In the endless abyss of darkness, a lone figure stood, looking around in confusion. The space was empty, cold, and silent.
What am I doing here?
I was just... Wait, what was I doing before this?
The figure frowned, struggling to remember.
I had a name, didn't I?
What was it?
He tried to focus, but nothing came to mind. His thoughts were blank, like he had forgotten everything.
Suddenly, a sharp pain hit him, and he clutched his head in frustration.
What's happening to me!?
Why am I here!?
Who am I!?
His voice echoed into the darkness, but there was no response.
Then, out of nowhere, a calm voice answered.
"(Calm down, my lord. Everything is fine.)"
The figure froze.
Lord? he thought.
Which lord?
"Who are you? Who am I? What is this place? Tell me everything!" he demanded.
The voice remained calm.
"(I cannot explain everything right now. But this is all your doing.)"
My doing? The figure was confused.
"Why would I do something like this? And why should I believe you?"
"(I am just your loyal servant. Your memories will return in time, and everything will make sense.)"
After a moment of silence, the figure sighed.
"If this is my doing, then fine. But how long do I have to stay here? And what happens next?"
"(Not much longer. You are about to start a new life—with a new family.)"
A new life? A new family?
"I don't understand," he said, feeling lost.
"(You will, in time. For now, just be patient. When you are reborn, I will speak to you again.)"
"Wait!" the figure called out, but the voice was gone. No matter how much he shouted, there was no reply. After a while, he stopped, trying to stay calm as the voice had told him.
Eventually, the darkness began to fade. He heard the muffled cries of a woman in the distance. The cries of a newborn filled the air, and the figure blinked as he started to wake up.
So, this is what he meant by a new life, the figure thought, feeling a bit more relaxed. At least there's no danger right now.
He felt the warmth of a pair of arms cradling him, and he opened his eyes to see a beautiful woman with the same white hair as his. She smiled at him, her touch gentle and soothing. He felt safe.
This feels... good, he thought, smiling back at her.
---
"His name will be Ryan Alestra," a deep voice said from somewhere in the room.
Ryan, the figure thought to himself.
That doesn't sound bad at all.
Ryan, now knowing his new name, looked around the room. He saw a little girl nearby, laughing and reaching out to him, trying to get his attention. Her smile was so pure and full of joy that Ryan couldn't help but feel connected to her.
So, this is my new family, Ryan thought, starting to feel at ease.
But then something strange happened. Ryan's eyes began to glow a bright blue, and golden runes appeared on the back of his hand. They pulsed with power, and a familiar voice echoed in his mind.
"(My lord, now that you are calm, I want to show you something.)"
Ryan's vision blurred, and suddenly, he was standing in the middle of some ancient ruins. A woman with purple hair and eyes stood there, laughing wildly. Her aura was terrifying, and the power around her was overwhelming.
"(Be careful of her,)" the voice warned.
"(Your destiny is linked to hers. She can either become your greatest ally or your worst enemy. I guided her to those ruins because of your past arrangements, but she has grown stronger because of it. You must keep an eye on her.)"
Ryan looked at the woman again, trying to recall anything about her.
"I think I remember something... about magic... and laws. Is that because of the runes and my eyes?"
"(Yes, those are connected to your past powers. But do not use them yet. If you do, she might sense you. Right now, you're too weak to face her.)"
Ryan nodded.
"You're right. Whether she's a friend or enemy, meeting her now would be dangerous. Especially if she can use the power of those runes—they're similar to mine."
"(Exactly. That's why she can sense you. After some time, you should be strong enough to handle her.)"
Ryan sighed.
"It'll take me at least 12 years to reach her current strength. She'll keep getting stronger too. Maybe I'll need 16 or even 18 years."
"(Now that everything is settled, I will leave. But before I go, there is one last thing—)"
"Master Ryan! Master Ryan!" A voice broke through his thoughts, pulling him back to reality. Ryan blinked and found himself in his room. A young maid was standing beside him, gently shaking him awake.
"Young master, wake up! It's time to get up!" she said.
"I'm awake, I'm awake," Ryan grumbled, rubbing his eyes as he sat up in bed.
The maid, Lana, smiled.
"Young master, you look so handsome today!" she said as she helped him get dressed. Ryan glanced at himself in the mirror—his white hair and blue eyes stood out against his red jacket and white pants.
"Thanks, Lana. You're too kind."
"You're always so polite, young master!" Lana smiled, finishing her work.
"Should I head down for breakfast now? I don't want to be late."
"Yes, young master. You don't want your sister to start without you."
Ryan chuckled and headed toward the large dining room. When he opened the door, he saw his family already seated.
"I guess I'm the last one today," he said with a smile, sitting next to his sister, Aria.
"Little Ryan is finally here! Now we can start eating!" Aria cheered as she eagerly dug into her plate.
"You really love your food, don't you?" Ryan teased.
"I'm a growing girl!" Aria shot back, stuffing her face.
"Yeah, you are," Ryan said with a grin. But before he could say more, Aria pinched his cheeks.
"You little brat! Do you still think I'm fat?" Aria said, narrowing her eyes.
"Ow! No, sis! I was just joking!" Ryan pleaded.
"Hmph, as long as you know," Aria said, letting go of his cheeks and returning to her food.
Rubbing his red cheeks, Ryan joined in, eating alongside his family.
"You two are always so lively in the morning," their mother, Alena, said, smiling at the playful banter.
"Seeing you kids makes it easier to deal with all that paperwork," their father, Aron, added with a laugh.
"You really hate paperwork, don't you?" Ryan asked.
"More than you can imagine," Aron sighed.
"Well, at least Mom helps you with it."
"That's the only reason I'm even willing to do it. I get to spend time with your mother," Aron said with a wink, leaning over to kiss Alena on the cheek.
Alena smiled at his affectionate gesture and continued eating.
Ryan's mind, which had been in turmoil due to the previous dream, relaxed slightly as he looked at his family; he smiled briefly as he looked at them and continued eating.
For a moment, the dining room was quiet as they all enjoyed their breakfast.
---