2 - Dead Again

  As I realized my true situation, I trembled in my helpless body, barely able to move, kidnapped by rebels... and to top it off, the son of an insane dictator.

  I was on the verge of tears, believing this new life would end sooner than expected. Deep down, all I wanted was a miracle to throw me back into my world.

  That’s when two warm hands touched my face, wiping away tears I hadn’t even realized I’d shed.

  The woman — my supposed aunt — looked at me with intensely red eyes. There was something strange in them, like an unshakable flame that, for some reason, comforted me. In a breathless whisper, she said:

  — I know you’re emotional after escaping your father’s clutches... but the escape isn’t over yet, little Ris.

  That moment of calm was ripped from me as soon as I looked out the window.

  The car dove between skyscrapers, spiraling upward and cutting through clouds with breathtaking sharp turns.

  I was thrown against the seat with each sudden maneuver, the seatbelts creaking under the pressure.

  A quick glance behind chilled my blood: dozens of flying motorcycles appeared between the buildings, in tight formation, pulsing lights and exposed weaponry — hungry hunters catching the scent of prey.

  The metallic sound of gunfire echoed, sparks bursting against the vehicle’s frame. The car spun wildly, nearly flipping upside down, dodging a tower by mere inches. That’s when I understood: this car didn’t just fly — it danced in the air, and I nearly vomited, of course.

  The reality of that world hit me hard. This wasn’t a fairytale of kings and queens from the Middle Ages. It was a futuristic nightmare under a dictatorship, a maddening chase already wearing me down.

  My father’s retro preference was just a fa?ade. Behind the stage: machines, weapons, aerial warfare, and secrets beyond my understanding.

  I didn’t stay conscious for long. The car’s movements grew increasingly violent, like we were fleeing a hurricane made of metal and fire.

  My awareness flickered, fuzzy like a radio out of tune. My stomach churned, my mind was a mess... and for my fragile body, it was too much.

  With one final jolt, everything went dark.

  I fainted.

  When I came to, the scene looked like something out of a nightmare.

  The car had been split in two.

  The front was crushed against a wall, twisted like foil.

  Fresh blood trickled through the cracks.

  But strangely, the compartment I was in remained almost untouched, as if protected by a twist of fate.

  Laine lay nearby on the ground, spitting a thick mix of saliva and blood.

  Her face twisted in pain.

  She tried to support herself with a trembling arm, but couldn’t stand.

  Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

  The air was thick with tension, my heart pounding like it wanted to flee my chest.

  In the distance, firm footsteps approached, a sound that made me freeze. I knew who it was. But what could I do? I just became alert.

  That’s when I felt something near my arm: a weapon, similar to the ones I’d seen in the guards’ hands. Even with my arms throbbing, I grabbed it tightly, my fragile hands shaking along with the pain from moving those muscles.

  The sound of clapping echoed through the space, just as construction workers ran away screaming.

  Gunfire rang out in the background.

  And then he appeared — still clapping.

  — Ah, Laine... Did you really think you could escape inside my domain? Silly girl... Stealing my things, as always, little sister.

  — Go back to hell, you demon!

  She was kicked hard, sent flying against an unfinished pillar, which collapsed with her. The absurd strength of that man made me doubt a single bullet would be enough to bring him down.

  — Yeah, I am. I’m what I had to become... Do you really think they’d accept one of us as a leader without being crushed first?

  He pulled a cigarette from his pocket with the calm of someone who’d already won. A guard lit it for him. The ember briefly lit his impassive face as he approached Laine.

  With one arm, he removed the stone pinning her down, tossing it aside as if it were Styrofoam, not concrete. His inhuman strength was terrifying — but what shocked me more was that Laine was still breathing.

  — I still don’t understand why you defend those pigs. They hunted us, killed so many of us, and yet you pity them. Enough to not stand by your own brother.

  He gently ran his hand through her hair, then yanked it brutally, lifting her by force. Blew smoke in her face.

  — I only accepted it... because we had no choice.

  — Sister, we always had choices. Our blood is superior to all of them.

  He forced her to look at me. I wasn’t even offended — I was too busy dying of fear.

  — He’s your son...

  — So was the other. But both are roaches in my house... blood as impure as the rest. That’s why they can’t inherit my power.

  — You loved that woman so much... and still killed her children like garbage!

  — Just like that bitch who betrayed me... Oh, right. I forgot to tell you. I killed her too. She was betraying me, and you know exactly who with, don’t you? My beautiful sister, since you always dare to steal what’s mine, this time I’ll steal something from you.

  — You’re insane!

  He squeezed her neck until she passed out, then tossed her to one of the guards.

  — Take her to the prison. Don’t kill her. You know how hard it is to find someone with dragon blood who can use magic, right? You blockheads.

  As they left, the eyes I feared most turned to me.

  — Ah, right. You’re still alive. I’d even say... useful. The little cripple was the reason for my victory.

  He walked up, gave me a few light pats on the face.

  — How does it feel? Because of you, your dear aunt fell... Oh, my sweet little son, your role is over. I can finally end your suffering. What do you say? One shot, no more pain.

  He snatched the weapon from my hand and pointed it straight at me. I closed my eyes, waiting for the shot, the pain, the end...

  But nothing happened.

  No gunshot.

  Only the sound of his laugh — loud, cruel, mocking. The laugh of someone who just heard the funniest joke in the world.

  I trembled, but that laughter... it lit something in me.

  A raw anger.

  Burning.

  Rising from deep inside my chest like fire.

  It didn’t even feel like mine.

  I hated that man.

  I hated this world.

  Everything inside me screamed.

  I just wanted to go home.

  But something inside me wanted revenge.

  Something that didn’t even belong to me.

  That’s when, without anyone pulling the trigger, the weapon glowed bright red... and fired on its own.

  Pain exploded in my arm.

  Blood dripped.

  Ryskai, shocked, dropped the cigarette from his mouth.

  His eyes wide, fixed on me.

  — What the hell?! He awakened now?!

  I felt my body collapse, even weaker than before. Like something inside me had broken in an irreversible way. The guards’ voices sounded distant, but the panic was clear.

  — Get a medic!

  They rushed around in chaos, while the dictator roared orders, spitting rage like fire. His eyes? Wild with fury. No longer the face of cold control — now, pure, savage hatred.

  My vision darkened. He lunged, grabbed my face roughly. A slap rang out, snapping my head to the side.

  — Don’t you dare die now! — he growled. — Not after awakening!

  — G-g... go t-to h-hell...

  Those were my last words. My eyes weighed like stones. The darkness pulled at me with invisible claws. I fought... but every second lasted forever.

  My body screamed, his words echoed like hammers, but the pain and exhaustion were greater.

  I had no strength.

  — And that’s how I died again — or at least, that’s how it felt... Think the story ends here? If so, it wouldn’t have been worth reading this far, would it?

  — This, my friend... was just the beginning.