One month had passed since the traumatic events that led to Grace’s birth… or rather, her rebirth. She was lying silently in a crib.

Her new mother had just left the room, and Grace was frustrated. She was a baby again. Well, it wasn’t unexpected—when someone died and somehow reincarnated—but it was really a nuisance for Grace. Her new body was so... tiny. Worse, new and foreign emotions flooded her mind. At least she was experiencing the life of a newborn with full control over her mind and the ability to form coherent thoughts. The last time she had been a baby, she hadn’t minded it very much. Why would a baby think it’s not okay to be a baby?

But these new emotions...

She was actually quite fond of her new mother. Her mother cared deeply for her and talked to her all day long. Grace tried a few times to answer, but only funny noises escaped her mouth. So, she was destined to observe the world around her and listen to her mother. It was also quite interesting. Grace could understand the new language surprisingly easily; with her photographic memory, it was no problem at all to remember the words and draw conclusions on her own. The biggest problem with being a baby, however, was that Grace had no control over her body anymore. She had to relearn everything from scratch. Her muscle memory was completely gone, and to make matters worse, she couldn’t control her bladder, even though she had tried to fix the problem over the past month.

But on the other side what really amazed Grace was that her parents had literally named her ‘Grace’ again. It was as if her name was imprinted on her soul or something like that. Had she been a ‘Grace’ in her past lives as well? She wondered this not for the first time as she lay in her crib.

Her thoughts once again circled back to her first day in this world. It had been a truly frightening experience. When she unlocked, for the first time, memories of the 'afterlife'—or the dimension 'in-between,' or however one might call the realm someone enters after death—there had been peace. Grace, or rather her soul, had appeared as a golden orb and had to choose a new world from among infinite golden branches... but this time?

She remembered the explosion, the brief moment of pain, and the sensation of being dragged out of her body. And then, a short moment of relief. She had died, and for a fleeting instant, she was herself. But that relief vanished, replaced by a wave of calm that told her everything was fine as she ceased to exist. She was being pulled back into the endless cycle of reincarnation, and all her pain and suffering ended with a sense of release.

Then a thought emerged: This is wrong! She didn’t want to start again. The whole point was to avoid ceasing to exist, after all. Grace fought back. She clung desperately to her consciousness, and... something shattered.

Her memories went black; only darkness remained. She didn’t know what happened after that, and that was slightly disturbing. The whole experience was quite disturbing. Again and again, she experienced the day of her birth in this world: the sense of helplessness, the primal fear and pain, and the voice in the void…

A slight shutter run through her. It doesn’t matter, I did it. I’m here now!

Then her little body was aching. She tried to roll onto her side, but her new mother had placed her between two cushions. Ah, come on... I’m not dumb enough to roll onto my belly and suffocate... she sighed mentally.

She thought about crying a little bit so her new mother would come and carry her around... What a strange thought. Before she could drift away Grace snapped back to her former thoughts.

It was really strange, she could feel it, her new life as a baby was influencing her thoughts and it was tiresome to keep a clear mind.

But besides the downsides to be a baby again, she was thankful she reincarnated in this world. Her mother's daily talking and stories gave her, after a month, quite an understanding of her surroundings.

She was now Grace of Ashford, the only daughter and fifth child of the Duke of Ashford. Her brothers were all much older than her; her oldest was 23, and her ‘youngest’ was 17. Her mother was the second wife of her father, after his first wife died. As far as Grace could tell, it was also a world without modern technology, but instead filled with clichés of magic, aristocracy, and a more advanced medieval society. However, as a baby, it was difficult to judge more precisely. Maybe she was just in the house of some backwater lunatics. But it felt right to her. Her mother was a beautiful woman in her early twenties, blonde, with stunning green eyes, and her voice was like a melody to Grace. She was also sharp and could articulate herself quite well. Grace loved being in her presence... or did she not?

Grace tried to focus. Where are these strange feelings coming from? She thought. I’m a manipulative mastermind who doesn’t need anyone... Or do I...?

A frustrated sigh escaped her as she found herself again trapped in this tiny, helpless body.

Ahhh, this baby form is driving me crazy! Her mind raced, but her little body seemed to have a mind of its own.

“Bwwaaaah...!”

Stop it, you stupid body! She screamed inside, desperately trying to regain control.

“Waaaahhhh...”

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It felt as though her body was completely betraying her, responding on its own while she helplessly watched. Her hands clenched into fists. She was Grace of Ashford – not some helpless baby! Her body had to obey her!

...

But wait—wasn’t she Grace Blair? She paused, the confusion settling in like a fog. Or was she Grace of Ashford?

The more she thought about it, the more everything felt... muddled. Names, identities, places—each one seemed to slip through her mind like water through her fingers. One moment, she was certain of who she was, but the next, doubt crept in, and everything felt wrong.

Before she completely lost control of the situation, the door to her room opened, and her mother rushed in.

"Shh… Grace, is everything alright?” she said softly, picking Grace up from her crib and carrying her around the room, humming a quiet melody.

“Close your eyes, the winds will sing,

Of ancient times and fallen kings.

The dark may stir, but fear no sound,

For mother’s arms will keep you bound.

Sleep, my love, the world is vast,

A tale of futures, echoes past.

And when you wake, the dawn shall gleam,

But for now, my dear, just chase the dream.”

When the melody filled the room with the beautiful voice from her mother, Grace couldn’t resist any longer, all former thoughts vanished and she felt asleep.

Her mother chuckled softly as she saw Grace sleeping, kissed her gently on the forehead, and laid her back in her crib.

“Oh my… you’re so cute when you sleep, little Grace… I wish your father could see you…” she whispered, her voice tinged with a mix of love and sadness.

Then, with a soft sigh, she held her hand above Grace. A faint green shimmer began to radiate from her palm, enveloping Grace’s tiny body in its gentle glow. The Duchess closed her eyes briefly, her expression hardening.

“The void magic is fading…” she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper, laced with worry. Her brows furrowed, and a spark of determination lit her eyes. “But who in the thirteen hells cursed you, little Grace? …I’ll find and kill them. They dared…”

Her hand lingered for a moment longer before the glow subsided, leaving the room bathed in quiet stillness. The Duchess glanced down at her daughter one last time, her gaze softening. “And I’ll protect you,” she promised, her voice resolute, before quietly leaving the room.

--::--

The Creation of Nyras:

In the beginning, there was only the Void, an empty space where neither time nor form existed. From this Void emerged Nyras, the First ‘Lady of the Light’ and the ‘Eternal Mother’. She shone with an intensity beyond comprehension, her essence was a perfect balance of creation and destruction, life and death. For eternity, she floated alone in the Void, her light holding back the chaotic forces of the Thirteen Hells.

The Thirteen Hells were dark realms, each ruled by an immortal demon. These beings, born from the shadows of the Void, sought to devour Nyras' light and plunge all into eternal darkness.

Nyras knew that this fragile balance could not last forever. She made a decision that would change the entire universe. She would sacrifice her very essence to create a world—a place of life, light, and hope—that could serve as a bulwark against the Thirteen Hells.

With a solemn song, Nyras tore her own being apart. Her heart became the sun, casting its light across the Void, pushing back the encroaching darkness. Her breath became the winds, and her tears formed the endless seas. Her body became the fertile earth, and from her veins flowed rushing rivers, the lifeblood of the new world.

As her divine body scattered to shape this new realm, her sacrifice gave birth to the goddess Iras, the ‘Daughter of Light’. Iras emerged as the embodiment of her mother's radiant will, her form shining like the first sunrise. Alongside her were five siblings, each born from a fragment of Nyras’ divine essence:

Thyron, the God of Strength and Earth, who created mountains and soil, anchoring the world.

Elyra, the Goddess of Wisdom and Stars, who set the constellations in the sky to guide the living.

Velarion, the God of Seas and Storms, who tamed the wild waters and ensured the balance of life.

Lirien, the Goddess of Growth and Harvest, who guided the cycle of life and death in nature.

Kaelir, the God of Shadows and Change, who ensured that even in light, darkness had its place, maintaining harmony.

Together, the six gods swore to protect the world their mother had created, naming it Nyras in her honor.

It is also said that Nyras’ soul still resides within the world she created. Her essence lives on in the winds, flows in the rivers, and faintly shines in the hearts of all who walk the earth. Though she no longer exists in her original form, her sacrifice left a strength in the world that even the darkness of the Thirteen Hells cannot extinguish.

But the Thirteen Hells did not give up. They raged in fury, sending their dark tendrils to corrupt the new world. Iras, blazing with her mother’s light, became the first and greatest protector of Nyras. Her siblings stood by her side.

The gods, however, knew that their own power would not be enough to protect the world from the chaos of the Thirteen Hells. To safeguard Nyras and its inhabitants, they decided to give the mortals the gift of magic.

So magic, the divine spark of creation, was born from the sole essence of the gods. Each god bestowed upon humanity a part of their power:

Iras gave them Light Magic, the power to heal, protect, and purify the lands.

Thyron granted them Earth Magic, the ability to shape the earth, move it, and strengthen the body.

Elyra taught them Space Magic, to seek knowledge, understand the stars, and glimpse the unseen forces of the world.

Velarion gave them Water Magic, enabling them to control the seas, summon storms, and draw life from rivers and oceans.

Lirien shared Nature Magic, allowing mortals to live in harmony with nature, heal wounds, and encourage the harvest.

Kaelir gifted them Shadow Magic, the ability to hide, transform, and adapt to the ever-changing world.

….

“Grace, where are you? Your mother said you shouldn’t play alone!”

The two-year-old Grace closed the book with a sigh. Her governess was a real pain in the ass.