" How is this possible? It wasn't supposed to end like this." I muttered to myself. This was the biggest crisis that is ever happening to me. I was strong… so why was I being stopped here?
4 year's ago:
"This feels so good. It has been so long since I've ever took any day off." I Shiki Shinkage muttered in my mind. I have been working for an IT company where I have been lately doing too much work sometimes. Most nights, I stayed long after everyone else had left.
The office lights would dim, the silence growing heavier with each passing hour… yet my work never seemed to end.
And today I finally took a day off. Right now I am going to visit my family. I have a family with only my parents and brother and his wife living there.
And with that I reached Takayama after a long journey." Sniffing.... the smell reminds me of the old golden days. I wanted to become a child again." This was a very emotional moment for me every memory of my childhood were flashing right before my eyes.
"Time to head home." After that I went to the way of my home. And right after reaching my house my mother Aiko Shinkage welcomed me warm hartedly. And she said, " Oh Shiki is that you it's been so long."
My mother asked with a happy face her voice trembling and she again said, " Come in...your father is waiting for you at the living room." After entering the living room I saw my father reading a newspaper wearing his glasses.
My father Hiroshi Shinkage is a former military soldier.I stepped into the house, my heart pounding from nostalgia.
Behind her, my father, Hiroshi Shinkage, stood rigidly. His posture was perfect, the kind drilled into him by years of military service.
His eyes scanned me with a piercing intensity.
"Shiki" he said finally, voice calm but commanding. "You'rehome.Sit. We need to talk."
The warmth from my mother eased the tension, but my father's presence reminded me that strength, in this house, wasn't just a word—it was expected.This is how an ex-military officer behave Sharpe and cold.
" You have grown shiki.But you look tired.The company… still pushing you too hard?"
My father asked me with a cold glazer.
"....Yeah.some days it feels endless. Most nights I stayed long after everyone else had left. The work… it justs never stops." I replied with a disappointed face.
"I know the feeling. Life doesn't slow down for anyone. But exhausting yourself isn't strength. Real strength is knowing when to push—and when to hold back."
"…I never thought of it that way." I said with hasitation.
"I wasn't always in an office, Shiki. I faced battles where failure wasn't an option. One wrong move… and lives were lost. You… you have potential. Don't waste it on trivial struggles."
"I just wanted a normal day… a break." I replied.
(softening slightly) "Even soldiers deserve rest. But remember this—life will not wait. Prepare yourself… in body, mind, and heart. One day, you'll understand what I mean."
With that I stepped out for having a look of the surrounding. And later I meet with my brother Ren Shinkage with him his wife Yui Shinkage was there whom I meet last at their wedding. Ever since then I wasn't able to meet them again.
"Hey shiki welcome home." My brother greeted me with a smile.
" I'm home big brother." I replied." Wait aren't you MS.Yui? I haven't seen you for a while." I said with a smiled face.
" Yes it's me. How are you doing shiki?" She asked with a smile on her face. " I am fine. What about you? How have you been?"
"I'm doing great. But you are lying aren't you. You aren't doing great at all your face looks tired. Is your company pushing you too much?" She asked with a worried face.
" Oh you noticed well I am the one who isn't able to do my job well." I replied.
"But still you shouldn't push yourself shiki." My brother said. " Yeah I will remember that anyway let's go to an restaurant it's my treat today." I replied
And just when we were about to cross the road my consciousness suddenly started to faded . My eyes were blurry but I was able to hear everything and the last thing I hear my brothers voice.
" Shiki!!!!! What happened? Is something wrong? Yui call an ambulance!!!"
"Yes.(Dialing number) Hello. We need an ambulance hurry." After that she hung up the phone." Don't worry the ambulance will arrive in just a moment." She said her eyes in fear. Like losing someone so close to her.
And after that my heart stopped.
"Yui it's won't be necessary anymore for an ambulance to be here." Said Ren.
" What do you mean?" Asked Yui.
"He has stopped breathing. His pulse are not responding."
With this my life as shiki Shinkage passed away. I was well known by Ms. Yui because I had a crush on her since high school but I was too late to told her.
But either way I am now dead so what big will happen. Then suddenly my heart was beating. My eyes were still blurry but I can hear an unfamiliar voice.
And after that I see a woman and a little girl. After that I saw my hands they were so small I was a child a new born. I was terrified. I couldn't piece together what was happening.
But then I understand little by little I was valoren Ignis. The 3rd son of the Ignis family. After that my family members were looking at me with a happy face. They were happy to see me. I stretch my hand forward. And later a man comes in the room with a bright smile it was my father Ignis Varkhan. He entered the room with a happy smile.
And after that he said , " I believe this child will be the reason that this family will be the best in our kingdom." He is putting to much hope on me.
- To be continued