A world unveiled

The prairie glowed under the mid-morning sun, a vast canvas of greens and yellows stretching endlessly before me. My eyes darted from one marvel to the next: the fluttering wings of butterflies, the soft rustle of grass in the breeze, the endless blue sky. Everything felt so vivid, so alive.

Fren crouched beside me on the blanket they had laid out, his black eyes watching intently as I explored my surroundings. My tiny hands brushed over blades of grass, their texture soft and cool against my fingertips. Each touch sparked a sense of wonder—how could something so simple feel so magical?

Roseline sat a few feet away, her witch’s hat casting a shadow over her silver hair. She observed me quietly with a faint smile, her staff resting across her lap. For the first time since my rebirth, I truly saw them as more than guardians—they were adventurers in their own way, shaped by this world’s unique charm and mystery.

“I think he likes it,” Fren remarked, his tone light and playful.

Roseline chuckled softly, her silver eyes glinting with warmth. “Of course he does. This world is meant to be explored, not hidden away.” She said that, but I knew she’d still prefer to keep me under house arrest. This wasn’t just my new reality—it was a second chance to uncover beauty, meaning, and perhaps a purpose I hadn’t yet grasped.

As I continued to marvel at the prairie, something unusual caught my attention. A faint shimmer of light appeared in the distance, small and fleeting like a mirage. My instincts sharpened, memories of my past life reminding me that even beauty could hold hidden danger.

Fren and Roseline didn’t notice it. Her smile faded as she followed my gaze, but I doubted she truly saw it.

The shimmer grew brighter, and as it did, a soft hum filled the air—subtle but eerie, like the resonance of an unplayed instrument. From the heart of the shimmer, a figure emerged. The two looked at me, wondering what entranced me. I wondered the same. How come only I could see it?

It was small, almost humanoid, with a glowing body that radiated energy. Its form flickered like a dying flame, and as it moved closer, the surrounding air seemed to vibrate. I could make out short hair and the outline of a skirt—it was most likely female.

I stared at the being, unable to look away. Was it dangerous? Or merely curious? My instincts were split, torn between fear and fascination.

The glowing figure paused briefly, tilting its head as if studying me, before vanishing—only to reappear inches from my face. I held my breath, unsure of what to do. Then, just as suddenly as it had appeared, it faded into the air like a wisp of smoke.

“You alright, kiddo?” Fren asked, his voice breaking the silence, his hand resting on my back.

Roseline’s lips tightened as her gaze lingered where the figure had stood moments ago. Fren glanced at her, clearly unsure of what to make of the situation. Could it be that she also saw it?

The encounter had been fleeting yet significant. Though it disappeared quickly, the mystery lingered in the air, leaving behind a weight that couldn’t easily be shaken.

As the sun began its slow descent, casting long shadows across the prairie, Fren lifted me into his arms, and we began the walk back to the house. The warmth of the day lingered in the air, and I felt a sense of contentment, though my curiosity about the world remained insatiable.

But then, something strange happened.

It started as a faint itch in my left eye, subtle at first but growing more persistent with each step. I squirmed slightly in Fren’s arms, trying to rub my face against his shoulder to ease the discomfort.

“Is he alright?” Roseline asked, her voice tinged with concern as she stepped closer.

Fren paused, adjusting his grip on me. “I don’t know. He’s been fidgeting for a while now.”

The itch intensified, and I let out a soft whimper, unable to articulate the strange sensation. Roseline leaned in, her silver eyes narrowing as she studied me closely.

And then, without warning, a golden flame flickered to life in my left eye.

It wasn’t painful—if anything, it felt warm, almost soothing—but the sudden appearance startled everyone. Fren froze, his black eyes wide with shock, while Roseline’s expression shifted from concern to alarm.

“What in the world is happening?” Fren murmured, his voice tense.

Roseline didn’t respond, her gaze fixed on the flame, which danced and shimmered like a living entity. Her grip on her staff tightened slightly, but she made no move to act.

The flame grew brighter, its golden light casting faint shadows across my face. I felt a strange energy coursing through me, powerful yet overwhelming. My tiny body trembled under its weight, and I could sense my strength fading.

“Raizen!” Roseline called sharply as she reached for me.

But it was too late. The flame vanished as suddenly as it had appeared, leaving behind an emptiness that sapped the last of my energy. My vision blurred, and the world around me faded into darkness.