The rattling hum of the bus engine filled the quiet evening. Rows of tired students sat slouched in their seats, bags on their laps, headphones in their ears. At the back of the bus, two young men sat side by side, talking in low voices.
"Ethan, are you nervous?" the one with a cheerful grin asked, fiddling with the strap of his backpack.
Ethan glanced at him with the faintest smirk. His dark hair fell neatly over his forehead, his posture calm as always. "We've been doing this for years, Lucas. Final year doesn't change anything."
"Easy for you to say, Mr. Top of the Class," Lucas laughed. "I'm just glad we made it this far. From the orphanage to college it's almost like a dream."
Ethan's eyes softened at that. They had been together since they could remember, surviving through the chaos of the world with nothing but each other. Brothers not by blood, but in every way that mattered.
The bus took a sharp turn. Then—
Screech.
The headlights of a massive truck cut across the road, too close, too fast. Someone screamed. Metal shrieked against metal, and in the final moment, Ethan reached out, grabbing Lucas's arm.
"Stay close," he muttered.
And then everything went black.
Darkness. Pain. A dull ache throbbed in his head as if someone had slammed a rock against it. Slowly, his senses returned. The scent of polished wood. The faint rustle of silk curtains. The muffled laughter of children echoing outside.
Adrian forced his eyes open. The ceiling above was painted with intricate golden patterns, so unlike the sterile white hospital ceilings he half-expected.
Wait… hospital? No… that bus… the truck… Lucas…
His heart sank. Memories of screeching tires, the shattering glass, and the last glimpse of his brother flooded back. He pushed himself upright, but the sting in his ribs stopped him. He winced and instinctively touched his forehead, where a bruise pulsed beneath his skin.
A soft gasp followed."Young master Adrian, please, don't strain yourself!"
Adrian turned. A girl no older than fifteen, dressed in a simple maid's uniform, rushed to his side. Her chestnut hair was tied neatly, and her wide hazel eyes brimmed with worry.
"The baron's sons struck you during play," she said carefully, as if testing how much he remembered. "You've been unconscious for a day."
Struck…? Baron's sons?
Ethan blinked. He wasn't Ethan. He was--- The thought crumbled. His reflection caught in the ornate mirror by the bed.
A boy stared back.
Messy raven-black hair fell around sharp, bright grey eyes far too mature for a child of five. His features were refined, delicate even, yet held the faintest shadow of defiance. His small hands trembled, but his gaze steadied.
So this is me now…
Adrian (his new name) leaned back against the pillow, mind racing. "And my… brother?" he asked, carefully masking the panic behind his tone.
The maid hesitated. "Young master Elias is still asleep. The physician says it was but exhaustion."
Elias!? ...It looks like Elias is the name of this body's brother, but I want to see my brother. Is he alive? Is he also here? Please tell me he's safe.
The maid could see the look of tension on Adrian's face so she became worried.
Adrian notice the worried look on the maid's face and said, "Don't worry I am okay now."
Listening this the maid felt somewhat relieved and left after bowing down.
Adrian started digesting information slowly while seemingly interpreting what could have happened to Lucas. "Maybe he could also be here if so I would give my all to find him."
With this he first thought of taking a stroll in castle and to make himself familiar with the place and gather some information.
I talked to some servants in the castle and it looks like I have indeed been reborn as the son of Baron Valemont.
Just when he was becoming familiar with the castle, he heard a child crying and shouting from a nearby room Which seemed as his brother, Elias's room.
He ran towards the door and was surprised by what he saw the person who was suppose to be his brother in this new life was whining while saying, "What the heck I just died from a bus accident with Ethan Where the hell I am."
Adrian could instinctively tell from hi s voice who he was and asked in a slow confused voice, "A-are you Lucas?"
-To be continued in the next chapter.
This is the first Chapter of BITAL. Also, this is my first novel so I would appreciate if you guys can share your thoughts in the comments it will give me motivation. If I did something wrong, please feel free to correct or ask me in the comments.
-Author