In a quiet village, nestled among rolling hills and dense forests, the morning sun began to filter through the windows of a modest house. Inside, a boy suddenly woke up, his heart pounding wildly. Sweat drenched his entire body, soaking the thin sheets beneath him, and his breath came in ragged gasps as if he had been running for his life.
"What happened?" he muttered, his voice hoarse and trembling as he grabbed at his body, feeling for injuries. "Am I alive?"
The boy was Lucas. He had already died twice before. The first time, he had perished on modern Earth, only to find himself transmigrated to this fantastical world. The second time, he had met his end in a trap set for him while he prayed at his sister's grave.
Anger surged through Lucas as he recalled the treachery that had led to his demise. His face twisted in a scowl, and he clenched his fists so tightly that his knuckles turned white. "Damn it!" he spat. "To think those people would be so shameless as to attack me at my sister's grave!"
His mind raced with memories of the betrayal, the faces of his enemies flashing before his eyes. But then, a new thought struck him, and his anger gave way to confusion. "Is this my third life?" he wondered aloud. "Is this the same world, or...?"
He trailed off, uncertainty gnawing at him. The room around him was familiar yet different. The wooden walls, the simple furniture, the smell of fresh bread wafting from the kitchen downstairs – it all felt like home, but could it really be?
Suddenly, the door to his room creaked open, and Lucas's heart skipped a beat. He turned to see his sister, Lucy, standing in the doorway. The soft morning light framed her figure, casting a gentle glow on her face and highlighting her warm, caring eyes.
"Lucas, are you alright?" Lucy asked, concern etching lines on her forehead. "I heard you shouting."
Lucas's heart leaped with joy at the sight of her. Words failed him as he lunged forward, wrapping his arms around her in a tight embrace. He could feel the warmth of her body, the steady beat of her heart, and the familiar scent of lavender in her hair. For a moment, everything else faded away.
Lucy, though puzzled by his reaction, returned his embrace warmly. "Hey, what's gotten into you?" she asked with a gentle laugh, patting his back. "It's just me."
"I thought I'd lost you," Lucas murmured, his voice thick with emotion. "I... I thought you were gone."
Lucy pulled back slightly, enough to look him in the eyes. "I'm right here, Lucas," she said softly, her eyes filled with reassurance. "I'm not going anywhere."
Lucas nodded, a lump forming in his throat. He reluctantly released her, wiping away the tears that had escaped his eyes. "I'm sorry," he said, forcing a smile. "I just had a really bad dream."
Lucy smiled back, though her eyes still held a hint of worry. "Well, you're awake now. And I've got some good news to cheer you up. Dinner is ready."
"Dinner?" Lucas echoed, glancing at the window. The light suggested it was still morning. He realized it must have been a long time since he had eaten.
"Yes, dinner," Lucy confirmed with a playful roll of her eyes. "You must have been out cold for a while. Come on, I made your favorite stew."
"Okay," Lucas replied, feeling a bit more grounded. He watched as Lucy turned to leave, her steps light and carefree.
"I'll wait for you downstairs," she called over her shoulder with a smile before disappearing down the hallway.
As he watched her go, a surge of determination filled Lucas's heart. He clenched his fists, the weight of his past failures and vows pressing down on him. "This time," he whispered to himself, "I will not let them harm you anymore. I swear it, Lucy. I'll protect you with everything I have."
With that resolve, Lucas took a deep breath and followed Lucy downstairs, ready to face whatever this new life had in store for him.
The dining room was a warm, inviting space. A wooden table, slightly worn from years of use, stood in the center. The scent of home-cooked food—freshly baked bread, roasted vegetables, and a savory stew—filled the air, making Lucas's mouth water. Soft candlelight flickered, casting a gentle glow over the room and adding to its cozy ambiance.
Lucy was already setting the table when Lucas arrived. She smiled up at him. "I made your favorite stew. I hope you still like it," she said, placing a steaming bowl in front of him.
Lucas's heart warmed at the sight. "It smells amazing, Lucy. Thank you."
They sat down to eat, and for a while, their conversation was light. They talked about the village, the people they knew, and the little events that had happened while Lucas was... away.
"Mrs. Greenwood's cat got stuck in a tree again," Lucy said with a laugh. "It took three people to get it down."
Lucas chuckled. "Some things never change, huh?"
"No, they don't," Lucy agreed, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "And old Mr. Thompson finally fixed that hole in his roof. He said it only took him three years."
"Three years?" Lucas shook his head, smiling. "He must have been really busy."
They continued to share stories, and Lucas found himself relaxing. He savored each bite of the meal, the flavors bringing back memories of simpler times. The warmth of the food, combined with the comfort of his sister's presence, made him feel at peace, if only for a moment.
After dinner, Lucas pushed his chair back and sighed contentedly. "That was delicious, Lucy. Thank you."
"You're welcome," she said, beginning to clear the table. "I'm just glad you're home."
Lucas helped her with the dishes, their conversation drifting to lighter topics. But as the last dish was dried and put away, a sense of urgency returned to him.
"I think I'll head back to my room for a bit," Lucas said, trying to keep his tone casual. "There are some things I need to think about."
Lucy looked at him with concern. "Are you sure you're okay, Lucas? You seem... different."
"I'm fine," he assured her, forcing a smile. "Just a lot on my mind."
"Alright," she said softly, touching his arm. "But if you need to talk, I'm here."
"I know. Thanks, Lucy." Lucas gave her a reassuring nod and made his way back to his room.
Once inside, the weight of his thoughts returned full force. He knew the people who had targeted Lucy before, and this time, he had to be prepared. The enemy would be more dangerous, more cunning. He couldn't afford any mistakes.
As he paced the room, trying to form a plan, a sudden, ethereal glow filled the space. Lucas froze, eyes widening as a translucent screen appeared before him, displaying the words [Divine Mask].
"What the heck is this?" Lucas muttered, reaching out to touch the screen. It felt both real and unreal under his fingers, like a ripple in the air.