Darkness gave way to warmth.
I slowly awakened, cradled in something impossibly soft. The first thing I felt was the silken embrace of a smooth bed, far too luxurious for anything I had ever experienced—even in my prime years. I tried to raise a hand, but what I saw stunned me.
Tiny fingers. Fragile. New.
My eyes widened in instinctive disbelief. I tried to turn my head and managed only a slight motion, but it was enough. Another baby—sleeping peacefully—lay beside me. Her tiny chest rose and fell in calm rhythm, her features soft, delicate, and… familiar.
"Who is she?" I wondered.
A gentle voice echoed within my mind, calm and ethereal.
"She is your twin sister."
A wave of emotion surged through me. In my old life, I had no siblings to lean on. And now, here she was—so small and vulnerable. Something awakened in me, deeper than any instinct I'd known before.
"I will protect you," I swore in silence."No matter what comes… I will always be by your side."
As I soaked in the new reality, memories of the Watcher and his gift returned.
Sylph.
"Are you there?" I whispered in thought.
"Yes, Host. I am here," came the soft, crystal-clear reply within my mind.
"Tell me… what can you do?"
"I am your guide, assistant, and companion. For now, I can help plan and analyze data relevant to building your future dominion. You are not recognized as a ruler yet, so your access is limited."
"However, I can offer basic technological blueprints—tools for cooking, cleaning, simple shelter designs. You will be responsible for creation and leadership. I will support you with knowledge, tracking, simulations, and storage."
I took a slow breath—well, as much as an infant body allowed.
"Show me my status panel."
[ACCESSING STATUS]
• Name: ???• Age: 1 Day• Occupation: ???• Mana: Undiscovered• Titles: None• Skills: Locked• System Access: [Basic AI Integration - SYLPH]
Note: Most attributes are currently hidden. You are still an infant.
I blinked. "Why is there a question mark on my name?"
"You have not yet been named. The royal family observes naming rituals. Your official naming ceremony will be held after your second birthday."
A yawn escaped me. The effort of thought alone drained what little strength I had.
"Feeling tired already, Host?" Sylph teased with a hint of amusement."You're just one day old. Don't expect the strength of an ox when you haven't even learned to crawl."
I chuckled in my mind. In a way, it was comforting—this playful AI tethered to a soul who had once lost everything.
As my eyes fluttered shut once more, I stared at the ornate ceiling above, painted with constellations and sunlit gold. The walls were adorned with majestic portraits of regal ancestors and warriors from eras long gone.
This life…This world…This chance…
It was only beginning.
And I would not waste it.