Earth, 5 May 2167.
The day where everything ends. The day where humanity lost. Vatra, the only human left on earth, watching how his world crumble slowly infront of him.
Vatra: So this...is how it's end. (His voice hoarse from dehydration)
The ground shaking violently beneath him. But he remain unmoved as he knelt down from exhaustion. His eyes empty, one arm gone, ally sprawled lifelessly around him as he watches the stars falling upon him.
Vatra: In my next life...I wish for a family...
He laugh, ridiculed by his own words. But deep down, he really wish to at least know how it feels to be held.
The stars feels warm above him, he close his eyes and smiles until the very end. That's how earth was destroyed from the threats beyond the stars.
Vatra?:urkh...
He somehow feels worse now. His head feels like it got split open as he stirs awake. He force his body to sit making a loud groans all over the room.
?: Caelus! You awake!
A sudden exclaim startled him and found there's a bunch of people around him making a concerned. But despite all that, none of them dared to touch him, as if they're scared of him.
Vatra?: Who's Caelus?
His question shocked everyone in the room. The two adults wearing fancy clothes, three servants and one little girl all looking at him in disbelief.
Vatra?: Who are you people? (Winced) Ow... Where the hell am I? What happened?
He keep asking questions despite the sharp pain in his head. This is confusing, he should've died by now yet he found himself surrounded by stranger.
The woman step in and grab his hand. Her touch gentle against his skin making him stop and looking at her yellow eyes.
?: I'm Seraphine Lametta, your mother. And you're in your house, your name's Caelus Lametta, my son.
She explain briefly. Her voice kind and managed to calming him down. He spot no lies behind her eyes and squeeze her hand firmly as if checking if this a dream or not.
Caelus: What... happened before this?
Seraphine: (inhaling deeply) two days ago when you're wandering around the redforest, you fell to a cliff. The healer said that you hit your head really hard that worse case scenario is that you'll get amnesia.
She explain briefly. That's explained the pain but still, he can't wrap his mind around this situation.
Caelus: I'm sorry. Can you leave me alone for a moment? I need to think...
Seraphine and the man looking at each other before nodding and wave to the servant to leave first.
Seraphine: Take as long as you need dear. We'll wait.
And with the rest leaving the room, he's alone again while sitting on the bed. He's drowned in his own thoughts.
He get off the bed. Approaching the mirror across the room and finally saw his own face.
Caelum: (chuckle) that's...me?
He saw his reflection. A teenager with brown hair and orange eyes. Having a face of a villain that turns his simple smirk into something entirely different.
He touches the bloodied bandages on his forehead and winced. The pain is real, everything feels real. He look at both of his arms and testing how it feels.
Caelus, that's what they called him with. He breathes in deeply, not a single pollution. He look out the window and mesmerized by the outside world.
Caelus: ...
He's speechless and can't hold his tears running down his cheeks. The world is beautiful. No dried blood nor corpses in vicinity. Just life and it's beauty. Sight he only heard in textbook.
He walk toward the door and exit the room. The corridor is empty, the lavish interior give out the wealthy and renowned family already. He walk deliberately along the hallway until stopped infront a door at the end of the intersection.
He knock once and received no answer.
?: Come in.
A voice calling for him from behind the door when he's about to leave. He's hesitating and open the door to reveal it's the man, he's sitting at his desk looking at him with intensity.
?: Sit down.
He nods curtly before sitting on the chair infront of the desk.
?: Do you really lost your memory?
Caelus: ... Unfortunately.
?: (unsure) ...
Caelus: ...
The silence is is palpable. Neither of them saying anything for a period of time.
?: I'm Valerius Lametta, the head of this family and your father.
His expression unreadable despite the introduction. Eyes steady while listening carefully.
Valerius expression hardens. To think his delinquent son eventually listening to his words makes him calm slightly.
Valerius: Are you... really my son and not some demon possessing him?
The question caught him off guard. The father gaze toward him changes, as if he'd kill him if he pick the wrong answer.
Caelus: No. I'm... neither...
Valerius: ... Elaborate.
Caelus: I don't remember my memory as your son. But instead it's a memories of another person.
Valerius:(disbelief ) ...
Caelus: I don't know either how I get here. It's fine if you don't believe me, but that's the truth.
Valerius: What happened to the person in your memories?
Caelus: He's dead together with his world in... literal way.
Another silence between them as Valerius digesting this information while checking for any deception, only for him to find his steady and calm eyes.
Valerius: (sigh) So you're not really my son?
Caelus: I'm afraid so.
Valerius: Then be my son.
Caelus: ... What?
Valerius rose up from his seat and circle around until he's standing next to his seat. He stood up also to meet his eyes properly.
Valerius: Truth to be told, we also don't have a lot of memories of you. You used to keeping your distance from us and wander around causing trouble. Seeing you like this... calm and collected, makes me remember the day where you're born.
A pause as he hold his shoulder firmly.
Valerius: It's probably due to your injury that cause you to hallucinate. So that's why, you're still my son.
He pull him closer to a warm embrace. It's nice, making him thinking so this is this how it feels to be held by someone. He wrap his own arms around his father's back.
They pulled away while still holding each other arms firmly. He can't help but cries from it.
Caelus: (sniffles) Thank you, father.
Valerius: (shocked)
Caelus: (worried) What's wrong? Did I say it wrong?
Valerius: No, nothing wrong. You're welcome son...
(Creak...)
The door to the room suddenly opened with everyone eavesdropping their conversation. Caelus smiles and chuckles fondly at the scene.
Caelus: Sorry for making you worried everyone.
No one getting closer at first until Stephanie stepping up and hugging him tightly.
Stephanie: As long as you're fine dear...
He returned the hug with the same intensity. He spot the little one, believed her to be his sister and he smile at her making her flinched and ran away.
Valerius: Don't worry. She still need time to understand all of this. Seeing her brother who used to yelling at her now smiling probably making her confused.
Caelus: I'd like to hear the whole story about myself.
Stephanie: Of course. We can do that. But first, how about we listen first to your story. What kind of... hallucinations you saw in your coma.
She finally let go of him and guide him toward nearby sofa and set him down while sitting next to him. Valerius also occupy the other side. Now he's trapped between his parents and it makes him laugh softly.
Stephanie: Ina, please bring us some drinks and snacks.
Valerius: (Smiles silently at his wife)
Caelus: Well then...
He begin to speak. Telling them his entire life as Vatra until how it ends. Either it's dream or not, he doesn't care anymore. This is his life now and he'll live it properly.