Blood. Everywhere.
My clan annihilated.
I kneel in a dark room, surrounded by the lifeless bodies of my parents and siblings.
Standing before me is the man who took everything from me. The murderer. The enemy.
Fear paralyzes me.
Grief tears me apart.
Rage burns in my chest.
Yet I can't move.
His gaze cold, merciless pierces through me as if I were nothing.
Slowly, he raises his blade.
I see my end in his movement, in his eyes, in the silence of the room.
I want to scream, to flee, to fight but my body refuses to obey.
One last look
The blade flashes
Blackness.
⸻
"Aww, how adorable... look at our daughter!"
Huh? Who... who's speaking?
"She looks just like you, darling," says a deep, loving voice – a man.
Slowly, I open my eyes. Blurry faces hover above me.
I try to lift my hands – they are tiny.
What the hell...?
My eyes widen.
My body... it's so small.
My voice nothing but a soft whimper.
And then it hits me like a bolt of lightning:
I have been... reborn?!
⸻
I've been trapped in this little body for four months now.
Slowly, I'm learning how to crawl a strange feeling when once I could move effortlessly.
But while my body is new, my mind remains the same.
I still remember the blood.
The screams.
The corpses of my family.
The man with the cold eyes and the last thing I saw before everything turned black.
The destruction of my clan.
They say time heals all wounds.
But what if you're reborn before you even have a chance to heal?
Despite everything, I've learned a few things about my new life:
My name is now Ilana.
My father Paul was once a warrior who now seems to be trying to live a peaceful life.
We live in a grand, impressive city called Hiram.
I remember hearing a lot about it in my previous life... but I never thought I'd end up living here.
And even though everything is new...
one thought stays alive inside me:
I will not forget.
And I will not forgive.
"Ilana! It's time for a diaper change."
I chuckle softly. Oh man, how embarrassing.
Having an adult mind inside a tiny body is bad enough, but getting your butt wiped by someone else?
It feels... downright disturbing.
It's like my mind and body are constantly at war. I know I'm a child, but my mind refuses to accept it.
My mother, Sahra, is a beautiful woman. Her hair is pure white, like the purest snow, and her eyes glow with a blue hue that almost seems magical.
There's something about her that never ceases to amaze me a strength and calmness that radiates from deep within her.
Sometimes I wonder if she even realizes how much her presence changes everything around her.
⸻
3 years and 8 months later
I'm four years old now.
I can walk, talk just like any other kid my age.
But the years pass, and my life still feels like a shadow.
Boring. Slow.
I remember my past life.
All the days when I was different.
The only child in my clan who had no mana.
Everyone else could use magic, unleash their powers, while I could only... watch.
"The unfortunate girl" that's what they called me.
I never knew the joy of magic, never felt the exhilaration, the power that everyone else took for granted.
It was as if something essential was missing from me.
Now I wonder what things will be like in this life.
Do I have what I once lacked?
Will this rebirth give me the strength I never had before?
I sigh, which, of course, does not go unnoticed.
"What's wrong, Ilana?" my mother asks with a concerned look.
I shake my head.
"I'm just bored."
"Hmm, I have a friend who also has a daughter your age. Would you like to meet her?"
Having a friend?
I think about it for a moment, then nod.
⸻
"Long time no see, Sahra!" my mother's friend says. She looks much more noble than we do elegant, almost like someone from another world.
I don't really listen to what they're talking about.
Instead, I admire her house large, bright, somehow... impressive.
I only snap back to attention when I hear my name.
"Is this your adorable daughter? Unbelievable, she looks so much like you," the woman says with a smile.
I return her smile politely.
"Come, I have a daughter your age. I'm sure she'll be happy to meet you!"
She leads me down a long hallway lined with soft carpets until we stop in front of a door.
"She's in there," the woman says warmly, gently opening the door.
Inside, a little girl sits on a cushion, a book resting on her lap, completely absorbed in it.
She lifts her gaze as we enter.
Large, clear eyes meet mine calm, but a little surprised.
Her black hair falls over her shoulders in soft waves, and her pale skin makes her look almost like a porcelain doll.
Pretty. Delicate. And quiet.
Almost as if she doesn't quite belong in this loud world.
"Ilana, this is my daughter: Elsie," the woman introduces her.
Elsie slowly stands up, lowers her gaze shyly, and bows slightly.
"H-Hi..." she says softly.
I smile.
Somehow... I like her instantly.