Pain. That's the last thing I remember. Pure, agonizing pain.
Then, nothing.
No sound, no light—just emptiness. A void where I floated, thoughtless, weightless.
'Is this death?'
Then suddenly—
A rush of warmth. Air fills my lungs, my heart pounds. My body feels heavy, weak… alive?
I gasp, trying to move. My limbs barely respond. My stomach twists in hunger, my throat dry like sandpaper.
'Where… am I?'
I force my eyes open. I'm in some dirty alley, the air thick with the stench of rotten food and damp trash. Neon lights flicker in the distance, casting eerie colors over the wet pavement.
I try to stand, but my legs give out. My body feels frail, too weak. I look down at my hands—thin, bony. A puddle nearby shows my reflection. Black hair, golden eyes, ragged clothes clinging to my thin frame.
This… isn't me.
Panic surges through me. Memories rush in like a flood.
My name is Alex Vaughn. Or… it was.
Back in my old world, I was a fighter. A prodigy. I ruled underground tournaments, knocking out opponents twice my size. I lived for the thrill of battle. I was unbeatable…
Until Ethan Graves stabbed me in the back.
I see it all again. His cold smirk, the knife plunging into my chest, the feeling of blood pouring out, warmth fading. The pain. The betrayal.
And now… I'm here. A new body, a new world.
I clutch my chest, feeling something strange. A warmth, pulsing beneath my skin. Weak but there. It spreads through my veins like fire. My breath catches.
'Magic?'
In my old world, magic was just a fantasy. But here…
A noise snaps me out of it. Footsteps.
I turn my head and see her—a girl, maybe sixteen, silver hair shining under the alley light. She looks at me with sharp blue eyes, a bag slung over her shoulder. There's a wary look on her face, but no fear.
"You don't look like you belong here," she says. "Are you lost?"
I blink. My throat is dry. I nod.
She sighs and kneels beside me, pulling out a piece of bread. "Here. Eat this before you pass out."
I hesitate, but my stomach growls, making the decision for me. I grab it and take a bite. It's stale. I don't care. Food is food.
She watches me, arms crossed. "Name's Liana. You?"
I swallow, licking my cracked lips. "Alex."
She raises an eyebrow. "Well, Alex, you should be careful. The slums of Astra City ain't kind to the weak."
Astra City. The name sparks something in my new memories. This world… it's nothing like my old one.
A world of magic and technology. A place where strength means everything. The powerful wield abilities—Arcane Abilities—granted through bloodlines, artifacts, or sheer talent. And the weak? They get stepped on.
And me? I was born weak. Abandoned in the slums. No power, no strength. Just another nobody.
Or so they think.
[You who carry the blood of divinity… awaken.]
A voice echoes in my head. My body shivers.
Then—more footsteps.
I look up. A group of thugs walk into the alley, eyes locking onto me and Liana. Their leader, a big guy with scars running down his face, sneers.
"Look what we got here, boys. A fresh face. And a pretty one too."
Liana stiffens beside me. Her hand moves to her pocket.
The thugs chuckle, stepping closer. One of them pulls out a knife. My instincts scream.
A test.
I try to stand, my muscles protesting. I'm slow. Too slow. My body isn't what it used to be. But my mind? My instincts? Still sharp.
The first guy lunges. I dodge—barely. My body lags behind what I want it to do. My footwork's off, my balance weak.
Still—
Crack!
My fist connects with his jaw. He stumbles back, cursing. But I'm already gasping, my body failing me. The others rush in. Too fast. I can't dodge them all.
Pain explodes across my ribs as a boot slams into me. A punch to my gut knocks the air from my lungs. I hit the ground hard.
I bite down, tasting blood. My head spins, my vision blurring.
'I need… more power.'
Something inside me stirs. A spark. The warmth in my veins flares.
The leader raises his knife, aiming for my throat.
Then—
BOOM!
A shockwave erupts from my body. An invisible force blasts outward, sending the thugs flying into the walls like ragdolls.
I gasp. My hands shake. That was—
Magic.
The leader groans, pushing himself up, but there's fear in his eyes now. "What the hell…?"
Liana grabs my arm, pulling me up. "No time. We need to go."
Still dizzy, I let her drag me away. My mind races.
This power… It's real. It's in me. And it's only the beginning.
I don't know why I was given a second chance. But I do know one thing.
I won't waste it.
This world will know my name.
And I'll carve my own path—to godhood.