n the vast and fertile land stood a lonely mountain. The mountain was so high that its top was behind the clouds. Wide and big enough that whole human Empires could fit inside. There was a huge space inside the cloud-covered mountaintop.

Everything was painted in a dark color, without a single light source. There was an evil and creepy aura. The entire cave was filled with dark and mysterious mana.The stones that made up the walls of the caves, the rarest and most valuable crystals and metals, all of them were dark in color.

In the very center of this place rested a huge egg the color of obsidian. Looking at him will make your soul tremble and your mind get muddy. It was the source of all this aura and mana. You can't help wondering what kind of creature it will be if even an egg causes such a thrill.

*Crackling*

The sound of an egg cracking echoed in the silent space.

***

The April afternoon turned out to be cloudy, a cool and soft wind shook the branches of green trees. In this small park, there was no city bustle or the hum of cars. But despite this, there were not more than a dozen people in the park.

One of them was sitting on a bench under the shade of a tree right now. He was a guy about 17-18 years old, he had a beautiful appearance, and the skin, looking at which, it seems that he never went out in the sun. He just sat peacefully with his eyes closed, letting the wind caress his black hair.

It was Jack, who had recently turned 18. Which he celebrated like an orphan without friends in proud solitude. But for him it was normal, and even for the best. Unlike his peers, he did not like noisy parties, and the destructive smoking and alcohol itself.

The young man preferred to sit in a quiet park, as he is sitting right now. Forget about your own and worldly problems. Does not worry about money and studies. Not to think about his parents, whose face he had never seen. Just to be alone with yourself, enjoying the fresh air and the beauty of nature.

That's what Jack is all about. A simple and silent guy who doesn't want anything more than that.

The young man stayed here for a long time, so long that the sky began to darken and the wind to get colder. But his still-closed eyes were opened by a strange glow in the sky. It was a blood-red glow, accompanied with a heavy metallic smell.

"Sunset? But what is that strange smell?? Wait... wasn't it noon?", - I was in a huge confusion, so I hurried home as soon as possible trying to ignore the aching back.

The young man started to leave, as the scarlet glow suddenly became brighter and brighter. And eventually it became so bright that the whole world turned scarlet.

"What the hell..."

The dazed Jack already began to suspect that he had fallen asleep, and it was all a dream. But attempts to wake myself up did not give the desired results.

In an instant, the scarlet glow disappeared as suddenly as it appeared. Everything became normal again, and the occasional chirping of birds could be heard in the dark sky.

* Sighed*

"It was not worth sitting in a crooked bench for so long... But, damn it, why did I sit so long. My back is about to break."

Turned out to be at home, which was about a half-hour walk from the park. He washed up and had dinner. Right after that, he fell into a deep, very deep sleep.

***

At some point, Jack abruptly opened his

eyes. And the first thing he said.

"It's beautiful...", - the guy's sleepiness instantly disappeared, and he could squeeze out only one word.

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

His eyes opened wide, his mouth opened and did not close again. Jack had never seen a more beautiful sight, and he was sure that he would not see it.

The entire visible horizon was mesmerizingly covered with myriads of stars and multicolored cosmic dust. In the distance, incomprehensible planets and heavenly bodies could be seen surrounding the gigantic tree. There were two all-consuming black holes nearby. But nothing could overshadow this evergreen tree, the huge crown of the tree covered with emerald leaves and two black holes caused a strange feeling in the chest. Very far away, but very close.

Unconsciously for the young man, longing and resentment lurked in his heart. Which broke his peaceful state of mind and opened his eyes from the contemplation of the indescribable beauty of this place. And treacherous wasn't going to leave him.

Jack, with whom so many strange things happened that he did not immediately understand the absurdity of the situation. More and more confusion, questions were closing in the depths of his heart, not finding an answer. But for some reason, apart from the strange feeling of longing squeezing his heart, there was no panic or chaos in his mind.

"Is it something to do with the strange glow in the park? Is this a dream, or am I dead after all? But if this is what death looks like, I will be able to calmly rest after seeing the landscape.", - the young man was transferred to feelings, allowing a strange longing to take possession of his heart.

A crack in space appeared right in front of him. A scarlet glow, painfully familiar to Jack, began to prevail in the pitch-black funnel. Next came the hand that held the handle of the spear. It didn't take long for the man holding the spear to come out by himself.

He was a tall and sturdy man, dressed in a very ordinary shirt and trousers. His long scarlet hair fell down his back. He had a very beautiful face and bright scarlet eyes. The stern body and beautiful appearance were harmonious, and even looked perfect.

Jack, who saw all this, lost all power of speech, and just watched the newcomer with his eyes and mouth wide open.

"When will you mortals show a different reaction when you see me?", a note of sadness was heard in his voice.

Right after these words, Jack finally realized

something terrifying. The man's entire existence was accompanied by a deep cruelty and a tyrannical aura. Even in the most ordinary action like a wave of this man's hand, any fool would notice it. As a modern man who did not feel real rigidity in his life, he was filled with primal fear, his body shook uncontrollably.

At the sight of this, the man's eyes were filled with regret, in which a sense of guilt was read.

*sigh*

The man covered his finger with a soft emerald glow, and touched the young man's forehead. Instead of the expected death, his heart calmed down, his mind became clearer, his eyes seemed to open again.

"You are dead, mortal child."

"What...", - there was neither fear nor despair in Jack's voice, but humility.

Without the man's magical help and the strange peace of this place, he wasn't sure he would have been so calm

"So it's not a dream? But who are you?" - resigned to the possibility of death before that, he was more frightened by the aura of this strange man.

"That's right. This is no dream at all. But your death is not a complete stop on your way.", - according to the aura of the man, he seemed to be a ruthless and cruel tyrant, but he seemed patient and calm. And guilty before someone, - "I am... the God of War – Ares."

The young man's heart almost raged again, it was amazing how the god of war coddled a man like him.

"Reincarnation? Like in those novels?"

"I'm glad I don't have to explain. Your conclusions are correct again. Unfortunately, you can't change anything, everything was decided for you."

"Someone like you shouldn't apologize to a mortal, I understand everything. I'm just curious to know the details.", - natural respect for higher beings was in the blood of all beings, Jack was no exception.

"You will be reborn as a dragon. And no one knows exactly how, it all depends on your luck. You will be given a unique system, independent of the World System. And the blessing of Death, although it was not on this list, but I will give you my gift, the blessing of War."

Before Jack could thank Ares, he began to crumble into particles of light, it was getting dark in his eyes.

"Sorry, we don't have any more time left. It took me too long to get to this place. Good luck, mortal child...", - Ares managed to say only this before the young man completely crumbled, - "Live more than the innumerable children I managed to kill...".

This was the greatest regret of the God of War, the guilt he felt before living beings and before his Father was as boundless as his brutal murders....

But the cracks appearing in the space did not bother his regrets, and mercilessly tore the whole place apart. I reveal to the human eye a lifeless and desolate world, through which countless undead walked aimlessly everywhere.

A throne formed in front of Ares, in an explosion of souls screaming in silent torment, a man dressed in a black robe appeared, his face was not visible, but his pale purple eyes shone like lanterns. They pierced the soul itself, trying to take it and absorb it.

"It was worth it… Ares?" a cold and archaic voice sounded.

"Every drop of my blood spilled, Hades,"

Ares, the fearless and determined god of War, replied with a sigh…