Chương 1: Reincarnation of the Plain Soul
Title: Reincarnation of the Plain Soul
Chapter 1: Dumb Reincarnation
Death was a funny thing, Elias thought, as he lay there on the cold pavement, feeling the life slip away from his broken body. Funny, in a cruel sort of way, because he hadn't really seen it coming. Just another ordinary day, a quick run to the store, and bam—a truck out of nowhere. No dramatic last words, no heroic sacrifice, just a stupid accident. He felt a strange mix of disappointment and amusement as the darkness closed in. This wasn't how he imagined going out.
The darkness was soft, like a thick blanket. For a while, there was nothing—no pain, no thoughts, no regrets. Just... nothingness. But then, something stirred. A soft whisper in the void, a gentle tug at the edges of his awareness. Slowly, Elias began to feel again. His mind struggled to focus, to find a grip on reality. Was this it? The afterlife?
He felt a dull, rhythmic thud, like a distant drumbeat. It grew louder, more insistent. His senses sharpened, and he realized it wasn't a drumbeat at all—it was a heartbeat. His heartbeat.
Elias gasped, his eyes flying open. Bright light flooded his vision, blinding him for a moment. He blinked rapidly, trying to make sense of his surroundings. His head felt heavy, his body strange and uncooperative. Slowly, his vision cleared, and he found himself staring up at a wooden ceiling, rough and ancient-looking.
He tried to sit up but immediately regretted it. His head spun, his muscles felt weak and unfamiliar. He let out a groan and fell back against a thin, lumpy mattress. A thin, cracked voice muttered something beside him. Elias turned his head slowly and saw a figure sitting on a stool nearby. An old man, frail and bent, with a long white beard and kind, tired eyes.
"You're awake," the old man said, his voice thin and raspy. "Good, good. Thought we'd lost you there, boy."
Boy? Elias frowned, trying to gather his thoughts. Everything felt foggy, distant. He looked down at himself and froze. His body was different—smaller, thinner. His hands were pale and delicate, his arms thin like twigs. Panic bubbled up in his chest.
"What... what happened to me?" he managed to croak, his voice sounding weak and unfamiliar to his own ears.
The old man chuckled softly. "You've been asleep for days. Nearly died, you did. You're lucky I found you when I did, lad. Not many travelers come through these parts."
Traveler? Elias's mind was spinning. He tried to recall his last memory—the truck, the accident, the cold pavement. But this wasn't a hospital. This wasn't even his body. He lifted a hand to his face and felt his features—plain, angular, a nose that was slightly crooked. This wasn't his face either.
His heart pounded in his chest, a mix of fear and confusion. "Where... where am I?" he asked, trying to keep his voice steady.
The old man's smile faded slightly. "You're in the village of Fallowbrook, my boy. Found you collapsed just outside the forest. Don't remember much, do you?"
Fallowbrook? Elias had never heard of such a place. "No," he whispered, shaking his head slowly. "I don't remember... anything."
The old man's expression softened with sympathy. "Aye, must've hit your head something fierce. It happens sometimes. Names Loran, by the way. I'm the village healer. Been looking after you for a few days now."
Elias nodded absently, his mind racing. He had died, he was sure of it. But here he was, alive again, in a different body, in a place he didn't recognize. Reincarnation. That was the only explanation that made sense, as crazy as it sounded. He had heard stories of such things, of people dying and being reborn in new forms, but he never believed in any of it. Yet here he was, living proof.
Elias took a deep breath, trying to calm himself. He needed to figure this out. "Thank you... Loran," he said carefully. "I... I need to understand. What is this place? What kind of world is this?"
Loran's eyes twinkled with a mixture of curiosity and concern. "You're not from around here, are you, lad? Fallowbrook is just a small village, one of many in the kingdom of Eldoria. A humble place, not much to see. But it's home."
Eldoria. Another name that meant nothing to him. Elias's mind raced, trying to piece together the fragments of information. He needed to understand this new reality, to find out what had happened to him, and why.
Loran stood up slowly, his old bones creaking. "You need rest, lad. I'll bring you some food. We can talk more later."
Elias nodded, feeling overwhelmed. As Loran left the room, he lay back on the mattress, staring up at the ceiling. His thoughts swirled with questions. Why had he been reborn in this weak, plain-looking body? What was he supposed to do now? He felt a surge of frustration. In his previous life, he had been ordinary—nothing special, but at least he had a body he knew, a face that belonged to him.
He raised his hands, examining them again. This body felt frail, almost sickly. He had no idea what kind of life this person had lived, or how they had ended up collapsed in a forest. He felt a pang of fear. Was he destined to live a life of weakness, always struggling just to survive?
But no, he couldn't accept that. He had been given a second chance, a chance to start over. Maybe this body wasn't strong or impressive, but it was his now. He clenched his fists, feeling a flicker of determination. He would find a way to make the most of this new life, whatever it took.
As he lay there, his mind began to settle. He realized he had no idea where to start, no idea who he could trust in this strange new world. But he would find a way. He had to. For now, he needed to gather his strength, learn about this place, and figure out what had happened to him.
He closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. It was a strange feeling, being alive again, being in a body that wasn't his. But there was also a sense of possibility, of a new beginning. He didn't know what lay ahead, but he would face it head-on.
Minutes passed, maybe hours, as he lay there, lost in thought. Eventually, Loran returned, carrying a bowl of thin soup and some bread. He set it down beside the bed and smiled kindly.
"Eat up, lad. You'll need your strength," he said.
Elias sat up slowly, taking the bowl in his hands. The smell of the soup was simple but comforting. He took a sip, feeling the warmth spread through his body.
"Thank you," he murmured, looking up at Loran. "For everything."
Loran nodded. "Don't mention it. Rest up. Tomorrow, we'll see about getting you on your feet again."
Elias nodded, feeling a spark of determination ignite within him. He didn't know what tomorrow would bring, but he was ready to face it. Whatever this new life held for him, he was going to make it count.
For now, he was just a weak, plain-looking boy in a strange world. But he would find a way to become something more.
He had been given a second chance, and he wasn't going to waste it.
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