The day Hiroshi Tanaka passed away was unremarkable, resembling countless others. At the age of 36, he was an engineer caught in the ceaseless cycle of deadlines, blueprints, and late-night problem-solving. However, amidst the demands of his job, Hiroshi discovered solace in the world of innovation, crafting solutions that pushed the boundaries of technology.
He personified precision, logic, and vision, yet he realized that he had little time for anything besides work. The gentle hum of machinery and the haunting light of computer screens were all his companions.
On that stormy day, the rain fell in relentless sheets, and lightning cleaved the sky with a deafening roar. Hiroshi was on his way home from work. The streets were unsettlingly deserted as the storm unleashed its fury. He clutched a reinforced umbrella, a masterpiece of his own design, and took pride in its ability to withstand high winds and even mild electric shocks. Ironically, it proved inadequate.
As Hiroshi crossed silent crossroads, a bright flash blinded him. Burning and ripping pain was the last he remembered as everything went black after that.
When Hiroshi opened his eyes once more, he discovered that he was adrift in an endless void. The emptiness enveloping him was an inky black, yet it throbbed with an unusual energy. He glanced downward at his hands—or rather, at the space where his hands ought to have been. His body had vanished, substituted by a faint, luminous outline.
"Where… am I?" Hiroshi's voice reverberated, though it appeared to be devoid of substance, much like his ethereal form.
Before he could contemplate further, seven colossal figures materialized from the shadows. Towering and luminous, each being radiated an aura of staggering power. Their forms were indistinct, shimmering like mirages, yet their presence was unmistakable. Hiroshi instinctively recognized that they were no ordinary entities.
"Mortal," one of them intoned, their voice resonating like the chime of a thousand bells. "We offer our deepest apologies."
"Apologies?" Hiroshi inquired, his bewilderment growing. "For what?"
Another figure emerged, bathed in a soothing golden light. "Your death was an accident. A stray bolt of divine lightning… a rare yet regrettable occurrence. It simply was not your time."
Hiroshi's mind struggled to comprehend the weight of those words. "You mean… I'm dead?"
"Yes," the figure replied, a solemnity cloaking its words. "And for that, we accept complete responsibility. To atone for this grave mistake, we shall offer you a gift."
"A gift?" Hiroshi echoed, his curiosity piqued despite the peculiar circumstances enveloping him.
The tallest of the beings, their shape shimmering with untamed energy, continued to speak. "We will grant you all our powers. In your next life, you shall embody the strength and abilities of the divine."
Hiroshi's rational mind began to process this. "Hold on, next life? What does that imply?"
Then the deities met each other's glances, flickering like starlight in their forms. The golden figure spoke finally, saying, "You shall be reborn into a new world. There you shall live free from the bindings of mortality. Consider it our way to right our wrongs.
Just before Hiroshi could voice his objections, he's fading in consciousness. His last sound heard is the gentle voice of one of the Gods: "Live well, mortal. Your journey begins anew.
When Hiroshi next awoke, he felt… small. Very small. He tried to move, but his limbs felt foreign, his body uncoordinated. Panic surged through him as he attempted to make sense of his surroundings. He opened his eyes, and his vision was blurry, the world around him a haze of light and shadow.
A soft, melodic voice reached his ears. "He's awake! Our son is awake!"
Hiroshi's thoughts froze. "Son? What?"
A large, warm hand gently cradled him, effortlessly lifting him into the air. As his vision began to clear, he caught sight of a radiant woman with kind eyes and a joyful smile. She was beautiful, her features a harmonious blend of elegance and strength, and her expression overflowed with love. This was his mother.
"He's perfect," she murmured, drawing him close to her heart.
A deep, resonant voice echoed through the room. "Of course he is! He's our boy! A strong hunter in the making!" Hiroshi's father stepped into view, a formidable figure with weathered features and a beaming smile. He reached out, gently running a finger along the surface of Hiroshi's small palm.
Hiroshi tried to speak, to question what was happening, but all that came out was an incoherent baby's cry. "What?! This… this can't be! I'm a baby?!" His thoughts screamed, but his body betrayed him.
The room around him was humble but strong, built from sturdy wood and adorned by hunting trophies, which showed how skillful his parents were. The coos from his parents kept Hiroshi thinking. All the memories of his past life still lingered within his mind as if they just happened. He was indeed Hiroshi Tanaka—still an engineer extraordinaire. But now, he was also… a newborn.
Days turned into weeks, and Hiroshi gradually accustomed himself to this new life thrust upon him. His family lived in a far-off forest where the towering trees covered the house, with wildlife that thronged there. It was a place that no one would dare to enter without an invitation; this was deliberately maintained. He learned that his parents were not ordinary hunters but heroes under the illustrious emperor, who have once fought valiantly to safeguard the kingdom. Now, they lead a serene life. The only child is being brought up by them.
Hiroshi absorbed everything around him with a discerning gaze. Though his body was frail and uncoordinated, his mind remained as sharp as ever. It didn't take long for him to recognize the advantages of his peculiar situation. With the divine powers granted to him, he felt an extraordinary energy coursing through his slight frame. In quiet experiments, he discovered that he could manipulate objects with his thoughts and summon delicate sparks of magic.
"This world… it's unlike anything I've ever known," Hiroshi mused. The intricate fusion of magic and nature captivated him, and the gears of his engineer's mind whirled with endless possibilities.
As the years slipped by, Hiroshi blossomed into a bright and capable child. By the time he reached the age of five, he was already crafting tools and gadgets that astonished his parents. With his acute understanding of modern technology and developing magical abilities, he came up with some innovations that brought out the best of both worlds together. Some of his innovations were a mechanical bow that never missed its mark, a water purification device that ran on mana, and even a compact holographic projector that left his parents utterly amazed.
Despite his tender years, Hiroshi's brilliance and talents caught the attention of many. One day, the emperor himself graced their home with a visit, his demeanor both commanding and regal. From his place behind his mother, Hiroshi observed as the emperor greeted them with warmth, treating his parents as though they were long-time friends.
"This boy of yours… he possesses the makings of a genius," the emperor remarked, his eyes alight with curiosity.
Hiroshi's mother chuckled gently. "He's certainly full of surprises, that much is clear."
As the emperor talked to his parents, Hiroshi was lost in thought. With all his knowledge, his divine gifts, and the illustrious legacy of his family, what kind of life awaited him? One thing was sure: this was only the dawn of an extraordinary journey.