## Five Months Ago
In the depths of darkness, a sliver of consciousness stirred. Ethan, a man who had met his demise at the age of 69, found himself unexpectedly thrust into this new existence, his memories and thoughts intact. Panic gripped him as he grappled with the confusion of his new reality. Unbeknownst to him, his awakening was not without consequence.
However, Ethan's newfound consciousness was uncharted territory, and he lacked control over the powers that had accompanied him from his past life. Unknowingly, in a moment of panic and confusion, he lashed out with a burst of energy, unintentionally causing his mother immense pain. She had to be put into an artificial coma to protect both herself and her unborn child.
## Four Months Ago
In the darkness, an instinctive fear washed over the consciousness of Ethan—it was a mystery; could a soul even fear something? As far as Ethan's broken memory went, he seemed to believe that souls were permanent, like energy—couldn't be created, couldn't be destroyed.
However, an unusual sense of calm also enveloped him. His mother's soothing words, spoken every morning, had already begun to influence him. He felt connected to her, feeling her love and gentle presence, even within the confines of the womb. The instinctual fear of the unknown world was subdued, and he did not fear it, just as his reptile brain did not fear the world.
As the weeks passed, Ethan's awareness grew, and he began to understand the emotions and bonds that connected his parents. Their love was palpable, and he marvelled at the depth of their affection, even amidst the uncertainties of the world beyond the village.
Despite his confusion about his current existence, Ethan cherished the moments he spent listening to his parents' conversations. Though he couldn't comprehend the intricacies of his circumstances, he knew that he was surrounded by the warmth of their affection.
## Two Months Ago
As time passed, Ethan's consciousness expanded, assimilating fragments of knowledge from the external world. He became more aware of his surroundings and began to recall some memories from his past life. It was not a complete understanding, but glimpses of his identity started to emerge.
In the void of his unconsciousness, Ethan's presence faded into nothingness, leaving behind a blankness that enveloped Victoria's womb, unbeknownst to her. In this state of absence, he sought solace from the impending events, retreating into the shadows until the time was right for his emergence into the world.
## Present, September 14, 1108
Seven months had passed since William and Victoria's stroll along the shoreline on Valentine's Day. Victoria's pregnancy was now undeniable, and both deeply cherished each other and the life they had created. Although there was an incident in the beginning and Victoria had to be put into a coma, their unborn child hadn't given any trouble since.
However, the apparent inactivity of the child in Victoria's womb worried them. At seven months, Victoria should have already experienced hormonal imbalances and occasional pains, but with Ethan, her pregnancy seemed almost surreal. If not for her bulging stomach, they wouldn't even believe that a child was successfully developing inside her.
As they walked, the conversation shifted towards the recent success of the revolutionaries in the Sky Kingdom. Victoria's thoughts turned to her family back in the capital, worry etching lines on her face.
"The revolutionaries have succeeded, it seems. I can't help but wonder what changes this will bring," Victoria voiced her concerns, her mind preoccupied with her loved ones in the heart of the kingdom.
William listened attentively, understanding the weight of her worries. "Yes, their sudden rise and the development of that berserker elixir are quite concerning. It seems there's a mastermind behind the scenes, pulling the strings to orchestrate this uprising."
Victoria nodded, her expression thoughtful. "And it's not just about overthrowing the nobles; there's a deeper purpose driving them. Elsa's letter hinted at secrets and plans that go beyond a simple power struggle."
"I agree," William replied, his mind racing with possibilities. "The scale and sophistication of this revolution suggest that it was in the making for a long time. But what remains unclear is their ultimate goal. Why would they target the Sky Empire, and what do they hope to achieve?"
Victoria's brow furrowed with concern. "Indeed, it's puzzling. The Sky Empire isn't the strongest or the wealthiest on the continent. If their aim is to gain power, there are other more logical targets."
William paused, lost in thought. "Perhaps there's something unique about the Sky Empire that we're not aware of. It's possible they're after a specific resource or technology that only the Sky Empire possesses."
Victoria nodded, considering his words. "That could be a possibility. Whatever their intentions, I fear for my family's safety. I hope Elsa's letter provided some reassurance about their well-being."
"We can try to reach out again for more information," William said, his concern mirroring hers. "In the meantime, we must stay vigilant here in Vinestead Village. Our sanctuary might be far from the capital, but we can't be too complacent."
As they continued their walk, the weight of uncertainty lingered, and the world outside seemed ever more unpredictable. But in each other's presence, William and Victoria found solace and strength.
Together, they would face whatever challenges lay ahead, their love and determination guiding them through the unknown. The fate of the Sky Empire remained a mystery, and as the days passed, the unfolding events would shape the lives of its inhabitants, leaving a profound impact on their future.
Amidst the conversation between his parents, Ethan's ethereal form trembled with apprehension, knowing that something awaited him at the end of this prolonged walk. He couldn't help but recall the previous experience, his consciousness fixating on the towering Oak Tree that loomed over his mother.
A wave of panic surged through Ethan. "I must go," he whispered urgently, his mind racing. Using his powers, he swiftly severed all connections to the world, reducing his existence to a mere whisper, and slipped into a deep slumber.
"I cannot bear to witness it," he thought, a mixture of curiosity and trepidation intertwining within him.
Ethan's awareness had grown from an insignificant speck to a thoughtful child, and he began to understand the emotions and bonds that connected his parents. Their love was palpable, and he marvelled at the depth of their affection, even amidst the uncertainties of the world beyond the village.
Despite his confusion and panic, Ethan cherished the moments he spent listening to his parents' conversations. Though he couldn't comprehend the intricacies of his circumstances, he knew that he was surrounded by the warmth of their affection.
His brain was still incapable of deeper thoughts and calculations, but the primitive reptile brain understood fear, and he didn't fear the world outside the womb of his mother—his current home.
With each passing day, his desire to discover the truth about himself and the world around him intensified.
As the shoreline stretched out before them, a tapestry of life's uncertainties and hidden secrets, Ethan remained an unseen observer, eagerly awaiting the day he would emerge from the confines of the womb and begin his own journey—a journey intertwined with his parent's love, the mysteries of the world, and the legacy of his past life.
[Author's Notes: ]
Ethan: As I continue to grow in this cosy, dark abode, I wonder if I should already start giving my address for mail deliveries. "Vinestead Village, The Matriarch's Womb" sounds quite fitting, don't you think? It has a certain charm to it, and who knows, maybe it'll become the next popular destination for all the unborn/reborn protagonists! 😁