I'm Stuck Here

I stood on the scorched earth, engulfed in flames, my armor and weapon slick with the blood of countless enemies. The world around me was collapsing, shattered into fragments, while the air was thick with the screams of the innocent and the roar of fire. 

It was surreal to think that this nightmare—this living hell—was once a game I had been trapped in for years. 

My hands trembled, not from exhaustion but from the crushing weight of realization. This wasn't a game anymore. It wasn't the virtual world I had once controlled with a keyboard and mouse. This was real. An alternate reality. A world where every decision, every battle, every life lost mattered.

But this wasn't even the starting... No, it all started on that day, the day I woke up in a body that wasn't mine…

***

I opened my eyes to the sight of a gilded mirror hanging on a marble wall. The reflection staring back at me was unfamiliar, yet it was undeniably me. Or at least, the me I had become.

Confusion etched itself across the face in the mirror. My hair, white as snow, cascaded past my slender neck, framing pale, almost doll-like skin. My amethyst eyes, though dull and lifeless, held a faint glimmer, like a crescent moon hidden behind clouds. The body I now inhabited was frail, marked with recently healed scars. Despite being a Noble, I was painfully thin, not a bulky, experienced dude... but a stick-like teenager who got himself beaten to a pulp.

I reached up with trembling, bony hands, touching my face and hair as if to confirm this reality. My gaze dropped to the ornate sink I was leaning on for support. Water trickled from the tap, and I turned it off, the sound of running water replaced by the silence of my racing thoughts.

'This face… these scars… I'm inside the body of Vanitas.' The realization hit me like a tidal wave.

I splashed water on my face, hoping to wash away the confusion, but it clung to me like a second skin. There were no extra towels in the bathroom except the one that was wrapped around my waist.

Stepping out, I found myself in a room bathed in morning sunlight. The space was vast, its opulent decor a stark contrast to the grim reality I had just faced. It was hard to reconcile the grandeur of the manor with the fact that its lord—Vanitas' father—was on the brink of financial ruin.

'By Noble standards in this world, this must be the bare minimum, right?' I thought, my mind racing to make sense of it all.

'The luxurious interior, the golden framed mirror, and a familiar face that couldn't be realistic... am I actually inside Lost from Grace?'

I moved toward the neatly made bed in the center of the room, its inviting comfort calling to me. After a moment of hesitation, I sat down, letting my body sink into the softness. But the thought of messing up the pristine bed made me uneasy, so I quickly stood up and changed clothes instead.

The wardrobe offered little choice: a pair of short black pants and a pleated white shirt. Not exactly a fashion statement, but it would have to do. "Don't judge me," I muttered to no one in particular. "Being a noble now didn't exactly leave me with a lot of options."

With a sigh, I sat back down on the edge of the bed, trying to piece together the chaos of my situation.

It all started while I was playing , a game notorious for its impossible-to-achieve "True Ending." I had been determined to unlock it, pouring hours into the grind. But then, in the blink of an eye, I wasn't in front of my computer anymore. I was standing in front of a mirror, staring at the reflection of Vanitas von Syche—the very character who is the main villain of the tutorial stage.

Vanitas, the villain of the game's early stages, was the catalyst for the downfall of this already crumbling dukedom, . His actions led to the deaths of the duke and his family, sealing the fate of this land. And now, somehow, I was him.

'If I'm going to survive this, I need to stop Vanitas's destructive habits,' I thought, resting my chin on the bed. But the weight of the situation pressed down on me, and I rolled across the bed, staring at the ceiling. 'How did I end up in this mess?'

Sitting up, I rubbed my temples, trying to ease the tension building in my head. The stress was overwhelming, and I couldn't afford to lose focus. With a deep breath, I pushed myself off the bed and stepped out of the room, my expression solemn.

The hallway outside was bustling with activity. Three doors lined the corridor—two to the left and one to the right, including mine. Each door was guarded by a knight clad in iron armor, their massive spears held firmly in hand. My gaze lingered on them for a moment, but they remained stoic, unmoved by my presence. 

I made my way down the hall, heading toward what I assumed was the main hall of the manor. But as I walked, a troubling thought struck me: 'I don't know this place. I have no idea which room leads where. Should I ask for directions?'

I facepalmed at my stupidity. Of course, I had no clue where I was going. I was a stranger in this body, in this world, and in this manor. The realization only added to the growing knot of anxiety in my chest.

With the help of an aged maid—her brunette hair streaked with gray and her sunken eyes carrying the weight of years—I made my way to the correct room where the family had gathered. It was on the ground floor, adjacent to Duke Alaric's chambers. Vanitas' father. My father, now.

'Is it time for breakfast?' I wondered, my stomach growling in response.

Before me stood a towering wooden door, its imposing height and intricate carvings radiating an energy that felt almost hostile, as if it were rejecting the stranger who now inhabited Vanitas' body. Despite its intimidating presence, I peeked inside.

The room was twice as luxurious as mine, bathed in the warm glow of morning light. At its center was a long, polished refractory table surrounded by high-backed chairs, most of which were occupied by members of the Syche family. Thanks to the countless times I'd played the tutorial stage of Lost from Grace, I recognized them all.

At the head of the table sat Duke Alaric von Syche, a man with a lean frame, his black hair tied neatly back and his amethyst eyes—so much like mine—gleaming with authority. Despite being in his sixties, he looked no older than twenty-five, his youthful appearance almost unnerving.

To his left sat three women: his wife, his eldest daughter, and his sister, each radiating elegance and grace. To his right were his eldest son, Vanitas' maternal uncle, and an empty chair—presumably mine. 

'...I am inside the game,' I reassured myself as I witnessed the side characters of the game alive and well.

I hesitated at the doorway, muttering to myself, "Should I greet them with 'Good morning, my respected father and mother' and a noble bow? Or would that make me look even more suspicious?"

Before I could decide, a voice called out from behind me, startling me. "Master Vanitas?"

I spun around to find a man with black hair streaked with white and blood-red eyes, dressed impeccably in a butler's uniform. He carried two trays of covered dishes, followed by six maids, each balancing a tray of their own. His gentle smile and composed demeanor marked him as Head Butler Chadwick Roosevelt.

'Even the butler looks like he stepped out of a fashion magazine,' I thought, glancing down at my scrawny frame. 'Why did Vanitas have to look like a twig?'

"Oh! G-Good morning, Mr. Roosevelt!" I stammered, my voice cracking slightly. "I'm here for… breakfast!"

The butler's eyes widened momentarily, his smile faltering before returning with practiced ease. "Congratulations, Master Vanitas. Today, you're early!"

I stepped aside to let him and the maids pass, then followed them into the room, trying to blend in behind the line of servants. But as the maids dispersed to serve the family, I was left exposed, standing awkwardly in the center of the room.

All eyes turned to me, and the weight of their gazes made my stomach churn. I panicked, my introverted instincts kicking in.

"Ah! G-Good morning, my respected mother and father, and… everyone else," I managed to say, hastily placing my right hand over my stomach and bending into what I hoped was a passable noble greeting. My voice wavered, and I could feel sweat trickling down my back as I held the pose.

The room, already chilly, grew heavier with silence. Every pair of eyes was fixed on me, their expressions unreadable. I felt like a bug under a magnifying glass, waiting for someone to flick me away.

Then, a chuckle broke the tension. "Pfft."

I straightened up and saw a boy who looked like a younger version of Duke Alaric—messy black hair, striking amethyst eyes, and a face that could only be described as unfairly handsome. He was barely containing his laughter, his shoulders shaking as he tried to hold it in.

"Pfft—HAHAHA! Have you gone crazy?!" he burst out, doubling over with laughter. "Since when do you have manners? And what even is that pose?!"

It was Ace, Vanitas' elder brother. The most laid-back and easygoing member of the family, and apparently, the one least likely to let me live this down.

Amethyst eyes and gunmetal gray hair—it was Duke Alaric's sister, Erin Syche. Like Ace, she was easygoing and quick to laugh, her presence adding a lightness to the room.

'This is beyond embarrassing,' I thought, forcing myself to stand straight despite the heat rising to my cheeks.

My elder sister, ever composed, continued eating her breakfast with an air of indifference. My mother, Evandra, was doing her best to suppress a laugh, her hand covering her mouth. Meanwhile, my father, Duke Alaric, stared at me with a look that clearly said, 'Are you serious?'

"Well… I just wanted to say good morning," I mumbled, quickly moving to my seat beside my maternal uncle, Joan.

A maid appeared at my side, serving me a dish I didn't recognize—a richly spiced meat that melted in my mouth, leaving behind a burst of flavor. It was delicious, but my appetite was overshadowed by the lingering awkwardness.

Uncle Joan the person with white hair that covered his entire eyes and who couldn't have been older than fifteen, leaned over and whispered, "Don't worry. This'll just be another embarrassing memory to add to the collection."

Ace, having regained his composure, chimed in with a mischievous grin, "How does this twig manage to embarrass himself so consistently, Unc?" His eyes sparkled with amusement as he glanced at me.

The comment stung, but it also reminded me of something far more serious. The original Vanitas had been placed under house arrest for fourteen days after relentlessly bullying Emma, the twin sister of the protagonist, Ehan. Even though Ehan had beaten Vanitas half to death in retaliation, the Duke's family had sided with the orphans, showing their fairness and kindness. Yet, Vanitas had never apologized, further cementing his reputation as a brat.

If I wanted to earn the family's trust and avoid future pitfalls, I needed to set things right. Apologizing now would not only show self-reflection but also align with the family's values.

"…Mother, Father," I began, setting down my fork and knife. "There's something I need to say."

The woman with white hair and deep blue eyes despite being in her forties, looked no older than twenty, smiled gently at me. She was Lady Evandra, the mother of the three and the wife of Duke Aleric.

Duke Alaric gave a curt nod, his expression unreadable but attentive.

I took a deep breath. "I believe I owe an apology for my actions toward Emma and Ehan. The punishment I received was deserved, and I realize now that my behavior was inexcusable. While an apology won't undo what I did, I want to make it clear that I regret my actions."

The room fell silent, the weight of my words hanging in the air. I could feel everyone's eyes on me, their reactions ranging from surprise to skepticism.

Ace, never one to miss an opportunity, leaned toward Uncle Joan and whispered loud enough for me to hear, "Did this guy's two brain cells finally develop after that beating?"

Uncle Joan nodded in agreement, his expression thoughtful. "Seems like it."

'I can hear you, you bastards,' I thought, resisting the urge to glare at them.

Instead, I focused on my plate, picking up my fork and knife again. The food was delicious, and I needed the distraction. As I ate, I couldn't help but wonder if my apology had made any difference—or if I'd just given them more reason to doubt me.

Before I could respond, Duke Alaric cleared his throat, his calm demeanor returning. "It is good that you realize—"

He was interrupted by the sudden movement of Astraea, my eldest sister. She stood gracefully, her sky-blue eyes sharp and calculating. She had finished her breakfast and was preparing to leave when a maid stepped forward.

"Lady Astraea… Please be seated. I will handle this for you," the maid said, extending her hands to take Astraea's plate.

Astraea's icy gaze narrowed as she observed Vera. Her voice was calm but carried an edge that could cut through steel. "Vera, you've been unusually fatigued of late. I suggest you take a moment to rest—it would be… unwise to overexert yourself in your current condition. I am capable of handling this on my own."

Her words hung in the air, precise and deliberate, leaving no room for misunderstanding.

'Her words mean something else...' I wondered, glancing at the maid. Vera's shocked expression confirmed that something that she kept hidden had just been revealed.

Aunt Erin, ever curious, leaned forward. "Wait, how did Astraea even know—"

"Ahem. Ahem." Duke Alaric cleared his throat again, silencing the room. "Congratulations, Vera. But now, let me finish my conversation with Vanitas if you don't mind."

The room quieted, all eyes returning to the Duke.

"As I was saying," he continued, his gaze steady on me, "it is good that you realize your actions, Vanitas. I hope this is a genuine apology. If so, I forgive you. But remember—I look forward to seeing you do better, not repeat the same mistakes."

And with no big event, the breakfast with Vanitas' family ended.

***

Lost from Grace was a game that appeared out of nowhere and quickly climbed to the top of the rankings. A 2D masterpiece, its core premise revolved around protecting the protagonist, Ehan's twin sister, Emmanuel—or simply, Emma.

The game's story was divided into stages, beginning with the Tutorial Stage.

Stage 0: Tutorial

The story opened with the introduction of Ehan and Emma, twin siblings with striking golden eyes, living in the slums after their parents mysteriously disappeared. Their journey began with a simple yet heartfelt goal: to reunite with their parents and reclaim the peaceful life they once knew.

One fateful day, while wandering through a wild forest, the twins were chased by a monstrous creature twice the size of a bear. Just as hope seemed lost, their path crossed with a noble carriage—unusually unguarded by knights. From the carriage emerged two figures: a woman with deep blue eyes and a man with piercing amethyst eyes.

In less than a heartbeat, the monster was obliterated, reduced to nothing but dust. The twins had just encountered two of the most formidable figures in the empire: Duke Aleric von Syche, known as the 'Arcane Swordsman,' and his wife, Lady Evandra von Syche, the 'Lady of the Crescent Shadows'. Despite their immense power and noble status, the Duke and Duchess showed kindness to the slum-born twins, offering them shelter and a chance at a better life.

The Syche family brought Ehan and Emma to their ducal manor, deciding to raise them alongside their children as if they were their own. While most of the family welcomed the twins warmly, one person did not: Vanitas von Syche, the third child of the Duke and Duchess.

Vanitas was the embodiment of a rotten apple—a stark contrast to his noble and virtuous family. He despised Emma for her origins and the unresolved pain of her lost family, bullying her relentlessly. His cruelty reached a tipping point when Ehan discovered his actions and beat him to a pulp. The Duke and Duchess, fair and just, sided with the twins and punished Vanitas with 14 days of house arrest, stripping him of his noble privileges during that time.

Knowing Vanitas's vengeful nature, Duke Aleric made the difficult decision to send Ehan and Emma away for their safety. They were placed under the care of a trusted ally—the headmaster of a prestigious noble academy and the second-strongest individual in the empire, surpassed only by the Emperor himself.

With this, the Tutorial Stage concluded, and the story transitioned into Stage 1: Academia Arc.

Stage 1: Academia Arc

Ehan and Emma were granted scholarships under the headmaster's name and enrolled as first-year students at the academy. Meanwhile, Vanitas, driven by his thirst for revenge, also gained admission through an entrance exam. However, he knew he couldn't defeat Ehan alone. Desperate, he turned to dark forces, aligning himself with a cult.

This decision proved to be his downfall. The cult manipulated and brainwashed Vanitas, using him as a pawn in their experiments. Eventually, they launched an attack on the academy, with Vanitas as their unwilling ally. Though the attack was thwarted, Vanitas was captured and branded a cultist and black magician by the Emperor himself.

The fallout was catastrophic. Enemies of Duke Aleric and opportunistic factions seized the opportunity to tarnish the Syche family's reputation. They accused the entire family of being Worshipers of Evil, citing their immense strength and fabricating evidence to support their claims.

Unable to defend themselves against the overwhelming allegations, the Syche family faced a grim fate. They were executed by none other than the strongest human in existence—the Emperor, revered as the Human God.

---