Reborn
The sun shone warmly on the world, like a mother nurturing her child. The scene was beautiful: the sun brightened the sky, flowers bloomed and swayed with the wind, and a vast ocean surrounded this spectacular land, providing a cool and comfortable breeze.
Somewhere in the ocean, a school of fish darted about in haste, as though fleeing a dangerous predator. Eventually, they found refuge in a small cave—too narrow for their pursuer to enter.
A few seconds later, a large, serpentine figure flashed past their hideout. This gigantic creature moved with astonishing speed. Its massive body, the size of two adult whales, cut through the water effortlessly. It paid no attention to the hiding fish, instead diving deeper into the ocean's depths.
As it swam further, its movements became erratic—twisting and turning at strange angles. Soon, the serpent reached a gigantic, fog-covered underwater mountain. Without hesitation, it vanished into the mist.
Beyond the fog lay a hidden marvel: a colossal underwater kingdom. Gigantic walls gilded with gold surrounded the city. At the gates stood two guards, each four meters tall, with deer-like antlers protruding from their foreheads.
When they saw the serpent, they immediately knelt and shouted, "Welcome back, young mistress!"
The massive serpent began to shift, transforming into a humanoid form. She stood about two meters tall, her slender frame a sharp contrast to the bulkier guards. Like them, she bore antlers, but hers gleamed golden. Her beauty was striking, with an elegant yet commanding presence.
She nodded at the guards before asking, her tone both doubtful and worried, "Is my youngest brother truly about to hatch?"
The guards exchanged anxious glances before replying, "Young mistress, we have just received word. The young master's egg has begun to glow and vibrate. It seems the hatching has finally begun."
Without another word, she entered the city, her pace urgent. She ignored the bustling streets lined with jade and gold buildings, heading directly to the towering palace at the city's peak. Servants bowed as she passed, but she paid them no mind. Her focus was singular.
Reaching the grand hall at the palace's center, she entered to find her family already gathered. The group ranged from children, who stood about a meter tall and radiated ethereal beauty, to majestic adults. At the center of the room stood a handsome middle-aged man and an exquisitely beautiful woman. They both stared intently at a massive egg, their faces a mix of affection and worry. The woman, in particular, exuded a fierce protectiveness, as though daring anyone to come near.
The young mistress approached and greeted them respectfully. "Kayla greets Mother and Father."
Her mother barely nodded, her gaze never leaving the egg. Her father, however, turned to her and gave a firm nod.
Kayla glanced at the egg and asked, "How is he?"
Her father's deep, majestic voice replied, "He is about to be born."
As if on cue, the egg began to vibrate violently. Cracks spread across its surface before it burst open with tremendous force. A golden shockwave swept through the palace, followed by an earth-shaking dragon roar that left everyone in awe.
Outside the city, across the ocean and beyond, dragon roars reverberated, startling the denizens of the world.
At the same time, in a place that resembled an endless void, a human soul floated aimlessly. After an eternity of drifting, the soul "saw" a golden light in the distance. Drawn to its brilliance, it moved closer until it entered the radiant glow.
This soul belonged to Sly, a man whose life had been marked by pain and betrayal. Despite being an orphan, he had worked tirelessly to survive, only to face countless hardships. His downfall began with those he trusted most.
Sly had once been close to Tristan, a wealthy heir, and Lois, the woman he loved. But envy and greed turned them against him. Tristan, jealous of Sly's striking good looks, conspired with Lois to emotionally destroy him. Lois, swayed by Tristan's wealth, agreed to the plan. Together, they orchestrated Sly's heartbreak.
The day Sly planned to propose to Lois was the day everything fell apart. Hours before their meeting, Sly received devastating news: he had been fired, a decision forced by the company's board. Reeling from this blow, he clung to the hope of a future with Lois.
But when he arrived at the hotel where they were to meet, he found her and Tristan in bed together, their faces alight with cruel delight. The betrayal struck like a dagger to his heart. Overwhelmed by despair, Sly's heart gave out, and he died—a tragic end to a life filled with struggle.
Now, his soul had found its way into a new destiny. What awaited him beyond the golden light would forever change the course of his existence.