Chapter 3: A New Life, A New Bond
First, it was dark—an all-consuming void that felt endless. Lior floated in it, his thoughts scattered, fragmented. He wasn't even sure what he was supposed to remember. Then, slowly, through the thick veil of nothingness, he heard it—a voice. Soft, melodic, soothing like a gentle lullaby. It stirred something deep inside him, drawing him toward consciousness.
The darkness faded, and light pierced through. Lior blinked, disoriented. He wasn't in his own body. That much he knew immediately. It was a strange sensation, like he was watching the world from a window, not quite able to touch or control it. He saw the face of a woman—beautiful, ethereal, with dark black hair flowing like a river of night and golden eyes that shimmered like stars. Her beauty felt almost divine, something beyond the reach of ordinary humans.
She smiled, a gentle smile filled with love, and softly stroked his—no, the boy's—cheek. "You're awake, my sweet boy," she said, her voice tender, almost like a caress.
Lior's heart—no, the boy's heart—responded, swelling with warmth and affection. He felt the boy's deep bond with the woman, this woman who was clearly his mother. But Lior himself felt only confusion. He didn't know this woman, this world, or even this body he was inhabiting.
Where am I? he thought, trying to piece together what little he could. Everything was a blur. He had no memory of how he'd ended up here or why he felt this nagging sense of déjà vu, like he had lived something similar before but couldn't quite place it. There was a hole in his memory, a blank space that made him uneasy, like something important was missing.
The room was simple yet warm, filled with soft light and gentle colors. It felt safe, like a home. But Lior knew it wasn't his home. He was an observer, locked inside a body that didn't belong to him. He could feel the boy's emotions—his love for this woman, his contentment, but also a deep sadness lurking beneath it all. It was unsettling, but Lior couldn't quite grasp why.
"Welcome , Kuro," the mother whispered, holding the baby up and cradling him gently. "I've been waiting for you."
So it was now Lior's life: during the day, he spent his time in the cave, honing his skills and battling Noor beasts. At night, when he fell asleep, he was transported to another world, living as Kuro. In this alternate existence, he experienced six months of life, while in his own world, no time had passed at all. It was as if he would fall asleep and wake up the very next morning, yet in those dreams, he had fully immersed himself in the life of Kuro, growing and evolving as if those six months were entirely real. This duality left Lior feeling both empowered and bewildered, as he navigated the complexities of being two individuals simultaneously.
Kuro was a fairy also known as angels , and by the time he reached the age of one, he was placed inside a gigantic flower. This was no ordinary flower; it was like a magical VIP lounge for fairies, designed to provide nourishment and determine his powers. But here's the catch: Kuro would be in a vegetative state for two whole years, snoozing away in a cozy floral cocoon.
Meanwhile, Lior was having the time of his life—or rather, he wasn't. Imagine being stuck in a tiny, dark flower for two years, with nothing to do but listen to the occasional buzzing of bees or the dramatic stories of nearby flowers about who's the prettiest in the garden. "I mean, who does that?!" Lior would groan internally. "I'm literally in a flower, and I can't even enjoy a good view! It's just darkness all around!"
Every time a curious bug tried to check on Kuro, Lior wanted to scream, "I'm awake in here! Can someone get me a snack or at least a good book?" But alas, his floral prison didn't exactly allow for communication. Lior was stuck being a silent observer in Kuro's life while dreaming of freedom—like a fairy tale prisoner who couldn't escape even if he had tiny wings!
And then there were the flower petals. They were all soft and cushy, but they kept falling in his face, making Lior feel like he was trapped in a floral sneeze. "Great," he thought, "just what I need—pollen allergies in a flower that's supposed to nourish my body. Talk about irony!"
Finally, after four nights of Lior's life and three full years as Kuro, the moment arrived: Kuro woke up from his cozy floral nap! Stretching his tiny arms and legs, he flapped his newly grown wings, which were now similar to those of majestic eagles—strong and formidable, even if they were still a bit small. "Wow, these actually work!" he squeaked, testing them out with a few uncoordinated flaps. He felt like he had just been given a new pair of superhero wings—except he had no idea how to use them.
His mother and father—two exceptionally beautiful angels with glimmering wings and radiant smiles—descended from the flower-crowned heights to pick him up. Kuro gazed at them, a mix of awe and confusion washing over him. It felt like he had just woken up from the most bizarre dream, and they were the star cast. "Is this real, or am I still dreaming in the flower?" he thought.
To his surprise, he found himself blurting out, "Mama! Dada!" in perfect angelic language, as if he'd been practicing for ages while stuck in the flower. Lior was equally shocked, feeling a strange connection to the words, even though he'd never learned the language. It was as if Kuro had downloaded an entire language course while hibernating!
"Look, my little angel has finally awoken!" his mother cooed, cradling him in her arms. Kuro beamed with pride, feeling like a celebrity for simply emerging from a flower. "I can't believe I'm finally free!" he thought, relishing the freedom that came with no longer being trapped in the dark.
With a delighted squeal, Kuro flapped his eagle-like wings, feeling the air beneath him, and the world suddenly felt alive. Lior was ecstatic too, finally getting a glimpse of life outside the floral prison, even if it meant navigating the chaos of angelic family life. "Alright, Kuro, let's see what adventures await us now!" he cheered, ready to embrace this newfound freedom with the enthusiasm of a child set loose in a candy store.
Life as Kuro was nothing short of amazing. This little boy was truly something else! Even at a young age, he exhibited a genius-level intellect that was mind-boggling. Whether it was figuring out how to sneak cookies from the kitchen or devising elaborate pranks to play on his unsuspecting parents, Kuro had an innate talent for both mischief and brilliance. Lior couldn't help but admire him. "This kid is totally my type of guy! I'd want to be friends with him in a heartbeat!" he thought, still in his elf female form, which he had inhabited since entering Kuro's soul chamber.
Kuro's humor was infectious; he would often crack jokes that made even the adults chuckle. Once, he tied a string to a flower pot, and when his mother went to water it, he yanked it away just in time, causing her to splash water everywhere. "Mom! You've got to water the plants, not the floor!" he'd cackled, laughter ringing through the air. Lior, observing from the sidelines, couldn't contain his laughter either. "This kid is a legend in the making!"
Every day was an adventure filled with laughter, exploration, and clever schemes. Kuro's imagination knew no bounds. One day, he built a miniature castle out of cloud fluff and pretended to be the ruler, ordering his stuffed animals to defend against imaginary invaders. Lior was in stitches, thinking, "I'd join that kingdom any day! Forget my royal duties; I'd be the jester!"
As Kuro continued to navigate his young life, he made friends easily, and Lior could feel the warmth of their bond. It was as if Kuro's playful spirit injected life into every moment, and Lior couldn't help but be swept along for the ride. "If only I could help him pull off some of those epic pranks," Lior mused, imagining himself joining forces with Kuro. "Together, we could become unstoppable!"
Despite being in the body of a young boy, Kuro made every day feel special. The way he approached life with joy and curiosity reminded Lior of the importance of having fun, even amidst chaos. As he watched Kuro thrive, Lior couldn't shake the feeling that this little one would leave a mark on the world, and he was lucky to witness it all unfold.