The night air was heavy with the smell of death, each breath filled with the sharp scent of blood. Atop a steep mountain, a figure in black armor struggled to climb, dragging a hurt leg behind him. Six large wings spread from his back, but four were torn and broken, flapping weakly as he moved.
Every step was painful, the weight of his body reminding him of his suffering. When he reached the top, the sight before him made his heart race. He stood among piles of corpses—some were human, while others were strange, twisted creatures.
The figure let out a crazed laugh that echoed in the darkness. "So this is the so-called pinnacle of existence!" he said, a twisted grin spreading across his face as he looked at the horror around him.
But his laughter stopped suddenly. He heard faint whispers calling a name—Zhang Yan. The sound grew louder, mixing into a haunting chorus. Suddenly, a loud banging echoed, like a heartbeat in the stillness of the night.
And then, Aiden woke up.
He sat up quickly, gasping for air, his body soaked in sweat. The pain from being stabbed rushed back, sharp and real, sending shockwaves through him. Aiden pressed his hand to his head, trying to shake off the nightmare. But as he did, a sharp pain pulsed through his skull, as if something was stabbing his brain.
Images flooded his mind—memories of a man named Zhang Yan flashed before him: moments of joy, sadness, and fear mixed together. Aiden staggered back, overwhelmed, and fell to the ground, gasping for breath as his vision blurred.
He couldn't tell where his own thoughts ended and Zhang Yan's began. Who was Zhang yuan ? And why did he feel so connected to this stranger's life?
As he lay on the cold ground, Aiden fought against the waves of emotions crashing over him. He had been reborn, but the memories of another life pressed on him, demanding his attention.
With all his strength, Aiden pushed himself back to his feet, determination flickering inside him. If he was to survive in this new world, he needed to understand both the darkness within him and the memories of Zhang Yan that now mixed with his own.
He took a deep breath, the air still heavy with the smell of death, and began to explore his surroundings, ready to face whatever lay ahead.
As the chaotic remnants of his dream faded, Aiden blinked and looked around the dim room. It slowly dawned on him that he was no longer in his own body but in the body of someone named Zhang Yan. Confusion swirled in his mind, but before he could process it further, he heard a knock at the door.
Startled, he hesitated for a moment, his heart racing. Who could it be? He walked cautiously to the door, a mixture of anxiety and curiosity coursing through him. As he opened it, he found a young woman standing there, concern etched across her face.
"Are you alright?" she asked. "I heard some strange noises coming from here. I thought I should check on you."
Aiden rubbed the back of his neck, trying to collect his thoughts. "I—uh, I'm fine," he replied, unsure if he should share the truth about the chaos that had just unfolded in his mind. "Just had a strange dream, I guess."
She studied him for a moment, her brow furrowing. "You don't look fine. You seem a bit shaken. Did something happen?"
"I'm just trying to figure things out," Aiden said, forcing a reassuring smile. "I've… had a lot on my mind."
He recognized her from Zhang Yan's memories, though she hadn't introduced herself. Her face sparked a flicker of familiarity, a connection that felt oddly comforting amid the chaos.
"Just take care of yourself," she said, her concern lingering in her eyes. "If you need help, I'm around."
With that, she turned to leave, her footsteps fading down the corridor. Aiden closed the door and leaned against it, letting out a deep breath.
Now alone, he tried to organize his thoughts. How had he ended up in this body? What had happened to him? The memories of his previous life felt distant yet vivid. Just as he began to make sense of it all, he noticed a movement out of the corner of his eye.
His heart raced as he turned, and there it was—a mechanical insect, the very same one he had seen just before his death. It hovered in the air, its metallic wings shimmering in the dim light, reminding him of the strange transformation he had experienced.
"What are you doing here?" he whispered, feeling a strange mix of fear and intrigue.