[ Large Chapter Warning!! ]

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March 2, 2014

10:18 AM

The jungle, blanketed by fresh snow, was eerily silent except for the soft crunch of hurried footsteps. An eight-year-old boy with black hair and wide brown eyes darted through the trees, his breath forming quick clouds in the frigid air. He wore only a thin shirt and pants, clothes far too light for the biting cold, yet he pushed forward as though fleeing from something unseen.

The deeper he ran into the forest, the heavier his steps became. His energy drained, his legs trembled until, finally, his foot caught on a hidden rock beneath the snow. He stumbled, crashing to the ground, the impact sending a sharp pain through his knees.

"Ow…" he muttered, wincing as he tried to sit up.

A voice, gentle but curious, broke the cold silence. "Are you okay?" it asked from a few meters away.

Startled, the black-haired boy's head shot up. Standing just ahead was another boy, also eight, but vastly different. He had blonde hair that shone like gold even in the muted light of the snowy forest, and his golden eyes were bright with concern. The boy was dressed in a luxurious winter coat, thick and warm, a stark contrast to the black-haired boy's thin attire.

The black-haired boy shrank back instinctively, his eyes wide with fear, trembling as he stared at the other.

"Hey, it's okay. What's wrong? You look scared. Do you need help?" the blonde boy asked again, his voice gentle but persistent.

"Just… leave me alone," the black-haired boy mumbled, his voice barely above a whisper. He tried to push himself up, but his legs betrayed him, weak and shaky from exhaustion and cold. Just as he was about to fall back into the snow, the blonde boy lunged forward to catch him.

But something happened.

Before their hands could touch, an invisible force erupted between them, a shockwave so strong it flung them both back. The blonde boy was thrown against a nearby tree, the impact knocking the wind out of him, while the black-haired boy hit the ground hard, pain jolting through his body.

Between them, where their hands had almost met, an orb of light began to form. It hovered in the air, glowing brighter with every second. It wasn't just any light—it was a perfect sphere, half black and half white, with a small white dot in the black half and a black dot in the white. It was the embodiment of yin and yang, swirling in balance and harmony.

Both boys stared in shock, their eyes wide with confusion and awe.

Suddenly, the orb exploded in a flash of light, shaking the entire jungle. The blast echoed through the trees, and for a fleeting moment, a massive yin and yang symbol appeared in the sky before fading into the cold, snowy air.

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Ten years later

March 2, 2024

4:02 PM

Virevale City, Antherion Country

In a bustling classroom at Virevale Crest Academy, students were hurriedly packing their bags, eager to head home. Among them, a young man with mid-length black hair and deep brown eyes zipped up his backpack, a casual expression on his face.

Standing beside him was a girl with short, dark brown hair and sharp black eyes. Her smile was teasing but warm. "So, what's the plan today, Akondo?" she asked, adjusting her gray school uniform.

Akondo shrugged nonchalantly, slinging his bag over his shoulder. "Nothing special today. Maybe tomorrow."

Seren narrowed her eyes playfully, crossing her arms. "Come on, I know you don't have any plans. Don't try to dodge me."

He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Seren, I swear, I've got stuff to do today. My mom needs help with some things. I can't hang out, not today."

Seren's shoulders slumped slightly, disappointment clear on her face, but she forced a smile. "Alright... I guess I can't argue with that. But at least we can walk home together, right?"

Seeing her expression, Akondo softened. He glanced around the now-empty classroom, and before Seren could react, he leaned in and placed a gentle kiss on her forehead. "Don't be upset. I really can't make it today," he said softly.

Her face lit up, a soft blush coloring her cheeks. "Aww… You're always so sweet, Akondo."

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The two walked side by side down the quiet streets, the late afternoon sun casting a soft golden glow over Virevale City. Akondo wore a gray shirt beneath a dark jacket, his school uniform blending with the city's muted tones. Seren, still in her school uniform, had her jacket tied loosely around her waist, her hand intertwined with Akondo's as they chatted.

After a while, they reached a familiar crossroads where the road split into three different directions. Seren turned to face him, giving him a tight hug. "Alright, I guess this is where we part ways. See you tomorrow?" she asked, her voice tinged with a hint of hope.

Akondo hugged her back, smiling softly. "Yeah, tomorrow. Take care, Seren."

With a wave, she headed down the left path, leaving Akondo standing there, watching her walk away.

As Seren disappeared around the corner, she suddenly turned back with a bright smile, waving one last time. Akondo waved in return, his lips curling into a small but genuine smile. As soon as she was out of sight, his smile faded, replaced by a thoughtful expression. He shoved his hands into his jacket pockets and started down the path on the right, the cool afternoon breeze brushing against his face.

The streets were quiet, with only the distant hum of cars and the occasional chirp of birds breaking the silence. The neighborhood was lined with trees whose leaves were just beginning to change color, hinting at the coming of autumn. Akondo walked steadily, his eyes flicking occasionally to the ground, lost in thought.

After a few minutes, he stopped in front of a modest, two-story house with a small garden out front. The house was old but well-maintained, the kind that felt warm even from the outside. His gaze lingered on the front porch, where a pair of shoes were neatly placed by the door—his mother's habit of keeping the entrance orderly. He reached for the doorknob and quietly let himself in.

The familiar scent of freshly baked cake hit him as soon as he entered. The warmth from the kitchen contrasted with the cool air outside, enveloping him in a cozy embrace. He took off his shoes, adding them to the line at the door, and walked deeper into the house.

In the kitchen, his mother was hard at work, her back turned to him as she carefully frosted a cake. She was a woman in her late forties, her long hair tied into a loose bun with a few strands escaping around her face. She wore glasses that had slid down her nose as she concentrated on the task in front of her. The kitchen was a cheerful mess—flour dusted the countertops, mixing bowls were scattered about, and the smell of vanilla lingered in the air.

"Hey, Mom," Akondo said, his voice soft as he leaned against the doorframe. "What are you up to?"

His mother jumped slightly, startled, and turned to face him with a guilty smile. "Oh, Akon! You're home already? I thought I'd be done with this before you got back. I'm sorry, dear."

Akondo's eyes drifted to the cake she was decorating, the colorful icing giving it away. "Is this for my birthday?" he asked, his tone flat.

His mother smiled sheepishly, brushing some flour off her hands. "Yes… I wanted to make something special for you."

Akondo sighed and crossed his arms, his expression darkening. "Mom, you know I hate birthdays."

His mother paused, her smile softening but not fading. "I know, Akon, but it's not just for you. It's for me too. My son is 18 today. How could I not celebrate that? My little boy is all grown up now." Her eyes glistened with a mix of pride and nostalgia.

Before she could say more, Akondo walked over and hugged her tightly. "Mom, you don't have to go through all this trouble. You're enough for me. I don't need a big celebration."

She returned the hug, patting his back gently. "Aww, Akon… you're sweet. But still, it makes me happy. Can't a mother do something special for her son on his big day?"

They parted, and she looked up at him with a fond smile. "Besides," she added, turning back to the cake with renewed energy, "I've made a big cake and arranged some things. I was hoping you'd invite some friends over in the evening."

Akondo shook his head, sighing again. "No, Mom. I'm not telling anyone about my birthday. I don't want a party or anything."

His mother raised an eyebrow as she adjusted her glasses, a playful glint in her eyes. "Not even Seren? Don't tell me you haven't told her it's your birthday either."

Akondo scratched the back of his head, suddenly feeling a bit embarrassed. "She doesn't know. And I'd like to keep it that way. I don't want to make a big deal out of it."

Akondo's mom raised an eyebrow, amused. "So no one knows about your birthday?"

"Nope. No one has a clue," Akondo replied, shrugging. "But don't worry, I'll take care of all this food myself. I'll be right back." He gave her a playful grin before heading upstairs.

Some time later, Akondo found himself slumped over the dining table, his stomach heavy from the feast. The plates surrounding him were half-empty, remnants of the meal still scattered around.

"Mom… I can't eat anymore," he groaned, his head resting against his arm. "This is way too much."

His mom stood at the doorway, chuckling softly. "I knew it! Ha ha. That's why you're so skinny."

"I am not skinny, Mom," Akondo protested, looking up at her. "It's called a 'perfect body.' You don't know anything about that."

His mother just laughed and waved her hand dismissively. "Sure, sure."

The evening stretched on. The clock read 9:12 p.m. Akondo was seated at his desk, studying, the soft glow of his desk lamp illuminating his notes. The house was quiet, his mom watching TV in the other room. Suddenly, his phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen—Seren was calling.

He reached for his phone, his finger hovering over the answer button when, without warning, a sharp, stabbing pain shot through his chest. He gasped, his hand trembling, the phone slipping from his grasp and clattering onto the floor.

A wave of nausea hit him, and Akondo doubled over, clutching his chest. What's happening? His thoughts raced in panic. His breathing became shallow and erratic, like his lungs were being squeezed by an invisible force. His vision blurred as he looked around the room, desperate for water, for anything to help.

"My chest… It hurts… Why does it feel like I'm being stabbed over and over?"

He staggered toward the door, each step a struggle, his body uncooperative. Reaching the top of the stairs, Akondo lost his balance, tumbling violently down the wooden steps.

The house echoed with the sickening thuds of his body crashing downward.

In the living room, his mom heard the noise, her heart leaping in fear. She rushed to the staircase, her face paling as she saw Akondo sprawled at the bottom, his body convulsing violently, his hands clenching his chest in agony.

"Akondo! What's happening?!" she shouted, kneeling beside him in a panic. Her hands shook as she cradled his head in her lap, frantically grabbing a glass of water from a nearby table. "Drink this! Please, Akon, drink!" She brought the glass closer to his lips, but Akondo was barely conscious, his screams of pain now hoarse and broken.

His vision was fading fast. "Am I dying? His thoughts were jumbled, frantic. It feels like my chest is being torn apart… like something is crushing me from the inside."

Suddenly, a holographic system interface appeared before his eyes, bright and glowing, cutting through the haze of pain. The message on it sent a chill through his already fragile body:

"Swap body in 42 seconds or you will die."

The countdown began, ticking mercilessly.

Akondo's mind raced. Swap body? What the hell is that supposed to mean?!

His mom, still holding him, had no idea what was happening. Tears welled in her eyes as she tried to soothe him, her voice trembling. "Akon, please! What's going on? What do I do?!"

Akondo wanted to answer, but the pain was too intense. He couldn't speak, couldn't think beyond the overwhelming agony coursing through him. The countdown in front of his eyes continued its relentless march toward zero.

"25 seconds…"

Suddenly, his eyes burned with a searing light, glowing an unnatural red. His body tensed violently. His mother gasped as she saw the change, fear overtaking her. In that moment, her own eyes flickered red, mirroring Akondo's. The glass slipped from her hand, spilling water across Akondo's face and the floor.

"15 seconds…"

Akondo's vision darkened, his body going limp. But as his consciousness faded, he was plunged into a strange, disorienting void. All around him was a swirling white emptiness, and in the distance, he saw two orbs—one bright blue, the other a pulsating black, twisting and shifting as if alive.

The black orb surged forward, merging violently with the blue. The blue orb shattered, its fragments dissolving into the void as the black orb took its place.

In a heartbeat, Akondo found himself standing over his own motionless body, staring down at it in shock. His limbs felt foreign, wrong. He looked at his hands, his heart pounding in disbelief. These were not his hands. They were his mother's.

"What the hell…" He caught a glimpse of himself in the reflection of the shattered glass on the floor. His mother's face stared back at him. "I'm… inside her?"

His body—his real body—lay on the ground in front of him, still and lifeless. His hands, trembling, reached out to touch it. "It's breathing… It's still alive. But why am I in my mom's body? How is this even possible?"

Panic surged through him. He tried to control his mother's body, to move, but his limbs felt heavy, uncooperative. He stumbled, falling to the ground beside his own body.

The reality of the situation hit him like a sledgehammer.

"Is this a soul swap? Like in movies or Comic's ? But how? There's no way this is real," Akondo muttered, hearing his mom's voice instead of his own. It was unnerving, but undeniable—he was in his mom's body.

"Then… my mom must be in my body," Akondo thought, panic rising. He began shaking his own body, desperately hoping for a response, but it remained unresponsive, still on the floor.

"Mom… are you there? Wake up, please… Mom!" Akondo shook harder, but nothing happened. His mom's body was weak and unfamiliar. As he tried to stand, he stumbled again, collapsing onto the floor.

"I need to call an ambulance," he said, pushing himself back up with effort. His legs wobbled as he struggled to get used to his mom's smaller frame. Slowly, he made his way toward the living room, where the TV was still on, grabbing his mom's phone.

The phone unlocked with Face ID, and he quickly dialed 611. But just as his finger hovered over the call button, doubt crept in.

"Wait… what do I even say? They won't believe me… How could they? And what if this is all just some weird dream?" Akondo muttered, breathing heavily.

" Fuck…its not time to think that.. I can manage that right? And what if all this a dream?" Said Akondo breathing havily.

He hesitated, but with the situation growing more desperate, he forced himself to press call.

The line clicked. "611, what's your emergency?" a voice asked.

Before Akondo could answer, an intense pain suddenly exploded in his head. He screamed, clutching his skull.

"Hello? Are you okay? What's your emergency?" the voice on the other end grew urgent, but Akondo couldn't respond. Even in his mom's body, the pain was unbearable. His vision blurred, and with a thud, he collapsed to the floor, unconscious.

The phone slipped from his hand as his mother's body went limp, her eyes briefly glowing red before closing.

"Sir? Sir, are you there? Please respond!" the voice from 611 called out, but there was only silence.

Suddenly, Akondo's own body, which had been lying motionless, twitched. Its eyes opened, and Akondo felt himself drawn back, like something was pulling his consciousness out of the dark. He could feel again—his limbs, his skin, his breath. He blinked and stared up at the ceiling, his head spinning.

"I'm… I'm back," Akondo whispered in disbelief. He sat up quickly, but his hand knocked into a broken piece of glass, slicing his skin. He winced, clutching his bleeding hand.

"Ah…" he muttered in pain. His heart raced as the events of the last few moments flooded back to him. The confusion, the pain, the body swap—it was all real. He had been inside his mother's body.

His eyes widened with realization. Mom.

"Mom?" he gasped, panic setting in. He scrambled to his feet and ran toward the living room. The sight that met him made his stomach drop.

His mom's body lay motionless on the ground, the phone still connected, the 611 operator's voice faintly coming through. "Sir, I've dispatched emergency services to your location. Please respond if you can."

Akondo rushed to his mom, dropping to his knees beside her. "Mom! Mom, please wake up!" He shook her gently, fear choking his voice.

"Sir, is someone else there? Can you hear me? What's happening?" the operator's voice crackled through the phone, but Akondo wasn't listening. All he could focus on was his mother's unresponsive form.

" Hallo sir if you are nare the phone please say whats happening" Said the guy from call.

Hearing the voice in phone, he picked up the phone, his voice trembling. "My mom… she's on the floor. She's not waking up."

"Sir, please check her pulse or see if she's breathing. We've dispatched the police, but if her condition isn't normal, we'll send an ambulance immediately," said the operator from 611.

"Yeah… okay," Nabil replied, his voice shaking. He placed his trembling hand close to his mother's nose.

Nothing. No breath, no air. Her body wasn't breathing.

"Mom!" Nabil cried out, panic rising in his chest.

"Sir, please update us on what's happening," urged the operator, but Nabil could barely hear him.

10:21 PM

Akondo sat slumped in a chair, his eyes closed, trying to steady his breath. But all he could see was a memory—one from his childhood. He was eight years old, sitting in an orphanage while other children played nearby. They were all a year or two younger than him.

A boy his age with curly brown hair approached, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "A family came, and they chose me! I'm gonna have a mom and dad—yay!"

Akondo didn't respond. He sat on the ground, absentmindedly tracing lines in the dirt, drawing a picture of a family. There was a small stick figure of himself in the middle, a child beside him, with a woman on one side and a man on the other. They all looked happy—a family he had always wished for.

"What are you drawing?" the boy asked, peeking at his crude drawing.

"Something I'll never have. Good luck with your new family," Akondo mumbled, his heart heavy.

The boy snickered. "Okay, loser. You'll never find a mom or a dad."

The words stung, and before he knew it, Akondo leaped to his feet, fists clenched, and punched the boy hard in the face. The playground erupted in shouts as the two boys wrestled, tumbling to the ground, fists flying.

Suddenly, a woman ran over and pulled them apart. "Stop it! You're going to hurt each other!" she said firmly.

It was her—the same woman Akondo, now eighteen, called his mother.

Tears welled up in Akondo's eyes as he cried, "He said… he said I'll never get a mom."

The boy wiped the blood from his nose and spat, "Yeah, I was right. Out of all the kids my age, he's the only one no one's adopted."

The woman looked at the boy sternly. "That wasn't a kind thing to say. Who told you no one will adopt him?" she asked softly, her gaze shifting to Akondo.

Just then, a teacher from the orphanage arrived, eyeing the woman. "Ma'am, aren't you supposed to adopt Dokja today?" the teacher asked, pointing at the boy.

"Yes, but I haven't made up my mind yet," the woman replied, glancing at Dokja. "And now I've decided—I don't want a child who hurts others. If he can't respect others, then I don't want him as my son." She turned and placed a gentle hand on Akondo's shoulder, meeting his tear-filled eyes. "Since no one else wants to adopt him, I'll take him. I hope Dokja finds a better mother elsewhere."

The teacher hesitated, then nodded. "Understood, ma'am. But please, be sure about your commitment this time."

The woman smiled warmly. "Don't worry. I'm committed, and I'll never break my promise. I will never leave him."

As the memory faded, Akondo's heart ached. When no one wanted me, you chose me, Mom. Please don't leave me now. You said you'd never leave me…

His thoughts were interrupted as the sound of footsteps approached. His eyes fluttered open to see a doctor standing in front of him.

"I have the report," the doctor said gently, his expression serious. "You should prepare yourself. Your mother…"

Akondo rushed to his mother's hospital bed room, his vision blurred by tears. He reached her bed, where her body lay still. Without hesitation, he wrapped his arms around her, holding her close, his tears soaking into her clothes. The doctor quietly followed, standing at the door, watching the painful moment unfold.

Akondo already knew what the doctor was going to say, but he couldn't let go. The warmth, the familiarity—it all felt too real to lose.

"I suppose you've already understood," the doctor said softly, stepping closer. "But I must confirm it. Your mother, Akio Samua, has passed."

Akondo tightened his grip on her lifeless body, his own trembling uncontrollably. He couldn't move, couldn't speak. The tears kept falling, unstoppable, as if his entire soul was breaking apart with each drop.

The doctor glanced at the doorway, where the police stood, ready to enter. "Please," the doctor whispered to them, "give him some time."

Alone with his mother, Akondo squeezed his eyes shut, his thoughts spiraling. Why did you leave me, Mom? You promised… you promised you'd never leave me.

His mind spun in a haze of grief, and then—he heard it.

A familiar voice, soft and loving. "Who said I've left you?"

Akondo's eyes snapped open. He was no longer in the hospital room. Instead, he found himself in a vast, infinite white space. And there, in front of him, was his mother—alive, smiling, speaking as if nothing had happened. He was still holding her, still feeling her presence.

"Mom… you're alive!" Akondo exclaimed, choking on his words.

His mother, Akio, smiled warmly, placing a gentle hand on his cheek. "I'm alive, my dear, but not in the way you think. I may not be here physically, but I will always live within your heart. As long as you carry me in your memories, I will never truly leave you. I will remain immortal inside you."

Tears welled up again in Akondo's eyes, and this time, Akio wiped them away with her fingertips, her touch as warm as it had always been.

"When I found out I could never have a child of my own," Akio began, her voice calm and full of love, "I decided to adopt. I was so scared. I wondered if I would be able to love a child as deeply as if they were born from my own blood. I worried if my child would love me the same way. But when I met you, all my fears disappeared. I realized I was worrying for nothing, because you were the one I had been waiting for."

Akondo sobbed, clinging to her as if he could stop her from slipping away again. He hugged her tightly, but slowly, he could feel her starting to fade, her form becoming less solid.

Akio smiled through her own fading form. "I will always be with you, Akondo. As long as you live, and as long as you remember me, I will never leave you."

And with that, she vanished completely, leaving Akondo standing alone in the vast white void. His tears fell silently into the emptiness, his heart heavy but full of the love she had left behind.

To be continued….