VOLUME 1: CHAPTER – 6 : DID I MESS UP WITH THE REINCARNATION CEREMONY (PART 2)

A DREAM ?

“Good morning class, I am your new home room teacher. I hope you all have a memorable school life this year too.”

‘What is happening, was I not in heaven up till now. Could it all be a dream? No I refuse to believe it, Lady Athena was real. I need to go back to her.’

As far as I remember this is my first day at school in class 2-C, the day I transferred. Well I don’t remember anything what happened that day. But one thing was clear that all this time I was sad. The hair which use to cover my eyes so that I could hide myself from the world, were now curled back to my ears after I met Lady Athena. I was able to see and realize a new light that had filled me with curiosity and joy. But now back in school those rough black hairs were back to steal my new vision.

Class bell rang and then came the recess time. As usual I thought I would be alone. But out of nowhere Sakura and Tama approached me.

“You are the new student. I hope we get along.”

“Yeah, let’s be friends.”

‘What is happening?’

“Okay…… if you say so.”

“I know, why not meet together at the backyard and then celebrate your first day in our class.”

“Okay then, Sakura you will accompany her to the location.”

Finally the dismissal bell rang and I saw Sakura rose up from her front seat and quickly made her way to my last end seat.

“Let me hold your bag for you. After all today is your special celebration day. Follow me.”

I followed her through the classroom, corridor and then finally the back alley.

“We have finally reached.”

Sakura while holding my bag introduced me to the other girls who were smiling at me.

“Meet Tama and Saki your new friends.”

If it was me from 6 months back then I would have ignored all those evidences in my wake which were screaming at me. The evil smile on their faces, their unnatural way of taking my belonging, luring me out here. Despite I remember all the small chitchat and staring looks of my other classmates.

“She is trapped.”

“They found a new scape goat.”

“There is no helping her.”

“Just leave her be.”

“She doesn’t look that friendly or special at all.”

‘No one tried to warn me properly, and my naïve previous self fell for the foolish desires of having friends. I knew what was coming now.’

Sakura pushed me down and pinned me to the ground. She threw the bag towards Saki. Saki unzipped it and searched through every corner of it. She took out all the money from my side chain and threw the bag at me.

“Now be a proper girl and let us borrow some money. Though it isn’t enough it will do for now.”

“Please don’t take it, that money is for buying for lunch. I won’t complain to anyone but please give it back. I am sorry if I offended you in any way.”

“What did you say? Don’t you want to be friends with us? So you need to make an offering. Nothing comes free here princess.”

Sakura had tightened her grip, even though I was not resisting. My hands were hurting and my clothes were dirty now.

‘Why, things always ends up like this. Why keep repeating even though I knew this was going to happen, I didn’t run away but quietly accepted it. Has anything really changed at all?’

If only Lady Athena was here. I need to go back to her. To keep my promise, I must try harder. Even though its little I must do something. Even if it hurts I won’t back down anymore. I will surely break free this time.

With all my strength, I pulled my legs back and pushed it upwards like a spring. Sakura was taken by surprise and was thrown back. I took out a large piece of cloth from my pocket (handkerchief) and then threw it at Saki. I snatched my bag from her while she was still in confusion and started running towards the exit gate.

I did not look back. My eyes were closed, but my feet kept on running they didn’t stop. I opened my eyes and saw that I was still running but my surrounding had changed now. Somehow my hands felt a bit heavy. I was running on a golden lit road which seemed to be endless. I looked at my hands and my bag was gone.

Instead there was a white sword in my left hand and a black sword in my right hand. What’s going on?

It did seem that I had seen these two swords earlier. But before I could remember them, it seems that my luck ran out again. The road had disappeared and I was falling down now. I had pretty much gotten used to this type of treatment in my dreams now. But still the sensation of falling from an unknown height is still in no way a relaxing experience. The sword from my hands slipped as I saw them flying away from me. I projected my hands high up in a final attempt to catch them but to no avail. Somehow I had a strong feeling and felt a great connection to these two swords.

But there was no time to think, because I was awake now and I could hear the deep breaths of Lady Athena who was sleeping beside me and for some reason she was very close.

Why did I remember such a thing which I had forgotten long ago? But it doesn’t matter now, I have changed, maybe a bit, but I have!!!

Now I had someone I could depend upon and our bonds grew deeper and deeper by the time we spent together.

Now if I think about it, the things I said yesterday to her. My face was turning red.

As if embarrassed, dazzled, awkward……

My eyes narrowed and a smile appeared on my face. I turned my face towards Lady Athena and in an attempt to wake her up my hands slowly approached her cheeks and after a slight hesitation I poked her with my fingers. Her cheeks were soft and my fingers went deep. She woke up with just a single touch.

“Good morning.”

As usual she woke up after rubbing her eyes and greeted me with a good morning too.

She took a sudden look at my bright red face, and brought her forehead close to mine till they were in contact. I was startled.

“Sachi your face is all red. Are you feeling feverish?”

“No I am fine. Its just that I woke up now.” My temperature started cooling down after Lady Athena moved her face away. I am still no used to it. Huhhhh….

Both of us were quite after this exchange, because we both have now to visit the Temple in the Pantheon for the reincarnation ceremony. We don’t know when we will get to meet each other, so we were still worried and the thought of being separate scared us. We both as usual together took our baths and got dressed for the ceremony. While Lady Athena was wearing the same dress which she wore in the reincarnation ceremony. I on the other hand decided to wear a blue shirt, brown blazer unbuttoned and a blue skirt.

We had to leave after two hours, as the ceremony was scheduled at twelve o’ clock. We decided to make the breakfast ourselves and settled on to make sandwiches, rolled Omelet and eggs with furikake.

After we had finished our meal, an angel appeared at our door with an invitation to the Temple.

Finally its happening, I wonder what awaits us in the new world.

For now to answer our summons, we are going to visit the Temple.

Lady Athena held my hand and kept pressing it harder and harder and yet it was light and gentle. I could tell she was anxious and so was I. I did not speak a thing but the warmth of our hands was more than enough to calm us.

[TELEPORT]

***

THE TEMPLE

We were standing in front of a huge marble building with a central tower and a dome at the top. It was as grand and as beautiful as wealth and skill could make it. Many beautiful fountains, statues and flowers surrounded the perimeter.

“It seems that we are late. Others have already arrived. Lets go Sachi.”

“Okay.”

Lady Athena as if catching the hesitation and the sensation of fear in my voice spoke to me.

“Don’t worry. I will be there with you. So lets go.”

We climbed the small flight of stairs to the huge entrance which was half concealed by the gigantic white marble doors. Its interior gives a sober and bare impression by its lack of ornaments and statues in the nave. The ribbed vaults, supported by compound piers, are closed by ornamented keystones. Light enters the church through blue stained-glass windows of the clerestory and the tall, traceried windows in the side walls.

We reached the end of the corridor and entered yet another big hall with a much larger dome covered in red-petal glass. And as usual the source less – light still haunted me.

All the eyes were suddenly focused at us and like a reflex I suddenly caught on to Lady Athena’s hand. We could hear all types of murmur going around.

“How are they still alive?”

“Were they really attacked by the heavenly beast or was that just a flying rumour?”

“Still why do they bother even coming here.”

“Right it doesn’t make a difference, because they won’t be able to accomplish anything.”

Several footsteps could be heard heading in our direction. I lifted my head and saw Goddess Freya, goddess Aphrodite, goddess Ova and Goddess Artemis accompanied by Sakura Kendo and Saki Honda.

“I am so glad Sachi you are still alive after that ferocious beast attacked you.”

“We were so worried, to hear that our classmate had such a fateful encounter.”

Goddess Freya and Goddess Artemis stepped forward. Lady Athena clenched my hand tightly and I could look at her and tell that she was ready to face anything whatever one could throw at her.

“Athena I heard that your human partner was attacked. Its so depressing just to think about how the beast could have eaten you alive.”

“Now you sure understand the difference in our power. If World God wouldn’t have helped you, then both of you would have perished before even reincarnating. There is still time just turn back and go hole yourself up in your small room.”

All the other present attendees were giving us the silent treatment, but Lady Athena looked unfazed by all of it.

“You, both are wrong. You don’t know the first thing about us.”

Goddess Freya looked angry and made no attempt to hide her contempt or hatred at her defiance.

She took another step as if to punch Lady Athena, but then someone barged through the entrance and for some reason the whole hall panicked and I felt a bit of suffocation. It was as if I was brought upon on my knees by some supreme invisible power at play. I looked around the room and everyone had the same expression of a slight pain and fear.

“The Almighty World God has made his appearance in the Founder’s Altar and will now begin the proceedings of the reincarnation ceremony” announced one of the angels in his somewhat high and mighty tone.

The World God as usual held a scepter in his hand and accompanied by a huge elegant yet wild eagle. He walked from the entrance to the other end of a hall and made a small tap with his scepter on the floor. The hall started shaking and the small area on which He stood rose high above from the ground.

“My children and humans of the mortal realm, we have all gathered here on the auspicious occasion of you reincarnation into the new world. May my blessings be with thou who have decided to step into this new world save it from falling apart. I congratulate you all for getting a new life and may you achieve everything you desire and fulfill your dreams. And I shall wait here for your safe return and will be looking upon you as you overcome all the hurdles life throws at you.”

Everyone started clapping, though it was a bit disarrayed and not synchronized, but for some reason World God was slowly rubbing his fingers at the end of his beard. I could tell that he looked smug; maybe the speech was just to catch everyone’s attention.

“We will now begin the reincarnation ceremony. I shall explain you the different things you need to know.”

World God this time raised his scepter high up and small flicker of lights burst out from his magical stick and disappeared after giving off a bright light. Several magical circles formed around the building. The largest drawn at the center of the hall. It had two inner magical circles and at the centre of the biggest magic circle a small white altar stood with a green glass ball as big as a soccer ball. This suspiciously looking sorcery ball also gave a faint green light which caught my attention for a while.

“Now I shall, ask each pair of you to step in each of the small magical circle and place your hand on the ‘Orb of the Being’. This magical orb will establish a permanent connection between the God and the partnered human. This ball will also help the gods to bestow upon their unique skill onto you and then you will be reincarnated into the world of Isleguard.”

The first one to step forward and volunteer was Homura Kenta and Goddess Freya. It seems that they are in a bit of hurry. They took each of their position on the magical circles and slowly placed their hands on the magic orb. After few seconds a white light emerged from the centre and blue light came falling down upon us from the sky. I was blinded by the sudden bursts. But I slowly opened my eyes which were trying to accommodate themselves as per the surroundings …. and the two were gone.

“The first ceremony was successful. Remember that in this new world you will be born in a new body and we have kept in mind that you all are born in a perfect environment where you can train without any concerns and seek the guidance of your God. We shall now move to the next pair.”

Time flew by, as each and every pair stepped forward and the same process repeated itself. All the other nineteen duos had left the divine realm and had reincarnated themselves. It was just too easy, I was expecting something more eventful and action- oriented. Guess not.

“Sachi lets go. We are the last.”

“Yeah.”

We both took our respective position on the magic circle. Suddenly the World God himself stepped down from his elevated position. Before I could notice, we three were the only one present in the Temple Hall.

“I am sure, you are feeling well now.”

The world God was standing in front of me. And in his usual wise tone that was adenoidal in nature caught my attention.

“Yeah, I am fine….. Worl……Grandfather. Goddess Athena had been looking after me the whole time. Thank you for your concern.”

For some reason, I ended him calling grandfather, maybe because he had previously asked me to do so. I hope he doesn’t consider it disrespectful.

“I like the sound of that. I wish you best of luck on your journey. Now lets continue with the ceremony.”

I stepped forward towards the Altar, where Lady Athena was waiting for me.

We both were looking at each other, but couldn’t come up with what to say. Just before placing our hands on the magic orb;

“I will do my best to find you soon.”

“I will do my best to find you soon.”

We both simultaneously spoke the same thing. We smiled at each other, while our hands involuntarily touched the magic sphere. It was kind of smooth and cold.

But suddenly my hand felt a bit of repulsion, my whole body was hurting. I took a step back. Red streaks of lightning fell all around me.

Was it supposed to be like this?

Something was wrong for sure. Before I could look at my surrounding I fell unconscious and crashed on the ground. The last thing I saw before my eyes shut down was Lady Athena running towards me.

***

GODDESS ATHENA

‘What’s happening? Why the ground is shaking. Something’s not right. Why this red lightning is ravaging the Temple Hall. Sachi, she is hurt. Oh, no she fell down on ground.’

I ran towards her in full speed, but before I could reach, her body disappeared in thin air. My mind went blank. Sachi was gone, and I was still here. I didn’t know what to do. What could have gone wrong this time?

I looked towards another person in the room, who was standing a bit further away and he too seemed surprised with the sudden occurrence.

I was by now, half lying on the floor. I stood up and took long steps to quickly reach where this other person was standing.

“World God, what happened here and why?”

“It seems too bizarre for me too. But I think there is no need to worry about. The reincarnation was successful. Its just that I can’t trace back her location. She might have ended up in an entirely different location and body than intended.”

“Huhhh”

“I mean, you already have noticed by now, that she possesses a tremendous amount of soul power.”

“Yeah, but is it even possible for a human. But why was it first undetectable before.”

“There is one thing I hadn’t told you about.”

“What is it? Please tell me.”

“After Sachi was able to assimilate the apple of Tree of Life. I got curious and checked into her origins. It seems that she is actually a descendant of Goddess Urza. Though she didn’t possess my blood, she was born with a tremendous amount of soul power. The reincarnation circle helps the soul to find a perfect body that could handle the implant. So, considering her case, the results were obvious. The magic circle went berserk but hopefully it was able to find a perfect body and synchronize with her soul.”

“Wait, you are telling me she is Aunt Urza’s daughter.”

I still remember when she went missing after the war. My mother and she were good friends. She also used to play with me when I was a kid. She was the one who took me to the spirit lake for the first time.

While I was reminiscing about the past. I was soon interrupted by the familiar voice.

“Well, you are still here. You need to complete the ceremony. Just go and place the hands on the orb and the ceremony will be completed.”

I still had my concerns, but it was better to follow World god’s direction than sit and do nothing.

I went to the magic circle and placed my hands on the orb and a white light enveloped my body.

‘Don’t worry Sachi; I won’t stop until I find you.’

The light show seemed to have been over. All the player pieces were now set on the table.

All that was left was to sit and watch how thing play out. Is there still hope left, will the dark forces take full control or these braves would be victorious in their endeavour?

***

SACHI KONDO

“Gwaaaaah!”

My head hurts. At the same time, I feel uncomfortable; like something is stuck in my throat. I can’t take it anymore, so I opened my eyes.

I can’t see clearly. Everything is blurry. But after a while,……

I still couldn’t see anything. It was all dark.

I think I fell asleep now. But my head doesn’t hurt now. I am all good. Now about my situation. Its not at all familiar. All I could remember was that I was in some sort of reincarnation ritual.

That’s it. I must be in my mother’s womb. Wait; don’t tell me that I will be conscious here for nine months.

It seems that it has been an eternity now. I sleep, think, imagine eating food, sometimes talk to myself and sometimes imagine playing with Lady Athena. I wonder what she is doing. Is everyone going through the same phase as I am? I remember all the nice places I had visited with her. They were engraved in my memory because no one ever took me to visit such beautiful places or on a trip.

I am getting bored. Maybe the gods would have provided us with some books or video games. Even a mobile phone with internet connection works. But what about the charging cable, will they provide us with that too.

“Ahhhh…. I am going to sleep now.”

The me awoke, please wake me up after some time the me going to sleep now.

I think I am getting used to this. My surroundings still remains dark. I wonder the time when I am born, how should I greet my new parents. Maybe I should make a smile and say nice to meet you. Or should I go with putting a normal crying act in my father’s hands. Will I be able to speak just after I am born? Will my new parents freak out if I do that?

I don’t remember anything about my real parents, but I promise I will be a good girl and do everything to keep my new mother and father happy.

I can’t even use magic here. What a waste of time. I could have practiced a lot. All I could do was think of several interesting ways I could use magic. Well my cubicle bomb idea worked. I thought about different ways I could use water element or fire element as attack spells. I remember now I never used any earth attribute magic. Wind was another aspect I took less interest in. but here I was devising different kind of magic spells, several odd combinations. I wonder how many of them will work.

Should I learn swordsmanship when I come of age? I will ask Lady Athena for her advice.

I wonder what my face would look like. I knew I was pretty in my previous life and many people who took a close look at my face never denied it. Bu I still don’t think I was that good looking, was I.

“I think I had, fallen asleep again. I feel a little week now.”

BUMP.

BUMP.

“What, is the time has come. Surprise, I am here. Should I start with introducing myself? Wait newborns don’t speak. I wonder what kind of face I should make. Or maybe I will usually cover my face with my hairs as usual. I wonder will I be born with long hairs or not. Just think something.”

BUMP.

BUMP.

“Wait could I be in a ride now. The road sure is bumpy. It doesn’t hurt, but feels a bit nauseated. Just stop the vehicle already driver.”

“Ah, nobody is hearing me. Its so lonely here.”

CRACK.

CRACK.

“What is this weird cracking sound is it supposed to be like this. The voices, they just keep on getting louder. I can just faintly hear some rustling sounds from outside. Well, regardless of how sketchy this situation is, I feel being crushed under something.”

“Ahhhhhhhhh… that hurts.”

I felt my whole weight push against something hard. For some reason I was quickly becoming conscious of my whole body, which up till now never existed. This is weird, I feel more legs and hands than I could possibly have. Is something wrong with me?

BUMP.

“What kind of stupid ride is this?”

BUMP.

“Fine if you are so stubborn, then take this.”

I took a stance, pulled one of my limbs back, since I couldn’t make out which of my limbs is my leg. I applied a bit tension in my muscles and swinged it with all my might.

CRACK.

A huge white chunk fell on the ground and dim light poured in the pitch black world of mine. I still couldn’t see much, but in the dim light I could at least make out some of my surroundings. There were bare rocks all around, and a jagged ceiling looming above. The ground was strangely bumpy and uneven.

I took a deep breath, and my vision was kind of bit strange. It was not human at all. It felt like a more 360 degree view. Could it be my superpower, the all viewing eye!

Well, I couldn’t come up with a good name instantly.

Now time to see who my parents are. Ah, I forgot to cry. Should I start now? I looked around a bit. It sure is bit dark, but that will do, its better than seeing nothing.

Now back tom my search finding – parents.

“What’s that thing?”

My jaws dropped, and my mouth was left wide open. My breath caught in my throat.

“A monster, no it’s a lizard. Is it really supposed to be that gigantic?”

I almost fainted. But I need to keep my wits up. This is not a situation to fall unconscious. My danger senses are ringing. Wait what’s that. Do I really have such a thing? Could it be another power of mine, the sixth sense!

I took a deep breath; it helps me keep calm, during emergency situations.

My new born instincts were screaming of how unsafe the situation was. I need to survive if I want to meet the person I have been waiting for all this time.

I was inside a small white encase which was half broken thanks to my’ super ultimate fast power jacked kick’.

A huge red lizard, with a long tail and a boulder attached at the end of it was rolling this small oval sheath with the help of his nose. I could feel the warm air entering and leaving the two huge openings.

“Good, it hasn’t noticed me yet.”

I took a look on the other side, and I was about fifteen feet above the normal ground. It seemed more like a mountain cliff with a downward slope. I had decided at the next bump I will start running and jump down before the lizard monster could make a move. All I could do was now hope that my simple plan works.

THREE. TWO. ON….EEEE.

BUMP.

‘And Jump.’

A chill went through my head and my ears or whatever body part it was, were left in shock.

“It saw me. I am still in mid air. There’s still chance.”

I fell on the ground on my head. But it doesn’t hurt much. I need to run.

I don’t know why but it seems that all my limbs are being used for running. Well that actually makes me move faster. The place is huge, but this road is straight but I cannot ascertain how long it is because of the lack of light.

I was running at my full speed I could muster, just after birth. There was no time to think about parents, or why there is a monster and why I am in a place which mostly resembled a cave or a ruin.

“ROOOOOAAAARRRRghhh !!!”

“What’s this sudden howling about?”

I turned back and saw the huge lizard taking a step back and making a huge leap for me. It was surely angry and frustrated to see its food escape literally from under his nose.

RUN.

All I could think was to save my life and wonder how I messed up during my reincarnation ceremony.