Chapter 2: 02 - Awakening in a Strange Land

I woke up with a strange feeling, as if my body wasn't the same, as if I wasn't the same person. Something was... wrong? No, that wasn't quite it. It was more like everything around me was different, more expansive and more... wild. For a second, I wondered: (What is happening? Where am I?)

"-------XXXX----XXXXXXXX--"

I tried to open my eyes, but everything was blurry. My eyes? They felt heavy, though not uncomfortably so. Blue spots moved everywhere, making it hard to focus. It was as if I could see the world in a different way, more sharply.

With my vision still blurred, I tried to focus on anything around me. I noticed something different about myself. My hands — they weren't the same. They were smaller, with shorter fingers, small claws emerging from them, and dark skin. Looking around, or at least at what I could see, I began to move my tiny hands around and then noticed something else. My ears... were they large? And furry? They had a strange shape, like a cat's or a dog's. (Is this me? Are these my ears? Like an animal's?)

My memories... everything felt distant. It wasn't like I had forgotten who I was, but more like a weight had settled on my chest, something that made me feel... disconnected. What I knew for sure was that this was not Kyoto.

As I continued to feel around, I discovered a soft skin, what felt like fur, fluffy and smooth. It seemed like a person, but very large — or maybe I was just very small.

I heard something close to me again, as if someone was trying to get my attention, "XXXXX---XX"

"---XXXXX----XXXXXXXX--" Another voice, a bit further away, spoke this time.

I started trying to discern the sounds around me, only to realize they weren't Japanese. From what I could tell, they weren't English or Spanish either. Nothing anyone was saying made sense to me. Everything felt strange... the way people moved, the nature surrounding me, the sounds... None of it was familiar.

And then, the faces started to become clear. A large, serious face bent over me with a stern expression, but when it saw me, healthy and unharmed, his look softened slightly. He... he was smiling. A small but genuine smile that soon faded. He looked strong, with dark skin, dog-like ears, and silver hair. He seemed impassive, yet I noticed a tail wagging animatedly. (What is this, are we all cosplaying here?)

I tried to ask him where I was, "Nnh, mhm-mhm---" Or at least, that was my idea, but only random whimpers came out of my mouth.

There was another woman in the room, almost scantily dressed, with rabbit-like ears and blonde hair. She examined me from various angles before nodding and leaving the tent.

My memories were blurry, distant. It wasn't that I had forgotten who I was, but everything seemed veiled, as if a weight was pushing down on me, distancing me from who I once was. One detail, however, was clear: I had died. This was not my previous life. That thought was a mix of relief and confusion. (Could it be... after dying, I reincarnated?)

"---XXXXXXX---XXX-XXXXXXXX--," the man said something before leaving the tent.

I thought this was fiction; was this really happening?! I was so lost that I didn't even notice when something — or someone — picked me up. A warm, safe feeling, and the gentle scent of skin and leaves comforted me. This someone had a serene, loving presence, and though I didn't know her, a primal instinct whispered in my mind. (My mother?)

I couldn't understand a word that people around me were saying. Everything sounded strange, even the words spoken by the gentle face looking at me. The woman had an expression of tenderness, and even without understanding her language, I could feel her intentions. She seemed joyful, caring. She had short white hair and red eyes, with dog-like ears that I guessed were just like mine. I didn't know what she was saying, but the calm tone and genuine smile were something my heart understood.

Still stunned by all these new experiences, a wave of tiredness suddenly washed over me, and I passed out.

---

In the early days, this new reality was harsh and bewildering. I could feel my muscles growing stronger than I expected. My hands, still small, were already stronger than those of other children, and though my movements were clumsy, they were agile.

As the days went by, Selene — as my mother seemed to be called — took me to explore what I somehow understood to be our "home." She carried me through branches, enormous trees, climbing through the heights of the forest. My mother carried me with a gentle smile, as if she wanted to show me every bit of this new world. As we climbed each step of trunks and vines, a thought echoed in my mind. (This certainly doesn't seem safe to do with a baby...) And at the same time, I was fascinated by the natural way she moved. She showed no fear, was perfectly in control, leaping from branch to branch, and I, with no other option, could only watch with a mix of trepidation and admiration.

The forest was indescribable. Massive trees whose thick leaves filtered the sunlight into fine, bright rays, casting a soft green glow in the air. The constant humidity and the fresh, damp smell of leaves filled the air. Looking at it all, I thought: (Is this my new home? How can something like this even exist?)

By now, I was almost certain that I wasn't on Earth anymore. I doubted trees could grow this huge there. None of these people seemed to be at some cosplay event, and this superhuman physicality couldn't be faked. To test, I confirmed through a few experiments that at least my ears and tail — and my mother's too — were very real. It seemed I had reincarnated into a beast race tribe, living high up in this vast forest.

Well, first of all, I was doing my best to learn the language quickly, but I could only recognize names for now. When we finally arrived at the suspended cabin that was our home, I noticed how it was both carefully and simply built. Made of wood and leaves, it looked fragile but safe, with openings that let in the fresh wind. Still, I couldn't shake off a certain uneasiness. (Will I fall if I get too distracted?)

As time went on, I started to understand the complexity of my new body. At only three weeks old, I was already able to crawl. This was fast, even by my race's standards, judging by the surprise my parents showed. There was a strange strength I still didn't know how to control. My movements were clumsy, and my strength, disproportionate.

One day, I was headed toward a water pot, moving too quickly and ended up twisting my arm. The pain was intense, surprising me, and I let out a whimper, which worried my mother, as I was usually a quiet baby. Actually, it's quite absurd; I just broke a bone, and all I did was whimper? (Do babies normally break bones so easily? Or is something wrong with me?)

My mother left the house and returned in about three minutes. Alongside her, another figure appeared. A tall woman with pointed ears, bright eyes, and golden hair, wrapped in a soft cloak, leaned over me. After saying some words I didn't recognize, a warm light ran through my arm, and as I felt the pain vanish, a thought crept into my mind: (Could she be some kind of healer? Who is this woman? And was that magic?!)

Though I already suspected, knowing there was actual magic here was truly exciting. Having played so many games, I'd always imagined what it would be like to be inside a game myself. I looked at the woman I assumed was an elf, with shining eyes. Selene and other members of the tribe seemed to respect this mysterious woman. I looked at my mother and saw her grateful, yet worried expression. (Well, they have the ability to heal... maybe I can trust this world more than I thought...)

But now, who was this woman? I wanted to ask, but didn't know how. None of their words made sense to me yet. I just observed her, trying to understand what was happening. She spoke with Selene and other tribe members, but I understood nothing. All I knew was that she had healed me, and the pain that had consumed me had disappeared.

My mother looked at me with a concerned face, but also with a look full of love. She didn't seem angry. No, she seemed grateful that I was okay, yet a bit worried about what had happened.

Even with the pain fading, I still couldn't fully control my body. Something in me was different. I was stronger, faster, more... wild. My instinct for survival and the urge to explore were intense. I didn't want to be weak. I didn't want to depend on anyone. I wanted to be strong.

Over time, my mother took me to a tent to interact with other children. I felt a constant need to prove myself, to test my strength. It was an instinct that made me want to appear the strongest among those my age. This, however, wasn't going well. Other children seemed more fragile, smaller, and often ended up crying or getting scared. (What's wrong with me? Why am I intimidating a bunch of kids? But they are really weak... Wait, that's not the point!)

An instinct to stand out and show what I was capable of burned within me, but I tried to control it. I would need to be stronger in this world, and for that, I would need to adapt and learn everything I could, even if it was at the pace of this small, beastly body.

Selene, my mother, watched over me with immense patience, even when I caused small incidents. There was a tenderness in the way she handled me, gently pulling me away from anything dangerous or calming me with a soft touch. Her touch, even without words, conveyed a sense of peace I couldn't fully understand.

One day, my father — at least, that's how I called him in my heart — came to check on me. He was a strong presence, always with a serious expression, yet there was a respectful look in his eyes. Somehow, I felt that he was proud of me, even without saying a word. When he placed his hand on my head, I felt something new — perhaps a sense of pride. It was as if he saw potential in me that I didn't yet understand.

I truly missed my former life. I spent so much time with my new mother because she reminded me of my mother from before. I wondered if my friends missed me. Kazuki was probably annoyed that I'd left just when he was about to become a father. I hoped Yuka had taken over my project — it was almost finished, and I couldn't bear the thought of anyone else taking credit for something I'd worked so hard on.

I didn't know what the future held for me, but I knew that this body and this world were now my reality. I didn't know my own name until I heard it repeated to me several times: Rygar. Something inside me said that this name was part of who I was now. I reborn in a new world with a strength I didn't yet know how to control, and a fate that seemed to be calling me. I didn't fully understand everything around me yet, but one thing was certain: I was Rygar Adoldia, a new being in a new world, striving to adapt and find my path forward.