The pain was unlike anything Ethan had ever experienced. It seared through his body, a relentless wave of agony that left him gasping for air. He struggled to open his eyes, but the world around him was shrouded in darkness. Panic surged within him as he realized he couldn't move, his limbs heavy and unresponsive.
Memories flashed through his mind—the screech of tires, the blinding headlights, the sickening crunch of metal against flesh. He remembered the terror on Victor's face as the car swerved out of control, the brief moment of satisfaction as he realized his brother's actions had finally caught up with him. And then, nothing.
Was this death? Was he trapped in some purgatory, condemned to relive his final moments for eternity?
A faint light pierced the darkness, growing brighter with each passing second. Ethan squinted against the glare, his heart racing as the pain began to fade. The light enveloped him, warm and comforting, like a mother's embrace. He felt weightless, his body no longer bound by the physical world.
When he opened his eyes again, he was no longer in the car. Instead, he found himself lying on a soft bed, the scent of lavender and vanilla filling the air. The room was unfamiliar, its walls adorned with intricate tapestries and shelves lined with books. Sunlight streamed through an open window, and the sound of birds chirping reached his ears.
Ethan sat up slowly, his head spinning as he took in his surroundings. His hands trembled as he touched his face, his body, his chest. Everything felt real, solid. But something was different. He looked down at his hands, his fingers slender and smooth, unscarred by the hardships of his previous life.
A mirror on the wall caught his attention, and he staggered towards it. The reflection staring back at him was not his own. He saw a younger version of himself, no older than sixteen, with bright eyes and a face untouched by the weight of betrayal.
"What… what is this?" he whispered, his voice trembling. "Am I… alive?"
The door creaked open, and a woman stepped inside. She was dressed in simple yet elegant clothing, her kind eyes filled with concern. "You're awake," she said softly. "How are you feeling?"
Ethan stared at her, his mind racing. He didn't recognize her, but there was something familiar about her presence, a sense of comfort he couldn't explain. "Who are you? Where am I?"
The woman smiled gently. "You're safe now. This is the village of Eldermere. We found you injured in the woods and brought you here to recover."
Eldermere. The name rang a bell, but Ethan couldn't place it. He glanced down at his hands again, his thoughts a whirlwind of confusion and disbelief. How had he survived? And why did he look like his younger self?
As the woman began to explain more about the village and how they had found him, Ethan's mind wandered. This was no mere accident. Something extraordinary had happened, something that defied all logic and reason. He had been given a second chance at life, a rebirth. But why? What had caused this miraculous turn of events? Was it destiny, or had something more sinister played a part in his return?
The woman's voice continued to drift in the background as Ethan's thoughts raced. He had been betrayed, discarded by the very people who were supposed to love him. Victor had taken everything from him—his family, his reputation, his future. And then, in a cruel twist of fate, he had been taken from the world altogether. Or so he thought.
Ethan glanced out the window, his eyes narrowing as he tried to piece together the fragments of his old life. His heart still ached with the loss of everything he had known, but now, surrounded by unfamiliar faces in a strange village, he realized something: this was his chance. This was his opportunity to rebuild, to rise from the ashes of his former life, and to make those who had wronged him pay.
But the question remained: how?
The woman continued speaking, but Ethan barely heard her. His mind was focused on one thing and one thing only: revenge. He had been given a second chance for a reason, and he wouldn't waste it. This time, he would not be powerless. This time, he would not be the victim.
"Where are my belongings?" Ethan asked, his voice steady but filled with determination. "Do you have anything of mine?"
The woman's brow furrowed slightly. "We didn't find anything on you, other than the clothes you were wearing. But we can get you whatever you need. You should rest for now. You've been through a lot."
Ethan shook his head, refusing to be coddled. "No. I need to know where I am, and I need to find out how I came to be here."
The woman seemed taken aback by his insistence, but she nodded slowly. "Very well. I'll fetch the village elder. He may have answers for you."
Ethan didn't wait for her to leave. He pushed himself off the bed, his legs a little unsteady as he stood. His mind was already racing with plans, with thoughts of how he would go about reclaiming what was rightfully his. He had been given a new body, a new chance, and he would use it. This time, there would be no mistakes. He would not allow himself to be a puppet for anyone.
As the woman left to fetch the village elder, Ethan stood by the window, staring out at the peaceful village of Eldermere. He could hear the faint sounds of children playing in the streets, the laughter of people going about their daily lives. It was all so different from the cold, calculating world he had come from. It was peaceful, naive even. But he wasn't naive anymore. He had learned the harsh truths of life, and he would use that knowledge to his advantage.
His mind drifted back to his family, to Victor. He would make them all regret abandoning him. They would see him rise, they would see him become someone they could never control. He didn't know yet what form his revenge would take, but one thing was certain: he would destroy them, piece by piece, until nothing was left of the life they had stolen from him.
But for now, he had to bide his time. The elder would have answers, and Ethan would use whatever resources this village had to offer. His journey had only just begun.
As the woman returned with the elder in tow, Ethan straightened, his resolve hardening. He was no longer the weak, naïve boy who had been cast aside. He was something new, something stronger. And nothing would stand in his way.