A throbbing pain reverberated through his skull, pinning him down as if it were the only thing tethering him to reality. The ache was intense, but oddly grounding, as though it was the only stable feeling left to cling to.
Gradually, the sensation spread, each heartbeat bringing back a new awareness of his body—his limbs, his face, his fingers.
Was it all just a dream?
The thought sparked a strange mix of relief and disappointment. He tried to open his eyes, though they felt strangely heavy, wet even. Blinking slowly, he began to see his surroundings, and a peculiar unease settled over him.
Didn't I fall asleep at my desk?
He had a vague memory of resting his head on his desk in his small, cluttered room. But now, he found himself lying on a soft bed, tucked into what looked like a cozy wooden cabin. The room wasn't particularly large, but it felt somehow open, almost peaceful. Just a few inches away sat a quaint vanity table, scattered with books and a quill dipped in an ink bottle.
I definitely didn't have a vanity table at home…
Trying to gather his bearings, he swung his legs off the bed. But the moment he looked down, he froze, blinking in disbelief.
Wait… why do my legs look so… tiny?
He scrambled off the bed, wobbly and off-balance, feeling the chill of the wooden floor beneath his bare feet. After taking a moment to steady himself, he moved toward the vanity mirror. Each step was unsteady, his legs oddly short and light.
Finally, he thought as he reached the mirror, breath catching as he caught sight of his reflection. Why do I look so… young?
In the mirror stood a child with raven-black hair, unblemished skin, and… pointy ears?
He stared, wide-eyed, at the small face staring back at him, unable to believe what he was seeing. Poking his cheek experimentally, he winced at the sharp sting.
Ow! Okay, this hurts. So… I'm definitely not dreaming.
A flood of realization washed over him.
Did… did I really end up in someone else's body, like Kobe said? But this body feels so… frail. He sized himself up in the mirror. And are those… elf ears?
As he grappled with his new appearance, a sudden creak broke the silence.
Creak… tap, tap, tap…
Footsteps. Growing closer. He tensed, the weight of the situation finally hitting him.
Oh no, no, no… I need to hide! But where?! There's nowhere to hide!
Frantically glancing around, he snatched up a quill from the table and held it in front of him, pointing it toward the door like a makeshift weapon.
"Alright, come at me!" he muttered under his breath, though his hands shook, and he was certain his face was turning pale.
The door creaked open, and a dark shadow appeared. He held his breath, body tense and heart pounding—until he realized what was standing in the doorway.
Wait… huh?
A large dog, almost as tall as he was, padded into the room. Its thick, black-and-white fur shimmered in the dim light, and its piercing copper-blue eyes regarded him with a curious intensity. The dog looked like a Siberian Husky, only larger, and somehow even more intimidating.
"Woof!" the dog barked, eyes still fixed on him as it stepped closer.
"Stop! Sit! Turn around!" he called out, voice quivering as he threw every command he could think of. But the dog seemed to ignore each one, moving steadily toward him.
This is it, he thought, closing his eyes in resignation. So much for my 'second chance.'
A warm, wet sensation snapped him back to the moment. Wait… what?
He cracked an eye open, surprised to find the "beast" licking his face, its massive paws pinning him gently to the floor.
"Oh, come on…" he groaned, trying to push the dog away, though it was surprisingly strong. That's when he noticed a small, engraved name tag on its collar: **Fein**.
"Fein?" he murmured, bewildered.
"Woof!" the dog barked, tail wagging eagerly as if to confirm its name.
Really? Someone actually named their dog Fein? He couldn't help but grin. Guess I might as well see if this guy listens to commands.
Clearing his throat, he straightened up a little. "Fein, sit!"
To his surprise, the dog barked happily and sat down near his feet, its copper eyes watching him intently, ears perked.
A triumphant grin broke across his face. "Alright, let's see what else you've got!"
For the next few minutes, he tossed out every command he could think of. "Fein, stand! Fein, paw! Fein, turn around!" Fein seemed delighted by the attention, responding to each command with an enthusiastic bark and a little tail wag.
Eventually, he stopped, catching his breath as he watched Fein settle down beside him, tongue lolling and eyes bright.
"Heh… guess you're not so scary after all," he muttered, patting the dog's head.
But as he scratched behind Fein's ears, a creeping thought entered his mind.
Wait… aren't huskies supposed to live in cold climates?
The realization hit him like a jolt. He turned quickly, making his way to the nearest door, and threw it open.
"Holy…" he whispered, words catching in his throat.
Beyond the door stretched a snow-covered landscape, a shimmering blanket of white stretching to the horizon. Towering trees dotted the land, their dark branches stark against the snow, twisting upward toward a sky painted with faint, icy clouds. A freezing wind bit at his skin, and he shivered as it swept through his small frame.
"Yeah, no thanks," he muttered, slamming the door shut, his fingers already numb from the cold.
Fein padded over, pressing close to his side and wrapping him in warmth. The dog's soft fur was like a lifeline, grounding him as he caught his breath and tried to process everything.
"Alright, alright… I need a plan," he murmured, running a hand through his hair as he tried to think.
Focus, Ren. You're somewhere cold. There's nobody around… and this body feels like it's ready to collapse. He clenched his fists, a flicker of determination sparking in his eyes. Fine. First priority: survival. I need food, shelter, and a better understanding of what's going on.
With Fein by his side, Ren pushed himself up, straightening as much as his small body allowed. He couldn't explain why, but the dog's presence gave him a sense of strength, a quiet reassurance.
"Let's check the kitchen, Fein." He glanced down, meeting the dog's eager eyes.
"Woof!" Fein barked, mirroring Ren's newfound determination.
As he turned, he cast a quick look upward, eyes narrowing. If there's a god up there watching me… just know I'm not backing down. He clenched his jaw, making a silent promise. Throw whatever challenges you want. I'm ready.
Fein tilted his head, watching as Ren clenched his fist dramatically, his gaze intense as he stared at the ceiling.
"Woof?"