Chapter 1 : Rebirth And Memory Loss
- Access granted: 365 days remaining before the annihilation of all life, as initiated by Project Aleystria.
Starting in
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"Aley, come back-"
I feel my consciousness fraying, slowly dissolving into the abyss. It's so cold, my clothes are soaked, beyond saving now, just like my body. Slowly, I'm sinking, everything dissolves—my mind, the person I used to be. I'm drowning. What irony, isn't it? Water, the source of life, yet too much of it, and it becomes an instrument of death. I wish someone would reach out, pull me from this watery grave. But the sunlight fades, its touch no longer piercing the surface of the lake. I'm already too far, too deeply buried in this silent ocean.
Mom, dad, forgive me… I won't be coming home tonight. How did I end up here? My memory betrays me, everything blurs into a spiral of forgetfulness. I vaguely remember the road, the path back from school. I saw that child, his ball swept away by the current, his cries tearing through the silence. His sorrow weighed heavily on my heart. How could I have ignored him? Was that my mistake? Wanting to help? By reaching out, I became trapped in this icy water, seized by a cramp that rendered me immobile.
I'm suffocating. Every breath I attempt steals a little more oxygen, and with it, a piece of my life. I'm sorry… so sorry. At home, my absence will echo with worry. My brother will be the first to notice, then my sister, I can already see it… If there's a god, I beg you, don't let me die like this. Give me one more chance. Just one. I'll be more careful, I'll be cautious, I beg you—but it's already too late.
The cold is gone. I feel nothing now, neither the water nor my own body. Around me, there is nothing but emptiness. An unfathomable darkness engulfs me, a void where neither light nor life can exist. I understand now. It's no longer water that surrounds me, but the very absence of everything.
I'm dead.
Don't mock me. What do you expect of me, anyway? I refuse. I refuse to die, even if death has already claimed my body. It doesn't matter because my soul remains intact. Proof? I'm still here, conscious, in this infinite abyss surrounding me. If no god answers my prayers, then I will become my own sovereign. I still have so much to accomplish, so much life to live. This is not where my story ends.
I'm restless, my mind whirling in this eternal void. How much time has passed since I was imprisoned here? Is this hell? Paradise? Is this where the souls of the dead get lost? Don't make me laugh. All this, for that? There must be a way out, and I will find it, no matter the cost.
But nothing. Still nothing. Time seems to have lost all meaning, like a frozen river. Is it still flowing, out there? I hope so... that I might return to my family as if none of this had ever happened.
Then suddenly, a voice. A soft melody, like a thread of light in this ocean of darkness. It's a female voice, singing in a language I do not understand.
Yet each note, each word, seems to tell me a story—a tale not yet lived, and perhaps also a long-forgotten past. Finally! I thought I would be alone for eternity, this voice might save me! But why a voice, here, in the midst of nothingness?
Suddenly, everything changes. A dazzling light, of infinite purity, sweeps away the darkness. I'm floating, above a mountain range and a lush green forest. I've returned to our world! But... where is that place, that's clearly not-
"This is not your world," a female voice murmurs in my mind. Her voice feels familiar.
"This world, you see, is very different from yours. Here, there is magic, swords, adventures, and mysteries. Others from your world are sometimes summoned to this world in order save it, but you, I must say, are quite different."
It's all very confusing, but Im wondering ?—have I, too, been summoned here?
"No. You have not been summoned. In reality, it's you who summoned this world to yourself. By your will alone, you caused something unimaginable, even to the gods. You brought your world and this one into collision, freezing time in your universe. I was made to not have an actual soul, but even so, you scare me, you're not human"
Human? But of course I am! A perfectly ordinary seventeen-year-old boy.
"I opened the path to this world for you. If I hadn't, your will would have crushed both worlds by fusing them in chaos. You truly are terrifying."
Silence. She can read my thoughts, so why bother replying? But I might as well enjoy this second chance? It's not like I know how to come back home, so I might as well be happy about it.
Suddenly, the darkness returns. What's happening? Am I being sent back into the void? No, it can't be… Did this voice lie to me? She said she'd open a path to this world, not that I'd fall back into the abyss... Please, not like this.
Wait… I understand now. I just have my eyes closed.
I slowly open my eyelids, and… it's magnificent. Before me stretches a vast plain, an infinite sea of green, far from the dull gray buildings of my old world. Everything here seems more vibrant, more alive. I have indeed been transported to this world.
As I take in my surroundings, I realize I'm sitting at the base of a lone tree, the only one breaking the endless green expanse. In the distance, a forest of towering trees rises. A bit lost, I feel strangely reassured, though. Everything will be fine.
Turning around, I notice a dirt path winding through the plain. If that voice didn't deceive me, I'm in a medieval world where magic and sword are common place, much like the fantasy stories I used to love reading. Trusting my instincts, this path should lead to a village.
But something is off… My steps are awkward, I'm disoriented, and... I'm not the same height as before. Wait, this isn't my body?! My hands—they're different, stronger. And I'm taller, much taller. In fact, I'm… rather well-built. These muscles make me feel like I could win any fight, it's almost unfair.
My clothes are different too: brown leather boots, rustic pants, probably reflecting the medieval nature of this world, and a beige shirt, rough and uncomfortable, as if it had belonged to a peasant. Maybe this body isn't really mine. Maybe it belonged to someone from here, a resident of this world… But what's the point of thinking about that now? I want to go home.
I leave the tree's protective shade and am immediately dazzled by the bright sunlight. It appears to be midday, the sky clear, bathing the landscape in a warm golden glow.
I take a step forward, my stride more confident, and begin to follow the dirt path. A strong feeling of deja vu suddenly hit me.
Im sure of it, I know this place.... I'll think about it later
– Hot, it's way too hot. The sun is high in the sky, relentless, burning everything in its path. This is really not the time for walking. I've been on this dirt road for hours now, and I'm starting to doubt my instincts. I was sure this path would lead me to a village, but in truth, it's only leading me to exhaustion, to a slow death by fatigue. I don't want to die again, not yet. I don't think I'll get another chance like this. All I want is to see a village... Just one, please.
I continue down the road, my steps growing heavier and heavier, until after a few minutes... there, on the horizon, something appears. A village! A village...? HECK, THAT'S NOT A VILLAGE!
It's far too big for a village! My intuition has betrayed me once again. I had imagined a small, quiet hamlet, but what stands before me is something else entirely. At the end of this dusty road that I've followed since the plain where I awoke is, in fact, an immense city.
Gigantic white walls encircle the city, like invincible ramparts, their towers reaching toward the sky like silent guardians. They are so tall they seem to touch the clouds, and yet, they are only the first line of defense. At the center of this stone fortress, a majestic castle rises, towering over everything in size and splendor. Its slender towers, covered in dark slate roofs, reflect the azure sky. Its walls, adorned with gold and silver, glisten under the oppressive sunlight.
The city sprawls all around, a sea of red-tiled roofs, cobbled streets, and elegant houses. Bridges arch over rivers that wind between buildings, and bustling markets overflow with colors and life. The bells of churches ring in the distance, and I can even hear the chatter of city folk going about their business in the streets. The flags of noble houses flutter in the wind, displaying bright colors and heraldic crests, while colossal statues line the main avenues, paying homage to some heroes of the past, or so I guess.
The fact that I seem to know about this place is pretty confusing, my head hurt...
Im just a simple seventeen-year-old dude, used to the dull, and disgusting building of Earth, with no charm, with the sole purpose of stacking humans like some ants, but now... I can finally lay my eyes on something truly amazing. Crap, this is way too cool.
I take a deep breath. Maybe my instincts didn't lie to me after all. I wanted a village, but now I stand before a capital. Strangely enough, this place feels familiar, almost nostalgic.
With a light heart, I move forward toward the massive capital. The main entrance is an imposing gate set into the walls, and the dirt road I've been following leads directly to it. In front of me, a long queue snakes its way to the entrance.
Clearly, I'm not the only one trying to get in, but I must be the most lost of them all. Quietly, I slip to the back of the line. In front of me, merchants with carriages overflowing with goods, as well as mercenaries and adventurers, all armed to the teeth. Even the merchants are armed... This world seems much more dangerous than mine. Yet I haven't encountered anything threatening on my way. Maybe Im lucky.
As I move closer, I hear an argument brewing. A young woman, stunningly beautiful, stands in front of a guard at the entrance, her fiery red hair billowing in the wind. She has a fierce grace, like a burning torch in the night. Her delicate features, luminous skin, and especially her striking green eyes give her an almost otherworldly charm. She wears light armor, which hugs her elegant form, and a sword is strapped to her waist. Her posture exudes both strength and determination, but also a hint of frustration, amplified by her furrowed brow and clenched fists.
"Let me in! I'm a fairly well-known adventurer, you've surely heard of Elvaria Ofcroft, haven't you? The great Elvaria!" she exclaims, her voice full of pride.
The guard, impassive, replies in a weary tone: "I already told you, miss, I don't know you. And we don't let people in without their identity card."
"I'm telling you I lost it! L-O-S-T!" she retorts, visibly at the end of her patience.
I should probably stay out of it, but… this situation is starting to irritate me. I've been waiting for two hours under a scorching sun, and all because of this endless argument. My body may be stronger than before, but my feet are painfully reminding me of my limits. It's time to put an end to this chaos.
I step out of line, fully aware of the dark glares from the other adventurers and mercenaries, as if I just cut in front of them. Whatever. The closer I get, the more clearly I can hear the conversation – or rather, the confrontation.
"Excuse me, but is this line blocked because of...?"
The moment the words leave my mouth, both of them suddenly fall silent. Huh? Why the sudden silence? Is it my aura? My natural charisma, perhaps? More seriously, this is a bit strange.
After a moment, the guard speaks: "But why didn't you tell us earlier that you were a noble, sire? And why these commoner clothes? Has something happened to you? If you had informed us, we would have let you in immediately!"
Pardon? A noble? Me? I appeared in a plain wearing rags; there must be some mistake.
"Uh... excuse me, Mr. Guard, but I think there's been a misunderstanding. I'm not a noble, these clothes are really mine..." I say, embarrassed by the situation.
The guard bursts out laughing, as if I had just told a joke. "Ah, I see, you're on a secret mission, huh? Don't worry, I know a noble when I see one. Look at yourself, that perfectly chiseled face, your black eyes that sparkle like jewels, and that wild yet sophisticated look your brown hair gives you. Believe me, you couldn't be a commoner with such poise."
... I'm blushing with shame. Okay, I hadn't seen my face until now, but judging by the description, it seems I have a "handsome face." But hearing all this from a guard makes me uncomfortable. If only the girl were complimenting me like that...
I decide to play along. "Ahaha, you have a keen eye, Mr. Guard. Indeed, I am a noble on a secret mission. By the way, this young lady beside me is my companion. May we enter together?"
The guard, puffed up with pride at his own judgment, bows slightly. "Of course, sire! Welcome to the royal capital of Iveralmn, Elvaria-whatever-her-name-is!"
The massive gate opens before me, allowing the majestic city to welcome me as I pass under the perplexed gazes of the crowd.
"I made it in!" I exclaim aloud, without even trying to contain my joy, just after passing through the gigantic walls of Iveralmn's capital. A smile spreads across my lips as I gaze at the vast city before me, the first real civilization I've encountered since arriving here, I mean, it's not like I've been wondering for years so it's fine.
This sense of relief feels almost unreal. To be fair, I really feel like I know this place.. The last thing I remember from my original world is the violent cramp that caused me to sink into the water, while I was trying to help that child. And now, here I am in this strange world. After hours of wandering alone, I've finally reached civilization.
"Ahem." A discreet yet firm cough interrupts my euphoria. I quickly turn to see where the voice came from. And there she is – the pretty red-haired adventurer, Elvaria. The one I helped get into the city thanks to my little ruse. She's standing in front of me, looking at me with a mix of curiosity and suspicion. Well, it's time to make a move.
"Your name was Elvaria, right?" I take a calm and composed tone, hoping to hide the excitement bubbling inside me. After all, she's the first person I've truly interacted with in this world.
"Indeed, that is my name. I have several questions for you," she begins, crossing her arms under her chest, her expression remaining serious. "But first, thank you for helping me get in. Now, first question: what is your name?"
Her gaze is sharp, full of suspicion. I understand her attitude. After all, I helped her without her knowing why, and in a world as unforgiving as this, that could seem suspicious.
"My name is Aley Vrodwil, seventeen years old. Nice to meet you," I say, trying to keep a relaxed smile. But to my surprise, her expression grows even more doubtful.
"Aley, then... Alright. But you really don't look like a noble. Why did you help me earlier?"
Ah, I knew she'd ask that question. I could tell her it was simply to unblock the line, but... I might as well try to score some points with her. After all, getting closer to an adventurer who knows this world could be useful. And let's be honest... she's really pretty.
"Well, I don't know much about this capital, and I thought you might be able to help me, Elvaria. And... I had no reason not to lend a hand to a beautiful girl in distress," I say with a slight smile, trying to play on charm. In reality, I have no experience with flirting, so this is a huge gamble.
To my great surprise, Elvaria blushed instantly, her cheeks turning as red as her hair.
"O-Oh, I see... You're really sweet," she stammered, clearly taken aback. This change in attitude was unexpected, to say the least. It seemed my strategy was working better than I had anticipated.
Sensing an opportunity, I decided to push forward.
"So, how about showing me around the city? I'd also like to become an adventurer," I said, a little bolder this time.
No sooner had I finished speaking than her eyes lit up with an almost childlike excitement. She suddenly straightened up, her red hair swirling around her face as she replied, her voice full of joy:
"An adventurer? D-Did I hear that right? If you want to become an adventurer, you must join my team, okay? Well... there's no one else at the moment, but I promise that under the leadership of the great Elvaria, we will conquer the heights of this world!"
I looked at her, somewhat surprised. Her overflowing enthusiasm starkly contrasted with the image of the strong and intimidating woman she projected in front of the guards. This "great adventurer" suddenly seemed much softer and cuter. So that was it, her tough act was just a façade? She was probably as new to the idea of adventuring as I was. This great Elvaria, with all her bravado, might simply be trying to make a name for herself.
I couldn't help but smirk. Sure, my main goal was still to find a way to return to my own world, but joining an adventurer's team might help me achieve that. After all, if this world works like the fantasy novels I used to read, adventurers form teams to explore dungeons, complete quests, and eventually become stronger. There's a good chance that if I rise through the ranks in this world, I'll find a way back home.
And then... there was that mysterious voice that told me I had "frozen" my original world. That means I have all the time in the world to explore this new reality without anything changing for my loved ones. They won't even notice my absence. So, why not enjoy this second life? I could...
-Reach paradise once again-
What even is that place, why did I think about it ?
I hope that when I return home to mom and dad, I'll be someone they can be proud of
"Alright," I said with renewed confidence, "I'll join your team, Elvaria, or should I call you team leader now ?"
She burst out laughing, as happy as a child, and grabbed my arm to lead me through this immense capital. I don't really like the proximity but sure
"Let's go then, partner! The great Elvaria and her sidekick are going to conquer this world, you'll see!" she exclaim, but me ? a sidekick ? really ?
A bit later on :
I realize now, perhaps a bit late, that this might not be the best time to bring this up, given Elvaria's excitement. For the past 45 minutes, she's been dragging me by the arm around the capital, showing me her favorite spots and giving me a full tour of the city. I've never seen her this energetic. She's constantly smiling, her eyes shining with enthusiasm as she comments on every street corner with obvious pleasure.
We first visited the central square, a vast esplanade adorned with a colossal statue of a hero from long ago. The square, circular in shape, is lined with shops, mostly restaurants, which is no surprise given its size and beauty. The place is steeped in history, every nook and cranny seemingly telling a heroic tale from the past. I have to admit, the view is splendid, and the place is so lively that I understand why it's a prime spot for restaurateurs.
Elvaria didn't stop there, dragging me next to the commercial street, a long, straight avenue teeming with people. Here, everyone seems to cross paths: families, adventurers loaded with gear, merchants shouting their daily deals. According to Elvaria, this is the busiest spot in the whole capital. And she's right. The energy radiating from this street is contagious, even for someone like me who's only been here for a short time. She introduced me to skewers of meatballs, a local specialty apparently made from "goliath" meat, a monster native to this world. The cooking was perfect, and the taste... nothing like anything I'd ever tasted in my previous life. I quickly understood why these skewers were so popular.
Elvaria, for her part, seemed completely in her element, smiling non-stop, even humming from time to time, to the point where passersby looked at us with knowing smiles. It was obvious that many took us for a young couple, strolling through the capital's streets, carefree. And while the thought embarrassed me a little, Elvaria didn't seem to even realize the image she was projecting. She was just having fun, plain and simple.
But as I was enjoying the moment, a thought crept in, disturbing my peace. There's a problem we've ignored so far, a problem we need to fix quickly. It's probably going to kill the mood, but better to deal with it now than be caught off guard later.
"Elvaria," I said, my tone a little more serious. "I'm really happy you're showing me around the city. Seeing you so cheerful is almost a reward for me. But... do you remember the main problem?"
She turned her face toward me, her eyes still sparkling with excitement, and the smile hadn't left her lips for even a second.
"What problem?" she asked, with a disarming innocence.
I took a breath. Right, time to bring her back to reality, even if it might spoil her mood.
"Well, we still don't have our identity cards."
At those words, I saw her expression change completely. She went from euphoria to shock in a split second. Her previously radiant face froze with the weight of realization. She had totally forgotten. And her expression confirmed it instantly.
"Aley... I-I'm sorry... I completely forgot. I was so caught up in the tour and..." She trailed off, her face now filled with regret. Her shoulders slumped slightly, and guilt was written all over her features. "I was having so much fun, I forgot we had such an important problem..." A part of me feel like this isn't how Elvaria should act, even if this is supposed to be our first meeting, Im sure that...
I know her... ?
Her apologies were sincere, but I couldn't help finding her even more charming in this vulnerable state. She was so serious about having caused me trouble that it made her even more endearing. Still, I knew I couldn't soften too easily. After all, I had to stay focused on our situation.
"It's not a big deal, Elvaria," I said gently, trying not to push her too hard, "but we need to find a way to get those identity cards quickly. If we leave the capital without them, we might not be able to get back in so easily."
She nodded, clearly still affected by her oversight, but determined to make it right. "Yeah... you're right. We need to take care of this right away. I'm really sorry I caused this..."
"It's nothing, really. But we should get going. Where can we get these cards?" I asked, trying to steer the conversation in a more constructive direction.
Elvaria thought for a moment, then, slowly regaining her smile, motioned for me to follow her. "There's a place where we can do that. I know the way, follow me."
We started walking toward a quieter part of the city, away from the hustle and bustle of the main streets. As we moved, I noticed that Elvaria had regained some of her enthusiasm, but she seemed visibly more focused. I guessed the seriousness of the situation was weighing on her, and she felt responsible.
Along the way, I found myself watching her. Her long red hair, softly swirling behind her, kept drawing my gaze. It caught the sunlight, creating a sort of halo around her. Her armor, though simple, fit her slim but athletic frame perfectly, reinforcing the impression of strength and grace that she exuded. Yet, there was this childlike sweetness, this innocence that came through in her every movement, as if she wasn't fully aware of the image she projected.
Everything seemed extremely nostalgic, as if this wasn't my first time here, I felt at ease, at home, I need to understand more, and to do that, I need to live in this world, I need to be prepared. And getting those identity cards was the first step.