(by Ninofiction)
I woke up to a world of warmth and softness, a cocoon that cradled me gently. As I lay there, I couldn't see anything, and a wave of panic washed over me. The darkness was new and disorienting, a stark contrast to the battlefield I once knew. My other senses were heightened, but the absence of sight made everything feel strange and overwhelming.
"Did i really die?, the last thing i remember was being overwhelmed by an unexpected attack from our enemy"
"Look at her, she's perfect!" a voice said, filled with joy. "We'll name her Annabel."
Annabel. The name felt foreign yet comforting, a new identity that replaced the weight of my past. I remembered who I was—Griffith, a fierce general, a leader on the battlefield. But now, I was just a baby, helpless and innocent, and I couldn't see the world around me.
As I listened closely, I could hear my parents talking, their words a soft melody that calmed my racing heart. "She has your eyes," my mother said, her voice laced with love. "I can't wait to watch her grow."
"Me too," my father replied, pride swelling in his tone. "She'll be strong, just like her mother."
Even though I couldn't see them, I could feel their warmth and love enveloping me. But the panic lingered, a reminder of my blindness in this unfamiliar world. Yet, amidst the confusion, I could feel something else—magic in the air, a familiar sensation that reminded me of my old world. It pulsed around me, vibrant and alive, igniting a flicker of hope within my heart.
"I will not be weak," I thought, even as I felt the limitations of my new form. "I will learn and grow, just as I did before. I will protect those I love."
With each passing moment, I absorbed the sounds and scents around me, the warmth of my parents' love fueling my resolve. "This new life will not hold me back. I will rise again, in a way that no one expects."
---
Laying in my crib, I listen to the familiar sounds of my family around me. The soft creaking of the floorboards as my mother, Elara, moves about, and the gentle rustle of herbs in her hands fill the air with comfort.
"Alaric, can you help me with these roots?"
"Of course, love," my father replies, his tone strong and reassuring. "I'll get them from the shelf."
I hear the clinking of jars and the soft thud of my father's footsteps. Their voices wrap around me like a soft blanket, but a part of me feels restless, yearning for the freedom and strength I once knew on the battlefield.
"Look at her," Ramon, my eight-year-old brother, says, his excitement bubbling over. "She's already so curious! I can't wait until she can explore the forest with us."
"Just give her time," Elara responds gently. "She'll find her way. For now, we'll share our stories with her."
"Yeah, I'll tell her all about the cool creatures out there!" Ramon adds, his voice full of enthusiasm.
As they talk, I feel the love surrounding me, even if I can't express my thoughts. I may be a baby now, but deep inside, I know I carry the echoes of a past life filled with adventure.
-
As the days go by, I find myself captivated by the stories Ramon tells, his voice a mix of excitement and wonder. He sits beside me, leaning in close as if sharing a great secret.
"Annabel," he whispers, his voice filled with anticipation, "did you know there are 16 stages of mages? It's like a ladder, and 15 is the weakest. But 0? That's the strongest! Almost no one ever reaches that level."
"Most people awaken their magic at 15," he continues, his tone filled with excitement. "That's when they get sent to magic academies. The higher your magic level, the better the academy you can go to. I can't wait to awaken mine! I want to be the best!"
I can't respond, but I focus intently on his words, feeling the magic in the air as he speaks. Even now, I can sense a flicker of energy within me, a gentle warmth that dances just beneath the surface of my infant body. I wonder how quickly I could awaken if the average is 15. Would I be different? Would I be special?
He talks about our father, who is nearby, carefully training his own abilities.
"Dad's a stage 9 mage with fire magic," Ramon explains, pride evident in his voice. "He's been teaching me all the basics. I practice every day, hoping to awaken my magic soon!"
He pauses, his voice filled with intrigue. "And Mom? She has plant magic, which is the most common for healing magic. Even tho shes never gotten her actual levels tested she's definitely strong! She can make flowers bloom and help heal wounds with her magic. It's incredible!"
Ramon's expression shifts as he continues, "There are different types of magic, you know. There's fire, water, wind, earth, ice, and plant magic. Each one is unique and powerful in its own way! But the rarest of all is space magic. It's only heard of in stories and hasn't been seen in our times. Most people can only use one or sometimes two types, and it's incredibly rare to find someone who can wield more than that."
I listen, absorbing every detail, the dreams of my brother weaving into the fabric of my thoughts. The stories of magic and adventure fill my mind, and I can't help but feel that flicker of energy grow stronger. Perhaps one day, I too will awaken my magic and join him on this journey.
"Just wait, Annabel," Ramon says, his voice filled with determination. "One day, we'll explore the world together, and I'll show you everything I've learned!"
---
As the days turn into months, i find myself in all sorts of situations i couldn't not have found any more humiliating than anything i could think off from my old life, not being able to control my baby limbs and having to be cleaned by my mother, (not being able to control when you pee or poop really is terrible.)
As the days were very boring and repetitive as a blind baby the only thing i could do was focus on the magic i felt within, as my brother Ramon has told me all types of stories about the wars between different races and how humans are at the bottom of that list.
"From the information i've gathered during the stories of Ramon and my parents a couple things have become clear to me. There are 7 different races on our 7 different continents.
1: Humans like me and my family who live on the on the most west continent named Hearth wood. They are on average at a rank 8-11 mage with no special abilities.
2: Dwarves, who live on the south west continent named Iron Peak. They are on average a 10-13 rank mage with the special
ability: Stone form, Allowing them to temporarily harden their skin to become as tough as stone, increasing their defense in battle.
3: Elves, who live on the North West continent named Sylvan Vale. They are on average a 7-10 rank mage with the special ability: Ethereal Step: Elves can move with incredible grace, allowing them to dodge attacks and move silently through any terrain.
4: Nymphs who live in the most middle continent named Lunaris. Surrounded by everyone else yet have the least amount of deaths each year by the way they hide, on average a level 7-10 mage, with the special ability: Glimmering Veil: they can create illusions that enchant or confuse others, making them harder to detect or understand.
5: Demons who live in the south east continent named Dread Moor. They are on average a level 6-9 mage with the special ability: Shadowstep: Demons can meld into shadows, allowing them to move unseen and travel short distances instantly.
6: Devils who live completely on the south continent named Blazewind. They are on average a level 5-8 mage making them by far the most powerful out of all the races: with the special ability: Tempting Whisper: Devils can plant seductive ideas or desires in the minds of others, leading them to make choices that benefit the devil in exchange for power or knowledge.
7: Chimeras, who live on the north east side continent named Mysthaven. They are on average a level 8-11 mage with the special ability: Adaptive Form: Chimeras can temporarily take on the physical traits of other creatures, gaining their abilities for a period of time.
All continents have leaders that are nobility, currently the Humans and Dwarves have an alliance where they give us recourse like stone, wood, metal and other materials, for food like bread, fruit and vegetables, most other continents are at war and pretty much always have people fighting each other altho in the last decade it has been a lot more calm.
All i know is that i will protect my family
when i get older.
It's been three years since I was born here, and now I find myself in the garden, stick in hand, feeling more like a general than a toddler. At three years old, I've lived a whole life before this, and I know the stories of space magic—powerful and ancient, only whispered about in tales. Today, I want to see if those stories are true. Especially since I've felt a spark ever since i was born here.
"Let's make some magic," I say to myself, tapping the stick lightly on the ground to help me navigate. I can feel the vibrations of the earth beneath me, and I focus my energy into the stick. As I wave it, a strange energy pulses through me, and suddenly, the air shimmers.
A small black hole opens before me, dark and swirling. I can't see it, but I can sense the pull of its energy, beautiful and terrifying, just like the stories said. I hear leaves and twigs being drawn into it, disappearing in a flash.
"Annabel!" My mother's voice rings out from the porch, her shock palpable. I can hear my father rushing over, his footsteps quickening. "What are you doing?" he asks, his tone a mix of awe and concern.
I can sense the weight of their expectations, and I stand tall, even at my young age. "I… I think I'm awakening space magic," I declare, my voice steady but laced with surprise. "It's real, just like the tales!"
Ramon joins us, his expression a mix of envy and astonishment. "But how? No one's ever seen it before!" he exclaims, still grappling with the fact that he hasn't awakened his own magic yet.
The black hole lasts only a few seconds, collapsing back into itself, leaving a few swirling leaves in its wake. I feel a rush of pride and disbelief as I listen to their shocked reactions. This is just the beginning of my journey, and I'm ready to explore the depths of my newfound power, even if I'm still trying to process what just happened.
"Annabel! Are you okay?" my mother asks, her voice trembling slightly. She kneels down beside me, her hands searching for mine, wanting to ensure I'm safe.
I can feel the warmth of her hands enveloping mine, and I nod, trying to reassure her. "I'm fine, Mom. I just… I think I did something amazing," I say, my voice steady despite the chaos around us.
My father crouches next to my mother, his brow furrowed with worry. "You scared us, sweetheart. We didn't know what was happening. You shouldn't be playing with things you don't understand," he says, his tone protective yet soft.
Ramon stands a few steps back, his eyes wide as he takes in the scene. "But she did something incredible! Dad, can you teach her how to control it?" He asks, excitement bubbling in his voice.
Father looks at us both, a mix of pride and hesitation on his face. "I can still teach you, Ramon, but Annabel will have to wait until she's at least five. Until then, it's just books and stories for her to learn about magic. Practical stuff like this needs to be approached carefully," he explains, his voice steady but firm.
I can't see their faces, but I can hear the disappointment in Ramon's voice. "We can still learn from the stories, right?" I say, trying to keep our spirits up.
"Absolutely," my dad replies, a warm smile breaking through. "There's a lot we can discover together through books. And when the time comes, I'll make sure to teach Annabel everything I know."
As my mother pulls me into a gentle embrace, I feel a sense of comfort. "You're our little girl, and we just want you to be safe. Magic is… it's unpredictable," she says, her voice soothing, yet laced with concern.
"I promise I'll be careful," I reply, feeling the weight of their love and worry. "And I can't wait to learn more."
---
As the days turned into months, I listened closely as my dad guided Ramon through the practical aspects of magic. I could hear the crackle of energy in the air, the sound of his hands moving deftly as he practiced spells. "Feel the energy, Ramon," my dad would say, his voice steady and encouraging. "Let it flow through you."
Ramon's excitement was palpable, and I could imagine the look of determination on his face. He'd often ask questions, his voice filled with curiosity. "What does it feel like when you cast a spell, Dad?"
"It's like a wave, son. You have to balance yourself and trust in the magic," my dad replied, and I could hear the pride in his tone.
Meanwhile, my mom would sit with me, reading stories aloud. I loved how her voice would change with each character, bringing the tales to life. "And then the brave knight faced the dragon," she'd say, her voice full of adventure. I could picture the scenes in my mind, fueled by the warmth of her words.
---
As the years passed, I could sense the excitement building around Ramon. He was growing, and the magic inside him was awakening. I could feel the energy shift in the room when he finally tapped into his abilities at 13. "I did it, Annabel!" he exclaimed, his voice bursting with joy. "I can feel it! I have earth magic and fire magic!"
"Wow! That's amazing!" I replied, my heart racing with excitement. "Can you show me?"
"Just focus and feel the ground," he said, and I could hear him take a deep breath. I focused on the earth beneath me, feeling the vibrations and energy pulsating through the ground as he cast his spells.
I felt the earth shift slightly, a warm sensation spreading through me as he casted fire magic. "Can you feel that? The warmth?" he asked, his voice filled with enthusiasm.
"Yes! It's incredible!" I could hardly contain my excitement. I knew that having both earth and fire magic was impressive, and I was eager to see how he would master it.
In that moment, I realized we were on the brink of something incredible. Soon, we might be training together, exploring the magic that flowed through us both. I imagined us spending countless hours training together, Ramon harnessing his powers while I patiently waited for my 5th birthday.
"Happy birthday Annabel!" My mom says as she sits at my bedside "i let you sleep in for a while, I'm sure you'll need all the energy for today." I felt a mix of excitement and nervousness. Today was the day I would finally learn how to use magic! As we went outside after breakfast, Ramon stood beside me, his excitement palpable.
"Today, we'll see what you can do, Annabel," Mom said, and I could feel my heart racing. I stepped forward, determined to show them what I was capable of. All three of them expected me to only be able to do space magic, since doing more than one type of magic is really rare for anyone, no matter the age.
Despite my blindness, I focused on the energy around me, drawing from my memories of my past life. With a flick of my wrist, I opened a small portal. "Space magic!" Ramon exclaimed, and I couldn't help but smile at his excitement. I could sense the surprise in my family's voices as they reacted.
But I wanted to show them more. I thought about fire, and to my surprise, conjured a small flame in my palm. The thrill of control surged through me as I moved on to water, summoning droplets that danced around me before forming a gentle stream. I could hear my parents gasping in astonishment.
Next was earth, and I imagined the ground shaking beneath me cracking it open sofly, and I could sense the amazement in my family's voices, filled with disbelief. When I reached for the wind, I created swirling gusts that lifted my hair and made me laugh. Then came ice, and I shaped it into delicate sculptures that Ramon yelled out "sparkled like diamond".
In that moment, I realized I had done what no one expected. I had conjured space, fire, water, earth, wind, and ice, all in one day. As I stood there, I could feel the shock radiating from my family. Their gasps and murmurs filled the air, and I sensed their astonishment and disbelief. "How could a 5-year-old like me have such power and control?" My mother said aloud, It was bewildering, but in that moment, I felt like I was destined for something extraordinary, something that would change everything for my family and me. I was meant to be reborn here for a reason.
As I stood there, I could feel the shock radiating from my mom, while my dad and Ramon were practically buzzing with excitement. "Did you see that? She controlled so many elements!" my dad exclaimed, his eyes sparkling with pride. Ramon was bouncing on his feet, eager to dive into more training.
"How is it possible for you to control all magic types except for plant magic?" Ramon asked, his curiosity piqued. I shrugged, unsure of the answer, but I was determined to find out. We spent more time practicing, focusing on harnessing my abilities, and with each attempt, I felt a little more in control.
Later, as the sun began to set, my mom pulled me aside for a heart-to-heart on the front entrance of our hime while Father and Ramon went inside. I could sense the warmth of her presence, but I longed to know more about the world. "Mom, what do I look like?" I asked, my voice soft and curious. All I could see were fuzzy, blurry colors swirling around me, but I wanted to picture myself in my mind.
She paused, and I felt her breath hitch. "Oh, Annabel," she began, her voice trembling slightly. "You have beautiful black hair that falls like silk, and your eyes are a stunning shade of green, like emeralds. Your skin is pale, like a princess." I could hear the emotion in her voice, and it made my heart swell.
Suddenly, I felt her tears fall onto my cheek, warm and gentle. As I listened to her, tears streamed down my face too. Even though I remembered my past life completely, I had never had a family before. "I just wish you could see how special you are," she said, her voice breaking. "You are my little miracle, and I love you more than anything." In that moment, I felt the weight of her love enveloping me, and I realized that even though I couldn't see her, I could feel the depth of our connection.
The sweet emotion hung in the air, and I knew that no matter what I could do or who I had been, I would always be her little girl. I vowed then and there that I would protect this family with everything I had when I got older, because they were everything I had ever wanted.
Later that night when I was supposed to be asleep, but I couldn't shake the feeling that something important was happening. Curiosity got the better of me, and I quietly stepped out of my room, relying on the small blurry lights that flickered along the dimly lit hallway to guide me.
As I moved cautiously, my fingers brushed against the cool wall, helping me keep my bearings. I could hear my parents talking in hushed tones, their voices echoing softly in the stillness. I pushed the door open just a crack and peeked inside. "We need to discuss it with Annabel first," my mom said, her voice low but urgent.
I felt a flutter of excitement and anxiety as I listened. "I think we should get a specialist to come over," my dad added. "Someone who can help her explore her magic more deeply."
I couldn't believe what I was hearing. My heart raced as I stepped fully into the room, unable to hold back any longer. "What do you mean?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
They turned to me, surprise on their faces. My mom smiled gently. "We were just talking about how we think you could really benefit from some guidance with your magic."
I felt a rush of hope and determination. "I want to learn," I said, my voice steady. "I want to understand my magic."
My parents exchanged relieved glances, and I knew they were proud of me. "We'll arrange for him to come over soon," my dad assured me. "He'll help you connect with your magic in a way that feels right for you."
The thought of having someone come to guide me was exhilarating. I could hardly wait to begin this journey and discover the depths of my potential.
I sat at the table, my heart racing, as my parents welcomed Johan into our home. I could sense the weight of his presence; he was someone they trusted deeply, and he was immensely powerful—far more than my dad. ("Was he a stage 7 mage? No maybe even stage 6.") As he began to speak, his voice was rich with knowledge, and I leaned in closer, eager to absorb every word.
"Annabel," Johan said, his tone steady and encouraging, " from what i have your potential is immense. You have a gift that many only dream of." His words wrapped around me like a warm blanket, igniting a fire inside me.
Johan spoke of powerful mages and their journeys, and I imagined their stories, feeling the energy of their magic in the air around me. "You must learn to connect with your magic, to feel it flowing through you," he said. I nodded, determination swelling within me. I wanted to harness that flow, to understand it completely.
As Johan continued, he leaned in closer, his expression serious. "Annabel," he said, "no matter how impressive your potential might be, you must remember that you're still blind. Learning combat and how to direct your spells at enemies will be much harder for you than for any normal person. It requires a different kind of focus and adaptation."
I felt a pang in my chest at his words, but he didn't know the truth of my past. I had been a general in my old life, leading troops into battle and strategizing complex maneuvers. While I had not faced the challenge of blindness then, I had a wealth of experience that would guide me now. I nodded, determined to show him that I could overcome these obstacles, just as I had in my previous life.
Then, he turned to my brother Ramon. "There's a highly-rated academy that specializes in nurturing young talents. I'll put in a good word for you," he assured him. I could hear the excitement in Ramon's voice as he responded, and I felt a mix of pride and anxiety. He would be starting his own journey, while I would train with Johan.
In that moment, I knew we were embarking on separate paths, yet we would always support each other. I was ready to embrace my training, to dive deeper into the world of magic, and to prove that my blindness was not a barrier, but a unique advantage in this second life.