Aetheric Chronicles: Reborn As An Extra

The silence was deafening, a suffocating absence that stretched infinitely in every direction.

No sound, no light, no warmth.

Just darkness.

She floated aimlessly, weightless and untethered. She couldn't feel her body, couldn't tell where she ended and the void began.

Time had no meaning here—seconds, minutes, or hours could have passed, and she wouldn't know.

Her thoughts were fragmented, scattered like leaves in a gale.

Who am I?

The question floated in her mind, unanswered. The name she felt distant, like a faint echo from a forgotten dream.

Where am I?

That was even harder to grasp.

There was nothing—no memory, no sensation, no reason.

Just her, floating in the nothingness.

Then, far ahead in the endless void, a speck of light appeared.

It was impossibly small, like the faintest star in a vast, moonless sky. She didn't move toward it—it simply existed, drawing her attention in a place where there was nothing else.

Her focus fixed on the light, and slowly, imperceptibly, it began to grow.

As it expanded, faint whispers tickled the edges of her mind. The words were unclear, broken fragments carried on a nonexistent wind, brushing against her consciousness like a feather's touch.

"... find... you…"

Her heart—or what felt like it—lurched. The voice was familiar, achingly familiar. She strained to hear more, her senses sharpening against the oppressive nothingness.

"...ria..."

The sound of her name sent a ripple through her being. The voice wasn't distant anymore—it was close, impossibly close, as though it was dear to her.

Yet it wasn't.

"... I will... find... yo.., ..ria."

The words were slightly clear now, chillingly so, whispered directly into her mind. They carried a weight, a certainty that struck deep, and with them came a surge of something sharp and raw—fear, perhaps, or hope.

The light flared suddenly, consuming the darkness in an instant. She squeezed her eyes shut as the brightness overwhelmed her, and the disorienting sensation of falling gripped her.

When she opened her eyes, she was no longer floating in the void. She gasped, her chest heaving as though she had been underwater and only now breached the surface.

The world around her was unfamiliar. The air was cool, carrying a faint scent of damp earth and something sharp and metallic. Shadows loomed around her, their shapes indistinct, and the faint hum of energy buzzed in her ears like static.

She pressed her hands against the ground—cold, uneven stone. Her palms stung from the texture, grounding her in reality. Her breath was shaky as her mind scrambled to make sense of where she was, of what had just happened.

But the voice lingered in her mind.

"I will find you."

The words echoed softly, like a fading melody, leaving her unsettled yet anchored to something she couldn't quite grasp. She clenched her fists, her gaze lifting to take in her surroundings.

The darkness was gone.

But its memory remained.

___ __ _

She sat up slowly, her head throbbing as fragmented thoughts began to coalesce. Her gaze drifted across the room as she muttered a single word under her breath:

"Ria..."

Her voice was hoarse, the sound foreign in her ears. Was that her name? It felt right, but it was faint, like a memory on the edge of recall. She frowned, her brows knitting together as she looked around.

The room was small and sparse, yet oddly comforting in its simplicity. The stone walls were rough and uneven, giving the space a rustic feel. A broken mirror hung precariously on one wall, its jagged edges catching faint light from an unseen source. Beneath it, a simple wooden table stood, accompanied by two mismatched chairs. Nearby, a modest bed with a worn, patchy blanket lay in slight disarray.

She shook her head, frustration rising in her chest. Where am I? The question repeated in her mind as she pushed herself into a sitting position, leaning against the cold, uneven wall for support.

Before she could make sense of her surroundings, the creak of a wooden door startled her. She turned her head sharply, her body instinctively tensing.

A young woman stepped into the room, her black hair pulled back into a loose braid. Her red eyes scanned the space quickly before settling on the figure on the floor.

"Oh, you're awake!" The woman's voice was soft but carried a note of relief. She hurried over, kneeling beside her. "Did you fall from the bed? Are you hurt? Come, let me help you."

The woman extended a hand, and though hesitant, she took it. The woman's grip was firm but gentle as she helped her to her feet. Her legs felt weak, unsteady beneath her weight, but the woman steadied her with ease.

"Sit here," the woman said, guiding her to one of the wooden chairs and helping her down.

For a moment, silence hung between them as she adjusted to the chair's solidness beneath her. The woman sat across from her, her expression a mixture of curiosity and concern.

"I found you near the Black Lake yesterday," the woman began. "You were unconscious. I couldn't just leave you there, so I brought you here. And now you're awake. That's good." She smiled faintly, though it didn't quite mask the worry in her eyes. Who are you, sister? Why were you near the Black Lake?"

She hesitated, lowering her gaze to the table. The words felt heavy in her throat. "I don't... I don't remember."

"Huh?" The woman let out a surprised voice and asked hesitantly. "Not even your name?"

She frowned, the name she had spoken earlier resurfacing in her mind. "I think... it's Ria."

The woman's smile softened. "Ria... That's a start." She leaned back in her chair, relief washing over her face. "Good. Ria, you can stay here until your memories return. As long as you help me with a few things around the house, is that alright?"

Ria nodded slowly, a small, tentative smile tugging at her lips. "Thank you… for helping me."

"It's no trouble," the woman replied, standing up and gesturing for Ria to follow. "Come on, let's get you something to eat. It's breakfast time."

Ria pushed herself up, her legs still unsteady but stronger now. She followed the woman into the adjacent room, her bare feet brushing against the cool stone floor.

The second room was larger, with a sturdy wooden table set in the middle. Simple plates and utensils were arranged neatly, and the faint aroma of freshly baked bread and something savory filled the air. A small stove in the corner emitted a faint warmth, and shelves lined with jars and utensils gave the space a cozy, lived-in feel.

"Sit," the woman instructed, pulling out a chair for her.

Ria obeyed, her senses drawn to the smells and warmth of the room. She watched as the woman moved effortlessly, bringing over plates with slices of bread, butter, and a pot of steaming tea.

As the woman poured a cup for her, Ria's gaze lingered on the scene, a flicker of unease curling in her chest. She couldn't remember her past, but somehow, she felt something out of place. Yet, for now, she chose to focus on the warmth of the tea and the woman's kind smile.

"Eat up, Ria," the woman said gently, sitting across from her once more. "You'll need your strength." Your adventure continues at empire

Ria nodded, her fingers curling around the cup as she took a sip. The faint sweetness of the tea grounded her, if only for a moment.