Elemental Reincarnation

I’ve always wanted to be someone special, someone people would remember. Even if it was just as a minor actor or appearing on the news once, that alone would’ve been enough. But… that’s just a useless dream.

Only the rich or the crazy criminals ever get to appear before the world. Someone like me, just a fisherman catching and selling fish to get by, would never.

I should probably introduce myself. My name is Seiji Kagami, a thirty-one-year-old fisherman following in the footsteps of my deceased old man.

My daily routine? As simple as heading out to catch fish, then returning home. An endless loop, day after day, just to put food on the table.

Boredom, that’s the best way to describe my life. And today, that feeling was heavier than ever.

I sat in my small boat far out at sea, waiting for a bite. But luck wasn’t on my side. At best, I’d be going home with only four fish in my bucket.

Looking up, I spotted storm clouds gathering, lightning flickering behind their dark curtain.

“…What’s up with my luck today?”

With a sigh, I reeled in my line and began to pack up. Once finished, I moved to start the boat, when I heard whispers.

They came from behind. I couldn’t make out the words, but the sound was strange, almost alien.

Turning, I froze. Something floated in the air, not dirt, no, a stone. A fragment of the [Earth] itself.

I set down my bucket and rod, curiosity pulling me closer. Maybe… maybe this strange phenomenon could finally get me on the news. Maybe this was my chance to put my fishing business out into the world.

Step by cautious step, I approached with a hesitant smile. The air buzzed with static, sparks tickling my skin as I drew closer.

Ignoring it, I stopped before the stone. Heat radiated off it. Incredible… If I uploaded this, people would swarm to the island.

Quickly, I pulled out my old smartphone, lining it up for a shot. Even if the picture was blurry, it would be proof.

Just one click, just one…

But the moment my finger pressed the button, a surge of energy crackled. The world went white.

For a split second, my entire body went numb. My phone slipped from my grasp as I collapsed, trembling between cold and heat.

Pain erupted. My nerves screamed. My body burned, not just hot, but as if I had been thrown into a pit of [Fire]. And it kept getting hotter.

“What the hell’s happening…?! Lightning? But this, this isn’t normal!”

Darkness swallowed my sight. I couldn’t see. I couldn’t breathe. Panic clawed at me, and I knew, I had to cool down. The ocean. That was my only choice.

Forcing my numb body up, I staggered forward and—

Splash.

The water swallowed me whole. But instead of relief, icy cold gripped me like death’s hand. My body froze, even as it still burned.

Something dragged me down, cutting into my skin like blades. A vortex? The [Wind] pulling me deeper?

My lungs gave out. [Water] invaded. Was I going to die like this? Vanish beneath the sea, with no one ever finding me? No one even searching?

So this is it? I’ll vanish without leaving a trace again…?

If only… if only I didn’t burn…

A spark ignited. Flames.

If only water could cool me…

It swirled, forming a sphere.

If only the wind would stop…

It spun into a vortex before my eyes.

That stone… why did I see it…?

It appeared once more as I sank.

Darkness closed in, broken only by the floating fragments of [Fire], [Water], [Earth] and [Wind], as they entered my body.

And then… nothing.

I… don’t want to die…

My consciousness slipped into black.

***

But just as it faded, warmth returned. Cold still clung to me, but something soft brushed my cheek.

I opened my eyes. Grey skies loomed above, snow falling gently.

Where am I? Didn’t I die…?

Those thoughts were broken by the voice of a frail old woman.

“Don’t worry, child. I’ll protect you… even if it’s the last thing I do.”

She carried me through a raging blizzard. Child? Did she mean me?

Raising my hand, I froze. Tiny fingers. Not my own. Not an adult’s.

What the hell…? Am I dreaming? Reincarnation? The afterlife…?

No, it all felt too real, the cold, her smell, the creeping drowsiness…

Sleep dragged me under again.

***

When I next opened my eyes, warmth greeted me. We were inside a cave. The woman held me close as a campfire flickered in front of us.

But the fire wasn’t enough. My little body sneezed from the chill.

She noticed, lifting her hand. A small flame formed in her palm before she guided it into the fire, brightening its warmth.

Magic. The word slipped into my mind naturally. Magic…? Why was that my first thought?

Her voice broke through my daze, though it wasn’t meant for me.

“How cruel… To banish a child, branding him a criminal for his father’s sins.” Her eyes softened with pity as they fell on me.

…A criminal?

“Precious Seph Bounded… may you have a better future. In place of your late parents.” She smiled faintly.

So, I was Seph now. To think reincarnation was real.

But banished? Declared a criminal before I could even live? I wanted to be famous, but not like this.

Exhaustion overcame me yet again. My tiny body was weak, and sleep claimed me once again… this time, peacefully.