An ember of blue light appeared within the clouds. It was formed around a little orb, which houses a tiny golden seedling. It was hungry for more energy, drawing more light towards it. The darkness it had before was lost to time, which is a testament of the hero’s incorruptible soul.

The majestic azure radiance it possessed was brimming with life, and along with it, a solemn soul was revived. Lucien awakened from his years of slumber, ready for his second life.

He wandered through the gray and silent world, which was presented to him in his wake. He can see the fine outlines of everything, but the only vibrant colors he can see are from the souls of living creatures.

He traveled long, hovering above the land, looking for an empty vessel. He needs a body he can dwell in, not of trees that are immobile, but of creatures free to roam around. He desired to find a human host, but all he could find were bodies of dead creatures.

Still, he didn’t give up hope. He flew over great distances day and night, guided by the souls he came across. He enjoyed the journey, witnessing a world only he can see. The soft radiance of the souls presented stories of life devoid of most meaning. Stories of life in their purest form.

Soon, the journey brought him to a peaceful dwelling. He found himself in a glade filled with straw-roofed huts. He saw people at last, but it saddened him. The people of the village have dimly lit souls. They’re in their last moments of life.

Lucien can see the faces of the people. They are all of old age, not a single able body tending to them. He felt pity, seeing that the village people forced themselves doing chores beyond their strength. He tried lifting one of the water bucket held by a crooked old man, but he’s unable to touch it. He went around the village desperate to have some role, to be of help, to no avail. He flew around their houses, having no choice but to just observe.

He forgot his objective. He tried constructing ways to help, and settled on fusing with a dead creature he can find nearby. He was eager to move, wanting to help the people like what he did in his first life. It was as if that same desire didn’t lead to his demise. He didn’t learn, looking for others more than himself.

But perhaps the world remembered its valiant hero, it didn’t let Lucien live his second life as a wild creature. The world prepared a perfect situation for him, the kind of situation Lucien was hoping for.

A flickering light made itself known to Lucien. In one of the humble houses, he noticed a faint soul, far dimmer than all the other souls around. He assumed it was an old person at first, so he was surprised when his monotone sight revealed a child, laying down on a heap of straws.

Lucien noticed that the child was suffering from a high fever. It was painful for him to see that the child’s soul got smaller as the time went by. Though in anguish, he can’t grieve for there’s no tears to cry with.

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Lucien placed himself on the boy’s chest. He’s probably trying to accompany the child in his last moments. He looked at the child’s soul, relieved that it’s still there. However, the weakening of the soul’s light revealed something inside it.

A little transparent orb was nested at the center of the child’s soul. Inside it was a pair of tiny eyes, moving independent from each other. Lucien knew what it is. It is the child’s innate magic.

The child woke up before Lucien can examine the orb. He wanted to try if he can exchange what he has to the child’s own power. Once again, he was going to attempt to sacrifice himself.

“Who are you?”

Lucien heard a voice resonating inside him. He looked at where it came from, and saw that the child was looking at him.

“You can see me?”, Lucien projected in his mind.

Lucien was surprised at first when the child lifted him up. But it didn’t take long for him to realize why the child can do that. It’s the power of the orb as he suspected.

“awesome..”

Lucien smiled when he heard the child’s feeble, and innocent remark.

“I’m Kael, who are you?”, the child asked.

Lucien projected his name to the curious child.

“Are you God? Can I make a wish?”

Lucien didn’t answer.

“Can you make gramma and grappa happy?”

The light of little Kael’s soul continued to dissipate. He waited for Lucien to say something. Lucien give in, wanting to entertain the child in his last moment.

“I will, I promise”

“Thank you, Lord Lucien”

Just as little Kael said Lucien’s name, his soul disappeared into nothing. His body became an empty vessel, a human host for Lucien.

And so with a heavy heart, Lucien fused into little Kael’s body. His soul scattered its influence throughout the body, bringing new vigor and life. He can move his hand, his eyes flooded with the colors of the physical world. But his hand moved to his eyes without his control, warm tears flowing down his face.

‘Rest well, Kael. I will keep my promise’, Lucien thought.

Lucien’s suppressed grief continued flowing. He forgot about the rulers’ betrayal. His sense of duty won over him. He accepted the beginning of his new life.

‘Kael… that will be my name. I’m Kael from now on’