Prologue
In an endless void of darkness, a voice echoed uncertain and alone.
There was no sky. No stars. No walls. Just a vast emptiness.
Floating at its center was a small, glowing orb pulsing faintly like a heartbeat.
"Where... am I?" the voice asked, tinged with confusion.
"Did I… die?"
Suddenly, it hit him.
A blinding flash of memory:
A man in a black suit walking confidently toward his sleek car.
The quiet click of the door unlocking
Then chaos.
Blood erupted from his forehead.
A sharp pain.
And then... nothing.
"That's right," the voice muttered bitterly. "I was assassinated."A long, exhausted sigh escaped him."So much for being the most well-known soldier…"
Before the silence could return, another voice rang out calm, powerful, almost divine.
"Would you like to start over?"
"Huh? Who said that?" he asked, searching the darkness.
"Would you like… to live again?"
He paused, still bewildered. "Uh… yeah?"
"Good. You will be reborn. A new life… but with your knowledge intact."
"Now go. Begin anew."
Suddenly, the orb shot forward cutting through the void at incredible speed.
A blinding light appeared at the end of the darkness, growing larger and larger until it swallowed everything.
A sharp cry echoed into the world.
A newborn's wail.
"It's a healthy boy!" a woman's voice exclaimed warmly.
The baby squinted, trying to open his eyes. Everything was blurred, the world a swirl of colors and sounds.
"Where... am I?" he thought, panic rising.
"Did it really work? Was I... actually reborn?"
He tried to speak but only another cry escaped.
"Let's gauge his power," a stern male voice ordered.
A glowing blue crystal was placed gently on the baby's stomach.
"What the hell is that?!" the baby wondered, still adjusting to his fragile body.
The crystal glowed for a brief moment then dulled.
"No way… He's level 0," a woman gasped in disbelief.
"Level 0?" the baby thought. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"What!?" the man roared. "That's impossible! He's my son...he should carry the blood of kings!"
Fury thundered through his voice. "Give me the crystal!"
"I'm… the son of a king?" the baby realized. "So this world is ruled by kingdoms… not governments."
The crystal was placed again. Same result. No glow.
"Pathetic!" the man snarled. "I will not accept such a weak child. Send him to the Forest of Banishment!"
"But… Your Majesty, he's just a baby," the woman Ledia pleaded, her voice breaking.
"Silence, Ledia! That child isn't mine. You cheated on me, didn't you? I want him gone!"
"Wait… Forest? Banishment? What is happening!?" the baby thought, overwhelmed.
"Feed the scum until you reach the forest," the king ordered coldly. "Then leave him there."
Suddenly, a single drop of water hit his cheek.
Despite the blur… he saw it.
A tear.
Falling from the woman holding him.
His mother.
"I'm so sorry, my son," she whispered, voice trembling.
"I hope… one day… you can forgive me."
She leaned in closer, cradling his fragile body.
"Even if I have nothing to give you… I'll at least give you a name."
Thunder cracked.
Rain poured from the heavens.
The night grew darker, the sky roaring like it too mourned.
Lightning flashed—illuminating the baby's face.
His eyes…
Red.
Deep crimson like spilled blood.
Eyes that burned with something raw. Something ancient.
Hate.
Purpose.
Destiny.
"Your name will be… ETHAN."