Where… am I?
Atem opened his eyes, fortunately the panic that seized him last time was gone, he almost got used to that feeling.
He is now floating in an endless sky, weightless as a drifting feather. In front of him stood a colossal silhouette—vast, divine, the same unfathomable being tied to the Evil Eye.
But the giant wasn't looking at him, instead it's gaze was fixed far below.
Why is he staring like that…?
Atem slowly turned his head, tracing the line of sight downward—And froze.
"Eh!?"
He felt his tiny jaw drop so far it nearly fell off his face, below him at an immeasurable distance, lay a sight that defied every notion of reality he knew.
Nine enormous landmasses… a boundless sea that wrapped around them like a living serpent… and a river vast enough to rival an entire world.
At the very center rested the largest of all continents, so titanic that even from this impossible height, it filled his vision. It was surrounded on all sides by a strange, shimmering sea. From across this central land, a massive river system branched outward—nine colossal pathways flowing straight into the surrounding ocean.
From that sea, nine more monumental rivers descended outward into the distance, each one leading to another continent—each slightly smaller than the central one, yet still so large that calling them "continents" felt like an insult.
And those outer continents… each one held nine more branched rivers.
That's… way too big!
Back when he lived as Adam, he had traveled to space on an exploration mission. He had seen Earth from orbit—but compared to even the smallest outer continent here… Earth wasn't just tiny—it was microscopic.
And that central continent…That thing looked larger than the sun itself, Atem felt his consciousness tremble.
Just… what kind of world have I been reborn into?
Soon, his surroundings began to fade again—he was waking up.
This time, there was no panic. Only a dull ache in his limbs and a faint awareness of the room around him.
Before he could sit up, the door creaked open, and three robed elders from the temple stepped inside.
Behind them, Asha was already awake, dressed, and standing stiffly as if trying to look older than he was.
Elder Nerin bowed his head softly. "Since you have agreed, we will be taking her now."
Lira inhaled shakily but nodded. "We have come to the agreement that it will be for her benefit… going."
Elder Shuno chuckled, stroking his long beard. "As we said before—hastiness leads to wrong decisions."
The third elder, Elra, offered a reassuring smile. "And as promised, Lira, from today onward you will be appointed as the Temple's new physician."
He turned to Marek next. "And you will serve as the Temple's new blacksmith."
Marek blinked, somewhat startled. "What about Mister Amun?"
The elders exchanged a quick amused look before Elder Elra waved a dismissive hand. "The old man retired a few days ago."
A short, breathy laugh escaped the three elders—far too smooth, as if they'd planned this outcome long before today.
Marek straightened before nodding. "Then… I would be honored to accept."
"Good," Elder Nerin said warmly. "Tomorrow, someone from the Temple will guide you to your new home along the mountain path."
As he spoke, Elder Shuno gently approached Asha. "Child. It is time."
Asha took a trembling breath, turned toward her parents, and tried so hard—so painfully hard—to put on a brave face. Lira crouched down and kissed her forehead, hands lingering in her hair as if unwilling to let go.
Marek placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder, whispering something too low for Atem to hear.
Finally, with one last wavering look, Asha stepped toward the elders.
Elder Nerin rested a hand on her back. "Fear not. You walk toward a bright future."
The elders turned as one, leading her toward the doorway.
The moment the door closed behind them, the house quieted.
Atem watched it all from his cradle, expression flat. Everyone was emotional, tense, worried. Meanwhile, he felt… nothing. Asha leaving didn't affect him in the slightest.
If anything, he was relieved the noisy girl wouldn't be hovering over his basket tonight, whispering things he didn't care about.
He yawned internally and turned his gaze away, focusing instead on the warm ceiling beams. If Asha wanted to leave a whole hour before sunrise just to train under some fancy sect, that was her problem. He had more pressing concerns.
Like learning to hold his own head upright.
Marek broke the silence first.
"…It feels too sudden," he murmured.
Lira didn't answer. She sat down slowly with her hands trembling just a bit before she clasped them tightly together.
"She tried to act so strong," Lira sighed. "But she's just a child…"
Marek lowered himself beside her. "She'll be safe. With her talent she will be greatly valued ... Besides its not like we can't watch over her there"
Lira pressed her palms to her eyes. "I know. But knowing doesn't make it easier."
Marek placed a steady hand over hers. "We did what every parent would. We gave her the chance to soar, the rest is up for her."
Lira nodded and looked toward Atem.
"At least… you're still here."
Atem blinked back at her with the blankest look a baby could reasonably produce.
Please don't make this emotional. I just want a nap... Yep he always feels exhausted and wanted to sleep, that's the disadvantages of the thing newborn body.
Lira managed a weak smile anyway.
Marek leaned back, staring at the ceiling. "Tomorrow morning… everything changes. New home, new duties, new life."
Lira nodded. "And Asha starts her path."
If the world was changing, he fully intended to sleep through as much of it as possible.
Atem closed his eyes, done with the drama, and drifted back to sleep without a shred of concern.
-----
He was at the same place at the previous time, floating in the sky.
The colossal figure was there. But this time he wasn't staring downward. His chin was raised, gaze fixed upward.
Atem hesitated… then followed that gaze.
His breath or whatever counted for breath in this place almost stopped!