Footsteps echo, gradually getting closer. Each step grows louder until a dark figure appears in front of me. His eyes glow vividly, yet there is nothing behind them. His cold stare pierces through me as he halts just a few feet in front of me.
"The infamous Reaper. The embodiment of fear, as some would say. The one that brings death and suffering and can neither be stopped nor killed." His husky voice echoes in the abyss. "Yet here you are, after cheating death time and time again. It eventually caught up to you. It would seem that you are killable after all."
"Tch, so you know a lot about me huh?"
"You could say that. I have been observing you for years, albeit I am not bounded by the role of an observer." He reaches his hand out to me, a small yet assertive gesture. I reluctantly shake his hand firmly, which are stone cold.
"So, let's cut to the brass tax. Why are you here to offer me a second life? And why are you fixated on seeing my full potential?" I question him sternly.
He chuckles, "Cutting straight to the nitty-gritty of things as expected. As I stated previously, your potential is limited and wasted in this world. No matter how hard you try, surpassing the true human limitations are futile. However, you have caught my eye for a long time. I wish to use you as a sort of…experiment on what a human could achieve when given the opportunity and the power."
He's not even going to hide his intentions? Does he simply not care?
"That is why I am offering you a chance to be reincarnated, not in the world where you come from, but rather a completely different one full of swords and sorcery. A fantasy world if you will." He pauses, allowing me to take in the information.
Hold on, what? "A completely different world…full of magic?" Did I hear him correctly? "An entirely different world, with magic, and you're just offering me to be reincarnated in that world?"
He grins, seemingly amused by my reaction. "Why of course. What better way to find the true limits of an individual than to grant them overwhelming powers. A rather entertaining way to uncover the true capabilities of someone."
"And you're completely fine with sending me to a world like that, even though you know who and what I am?" Is he really that adamant on seeing my potential that much he'll reincarnate me into a world of magic?
He chuckles deeply, the sound of his gruff voice echoing across the dark abyss. After a short moment he stops and grins at me, "I am not worried about that. In my opinion, it'll be more intriguing to see a person such as yourself be in a position of such opportunity. You are a formidable individual Reaper, better than anyone I've witnessed before. You may not realise it now…but you are worthy of this second chance. So don't waste it."
His words begin to sink deep within me. I don't believe that a person like me is capable of having the worth to be gifted such luxury that is a second chance. My life is nothing more than a simple nightmare, but this so called Watcher thinks otherwise. What does he see that I don't? What's so special about me? There's a lot of individuals like me, some even better, so why choose me?
"Reaper, do you accept my offer to be reincarnated?" His voice pulls me out of my thoughts. I look up at him, unsure of what to do. I take a deep breath and close my eyes, before making a decision.
I exhale and slowly open my eyes, puffing my chest up and holding my head up sternly. "I accept."
The Watcher smirks proudly. "Good, that's what I hoped to hear. I will not say much more about this world, but I'm sure that you'll manage."
"So I'll be going in blind basically?" Not like I mind, as I've been in these situations before. But this is different from my typical military operation that my agency briefs me on. This is an entirely new world where magic is the norm.
"I guess you could say that. Although, I'm sure that you'll be fine considering your reputation." He smirks as he says that last part. "Are you confident about this?"
I chuckle slightly, "Not particularly."
The Watcher smiles, "Well there's no turning back now." He creates a portal next to us. A beam of white light shines through it and across the dark abyss. I slowly walk towards it. "Before you go, I will ensure that you keep your memories. So use that to your advantage."
I turn to face him, "Don't you worry, I plan on using it as much as possible." I smirk and enter the portal.
Memories flash before my eyes. The memories of my old life. Every happy, upsetting, frustrating moment in my life all flowing through my mind in an instant. Then darkness hits me. A muffled voice fills my ears.
"Look at him. Isn't he such a sweet little boy?" A female voice speaks in a soft tone.
Then a husky male voice speaks, "He sure is darling. I'm so proud of you Evelyn, giving birth to our sweet little guy. Damian Grimwald. That name sounds good don't you think?"
Huh, that name does sounds pretty cool. I like it. I slowly open my eyes where I'm greeted with a fairly big audience looking at me.
"I agree, it does sound good." I look up to see a woman, which I'm presuming is my mother Evelyn, with a bright shine in her brown eyes that matches her brown hair which flows gently through a breeze originating from an open window.
I begin to scan the room that I'm situated in and holy smokes there's a bunch of people in here. Most of them are dressed in maid outfits and suits. I look to my left and see a rather muscular man with a huge smile planted on his face. The same brown hair as my mother but with blue eyes instead.
"Hey kiddo. Aren't you the most adorable little guy ever?" He sits down on the bed next to my mother and picks me up, holding me in a towel and gently cradles me in his arms. The maids smile brightly when they see this and a few even begin to shed a tear. If this happened in my previous life I would've instinctively scolded them for such stupid behaviour. But this isn't my previous life so things are different, and my actions would most likely confuse them if I do end up scolding them for acting like a normal person.
This is my new life now. A new beginning in a world very unlike mine. It's a weird feeling to be quite honest, but it's something that I'll have to get used to. My behaviour will most likely have to slightly change as well but I'll worry about that at a later time. However, my heart begins to flutter from the thought of having a more relaxed life from my previous one. Maybe I can ease up a bit.
In any case, it wouldn't hurt to enjoy this. It doesn't seem all that bad when I think about it.
"Hey Lawrence, can I hold him?" My mother speaks in a soft sweet tone.
My father gently places me in my mother's arms and she slowly begins rocking me back and forth. Silence fills the room as both my parents sit side by side on the bed simply watching and smiling at me. After a while I begin to feel my eyes growing heavy and slowly fall into a deep sleep in my mother's arm.
I sleep comfortably until the morning light shines into the room waking me up after days of being deeply asleep. I open my eyes, only to find myself alone in an empty room laying in a small bassinet. It doesn't seem bad until I realise…I can't speak, or walk.
Well shit.
At least I'm wearing clothes though. I grow bored and begin to rock back and forth to build momentum in order to get on my hands and knees. I struggle again and again, which annoys me ever so slightly. Come. On. You. Weakling! I push myself even harder and almost…oh come on! I fall back onto the bed unsuccessful and internally sigh. This is so bloody difficult. Aarrgh, why couldn't I've been reincarnated into an already existing child instead of being stuck as a goddamn baby until I slowly grow up?!
I stare up at the ceiling and contemplate why the hell I agreed to this. I didn't even think it over in my head before making the decision. So stupid. Then an idea pops into my head. I wonder…
"Waah, waah, waah!" Come on, this has to work. I cry more and more waiting for someone to hear me. A door opens up and a maid walks in.
"Aww look at you. Don't cry Damian, it's okay." She picks me up and coddles me. I grin mischievously. I can exploit this. Being a baby does have an advantage after all.
She carries me out of the room in her arms and begins to walk around the house. Oh my…this house is quite the luxury. Man am I lucky to be reborn into a family of such wealth. The maid walks past a library and through hallways full of rooms on both sides to a main imperial staircase. I am in complete awe at the size of this place as she navigates through it whilst carrying me.
Eventually we arrive in a pristine looking dining room where my parents along with the other maids are enjoying a rather appealing looking breakfast.
"Damian has awoken Mr and Mrs Grimwald!" She announces in a cheerful voice. My parents both smile and my mother walks up to us and gently takes me into her arms.
"Good morning my sweet little angel!" She rubs her nose with mine playfully and kisses my cheeks. Bubbles fill my stomach and I can't help but smile a bit. She takes me to her chair and sits down on it, planting me on her lap.
I sit there and just watch silently as the maids eat and talk amongst themselves about their daily duties and the changes that will have affect due to my arrival. Whilst they discuss with each other, my mother begins to feed me with a smile on her face.
Although I'm not particularly fond of this way of living, I don't fully mind being coddled and looked after so much. It's a rather different experience from what I'm used to but it's a pleasant difference nonetheless.
A few minutes begin to pass by of my mother feeding me and the maids rambling on to each other whilst also trying to consume their meals. It's rather boring due to the fact that I don't have the ability to do anything, other than sitting and enduring this moment as I sit on my mother's lap.
This may be on par with being forced to sit and listen to a teacher lecturing a class about behaviour when basically everyone couldn't care less. However, that was probably my fault most of the time due to the lack of care I possessed. Not my fault some of them was whiny little brats that got upset whenever I showed them up.
Truth be told I wasn't much better than them. But that didn't really concern me all that much. They just couldn't handle it.
Eventually though, this uneventful experience seems to be coming to a close as the maids begin to get up and attend to their duties shortly after the other.
"Hey Evelyn, how are you feeling after that healing cast from last night?" Healing cast eh? Nearly forgot that this world has magic.
"I'm feeling much better today. Now that we have our little boy with us, we can spend lots of time with him and watch him grow. Isn't that right little Damian?" Is she seriously expecting me to respond when I was literally just born? Well, reborn, but still. Instead I try to simply look up at her to show my disproval however my view is being obstructed for…obvious reasons.
"Hahaha, it seems that he isn't quite pleased. It's so cute." No, I'm not particularly pleased. I furrow my brow and look at him chuckling. I don't find this to be a laughing matter father, so quit it.
"Oh stop it, don't laugh at him darling." Yeah father, don't laugh at me! "It's better to do this instead." She begins to tickle me. H-hey, quit it mother! I squirm around to avoid her, but I can't.
"Hehehe!" S-stop…tickling me!
Why…must this…body be so…ticklish?!
"Haha look at him, he's so adorable!" Mother you better stop this rig-
"Hehehe!" I begin squirming even more in desperation. I hope you know that I don't consent to this mother! This is a violation of my rights and you know it!
…
After being tortured relentlessly by my own mother, I find myself in my room again. Only this time I'm washed and wearing different clothing. I was seriously hoping that my parents would have the guts to put themselves in the line of fire and wash me so I could ambush them with a feisty splash to the face with water, but they ended up having one of their trusty maids do it for them. Cowards.
Anyway, I will not allow myself to be stuck in the room for however long I may be here. So I need a new plan of attack. I know how to crawl and walk, but this body of mine does not. Which will mean that I'll have to forcibly teach it, and preferably in a short time.
I roll over onto my side and grab onto the rails. Okay, you can do this. One, two, three! I pull myself up with the strength that I have, slowly but steadily pulling myself up. Come on, almost there! After a few seconds I manage to pull myself onto my feet.
Okay, now for the hard part. Getting out of this and onto the floor. Luckily for me, the bassinet isn't too high from the ground so it shouldn't be too big of an issue. But to be sure I'll throw one of these pillows next to me onto the ground to help break my fall. I pick up a pillow and throw it over the rails.
Now, to execute the escape. I begin pulling myself onto the top of the rails being careful not to push myself too far over. I slowly raise my legs over and into the grabs on the rails. Alright, time for the drop. I angle myself above the pillow and…
Jump!
I successfully land onto the pillow without harm. Aha, I have bested you bassinet! Now, time to explore.
I try to walk but my body doesn't seem to have the strength to at the moment. So I'll have to resort to crawling for now. I make my way to the slightly open bedroom door and push it open. Okay, where to next? Hmmm…perhaps the library will do. I remember the maid walking past it earlier so it's not far.
I begin crawling through the hallway, manoeuvring to different furniture's scattered around to avoid being spotted. I spot the open door to the library and crawl inside. Wow, this library is pretty big. So many bookshelves fill most of the room that it's almost overwhelming at first glance.
Let's see what this place has in store for me. I crawl around for a while as I look at the books left on any desks as well as books stored on the lower shelves. Then I see a book that reads: "The Teachings And Variations Of Magic." Well I certainly hit the jackpot with this one. I pull it out of the shelf and lay flat on my stomach.
These will be a few long and boring hours. I open the rather large book and begin reading.