A nightmare was forming in my mind. I saw something like a white book slowly being covered in darkness, until the Knight of Light appeared at the end — but now, with his black armor.
Fear dragged me into a maze, where the walls were covered with thorny plants. Mika was pulled by chains, dragged by the shadows of my old friends.
The scene of my dead friends kept repeating, and the weight of their blood piled up on my back.
The knight grabbed Mika by the neck and turned her into ashes.
— Please, let me try to save you one more time!
My screams made my throat burn, like it was being slowly cut.
Once again, fear brought back my deepest traumas. I was frozen, tears blurring my vision.
The drops that fell from my face hit the ground. In a puddle, I saw the reflection of my friends being killed... by my own hands.
The Knight of Light stabbed me in the stomach and threw me against the wall.
Suddenly, the same room where I had died reappeared around me.
A red staircase appeared, and at the top, a door opened. A woman in formal clothes, with orange star-shaped eyes and brown hair, came down slowly and helped me up.
Around her right eye, there was a four-sided symbol. The lines came together in a spiral at the center, and the ends looked like arrows pointing up and down, with small signs on each tip.
— I'm happy to meet you, my next follower.
She reached out to shake my hand, and I did. Her smile grew wider, and the symbol became clearer.
— And who are you? — I asked, wiping the blood off my face.
— A goddess who knows all about your past and present. I know how much you've suffered, feeling less than other heroes.
— My name is Vlémma, the kind person who just saved you. And by the way, I have a small offer you might like.
— Not like I'm in a position to say no.
— I'll give you my mark and power, and let you keep your memories from your last life. But the price is to carry them until the day you die.
— There's more, right? Just say it already.
Her right eye started to shine as she touched my shoulder. Her voice grew deeper, and I felt a heavy pressure on me.
— You're smarter than you look, huh? You'll give me part of your soul and body. But don't think I'm some tyrant, please.
I have to admit, her words made my stomach twist. But I'd rather share my soul than die forever.
— I guess there's no other way... I accept.
— But don't think I'll be too kind to you.
If you were "kind," you wouldn't ask for my soul. No surprise there.
We shook hands and made a deal. My face felt like it was on fire, my body felt empty, and her voice mixed with my cries of pain.
But... why can't I remember what happened next...?
I opened my eyes. My hands were small, and my body was heavy. I was wrapped in soft fabric, resting on a pillow.
Tall wooden fences surrounded me — a crib. On the walls above, lanterns with candles that never melted softly lit the room.
And so, my new life began...
A warm and gentle voice echoed. Even though it was in a different language from my old world, I could understand it perfectly.
— Aila, your brother's awake!
A girl around five years old came running happily toward me.
— Have you picked a name yet, Mom?
— Sonno, from the Bjorny family. What do you think?
— I'll call Dad, but I like it!
Then my dad, a tall man with medium brown hair and dark green eyes, lifted me into the air.
— You really are a beautiful baby, Sonno. But those orange eyes... where did you get them?
His confused face was funny. The urge to laugh made me feel a little better after everything.
— He must be some kind of chosen human. After all, he's my little brother.
— You think he'll be like Mom?
— A healer? Nah! He's gonna fight like me!
I wasn't the only one laughing. My dad looked like a big kid holding me in his arms.
— Grannus, since you've got free time, go buy what I asked for. Or you'll be sleeping on the floor again!
— I'm going, madam Emma...
Slowly, I started learning about my family and where we lived. But my baby body got tired really fast.
Almost every morning, my mom took me outside to enjoy the view. Aila always came too when she didn't have magic class.
There were big fields full of crops, the small and pretty town of Tarachi, and a mountain range in the distance.
Rivers flowed through the whole region, from the mountains to the lakes near our house. The weather wasn't too cold this time of year — it was just right.
— Stay here for a bit. I'm going to water the garden.
Aila sat me on her lap, her long brown hair all around us. We lay down on the grass.
— Hey, Sonno... can I tell you a story?
Not like I could answer...
— Once, a king from a faraway land was protecting his people from many enemies.
— Back then, he wasn't a Fragment yet, and most rulers cursed him. His land was rich and peaceful, so nearby nations wanted it.
— But then, one god came... and beat them all!
Her eyes sparkled with excitement as she spoke. Her voice got louder, and she hugged me tighter.
— That god kept blessing the king, but never answered any of his questions.
— People started calling him the "God of Observation"!
Two years passed. We had many family trips, magic training, and fun talks. Even though I didn't have as much time as in my past life, I formed a strong bond with my dad. I saw him as a hero.
Life was good... until the day royal guards broke into our home.
About ten guards kicked down the front door and quickly used magic to cuff my dad.
— Grannus!
My mom and sister screamed his name, but the guards stopped them from moving. Their faces were full of tears and fear.
— You bastard! How dare you kill someone from the royal family?
They punched and kicked him, smashing his face into the floor.
— Listen... I didn't do anyth—
He couldn't finish. They yanked his hair and stomped on his mouth.
— This must be a mistake! My husband would never do that!
When my sister spoke, one of them pointed a sword at her throat.
— You better stay quiet too, girl.
They'll pay...
The guards started smashing our furniture and faking injuries.
I could only watch, eyes wide and full of tears.
— Da... Dad...
— This place is annoying. Let's tell the boss he tried to attack us and ruined our uniforms.
— Got it, Commander Soáu.
As the guards got ready to leave after stealing some coins from the table, my dad said his last words to me:
— Sonno... Aila... I love you...
— Promise me you won't get involved in this world of life and death... please...
I'm sorry, Dad.
I'll send every one of those bastards to hell!