The next morning, I greeted Father with the traditional bow of the Godfall bloodline—two knees to the ground, then rising smoothly.
"I greet you, Father," I said.
He stepped forward and placed a firm hand above my head. "I bless you, son."
Before I could respond, Grandfather appeared out of thin air—like his presence needed no introduction.
This old man… he radiated power. His body pulsed with vitality—more potent than anything I'd witnessed in this world so far.
*How?*
I activated **Origin Eyes**. My irises flared crimson.
"What… is that?"
His form looked pitch black through my gaze—and something was *latched* onto him.
A strange, coiled being—its figure vaguely draconic, humanoid. I scanned its length, tracing its outline.
Its presence was ancient. Draconic… but not beastly. It felt aware.
"Is that… a humanoid dragon?"
"You can see it?" Grandfather froze, gripping my shoulder tightly.
I gave a silent nod.
*Why is he so agitated?*
"Grandpa, what's wrong?"
He hesitated… then turned sharply. "Omin—set up an isolation array. Now."
I raised a hand. "No need."
**"Epoch Lab."**
Before they could question me, a black vortex spiraled open beside us—silent, smooth, seamless.
"What in the name of the void?" Omin approached it, cautiously circling the rift.
"No spatial distortion. No gravitational pull…" He summoned his draconic arm and clenched a fist. *Pop.* Nothing happened.
He stuck his hand through the vortex—and pulled it back out, perfectly fine.
Grandfather didn't wait. He walked right in. I followed.
Omin sighed. "Screw it." He entered after us.
---
The sleek steel walls pulsed with soft light. Three bots flew over to greet us—one of them, **Ceron**.
"Welcome back, Master Dax."
Father and Grandfather paused, both stunned by the sight of the mechanical beings.
"Please remain still," I said.
They obeyed as the bots scanned them head to toe.
"What the hell are those?" Omin asked.
Grandpa squinted. "Flying golems?"
"Yes, but not powered by mana," Omin added, his tone growing cautious. "They're not magic. What *are* they?"
I smiled. "These are bots. I created them… in my past life."
Silence.
They looked at me—no longer with skepticism, but with quiet attention.
I led them into my isolation chamber, motioned for them to sit, then popped open a bottle of **Red Lotus wine**. The aroma was sharp and intoxicating. I poured three cups.
Grandfather took his glass, swirled it, and inhaled deeply. He sipped.
*Fwoosh.* His pores opened. His whole body relaxed.
"Magnificent."
Omin took his own sip and nodded wordlessly.
Then I spoke.
"It pains me to admit it, but I left home because of shame. I thought I was different… unworthy. I wanted to live in silence. Alone."
I leaned back.
"But on my way to the City of Roses… I was swallowed into a strange space."
Both men tensed.
"I faced death… again and again. Then one night, sleeping in a cave, I had a dream."
"I stood aboard a ship that sailed among the stars."
Omin's eyes narrowed. "You… traveled the stars?"
"Yes," I replied, meeting Grandfather's gaze. "And I remembered."
"I know you've had your suspicions. This is me confirming them—I'm telling you the truth."
*Half the truth, anyway.*
"In my past life, I was a renowned researcher. Some even called me… the God of Medicine. But currently my memories are not complete."
Grandfather's eyes widened.
I pulled out an **Abe Jayla cigar**, lit it with a flick of my finger, and took a slow drag.
*Ssshhhhh.*
The exhale was smooth. My mind stilled.
"Dax… don't hog it." Grandpa grinned.
I tossed him one.
Moments later—
*Cough! Cough!*
I laughed. "Take it easy, Gramps. Drag gently."
He tried again—slower this time. His face relaxed.
"What is this, boy?"
"Abe Jayla. It calms the mind. Opens perception."
"I need more of this in my life," he said with a dazed smile.
*Hope I'm not turning him into an addict,* I thought, chuckling.
*Cough!* Omin cleared his throat.
I turned. "Tina."
She sprinted into the room at full speed. As she approached, her body shrank, and she leapt into my arms.
I laughed and stroked her scales.
Father stared, his eyes locked.
"You remember her, don't you?" I smiled. "The little lizard you gave me on my twelfth birthday."
He nodded slowly.
Grandfather chimed in, carefree. "Had to force this one to get you a pet. Don't mind him."
"I chuckled. Thanks to my past life memories, I was able to alter her gene code."
"If I regain more of my past, I can do even more."
I stood and gestured for them to follow.
---
We entered a sealed chamber where two remaining aliens were housed.
The first—tall, skinny, with antlers like a forest deity.
The second—a silver-skinned beauty with glowing eyes and ethereal grace.
Their auras were sharp. Unfamiliar. Alien.
Father and Grandfather stopped, awe in their expressions.
"This is my hobby," I said. "Capture the unknown. And discover what makes it different."
Then I guided them to the nutrient chamber.
Floating within… was Dian.
"This is my woman," I said. "I met her inside that space I told you about."
Omin's jaw dropped.
Then he laughed. "That's my boy!"
He slapped my back with pride.
"Merlin's brat… you made *Merlin's brat* your woman?! Hah!"
Gramps face turned solemn, a hand over his forehead.
"…How did I give birth to such a madman?"