Beyond Death: the rise of atreya

"Young Master, you're awake..." a soft yet shockingly gentle voice broke the silence. It was a maid, her expression a mix of relief and disbelief, standing by the bedside of the frail young master she had been caring for tirelessly. Her hands trembled as she held a damp cloth, her eyes wide with astonishment.

"My Lady! Young Master has awakened! Please, come quickly!"

[Wait... this doesn't make sense. I'm sure I died. How am I here? Did I… reincarnate?]

Before I could piece together what was happening, hurried footsteps echoed through the hall, and the door burst open. A woman, elegant and graceful despite her tear-streaked face, rushed toward me. Her emerald eyes glistened with worry, her breath coming in gasps as she reached my side.

"Oh, my son, you're awake!" she cried, enveloping me in a warm embrace. "Do you know how scared I've been? Thirty days... Thirty days of watching you lie there, helpless. I thought I had lost you."

Her voice was soft yet trembling with emotion, each word brimming with care and anguish. I didn't need anyone to tell me—this was the young master's mother. Though she was a stranger to me, the sincerity in her voice stirred something in my chest.

As the haze in my mind cleared, fragments of memories surfaced—memories that were not my own. This young master was the son of a local baron, a knight who had dedicated his life to serving the throne. The Kerwin family was no ordinary noble house. Known for their valor and loyalty, they had served the kingdom for centuries, producing knights, warriors, and even influential traders. Their contributions to the crown in both manpower and material goods earned them a reputation as one of the most prestigious families on the continent.

And yet, despite the family's glory, the young master had suffered greatly. His frail body was plagued by a debilitating illness eerily similar to the cancer that had taken my own life. He was ridiculed by his cousins for being unable to wield a sword, mocked as a failure unworthy of the Kerwin name. Desperate to prove them wrong, he pushed himself beyond his limits, training for two days straight without rest. His fragile body, however, couldn't bear the strain, and he collapsed, falling into a coma that lasted thirty days.

And now, here I was—alive, in his body, with his burdens.

[Why? Why am I here? Is this some cruel twist of fate? Am I destined to live a second life shackled by the same misery that haunted my first?]

My hands clenched into fists.

[No. I refuse to accept this. I will not let my fate repeat itself. I will defy this illness, this weakness, and anyone who dares to look down on me. I'll show the gods—whoever they are—that I can change my destiny. And when I gain the strength, I will demand answers. Why me? Why this life?]

Before I could dwell further on my resolve, the door opened once again, revealing a tall, imposing figure. The man's eyes were sharp and unyielding, his posture radiating authority. This was Darius Kerwin, Baron of the realm and this body's father.

"You've finally woken, Atreya," he said, his deep voice calm yet commanding. "Good. You've caused enough grief in this household with your recklessness. Weakness will not be tolerated in this family. If you are to bear the Kerwin name, you must learn to overcome your affliction."

His words stung, but they carried a truth I couldn't deny. The world of nobles and knights was merciless. Weakness, real or perceived, could destroy not only a person's reputation but their very life.

As my father's stern gaze bore into me, another memory flashed through my mind—this one strange and otherworldly. It was of a sanctuary suspended between heaven and earth, a place shrouded in ethereal light. I saw the faint outline of a woman dressed in white, her features obscured by a radiant veil. Her voice echoed faintly, barely more than a whisper:

"To change one's fate is to embrace the unknown. Rise, Atreya Kerwin, and find the strength within yourself."

The vision faded as quickly as it came, leaving me shaken.

[Was that just a dream? Or something more?]