Reincarnation was a myth. It didn't exist. No one had ever proven it, and Alexus had certainly never believed in it. In most cultures, reincarnation was seen as a gift—a second chance granted by the gods, allowing someone to return to the world they left behind. Alexus? He thought that was nonsense. If reincarnation was real, then the enemies he'd killed would have returned by now, seeking revenge. But, no. It didn't make sense.
But right now, standing in the middle of what appeared to be an old wooden house with an earthy, floral smell, Alexus was starting to think differently.
What... the heck is happening here? He blinked, his tiny hands twitching. Was this a dream? No, it was too real. His thoughts spun wildly as he tried to piece together what had happened. Wait, was I reincarnated?
A sharp gasp broke through his thoughts. A woman's voice, high-pitched and cheerful, rang through the room. "Miss Linia, it's a healthy baby boy!"
Alexus's head jerked toward the sound, his little body barely able to move under the soft blanket that covered him. The woman's voice belonged to an elf—a tall, pointed ears, radiant skin, and a smile that could brighten the darkest room. She was glowing with an infectious energy. Oh my god, she's beautiful... Alexus could hardly believe his eyes.
But, wait. I was reincarnated?
The elf's words were still bouncing around in his head as another voice joined in, this time deeper, a little rougher around the edges but still kind. "Rynan, ywou shoo cyute!" A muscular man, possibly in his early twenties, was standing beside the elf, his face lighting up with joy. The man was... massive. He looked like he could bench-press an entire car.
The man—Rynan's father, apparently—leaned in toward Alexus, or rather, toward the baby body that Alexus now occupied. "Rynan, ywou shoo cyute!" Forle's voice was full of adoration, but there was a definite... dumbness to his tone, as though he was mimicking something or playing around.
Woah, woah, buddy. Alexus wasn't sure what to do in this tiny body, so he just played along. He opened his mouth and made some baby nonsense sounds, as if that would somehow make everything feel less surreal. "Ahjahgah... HAHAGYIAIH!"
Smooth. Alexus couldn't help but mentally high-five himself. If I'm going to be stuck in this baby form, I might as well act like one, right?
Forle burst into laughter, his joy contagious. The sound filled the room, adding a warmth that made Alexus feel... strangely at ease. It was the first time since his sudden death that he felt some semblance of calm.
But that calm didn't last long. Rynan—Alexus—wasn't the man who was ticklish, and the way Forle was leaning in toward him with those big hands was a little... much. Forle's fingers wiggled near his stomach, and Alexus's body flinched at the strange sensation.
"Dear, can I hold him?" Linia's voice was soft and gentle, her eyes tender as she gazed at her child. She extended her hands, and Alexus's stomach flipped, though it wasn't from the tickling. It was jealousy—familiar and raw.
In his past life, Alexus had never had a wife. No woman had ever loved him enough to call him her own. Damn it. I died without even having a wife? That thought stung. The feeling of regret clawed at him, but he shoved it aside. He couldn't afford to think about it now. Not with everything that had changed.
Forle leaned down to kiss Linia softly on the lips. Alexus had never seen such a tender moment in his past life. He blinked as he watched them, somewhat mesmerized, before his new father handed him over to Linia.
And suddenly, the world felt warmer. Linia's arms enveloped him like a soft cocoon. Her touch was gentle and reassuring, and Alexus felt... safe. Her orange hair cascaded around her face like a fiery waterfall, framing her delicate features. She was beautiful, elegant. I get it now. She's the kind of woman a man would marry. She's... perfect.
Linia's soft voice cooed as she held him close, rocking him slightly. "Shh, shh, It's okay." Her words were soothing, and Alexus found himself staring up at her in a kind of daze. She's beautiful... OH FUCK NO! SHE'S MY MOTHER!
He quickly turned his head away, fighting the flood of conflicting emotions. He didn't know how to process any of this. He'd died, come back to life as someone else—someone named Rynan—and now he was staring up at a woman who was his mother... and somehow, he felt an ache inside him that wasn't entirely unpleasant.
But that didn't change the fact that he was utterly, completely lost. What do I do now?
Forle's voice broke through his inner turmoil. "He's gonna be a great mage one day," he said with a grin, his broad chest puffing out with pride. "I can feel it."
Linia smiled warmly at the words. "You're right. He's gonna do amazing things."
Alexus's eyes widened as he stared up at her, not sure how to react. Wait. Mage?
Linia's voice filled the room with a gentle, hypnotic tone as she looked at her newborn son. "You're gonna be a great mage one day..." She repeated it softly, almost as if she was speaking to herself, but her gaze was locked on him.
Rynan, huh? It wasn't a bad name. It was strong. Wait... Rynan. That's me now?
He couldn't think straight. He couldn't even remember what life was like before this—before his death, before this new body, this new life. The only thing that felt real was the warmth of Linia's arms and the undeniable sense of belonging that came with being held in her embrace.
God, I'm so lost...
He couldn't help himself. His tiny lips parted and out came more baby nonsense, a string of sounds that made absolutely no sense. "Aboewaypoe."
Linia's expression softened, her face lighting up with a loving smile. "Awh, Rynan..." she cooed, her voice practically melting. "You're gonna be a great mage one day..."
Great mage? The words repeated in his mind, echoing like a prophecy. Alexus wasn't sure what any of it meant, but there was a stirring inside of him. Something telling him that maybe—just maybe—his new life could be different. Could be more. Could be...
No. He wouldn't think like that. He couldn't afford to think like that.
But that didn't stop him from hoping. And just for a second, Alexus let himself drift in the warmth of his mother's arms, letting the world spin on without him.
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