His brother Ethan—vibrant, full of life, his eyes alight with the promise of a future yet to unfold. A mixture of emotions welled within Leon—an ache for the years lost, the pain of a bond severed too soon, and an inexplicable understanding that transcended the passage of time.
Ethan: "Hey, what's with the dazed look? You're not daydreaming again, are you?"
A smile tugged at Leon's lips, a convergence of nostalgia and the inexplicable present. His voice—his own voice—responded, laden with emotion:
Leon: "No, I'm right here, Ethan. Let's eat."
As they shared a meal that had become a rarity in Leon's memory, the threads of time seemed to weave a new tapestry—one that entwined the past with the present, the mundane with the extraordinary.
And as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting hues of gold and amber across the landscape, Leon Blackwood found himself at the precipice of a journey he could never have imagined—a journey woven from the flames of rebirth.
Leon was just thrust back 30 years into the past, to when he was just 10 years old. Now he was having a meal with his younger brother Ethan, who was 6 years old. At first, he thought he had died and this was just a dream. As he was eating the lasagna, tears started flowing down his eyes. He thought to himself how long it had been since he had such good lasagna, a home-cooked meal. His brother Ethan looked at Leon and said, "You're being weird. Why are you being weird?"
Leon looked at his brother and thought, "Ah, even his brother is judging him in death." He looked at his brother and said, "Sorry, man. You died too young. I don't blame you," while tears continued to flow from his eyes.
Ethan looked puzzled and said, "Why do you say I'm going to die young? You will be the one to die young."
Leon responded, "You bastard, I live till 40. You died on your 18th birthday."
Ethan retorted, "Nah, you will die on your 18th birthday."
At that moment, the sound of the door opening with a familiar voice—it was Leon's father and mother, both younger and much healthier. As they made their way to the living room, Leon got up from his seat at the table and ran towards them, hugging them tightly, tears still streaming down his face.
He said, "I love and miss you guys."
For Leon, it had been 25 years since his family had died, but for them, it had just been an hour as Leon had returned from the future and his parents had just gone out for an evening stroll an hour ago.
His father, Alexander, said, "It's okay, kiddo. Why are you crying? Your mom and I just went for a stroll."
His mother, Charlotte, said, "It's alright, Leon. Stop crying now, baby. Mama's here," and she hugged him.
At that moment, Ethan, who was still at the table, got up and walked over to his parents and Leon. As he walked over, he said, "Dad, Leon is acting weird. He said I will die on my 18th birthday."
His father looked puzzled and said, "Leon, that's not nice, wishing your brother to die on his 18th birthday. Apologize."
Confusion clouded Leon's thoughts, leaving him more befuddled than ever. "But he's already dead, isn't he?"
A gentle tap on his head from his father jolted him. "What's that you're saying, champ? Apologize right now."
Leon retorted, still puzzled. "But you're no longer alive either."
His father's perplexity deepened. "Wishing my demise too? I'm planning to live till a hundred, buddy." Another playful tap on Leon's head followed.
Interjecting, his mother teased, "Honey, keep rapping his head, and he might forget how to tie his shoelaces."
Amid the shared laughter, except for Leon nursing his head, a voice unexpectedly chimed in his mind, saying, "Initializing."
Startled, Leon exclaimed, "No way!"
His father playfully taunted, "It might be too late. Looks like he's already losing his mind."
His mother added, "Keep tapping, and he might start speaking gibberish."
Amid the jovial banter, realization hit Leon. He stared at his family, understanding that he had journeyed back three decades in time. Overwhelmed with emotion, he embraced his family once more, grinning, and admitted, "I just had a nightmare."
The scene held a surreal yet heartwarming quality as the threads of time wove together a moment he never thought he'd relive.
They all convened at the table, the aroma of lasagna wafting through the air. Gathered together, they shared stories and laughter. The clinking of forks against plates mingled with the harmonious symphony of familial bonds. Each bite of lasagna held a taste that went beyond flavor, carrying the warmth of his mother's affection.
Glancing at his phone discreetly, Leon caught the date: 01/06/2045, during the summer break. Memories flooded back—they were vacationing in a beach house in Cornwall, UK. This moment had lived in his dreams, a cherished fragment of the past.
Alexander, his father, beamed while savoring a forkful of lasagna. "Charlotte, your cooking is beyond words."
Charlotte, Leon's mother, chuckled. "It's a secret family recipe, passed down through generations of skilled cooks."
Ethan, his younger brother, joined in enthusiastically, his face adorned with tomato sauce. "When I grow up, I'm gonna be the best chef ever!"
Laughter filled the room, and Leon's heart warmed at Ethan's zeal. "No doubt about that, Ethan."
Conversations flowed naturally as they indulged in their meal, discussing school, friends, and summer plans. With each bite of lasagna, memories cascaded, and Leon was truly transported back in time.
His father turned to him. "So, son, any big summer plans?"
Caught off guard, Leon cleared his throat. "Uh, yeah. Just looking forward to a relaxing break, maybe dabbling in some personal projects."
Charlotte raised an eyebrow. "Oh? What sort of projects?"
As Leon stole a glance at his phone, he improvised, "You know, writing, perhaps some artwork. Just things to keep busy."
Ethan's eyes sparkled. "Are you gonna write a book?"
Leon chuckled. "Who knows, Ethan? Maybe."
Around the dinner table, laughter and joy resonated—a cherished moment etched in time.
As the plates were cleared and the lasagna vanished, Leon stood. "I'll head to my room now."
His mother smiled warmly. "Sure thing, dear. Get a good night's rest."
With a nod, Leon rose from the table, his heart brimming. "Goodnight, everyone."
"Sleep well, Leon!" Ethan waved with a grin.
His father lifted his glass. "Here's to a fantastic summer!"
"To an amazing summer!" The chorus echoed as glasses clinked.
Leon turned away, ascending the stairs to his room. With each step, the gravity of his situation became more palpable. This wasn't merely a dream; he had truly journeyed back in time. His room greeted him, the familiar environment grounding his surreal adventure.
As he settled onto his bed, his gaze returned to his phone, the date shining brightly. A sigh escaped him, a mixture of emotions swirling. The journey he had embarked upon was beyond his wildest dreams—an opportunity to relive cherished moments and perhaps reshape the course of his life.
With that thought lingering, he recalled the voice that had resonated in his mind, uttering the word "initializing." It was a familiar voice, one he had encountered countless times in his former life. Many who evolved into awakened beings had encountered that voice prior to their transformation—those who had awakened shared tales of this same phenomenon.
Moreover, after the enigmatic "initializing" voice, there was another intriguing ability granted—the ability to perceive one's own capabilities. By simply uttering the word "status," they were able to unveil their inner potential. This phenomenon was known as the Infinity System, as spoken of by the people.
Resting on his bed, he softly murmured, "Status."
In an instant, a game-like status screen appeared in front of his eyes, floating in the air. He could hardly believe what he was seeing. Memories flooded back of the voice that had spoken to him before he lost consciousness—the voice that had congratulated him for ending the legacy of the dragon and phoenix species.
His heart raced as he gazed at the status screen:
╔════════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ STATUS ║
╠════════════════════════════════════════════╣
║ Name: Leon Blackwood ║
║ Level: 1 ║
║ Race: Human ║
║ Class: None ║
║ State: Unawakened ║
║ Title: Legacy's Ender ║
╠════════════════════════════════════════════╣
║ ATTRIBUTES ║
║ - Strength: 5.00 ║
║ - Agility: 5.00 ║
║ - Intelligence: 10.00 ║
║ - Luck: 3.00 ║
║ - Constitution: 5.00 ║
║ - Unused Attribute Points: 0 ║
╠════════════════════════════════════════════╣
║ SKILLS ║
║ - Orius: Level 1 ║
║ - Mana Clone: Level 1 ║
║ - Draconix Heart: Level 1 ║
╠════════════════════════════════════════════╣
║ EQUIPMENT ║
║ - Clothing: Simple Attire ║
║ - Accessories: None ║
║ - Weapon: None ║
╠═════════════════════════════════════════════╣
║ STATISTICS ║
║ Health Points (HP): 120/120 ║
║ Mana Points (MP): 220/220 ║
║ Stamina Points (SP): 120/120 ║
╚═════════════════════════════════════════════╝
Gazing at the holographic digits suspended in the air, Leon's mind blazed like a wildfire. "This is real," he whispered in awe. The power of an Awakened now coursed through him, bestowing upon him a unique title and attributes that promised uncharted possibilities. The potential unfurled before him, a boundless sea of opportunities waiting to be explored.
As he reclined on his bed, a tempest of emotions swirled within him, a whirlwind of feelings he had scarcely dared to entertain before. Incredible disbelief lingered at the fringes of his thoughts, casting shadows of uncertainty over his mind. "How can this be? How could the very destiny he had sacrificed his past life for now stand at his threshold?" Clenching his fist, tears welled in his eyes and traced silent paths down his cheeks.
His body felt charged, an electric current coursing through his veins. He stood on the precipice of an unknown realm, a world that had suddenly unfolded at his feet. The weight of the newfound skills he possessed—Orius and Mana Clone—pressed on him, akin to the gravity of a new responsibility. He was no longer a powerless spectator but a sculptor of the world he longed to shape.
Amazement shimmered in his eyes, the realization of his newfound perception and capabilities rendering him speechless. Gratitude surged within him, an overwhelming flood of appreciation for a second chance he thought was forever denied. In his past life, he had poured his essence into the pursuit of awakening, only to be met with bitter disappointment. Now, as an Awakened being, he could hardly grasp the depth of his own fortune. It was as if the universe had gifted him redemption, an opportunity to rewrite the script of his existence.
A sense of relief washed over him, gentle waves soothing the scars of past failures etched into his soul. The burden of dreams left unfulfilled lifted, replaced by the buoyancy of renewed hope. The days of yearning for a reality beyond his grasp were over; he was now living that very reality.
A surge of empowerment coursed through him, a torrent of energy threatening to break down the walls of his inhibitions. Liberated from the chains of inadequacy, he felt as though he could reach for the stars and sculpt them to his will. No longer a passive observer, he had become a participant in the grand orchestra of existence.
Determination ignited within his heart, a fire fiercer than the failures of his past. The road ahead might be strewn with obstacles and uncertainties, yet he was unwavering in his resolve to carve out his destiny. Embracing his newfound power, he vowed to transcend the boundaries he had once accepted as fate.
Yet, amidst the triumphant crescendo of his emotions, a subtle undercurrent of apprehension hummed softly. The realization that he now carried not only his own expectations but also those of others lingered in the corners of his thoughts. As he embarked on this path of awakening, he understood that the journey would be fraught with trials. But with each heartbeat, he was committed to confronting those challenges head-on, armed with the skills and potential that had eluded him before.
In the tranquil solitude of his room, Leon's emotions intertwined in a complex fusion, weaving together disbelief and gratitude, awe and empowerment, relief and determination. As he reclined on his bed, staring up at the ceiling, he recognized that this juncture marked a turning point—a chance to redefine his life, to surmount the shadows of his past, and to sculpt a future now firmly held in his hands.
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