His Awakening

This morning, I woke up crying again…

It happens a lot lately, I don’t know why. I keep having these strange dreams of another life. Somehow, I feel strangely connected to this girl who keeps appearing in them. She gives me a sense of warmth and comfort, and yet, every morning I am stripped away of that warmth... Is she someone important? Urgh! I feel like I should now, yet I don’t.

“Grrrowl” – Uh, I’m hungry. I should get out of bed for starters.

After getting dressed, I went to eat. My mother has already prepared us a tasty meal – a hearty fish stew. Dad must have gone fishing early in the morning to catch it.

“So, Kaerith, how’s the training going?” Father asked while spooning stew into his bowl.

“It’s going fine, actually.” I said, though, with a heavy chest. “But the news of this war brewing is making me nervous.”

“You aren’t the only one.” Mother set her spoon down with a soft thud against the wooden table. “I worry the army will force you to fight for them.”. She looked down for a brief moment before returning her gaze to mine. “Since you are… a ‘Blessed’ one…”

Father’s jaw tightened. “The kingdom won’t let a 'Blessed' slip through their fingers so easily! If they see you as their greatest weapon, they’ll chain you to the battlefield!”

“I’m perfectly aware of that, and that is why I want to avoid it!” I blew on a spoonful of stew before finally getting a taste of it during this conversation.

“I have an idea!” Mother’s voice squeaked with sudden hope. “I heard recently that priestesses know more about the ‘Blessed’ than anyone else. Why don’t you go visit our priestess Nabbi at the temple?”

“What? What are you talking about? What good can a priestess do in this situation?” Father's brow furrowed in confusion. “A priestess can’t save him from conscription!”

“No… Actually… I might go.” I murmured while I watched father’s face becoming even more of a blank stare of confusion. “You know I’ve been having these weird dreams lately, the priestess might be able to tell me their meaning. Who knows, they might be connected to me being a ‘Blessed’ one too.”

“Hmph. I don’t believe the priestess will be able to do anything about it,” Father muttered while shaking his head. “But if it gives you peace of mind, so be it.”

After father's approval, everyone continued to eat in silence. The stew mother prepared was truly delicious. I have to say I went for seconds.

Following the meal, I quickly dressed myself and left the house to see the priestess.

On the way to the temple, I was only thinking about these dreams. They weren’t this frequent when I was younger. Why are they getting stronger? What is their meaning? Do they even have a meaning? Or am I actually cursed? – All of these questions tormented me on my way, but after what felt like hours, I finally reached the temple, even though it is only a short walk from my house.

I went inside to ask if the head priestess is available.

“Hello, excuse me, but may I have an audience with the head priestess Nabbi?” I asked a priestess who was in the main temple area.

“And may I ask for which purpose?” Her gaze piercing my eyes.

“Well, I’ve been having these strange dreams and was wondering if the head priestess could tell me more about them.” I decided to leave out the ‘Blessed’ part; the fewer people who know, the better. Besides, I only plan telling the head priestess that information.

“Wait here, young boy. I will see if she is available.” The priestess then went to a different section of the temple before returning shortly after.

“Follow me.” She said while gesturing with her hand.

We then went through a long hallway before stopping in front of some big wooden doors.

“She is awaiting you.” The priestess then opened the door, allowing me to go inside.

The head priestess, Nabbi, was sitting on the floor in the center of the circular room that was sparsely lit, her eyes closed. It looked like she was meditating. The other priestess closed the doors behind me as I walked inside.

“So, another ‘Blessed’ has come to me for guidance, I presume.” Nabbi’s voice sounded calm and serene, as if she had been expecting me all along.

“Wait, how do you know?” I blurted in utter confusion.

She let out a soft chuckle, smooth and unhurried. “I know many things… But your name is not one of them. Would you mind introducing yourself, young man?”

“It’s Kaerith. And I would presume you’re the head priestess, Nabbi, right?”

“That’s right, Kaerith.” Her eyes finally opened, and she then rose with graceful ease, gesturing to the space she had just gotten up from. “ Now come, sit right here,” pointing at the center.

I hesitated for a moment, but eventually decided to sit down.

“Now, close your eyes and try to relax.” Nabbi said as her voice carried that same calmness and serenity as before.

“Alright…” I responded softly, closing my eyes and nervously awaiting what would happen next.

She then placed her palm onto my forehead. After a while, she gasped in surprise.

“What is it?” I asked curiously.

“Why don’t you see for yourself?”

Suddenly, I felt a flow of magical energy emanating from her palm, which then felt like it exploded with soft blows… And then… I saw it…

The dreams… I saw the dreams that I had, now more vividly than before. It felt… too real.

I finally realized everything… The previous life… The death… It wasn't just a dream... It was my reality...And… The girl… It isn’t just some ordinary person… She is my everything!

“Maria!” I screamed as I quickly stood up.

“Calm down!” Nabbi raised her voice for the first time. “It’s normal to get overwhelmed the first time you awaken.”

“Awaken?” I asked while emotions were overflowing from me.

“I saw your memories before you, so I know everything about you.” She started. “You had a previous life, and were reborn anew in this world.”

Hearing these words surprised me, even though I had just seen it for myself. I then listened on as she explained my predicament.

“Egzodias reincarnated you and your lover in this world and gave you a trial.”

“Egzodias?”

“He is one of the gods who oversee our world. He is a complete mess, neither good nor evil; he only wants to satiate his boredom. That is why he sends people to this world.” I wasn't really religious so I hadn't really thought much about the gods. Nabbi then palmed her own face. “Urgh, he gives me such a headache!” For the first time, I heard her being annoyed, which surprised me. “Take this!” Showing me a silver pendant with a red ruby in the middle, it was glowing crimson.

“Why? What is that for?” I asked.

“If you want to find your love, this will help you.” She then engulfed it in magic, which extinguished its glow. “This pendant glows in the presence of the ‘Blessed’, other than yourself. As Maria is also from another world, she, too, like you, is a ‘Blessed’ one.”. She smiled as I accepted the pendant. “Now, there are a lot of ‘Blessed’ in this world, but it will at least ease your quest.”

“Thank you!” I said as I was putting the pendant around my neck.

“’Blessed’ aren’t only highly magically gifted people, you know, all of you are from different worlds, but don’t tell anyone that, okay?”

I was completely taken aback, learning about all this. It’s heavy.

“Okay.” I agreed. “But what should I do next?”

“Go into the world and try to find your love!” The smile she showed felt warm and supportive. “That way, you will also escape the war.”

“Thank you for everything, but now I have places to be; she is waiting for me!”

After thanking her, I left the temple knowing in my mind, strongly, that all that I must do is find Maria! No matter how long it takes, I promise you my dear… I will find you!