The crimson light of the moon illuminated the vast land, covered entirely by the snow. A man, covered in a black tattered robe, stood still as he stared at the moon. His hairs, moistened by the snow, revealed their raven-black nature as he took off his hood. The hilt of his sword glowed in a strange red light and tiny shining particles swirled around it as he rested his hand over it.
His bright golden eyes, that were admiring the moon's beauty, turned their gaze towards snow-capped mountains covered with and a soft smile appeared on his face.
His dry lips parted as he said "I can't wait to see their faces after such a long time."
After letting out a rough sigh, the young man slightly leaned towards the mountains and disappeared. The area where the man was just standing was smooth, as if no one had been standing there.
*****************
"Do you feel a bit better now?" Arlette's voice was warm, each word carrying the familiar softness that had become a comfort to Ren since his arrival.
Ren smiled, nodding. "Yep!"
They sat across from each other at the wooden dining table, its surface illuminated by a small lantern that cast a cozy glow over the room. The flickering flame warmed the small space, dancing over the walls and casting long shadows. Near the hearth, Fein lay curled up in his cushioned bed, snoring softly.
Arlette's gaze lingered on him, her face softening as she held his hands gently between her own. "Don't think too much about it, alright? Your memories will come back with time. For now, just focus on resting and taking care of yourself."
Ren's eyes lit up, a spark of excitement in his gaze. "Will you tell me more stories tomorrow, Mom?"
She chuckled, giving his hand a gentle squeeze. "Alright, alright. But first, you need to get some sleep. It's late—way past your bedtime."
"Okay, Mom!" Ren hopped down from his chair, the floor cool beneath his feet as he padded toward his room. As he reached the doorway, he felt a lingering warmth in his chest. He paused, looking back at her with a soft smile. "Good night, Mom."
Arlette's brows knitted slightly as she watched him go. Her heart ached as she took in the small, frail figure slowly disappearing behind the door. It's like he's an entirely different person. She sighed, running a hand over her forehead, feeling the familiar weight of worry settle over her. Considering his memory loss, I suppose it's only natural… but he's changed so much. How much pain has he been in these last few days?
As the door to his room clicked shut, Arlette sat back, her hands clenched in her lap. If this continues… how much time does he have left?
Suddenly, the door creaked open again, and Ren peeked out, his eyes bright despite his obvious fatigue.
"Good night, Mom," he whispered.
Arlette blinked, momentarily stunned by the simple sweetness of his words. A tear slipped down her cheek, and she smiled, her heart swelling with bittersweet affection. She rose from her chair, picking up the lantern and watching him until his door shut completely.
With a heavy sigh, she made her way toward her room, each step slow and deliberate, her thoughts focused on him. No matter what it takes… I'll help him make new memories. Even if he's lost everything, I'll give him something new to hold onto.
Her expression turned resolute as she set the lantern down on her bedside table. My research over the last five years has to lead to something. The formula should be enough to cure him... but I still need the energy core of a young dragon and the Everglowing Echinacea. She paused, her fists clenching slightly. Both of those… easier said than done.
She sank into bed, her gaze fixed on the ceiling as she whispered to herself, "I'll just have to trust him… and wait a little longer."
****************
Inside his room, Ren leaned back against the closed door, a wide grin spreading across his face. Lifting his trembling hand, he clenched his fist, flexing his entire arm as a triumphant look took over his features.
Heh... hehehe... hahaha… he thought, a quiet, victorious laugh bubbling up inside him. First mission: success. Letting out a deep sigh, his grin faded as he shook himself back to reality.
I never thought it would go this smoothly. I lucked out big time; the situation was so desperate she had no choice but to believe me. He crossed the room, his bare feet silent against the cool wooden floor, and flopped onto his bed, pulling the soft sheets over himself. Though it's not exactly a lie… I really don't know anything about the guy who owned this body. Still, I don't want to play the "son" card again, not after seeing how worried she looked.
Settling into bed, Ren gazed up at the soft glow of the moonlight filtering in through the window, casting shadows across the room. Alright, let's break down what I know so far.
First off, my new name is Alexander Dusseldorf. He traced his fingers over his pointed ears, a reminder of his new, unfamiliar body. My mother's name is Arlette, and my father is… well, conveniently absent. Supposedly off to find something "important." Yeah, sure. Just like saying he went to "get milk."
He smirked at the thought, rolling his eyes. Not like it matters to me. But Arlette… she's an elf. He ran his fingers over his ears again, still getting used to the unfamiliar feeling. And my dad was a human, which makes me… half-elf? Explains a lot, I guess.
As he thought back to his conversation with Arlette, he remembered her soft smile as she'd dodged his questions. When I tried asking her about being an elf and how she and Dad ended up together, she just said, "That's a story for another day." Typical. He shrugged, smirking to himself. Alright, pointy ears… got it.
But his expression grew serious as he recalled what she'd told him about his "condition." Apparently, I have something called Roosevelt's Disease—a rare illness that eats away at my vitality. He clenched his fist, feeling a dull ache spread through his arm. I can't even flex properly without feeling like I'm being stabbed by a thousand needles.
He lifted his arm, testing it in the faint moonlight streaming in through the window. As he tried to flex, a sharp pain flared in his muscles, spreading like wildfire until he had to grit his teeth to keep from crying out.
"Ugh," he muttered, dropping his arm, his breath shaky. "Perfect… just perfect."
He pressed a hand over his heart, feeling the steady, even beat beneath his fingertips. And there's something wrong with my heart, too. It's like… it's on autopilot, locked into this steady rhythm that never changes, no matter what. It's like my body's half-alive, running on just the bare minimum.
His thoughts drifted to Arlette's enthusiastic explanations about the world, her eyes lighting up as she described their surroundings. Apparently, we're in a desolate, icy region called the Endless Peaks, somewhere between two powerful territories—the Federation of Alvarez and the Kingdom of Lorentta. He cast a glance out the window, where the moonlight glistened on the endless fields of snow, making the landscape look like a frozen ocean.
Not exactly ideal for recovery, is it? he thought wryly.
The memory of Arlette's soft voice, filled with warmth as she spoke of the world, made him smile. She's been so kind… maybe too kind. I've got a lot to learn, but I'll survive. No matter what… I'll make this work.
A wave of drowsiness washed over him, his body sinking deeper into the mattress as he closed his eyes. "Alright… first mission tomorrow: find a way to fix this body of mine." He let out a sleepy sigh. "Guess I'll be 'Alex' for now."
With that, he drifted into a deep, dreamless sleep.
***************
A gentle knock stirred him awake, the morning light barely casting a soft glow over the room. "Alex, breakfast is ready!" Arlette's voice was soft and familiar.
Alex stretched, feeling the ache in his muscles flare up as he moved. He winced but managed to sit up, brushing sleep from his eyes. Guess I better get used to this, he thought with a grimace. "Coming, Mom!"
Padding over to the table, he found a steaming bowl of porridge waiting for him. "Thanks, Mom!" he said, taking it with both hands and settling onto his bed.
She pulled up a chair beside him, spooning a bite for herself. "How is it?"
Alex grinned, giving her a thumbs-up. "10 out of 10! A little spicy, but I love it."
Alex 'consumed' the porridge slowly as he deeply thought about ways to improve his health a little.
It's crazy how fast the last week went by.
A week had passed as he investigated further about himself through Arlette's help.
The amount of information he had gathered by now was tremendous and often led him to take out the most important parts and then remember them by heart.
At first, Arlette refused to tell him more about his disease saying that he wouldn't be able to understand. So he changed the question and asked her more about the human body and how it worked.
There were times when she retaliated by saying that the amount of knowledge he had acquired in a week was already on a level from where he would not understand as the further topics were complicated for his age.
But she always gave in as he made a puppy face saying he would get lonely otherwise.
She chuckled, reaching over to wipe a bit of porridge from his cheek. "Glad you enjoyed it," she said, her eyes soft and warm
He glanced away, feeling his cheeks flush. Geez, has my brain turned into that of an eight-year-old, too? Focus, Alex.
She then took his bowl and returned to the kitchen. Alex turned his face towards the window as he fixed his embarrassed expression and tried to focus on something else.
But his thoughts were interrupted when a shadow appeared in the distance, a figure moving through the trees, gradually becoming visible. A man in a black, tattered robe, his steps purposeful, his golden eyes fixed on the house.
Who… is that?
A chill went down his spine as he noticed the sword on the man's waist. As the man drew closer, the pressure in the air got heavier as if he was drowning in a sea, unable to even breathe properly. It felt like he was about to die just from the pressure he felt from this man. It was not a question of running away from the man or facing him. He knew that the moment he tried to make any kind of movement, only death awaited him.
As the man drew closer to the door of the house as if about to open it, the sound of kitchen utensils being washed brought Alex's sense back.
Shit! Mom's still in the kitchen. What should I do? That guy is definitely strong enough to kill us both if he wants to. Even if I reach the door on time, I won't be of any help. I guess this is it.
As he was about to accept the fact that his second chance he had gotten at life would soon be over without even finding out the reason behind his first death, Slap, he slapped himself to shake the fear the sudden appearance of the mysterious man had instilled in him.
He jumped down from his bed and started running out of his room.
It doesn't matter if I'm strong or weak, all I need to do is buy mom some time to escape. Yeah, that's all I gotta do.
By the time he reached the living room, which was connected to the kitchen area, the man had already opened the door and stepped inside the house. Arlette, completely shocked by the sudden appearance of the man, let go of the bowl that was in her hand. She looked so astonished that her lips quivered heavily.
Time seemed to slow down and his heart raced heavily as if it was about to burst. This was the first time his heartbeat changed ever since his transmigration.
Fuck! She's not in any state to run. I need to find something to throw at him before he takes another step. No, it's useless because I can't even pick something properly, let alone throw at him. I guess I'll just have to use my own body. But I can't find a single opening. Aargh…..
He groaned as he ran towards the man as fast as he could, it felt like muscles fibres all over his body were being torn apart. As he was about to punch the man with all his might, he turned his head and shouted
"Mom!" he shouted, voice trembling but defiant. "Run!"
He then gathered as much strength he could and took a boxing stance and tensed his abdominal, shoulder, pelvic, triceps and forearm muscles. The moment he felt like he had taken a perfect stance to deliver a cross, he twisted his entire upper body from his waist and threw a cross aiming for the man's 'jewels'. The entire world seemed to have turned grey for that short moment.
Just when he thought his punch was going to destroy the man's 'jewels', his punch started losing momentum and his fist stopped just an inch before reaching the man. The man looked Alex in the eyes. It felt like the man had stopped time itself.
As Alex steeled his heart for what was about come next, a shadow appeared over the man's face. Before the man could even react, a punch landed on his face and he flew out of the house from the door. The man landed a few hundred metres away from the house. His upper body planted inside the snowfield.
Colours slowly started to reappear, as if the gears of time that had once stopped, started moving again.
Alex, seemingly more scared of what was behind him than the mysterious man, turned his head. Arlette, steam flowing out of her mouth, her eyes glowing red like that of a demon's, was staring intensely at the 'defeated' man.
What the actual… Before he could process what had happened, darkness claimed him, and he fainted on the spot.