Suddenly, everything felt warm.
Warmth enveloped my body, like an invisible embrace. I didn't know where I was, but there was a sense of protection and security around me. It was strange; a consciousness slowly emerged in my mind, still not understanding what was happening.
I've been feeling this way for a long time. I don't know when I became aware or when I remembered everything. But the time I spent here made me think too much.
The betrayal... Maria, Elisa, Malachor. The traitors of the nation, along with my other brothers. Every time I remembered the moment I was caught, despised and mocked, I felt my blood boil with rage. The fury burned within me like an inextinguishable fire, consuming me with every thought of betrayal.
The contempt in their eyes, the cruel laughter while they had me chained and vulnerable. They hated me, they envied me. The anger I felt was not only about betrayal, but also about my own wounded ego. How had he been so arrogant as not to foresee his betrayal? How had he been so blind?
The memories of their faces tormented me, fanning the fire of my vengeance. Every time I thought about them, my desire for revenge grew. I could not accept that they had managed to overcome me, that they had used such low and despicable means to defeat me. My wounded pride was a constant reminder of my failure.
I wanted to get out of wherever I was trapped. He felt as if he was confined to a small, limited space, surrounded by an impenetrable barrier. The feeling of being trapped was overwhelming, and helplessness took hold of me. I didn't know how to escape from this warm and protective prison, which increased my frustration and despair.
For the first time in my life, I felt truly vulnerable. I didn't know what was happening or how I got to this place. Uncertainty and ignorance filled me with fear, an emotion I wasn't used to feeling. He was used to being in control, but here, he had no power at all.
If it hadn't been for that voice that somehow managed to reassure me, I would have gone crazy long ago.
It was a soft voice, like the desserts that commoners sold at their posts. It had a touch of rudeness, but maintained its simplicity and beauty. That voice, full of tenderness, whispered words of comfort to me, telling me that everything would be fine and that we would soon meet.
At first, that voice was irritating. I couldn't understand why he was there or what he wanted from me. I felt reluctant with that voice, like a constant annoyance in my mind. But over time, that voice became my only company. His words sounded sweet and comforting, though at the time they seemed annoying to me, they began to calm my inner turmoil.
Without realizing it, I began to find solace in that voice. He spoke softly to me, assumed that he said words assuring me that everything would be fine, that he was not alone. It was something completely new to me, to feel comfortable in the midst of uncertainty. Despite my initial stamina, the voice managed to penetrate my proud breastplate and made me feel, for the first time, a strange new comfort.
Warm.
----
So, I was a baby.
All that time, I had been stuck being a pregnant woman's baby. The voice she heard so much was actually from a woman taking care of her son. And that son, it was me.
- .... -
Unbelievable! Really? I, Alexander Stone, the prodigious warrior, the god of the kingdom, reduced to this. A tiny baby in a woman's womb.
If this wasn't so ridiculous, it would be tragic. Here I am, looking seriously at the ceiling... well, what I think is the ceiling, because it's so ridiculously colorful that it hurts to just see it. I imagined the bastards who condemned me to this, laughing at my fate. I clenched my fist in anger.
Wait for it to grow, I will annihilate you.
— Hello, little one. —
With the only two words he had understood its meaning, the voice that had been speaking to me for months, he again came to give me his morning greeting. I had gotten used to his presence. Somehow, it made me confident, although I still kept my paranoia afloat.
Surprisingly, she was the only one coming to visit me. At first, I thought it was strange because of his rare way of speaking.
Not understanding his language, every word he said sounded like a confusing and choppy melody. His sentences were short and full of sounds I had never heard before. They looked like soft waves crashing into my thoughts. Their language sounded like a series of fast, rhythmic syllables, hard for me to crack.
Then there was his appearance.
He had a theory that this woman was not royal because of her very normal appearance. Her black hair and eyes of the same color contrasted with her white skin. He wore no striking jewels or luxurious clothing. It was simple, like anyone else in the plebs. Perhaps the only thing that really stood out about her was her voice, with that tone of softness and firmness.
Everything about her seemed strange. He came from a place where nobility was easily recognizable by its pomposity and excess. But this woman, with her simplicity, made me doubt everything. Was it possible that I was in a different place and time, or was my mind just playing tricks on me?
The woman, again saying things that I could not understand, gave me a little kiss on my cheek. The days went by strangely fast. Was it because he was a baby that life went faster than normal? My days were just sleeping, seeing this woman and then going back to sleep.
Sometimes she would take me out of that room (which I was grateful for, since that children's room was quite annoying) and we would go to a specific place.
The place was like a small commoner's shop. She would lie down in a comfortable place and then start working in her fruit and vegetable store.
Shit, I'm poor.
Eventually, I realized that this is not my world, but one completely unknown to me.
At first, I felt completely out of place in this new society. There were specific moments when understanding this world was overwhelming. For example, the first time I saw a car, I thought it was some kind of horseless carriage, magically moving through the streets. The bright lights and sounds of the city were completely different from those of my previous world. I couldn't understand how these modern devices worked, and it all seemed like a mystery to me.
However, as the days went by, I began to get used to this new society. Although it still seemed strange to me, I was beginning to accept that this was my new environment. The woman who took care of me, with her soft voice and kind gestures, helped me feel a little more confident.
Still, there was always a sense of strangeness, a constant reminder that this was not the world I knew.
And, third and most importantly: the magic here was different. It was not difficult for me to learn her language, since spending time in the woman's shop there were times when I heard her talk with customers. And also, luckily, there were times when, thanks to what this woman calls "tv," I was able to learn better. Eventually, I could understand better.
I don't know how, but the magic was completely different.
The "magic" that preserves this world is not simply linear, but contains branches of complete diversity. The skills they call here "quirks" are not limited to natural elements or simple energy manipulation. Here, quirks are varied and complex, each person possesses a unique and personal ability. Some can control fire, others have superhuman strength, while others have abilities as peculiar as the ability to manipulate small objects with the mind. For example, I saw a man in the store who could make small fruits float towards him just by moving his hands.
In my ancient world, magic had clear and defined boundaries. Magicians could manipulate items, heal wounds, or summon creatures, but there was always a logic behind each spell. Here, the diversity of quirks is overwhelming. There is not a single path to power; every individual is an exception in himself, and that makes this new world even more intriguing and confusing to me.
But also, exciting.
— Hana, my dear, your son is smiling again in a creepy way, — said an older lady who was shopping at the store.
— Oh, Raiden always acts like that. Don't worry — said the woman now known as Hana.
My thoughts were interrupted by a gentle caress on my head. It was Hana smiling, my current biological mother.
From those early days, Hana and I began to create a special bond. She was always there for me, even when I was irritated or confused by my new reality. I remember singing soft songs to me as I cradled, whispering words of love and protection. His soft, warm hands gave me a sense of security I had never experienced before.
As time went on, I began to find solace in his care. Although I still didn't fully understand this new world, Hana's constant presence gave me some peace. His everyday gestures, such as kissing my cheek or speaking tenderly to me, became moments he looked forward to. It was strange how someone so simple and different from me could have such a profound impact on my heart.
— Again you're staring at me, should I take you to the pediatrician? — More than a question for me, she asked herself jokingly.
But in the end, he sighed, refusing to take me. I knew we were short on money, and although he mentioned taking me to the pediatrician, it was difficult because of his limited budget.
I was a little embarrassed to act like that, looking like a baby, but I didn't like to see her discouraged. I didn't know what to feel about Hana, whether to consider her my mother or a complete stranger. But still, I decided to distract Hana from worrying. I started waving my little hands, trying to get his attention.
—..Booh —
Hana, regaining her usual mood, smiled at me warmly. His eyes shone with relief and tenderness, and his smile spread across his face, illuminating his entire expression. She seemed grateful for the small gesture she had made to distract her from her worries.
— Thank you, Raiden. — And, with a little farewell kiss, he went to concentrate again on his work.
As Hana walked away to cater to new incoming customers, I had a moment of reflection on my past life.
Shit, I remembered what it was like to be Alexander Stone, the prodigious warrior and god of the kingdom. In my former world, I had power and status. People feared and respected me. I could control my destiny with the strength of my sword and the magic I mastered.
But now any old woman who came for a couple of vegetables could grab my cheek while offering me a couple of sweets.
In this new world, she was vulnerable and dependent on the care of a simple woman. My previous power and status meant nothing here. He was just a baby, unable to fend for himself. Honestly, this vulnerability was humiliating and frustrating.