The following events were a blur. I was hearing strange noises all around me. Am I awake? Am I dead? I’m not in pain. I could also be medicated. I had no concept of how much time passed. I tried moving a few times, but my body refused to respond. This hospital bill is going to be so expensive; I’d much rather have died than try and pay this off.

Whenever I opened my eyes, they were covered by some cloth. I recognized none of the voices nearby. There was an odd pressure all over my skin. I could feel a soft blanket wrapped around me tightly. Am I swaddled in this blanket?

Then came a very odd sensation. It felt like I was being picked up. I know I am pretty thin, but to lift me this effortlessly is very disconcerting. I began moving, not of my own volition though. Whoever picked me up was moving us. I likely have a brain injury and you’re moving me? I noticed the feeling of crisp, cool air against my skin. Taking me outside?

Suddenly, I became weightless as the wind began rushing by me. The cloth that was covering my eyes blew away, revealing a stunning night sky. I could see galaxies it was so clear. The moon was picturesque, possessing a light blue hue as it shined in the sky above. There were a few, distant, smaller moons or planets that were green, red, and purple. It was absolutely breathtaking. How is a view like this possible in the city? Wait a second, why am I seeing multiple moons or planets in the night sky? That’s not possible.

I looked around, and realized I was being carried by a giant with wings. There was a male and female giant with wings flying through the sky. What? How are they flying? Why do they have wings? What is going on? I looked around a bit panicked. I finally looked at my body. It was tiny. I tried moving my arms, and nothing really happened. I tried saying something, but incomprehensible noises came out. HOW AM I A BABY?!

“It’s okay my little Karu. We’ll be there shortly.” The female, who was holding me, told me. Is my name Karu? What kind of name is Karu? She sounded like she was keeping back tears. Her voice had an odd angelic quality.

“Is Ash actually trying to talk, Pand?” the male asked. Is my name Ash or Karu? His voice was kind of singsong.

“I think he is. Who’s my little Karu, Ash? Goo goo gah.” Pand replied. So, my name is Ash, and Karu is some term. Ash is much better than Karu.

“Where am I?” I tried asking. What came out was waa a I. Okay, I am a baby. I have the vocals of a baby.

“He’s talking to us Ras!” Pand stated excitedly. She definitely sounded upset.

“It’ll be okay Pand; it won’t be forever. It’ll only be temporary.” Ras comforted Pand.

“What are you talking about?” I tried asking. More baby sounds came out.

I tried to reach out, but it felt like I was trying to lift a mountain. The odd pressure on my body was getting kind of annoying. It’s not the blanket. I was fidgeting, trying to shake the pressure. What is this? It felt like I was moving much more than my body.

“Look who’s trying to use their <Magic>!” Pand praised. <Magic>? I have <Magic>! That’s amazing!

My efforts were definitely more fervent after hearing that. <Magic>! I live in a world with <Magic>! Okay, maybe I have won! Sure, I died, but this is awesome! I have two parents this time! Well, they can’t possibly be worse than my last ones. To be fair, that bar is incredibly low. Never knew my father last time; he left before I was born. My birth giver and her partner choice literally killed me. Look on the bright side. <Magic>! I’m so excited about <Magic>! I finally get a win in life!

We were moving through the sky. Can I fly too? Do I have wings? I was torn on admiring the night sky or trying to use <Magic>. I couldn’t really look anywhere but the sky. I could see my mother though. Ras was near impossible for me to look at for long thanks to my baby muscles. My mother had long, flowing white hair, and bright yellow eyes. Her skin looked like it was made of porcelain. She was breathtakingly beautiful. Am I going to be attractive in this life too?

I tried using <Magic> again. I had no idea what I was doing. As we moved into wherever we were going, I could see buildings start to rise around us. It seemed like there was a city in the sky above the buildings as we moved towards our destination. Is there an actual city up there? My parents were weaving through some dense alleys. I wonder where we are going. My mother was looking progressively more upset the further we traveled.

After a while, we reached a large building. My mother looked quite distraught by the time we reached it. Why does she look sad? Someone opened the door, and I heard an audible gasp. I wish I knew what was going on.

“What are you two doing here?” the person asked. She had a stern, authoritative voice.

“We need to ask a favor of you Unn.” Ras replied.

“What could I possibly do for you two?” Unn inquired.

“We- we- we-“ Pand stammered. I could see tears welling up in her eyes.

“We need you to watch our son for us.” Ras informed Unn. What?

“You two are going through with it?” Unn asked them.

“We must; we’ve reached a point of no return. It’s not safe with us. We need to hide him until it’s over. We’re willing to compensate you.” Ras explained. My mother looked like she was about to bawl.

“So you are hiding him all the way out in Medius? Why not above in Gyzga? You should be plenty far in Mizor.” Unn asked.

“We trust you. Please watch over him until we return. We need him to be virtually impossible to find.” Ras explained.

“I understand. I’ll watch him for you.” Unn sighed.

“We’ll be back before you know it.” My mother choked out at me, trying not to break down crying.

“Here is a bangle for him to wear. It will suppress his <Magic>. We’re not sure which one of us he takes after, but on the chance it’s Pand, it will at least suppress his <Magic> so there are no accidents.” Ras explained as he slipped a bangle on me. The odd pressure around me vanished; it was replaced with this odd stuffy feeling. I want my <Magic>. Pand began crying softly.

“Do you know how long it’ll be?” Unn asked.

“We have no idea. We need to leave him here until it’s safe.” Ras replied.

Sure. Sure. Until it’s safe. Reality is a heartless bitch. Getting abandoned by both parents this time. Great. Just great. At least I have <Magic> this time around. I get to be an orphan! Whoopie! In all honesty, not like my life could be worse this time around. They at least seem upset about leaving me. Did my mother at least feel something when I died now that I think about it?

“We will always love you, Ash.” Ras told me.

“I bet. Sure, you do.” I told them. Only baby sounds came out. My mother at least looked comforted by the sounds I made.

“I’ll guard him with my life. What’s his name?” Unn probed.

“Ash. His name is Ash.” My mother answered between sobs.

“We will try to keep in contact. Thank you so much for hiding him for us.” Ras told Unn.

“Do you want me to teach him things?” Unn asked.

“If you can, teach him to use his <Magic> and to fight. We hopefully shouldn’t be gone long, and you won’t need to.” Ras replied.

“I understand. You realize we do get people who come in here to adopt, right? What do you want me to do in those cases?” Unn asked. Adopt? They are putting me in an orphanage. Wow.

“Absolutely not. I do not care what excuses you have to make; Ash needs to remain here.” My mother replied.

“Okay. I’ll guard him with my life. I’ll make sure he’s hidden so no one ever finds him.” Unn promised them. And the good news just keeps rolling in!

“We’ll return for you as soon as we can my little Karu. We will always love you Ash.” My mother promised.

“Goodbye Ash. I promise we’ll be back as soon as possible.” My father told me. I finally got to see his face. He had emerald eyes, semi-short red hair, and moderately tanned skin.

“Bye I guess.” I told them. They seemed comforted by the baby sounds that came out. My mother begrudgingly handed me over to Unn.

My parents left, my mother still sobbing. Unn stayed there until they were apparently out of sight. She looked down at me, and I could get a good look at her. Unn had a tight brown bun, with plain brown eyes. Her light brown skin was lightly freckled. She had a tense expression and was just glaring at me.

Unn walked into the orphanage. She walked for several minutes, grabbed something with her other hand, and moved through the orphanage again. This place is quite large. After walking up a few flights of stairs, we entered a room. Unn roughly set down what was in her other hand, and then set me in it. This is a cradle. She produced a blanket from somewhere and tucked it around me. My stomach growled. Unn looked at me with a perplexed expression. My stomach growled again.

“Are you hungry?” Unn asked.

“Yes.” I tried answering. It came out like ya’a.

“Why are you not crying?” Unn pondered to herself.