A red-haired girl, dressed in a traditional Japanese garment adorned with scarlet butterflies, stood solemn on the top of an oak tree, gazing out at the bluish sea in the distance. Her glossy hair fluttered in the cold northern wind.

In less than a second, a large vermillion bird, surrounded by harmless fire, appeared from nowhere. Sharp, intense eyes were fixed on her. The girl simply smiled, unfazed — as if she had expected it. Seeing the enormous creature extend its golden claw, the girl chuckled, lifted her arm, swiftly grasped it, and leapt off the tree.

Holding onto the creature's sharp talon, they descended gently and landed near a beautiful wisteria tree that stood in the middle of a grassy field. Under the captivating purple blooms, a handsome man with hair as silky and long as the night rested peacefully.

The girl looked at him with such affection that a smile, reminiscent of a blooming flower, graced her lovely face. Taking a slow step towards the man, she quietly sat beside him. Unable to contain the strength of her longing, she hugged the man tightly. Her slender arms encircled his waist, sensing the warmth he radiated.

“I missed you every second,” she whispered earnestly.

The man awoke, immediately aware of the weight and presence of the person he cherished the most. Gently, he brushed the maiden's hair, playfully twirling the strands with his fingers. His bluish eyes and soft lips radiated the sweetness he held for the girl. His heart pounded so intensely, a testament to the depth of his love, that he couldn't resist placing a gentle kiss on her forehead.

"Thank you for not leaving me. I love you," he whispered sincerely, his enchanting voice filled with affection.

Being with him brought her the greatest happiness she had ever known. Living alongside the 'sacred animals' in this place was the most perfect life she could have imagined. Overwhelmed by joy, tears streamed down her face as she made a heartfelt vow, 'I will protect this place, our home, with you forever.'

......................

I woke up with the same dream again and let out a sigh. Each time this happened, the throbbing in my heart became increasingly perplexing. It wasn't jealousy or envy, as I had been a man living alone for years without much interest in love; instead, it was filled with pain, so profound that it felt as if I were being torn apart.

It was just a dream—a happy one, to be exact. So why did I feel this way?

A question that remains a mystery.

I got out of my wooden bed and opened the old window. The morning's chilly breeze managed to refresh my mood. I'm Nazari Eames, a simple man living alone in this run-down apartment. An orphan without relatives, friends, or a partner for 27 years. I lacked interest in the trivialities that most people felt. Ambitionless and indifferent—I was born this way.

I lived in this world, yet did not exist.

Wearing my work uniform and packing my backpack with lunch, I began another day of my monotonous existence. Woke up, worked, returned home, slept—my daily routine on endless repeat.

If there were a job for being jobless, I'd happily apply with all sincerity. Unfortunately, this world doesn't operate that way. People must work to earn money, and money to be exchanged for food and other necessities. Such a petty cycle for a human born with nothing.

I didn't really care, to be honest. As long as I had enough to eat and a roof to sleep under, I was content.

Today's weather was so pleasant that it was ideal for lounging around. I strolled along the road, observing people with their loved ones—whether it was family, friends, classmates, colleagues, partners, or affairs. They lived their lives with a sense of purpose, each playing a role driven by their desires and goals.

Not like me.....

I overheard the sweet giggle of a little girl, happily piggybacked by her older brother on their way to school. It made me think: if I had such an important family in my life, perhaps my existence could have been more colorful than a grayish one.

A sigh escaped my lips. Regrettably, such 'what-if' scenarios were destined to remain mere fantasies.

While waiting for the traffic light to turn green, I noticed a familiar stray cat limping in the middle of the road. In an instant, a deafening noise erupted from a speeding car. My body moved on instinct, recklessly leaping to rescue the injured feline.

My frail form acted without thought, driven by a protective urge. Before I could fully comprehend, I found myself airborne, cradling the black cat in my arms.

A sharp crack echoed as I landed on my back with a resounding thud. In an instant, searing agony gripped me. I instinctively realized that fresh, thick blood was streaming from my head.

The pain was so excruciating that I understood it was only a matter of time before my life would end. Immobile, my vision blurred into a gory haze.

Ah.... so this is the end. What a heroic yet foolish way to die. Sadly, no one will mourn with this corpse, no one...

A ticklish sensation forced my heavy eyelid to stay open. I saw the cat I had saved nuzzling my hand. 'Were you thanking me? You're welcome, little fellow,' I was about to smile when it unexpectedly bit my ring finger.

''Argh!'' escaped my lips as a sharp pain shot through.

Suddenly, the cat began to meow mournfully, as if lamenting for me. The next moment, I found myself encircled by a swarm of meowing stray cats—those I had been looking after. Their collective sobs seemed like a song, bidding me farewell with gratitude.

Ah... Such a remarkable sensation. To know that I held significance for these small creatures surrounding me. For the first time in my life, I felt gratitude for not being alone. And so, I gently closed my eyes, finding peace in my passing...

...

...

...

...

...

...

I felt heat enveloping me, accompanied by the piercing sound of screams and cries. My head throbbed, a dull ache that seemed to permeate every thought. As my fingers brushed my forehead, they encountered a warm, sticky liquid that trickled down.

What was this? And more puzzlingly, why was I able to move my limbs?

The air was suffocating, tainted with the acrid scent of burning. In my attempt to open my eyes again, the scene that greeted me was nothing short of absurd. My mouth fell open in disbelief, mirroring the ridiculousness of the situation I now found myself in.

The surroundings were bathed in a searing crimson hue—the once-dark sky now a fiery red. Villagers' panicked screams reverberated, their desperate cries drowned by the brutality of armored men. Children were wailing as they were torn from their families and tossed into cages like chattel.

The village lay ablaze, a chaotic inferno fueled by the terrifying presence of a massive creature—the dragon.

'Where am I?'

'Is this hell?'

The deafening screams of people meeting their unfortunate end, the thunderous roar of a fire-breathing dragon soaring through the air, and the chilling laughter of heartless men assaulted my senses.

I clenched my eyes shut, desperately pressing my hands against my ears in a futile attempt to block out the din. In this chaos, faces I'd never known succumbed to flames and anguish, leaving my sanity hanging by a thread. I hoped everything was just a simple nightmare.

After a fleeting moment, I became aware of the quivering in my limbs—a visceral reaction to the overwhelming scenery I saw. Raw and palpable fear tightened its grip on my heart. 'Where am I? Why am I here?' I couldn't shake the haunting question: 'Am I going to die here too?'

'Rather, is this hell?' 

The question emerged as a desperate attempt to make sense of the surreal, nightmarish landscape before me. With each passing second, the feeling of dread deepened, and I found myself searching for familiarity and solace in this strange world of uncertainty.

Out of nowhere, a delicate and soothing voice reached out to me: ''N-Nazari... brother...''

The sound seemed to materialize from thin air, wrapping me in a comforting embrace. An inexplicable warmth, akin to the gentle touch of another's skin, enveloped me.

Her tranquil presence exuded a calmness that was almost tangible, and in her company, my racing heartbeat began to slow. Curiosity drove me to turn and gaze upon the speaker, someone who knew my name and role as a brother. Yet, the familiarity was tempered by an air of unfamiliarity, as if I should know her but couldn't place her in my memories.

As I tried to scrutinize her features, to discern who she was, my gaze locked with hers. Those eyes, like gleaming jewels of gold, held me captive.

At that moment, recognition ignited like a spark in the darkness, and a cascade of memories tumbled forth, each piece falling into its rightful place. The jigsaw puzzle of my past began to assemble itself before my eyes, the haze of forgetfulness lifting with startling clarity.

The body I possessed belonged to a 10-year-old boy who bore the same name as mine: Nazari. The girl who clung to me with familiar affection was none other than his twin sister, Zarani.

In their world, a warm, loving family served as the cornerstone of their existence. A mother and father showered them with boundless affection, crafting a haven of love that shielded them from life's trials.

Their family cocoon extended to the thriving village they called home, a haven of prosperity where harmony was a way of life. Days stretched seamlessly, bathed in a serene peace that embraced their lives.

Yet, as the clockwork of fate would have it, an ominous day loomed on the horizon. The nightmarish ordeal unfolded with relentless cruelty, as the group of knights and their colossal black dragon descended upon the peaceful village.

In a desperate bid to protect their children, Nazari and Zarani's parents ushered them into the hidden basement, where a tunnel connected to the nearby forest. There, their parents made a solemn promise to follow, once they had ensured the villagers' safety—a testament to their unwavering duty as the village's leaders.

But fate, it seemed, had a darker script to write. As the parents prepared to protect the others, an ominous presence shrouded the space. A man cloaked in scarlet materialized like a sinister specter, showing no mercy as he ruthlessly extinguished their parents' lives and plucked their very eyes from their sockets.

It all happened in an instant, and their parents helplessly couldn't do anything.

The twins, Nazari and Zarani, bore witness to this gruesome tragedy from their concealed vantage point, peering through the narrow gap in the wooden floor. The blood of their parents dripped down over their heads, each drop a haunting testimony to the brutality of that moment.

Nazari, overcome with fierce and unbridled anger, nearly cried out, his sorrow and fear overshadowed by an overwhelming feeling of rage.

In that harrowing instant, Zarani's quick thinking saved them both. She covered her brother's mouth and, with unwavering determination, forcibly pulled him away from that horrifying scene.

Together, they fled deeper into the forest, their hearts heavy with the weight of their loss, their eyes now bearing witness to their precious village being consumed by flames.

Realizing this, doubt gnawed at me—was this a memory I had lived, or a dream woven from the threads of my imagination spurred by death? Or perhaps being Nazari on Earth was simply a boring dream I had?

Despite the uncertainty, one thing remained undeniable: the cold pain of my death and the sting on my ring finger—a sensation too vivid to dismiss.

Yet, these heavy feelings I currently experienced—the weight of sorrow, helplessness, and anger intermingled, creating a storm of emotions that raged within me. I felt as though a fire raged beneath my skin, a blaze of anger and spitefulness that begged for release yet remained trapped within my chest.

This pain, this hatred, this anguish—it's all MINE. It was a part of me, a thread connecting me to a past that I could no longer deny or ignore.

The urge to release my pent-up emotions was overwhelming. I longed to scream, shout, swear, and cry!

But the circumstances were unyielding. The situation offered no respite for such outbursts. The turbulent storm within me found its outlet in the silent cascade of tears.

It's an emotion, a life that was now mine to remember, to understand, and perhaps to reclaim.

In the midst of this emotional maelstrom, the warmth of my twin, Zarani, reminded me that I wasn't alone. As I wept in silence, she was there to offer solace, her own tears mingling with mine. In her embrace, I found a lifeline to hold onto—the last connection to the family I had lost.

Though words may have failed us, the warmth of our presence spoke volumes. We clung tightly to the thought that we still had each other.

Shrouded in the haze of adrenaline and fear, my memory was vague on how we managed to flee the place while being chased by some remaining knights. What I could recall with clarity was the instinctive expertise that guided us through those dangerous moments.

Our steps whispered like the wind, blending with the landscape as if we were born in the mountains. It was a skill we had honed over days spent playing in the mountain range.

The terrain had become second nature to us, a canvas upon which we painted our mastery of evasion. Every crevice, every contour of the earth, became our ally as we moved through the twisting trails—a game of hide-and-seek played with deadly intent.

With precision born from necessity, we erased our tracks as if they were never there. The knights chasing us were left with nothing but illusions—chasing after shadows that faded into the mist. We moved as one, twins bound by an unspoken understanding and fierce determination to survive.

.....

It had only been a month, yet the memories of that tragic day remained vivid, freezing time in its aftermath. The attack on our village continued to haunt us, leaving its scars fresh in our minds. The lingering question weighed heavily: 'What had we done wrong?'

Nothing.

They appeared from the shadows, striking with swift and calculated cruelty, leaving us defenseless. Their arrival was abrupt, and their motives were unfathomable. In their wake, they left a trail of devastation, extinguishing lives and reducing our world to ashes.

They were no ordinary force; they held the might of an organization, bolstered by the shadowy presence of a dragon.

A singular detail etched itself into my memory—the killer of our parents. The only clue I have is the black veins on his hands, like a ghastly tattoo.

The reflection that stared back at me from the clear, tranquil water of the river featured golden eyes akin to precious jewels and hair as vibrant as a blooming rose.

The handsome countenance of a young boy gazed back, a mirror image of myself. My slender arms and small-framed body completed the picture, and despite my efforts to rationalize it as a mere dream, it stabbed me with reality

The 27-year-old Nazari had been entirely erased from this form. Now, I inhabited the body of a 10-year-old Nazari—a reality that was inescapable and undeniable.

I was still Nazari but not exactly the same Nazari.

Now, facing this second chance at life, tangled with chaos, how should I navigate my path forward?

I quickly plunged the wooden spear, crafted from Zarani's dagger, into the water. The unfortunate fish fought valiantly for its life, but its struggles were in vain as it eventually succumbed to its fate and lay lifeless.

'I need to learn everything about this world—its culture, history, and anything that can aid us. Moreover, I must hone my skills swiftly, before those pursuing us catch up and we end up just like this fish. I need to become stronger, to protect Zarani, and to LIVE.'

I was on the verge of calling out to my twin, eager to proudly display my catch when she...

"ZARANI!!!" My voice ripped through the air, laced with desperation, panic, and fear. My world seemed to slow as I watched her cough up blood.

"No! Don't die, don't die." The beat of my heart quickened as I held her pale and feverish form while repeating those words like a mantra.

"Naz..." she weakly called while fighting the pain.

"I'm here, Zan... I'm here..." My voice quivered, tears mingling with the shadows as I held her trembling hand, searching for me.

"I... c-can't see... anything..." Her fragile words spilled from her lips like harsh whispers carried by the wind. Tears that had once welled in her eyes now mingled with blood.

Each mumbled word, each syllable of her agony, was like a sharp blade that found its mark in my heart. The weight of helplessness bore down on me, like anchor dragging me into the depths of despair. It was a pain beyond words, witnessing her suffering.

At that moment, all I wished for was to ease her suffering, to bear her agony myself.

I carefully lifted her onto my back, urgency driving away tears. "Zan, hold on... everything will be fine," I promised, my voice filled with determination and hope.

Her weight reminded me of her fragility, a fact I had foolishly overlooked. "Please, don't let my only family die," I prayed, the words a fervent plea sent to the universe, to any entity and god that could help us.

°°°° "Nazari, always remember that your foremost duty is to protect Zarani as her big brother. While your twin sister possesses strong eyesight, her delicate body cannot bear its strain. Excessive use of her magical power could trigger a harmful backlash. Moreover, her mana levels remain imbalanced, leading to frequent fevers. That's why your father and I contribute our mana every month to stabilize her abilities. However, our dear Nazari, you are not able to do the same. Your types of mana are different. It is vital that you refrain from attempting it. Ok?" °°°°

Mom had explained that to me countless times, drilling it into my young, naive mind. But somehow, I managed to forget it. This realization sheds light on the mystery of why, for an entire month, we hadn't encountered any danger. It clarifies how mere ten-year-old children could successfully outmaneuver those formidable adults. It all boils down to Zan... despite being aware of the consequences, she chose to use her abilities for our safety.

'Zan endured that pain for an entire month. A whole month! How... how did I not notice this?'

I wanted to punch my face so hard and punish myself for neglecting my responsibility. I was a fool, consumed by thoughts of how I would adapt and survive in this world, oblivious to the agony my twin endured.

As in my previous life, I only thought of myself and no one else.

I've failed... I've failed as her brother.

"Get a grip, Nazari! The 'you' now is not alone. You've always wished for someone to call family. Now that you have it, are you going to let it slip away?"

"I won't allow it!"

Despite the early hour, the sky hung heavy with darkness, obscuring my path and making it hard to see. Small branches from the trees scratched at my face and limbs; their sting was a painful reminder of the urgency. Zarani had mentioned a small village at the foot of the mountain. That's where I'm headed—to find a doctor, a healer, anyone who can aid my twin.

Suddenly, the rain began to pour, making the path even more treacherous. Despite the challenge, I continued to run as fast as I could, carrying my twin on my back. Every step was fueled by fear that the grim reaper might claim her at any minute. Her body felt increasingly warm against my skin, and the beat of her heart grew weaker with every passing moment.

I've always been alone in my previous life, and now that I'm not, and now that I have a family, they've slowly been taken away from me. The feeling of that warmth is something I can only taste in fragments of memory. What's the point of being reborn when I will suffer from loneliness all over again?

I despise this kind of feeling.

Upon finally reaching the first house in the small village, both of us were completely soaked. Zarani continued to cough up blood, weakly breathing. My bare feet were almost numb, but the wound I had acquired while running was nothing compared to her pain. Moreover, my clothes were tattered and covered in mud.

I panted vigorously, but I had no time to catch my breath as the person I carried shivered even more than I did. Knocking at the door, I urgently asked for help. However, when the homeowner saw us, her eyes widened as if she had seen something that should not be seen. She then muttered, "Jewel eyes.." and quickly slammed the door, refusing to welcome us.

"No!" tears welled in my eyes as I implored, "My sister is in severe fever; please help us. I beg you... Please."

"Even if it's just medicine or information about where the doctor is, I promise to repay you someday. Please, save my sister!"

However, many times I called out, I received no response, and the hand that had once knocked at the door continuously was now discolored.

I thought hope had arrived when the door opened once again, but my heart sank as it wasn't the case. The woman's husband confronted us with a blade, his face contorted in a grimace as he furiously yelled, "Stay away from our house, go away!"

"Please have mercy. My sister is dying..." My desperate pleas continued. Suddenly, Zarani threw up blood once again, intensifying my anxiety about her condition.

Yet, the man displayed no surprise, his eyes devoid of any trace of concern. Instead, he heartlessly spat, "'Both of you should perish rather than bringing misfortune upon us!'"

Those words struck me like lightning, plunging my world into a darkness deeper than the abyss, fueling the blazing fire of anger within me. But the arms wrapped around on top of my shoulders grew tighter than before, extinguishing the growing hatred I felt. It was as if she was telling me, `It's okay, brother...`

An abrupt sting shot through my forehead, and a trickle of blood followed suit as their children bombarded us with stones, their cries of ''Go away!'' laced with resentment.

I hurriedly moved, fearing that one of the stones might strike my twin. The wound on my forehead meant nothing, even as blood flowed from it. I tried several houses, but each owner reacted in the same hostile manner. Their actions were a clear display of animosity, yet their eyes betrayed a different sentiment—as if they were afraid of something connected to us.

'I only ask for a small favor. But they chase us away like pests.'

'What did we do to deserve this?'

I gritted my teeth and clenched my fist, my nails almost digging into my skin.

My feet carried me through the grassy field as I ran, attempting to reach another village. The rain continued to pour heavily, as if it were crying on my behalf. The thunder rumbled, as if echoing my fury. I was engulfed in misery, much like the somber sky above me. The string of misfortunes continued when I suddenly stumbled and fell to the ground, hitting my face hard. But the pain I felt was nothing compared to the agony of failing to protect Zarani from the fall.

I frantically brushed off the mud that had splattered onto her face, apologizing and calling her name repeatedly. But she never responded. Anxiously, I checked her pulse. It was so faint, too faint to even be noticeable.

"NO!!!" a scream of desperation and anguish tore from my lips as I hugged my twin. My world seemed to shatter into a million pieces. I cried and cried until my tears ran dry. Still, a glimmer of hope remained within me, hoping for a miracle, for someone to come and help us. All the while, I hovered on the edge of despair, cursing my fate and this life that had brought us to this edge.

It was as if my prayer had been answered. A man more beautiful than any maiden I had ever seen appeared before me. His long strands of hair, silky and white, shone like a beacon in the darkness. His pair of red eyes, deeper than blood, gazed intently at me, instilling a sense of calm. His presence held such magnificence that it was as if a deity had descended from the heavens.

I grabbed the hem of his beautiful white silver robe with a desperate urgency and earnestly pleaded, "I will do anything and serve you with my life, just, please... I beg you... save my twin. I don't want her to die..."

As I held onto his robe, my body suddenly felt light when a warm hand gently patted my head. It was an incredibly comforting sensation, as if I had known this touch for a long time. His voice itself seemed to soothe away my worries. In an instant, the heavy weight of my emotions was lifted, and... I fell asleep.

"I am here now..."