Matías Castleboard's Point of View
Flashback to the Past
The sky was beautiful, even more so at this hour of the day. The stars decorated the landscape poetically; the world didn't need words to describe its beauty, for in every little detail, it revealed its true brilliance.
I was sitting in the fields, near my parents' farm. It was late—very late, to be honest. But I couldn't take my eyes off the majesty before me.
"Matías… where are you?" a familiar voice pulled me from my thoughts. It was my father.
I raised my hand to show where I was. I knew I was in for a good scolding, but oh well.
"I'm here, father. I'm coming, just give me a moment."
I quickly grabbed my hat and gave the night one last look. I may not have been born into a wealthy family, but… this is priceless.
"Sorry, father, I got a little lost in my thoughts," I said as we began walking together toward the house.
He simply shook his head with resignation and ruffled my hair affectionately.
"Come on, hurry home. Your mother's waiting for us with a snack."
I smiled and ran with all my might toward home. With each step, I felt the wind caress my face. In the distance, I could see my mother and sister leaning against the doorway.
"Mati, come inside, sweetheart! It's too cold out!" Her voice was soft and full of affection. It always had been.
"I'm coming, Mom! Dad, hurry up!" I said through laughter… that laugh I once had.
End of flashback
My family… I saw them again. You have no idea how much I miss you. How much I wish I could turn back the clock, hug you… and tell you I love you.
Wait a second… I'm awake again. This awareness… I've awakened once more. But where am I now?
Now that I think about it, I feel stranger than usual. I can feel my body, but at the same time, I can't. It's as if my mobility has been reduced… and so has my size.
There's a light… I can see it. Why can't I fully open my eyes? My vision is so blurry and fuzzy… I don't understand.
Kraidir… the second chance. It was real.
I've just been born. Inside me, a massive spark of joy and anguish lit up at the same time. I'm getting another chance. Even though I couldn't speak, my voice in my mind was broken.
"It's a boy! Strong and healthy, my queen," a woman's voice suddenly broke the silence. It was warm, soft… full of love.
Arms held me tenderly. I felt the warmth of a woman, her comforting scent. She rocked me gently, and then I heard her voice through tears:
"Let me hold him… my little prince, my beautiful Kal."
My heart was racing. I couldn't think clearly at that moment, I could only feel. Pure emotions, unfiltered.
My mind, still in shock, tried to make sense of it. It took me a few minutes to fully understand: my little prince, my beautiful Kal. And… they said queen.
I tried to analyze how likely it was that this was real or not. But the feeling was undeniable, and somehow, this… felt peaceful.
I laughed in my mind and cried at the same time. This is pure torture… I'm trapped in a newborn's body. I've been reborn.
"There, there, my little Kal, don't cry. Mommy is here… I'm here for you, my son." I could feel how her words were breaking me from within. It was as if the huge void inside me was slowly starting to fill.
"Let me see my son, Mabel."
The woman—my mother—handed me over to a man. I felt his grip: firm but gentle. His voice carried a strong, confident tone, yet also a warmth only a father could convey.
He'll be my father, I thought wistfully. If I've been reborn, then this is my new family. I never imagined I'd have one again.
"Wow, my love, I think he looks more like me. I feel like this little one will have my spirit, my determination. Look at those eyes… he'll have many women after him when he grows up! And someday, he'll be a great king."
My mother laughed softly.
"Oh, love, he's just a baby. And if I'm not mistaken, I was the only one who fell for your charms."
"Oof… that was a low blow, my queen."
I couldn't fully see them, my eyes were still blurry, but it didn't matter. Just knowing they were there… that was enough.
"Your Majesty, please hold the prince carefully." The midwife's voice caught my father's attention for a moment, only for him to turn back to me.
"Kal, I am your father: Xavier Lanpar. And you, my beautiful little son… welcome to your new life."
My father looked at me with tenderness and curiosity, as if he saw something special in me.
I tried to stretch out my tiny hands to touch him, but my coordination was almost nonexistent. My blurry vision and limited hearing made me feel helpless. I'd have to get used to this for a while.
As I lifted my head slightly, I saw a lamp with beautiful decorations. And the carved ceiling… it was stunning—white, with lines forming a strange silhouette I couldn't understand.
Shortly after meeting my parents and being wrapped in a soft blanket, we began walking. It was my father who held me.
Judging by the stone and wooden walls, I quickly deduced the era I was in. There were soldiers accompanying my parents with every step. Medieval times. I've reincarnated into this era… how curious.
I saw marble pillars and windows with engraved figures. As we moved forward, I became mesmerized by the windows: they seemed to tell a fantasy story. It was fascinating… I felt like I was inside one of those tales of kings and…
Wait a minute… did they just call me prince?
"Your Majesty, we're almost there. Shall we call the Strikers to accompany you, or would you prefer to deliver this message alone?" I turned to see who spoke and saw a guard. So it's true… I'm a prince.
"No, it's fine, soldier. I'll deliver this message myself. Part of being a king is giving the people hope, and that's what I'll do."
My father looked at me once more before turning forward with a serious expression, just as the curtains began to open.
Xavier's POV
The weight of my son rested in my arms as I walked with steady steps toward the castle's main balcony.
Outside, a crowd of thousands—millions, perhaps—waited eagerly. Their voices blended into a dense murmur, like the echo of a storm about to erupt.
Part of being a king is giving the people hope.
And Kael is that hope. The one we've long lacked.
Though some question the leadership of House Lanpar, it is we who have protected humanity for generations. And we will continue to do so.
Today, I'm not just presenting my son. Today, I'm announcing the beginning of a new era—an era that will transform the world as we know it.
As I crossed the balcony threshold, the sun greeted me with its blazing radiance. My eyes swept over the crowd; among the faces, I could distinguish people who would, at some point, cross Kal's fate. Some with love, others with blood.
The plaza vibrated with electrifying energy. The banners of the most powerful clans waved proudly.
I smiled with pride. I stepped forward and raised my voice with the strength only a king can summon:
"Dear citizens, thank you for coming from such distant lands to witness this important moment for my family and the kingdom. Today, I present the beginning of a new era: the Golden Era!"
With a solemn gesture, I raised Kael so everyone could see him.
"This is my son, Kael Lanpar! My heir and the hope of our race!"
The crowd's roar was deafening. The soldiers struck their weapons against their shields in a show of respect, while the people's cheers rose as one.
For a moment, as I held Kael high, I felt something…
A different presence behind me.
An ancient, almost divine energy. I didn't know if it was a blessing or a judgment, but it was there, watching.
Could ancient beings that once vanished… be returning?
Are they the witnesses of this greatness that is only just beginning?
I handed Kal back to my wife with a huge smile. Then, I unsheathed my sword.
I raised it to the sky as a symbol of unity and strength. As if they were my reflection, the soldiers and the crowd mimicked the gesture, and a sea of shining metal rose under the sunlight.
"Long live the kingdom!" they all shouted in unison, with pride, with hope, with joy.
Kael's POV
What I had just witnessed was a mix between the epic… and the absurd.
I had just been born, and they were already showing me off to the world like I was the Lion King.
The crowd went wild, the soldiers were banging their shields…
And I, a helpless baby, could only watch with black-and-white vision, my senses still limited, wondering what kind of kingdom I had reincarnated into.
Although my sight still showed no colors, at least I could distinguish shapes more clearly. I no longer depended solely on hearing to interpret my surroundings.
A step forward… I guess.
It was embarrassing. Incredibly embarrassing.
And yet, somewhere deep in my soul, something understood the magnitude of what was happening.
It wasn't just a presentation. It was a symbolic act, a spark of hope for millions of people.
Something that, in my past life… I also had to do.
Maybe I used to underestimate the power of a leader. I always saw them as ambition-driven people, ruling for themselves.
Even me… even I believed I was one of them.
But my father conveyed something different.
It wasn't power. It wasn't authority.
It was… something else.
A familiar energy, hard to describe. Something that stirred the remnants of my humanity.
And then I knew.
Even though my body was weak, even though my mind was still adapting, that moment would mark the beginning of my new destiny.
Amid cheers of glory, unspoken promises, and buried memories…
My second life began.
My name is Kael Lanpar. And this world… is my new home.