***
First-person:
"You've finally awakened."
The moment I regained my senses, I heard a distant yet familiar voice. It was just that, I couldn't recall when or where I heard that voice.
I opened my eyes, but what I saw was darkness. Not even a single shred of light. All of a sudden, I felt a sharp pain wringing inside my head. It was as if it was slowly being crushed by an unknown force. I tried to scream but couldn't. I held both of my hands on top of my head as the pain became more and more unbearable. After what seemed to be an eternity, the pain subsided, but I was suddenly struck by memories that I had no recollection of.
I suddenly remembered that I was reincarnated because of a young man. I remembered how the young man told me about his memories and my memories becoming one. I remembered how he would cease to exist after our meeting. I remembered how he asked me to avenge him and… protect someone…
"What is..." I grew more and more confused. The pain inside my head had subsided, but the aftereffects were still something I couldn't bear.
"You're Raizel now, right?"
Appearing before me was a handsome young man. Well, he would probably be if he didn't have cracks all over his body like a broken porcelain vase glued together.
Now, I recall he was the young man who suddenly appeared in my memories. That same person… if my memories served me right, is the reason why I was reborn anew after dying in an unfortunate event.
"I… y-yeah.." I didn't know what to say at all. But I should answer his question, I suppose. Isn't he my benefactor?
"Ehrm, my name right now is, yes, Raizel. Can you tell me what happened? And also… where are we?" I continued.
The young man smiled at me and then turned his back as he spoke, "It seems like my existence was kept by my master. Actually, there's a lot to talk about, but I guess I need to start from where it all began."
His words struck me. It felt distant and… full of sadness. A heavy feeling filled my heart. I don't know, I can only stare at his back as he starts to talk. The young man suddenly heaved a deep sigh and turned to me once again.
"First of all, my name is Emil Azuria. I'm the third immortal to ascend from the Azure Continent. Well… there's not much need to talk about me, so I'll go straight to the point. About this… my soul is currently sealed inside your soul. The seal is something like an ancient forbidden technique that my master used. To make it simple, your awakening opened one of the seals. It's why I can talk to you now."
I honestly don't understand anything he was talking about. I tried to process all the information, but… Well, if I'm not wrong, this young man is that ancient guy known as the King of the Skies that I've read about in the books.
He tilted his head and then spoke again, "I know you're confused, but you'll learn everything sooner or later. For now, I would like to ask you a favor. What I am is but a soul sealed inside your dantian. But in the near future, I can reacquire my body, I can revive in this world. To do that, I'm going to need your help."
He turned around, faced me, and pointed his hand upward. At that moment, a streak of bluish light was released from one of his fingers. It flew up, and soon, it exploded like fireworks.
I didn't understand what he showed me, but somehow, a certain vague idea chanced upon me. When the streak of light reached higher and higher, it became brighter. And then, when it exploded… it was all gone. It was like something about reaching for the skies yet… falling.
At that moment, my gaze once again fell on the young man in front of me. He said, "Once you reach immortality, I would like to ask you to reach an even higher realm. A realm that mortals have never heard of. A realm I was once a step away from reaching. When you reach this realm, the final seal will open, and when the final seal opens, I would like you to help me reform my body."
His words struck me like a thunderbolt. I couldn't even imagine what an immortal is like, let alone someone who has reached an even higher realm.
My understanding of this world came from the books that I've read in the past two years. All of which were speculated from the novels that I've read during my past life. The memories that made me dumbfounded had already subsided, but the words he said engulfed my mind in total chaos.
Minutes passed by ever since I started to collect my thoughts. All this time, the young man stood still. He was silent as the dead night. I looked at him and organized more of the information inside my head. Soon, I reached a conclusion.
I don't know much about the things he spoke, but somehow, I understand that he's expecting something great from me. I don't know if I can do it, but all I understood is, he gave me a chance with this new life. He's the reason why I've arrived here. Even if it's a distant goal, yeah, I know. I should do it.
I gathered all my resolve and then spoke, "I don't really know that much about this world, but I'm sure that you are the reason why I'm alive once more. If not for your situation, I would probably be reincarnated somewhere or perhaps completely cease to exist. As such, it's only natural for me to repay the favor. I'll do my best to reach that place. I'll do my best to help you, my benefactor."
Emil smiled at me, seemingly satisfied with what I told him. He suddenly waved his hand, and then a powerful gust sent me flying. Soon, I felt like I was being pulled into something like an abyss. But before I left, I heard him say something like he'd talk to me again in a month or so, and I needed to get some rest since something I couldn't recall happened to my body.
...
After hours of feeling like being pulled into an abyss, I finally regained my senses. It suddenly felt like… I was dead and revived soon after.
I opened my eyes and saw a familiar ceiling. I heaved a sigh of relief and closed my eyes once more, feeling exhausted. I could feel my body, yet I couldn't move. Maybe I really need a little bit more rest.
Thinking about the things that happened moments ago, I suddenly recalled the young man who talked to me. If I'm not wrong, then that Emil guy was probably the "King of the Skies" known across the Azure Continent.
He was a figure that has been stated repeatedly in most of the books that I've read. He was said to be a peerless genius that the mortal continent could only gaze upon in amazement. A man who has placed his mark on history by reaching a realm mortals could only dream of.
He was a hero of a thousand years ago who led the creation of a powerful empire that the books didn't really elaborate on. It only said that the empire he once led was now divided into two.
From what I remember, it was said that the last time his presence was felt in the Azure Continent was a little over 500 years ago. It wasn't clear where he went; it just stated that when he ascended through the skies, a powerful fluctuation of world essence was felt throughout the Azure Continent.
It's exciting. There are so many things I want to know. I really want to get up and find more books about him.
Huh?
Why do I feel so sleepy again?
No! I need to wake up. There are so many things I need to know. I want to...