Chapter 1

Bolat Abaiov, an ordinary man in Astana, Kazakhstan, starts his day as usual by heading to the bus stop with some friends. Among them is one as strong as a bull, employed at a gym, while another, a bit overweight, works as a security guard in a mall. Bolat, slender with glasses, works at a computer shop and is currently pursuing a degree in programming. Despite living alone, Bolat enjoys a content and peaceful life. However, he longs to connect with someone or start a family eventually. For now, he remains focused on his own journey before seeking companionship.

That day took a tragic turn when an accident struck. Bolat proceeded with his routine tasks at the shop, including computer cleaning, hardware repairs, and selling components. Later that night, he ventured into the basement to retrieve some clients' computers. Unfortunately, a short circuit in the electrical line ignited a fire, which quickly spread throughout the building. Despite his efforts to escape, Bolat found himself trapped inside as the inferno raged on. Following an investigation, it was concluded that Bolat was the sole individual present during the incident. The combustible materials in the shop, combined with Bolat's location in the basement, led to the fire engulfing him entirely, leaving only a few bones behind amidst the wreckage.

Despite the partial cremation of his remains and a funeral attended by friends, neighbors, and even acquaintances from the market, Bolat found himself in a perplexing situation. Awakening in the arms of a woman, unable to articulate words, he soon realized he had been reincarnated as a baby. As he navigated his new existence, Bolat gradually accepted that this was not some afterlife or limbo, but rather a tangible reality, albeit one he had only encountered in fiction.

As he matured in his new form, Bolat adapted to his surroundings, learning the language Yafian spoken by his new parents and discovering that he had been born into a medieval-style world. Despite the unfamiliar attire and architecture, Bolat's impoverished upbringing remained a constant, as he found himself the third child in a family struggling to make ends meet, with two elder sisters. Hindered by his family's financial constraints, Bolat lacked the opportunity for formal education, leaving him unable to read or write. However, he mastered the local language fluently.

Despite his expertise in computing being rendered obsolete in this new reality, Bolat resigned himself to the life of a farmer, assisting his family on their farm. For the time being, he decided to take respite until he reached an age where he could contribute meaningfully to their livelihood.

At the age of 10, Bolat, now known as Asteru, diligently works alongside his father on the family farm, aiding in the cultivation of crops and assisting in transporting them to the nearby town. Embracing his newfound identity, Asteru finds solace and belonging in his familial bonds, a stark contrast to his upbringing in the anonymity of an adoption center.

As he matures, Asteru's horizons broaden with each journey to the bustling town of Ornegaka, situated within the Agonagian Empire on the Arin continent. Beyond Arin lies the southern continent of Zagroth, while to the east lies the recently discovered Praeraeva, inhabited by two distinct regions: South Praeraeva and North Praeraeva. Over the past century, trade relations have flourished among the four continents, enabling inhabitants to traverse freely between them, fostering cultural exchange and economic prosperity.

As time progresses, Asteru observes the diverse array of races coexisting in this world, from orcs and goblins to trolls, some integrated into human societies while others remain wild and primitive. Despite the strangeness of his transformation from Bolat to Asteru, he finds comfort in the fact that he is now living a tangible life, albeit one tinged with nostalgia for his friends from Earth.

As Asteru matures into adulthood, he witnesses the milestones of his sisters' lives, one marrying a farmer and the other wed to the governor. However, troubling rumors surface regarding the governor's mistreatment of Asteru's older sister, compounded by her inability to take action due to his powerful position. Reflecting on his own past on Earth, Asteru wonders if he will ever find genuine love and companionship in this new world.

As diplomatic tensions escalate among nations on the Arin continent, Asteru's family faces economic strain, unable to sell their crops at fair prices or afford essential commodities like meat. Rumors of an impending overthrow of the crown add to Asteru's apprehension, fearing the onset of civil unrest that could engulf the entire region, including his own family.

As Asteru traverses the bustling market, he witnesses a formidable caravan of soldiers passing through the city, their presence signaling the enforcement of a recruitment decree issued by King Parias of the Agonagian Empire. Every man aged 15 and older is compelled to join the army to maintain order across the empire's provinces. At 14, Asteru narrowly escapes conscription, but his father is not as fortunate, taken away never to be seen again.

Left alone with his mother on the farm, Asteru grapples with the challenges of surviving amidst a tumultuous economy and the proliferation of soldiers throughout the country. Several harsh winters later, tragedy strikes as a significant portion of the town, including Asteru's mother, succumbs to starvation and the bitter cold. With his sisters residing in distant parts of the country, his father missing, and now his mother gone, Asteru finds himself the sole inhabitant of what was once his cherished home.

Facing profound loss and solitude, Asteru must confront the harsh realities of his existence, navigating a world fraught with uncertainty and adversity.

A few years later, Asteru finds love and companionship with Mirield, the maid of the bakery he frequented, and together they establish a life on Asteru's farm. Despite the challenges posed by fluctuating prices and rising temperatures, they manage to sustain themselves by diversifying their crops and even investing in cattle, with the added support of Mirield's family contributing their labor to the farm.

Over time, their family grows with the arrival of a daughter, whom Asteru names Dinara, in homage to a neighbor he befriended during his time as Bolat on Earth. However, the looming threat of civil war materializes, plunging the empire into chaos as it fractures into three factions: liberalists from the Honta territory advocating for independence, nationalists seeking to establish a new government, and royalists fighting to maintain the status quo.

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The military, too, splinters along regional lines, with soldiers from different territories aligning with their respective factions. As nationalists lay siege to Agonagos, the capital, and royalist forces mobilize to maintain control, territories like Kemee—where Asteru resides—are caught in the crossfire. With much of Kemee's land dedicated to food cultivation for the empire, it becomes a key battleground in the conflict, leaving Asteru and his family vulnerable to the ravages of war.

Trapped in the throes of war, the once-thriving town of Ornegaka finds itself under the iron grip of the royalist army, which ruthlessly exploits its resources and suppresses its inhabitants. Forced to relinquish even the last sack of food, the townspeople are herded southward toward the fertile crop fields, their livelihoods now plundered by the crown's forces.

Asteru and Mirield's family, along with their fellow townsfolk, valiantly resist the onslaught of royalist looters, determined to protect their home and preserve their dignity. Yet, their efforts are met with brutal reprisal, as many are executed or taken captive under the accusation of treason against the crown.

Forced to abandon their besieged town, the survivors of Ornegaka hastily fortify makeshift defenses, gathering whatever materials they can scrounge to ward off further attacks. However, their fleeting respite is shattered by the arrival of the nationalist forces, whose intentions prove to be far from benevolent.

In a cruel twist of fate, the nationalists accuse the townspeople of collusion with the royalists, branding them as traitors obstructing the path to national liberation. With relentless ferocity, they unleash their wrath upon Ornegaka, laying waste to everything in their path and mercilessly executing its inhabitants.

Asteru, consumed by a desperate urge to defend his home and loved ones, valiantly attempts to resist the onslaught. However, his efforts are futile against the overwhelming might of trained soldiers, and he finds himself overpowered and subdued.

Tragically, Asteru is forced to witness the devastation unfold before his eyes as his farm is ravaged, his workers slain, and his beloved Mirield and Dinara mercilessly raped and cut down. Powerless to intervene, he is subjected to the agony of helplessly witnessing the annihilation of everything he held dear.

In his final moments, Asteru is left grappling with unanswerable questions, pondering the senseless suffering and loss that has befallen him once again. With his family gone, his farm destroyed, and his beloved town reduced to ashes, he succumbs to the inevitable embrace of death, his anguished lament echoing into the void as he breathes his last, consumed by the relentless tide of violence and despair.

200 years after

As the year 2366 of the Westfield era dawns, the skies above the Treshall Mountains are painted with hues of pink, casting a tranquil glow over the land once known as the Agonagian Empire. Now, the empire lies fractured into three distinct nations: Agonagia in the north under royalist rule, the Duchy of Honta in the middle governed by liberalists, and the Oligarchy of Kemee in the south.

Amidst the remnants of a forgotten town, reclaimed by the relentless march of nature, lies the crumbling ruins of what was once a bustling hub of civilization. Overgrown with moss and reclaimed by the wilderness, the dilapidated stone walls stand as silent witnesses to the passage of time.

Amongst the decay, nestled within the remnants of a century-old stone wall, lies a skeletal figure, its bones weathered and cracked, adorned with a verdant coat of moss. Unbeknownst to the world around it, the skeleton remains undisturbed, a relic of a bygone era.

Yet, as the morning light bathes the land in its gentle glow, a subtle movement stirs within the ancient remains. Slowly, almost imperceptibly, the skeleton begins to shift, breathing new life into the forgotten echoes of the past.

Asteru: tough, my head...what happened...wait, Mirield! Dinara!

Asteru awakens to a disorienting haze, his mind clouded with memories of Mirield and Dinara. Desperate to find them, he attempts to rise but finds himself immobilized, surrounded by a layer of dirt. As he struggles to free himself, he notices a chilling realization - his limbs are nothing but bare bones. Shocked and bewildered, Asteru tentatively touches his skeletal form, grappling with the surreal nature of his existence.

With resolve, Asteru brushes off the soil and stands, surveying the desolate remains of what was once his farm. Wilderness has reclaimed the land, leaving no trace of the home he once knew. Amidst the ruins, he recalls the tragic fate of Mirield and Dinara, prompting him to dig until he uncovers their bones. Though his heart longs to weep, his skeletal form denies him the release of tears. All he can do is lay them to rest and fashion a modest memorial, a silent vow to honor their memory.

Embarking on a solemn journey, Asteru traverses the familiar path to the village, reminiscing about happier times spent with his family. Yet, upon reaching the village, he is greeted by the stark reality of decay and ruin. Amongst the dilapidated structures, he encounters a grim sight - the remains of a fallen soldier clad in rusted armor, a relic of the Agonagian army. A telltale insignia, a shield secured upside down, signifies allegiance to the nationalist cause, a chilling reminder of the tumultuous past that led to his own demise.

As Asteru gazes upon the remnants of the fallen soldier, a surge of memories floods his mind, recalling the bitter division that tore the soldiers of Agonagia apart. Each faction claimed to fight for the people, a facade shattered by the merciless attack on an innocent and neutral town. The senseless bloodshed fills Asteru with a seething rage, a visceral reaction to the betrayal of those sworn to protect their country.

The anguish of his own powerlessness washes over him anew, as he reflects on his inability to defend his family and home from the ravages of war. The injustice of it all ignites a fiery determination within Asteru, a resolve to seek vengeance against the empire that betrayed its own citizens.

With grim determination, Asteru sets forth on a path of retribution, fueled by the burning desire to avenge the lives lost and the homes destroyed. No longer will he stand idly by while the oppressors reign unchecked. In the heart of the chaos and devastation, Asteru finds purpose, his quest for justice driving him forward with unwavering resolve.

In the heart of the chaos and devastation, Asteru finds purpose, his quest for justice driving him forward with unwavering resolve [https://img.wattpad.com/5eb022507635612106cb2a12c3093932c9df8861/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f2d72447364524c4c795843465f513d3d2d313433333138363238342e313763303738313536353730666231333534373233343032393232382e706e67?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]

Story by Enyorableroveler114 [https://img.wattpad.com/62eb34028d0f55a54a0c64e009c0b0413007ff68/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f706b4137674f66386a4135676d513d3d2d313433333138363238342e313763303738313835366535373439343539333632303833303339362e706e67?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]

Story by Enyorableroveler114