Point of View: Kael Lanpar
When I saw my mother running toward Lilia and me to save us, it felt like watching myself do the same—but this time, I was the one trying to save her.
That time, I couldn't do anything. And maybe this is my karma for not being able to save her. I deserve it.
I don't know why I thought I'd be able to enjoy my life this time around.
"Crystal Armor…" —it was a whisper, but audible. That voice belonged to my mother.
I had my eyes closed for a few minutes, thinking I was already dead, believing death had come so fast that my body didn't even have a chance to react to the pain.
That was my thought—until I heard a gasp that wasn't mine. When I opened my eyes, I was stunned: a humanoid figure made entirely of crystal was holding Lilia and me in its arms.
Debris from the ceiling hung just inches above us, proving this wasn't some hallucination.
I had survived… thanks to that thing.
"Kal, are you alright, my little one? Did you get hurt?" —That voice again. My mother. Wait… Mabel—I mean, Mom.
A second later, her helmet came off, revealing her worried face.
She quickly placed both of us on the ground. Lilia was… well, unconscious. As for me, I was trying to process what the hell was going on. Maybe a terrorist attack… that had to be it.
BOOM!
Shit, those explosions were still going. The castle floor started shaking again. That was bad news. The problem was… I still couldn't do anything in my current state.
Before I could keep overthinking my situation, someone appeared. She was small, so I figured she was young, and her long white hair and frame made it clear she was a girl.
"Mother—uh, Your Majesty. Troops have already been deployed across Luzarion. It appears to be a terrorist attack."
Wait… did that girl just say "Mother"? Do I have a sister?
"Mai, drop the formalities and come here, daughter." —That cleared it up. Yeah, I had a sister.
"Mother," said my sister seriously, "Father is not currently in the kingdom, so all orders—"
"Mai," my mother interrupted, handing me over to her, "Take your brother somewhere safe. We'll handle this. Be careful and protect him."
My sister just nodded, held me tight, and jumped out the castle window.
It was terrifying to look down. I didn't know how we were going to survive the fall, but just as we were about to hit the ground, a gust of wind softened our descent—like we were flying.
We landed on the roof of a village house. She took off at full speed while I watched the chaos unfolding around us.
I hadn't had the chance to explore the village, to enjoy it… but seeing people running from the flames, screaming for help, broke my heart. I'm an empathetic person, and being unable to do anything hurt even more.
"I haven't been able to be with you because of some stuff, Kal. I'm sorry, little brother, I've been a bit busy. My name is Mayrei, and I'm your older sister."
"So, Mayrei… that's your name. Nice to meet you too, I guess."
So… magic does exist. Damn, I didn't reincarnate into the past—I'm in another world, another universe. Far from home… and far from who I used to be.
An ice spear formed in my sister's right hand. Apparently, there was an enemy ahead.
She quickly hurled it, piercing the enemy's skull, dropping him—though she made sure to retrieve her spear before moving on to a safer place.
POV: Mayrei Lanpar
I could feel the weight of my brother on my right arm, and the cold—yet somehow familiar—touch of ice in the other.
I didn't know how to feel at that moment.
Fear? For having my brother with me while a battle raged around us.
Guilt? For not doing more to help our home.
I sighed.
This was far more important.
This was my family's life. And protecting Kal was now my top priority.
I looked to the right, seeing the Destroyas soldiers trying to push back the elemental guardian. Each of its steps shook the ground like thunder.
These creatures shouldn't be here… not in inhabited zones. And definitely not outside the dungeons.
Someone brought it here.
Someone… summoned it.
I gripped my spear tightly.
An enemy appeared, trying to cast a fire spell.
Big mistake.
I hurled my spear before he could finish.
This was getting bad.
We didn't have all our troops, and the Strikers hadn't arrived yet.
I hoped this would end soon.
At the rate this battle was going… there wouldn't be any safe place left.
And then, as if the gods heard my prayer, massive black eagles appeared.
The Strikers.
I saw my father's silhouette standing atop one of them.
He jumped directly at the elemental guardian, and a large green sphere began forming in his hand.
On impact, a blast of wind and dust clouded the village.
I smiled.
We'd won.
"Ice Shield," I whispered. A crystal sphere enveloped us, shielding us from the explosion.
I looked at my brother.
And chuckled a little at his expression of wonder.
Or at least… I think that's what it was.
"It's all okay now, Kal. We're safe."
POV: Kael Lanpar
To be honest, saying I'm in a panic would be lying to myself… I actually had a little fun watching that show.
A few minutes after Mayrei deactivated the ice shield—or whatever she called it—we could see my father at the far end of the village, standing atop the guardian's corpse.
His face definitely showed anger. A few moments later, I saw him draw his sword and stab it into the guardian's head to finish it off.
Those eyes… I know them. Contained rage.
(3 hours later)
Right now, I'm in my parents' room with my sister and mom, while outside, I can hear my dad shouting, trying to figure out how the hell the revolutionaries got in… or at least, I think that's what he said.
Apparently, our kingdom isn't exactly on good terms with others. There are groups carrying out attacks in different places just to get their message across.
"Ma, what's going to happen to the Summit of the Kingdoms? This is a serious issue… and honestly, I think it was planned," my sister said as she laid her head on Mom's lap.
She sighed, letting all her worries out as she stroked her head.
"Seems like we'll have to move it up. These attacks are getting worse over time. Our kingdom is suffering greatly because of it."
Before they could continue, the door opened. There was my father, calmer now.
He took a deep breath before speaking:
"The Kingdom Summit will be moved up. Those damned kingdom reps only postponed it for three years… so we have no choice but to call back all our magical forces."
He came straight to the bed and hugged all three of us tightly.
"I'm just glad you're all safe."
"Yes, we're all in one piece, don't worry, Father," is what I wanted to say… but all that came out was:
"Gah… gah… water."
My attempt to speak caught his attention. Seconds later, he picked me up and brought me face-to-face.
"Looks like you had a little adventure. How was it with your sister? Did she take good care of you?"
Of course she did… I felt like a sack of potatoes getting tossed around, but all in all, I'm fine.
He looked at me again, then laid me over his shoulder and lay down with all of us.
I closed my eyes once more, this time in peace. I let myself be carried by my family's affection and the warmth of my father's love.
The last thing I saw was my new family, sleeping together and happy.
…Where am I?
My head hurts.
The strangest part… I had my original body. I could feel it: the strength from before. And… the guilt.
Was it all a dream? Did my mind play a trick on me, and I never reincarnated?
"You did reincarnate, Matías. You're in your mental space. Welcome to your twisted and crazy mind."
That voice… I recognized it instantly.
"Kraidir? Where are you? I can't see you."
"Yeah, it's me. And just in case you haven't figured it out yet—you're asleep," his voice was omnipresent, echoing from every corner, like in that white void.
"Seriously, Kraidir. Where are you? Show yourself, you cowardly god."
"I'm right behind you."
Hearing that, a shiver ran down my spine. I admit it… I got scared.
"What the hell is wrong with you, Kraidir?! Don't you know it's rude to sneak up on someone?!"
"I'd say I'm sorry, but I don't think you deserve it," he replied with sarcasm.
— Changing the subject... why does my mind feel so empty? And those pillars in the distance? What are they? They look like people...
I was about to walk toward them, but Kraidir grabbed me by the collar.
— Let me warn you right now: what's over there isn't pretty. Don't say I didn't warn you later.
— Okay, okay... fine, tell me what you want. Why are you here?
— First of all, I came to check on you. My duty was to send you somewhere safe. But I see your little adventure almost cost you your life.
— I know... but how was I supposed to know something like that would happen?
— Matías —he interrupted, his tone stern—. You need to take this more seriously. From now on, every decision matters. There won't be a third chance.
— I get it. I promise I'll think things through better. But still, it wasn't entirely my fault.
— Then you understand —Kraidir exclaimed.
— Yeah... I understand.
And just like he came, he vanished. Like a breeze dissolving into thought.
I sat in my mental space. Alone again. Alone with my peace... or what was left of it.
Kraidir's right.
I can't live this life without thinking.
There are no third chances.
No extra lives.
Just painful memories that keep coming back.
Sometimes... just sometimes... I wish it would all stop.
That I... would simply cease to exist.
Why me?
Why did I really reincarnate