Chapter 2: The Awakening
Aiden's consciousness flickered back to life like a sputtering flame. He felt an unfamiliar sensation of movement and the rough sway of being carried. His body felt different, smaller…heavier, and he was enveloped in a cozy cocoon of warmth.
Confusion and a tinge of fear gripped him as he tried to make sense of his surroundings; however, he felt a sudden tug on several parts of his body. This could've been something he'd shrug off, but for some reason, he felt a wave of discomfort course through his body.
This caused him to unconsciously scream slightly as the brightness drew closer. Blinking against the brightness, Aiden focused his vision and realized he was being carried in the crook of a massive arm.
The arm belonged to a giant, towering over him with an imposing stature. The giant's face was rugged and stern, its eyes fixed ahead with a sense of purpose. Aiden's mind raced, trying to piece together how he had come to be in this situation.
The giant was not alone. Several other towering figures moved alongside, their strides steady and purposeful, causing him to make a futile struggle to escape.
They wore armor that gleamed brightly, and their presence exuded strength and authority. The surroundings were lush and vibrant, the landscape dotted with trees.
Aiden's thoughts spiraled as he tried to comprehend what was happening. The last thing he remembered was the searing pain in his chest and the haunting regrets of his final moments. Now, he found himself in what he'd call an entirely different world, cradled like a child in the arms of a giant.
The giants conversed in a language he couldn't understand, their deep voices rumbling like distant thunder. Despite his fear, Aiden felt a strange sense of calm. There was something about the giants' aura that reassured him they meant no harm.
As they traversed the terrain, Aiden's mind began to clear. He tried to move, but his body was unresponsive. Panic surged through him, but he forced himself to breathe slowly and focus. Gradually, he regained some control over his limbs and managed to shift slightly in the giant's grip.
The giant carrying him noticed the movement and glanced down, a hint of surprise flickering in its eyes. It slowed its pace and spoke to the others, who turned to observe Aiden with curious expressions. The group came to a halt, and the giant gently set Aiden down on a patch of soft grass.
Aiden struggled to sit up, his body feeling weak and uncoordinated. The giants formed a circle around him, their immense size making him feel even smaller. One of the giants, who seemed to be their leader, knelt down to get closer to Aiden's level. It spoke in a calm, soothing tone, though the words were incomprehensible.
Aiden's heart pounded as he tried to form words. His mouth felt dry, and his voice came out as a hoarse whisper. "Where... where am I?"
The giant leader tilted its head, seemingly pondering Aiden's question. It then gestured to the surroundings, speaking slowly and deliberately. Aiden watched its movements, trying to understand. The giant's gestures indicated the land, the trees, and the sky. It then pointed to Aiden and placed a hand on its chest.
"Home," the giant said in a deep, resonant voice, the single word cutting through the language barrier.
Aiden's mind reeled. Home?
How could this be home? He tried to stand but wobbled, his legs unsteady. The giant leader extended a hand to support him, its touch surprisingly gentle. With the giant's help, Aiden managed to stand, though he still felt disoriented.
He took a deep breath and looked around, trying to take in his surroundings. The landscape was breathtakingly beautiful, with a sense of untouched wildness that felt alive. He noticed structures in the distance, grand and blending seamlessly with the natural environment.
Aiden's gaze returned to the giants. They were watching him with a mix of curiosity and patience. He felt a strange connection to them, as if their presence was familiar in some inexplicable way.
But then it hit him—he was a baby. He looked down at his small hands and felt the undeniable truth. He wasn't just in a new world; he had been reborn and only got his memory a few months after his birth.
Memories of his past life were fragmented, like pieces of a puzzle scattered across his mind. He remembered who he had been, but he couldn't grasp the full scope of his former life.
The giants spoke to each other, their voices low and rhythmic. Aiden couldn't understand their language, but he picked up on certain words—"home," "family," "mother." These words resonated with him on an emotional level, providing a small sense of comfort.
The giant leader scooped him up again, cradling him with surprising tenderness. They continued their journey, eventually arriving at a massive settlement. The structures were awe-inspiring, a blend of natural beauty and architectural mastery. Aiden marveled at the sight, feeling a mix of awe and bewilderment as to where exactly he was.
As days turned into weeks, Aiden's new life began to take shape. The giants, whom he learned were called the Atlans, treated him with kindness and care. He didn't understand if the word 'Atlan' was a family name, country or species since almost everyone said it before and after every sentence.
It was later on that he discovered that he was the child or a rather prominent family with servants and guards wherever he could think of. He was given a new name in their language—Aida, a name that seemed to carry significance among them.
His days were filled with wonder and learning. He watched the people who lived in the Atlan's property go about their lives and came to a conclusion that he was in an important family.
Despite the language barrier, Aiden began to pick up on simple words and phrases, understanding the basics of their speech.
His mother was what one would call a very beautiful woman, gentle to the core and kind to nearly everyone. Her only flaw was that she was too lazy and burdensome. She'd rather sit around in some garden eating cookies or cakes than walk around the castle. When she does however, it was another story for the maids.
Aiden was a naturally focused person and this helped him get control over his baby instincts of sleeping whenever the option presented itself. Due to this, he was able to gather his thoughts together and organize a few memories of his past life while also understanding his current situation.
Due to his persuasive protest, the maids were made to carry him around, as long as no form of harm was brought to his person. He witnessed first hand how meticulous and careful a human could be with the right motivation.
As the weeks passed, he occasionally received visits from three younger men that looked between 11, 14, and 17. Their expressions were similar to those of his mother and father whenever they looked at him. The resemblance was also uncanny leading to his deduction…They were his siblings.
Weeks turned to months and soon it'd been a year since Aiden, or rather, Aida was reincarnated into a prominent family he came to later discover was a royal family, effectively making him a prince. This also explained why he rarely ever saw his father.
At six months of age he could already talk a bit and at nine, he could walk on his own. This speed led to him being called a genius. In a royal family, this could've led to a lot of problems, fortunately, his siblings were all from the same womb. The intrigues of the royal family wouldn't overly affect him.
This didn't mean he'd become a lazy prince, no. He aimed to be recognised as quickly as possible. This would allow him to choose a random field of study without facing much criticism in the future.
Yup. This was the grand scheme Aida had created during his nine months in this World. As a Reincarnator, it'll be stupid to believe that his current lifestyle would remain till his death. Not to mention the grander scheme concerning his Reincarnation, there wouldn't be a lack of plots and schemes in a royal family.
Aida was prepared to face the world and whatever it threw at him-
*Grumble* *Grumble*
'Tsk. This body and its whims.' Aida thought in annoyance as he prepared himself for what was about to follow.
"My word. The young prince has soiled himself again." A voice that seemed almost as soothing and maternal as his mother's rang out as a young maid walked up and scooped him up.
Since Aida and Aiden together could remember, this period would be the most embarrassing part of his life. To have a lady that was young enough to be his daughter on a Mental level was wiping his arse and Seeing him for all his dignity and integrity.
It's been nine months and yet, Aida couldn't get used to this one occurrence. He could only blame his body for being too weak and susceptible to compulsions irregularly, of which in any case, she'd still be there to wipe his ass due to his immobility.
"Awight den, wady. Wet's do dis!" He screamed but all he got was-
"Kya! The youngest master is so cute when he's angry. Only if he'd stay like this forever." She said before she dropped him somewhere.
What followed was another session of what Aida would eternally refer to as the most embarrassing part of his life.
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