Shocked and confused, he touched his face again and again. What the fuck is this sorcery? He washed his face for the second time to see if he was being played at. But no! It was not a dream nor it was an illusion. He really was in his 18 year old body!
Yellow long lashes, with dark blue eyes and thick eyebrows. Long pointed nose, small thin lips that has a slit in the bottom lip. His pale white skin were glowing. His long chin was complimented with his medium length blonde hair.
His body was thin, and no trace of muscle can be seen. He always had a delicate feature, if it weren't for his tall height and his body structure he could really be mistaken as a girl.
"What happened? Did I go back to the past?" He was still staring at his reflection on the mirror. None of this is supposed to be real. "Isn't this time travelling? But how could I travel back in time?" He tried to remember what happened but that shitty dream was all that he could recall.
And then he finally saw the dragon tattoo on his neck. "When did I get this tattoo? Fuck, why can't I remember anything?" His hands slowly reached his neck. "Woah that's some nice detai--" as soon as he touched the tattoo, a sudden pain struck his body.
All the recollections of 25 years in the future flooded his mind. "AAAAAA! WHAT THE FUCK?! WHAT IS THIS? MY HEAD! FUCKING SHIT!--" His brain was receiving informations one after another. His head was spinning and he almost fainted when the memories stopped flowing, he vomited because of the dizziness he felt.
He was thankful that the pain had ended. It was only just a few seconds but he felt that it was for a long time. Anymore than that could've fried his brain. It was too much to handle for a human.
He was covered in sweat and puke as his body was lying on the bathroom floor. He was pale as fuck as he stared on the Vault. Now that his memories has returned, he gritted his teeth. "Ethan Cromwell. I will never fucking forgive you."
Wiping his mouth, he decided to stand up and go the sink to gargle his mouth. "Fuck that was insane. Did the procedure go wrong?" He paused for a second and then shivered at the thought of going all through that again.
He can still remember the terror of having his limbs explode one by one. "I knew something wrong was gonna happen.That shitty dragon--"
(Who are you calling a shitty dragon?) He was startled when he heard the voice of the one responsible for his pain a while ago right below him.
(Why are you so big? Did I just make you grow tall? Did I turn you into a giant? as expected of my power, It's limitless. Hmpf~) He lowered his gaze down to the floor and saw a tiny kitten... Or not?
It was just a furry ball of white. It had a little purple horn that swayed backwards. Its tail had spikes that looks like what the dragons have. If observed closely, it had a tiny purple gems on its forehead.
It had no resemblance from the enormous dragon that he saw and feared. It was... Small and.. Well, cute?
His constant glancing annoyed the furry ball, the golden slits of its purple eyes were thinning.
(Why are you staring at me? Are you looking down on me just because I made you big? Huh-- wait?) the kitten turned around to take a glimpse at its back.
It realized what form it had taken. (What-- where's my fancy wings?... Where did my shiny scales go?)
The kitten felt awkward in his walking so it raised its paws but he was above shocked to see his toes changed as well . (What is this? What is this furry tiny legs?)
(Oh no-oh no no no..) Hayden flinched when the kitten suddenly jumped towards the sink. It had finally seen its new appearance in the mirror. And the dragon was not pleased by it!
(H.. Hey you.) The dragon's voice trembled.
Hayden who was also shocked that a cat in their world was able to speak, not to mention, before the Universal Games' arrival, "Me?"
(Yes, YOU.) It pointed at its reflection on the mirror. (Is.. Is this what I look like? Is that me? ), the kitty's eyes were widened as its furry paw was slightly trembling.
'Cute..' He almost blurted it out, good thing he held back his tongue or the dragon might've bursted into anger.
"Yes, but you look cu--good in that appearance.. Sir."
There was silence.
(..... I see. OF COURSE I LOOK GOOD! HA HA HA HA ha ha..)
And then silence again.
"Uhm, Mr. Dragon, can you tell me what just happened? Why did I go back in time?"
(Huh? ---- of course it was due to my own will! It's because I thought it would be better this way! Aren't I amazing? So you shall be grateful to me! KU HA HA HA!)
Hayden can't help but twitch his eyes, he felt that the dragon was bullshitting him to cover the truth that he really fucked up. After all, the dragon race was known for their strong sense of pride.
Either way, Isn't this good for him? He was given this opportunity to start again. He didn't know why the dragon ended up traveling them both in time but he knew he couldn't let this chance go to waste! He currently possess the knowledge that every species in the universe would die to have!
"Uhm Mr--?"
(Ardem. Call me Ardem. Don't call me mister, I'm young.)
He wanted to argue that he lived for atleast a billion years but decided not to.
"Ardem, How can you fully speak in our language?"
(Oh that? KU HA HA HA! Are you underestimatimg me kid? That's just a tedious task to achieve!), it bashfully claimed. Its paws were holding its chin, acting all mighty.
The truth is, now that their souls are bound together, he have access to his memories. He learned of their culture, their language and also the future memories of Hayden. The tattoo that he newly got was the insignia(stigmata) that connects them both.
He had many questions in mind but decided to take it for later. He should get moving to prepare .
After he took a bath, he saw that the entire room was in a mess. In his past life, he couldn't even clean because all he does was to play, eat, take shit and sleep. He wanted to punch himself for that.
But he just let the room be, the maids will eventually clean it for him. They do a weekly inspection in their rooms. He didn't know what the reason was but it was an order from the chairman so he has no say about that matter.
His thoughts were interrupted by a loud knock. Upon opening the door, a larged figure wearing a black tuxedo bowed its head and greeted him. "Good afternoon, sir."
He remembered his face, it was his personal bodyguard.
"Fredrick, what's the date today?"
"It's the 29th of July."
"In what year?" The bodyguard was confused about his sudden questions but decided to answer it anyway.
"2026"
'So only a month left before the other planets discover us huh?' He remembered how Earth was turned upside down when they were suddenly cut off from the world with just a notification.
He recalled the chaos it brought that caused his mother and little sister's death. Some time later, his father committed suicude from the depression of losing his wife and daughter. He seem to just forgot about his bastard son, which is me. I can't blame him though. If it weren't for the thrill of having the game and my cowardness to die, I would've done the same.
His death caused quite a stir to their family. But this time, he won't let that happen again. He already forgot his anger towards his family and all that's left was how he totally regretted not being a good son to them.
"Sir Alexander has called you to his office." He stopped reminiscing the past as soon as he heard the name of his father. Right, as far as he remembered, this was the timeline where he got in trouble with the bar he went into.
"Okay, I'll come out in a second." he lowered his head before closing the door. The man was fazed. 'Is the young master sick?' he was shocked to see him bow to him and not throw a tantrum. The last time he saw him, he give off this nasty glare and always treats them like trash. 'He was probably just drunk and still hasn't sobered up.' he quicklyshaked his head to let go of those thoughts and patiently waited near the door.
"Can you stay here for a sec? I have to meet my father." he asked Ardem who was still facing the mirror, posing.
(What are you talking about? I'll come with you. I don't want to be stuck in this crampy room forever!)
"But with your appearance, you can be mistaken as something.. alien-like.)
(What's wrong with my appearance?You said I was very very awesome.)
'when did I say that?'
"But could you make your spikes and horn go away?" He gently asked.
(Of course I can! I.. I just won't! Ha ha ha! ) Ardem's eyes wavered. It can't even look at him straight in the eye.
'Oh, he can't. ' He did not push it any further. He can just make an excuse and say that it was a unique feature of a cat.
"I see.. But please refrain from talking when you face other people. They'll be scared shitless-- I mean, they are still not aware of your existence."
(Hmm-- it depends on the situation.) it answered vaguely. Well, it's better than ignoring his request.
Just when he was about to get out, the fluffy kitten decided to rest on the top of his head. (What? Walking on this tiny paws are exhausting.) He sighed but didn't say anything.
When he got out, Frederick just stared on top of his head but didn't ask a thing. Well, it was good for him since he doesn't want to explain.
As he was walking down the hallway, the nostalgic memories came to mind. Wow, it's been a while huh, he used to complain how long this path was. That was just him being a lazy bum. But now that he get to see it again, it doesn't seem too bad. Of course, he'll also consider this as an exercise. His body definitely doesn't have the best stamina and strength.
'I'll have to train again if I want to catch up to my old self.' His past body wasn't too great but looking at his body now, it was way better than this all skin and bones structure. He definitely needs to hit the gym before August.
After walking the vast hallway, a thick wooden door with aesthetic design was what greeted him. Inside this room was where his father is.
He hesitated a bit before knocking on the door, "Father, its me."
There was a long pause before he heard the chilly familiar voice. "Come in."
The two bodyguards outside the door opened it for him to enter. Frederick remained outside as Hayden walked towards his father's table. A golden plate can be seen in front and it states, 'Alexander Hayden Grey'. Below it was the word 'President'.
He heard the door shut.
He glanced at the person sitting on the chair. It was a middle-aged man wearing a businessman attire. His black hair was all swept up upwards showcasing his forehead. He had the same face features as Hayden except for his brown eyes. His wrinkles was visible but his aura screamed that he was definitely a heartthrob during his younger years.
The documents were all neatly piled up and he was holding a pen on his right hand. Without even batting him an eye, he asked, "I heard you went and created trouble again?" His monotone voice was timid, hinting that he was tired of scolding his ass every other day.
Hayden immediately bowed his head, "I'm sorry for all the trouble, I won't do it again, father." Although this doesn't erase all his wrong doings, this will be a nice start to prove himself.
(You wicked kid! Why did you suddenly bowed your head?!) Ardem, who was just sitting on his head peacefully a while ago was complaining loudly. He suddenly fell that made him upset.
His eyes widened in shock. He can't believe that he forgot the dragon after seeing his father!
He slowly lifted his gaze towards the man who was in daze. He even dropped his pen.
"What did you just say?"
Well, shit, I fucked up.