I blinked, disoriented, as the mist surrounding the archway dissolved into a world of colors and feelings. It was as if I had been swept away by a whirlwind and deposited in a realm that was both familiar and foreign. This was my new beginning. A chance to live a life I had chosen.
It was a dark and damp new beginning.
I could not see anything, and the world was pressing down on me.
Suddenly, I felt pushing all around my body. IT HURT. IT WAS SO PAINFUL. I screamed in pain! It was like dying a third time. Then, as the pressure began to subside, I saw the light. NO! I WAS DYING A THIRD TIME! NOT HEAVEN'S LIGHT AGAIN! I AM NOT READY TO DIE AGAIN.
Then, all of a sudden 'heaven's' light grew and I looked down. Through my blurred gaze, I blearily saw my chubby, red body. I had just been born. With that realization, I fell asleep.
....
When I regained consciousness, I found myself in a small village nestled between rolling hills and lush forests. Wooden cottages lined the cobblestone streets, and the air was filled with the sounds of chirping birds and distant laughter and the distinct smell of pine. It was a calm and welcoming place, isolated from the outside world.
I had been reborn into the life of a baby, a blank slate waiting to be filled. My memories were distant, my surroundings unfamiliar, yet there was a sense of familiarity in the way my tiny hands curled and my eyes blinked against the bright sunlight. Instincts guided me as I learned to feed and sleep, to interact with the world around me. I was looking forward to this life.
....
Let me tell you.
Life as a kid is something else!
Mom is absolutely gorgeous. She has long brown hair and a kind, warm face. Beyond all of that, she is so loving.
AND she is well endowed.
Joke aside, I had struggled with myself in the moments after birth. As I lay in my wooden crib with a dirtied diaper, I thought to myself: how am I going to survive childhood as an adult? It was too embarrassing, too challenging to accept being babied around.
But, I suppose, in this life I had been blessed as this quickly became a groundless worry; as time progressed and weeks passed, I began to acclimate to my little body and its circumstances. The malleability of the human spirit was truly astounding, I thought to myself; I was noticing that I had begun to adopt the mind of a child, perhaps as an extension of being babied nonstop. Or, maybe, I had always had this side within me, a little child, cowed by my difficult experiences on Earth. Fortunately, my parents in this world were incredible.
Ah, that reminds me! My mom is incredibly patient and is constantly by my side worrying for me, feeding me, carrying me. I've tried my best to behave like a normal baby and fortunately, as I am her first kid, she hasn't yet realized I am different from others my age. I really want to make her life easy but raising me has been hard on her. Its probably my dad's fault - he is rarely home.
I'll be honest: my father is like a grizzly bear. Look, he's gruff and kind of scary. But, at the end of the day, you just want to cuddle him. And, it's not his fault he's gruff! He's out all day cutting wood. From my crib, I can see him when he came home from his long days at work, but since I am often asleep before them, I rarely see him.
Ugh, anyways. You would not believe how incredibly tiring it is being a baby. Just lifting my head feels like lifting a hundred pounds. I can't even try to crawl, much less stand up. It's simply too much! With that said, I'm tired. It's time for my fourth nap.
....
As the days turned into weeks, and the weeks into months, I marveled at the process of my growth. Each passing day brought new discoveries – the feel of cool grass beneath my fingers, the taste of sweet fruits, the sound of my own laughter echoing through the air. Over time, I was becoming a child again! What a joy!
And yet, amidst this cascade of joyous emotions, it was almost as if I had become someone else, a person infused with energy that defied my past stoic office worker self. I had never been prone to such childlike excitement during my previous life, yet here I was, finding enchantment in my cute, little pinkie. It waved back to me, as if agreeing that, indeed, it was very interesting.
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....
I eventually determined my rapid evolution was due to the malleability of the young mind. The brain of a child, unburdened by the rigidity of years, possesses a remarkable capacity to adapt and integrate novel experiences - such as being reborn into the body of an infant, apparently.
My very being seemed to mirror the pliability of my brain, melding the essence of my former self with the untarnished wonder of youth. It was as though my mind, like clay in the hands of a skilled sculptor, was being artfully shaped by this world, by my new childhood and my new parents.
But one thing was certain – I was embracing this childlike wonder with open arms. It was so fun! Perhaps, buried within the layers of my previous life's experiences, there had always been a spark yearning to be rekindled. And now, in the embrace of Wardenas, that spark had ignited a radiant flame.
....
The more I observed the world around me, the more I understood the cause and effect of my actions. I figured out how to grasp objects. By babbling and making sounds, I would call mom over (sorry mom!). It was a process of trial and error, a slow but steady progression toward understanding.
One day, as I reached out to grab a colorful toy that dangled above me, a surge of energy washed over me. It was a sensation I hadn't felt before – a tingling that started at my fingertips and radiated through my entire body. It was as if I had unlocked something within me.
A soft chime resonated in my mind, and words appeared before me.
"Experience gained: Strength (+1)"
It was a message that felt both strange and familiar, like a whisper from the Guide in Anamesa. I blinked, confused, and then felt a wash of tiredness and against my will, fell asleep.
The next morning, I woke up and tried to see what had changed. But, besides having a stronger grip, I couldn't see anything different than usual! I tried to say "Status" and other phrases which would have worked in light novels on Earth, but I was unable to pronounce any of the words, and as such, nothing happened. How frustrating!!
I resolved to try to make the most of the system and its levels, as a sense of determination blossomed within me. Then, as if to mock my determination, fatigue hit, and I fell asleep once again.
With each day that followed my (great) nap, I dedicated with the energy of a stockbroker on the verge of a break, to honing my newfound abilities. I practiced crawling, discovering that the more I crawled, the more coordinated my movements became. Eventually, I received a message:
"Experience gained: Agility (+1)."
I was ecstatic! I had finally seen progress, and it felt amazing.
However, I still could not speak. Each attempt to communicate with others led to progress – from simple coos to forming quasi-recognizable sounds, but I could not say any words.
....
Once I had been on this planet for 3 months, my parents brought me out of our hut for the first time. I was dazzled by the bright lights, and slightly confused as I had never been to the village center, but as I looked around me, I saw everyone was looking at me.
How creepy.
My mom looked down at me and smiled and whispered, "It's time for you to get named by the chief!"
Huh... maybe it's not creepy then? I quickly twisted my head around to get a better look.
As I looked out, an ancient, short man came out. He was wearing a deeply embroidered robe twice his height and it dragged behind him on the dirt. As he walked over to me, the villagers calmed, becoming silent.
He grabbed me and looked me in the eyes and gently smiled. In his eyes I could see wisdom, kindness; I felt oddly comfortable in his thin arms. Definitely not creepy, I resolutely thought to myself. Then, he raised me up - as if I were in Lion King - and loudly exclaimed: "His name will be Alex, son of Gerald! May he live a long life, filled with adventure and exploration. May he bring his family happiness!" Okay, maybe it was just a little odd.
With that statement, I felt a mystic power pass through me. From my head to my fingertips it zinged. Then, I heard a chime and in front of me I saw a message: "You have been given a name: Alex, son of Gerald." Around me, all of the torches which had been off came on and pulsed with the power I had felt pass through me, before fully igniting. Okay, this was really, really odd. What had just happened?? I squirmed in discomfort.
My mom quickly came and grabbed me and held me close to her bosom and whispered softly into my ears "Oh my Alex, I love you so much! I've truly been blessed!" In that warm, loving embrace, I groggily calmed down and thought to myself "Huh, my name is the same as it was on Earth," before happily falling asleep amidst the villager's celebration. Life was good.
....
With time, I grew. I celebrated my first birthday; once again, I visited the village center, where they held a gathering in my honor. I watched the people dance about the bonfire, mirroring the flames dancing within the bonfire and my dreams of living beyond the confides of Wall Street. I was surrounded by a tribe of people who were slowly becoming family. They laughed and sang and joyously lived every second to its fullest. I felt a profound sense of belonging, of being a part of something great.
By the time I reached the age of two, I had achieved many small milestones – biggest of those was that I was able to walk with unsteady steps, unleashing me from the confides of my hut.
Secondly, I had finally gained the capability to string together words. The chimes in my mind had become a constant presence, notifying me of the skills and powers I had acquired. And, I was finally able to talk - which meant I could finally see my status!