i reincarnated in to my Novel

The forest was unusually quiet, the faint rustle of leaves the only sound accompanying the group as they rested. The tension from the earlier battle lingered in the air, though everyone kept their thoughts to themselves. Dakota leaned against a tree, the relic held loosely in his hand. Its faint glow reflected off his sharp eyes as he turned it over thoughtfully.

The sound of approaching footsteps made him glance up. Lucas, Ava, Liam, and Mia moved toward him, their expressions tense. Lucas was at the front, his arms crossed tightly.

Lucas: "We need to talk."

Dakota didn't move, his voice calm.

Dakota: "About?"

Lucas came to a stop in front of him, his tone firm.

Lucas: "Your group. There's something about them. Something… familiar."

Dakota raised an eyebrow, though he kept his face neutral.

Dakota: "Familiar how?"

Ava stepped closer, her expression thoughtful but frustrated.

Ava: "When I fought Emily, it was like I already knew what she'd do before she did it."

Mia: "Same with Mila. It wasn't just a fight—it felt personal, like I'd done it a thousand times before."

Liam leaned against a nearby tree, his voice quiet but steady.

Liam: "And Alex. Every move he made, I felt like I'd seen it before. I knew his next step before he even made it."

Dakota's fingers tightened slightly around the relic, though his tone remained steady.

Dakota: "Sounds like good instincts."

Lucas wasn't having it. He stepped closer, his eyes narrowing.

Lucas: "Cut the act, Dakota. You feel it too."

Dakota tilted his head, his expression unreadable.

Dakota: "Do I?"

Ava crossed her arms, her tone sharp.

Ava: "Don't play dumb, Dakota. We all feel it. You're not fooling anyone."

Dakota shrugged lightly, his smirk faint.

Dakota: "Maybe you're just imagining things."

Mia's frustration bubbled over.

Mia: "You're hiding something. Why?"

Dakota finally pushed off the tree and stood, the relic disappearing into his pocket as he faced them fully.

Dakota: "I don't owe you an explanation."

Lucas clenched his fists, his voice rising slightly.

Lucas: "You owe us the truth."

Dakota's smirk grew a fraction, his tone carrying an edge of mockery.

Dakota: "Truth's overrated, don't you think?"

Ava stepped forward, her voice soft but pressing.

Ava: "Why won't you admit it? You know what we mean."

Dakota's smirk faded slightly as he turned his gaze to her.

Dakota: "Maybe I don't."

Liam spoke up, his tone thoughtful and calm.

Liam: "You do. You're just scared to say it."

Dakota let out a soft chuckle, his tone laced with sarcasm.

Dakota: "Scared? Of what? You?"

Mia's frustration turned into anger as she stepped closer, her voice sharp.

Mia: "This isn't a joke, Dakota."

Dakota met her glare without flinching, his voice hard.

Dakota: "Then stop treating it like one."

The group fell silent, the tension between them thick. Ava sighed, running a hand through her hair.

Ava: "We all feel it, Dakota. Every one of us. Why can't you just admit it?"

For the first time, Dakota's smirk disappeared entirely. His eyes darkened slightly as he glanced between them.

Dakota: "Because there's nothing to admit."

Lucas took a step back, his tone low and bitter.

Lucas: "Liar."

Dakota: "Think what you want."

The silence stretched out, heavy and uncomfortable. After a moment, Lucas turned away, motioning for the others to follow him.

Lucas: "We'll figure it out without you."

Dakota didn't respond as they walked away. He watched them go, his expression calm and composed, though his thoughts were a storm of uncertainty.

Once he was alone, Dakota let out a slow breath, his hand instinctively reaching for the relic in his pocket. His grip on it tightened as he leaned back against the tree, his gaze focused on the sky above.

Dakota (thinking): They feel it too. It can't just be a coincidence.

His mind raced as he replayed their words.

Dakota (thinking): Mia, Ava, Liam, Lucas… They're not wrong. It's like they already know each other. Like I already know them.

The thought sent a chill through him.

Dakota (thinking): Could they really be…? No. That's impossible. Isn't it?

He shook his head, trying to clear his thoughts.

Dakota (thinking): Reincarnation. Memories lost. It fits too perfectly. But if it's true… why now? Why here?

He closed his eyes, his grip on the relic tightening further.

Dakota (thinking): I can't be sure. Not yet. And until I am, I can't tell them. They'd never believe me.

He opened his eyes again, the storm in his mind hidden behind a mask of calm.

Dakota (thinking): It doesn't matter. Not yet.

He pushed off the tree and started walking back toward his group, his expression composed but his thoughts far from settled.

When he reached the others, Mila glanced up from where she was sitting.

Mila: "Where'd you go?"

Dakota shrugged casually.

Dakota: "Just needed some air."

Ethan raised an eyebrow, his tone curious.

Ethan: "Everything okay?"

Dakota nodded, his smirk returning.

Dakota: "Of course. Why wouldn't it be?"

Mila frowned slightly but didn't press the issue.

Mila: "We're ready to move whenever you are."

Dakota nodded, his tone light.

Dakota: "Good. Let's get going."

The group rose to their feet, falling into step behind him as they headed deeper into the forest. But as they walked, Dakota's thoughts remained elsewhere, his mind replaying Lucas's words over and over.

Dakota (thinking): If they really are who I think they are… What do I do then? Should I tell them? Or should I not? Ah man this is so troubling, did my former friends actually get reincarnated in to my novel!? Oh that would be... Interesting to say the least. But if they are actually my friends reincarnated, Then if they get their memories back, what should I tell them. Should I Apologize for what I did? Or should I just not tell them my real identity? And Lucas he reminds me of Ethan... What should I do if Lucas is actually Ethan?

The question hung in his mind like a shadow, unanswered and heavy.