I'm on my sixth reincarnation. I will do whatever it takes to uncover the truth behind my mother's death. I will do whatever it takes to restore my family. And I will do whatever it takes to finally be with Rio.
I am hopeful that this time, the cycle of seeking justice will end. I hope that this time, I can finally live in peace.
I am now in my mother's office—a room she often frequented when she was alive. I had just returned from abroad, drawn here by a vision. I used to have precognition, glimpses of what was to come. In my dream, my mother smiled at me, radiating the warmth I had longed for. But then, she suddenly turned her back and fixed her gaze on her library, as if trying to show me something.
That's why I am here. I need answers.
As much as I want to linger, the memories suffocate me. I shook my head and began searching for whatever it was she wanted me to find. But how could I know what I was looking for when the vision was so unclear? Maybe I was delusional, hoping for one last conversation with my mother. But how? It had been twelve years since she died. I was only eighteen then—too young to bear such a loss, even if legally I was already an adult.
This feels hopeless.
I was about to give up when my hand brushed against something—an ancient black book hidden in the shadows of the bottom shelf. It was heavy—not just in weight, but in the mystery and secrets it seemed to hold, secrets long yearning to be revealed. Its cover, crafted from worn black leather, bore arcane symbols etched so deeply it seemed they had been burned into the surface. Its spine, held together with dark metal clasps, barely contained the knowledge within.
As I opened it, the pages whispered—a soft, brittle sound, like echoes of forgotten voices. The pages were rough, yellowed with age, but the ink? It hadn't faded. Black as the void, almost floating on the paper. Strange markings filled the pages—celestial symbols, forgotten sigils, inscriptions in a language that shifted when glimpsed from the corner of my eye.
Then I saw something that made my breath catch.
It was my mother's handwriting.
She was telling her story—from her birth to her final moments. And then came the words that sent shivers down my spine:
She was reincarnated.She was reincarnated.
It seemed that I was not the only one who had crossed lifetimes. My mother, too, had walked this endless cycle, leaving breadcrumbs for me in this book. My mind screamed for logic, but my heart pounded with realization.
Was this the reason I kept returning? Was this my fate?
I turned the pages desperately, my mother's words unraveling like a long-lost prophecy.
Dear Astraea,
My child, you may see this only after I am gone, but know this—you are not to blame. Whatever happened was my doing. I do not want you to think it was because of you. No, child, no matter the time or place, your well-being has always been my priority. I cannot know what fate awaits you, but I hope this letter will guide you. This book contains the names of those who caused our downfall—the betrayers, the greedy, the ones who destroyed us. And if you wish to know who was truly responsible for my death, that person is—
A cold click echoed in the room, followed by the press of steel against my temple.
I froze.
"So, you found it, huh?" The voice was laced with amusement—menacing, familiar. I wasn't surprised he had entered silently; he must have known I'd be here. He must have known about this book.
"Too bad," he sighed mockingly. "You could have lived peacefully. Why do you have to be so stubborn, Eya?"
My grip on the book tightened.
"Guess you should visit your mother, then."
The gunshot rang in my ears before I could even register the pain. The force sent me staggering to the floor. Blood pooled around me, my vision fading, my strength slipping away.
He pried the book from my fingers and smiled—a devilish smile.
So, it was him.
Was this the end?
I wanted to fight, but my body no longer obeyed. My breath grew shallow, and consciousness slipped away. This wasn't fair. Not again. Not like this.
My mind screamed one last plea:
Give me a chance.A chance for revenge.A chance to change.A chance to live.
Then the light came. A brilliant glow surrounded me, shimmering with celestial patterns, shifting like constellations. Butterflies fluttered around me, their wings fragments of stars. A soft, commanding voice echoed in my mind:
"Remember the vow."
I closed my eyes, surrendering to the divine force that embraced me. I could feel my essence being drawn into a new vessel, my body renewing, my soul reborn. A silent promise burned into my heart. This time, I will make it right.
The warmth returned as consciousness settled in a new form. Soft fabric brushed my skin. Gentle hands steadied me. A soothing scent of jasmine and vanilla filled the air. Then—
"My beautiful Astraea…" A voice hummed, full of warmth and love. I knew that voice. I forced my eyes open and stared at the radiant, smiling face of my mother.
I was reborn.