As the figure raised its sword, I summoned every ounce of strength I had to push away the arrow embedded in my leg. Ignoring the searing pain, I charged at the figure and headbutted it. The figure grunted and wobbled, giving me the chance I needed. I grabbed its sword and, with a desperate thrust, aimed for its heart, golden blood splattered at my clothes as the sword stick deeper into its heart. The figure howled in agony before dissipating into nothingness, clearly defeated.
I collapsed to the ground, panting heavily, my leg throbbing with pain. The mist around me seemed to swirl and change, growing even thicker. I looked up, hoping for a sign of what to do next. The ominous void in the sky began to close, and the eerie silence that followed was almost deafening.
Before I could process what had happened, a soft, ethereal voice echoed around me. "You have shown resilience and courage, mortal."
I turned my head to see the sky changing as a long, huge beam of light descended before me, radiating a calming, golden glow. The light morphed into an orb with three wheels surrounding it, landing gracefully before me. Its presence was soothing. "You have passed the test," it said.
"Test?" I asked, still catching my breath. "That was a test?"
The orb replied in an ominous voice, "Yes, the test of your spirit. The figure you defeated was the manifestation of your fears and regrets. By overcoming it, you have proven your strength and determination."
I felt a mix of relief and confusion. "So, what happens now?"
One of the wheels surrounding the orb transformed into a hand that reached out to me. "Now, you will be granted your reward. You will reincarnate into a new world, but with your memories intact, as a testament to your determination and will to live."
I hesitated for a moment, then took the orb's hand. A warm, comforting light enveloped me, and I felt my pain and exhaustion melt away. The world around me faded, yet a searing pain shot through my head, making me grunt. Slowly, the pain dissipated.
When I opened my eyes again, the sunlight hit my face, causing me to squint before my vision adjusted. I found myself in a vibrant, bustling city. The air was filled with the sounds of life and laughter, much different that the eerie ominous silence of the Plain of Rebirth. I looked down at my hands, feeling a strange mixture of familiarity and newness.
I looked around, trying to process my surroundings. High buildings towered above me, and strange object with people inside of it moved along long paths, emitting mechanical noises. People wore a variety of clothing—some in revealing outfits, others in long, flowing garments. Everything felt odd and overwhelming.
I took a deep breath, trying to steady my thoughts. "Where am I?" I whispered to myself with confusion.
As I wandered through the city, trying to make sense of this new world, I noticed a large, glowing screen displaying information in a language I surprisingly couldn't understand. It was full of unknown characters, yet it detailed various aspects of this world—technology, society, a blend of old and new. The realization hit me: this world was a fusion of advanced technology, but what was even stranger was that this world didn't have mana and no magic.
Panic started to set in. Without magic, how would I navigate this place? My entire life had revolved around mana and the arcane arts. I felt a deep sense of loss and disorientation since magic and arcane arts was my everything.
Determined to adapt, I continued to explore, observing the people and their interactions. I saw devices they carried, emitting light and sound, and vehicles that moved without horses or any visible source of power. It was all so alien, yet fascinating.
As I walked, I noticed a small group gathered around a street performer. Curiosity got the better of me, and I edged closer. The performer was using some sort of device to create illusions—images that danced in the air, much like magic but clearly powered by technology. The crowd was enthralled, and I found myself enjoying but i decide to brush it off and continue looking around as i spotted a man.
"Excuse me," I said to the man sitting in a bench while sipping some sort of brown liquid that was inside a cup. "Can you tell me what this place is?"
He gave me an odd look but answered kindly, "This is Avalon the capital of Arcadia! Oh you must be new here."
"Yes," I replied, "very new."
"Don't worry," he said with a smile. "You'll get used to it. This city is full of wonders. Just keep an open mind."
I nodded, feeling a bit reassured. As I continued to explore, I found myself at a marketplace filled with strange yet enticing foods and goods. I marveled at the variety and innovation. Despite the lack of magic, there was a certain charm to this place.
Determined to know more about these world I decided to seek out knowledge about this new world and even know it's culture or tradition. I headed towards what appeared to be a grand library, its towering spires and intricate architecture reminiscent of the ancient libraries I once knew.
As I entered the library, I was greeted by a vast hall filled with shelves upon shelves of books and glowing screens. A sense of familiarity washed over me, as the familiar touch of the book gave me a nice warmth of memories from my past life as i smile to it.