I'm at peace…
But why is it so dark?
I can't see. I can't feel anything.
Did I finally die—killed by those bastards?
The last thing I remember is being exposed… tortured… for being the illegitimate son of the king.
As I drift in this endless void, memories swirl around me—fragmented, distant, like they belong to someone else.
Shame.
Betrayal.
The moment the truth was revealed.
The king's bastard.
That's what they called me.
But… how did I end up here?
I try to move.
Nothing responds.
My body feels heavy… like it doesn't exist.
Panic rises in my chest.
Am I still alive?
Is this a punishment?
A trap?
Did the king and his council finally decide to erase me?
Then—
A faint glow begins to seep through the darkness.
Stone appears beneath me.
Cold.
Damp.
A floor.
"Ghh…"
Pain suddenly spikes through my skull.
I collapse, clutching my head.
"…I'm still alive," I mutter. "But how…? And why are all my wounds gone?"
The light grows stronger.
I force my eyes open.
A cave.
Small. Narrow.
The air reeks of mold and decay.
I push myself up against the wall. My legs tremble. My vision sways.
My stomach growls painfully.
How long was I out?
What happened to me?
And—
Why do I feel like I'm being watched?
I stagger forward.
Out of the cave.
Moonlight crashes into my eyes.
"—Tch!"
I raise a hand to shield them.
Slowly… my vision adjusts.
And then—
I freeze.
This… isn't home.
Towering trees stretch into the sky like giants carved from wood and stone.
Their trunks are wider than houses.
Their branches twist like ancient fingers reaching down from the heavens.
The forest breathes.
Leaves whisper.
Insects hum.
And somewhere far away—
A waterfall roars like thunder trapped in stone.
I inhale deeply.
The air is different.
Clean.
Rich.
Alive.
Earth. Water. Flowers.
Beautiful.
Unfamiliar.
I follow the sound.
Each step pulls me deeper into the forest.
The roar grows louder.
Mist thickens around me.
The forest feels… aware.
Like it's watching me.
Waiting.
Judging me.
Then—
I see it.
A waterfall crashes down from a towering cliff into a crystal-clear pool below.
Mist rises like wandering spirits.
Moonlight dances across the surface.
I step closer.
Slow.
Careful.
I kneel at the edge.
My hand dips into the water.
Cold.
Real.
I drink.
Greedy.
Desperate.
Again.
Again.
Then I dunk my head beneath the surface.
A sharp gasp leaves my lungs as clarity returns to my mind.
I rise.
Breathing steadier now.
Alert.
Aware.
Watching.
That's when I hear it.
Voices.
Close.
My body locks instantly.
Behind a tree—
A figure.
Tall.
Unmoving.
Clouds shift.
Moonlight breaks through.
A giant.
At least seven feet tall.
His body is covered in old scars—like history carved into flesh.
Three deep claw marks slash across his face.
He steps forward.
I speak first.
"Who's there?"
Silence.
Then—
He speaks.
"###$$#$$$$###**"
My blood runs cold.
"What…?"
I don't understand a single word.
He steps closer.
Another movement behind me.
Branches shift.
My instincts scream.
I turn—
Too late.
Four more figures emerge from the shadows.
Tall.
Muscular.
Wild.
Leaves wrapped around their waists.
Bone-tipped spears in their hands.
I'm surrounded.
The scarred giant speaks again.
"###$$$##—"
Still nothing I understand.
But I understand enough.
Hunt.
The largest one grins.
He leans in close.
I feel his breath.
Rot.
Blood.
Hunger.
Then—
A voice cuts through.
Clear.
Human.
"You'll make a fine meal."
My heart drops.
Run.
I move—
Too slow.
Too weak.
A spear presses against my throat.
Cold.
Sharp.
Final warning.
I freeze.
Another behind me.
Another at my side.
The leader watches… amused.
Something inside me snaps.
I swing.
Kick.
Push forward—
Pain explodes through my body.
A spear shaft slams into my gut.
"Gah—!"
I stagger.
Another strike crashes across my face.
Blood fills my mouth.
I spit it out.
Snarl.
Lunge again—
Then—
Impact.
Heavy.
Brutal.
The back of my skull explodes in pain.
Darkness consumes everything.
Again.
But this time…
It isn't dark.
It's white.
Endless white.
No sky.
No ground.
Only silence.
Am I dead?
Is this Valhalla?
No.
This silence feels different.
Then—
Laughter.
"Hahaha…"
Warm.
Familiar.
Gentle.
"No, my son. This is not Valhalla."
My breath stops.
"I don't have much time. Listen carefully."
The voice sharpens.
"You are no longer in the land of Sparta."
My eyes widen.
"Sparta… was destroyed."
Silence.
Heavy.
Final.
"Along with the king… your father."
My chest tightens.
"You are the last of the S. Sparta bloodline… my son, Demos S. Sparta."
My lips tremble.
"What…?"
"Who are you?!" I shout. "Where am I?! What is this place?! Why is Sparta destroyed?!"
"I am your mother."
Silence.
My mind fractures.
"My mother died giving birth to me…"
"And that man… the king… gave me nothing but a name. A lie."
"Is that why I'm here?"
"Yes."
A pause.
"But this is not your homeland."
Panic rises again.
"Then where am I?!"
No answer.
Instead—
"I cannot tell you everything yet. You are too weak."
"But your people… are here."
My eyes widen.
"My people?"
"Yes. Spartans. In this world."
My breath shakes.
"How am I supposed to find them if I don't even know where I am?"
"That is not important right now."
Her voice sharpens.
"I am giving you something."
"To help you survive."
"To grow."
"To become what you were meant to be."
My voice lowers.
"…What is it?"
"A System."
The word echoes in the void.
Heavy.
Strange.
"It will guide you."
"It will push you."
"And when the time comes…"
"You will return."
A pause.
"…not as a lost son…"
"…but as the King of Sparta."
My heart pounds.
"You will build them."
"A nation."
"Strong."
"Unbroken."
"You will lead them all."
My fists tremble.
"Why should I believe you?! I don't even know if you're real!"
A soft laugh.
Warm.
Loving.
"Oh… my stubborn son."
"In time… you will understand."
Then—
The light shifts.
Something forms.
A figure.
Radiant.
Ethereal.
A woman.
Powerful.
Gentle.
Terrifyingly familiar.
She walks toward me.
Slow.
Silent.
My breath catches.
"…Mother?"
She says nothing.
She reaches out—
And gently kisses my forehead.
The moment her lips touch—
My body jolts.
Light erupts.
And everything disappears.
END