Luminous slowly opened his eyes and looked at his surroundings. He was lying on a bed with worn-out cloth. The cabin he was in looked old and broken down. The air was dusty, and it smelled like old wood. The only source of light was a candle on a desk next to the bed.
He began to inspect his body. He put out his hand—it was small. No, his whole body was small.
He moved his mouth to speak, but no words would come out, only noises. That was when he realized he had become a baby.
What!?!? Did I really become a human? I did wish to become an intelligent race, but to think my wish actually came true. I'm so relieved.
The door leading outside the cabin suddenly swung open, bringing in a cold gust of wind with it. Luminous immediately directed his attention toward it.
He saw a woman with long brown hair and beautiful green eyes enter while carrying sticks in her arms. She wore thick clothing, and her face and hands were bright red from the cold.
She looked over at Luminous, seeing him staring at her.
"Lucian..." the woman softly exclaimed, dropping the sticks she had carried.
She quickly rushed over to Luminous, picked him up, and tightly hugged him. Tears flowed from her eyes as she cried loudly. Luminous had no idea what was happening.
Who is this woman? And why is she hugging me? No, more importantly, who's Lucian?
"Lucian... I'm so glad... you're awake," the woman sniffled.
Is Lucian my name? Huh? Why are my eyes watery?
Lucian's eyes began to tear up. It wasn't that he was sad—it was just his body's natural reaction to the cold air seeping in through the door. The woman saw Lucian's cheeks turning red.
"No! I need to quickly close the door," she said, gently placing Lucian on the bed before rushing toward the door.
She closed the door, picked up all the sticks she had previously dropped, and placed them near the fireplace.
What's she doing now? Is she going to start a fire? With what?
She grabbed a blanket from a chair next to the fireplace, walked over to Lucian, and placed it over him.
So, she came to put a blanket over me. I thought she was going to hug me again.
She walked back to the fireplace and proceeded to throw the sticks in one by one after checking if they were all dry. She then put her hands out toward the sticks. A white aura surrounded her body, and a white flame began to form in front of her hands. She then shot it toward the fireplace, igniting the wood.
What!? I didn't think this woman possessed a Stigmata. Who is she, anyway?
A Stigmata was a mark engraved on a person's body that was granted by the Void. The mark bestowed a unique ability upon the person it was engraved on. The ability could be anything.
The fire crackled, giving off a warm light, illuminating the cabin further, and providing much more heat. The freezing and almost dark cabin became cozy and warm.
After the woman finished starting the fire, she went back to Lucian and sat on the bed after taking of her thick coat.
She breathed in and let out a big sigh. "Lucian, I'm so sorry that this is all I can do for you. My time is almost up... Why am I even telling this to a baby? It's not like you can understand me," the woman said with a saddened expression.
Lucian looked at the woman tightly clenching her dress, which looked like that of a servant. He could understand every word she spoke.
What? What does she mean? Is she going to die soon? Then who will take care of me? I can't even walk with this body yet. Please don't die yet.
Lucian began to grab onto the woman, begging her not to die before he could at least walk or even speak.
"Little Lucian, are you trying to comfort me?" the woman said with a smile, hiding her sadness.
She proceeded to pick Lucian up and held him in her arms.
"Don't worry, I don't plan on dying soon. I am pretty strong, after all," the woman said with a confident smile.
Yes, you mustn't die soon.
"Look how cute little Lucian looks when he smiles—just like his mother," the woman said, lifting Lucian up into the air.
***
Fifteen years have passed since Luminous became Lucian. He found out that the woman who raised him wasn't his mother but his aunt, but it didn't matter—he still treated her like his mother, and she also treated him like her own child. It was now spring, and he had also learned a lot about the world he had reincarnated into. The world's name was Illoom, and the village he was born in was the same village he had saved—the reason for his reincarnation—Hellios. He spent the last fifteen years playing with the kids his age, thanks to his aunt, and exploring the village. The village was truly poor, just like he had seen in his previous life. The houses looked very old, made out of wood and the people wore clothes that looked like pieces of cloth stitched together. He, too, wore something similar.
"Lucian, are you ready for tomorrow?" a boy asked excitedly, sitting next to Lucian on a broken wall on the outskirts of the village.
On the outskirts of the village was the only greenery that could be seen in the whole area. That was also why Lucian and his friends spent most of their time there. It was also the place the Storm had once destroyed, which happened twenty years ago.
"Torin... How many times have you asked this today?" Lucian said, letting out a deep sigh.
Torin was Lucian's best friend. They were always together and acted like real brothers. He, too, was handsome, just like Lucian, and they were called the Prince and Princess of the village, with Lucian being the princess.
"Come on, man, aren't you a bit excited? Tomorrow, we finally get our Stigmata," he replied, placing his arm around Lucian.
"Yes, I know why you're so excited, but—"
Before Lucian could finish speaking, a boy interrupted.
"Look who we have here! Isn't it our esteemed prince and princess? Lucian, more beautiful than every single girl in our village, golden hair that flows like silk, light blue eyes like the sky, smooth skin like that of a doll," the boy said with a big smile, both his arms spread out.
"Stop that, Michael! You're making Lucian blush," Torin joked, both he and Michael giggling.
"Why are you laughing, Torin? Do you know what the girls call you? A black diamond—beautiful and wanted by all," Lucian said with a grin.
"W-What!? Who said that? Was it Selene?" he asked, flustered as he quickly jumped off the wall.
"Pffft... Hahahaha!" Lucian and Michael laughed loudly, unable to control themselves.
Torin could only stand there and take in the embarrassment. It took the boys a while to stop laughing.
"But jokes aside, are you guys going tomorrow?" Michael asked, wiping the tears from his eyes.
"Yes," Lucian answered.
"And you, Torin?" Michael asked, staring at him.
"Yes," Torin said while pouting, his arms crossed as he averted Michael's gaze.
"Where will it take place?" Lucian asked.
"Probably the Ilios Church," Michael answered with uncertainty.
"What!? That broken-down place? Is it even safe to walk through the front doors?" Torin asked, displaying his concern.
"I also find it suspicious. Of all places, why there?" Michael replied.
"I guess we just have to wait till tomorrow," Lucian said in a calm tone.
"Yeah... But Michael, where's Chloe? I don't see her around," Torin asked as he scanned the area.
"You know how my sister is," Michael sighed lightly.
Ding ding
"What? It's already that time! Well, I guess I'll see you guys tomorrow," Michael said, running back toward the village.
"Why is he in such a hurry?" Torin asked, staring at Michael running in the distance.
"Wait, don't tell me you don't know. How did you even survive in this village?" Lucian asked, raising a brow.
"Hehehe, just kidding. See you tomorrow," Torin said after waving at Lucian and walking toward the village.
When the bell tolled, every person in the village had to enter their houses before what they called the Shadows Hour came. Shadows of those who had died walked through the town, attacking any living thing they saw. That was why the bell always tolled a little earlier.
Lucian headed back, passing stalls and houses. He saw villagers storming into their homes and locking their doors. He also started running toward the cabin he called home.
It took him a few minutes to arrive. He opened the door, immediately closed it, and locked it behind him.
"Aunt... I'm home!" he yelled.
"Lucian, you don't need to yell. Did you lock the door?" his aunt asked, preparing their dinner.
"Yes," Lucian answered softly.
Not even an hour after Lucian arrived home, the sun set. Fog filled the streets. Bells jingled throughout the village.
The Shadow Bringer had arrived, and he brought the Shadows with him. The Shadows Hour had begun.