After two days on the road with my not-so-motherly mother, we reached the capital of the empire.
Genesis.
It was surrounded by high stone walls. There were four points of entry following the cardinal directions. Carriages and travelers moved in and out of the city.
In the sky above, dragons took off and landed. All of them were summoned elemental beasts.
We entered the city through the north gate, where two guards greeted us. They waved to the driver. One of them peeked in the cabin before he waved us through.
The capital was a busy place that screamed efficiency. Roads were well-maintained and paved. Buildings were organized into blocks that were self-contained with all you could need.
Carriages dominated roads while civilians dominated the sidewalks. Everything was planned and served a clear purpose.
A well-oiled machine.
Soon we turned onto a road that was unlike any other. The architecture of the buildings shifted to allow more space for nature and vast green lawns.
The northern noble district. Home of the Tide family head and the main branch of the family.
The carriage slowed before a massive estate at the center of it all. Carriages were lined outside the gates. Servants were dressed in black to honor the occasion. And nobles dressed in light blues and greens were dotted about the lawn.
Lilith rested her elbow on her knee. She stared out the window with an exhausted frown. "Look at them. Weak spawn looking to ride the coattails of the next family head. No vision for the future. Not like me."
The carriage rolled to a stop.
Lilith pointed a finger at me. "You don't talk to anyone. You don't bow to anyone. You are my son and you are above these animals, got it?"
I wasn't planning on it anyway but alright.
I gave a firm nod.
The carriage door opened.
We stepped out and walked through the gate of the estate. Immediately heads began to turn and voices began to whisper.
"Is that the Mad Dog of the north?"
"What's she doing here?"
"Who's that kid?"
"It can't be hers, he's not crazy enough."
But one voice was louder than the others. "Ah! My dear Lilith. It's been too long!" A woman exited the estate with a wide smile. She wore a long silk dress and wore a high bun.
Lilith planted both feet down. "Darya."
Darya extended both her arms for a hug but Lilith didn't return the gesture. Darya chuckled softly as her gaze shifted to me. "And who's this cute little boy, Lilith, you sly girl."
Lilith glanced at me and smirked. "He's the future of this worthless house. So you'd do well to tread lightly."
Darya's smile strained. "Noted." She cleared her throat and stepped back. "Anyway, why don't you come inside? I'd like to talk."
Lilith nodded and resumed walking.
Darya gestured over to an expansive open garden. "You can send the boy with the rest of the children. The inside is a little… hostile."
Lilith raised an eyebrow but said nothing. She turned and gripped my shoulder. "Remember, no bowing."
"Yes, mother."
Lilith released my shoulder and followed Darya inside. I was on my own now.
Operation emo was a go.
The garden was a sprawling network of manicured hedges, fountains, and statues. It was also infested with the scum of the earth.
Children.
Look at them. Dressed in their expensive silk and showing off their skills. A bunch of filthy noobs who don't know techniques. Sure I might have a leg up, but I deserved it after my last life.
Still, I'd do my best to avoid any of them. I might be stronger, but I'm not ready to be called a fat ass again.
There was a tree in the distance, isolated from everything. I decided to make that my home.
I walked towards it. Ignoring the glances of the other children. As long as I didn't give them a reason, they wouldn't bother me.
When I reached the tree I took my seat at its base. Then I crossed my legs, rested an arm behind my head, and closed my eyes. I knew I'd be asleep in minutes.
Or I would have.
If I hadn't been disturbed by a presence blocking out the sun and looming over me.
I peeked one eye open. A girl was standing with her hands behind her back. She looked about 6 or 7 and wore a black dress.
I started to tell her off, but stopped when I noticed her appearance. She had long white hair, white skin, and even white eyes.
She looked… blank. Like she walked straight out of a manga panel. A lump formed in my throat. Was I seeing things?
I mentally called for the dragon.
He woke up with a grumble. "Boy, do you not know how much–" he paused. "She smells of creation."
Yeah. I replied. But are you going to explain why she looks like a ghost?
The dragon hummed. "It's her bloodline. She's a descendant of the Creation Dragon."
And what exactly is the Creation Dragon?
"The creator of this world as we know it. This girl can suppress and mimic any element."
Even yours?
"She can stop me from mimicking water. But you'd still have access to the chaos."
Great, so if I piss this girl off she can expose me to the world.
The girl tilted her head. "You don't talk much, do you?" Her voice was soft and enchanting.
"Uhm, is that bad?" I asked, my throat was tight.
"No," she replied. "It means the conversation takes place here." She pressed a finger against my forehead. "Tell me, what are you thinking?"
Though her touch was cold, it wasn't the reason my eyes widened. No, the iris of her eyes flooded with the color of a deep, ocean blue.
The dragon snapped his maw. "Boy, she's suppressing our water Ouro."
Inside me, the water that surrounded my core, my very being…
Was being compressed and stripped away.
"Kill her, we can't risk being exposed." The dragon's voice was low and absolute.
Heavy breaths escaped me, why did this feel so familiar? Like I had been in this situation before.
I have been.
Back in my old life I remember a time when Tanaka went through my phone. I remember his shit-eating grin when he found my search history.
He threatened to leak everything. To expose me to the entire school if I didn't… if I didn't dance like a stripper near the school gate.
Everyone laughed as I was forced to perform for their enjoyment. The videos never stopped circulating. Posted for millions to see.
The shame I felt on that day.
Something just snapped. Something inside of me. I didn't want to feel that shame again. I didn't want to be at someone's mercy.
Instinct took over as I grabbed the girl's wrist. My fingers dug into her skin. Her eyes widened as I yanked her away and shoved her into the dirt.
She collapsed with a gasp.
I stood to my feet and loomed over her. "You have no right, none at all to strip me of my dignity." My voice was low and strained. "I won't be a loser again, not in this life, I can't… I CAN'T GO BACK TO THAT!"
The girl just stared at me.
The entire garden had gone silent. Eyes, eyes all on me like I was the center of attention. I remember this too. But unlike before, they weren't laughing.
They were terrified.
Is this what it feels like? To be respected? To be feared?
"Princess!" Heavy footsteps rushed to the scene. Guards dressed in royal purple with great swords on their backs. "Step back, step back now!"
The dragon in my head leaned forward with a grin. "That's right, boy. You are a god amongst animals, end her, show the world who we really are."
Adrenaline flooded my system as my eyes shifted between blue and orange. I accessed the ring of self and coated my body in a layer of Ouro.
The guards drew their swords.
One blade was engulfed in flames, while the other was wrapped in a vortex of wind.
I spread my feet and raised my fists. I don't know why, but at this moment I was ready to die. I was so ready to face my end that it almost terrified me.
This wasn't who I was.
But maybe that was the point.