While I was engulfed in the endless darkness, my mind gnawed by questions about this curse and fate, I suddenly felt a force pulling me out of the darkness and guiding me toward the light.
Then, I heard a familiar voice, a voice I could never forget, the voice of someone who believed in me and supported me. "Wake up, lazy boy, the morning has come, wake up, Zayn!"
This... this was the voice of my uncle, the man who raised me! But wait... isn't Zayn my name in my past life? Hold on... how can I hear my uncle's voice again? Is this just a dream?
"Zayn, wake up! A team has been sent by the empire, maybe this is your chance!"
When I heard this familiar phrase and felt the sensation surrounding my body, I realized with certainty that I had returned once again. But... is this my original world? Or a new world that shares the same characteristics?
At that moment, I opened my dark eyes, as if a bottomless abyss had opened, swallowing all light and hope.
I looked at the ceiling... which was familiar but, in this moment, had become strange, at the bed I was lying on... the same feeling, but different. I scanned the small, simple room, a room that once held all my dreams.
As I looked around the room, memories rushed into my mind: I was fifteen that day, and I had the desire to confess my love to Alicia, but suddenly, a team from the empire arrived because Alicia had awakened the hero's mark when she turned fifteen.
That day, I was beaten so badly that I remained in bed for an entire week.
It was a day I could never forget, a day I remembered every day and in every life I lived, those memories etched into my mind.
As my mind spun in these memories, I heard footsteps approaching from outside the room. The steps stopped at the door, and then I heard a knock. The sound was gentle, and I knew the owner of the voice was Alicia.
But what was strange was that I felt nothing for Alicia, even though I knew it was her who had come to my room. Perhaps it was due to the many lives I had lived, or perhaps because of all I had learned about love, hatred, betrayal, darkness, happiness, and glory. I had grown indifferent to such things.
But at the same time, I wanted to confess to her and see if we were destined to be together.
I raised my body and leaned my back against the edge of the bed. "You can come in." Zayn's voice was calm. The door opened quietly as I expected, and there she was—Alicia.
She had long, silky brown hair that flowed over her shoulders in a natural style, adding a touch of softness to her appearance. Her large, shining blue eyes resembled a calm lake, full of expression and sincerity. Her face was oval-shaped, with delicate features, a small nose, and a mouth that smiled gently, making her always appear kind and sweet.
Her body was well-proportioned and slim, reflecting her inner strength, yet she carried a subtle charm emanating from the way she moved. Her clothes were simple but elegant, complementing her appearance and highlighting her natural beauty. When she moved, you could feel the calm yet powerful energy surrounding her, as expected from one of the heroes of this era.
She stepped forward toward Zayn, who was sitting on the bed. "Hey, have you become lazy? Come on, wake up. If I wasn't here, what would you do?" Zayn looked at Alicia calmly, observing her quietly.
He noticed the hero's mark on Alicia's hand, emitting a faint green light.
"Alicia, I love you." Zayn said the words he had always wanted to say. These words were like a chain linking his heart, no matter which life he lived. They were chains of regret that tore at his heart.
Alicia was shocked when she heard these words, so much so that she froze for a moment before reacting. "Huh? What are you saying all of a sudden?" "I've always wanted to say this and express my feelings to you." Alicia lowered her head slightly.
Unaware, Zayn's heart began to race. How could it not? He had always wanted to hear a response from Alicia.
Alicia raised her head and stared at Zayn. "Sorry, Zayn, although I appreciate your feelings, I consider you a brother."
At that moment, the chains that had bound Zayn's heart began to break, and his heart, which had been racing, slowly began to calm down, more than he had expected.
He smiled gently and looked at Alicia. "Alicia, thank you for telling me the truth instead of letting me chase after illusions."
Alicia quickly left, not looking back at Zayn's face again, shattering his dreams.
Zayn stood from the bed and walked to the window, looking at the village and its people. "Finally, I feel at peace. Finally, I've freed myself from the obsession of loving Alicia. Now, I will begin a journey for myself."
As Zayn looked out over the village through the window, he noticed the villagers moving around, cleaning and organizing the small streets. It was clear that everyone was excited, especially with the arrival of a team from the empire, which might leave a positive impact and help the village and its people.
Zayn smiled bitterly and approached a small mirror on the table. He saw his reflection in the mirror: short black hair, eyes as dark as an abyss, tan skin, and a serious mouth.
He took off his shirt and held the mirror in front of his chest, noticing the annoying tattoo near his heart: the serpent of eternity, its mouth holding its tail.
"I've always wanted to know where I got this necklace. Once I find its origin, maybe I'll find a way to destroy this curse."
As Zayn focused on the tattoo, he heard a voice coming from outside the room. He quickly put on his shirt and got ready to leave.
When he opened the door, he found a middle-aged man standing before him, with long black hair and sharp facial features, standing upright like a spear.
"Zayn, why did Alicia run out so fast? Did you do something to her, you little rascal?"
"Uncle, I didn't do anything to her. You're right, I did what you told me, I confessed my feelings."
"Really? Does she feel the same way?"
"No, I'm sorry, Uncle."
His uncle approached him and patted him firmly on the shoulder.
"It's alright, it's good that you know the truth before drowning in a world of illusions."
"Yes."
"Alright, let's eat. Your aunt is waiting for you downstairs."
He immediately turned and prepared to go downstairs to the first floor.
Zayn stood watching the middle-aged man as he walked ahead of him. He felt that his upcoming days would be better. After all, he could see his uncle and aunt again. So, before leaving, he had to give them a gift.
Quickly, he followed his uncle downstairs and into the dining room. When he entered the kitchen, the delicious smell hit his nose. The table was covered with all his favorite foods. A woman in her middle years stood there, with long brown hair, eyes that were brown with a hint of green, fair skin, a small nose, and a small, sweet mouth. She was dressed simply, and her smile lit up her face.
"Zayn, wake up and come, I've made everything you love."
The three of them immediately sat at the table and began eating quietly.
With the first bite that entered his mouth, the delicious food exploded with flavor, bringing back childhood memories. Without realizing it, tears ran down his face.
His uncle and aunt quickly noticed this, and his aunt stood up and walked over to Zayn.
"Zayn, is the food bad or too hot?"
When Zayn heard his aunt's voice, he snapped out of his memories and looked at her, noticing the worried expression on her face. His heart filled with warmth.
"No, I'm fine, the food is delicious, but I remembered something."
"Thank goodness you're okay."
"Did you remember Alicia?"
His uncle asked.
"No, Uncle. Alicia is a friend, just like you told me I was a brother to her. I see her as a sister."
His uncle breathed calmly, relieved to know that Zayn was fine and that Alicia's rejection hadn't saddened him.
Everyone returned to eating while Zayn remained lost in thought.
"Alicia may be a noble heroine, and I may be just a peasant in everyone's eyes, but how can I live an ordinary life after all these lifetimes? In the end, I am Ashura."
After finishing the meal, he decided to leave and headed toward the forest. He didn't want to attract a scouting team from the Empire, and he also needed to gather herbs to craft a potion that would enhance his physical strength and increase his aura.
He moved quickly, yet something strange could be noticed—while running, he made no sound, like someone walking on clouds.
"In the heavens and the earth, I shall write this era myself. Yes, this will be the era of Zayn, known as Iron Lord, Emperor of Alchemy, Father of Rune Magic, and Ashura, the Heavenly Demon. This era shall be written in the name of Zayn."
Indeed, the birth of a legend had begun—the tale of a master who walked the land, the King of Knights, the Uncrowned King, the Warlord, Ashura, the Iron Lord, the Emperor of Alchemy, and the Father of Rune Magic.