At the heart of a nearby forest, a solitary orange cabin stood nestled among the trees. Vibrant flowers and lush plants adorned its exterior, spilling over onto the porch and creeping inside. The wooden walls, weathered and worn, only added to the cabin's unique charm, while its windows glowed warmly in the light of the rising sun. The vivid colors of the flowers—ranging from the deep crimson of roses to the delicate lavender of lilies—created a striking contrast against the serene backdrop.
The sky above was peaceful and quiet. Birds perched in the trees, their songs filling the air with melodious harmonies that echoed in every direction. Flowers bloomed in abundance, their colors brilliant under the soft light of dawn. Through the dusty windowpane, the sunlight filtered in, casting long, lazy shadows across the cabin floor. Inside, a boy lay asleep in a deep, undisturbed slumber. He wasn't particularly handsome—just an average young man with unremarkable features.
In the corner of the bed, a large, fluffy cat with orange fur and emerald eyes curled up, its body twisted in an awkward, contorted position. With a slow, deliberate stretch, the cat unwound itself, yawning before leaping onto the bed. It gently licked the boy's face, its persistence breaking through his dreams. His eyes fluttered open, his face creased in a sleepy smile. The cat purred softly, rubbing its head against his cheek. The boy, still groggy, reached out and scratched the cat behind its ears.
"Hey there, go easy, Tobey! Can't you see I'm still half asleep? Just give me a second," the boy murmured, his voice thick with sleep.
"Meow, meow, meow..." Tobey's persistent meowing seemed to demand attention, as if reminding the boy it was time to rise.
Finally, Zero gave in, groaning as he reached for the cat. "Ahhh, you spoiled brat! Fine, fine, I'll get up!" he grumbled as he gently patted Tobey's soft fur.
Once up, Zero began his morning routine. He stepped outside into the backyard garden, where fresh vegetables, eggs, and milk from his cows were all within easy reach.
Zero had always preferred fruits and vegetables, so he set to work, slicing carrots, potatoes, broccoli, cauliflower, and other ingredients for his favorite vegan dish.
After preparing his meal, Zero stepped outside once more, eager to cool down and get some fresh air. He ventured deeper into the lush forest, where towering trees loomed overhead. A smile tugged at his lips as he walked, his thoughts drifting back to his past life. "Maybe being reincarnated wasn't so bad after all," he mused, "This peaceful life is exactly what I deserve."
As he walked deeper into the eerily quiet forest, a faint glow caught his attention. Curiosity piqued, he abandoned his plans and moved toward the mysterious light.
The glow intensified as he neared it, leading him to the entrance of a cave. Without hesitation, Zero entered, undeterred by the strange sensation that seemed to pulse from within.
Having lived alone since the former owner was banished into the wilderness, Zero had no fear of the unknown. He was used to solitude.
"Damn it, it's only been a year, but this déjà vu... this feels different," he muttered, climbing the rocky terrain toward a small hole nestled in the mountain. With little effort, he squeezed through the opening.
When Zero had first been transported from his previous world to this one, he'd immediately set out to adapt to his new surroundings. He marked the stone walls with his knife to avoid getting lost in the wild.
Following the trail, he came across the strange source of the glowing light—a serene pond, its surface shimmering with blue particles. The energies it emitted were calming, almost inviting.
"I was planning to relax by the lake today, but since I'm already here..." Zero thought aloud, feeling a sense of intrigue stir within him.
He knelt by the pond, carefully scooping up a handful of water. It tasted like Sprite—only better. "Whoooa! I never thought I'd taste something like this in my entire life."
He chuckled, a tear slipping from the corner of his eye as nostalgia overwhelmed him. "This... this is what nostalgia tastes like."
Without thinking, he stripped off his clothes and stepped into the pond, letting the cool water embrace him. "Ahhh, this is the life. This is what I deserve," he murmured, sinking deeper into the soothing waters. Every pore of his body absorbed the blue particles, washing away his stress and fatigue.
Over the next several days, Zero made a habit of visiting the pond, which he eventually named "Sprite Zero Spring." His naming skills weren't exactly groundbreaking, but he couldn't deny the sense of pride he felt as though he had just discovered something world-changing.
---
Two years passed, and the once abundant source of pleasure began to dwindle. The water no longer shimmered as it once had. Zero sighed as he stared at the now dull pond, muttering, "All good things must come to an end."
He wondered when he might stumble upon another source like it and why such a powerful spring had disappeared so quickly. Little did he know, he had unknowingly consumed all of its power, and it was now gone.
Returning to his cabin in a foul mood, Zero fed his cat and climbed into bed. He contemplated his next move—perhaps there was another mysterious source out there waiting to be found. He was determined to search for it.
As he turned off the cabin lights and settled under the covers, exhaustion overtook him. But unknown to him, something was happening deep within his body. Strange blue particles of light began to weave into his very cells, altering his being on a molecular level.
The pond he had discovered was no ordinary body of water—it was the Vitality Elixir of Life, capable of reviving the dead and granting immortality to those who consumed it. But the Elixir worked in subtle, slow ways. It didn't cause instant transformation but rather a gradual, quiet evolution.
Zero, the first person to consume an entire pond of this powerful liquid, had no idea that this act would forever change him. And, if anyone ever learned of what he had done, they would hunt him down, furious for the atrocities he had committed.
Though the effects would take time to manifest, the seeds of a transformation had been planted—one that would alter Zero's very existence forever.