Liam was still confused. The pain was gone, but he couldn't move his limbs.
He quickly realized it wasn't because of his body; someone was holding him. Now, for the first time, he could see clearly.
A beautiful woman was cradling him in her arms and crying softly.
Who is she? he wondered. I've never seen her before.
But the strangest part was that she looked huge. Like a giant.
What the? Why is she so big? I know I'm not that small… right?
Her face came into view: soft, radiant, elegant; she looked like a supermodel. But impossibly large.
Is this a dream? What's happening to me?
At least she wasn't trying to eat him right, which was comforting.
He glanced around and heard mumbling in a language he couldn't understand. It was all muffled and distant.
Then, for the first time, he moved his hand. Slowly. It worked.
Wait… I can move my hand!
He brought it up to his face and froze.
What the hell?! Why does my hand look so small?!
A wave of panic surged through him.
Wait… that woman isn't a giant I'm the one who's small?!
No way. Is this a prank? Some kind of experiment?
"Calm down, Liam. Think. What happened before this?
He tried to remember.
Yeah, I went to sleep after taking painkillers. My chest was hurting again. Then I woke up here.
Wait, no way. Is this reincarnation? Like in the novels I've read?
No, that's impossible, right?
Stay calm, Liam. Don't panic, he told himself while breathing hard.
As he thought, he saw an old man walking into the room. The man looked to be in his 60s, with a muscular build, white hair, and a white beard. He wore strange clothes, like something from a cosplay event.
While I'm thinking, this woman holding me...
Liam couldn't figure out what was different about her, but he sensed something was off. As he focused, he noticed her ears they were pointy.
An elf?
No way, elves don't exist in the real world, right?
His mind raced. Am I dreaming? Wait, is the old man also an elf?
Liam glanced at the man again. The old man was nothing like the woman. She had beautiful golden hair, and Liam could feel how soft her skin was; it felt out of this world. But he didn't have any inappropriate thoughts about her.
Maybe if I am really reincarnated, could this woman be my mother? That would explain why she's still crying.
Wait, if she's my mom, then is this old man my new father? No way, such a beautiful woman couldn't fall for someone like him, right?
While he was lost in thought, the golden-haired woman gently placed her hand on his head.
Suddenly, warm green light radiated from her hand, and a soothing energy washed over Liam's body. The pain in his chest faded, and he felt a rush of strength.
What is that? Is that magic?
If that's real, am I really reincarnated?
The old man carefully lifted Liam from the woman's arms. Liam noticed the worried look on her face as she watched him being held by the old man.
Just then, another woman approached the man. She placed her hand on Liam's head too. This woman looked completely normal no pointy ears, no golden hair, just black hair and an average appearance.
As her hand touched him, a soft silver glow came from her palm.
Liam suddenly felt relaxed. His eyelids grew heavy. But he couldn't stop thinking about the white glow from the second woman's hand. Is that also magic?
I don't want to sleep yet, Liam thought.
But he couldn't resist it. He fell into a deep sleep."
"He looks handsome, Lady Lunareth," Olivia said softly.
Lunareth didn't move. Her eyes remained on her newborn child. A strange warmth filled her chest, a feeling she had never known before but somehow understood completely.
But then a shadow crossed her heart. "Olivia, is my baby healthy?" she asked quietly.
"Yes, of course, my lady," Olivia replied. "I would stake my life on it. The baby is in perfect health."
"Still," Lunareth murmured, "I feel something is wrong. I can't explain it."
Olivia frowned. "When I held him, I used one of my diagnostic spells. His condition is perfectly normal."
Lunareth looked at the baby again—silent, unmoving. "He isn't crying. Aren't newborns supposed to cry? Olivia, you know this is my first child. I'm worried."
She whispered a healing spell over the infant just as a man entered the room. His presence filled the air with quiet strength.
"Is this my grandchild, Aeris?" he said with a hearty laugh. "Ha! I'm sure he'll make a great name for himself in Calethia one day!"
"What's wrong, Aeris? You look sad on such a happy day." He reached out to take the baby gently from Lunareth's arms.
Olivia bowed slightly. "Lord Vandrel, the lady is simply worried. The baby hasn't cried since birth."
Vandrel chuckled softly. "It happens. Even Vaelor didn't cry much when he was born. You're worrying for nothing, Aeris."
"Yes, my lord," Olivia agreed. "I assure you, the baby is healthy."
Lunareth looked at her child in Vandrel's arms and whispered, "If Vaelor were alive, he would be so proud to see his son."
The room fell silent. Vandrel's expression softened with grief, then he forced a smile. "Aeris, don't tell me you haven't named him yet. I'd be glad to help, you know."
"Before Vaelor left," Lunareth said with a faint smile, "we agreed if our child was a boy, we would name him Vale."
"Vale," Vandrel repeated with pride. "A good name. Your father would be proud, my boy." He nodded. "Let's put him to sleep now. He's still new to this world."
"Yes, my lord," Olivia said, gently casting a sleeping spell over the baby.
Vandrel watched in silence, his thoughts heavy. I won't let what happened to your father happen to you, little Vale. I'll make you strong, stronger than anyone who came before you.