Chapter 3

Awakening

The golden sun slowly emerged from behind the mountains, banishing the last traces of night. Pisces City was alive with energy—colorful banners swayed in the gentle spring breeze, and the rhythmic chirping of birds accompanied the distant laughter of excited children. Today was no ordinary day.

It was the Festival of Awakening, the most important day in Aquarius' history. The day when Reiner Caelum first awakened as a mage and overthrew the tyrant King Edric.

Inside a cozy home near the heart of the city, sunlight spilled through the window, brushing against the chubby cheeks of a small girl with messy white hair. She stirred in her bed, her blue eyes shimmering like ocean pearls as they fluttered open.

With a sleepy yawn, Zyrelia peeked out the window, her gaze widening in awe. The festival decorations stretched as far as she could see—brightly colored lanterns, flower garlands, and people bustling about in celebration.

She clasped her small hands together, resting her chin on them, deep in thought. "I wonder… what ability I'll awaken? Will it be something amazing?" she mumbled, her mind swirling with possibilities.

Before she could ponder further, a soft, teasing voice pulled her back to reality.

"Hmm… what's my little sweetie thinking about so hard?" Lyssara chuckled as she leaned against the doorway, her golden eyes glimmering with amusement.

Zyrelia pouted, puffing her cheeks. "Oh, Mommy! Don't tease me like dat! Hmph!"

Just then, another voice joined in, warm and cheerful.

"Zyra, don't be mad at Mommy. Don't you know what day it is today?"

Kaelith entered the room, grinning as he watched his daughter sulk adorably.

In an instant, Zyrelia's pout vanished. Her eyes lit up, and with a mischievous giggle, she leaped straight into her father's arms.

"DADDY! Catch me! Hahaha!"

Kaelith barely had time to react before his arms instinctively wrapped around her. He let out an exaggerated "Oof!", stumbling back playfully.

"You naughty girl!" he chuckled, spinning her around. "Looks like I'll have to teach you a lesson for ambushing your poor father!"

Zyrelia shrieked with laughter as Kaelith tickled her, her carefree giggles filling the room.

Lyssara watched the scene, shaking her head with a fond smile. "You two are like overgrown children," she sighed, but the warmth in her voice betrayed her amusement.

As Zyrelia wriggled free and collapsed onto the bed, panting from laughter, she suddenly remembered—

"Wait! My awakening! It's today!"

She shot up, eyes wide with excitement.

Kaelith and Lyssara exchanged glances, then smiled.

"Yes, sweetheart," Lyssara said gently. "Today is the day you awaken as a mage."

Zyrelia's heart pounded with anticipation.

As the sun climbed higher in the sky, the crowds thickened around the heart of Pisces City. All eyes were fixed on the Fountain of Life.

The massive, ancient fountain stood at the city's center, its crystal-clear waters shimmering under the sunlight. It was said that decades ago, King Reiner Caelum himself received his awakening here.

According to legend, Reiner had been gravely wounded by the king's soldiers and collapsed beside this very fountain, his lifeblood mixing with the water. It was then that a mystical spirit emerged—Aqua, with eyes as blue as the ocean and hair as white as the clouds. She had granted Reiner her blessing, and in that moment, he awakened as a Mage of Water. Since then, every child in Aquarius had dreamed of receiving the Fountain's blessing.

Today, it was Zyrelia's turn.

The festival had begun, and one by one, the children stepped forward. Each pricked their finger and let a single drop of blood fall into the glistening water.

Some were blessed as Knights, their bodies surging with strength. Others awakened as Mages, their elements manifesting in bursts of fire, swirls of wind, ripples of water, or tremors of earth.

And then—it was Zyrelia's turn.

Her tiny fingers trembled as she stepped toward the fountain. Taking a deep breath, she pressed the small silver dagger against her fingertip. A single drop of blood fell into the water.

The moment it touched the surface—

A blinding light erupted.

The fountain's water shone with an ethereal glow, illuminating the entire square. Gasps echoed through the crowd as the air hummed with energy.

But Zyrelia didn't see any of it.

Because, in the very next instant—

She was somewhere else.

A vast void stretched endlessly around her, shimmering with shifting hues of blue and brown. She felt weightless, like she was floating between worlds.

And then—

Visions flooded her mind.

She saw a young woman, dressed in a strange white coat and wearing odd-looking glasses. There were machines, lights, and books filled with unknown symbols all around her.

Before Zyrelia could make sense of it, a sharp pain stabbed through her skull.

A name surfaced in her mind.

Sana.

Her breath hitched. That's… me.

Memories surged forward. The past life she had forgotten—the life of Sana Khan, a scientist, a Nobel laureate, a pioneer in energy conservation.

But before she could process any of it—

Two brilliant orbs of light appeared before her.

One was deep blue, fluid and serene like the ocean. The other was rich brown, solid and unyielding like the earth.

Her body moved on its own.

She reached out.

The moment her fingertips brushed the lights—

A rush of power surged through her.

And then—she was back.

The world around her snapped into focus. She was standing before the fountain again, but the air still crackled with energy.

A stunned silence filled the square. Then—

"Zyra!"

Strong arms lifted her off the ground, and she found herself looking into Kaelith's ecstatic face.

"Congratulations, my little star! You awakened as a Mage of Water and Earth!" he laughed, spinning her around.

The crowd erupted into cheers and applause.

Lyssara, her golden eyes glistening with pride, gently touched Zyrelia's cheek. "You did wonderfully, sweetheart."

But Zyrelia could barely hear them.

Her heart pounded.

Her past life.

Her awakening.

What did it all mean?