Towards the beginning of light

I lay in a damp pool of water, the inside of my head sloshing with every movement I made, making it even harder to get an idea of my surroundings. The last thing I remembered was commanding my subordinates. Sitting up, my bleary eyes scanned the place like I was looking through a blurry window.

I thought through the dull ache in my head. Had I died? If so... how?

I suppose I've been coming to terms with the fact that my journey had come to an end. I didn't remember why or how I ended up here — only the overwhelming loneliness of the void pressing down on me.

A momentary reflection of my life passed through like a foggy memory. Still, I was comforted by the fact that I could finally rest. All these years, what had life meant to me?

The only thing I would regret, I thought, was being unable to live a prosperous life. A cold breeze gripped my body. I closed my eyes and lay back into the numb water, which somehow made everything feel a little more comfortable.

A green, shimmering light broke through the silence, hovering above the water. It drifted toward me and settled gently on my nose. Moments later, thousands more appeared in my line of sight, lighting up the dark void around me. I felt an unhinged warmth from them, along with a distant, melodic voice beckoning me to move forward.

A glaring, feather-shaped light floated in the air, wrapped in a harmonious, peaceful hymn. It swayed gently as it hovered, radiating an unknown calm that settled deep inside me.

A gentle voice called out to me. 'Walk with me, I would show you the light.'

Without a second thought, I followed the glowing feather. As we moved, it lit up the darkness behind me, guiding me forward—like a sunrise promising the start of a new day.

The journey felt like it took an eternity, yet neither hunger nor thirst gripped me. A soft smile always tugged at my lips whenever I glanced at the glowing feather. It gave off an unfamiliar, peaceful and calming aura—something quietly charming.

My thoughts never questioned what it was, or why it led me. I simply followed… like a blind, loyal servant walking behind a righteous king.

As I stepped into the final stretch of light, warmth surged through me—overwhelming, almost like love. The glowing feather that had guided me slowly dissolved into drifting specks of light.

A robe was attached to my belly, tangled loosely around my arms, but instead of panicking, I found it strangely comforting. Then—a distant, vague scream tore through the silence.

A sudden burst of glaring brightness slammed into my vision, forcing my eyes shut, indistinguishable sounds suddenly assaulted my ears, making me dizzy.

The indiscernible sounds slowly mellowed. A hazy thought of being left alone again lingered in my chest. Then, a sudden muffled voice snapped me back into awareness.

"Aww, how precious. Looks just like Papa and Mama, right, my little Kael?"

I slowly opened my eyes, I found myself wrapped in a warm cloth, surrounded by blurred, towering figures peering down at me. It took some time for my vision to adjust to the glaring light. After blinking a few times, faces slowly came into focus—which made me feel fussy.

From among the faces, someone spoke again, still muffled; "A healthy boy... he carries more of Alice's quiet grace, I'd say."

A man stepped into my line of sight. He gently lifted me into his arms, supporting my head as he casually dismissed whatever claims the others had made. With a warm gaze and a wide grin, he said, "Hey, Kael. I'm your papa. And don't worry, you don't look beautifully dangerous like your mother... You look like a strong man. Like me."

I attempted to ask, 'Who are you?' But instead, a loud, sharp cry burst from my mouth, echoing in my own ears, I was gently passed down to a woman lying on a bed stained with blood. She clung to the cloth wrapped around me, holding me close in her arms. Pressing her nose gently against mine, she whispered with a fatigued voice she said; "Kae, welcome to the world… my precious son."

As I looked at her more closely, a calm warmth stirred in my chest. Strangely, I couldn't tell the difference between what I'd felt from the glowing feather and what I felt from her. An irresistible urge to cling tighter overwhelmed me. She was beautiful—like a cherry blossom in bloom. Long, shiny hair tucked behind one ear, a soft, warm smile on her lips, her shimmering, glass-brown eyes reflected the light as she gazed at me, her brows were pale and smooth, barely darker than her skin, like strokes of silk above her eyes. Even through my bleary vision, I could see the kindness in her soul.

It felt right to call her 'mother.'

I turned my head slightly toward the man who had claimed to be my 'father.' The moment our eyes met, I was greeted with a wave of his hand—his face lit up with a teary grin. He seemed like the total opposite of me, a young, charming man with gentle dark eyes. His brows curved downward slightly at the edges, giving him a soft expression. Messy red hair framed his sharp features—he radiated a energy, the kind of man who probably never sat still. Truly a handsome man, But... I couldn't say I enjoyed the energy he gave off. Was it because I didn't like people who were full of life?

When I finished assessing my situation, I could only conclude one thing—a miracle had happened. I'd been reborn, I hoped it was all just a dream. I had no intention of living my life again. But the warmth of these people and the light that guided me, made me forgo that hope. So this was the beginning of light. And how peaceful it felt.

With that, my life as an infant began—in another world.