'm already seeing you becoming a swordman... along with other people...? Oh?" she stopped her mumbling with a stupefied expression.
"That's... weird."
'Yes, it's weird that the person behind that door isn't reacting at all at that knock.'
"I... I can't see it clearly, your future... why can't I?" a thin layer of sweat that she didn't seem to notice trailed down on from her temple to her cheeks, green eyes slightly narrowing in concentration. Gone was the excited lady.
What is she mumbling about.
"Your future... is so hard to see... unpredictable... even by me?"
"..."
Is this lady a fortune teller?
Future... future? what future? I asked myself if this woman has anything related to the gods - a lineage of some sort, for her to be say those words. That can't be possible, they don't mingle with us. Her having a god's blood run into her veins is too unrealistic.
But how was she able to say that she knows what I will be like it the future? Wait...
"Fworswight...?" foresight? can she have something as divine as that? No way! not even myself can have that! and I'm a prophet of the gods, blessed by their power. A lower being (1) can't handle a powerful ability. To simply put it, lower beings' body can't handle a divine power
I lifted my heavy head. She does look like someone who could receive it. Even so, no god will bless a being lower than them an ability that makes them superior.
They are very, very prideful. This thing will be a huge strike for that god who gave her the ability.
But I shouldn't assume just yet, maybe it's something similar to it. Getting something like that is not possible.
Ha, the problem of being an overthinker.
The woman shakes her head and knocked once again, this time, much gentler and polite.
Tap tap tap.
"Maybe I'm just tired, no need to get worried easily." she's not a worrywart, good. Since I'll probably cause some troubles and mayhem in the near future.
After a few more seconds with no one answering, she frowned, letting herself in the room.
Click.
I'm still not sure why, my feeling with this lady is familiar, I'm sure that I had seen her somewhere before.
The blonde woman, scanning the room, let's out a strangled noise on her throat when she sees a person laying on a table filled with scattered papers, a line of drool spilling out from the mouth and an disoriented expression.
"James!"
She called out to the man. The man startled, perking up and eyes peeking open slowly, honey-colored eyes blinking, no doubt still sleepy. His gaze fell on us, then rapidly jumping on his seat and wiping the line of saliva with his hand.
"Ah- wait, huh? Lira? what are you doing... here?" his mind was still in daze, head falling back for a second before it was on place again, eyes closing halfway through. I'm sure he didn't see me, he made no comment about the baby she was carrying.
I could feel Lira sigh about it. "Look there, Lucian, that's your father. He just got back from Albrevi eight hours ago and he's already doing his paperwork." her tone assured that she was scolding the man but there was a hint of concern lace back on it as she approach the absent-minded man.
Lucian. That must be my new name. Not bad.
So that's my father. He looks really exhausted. And this lady holding me, she's my new mother.
Mother. It was a weird word for me now that my original mother... is gone.
'Ha... Akbar really played a big role on keeping my emotions the best of me when I transmigrated.' the speculation is correct. He didn't even ask for my permission, damn god.
I was starting to feel sad and empty now that Akbar's magic is starting to wear off. It was odd on how I easily accepted death also. While that would be my reaction, I wouldn't go down without feeling anger or the want of revenge.
Although, I suddenly remembered the thought I had before.
["Ah!! help me!! forgive me Lord!!"]
I shuddered, a completely different feeling from the satisfaction I felt from before. 'Even his way of thinking affected me, is his magic essence that strong?'
Akbar of Vehemence. From the old literature and historical books I found on the Forbidden Jungle on the Witch's Sanctuary, Akbar was ranked twenty-five out of the one-hundred-three gods and goddesses. Although the number is not considered to be part of the higher court, he was treated as one fit to be in there.
While his huge magical capacity and devastating powerful attacks were enough to put him on the top ten, the ranking isn't just revolving around one or two things. If you're talented in melee combat doesn't mean you'll be place on top of the others that lack. When you're good at one but bad on the other, it will pull you back. That was why competition on God Eden - the place where gods live - is always so fierce. They'll do anything to make sure they were on top of the pack.
Of course, gods are still automatically higher beings than us, the differences is that some gods are more powerful and knowledgeable that the others.
On my previous world, three major ones rule there. This universe might also be in their ruling if they decided to send me here.
Gods had a world, or worlds that they look into, rule. Whether it be individually or in groups. The higher and more gods rule one world, the more magical and superior they are to others. There is an edge to the other end of that state, while that world will be blessed more, the outcome that it will fall into ruins or forge into raging wars are likely high, a double-edged sword. That's why where I previously lived in has many wars. Both currently and the past.
"Just... why are you here so late, honey? It's past midnight..." he muttered, subconsciously looking at me and gazing over to Lira.
What am I, a ghost?
Lira smiled brightly, answering a non-related answer to his question. To me, at least. "Lucian just said his first word- no... he said a full sentence! although it was not a proper one, he's still three months old!"
Well, that's a huge kick to my pride.
As if he didn't sleep before, his eyes immediately snapped open, a dumbfound expression on his features. Then he noticed me and stared in silence. I squirmed on Lira's hold, feeling uncomfortable with him.
Eugh... everybody here is weird, I'm not even three hours in and I already want to go live in Tartarus (2) instead.
"He... he did?" don't look at me like that. It's making my stomach churn uncomfortably.
Lira nodded and showed me to him like a cat, holding me by him armpits. Inspecting him more now that I got to see his full face. He has crystal-like light blue eyes, thin lips, sharp brows, and black hair that shine. James has strong physique, even if it was covered by a dark blue uniform and a strong, wide colarbone pairing it. He has a tall figure too.
He's almost like father, if you replace his hair by white and eyes with hazel.
"Ho! did little Lucian did?" Shut up, don't be happy. It's normal for a twenty-four year old to talk. And don't call me 'little', just so you know, I'm in the same height as you previously.
"Un! He did, It almost reminds me of Noah when he was four months old. Do you think he'll be the same as his older brothers?" She's so proud about it, Almost as if she's bragging. Parents tend to do that a lot.
Noah. Older Brothers. So I have siblings.
Ha... So when I do something excellent, they'll be jealous? Like those typical side characters? (3)
That's bad. Very bad for my sanity, I don't know if I can hold my temper if they'll be provoking and abusing me. Well, too bad for them, I don't plan on playing the weak protagonist that get's bullied on the start of the story.
James approached us with a smile, leaning down to meet me eye-to-eye. Even with his sharp and calculating gaze, I never backed down, staring into his blue eyes with a daring glare. Come on, you'll never going to make me back down, Uncle Floro's gaze is much more scarier than you.
Putting his calloused and firm hands on my soft baby cheeks and lifting me up, putting me a few inches above his head, a smile bloomed on his face. And soon, a content one spread through him. Ugh, this reminds me of my little sister too much, what's up with the flowery background? am I finally going crazy...
I landed on his warm and wide chest, patting my head with few giggles and hum. Stop... you're squishing my body too much...
Damn it, this body... A blow of air could knock this thing out cold. (4)
"Aw~ you two are so cute! Now, where's the recorder~"
No... you're suppose to help me out, can't you see that I'm being suffocated by him.
Click.
**
After one painful hour of me being held like a ragdoll, it was worth half of it, that I had gathered some valuable information on this world.
They function similarly to us as expected. Monsters, rulers, gods, species, continents, empires, lands, etc.
Only one major thing is an exception.
Rankers.
This land is immensely influenced by technology, unlike us who rely more on man power, thus making almost everything function with it. Of course, people who are high ranking are served by living organisms such as humans, elves, dwarves etc. and are the ones who operate the machines.
Hierarchy of heroes back in my world are like what these people call 'Rankers'. There are 'Level 1', the lowest and where any could start, they're almost the normal human, only a boost of speed and healing effiency. 'Level 300' are those people who can start a decent hunt of low to intermidiate level monsters.
There's a huge different between them, but I heard from the butler who came to the room called by James; Thomas, that it was easy to level up for the bottom Rankers. He said that because this household's second born son is already at level 218 at age twelve.
Well, maybe it's because he was a 'genius' as you said, I don't know if that'll work as easy for me... maybe it will? maybe not.
When I showed interest on their topic, all three seemed to be happy and ecstaticly explained the subject to me; a mere three months old baby. Not exactly, but other than me, what kind of baby will understand what they're saying. Even the butler has some sort of aura on him.
That's as much as I know. A very important piece of this world and I already have a grasp of it. Nice. I'm extremely satisfied.
Before.
"You can't take me back? Or just, make me die so I return?"
After I was put on the crib, sleepiness immediately took me in and I was snapped back open not a second later and met the three goddamn bastards who put me in this situation.
I leaned back to my chair, on what I was sitting previously. Forgetting my previous accomplishent. I tried to persuade them to tranport me back to my world. I regreted dying now, so, with the best of my abilities, I bribed them. Guess what? I failed. Not surprising.
What else do I need to do here? Living life again will be not worth it if I can't meet my love ones again. Everything else here is useless for me. I don't feel attachment to the people I met here.
"No."
"...Just what did I do for you to loathe and torture me with this?" I couldn't help my self but groan.
"Well, that mouth of yours could be fixed."
"Are you stupid? You're the one who needs fixing. Who said that you can cast a spell on me?" I whispered, glaring at Akbar whose running his mouth on me. I turned towards the two. Please, you two are my only hope.
"...Please?"
"Didn't you say that you don't have any problem with being dead?"
"And whose fault is it that the one who put their magic in me already faded?"
Akbar blinked. "It's already gone?"
The heck do you mean. Of course it is, isn't it just a temporary one?
"Well, yes."
"I... wow." Just what is it do you intend to make me? Your actions are confusing.
Mirranda opened and closed her mouth, as if she wants to say something but can't decide if she wants to do it or not.
"..."
"What are your wishes instead?" Chandra, even you.
Oh, so you want to do it that way? fine. Opportunity only knocks once. (5)
I raised my index first and begun speaking, "I want to get away from this universe, as fast as possible." My middle finger followed as I said the next one. 'If I'm not yet dead, I want to have a peaceful and lazy life." I do not care about what they say, my life, my rules.
"I then will die, and rest for eternity without anything that will bother me. That's my wishes, a dream I want to obtain, it's simple, so please give it to me."
Argh, emotions, emotions. What's with me being so dead inside? My personality is not like this.
A moment of silence past, I looked through each of them with a straight face. What I'm indicating is what my heart really desires, you people are gods, can't you grant a mere human - baby's - wish?
Before I can open my mouth to speak again, Akbar howled in laughter.
"Man! I'm really starting to like this guy! he's got balls to talk back to us!"
"Oh the great Triad Deities, won't you please help me achieve such a dream? I promise that if my soul is intact, I'm give you free labor."
Mirranda laughed, "As much as you entertain us, we cannot do that, we had stepped foot in a universe that the three of us do not rule, erasing you from that world's existence will have conflicts."
I crossed my arms over my chest. "Then deal with it."
Akbar clicked his tongue, "If we can, then immortality will be possible in Orphelius."
What? there's no such thing as being an immortal in the world of lower beings, only gods have such privileges, much like Lira- err... mother having that 'foresight' ability.
Ignoring Akbar's statement, I asked again if it really isn't possible. They all replied a solid 'No' to me. I didn't even want to be reincarnated so don't give those looks like I'm causing you gods' major headaches and problems.
"Can't you really do anything?"
"No, why are you so adamant about it?" In the first place, you should have just accepted that I want to rest for eternity, why are you ignoring that fact?
"Because being here is a problem." I answered.
"..."
An uncomfortable silence lay on us. They shifted to each other, communicating silently through their eyes, frowning or nodding as an indication of act to whether they agreed or not.
"I'm sorry, child. But it's not our desire to tear you away from your wish, it was the council that made us do it." Mirranda chirped. As if it was nothing.
I gave her a blank look, "Really?" she nodded.
"Really."
Heaven's Judgement. That's what the council is called. While they are gods themselves, they do not have rankings. The work they do slightly differs from what ranker gods do. They organize the ranker gods' rankings, maintain peace, observe lower-beings and monitor worlds they rule.
Now, what would they want with me? Even if Triad Gods betowed me their power, it's not strong or powerful enough for them to take notice of it.
"... This isn't even funny anymore."
"Is it supposed to be in the first place?"
I shrugged, no it's not.
"A question, if you don't mind."
"Sure. What is it?"
"Did you do anything to me? To my original body, to be exact."
Before I falled into the five thousand meter depth of the Broken Woodcliff, somewhere halfway, I was sure that I heard someone mumble something and saw a thin beam of light opening from the sky and piercing towards me.
I'm wouldn't have survived that fall, no matter how strong I was. Add the fact that I was gravely injured. But I was still conscious enough to reach until the bottom ground filled with different kinds of humongous monsters and curses.
I'll be dead once I reach it, having all my bones crack and organs crushed. The hungry monsters would devour me in matter of seconds and no blood would be left. But even no matter how long I waited, the collision never met. I was simply collided on with darkness before I encountered those three.
I looked at them suspiciously. No one could have done that except for them.
"Yes, it was us."
Chandra didn't waste time to reply.
"Kuhum." I cleared my throat. If my body surviced that fall and somehow made it's way to my homeland, then I wouldn't be surprise anymore.
I sigh, "If you won't give me want I want, then will you give me what I need?" There's different between them and I really need this, I'm having a bad feeling about the future.
"If the things is within our power and won't disobey any law, then it's no problem."
I mulled about it. The world I was forced to step in is unfamiliar, my previous strengths and status will be disregarded on this land and my efforts had gone to waste. The information I hold for now is not enough for me to be satisfied to lay around in peace.
One thing I learned after reading the sacred history books is that every land that gods rules will always have calamities and disasters, Nothing will change it. It was the First Lord who made them. High-ranking gods like Akbar and the council can't do anything about it.
Some disasters can be predicted, good-natured gods will send it to the people they rule as a warning to prepare while corrupted ones don't care at all, But not all of them. Some only.
Wars. Wars are made by devils. Even corrupted gods hate them. No universe is safe. There's no such thing as a 'safe-zone' on this. There's only much time before something causes mayhem.
That's why, I want my previous priveledge back. It will guarantee my safety.
Ha, good lord, I wanna drink some alchohol.
"I'm sure you won't be pressured by my request as you had done this before." A small, taunting smirk emerged. They gave it to me once, they wouldn't mind it being twice. I crossed my right leg over my left one.
If I could take back one of my powers, this one will be my priority. With it, I'll be as powerful as the same as before.
"'Originator's Right'. I want it back."
Originator's Right is my unique skill, bestowed by them when I met the conditions to achieve it. It is a skill that can make anything weapon, information, and magic related to appear in an instant. While it's a powerful skill, the setback is as huge as it is.
I could get a nosebleed if I'm lucky and a blood coughing fit and getting unconscious at worse. I didn't use this skill much before because of the setbacks. If I could get them to agree renew the horrible sequel of the skill...
"And what makes you think we'll do that?"
My eyebrow twitched as well as the corner of my mouth. What the hell? You didn't agree? I fronwed. I was displeased by their answer. I'm not really in the mood for a tea party. This won't prolong as you wish.
"What I want, I get. No matter the method, so, if you want to stay on top and without angering the council, it's better to do this much."
You think that I spent my years dwindling on being lazy? I spend time researching long enough to know the secrets and history of you. I looked through everything and inspected it.
Akbar's laughter died down and was replaced by disbelief. Chandra was one full of confusion and Mirranda...
She looked like she expected this.
Raising a brow at her, I asked, "Ho? you don't look concerned at all that I know your secrets."
She snorted, "At the short time we were together, I learned to not be surprised with you anymore. Tho, I must say, you're exceeded my expectations." "Touchè."
Unbelievable. Just with that time and you're already comfortable with me like I'm an old friend.
Chandra coughed, eyes piercing mine. "Even if you know those, you cannot do anything. You are not a part of the council and they won't believe a mortal's word, but regardless, we will do that."
It's not like I was planning to.
"So, are you going to agree or not?" blatantly ignoring the statement, I was thinking that if my 'negotiation' won't go well, then, make sure than I won't deal with anything troublesome on this new life. I have enough stress already.
"I guess..." Good enough.
Chandra huffs an exhausted sigh, "You're an important chest piece, Aries. One that the council can't afford to lose, for now, we'll have to agree to what you say."
**
Story Glossary:
1. Living organisms other than gods are called lower beings. Even if it's a Emperor, or something similar to gods in terms of power, unless you are officially tittled as god, you are called a lower being.
2. The infernal regions of greek mythology. A place where enemies of the gods are locked up, considered as a prison for those who oppose them. Located in the lowest parts of the underworld.
3. Reffering to most stories' siblings of the main character, parts where they get overjealous of them. Author uses this as an excuse to fuel their amusement and comedy.
4. A not so blunt way of saying that babies are extremely weak and fragile.
5. A proverb.