That was supposed to be the end… Right? Yes, that was how it was supposed to end. With my death, with me turning into a Xern.
But what's this? What is this refreshing feeling? Is it the wind?
"Open your eyes, Ralyn. Are you really going to continue acting like a coward? After begging me to teach you?"
What was that voice? And that name, Ralyn. Are they talking to me? But I'm dead. I know I died, that feeling of death, I can't mistake it.
"Open your eyes and come at me goddamnit!!"
As the aggressive voice rings out again, streaming into my ears like a tidal wave, my eyes snap open.
"What?" I barely voice out with a weak, frail voice.
From what my eyes capture, I stand atop a hill, a hill dressed with beautiful greenery. A lush garden.
The fresh, cool breeze greets me first, blowing over my face and body, causing my bangs to dangle over my forehead and flutter against my eyes.
The warm scent of flowers finds its way into my nose. It feels refreshing because a few seconds ago, all I could perceive was the rotten smell of decayed corpses.
As my eyes scan through this open field, trying to make sense of this.. vision. I see a man a few inches away from me. He looks to be in his thirties.
His forehead is wrinkled, and his eyes are narrowed into a sharp glare, focused on me.
When was the last time I saw a real human being? I don't even know.
But something is funny, though, he's holding a wooden sword tightly in his right hand. And he's dressed in a weird blue outfit that strangely reminds me of medieval Europe.
What exactly is happening? Did I or did I not die? Where the hell is this? Heaven? No, hell will be a more fitting place for me. But if it's neither of those, then...
I keep rotating my neck frantically, searching left and right to see if I can recognize this place. But it's not anywhere I've seen before. I'm in an unfamiliar place.
Then again, I stare at the man.
"Who are you? Where am I?" As I ask, I realize something. My voice is too weak, too frail. It does not sound like my voice at all because the way my voice scratches against my throat, I don't feel it.
At this sudden realization, my heart stirs, beating wildly against my chest.
I raise my left arm. I clenched and unclenched my fist as I stared at it. It's heavier, not like my body. This body is healthier, more... fed.
Is this what happens when one goes to hell? I doubt that, hell can't be as beautiful as this. But how else can this even be explained? I have a new body? Is this a dream?
I look up at the man's face one more time.
No. This feels very real. Too real.
The clothes he's wearing are not something that anyone on Earth would wear. Earth? Earth was destroyed, and no one else is alive. So this can't be Earth. There's nowhere as beautiful as this on Earth. Not anymore.
I have to confirm this. To know if I've been sent to a new cage or not.
But first, I have to calm down. I have to first find out where the hell I am.
"Have you gone mad? Or did I hit your head too hard?" He growls, his tone slightly high and mixed with subtle, held-back annoyance.
This..
"What do y–"
"Clench your sword and come at me, Ralyn!"
As he yells, I realize that I've been holding on to something in my right hand.
I look down, and I see it. A wooden sword, identical to the one he's holding.
I frown, and I clench my jaw tight.
So I'm really living again? Another life? Another cage?
But I don't understand. Why would this happen? Who would do this? A God? Fate? But why? Why give life to someone who doesn't need, want or appreciate it like me?
Now what? They think I'll be grateful? That I'll rejoice? Bullshit. Utter bullshit. Now that I've lived a full life, I'm qualified enough to say this: my father was wrong. Life isn't a miracle.
Why am I even holding this?
Immediately, I throw the wooden sword in my hand, and it falls on the green grass.
"What is wrong with you?" The man's voice drops, his tone softer, showing more concern.
"Where am I?"
"Do you really not remember?"
I shake my head. I'm not going to utter another word until I know where I am.
As he sees me shaking my head, the man clicks his tongue and drops his wooden sword on the grass, too, walking toward me.
I move backward instinctively. Curling my fingers into a solid fist.
"Calm down, Ralyn. I'm not going to hurt y–"
I take my left foot backward, drawing my right foot forward. My feet are shoulder-width apart.
"Don't come any closer," I speak in a blunt tone that hardly masks my anger and annoyance at it all.
He still approaches me, not slowing his pace at all. "It seems like you really don't remember anything at all." He speaks. "Don't you remember me?"
"I said to stop. Don't come any closer!" I raise my fists up, face level.
I'm confident in holding a fight with a normal human. I fought most of those Xerns to survive after all. But, judging by the length of my legs as I stretch them, I can deduce that this body is either that of a teenager or a really short adult. It might not be an easy fight, but I'll win.
"Look at me, Ralyn. I am not your enemy. I am a knight of your family, Dinan. You, young master Ralyn Steelheart, are a–"
My heart squeezes immediately as I hear that full name. I take a step backward, my breath growing heavier as my heart beats in an unfamiliar rhythm.
"Arghh!!" I groan. Clutching my chest with my left hand, and my forehead with my right hand.
My brain feels like it's going to burst. It's like I was shot in the head. The searing pain travels through my body as soft echoes of a much greater pain.
I fall on the grass-filled floor. Holding my head with both hands. "Grraah!!"
"Ralyn!!"
I hear the man — Dinan's footsteps echo. Running toward me with great speed.
"What am I?" I voice out softly, amid the pain.
Who am I? I'm Viriel Radcliffe. No, I'm not Daniel Radcliffe. I'm Ralyn Steelheart.
Ralyn Steelheart? No.. no, I'm Viriel.
But Viriel is dead. Yes, I died. I..
"Huuk!!" I throw up, and it comes out unknowingly, moving through my throat uncomfortably.
I feel a hand on my back, rubbing my back and comforting me.
"Dinan? Call.. Huuk!!–"
"Ralyn. You shouldn't speak. I will take you to your quarters and call your personal caretaker." Dinan speaks with an unusually warm voice.
The pain finally melts away, and I gather myself. But I still feel the hot puke tugging at my throat.
"No, don't call Rachael. I don't want to bother her with another of my dumb problems." I speak with a shaky voice filled with remorse.
Why do I speak of Rachael like I've known her for years?
Huh? What am I talking about? I've known her for years.
I've… Hot bile rises from my stomach. No! Wait.
She has taken care of me since I was a baby. Now..
"Does this mean you remember where you are now, Ralyn?" Dinan asks as he stands up and gives me a hand.
I look up at his face, his long brown hair pours down to his shoulder. Then I take his hand and stand up.
"No. I don't fully remember. I just know some things that matter, like the fact I have a family, a mother, siblings, and a.. Father."
He ponders my words, holding his chin. "Let's go in. I have to inform My Lord, your father. The Patriarch."
'Father'..
I nod my head. "Sure."