Kazumi blinked against the brilliance of sunlight filtering through the leaves above. For a moment, she lay still, her senses slowly awakening to a world that felt both foreign and achingly familiar.
The jungle—usually a chaotic backdrop of life and death—was now silent, replaced by a peaceful stillness that seemed almost unnatural. The air was thick with moisture, a softness she hadn't felt in what seemed like ages. The gentle warmth of the sun as it kiss her skin, the sensation both strange and comforting a sharp contrast to the oppressive darkness she was already acquainted with.
As she slowly sat up, confusion settled over her. Her body felt like that of someone who had just woken from a long, deep sleep—exhausted, yet strangely invigorated. It was the first time she had felt this much energy since arriving in this world, a sensation so foreign that it almost felt like it belonged to someone else.
"Where am I?" The words escaped her lips as she took in her surroundings. The dense thicket of the jungle had given way to an expansive area, dominated by a giant lake that stretched seemingly endless. Its water was a breathtaking shade of blue, crystalline and inviting, sparkling in the sunlight like a thousand scattered diamonds, reflecting all of its glory. As if the scenery was plucked straight from the pages of a fantasy tale, quite magical indeed.
The harmonious chirping of birds echoed from the branches of tall trees, singing to the heavens as if praising the beauty of the world. The wildlife she had longed to see appeared, as though invited by the serene view and tranquil atmosphere, all taking their time to drink from the waters and quench the thirst they'd been feeling.
Kazumi pushed herself to her feet, every muscle moving with a vitality she hadn't felt in ages. There was no ache, no pain—just a sense of rebirth. She looked down at her arms, her skin smooth and unblemished, not a scar or bruise to be found.
"All healed…" she murmured, disbelief curling around her words. She raised her hands to her face, feeling for any remnants of her past struggles, but there was nothing—only her unmarked skin, glowing with health, glowing with youth.
Grabbing her supplies, she turned in a slow circle, scanning the lake's shoreline, where the verdant greens of the jungle met the water's edge. Towering trees framed the scene, their leaves whispering secrets in the gentle breeze. Flowers of impossible colors bloomed around her, their fragrances intoxicating. It was a paradise, yet it felt unreal—a stark contrast to the nightmares that had haunted her days.
Kazumi took a few hesitant steps toward the water, curiosity mingling with caution. As she approached, she saw her reflection on the lake's surface. The face that looked back was unaltered, youthful, and determined, yet her eyes held an unfamiliar spark—an intensity she didn't recognize.
"How can this be?" she whispered, reaching out to touch the water. Ripples fanned out from her fingers, momentarily distorting the image of her reflection.
Suddenly, a soft rustling caught her attention. Kazumi's heart raced as she turned, instinctively bracing herself to confront whatever new danger might emerge from this enchanted place. But to her surprise, it was only a small rabbit, its eyes wide with innocence and curiosity, freely roaming the area without a care in the world. Kazumi exhaled, relieved by the absence of any threat, and slowly withdrew her gun. Her time alone in the jungle had sharpened her senses, making her hyper-aware of every movement in her surroundings, reacting to even the slightest shift in the air.
But as soothing as this place was, questions flooded her mind. Where had the destruction gone? The memories of pain and loss still clung to her, shadows lurking in the corners of her consciousness. She recalled the fear, the desperation, the feeling of accepting death's cold embrace. And yet, here she was, alive, vibrant, and free.
"Is this a dream?" she asked aloud, the words hanging in the air. "Am I dead?"
The stillness remained unbroken, the lake reflecting the endless sky above. Kazumi took a deep breath, the crisp, clean air filling her lungs with new life.
Closing her eyes, she let herself drift into the songs of the wild and the gentle touch of the free wind.
"Dream or not," she murmured softly, "all that matters is that I'm here."
With renewed determination, she stepped closer to the water's edge, allowing her fingers to trail through the cool surface. "I don't know what happened, but if this is a second chance," she declared to the wind, "I won't waste it."
…
The area where the final clash between the hero and the dragon god had once raged, stood as a lasting symbol of the war's horror and destruction. For untold years, not a blade of grass even dare to sprout. The very soil seemed haunted, steeped in the violence and despair of that fateful confrontation. Above, the skies remained perpetually clouded, as if even nature itself recoiled from the horrors of war that had unfolded there.
And yet, one day, for reasons unknown to man, a single seed of life bloomed. How it arrived, no one could say. The winds whispered no answer, and the heavens offered no sign. But it was there, and it grew—a catalyst that would shape a thousand years of history, and the future, to be written by the hands of a single soul.