The Endless Cycle
A teenage boy walked down the sidewalk with a worried look on his face.
This boy was called Orion, and he just got lectured by his teacher for failing to submit his homework on time.
"I must complete my homework tonight and post it tomorrow morning," Orion complained, resting his head upward.
"But I wish to lie down, watch some anime, perhaps read a book…" he sighed.
This week had been relentless—tasks piled taller than his tolerance. If he didn't complete them, the teacher would automatically flunk him, and he'd be stuck to retake his second year of high school.
'If only I could just exist within an anime or book world,' Orion thought, shaking his head. "Well, time to speedrun my work."
He stepped off the curb.
A blinding light consumed his vision.
BAM!
"Huh—" His words were interrupted as a truck hit him, and his body skidded along the asphalt.
THUD!
'Am I… dying?' His mind was muddled as agony pierced his body. 'I didn't even break my PC…'
Blood foamed in his throat as he hawked up a cough. 'And I never cleared my browser history. Should've done incognito…'
Darkness took him over.
____________________________________
Orion opened his eyes.
"Hm? Where… am I?"
The ceiling was strange. The air thick. Outside his window, a red moon pulsed in black heavens.
"This isn't a hospital." He pinched himself—it stung. "Not a dream."
Then, like a sledgehammer, visions not his own flooded his mind.
"Ugh!" He gripped his temples. The bits were of a boy named Ryouma, a part of an arcane clan of shadow fighters in a world that seeped danger.
'This isn't Earth… I've been reborn.'
But before the thought could settle, cold steel pierced his chest.
Puchi!
Blood sprayed as a man appeared behind him, blade sinking through his heart. The man's eyes glowed like burning coals, his presence calm yet merciless.
"I'm sorry," the man said, voice low and steady.
Orion's vision blurred as he fell to his knees. "W-Why?"
The man withdrew the blade, his silhouette framed against the red moon.
"His clan's destiny… is settled." His sword shone once more—cold metal across Orion's throat.
Slash!
Darkness, once more.
_____________________________________
Orion gasped back to life. His wrists and ankles throbbed—tied firmly to a chair. The air reeked of iron and disinfectant. Surgical equipment glinted in the dim illumination.
"That was… my second death."
Memories crashed anew. This time of a child named Ryuu, heir to a line of healers in a world of heroes and villains.
His heart plummeted. "Another reincarnation…"
Footsteps echoed. A voice followed—deep, cruel, amused.
"Your gift… is exquisite."
A man entered, his face hidden behind a mask of shadows, his aura suffocating. The Sovereign of Chains, a tyrant whispered to rule the underworld of this world.
"You'll make a perfect experiment," the Sovereign said, lifting a scalpel.
Pain exploded as the blade cut into Orion's stomach.
"AAHHHH!"
White light suddenly flickered across his wounds, knitting flesh back together.
The Sovereign's laughter rattled the room. "Wonderful! A self-healing gift. More powerful even than your grandmother's healing magic!"
Days ran into endless torture—cut, heal, cut anew. Every moment stretched into misery until at last—
BOOM!
The door collapsed. A giant man stood in the doorway, gold hair burning like flame, his presence trembling the earth. The Champion of Light.
"Sovereign!" his voice boomed.
"Well, well…" The Sovereign sneered, holding up a hand as Orion's pilfered light danced in his palm. "Looking for the boy? Too late. His gift is mine now."
"No…" the Champion breathed, aghast with horror.
"DETROIT—" He caught himself. His voice grew stern. "SOLAR STRIKE!"
Their fists met—light to chains.
The Sovereign reeled, blood spouting, but he just laughed. "As long as I possess this boy's light, you cannot slay me!"
"WHERE IS HE?!" the Champion roared, pummeling him blow after blow.
A faint whisper reached his ear.
"…Here…"
The Champion froze.
"…Here…" The voice again, weak, trembling.
He followed the sound, dashing into the back chamber.
"Orion!" The Champion's voice cracked.
The boy was tied to a chair, his body stitched, bleeding, broken beyond recognition.
"Champion… I'm sorry…" Orion whispered, eyes fluttering shut.
No!" The man knelt, holding him. "No, no, no!" His scream tore the night, ringing with sorrow.
Darkness engulfed Orion again.