He remembered the fire.
Cries for help, a crumbling building, and the heat that blistered his skin as he shielded the child beneath him. He remembered the silence that followed—peaceful, almost serene—as the world faded in smoke and flame.
Then… breath.
A gasp tore from his lips as his eyes flew open.
The sky above was painted in hues of pale gold, sunlight leaking through layers of tall, silver-leafed trees. The forest around him whispered softly—leaves rustling in the breeze, birds chirping in the distance, and somewhere far off, the gurgle of a stream.
He tried to sit up, but pain flared through his side. His body was smaller, fragile. His skin, pale and scraped, bore purple bruises across his arms and legs. His clothes were little more than a thin, tattered tunic.
He was alone.
"You're awake."
The voice was gentle—calm and warm, like a soft light in the dark.
"Take it slow, Elren. You've been given a second chance. It's alright to feel lost."
He blinked. "Elren…?"
"That is your new name. This is your new body—an elven child. Age: nine. Status: no family, outcast. But I am here with you. I am your Guide System. You may ask me anything."
His throat was dry. "Where… where am I?"
"In the borderlands of Elarion Forest. Deep enough to be quiet. Far enough to be forgotten."
He pushed himself upright with effort, every movement stiff with ache. Around him, the forest stretched endlessly—ancient trees with silver bark and glowing moss at their roots. Ferns danced with motes of light that floated like fireflies, and the air smelled faintly of damp earth and distant rain.
"I died, didn't I?"
"Yes. But not in vain. You saved a life. And for that, you were chosen."
He sat there in silence, the weight of his rebirth sinking in.
Elren. Alone. Bruised. Reborn in a strange world with nothing but a whispering forest… and the quiet company of a system that didn't leave.
"…Will you stay?" he asked.
"Until the end," it replied gently. "Let's walk this path together."
Elren sat in the soft moss, hands resting on his scraped knees. The forest around him shimmered faintly, alive with sound and subtle motion. His bruises throbbed dully, and he felt every breath like a weight in his ribs.
"So… what do I do now?" he asked, voice hoarse.
"Take a deep breath," the system replied gently. "Then stand, and walk just a few meters forward. There's something nearby that will help."
Elren nodded slowly, pressing one hand to the ground for balance. The earth felt cool beneath his fingers. He rose with a wince, swaying a little before finding his footing. The undergrowth was soft and spongy with moss, and the air held a subtle scent—like crushed mint and morning dew.
He stepped carefully between the roots of a massive tree, brushing aside a curtain of hanging vines.
Then he saw it.
Nestled between two moss-covered stones, partially hidden in the shade of a fern, was a small glowing flower. Its five petals were pure white, but each edge shimmered faintly with silvery light, as if dusted with frost. The center glowed gently like a pearl lit from within. Delicate, elegant—like something from a dream.
"There it is," the system said, its tone pleased. "Identifying…"
A soft chime echoed in Elren's mind as a translucent blue window blinked into view before his eyes.
---
[System Interface – Flora Detected]
Name: Lunaria Veilbloom
Type: Luminous Herb
Properties: Emits healing energy. Restores minor physical injuries upon touch. Common in sacred elven groves, but rare in wild forests.
Status: Fresh. Safe to use.
Effect: Gently accelerates healing of bruises, cuts, and fatigue. Pleasant cooling sensation.
---
Elren knelt by the flower, the soft glow casting light across his battered arms. He hesitated.
"Can I just… touch it?"
"Go ahead," the system encouraged. "It won't harm you. Nature here has not forgotten kindness—even if people have."
He reached out, fingers brushing the cool petals.
A gentle warmth spread through his body—soothing, clean, like moonlight washing over him. The pain dulled. The bruises across his forearm began to fade, the color softening from dark purple to pale yellow.
Elren exhaled slowly. "That… felt nice."
"One small step," the system said, "but we'll take them together. The world may be harsh—but it's not without grace."
Elren was still feeling the aftereffects of the flower's healing, his bruises almost entirely gone. The gentle hum of the forest seemed to calm him, a peace he hadn't known in a long while. But then…
"Hide. Quickly. Something dangerous is nearby."
The voice of the system was urgent now, its usual calm replaced by a sharp tone that made Elren's heart skip a beat.
"Dangerous? What is it? I don't—"
"Don't ask questions. Just hide."
His instincts kicked in before his mind could catch up. He crouched low, his movements slow and deliberate, careful not to rustle the underbrush too loudly. He darted behind the thick bushes, his heart pounding in his chest. His breath came fast, but he forced himself to stillness, ears straining for any sound.
For a long moment, nothing. Then…
A soft rustling. A crack of a twig snapping underfoot.
He glanced through the leaves, trying to stay hidden.
And there it was.
A rabbit. At first, it seemed like any other—a small, soft creature with large, twitching ears. Its fur was a mix of deep brown and silver, and its eyes gleamed with an unnatural intelligence. It moved with an eerie calmness, but as it hopped closer, Elren could feel something unsettling.
"That is no ordinary rabbit," the system murmured, its voice low and serious. "That's a Silverstray Rabbit, one of the rarest creatures in this forest. Be careful, Elren."
The rabbit paused in front of a cluster of flowers, its nose twitching as it sniffed the air. Then, to Elren's shock, the creature's fur began to shimmer. Light poured from its body, surrounding it in a soft, silvery glow. Elren blinked.
"Silverstray Rabbits are known for their unique ability: Temporal Blink," the system explained, its voice edged with caution. "Once per day, they can blink—teleport short distances in the blink of an eye. They're incredibly fast and nearly impossible to catch."
Elren watched as the rabbit twitched its ears, then suddenly vanished in a flash of light. He gasped.
"Where did it go?"
"Gone. Probably further into the forest," the system answered. "But don't take that lightly. It's rare, yes, but more importantly—it's known for its dangerous unpredictability. If you provoke it, it could be trouble."
The rabbit reappeared a few meters away, nibbling at some grass, as if nothing had happened.
Elren stayed perfectly still, holding his breath, not daring to move.
"Remember, Elren. In this world, things are not always as they seem. Some creatures, like that one, have powers beyond what you can imagine. For now, I suggest you remain out of sight."
The rabbit's soft eyes flicked over the area, almost as if it knew Elren was hiding nearby. Then, with a twitch of its nose, it bounded away, vanishing once again in a brief flash of light.
Elren waited a few more minutes before slowly exhaling, his heart still racing. The forest seemed quieter now, but he remained hidden, waiting for any other signs of danger.