The clear blue skies, the gentle breeze, and the melodious song of birds welcomed the arrival of a child to a high-profile family. Yet to the child himself, everything seemed unreal.
"Did I not already die?"
The warm embrace around his body startled him. For the first time in his life, he experienced something new—something he had never experienced before. Love.
His tiny hands enveloped the woman's fingers gripping him—a smiling mother. By her side stood a man whose face was a picture of joy as he glanced at their child.
"I. have been born again?"
Things were slightly unusual, though. While newborn babies cry upon delivery, he stayed silent. His family was alarmed initially but ultimately believed this kid was different.
Four Years Later
It was a momentous day for Vyn Altar. His family had brought him to the spot they had protected for generations—the Altar of Mnemosyne.
Vyn's eyes sparkled as the great tree came into view. Its roots stretched in all directions, enormous and powerful, as if grasping deep into the center of the world. Sunlight filtering through its golden leaves gave it an almost mythic glow.
His mother stood beside him, smiling gently. She grasped Vyn's small hand and told him,
"Look, Vyn. This is the Altar of Mnemosyne, which has been guarded by our family for centuries. One day, you will have to defend it, as your ancestors defended it before you."
Vyn, who had not been able to tear his eyes away from the tree, finally spoke.
"Mother, why does our family have to guard it? Why is the altar so important?"
His mother was taken aback, not expecting such curiosity from one so young. Smiling proudly, she began to spin a tale.
"A long time back, there was a great war between Light and Darkness. It was one of the ten greatest wars this world has ever seen. Our ancestor fought in the cause of the Light—an Archmage of unimaginable power."
"As the war raged on, a Goddess appeared in this world. With power greater than the understanding of humans, she sowed a tree that became the Altar of Mnemosyne."
"She was at one with the tree, and when she was, the war had ended. The warriors who had been engaged in combat ceased at once, staring in awe at what had transpired."
His mother paused, then knelt beside Vyn, gently stroking his hair.
"The warriors of the Light reorganized and vowed to protect the altar. But among them was a traitor. The Dark side launched a covert attack with the teleportation magic, spreading havoc everywhere."
"The commander of the Light, who was a wise man, sacrificed himself to cast an illegal spell. A magic circle materialized above them, and starlight flowed out of it, annihilating the forces of the Dark."
"At last, the war was at an end. But its secrets are not. What was the true purpose of the Goddess? What enigma did she contain inside the altar? The questions are still sealed up, waiting for one worthy to discover the truth."
Vyn listened intently. Something within him moved deep, as though calling to him.
Unintentionally, he moved closer to the tree. His little fingers brushed its bark.
In that instant, his world was altered.
He was elsewhere—standing in a vast, empty universe with a mirror-reflection at his feet, surrounded by rippling water. There was no wind, no sky, but an unnatural stillness.
A woman stood before him. She wore a flowing white robe, her very presence radiating an unthinkable aura of peace.
Vyn gasped in fright and took a step back.
"W-W-Who. are you?" he stammered.
The woman smiled softly.
"Do not be afraid, child. I am the Goddess."
Vyn inhaled deliberately, but caution didn't die down.
"A Goddess? Then. are you the one that brought me here?"
The Goddess nodded.
"I merely want to present you something."
Vyn scrunched up his eyebrows.
"What? Is it in regard to. why I got reborn?"
The Goddess wasn't saying a thing for an eternity before finally replying,
"Yes. However, I might not say this now. I was instructed just to present to you a gift."
Vyn curled his fists over, repressing the emotions roiling within.
"Okay. What will you give me?"
The Goddess edged in close, her mouth now just inches from his.
"Excuse me, I lied a bit. I do not just wish to give you something—I want to bless you with something which will aid you in the days to come."
She planted a soft kiss onto the forehead of Vyn.
Abruptly, his body radiated, breaking apart into millions of pieces of light that swirled before re-forming back into him.
Vyn's mind was filled with new information. A gift—the power to recall everything, even if he were reborn in another world.
He woke up abruptly.
He was in his mother's arms. She was weeping, holding him.
"Vyn! You're awake! What happened to you? The moment you touched your hand to the altar, you passed out!"
Vyn blinked in an attempt to conjure an excuse. But he knew he couldn't be honest.
Instead, he just weakly smiled and replied,
"I just. I was really sleepy, Mother."
His mother glared at him anxiously before sighing and stroking his hair tenderly.
(TO BE CONTINUED...)