Chapter 7: Epimethis

A strange sensation gripped Klein, pulling him from the bed chambers into a strange world of swirling light and shadow. The last thing he remembered was the surge of energy from the ring—and then darkness. Now, he found himself in an unfamiliar place.

The world around him was a vast, colorless expanse, stretching infinitely in all directions. The ground beneath his feet wasn't solid, but it held him. The air carried an eerie silence.

Then, a child appeared before him.

At least, he looked like a child.

A small figure stood amidst the void, no taller than a six-year-old. His hair was a soft blue, like the sky on a clear morning, and his features were almost cherubic—adorable, even. But his eyes…

Klein narrowed his gaze. The boy's eyes were unlike anything Klein had ever seen. Te boys blue eyes were beautiful yet felt so penetrating. Being locked by the gaze made Klein felt naked, as if all his thoughts were laid bare.

The child smiled. "You're finally here."

Klein exhaled sharply, gathering his bearings. "And where exactly is 'here'?"

The boy chuckled. "You're inside the ring. Or rather, inside the realm that exists within it." He placed a hand on his chest and bowed slightly. "I am Epimethis, the remnant spirit of the God of Hindsight… and the Artifact Spirit of this ring."

Klein's eyes widened slightly, then flickered to the band on his finger. The artifact spirit of the ring? He had read of such things in his past life—powerful relics housing spirits that granted wisdom and abilities to their wielders. But an artifact spirit linked to a god…?

"Alright," Klein said, crossing his arms. "That's a lot to take in, but let's start with the basics. What is this ring, really?"

Epimethis grinned and floated upward, his tiny feet no longer touching the invisible ground. "This ring is no ordinary artifact. It was created by none other than Wizard Orn, a legendary spellcaster from another world. His power rivaled the gods themselves… and he even slew one."

Klein stiffened. "He killed a god?"

Epimethis nodded, his expression turning solemn. "And that was his crime. Researching gods, dissecting their nature, and ultimately succeeding." He sighed, his small shoulders rising and falling. "For that, he was hunted by one of the most powerful deities of his world. In the end, he was erased without a trace. Not even ashes remained."

Klein frowned, digesting the revelation. "But the ring survived."

"Yes." Epimethis gestured toward the artifact. "The ring is the culmination of Wizard Orn's knowledge—an artifact, capable of drawing upon the faith of people as an energy source. With enough faith energy, it can accomplish nearly anything."

Klein's brows furrowed as he processed the words. "Anything?"

Epimethis nodded. "Anything, yes. This ring can bend reality to the will of its bearer, provided there's sufficient faith to fuel it."

Klein's mind raced. The idea that such an artifact could do anything was both thrilling and terrifying. He didn't understand all of it yet, but the concept itself—the sheer power contained in the ring—was enough to make his heart pound.

A thought struck him. "But why was I chosen for this? Why did the ring bond with me?"

Epimethis's expression turned playful, and he floated closer, tapping Klein's chest lightly. "It's because of you, Klein Storm. Or rather, because of your previous life—Klein Mercidi."

Klein froze. The name felt strangely familiar, like a phantom echo deep within his mind.

"The ring chose you because you were lucky," Epimethis continued, his tone lighter now. "Your ancestors found the ring, and it passed down through the generations. But it was you—your popularity, your deeds—that awakened the ring. You were martyred after your death, and your name carried on for millions to remember. All that faith energy built up over time, and in your final moments, you wished for a second chance. The ring responded."

Klein stared at the band on his finger, still trying to process it all. So, it wasn't fate or destiny. It was luck—a fortunate turn of events that had brought him here.

Klein's mind reeled. "So this whole thing—the ring, my reincarnation—was all because of faith?"

Epimethis nodded, his eyes gleaming. "Exactly."

Klein's hands tightened into fists as he looked at the ring. It had chosen him because of the faith people had placed in his previous self, but the thought of being bound to such a powerful artifact both exhilarated and unnerved him. The ring could do anything. And yet, he barely understood how to wield it.

One question still gnawed at him. "But what about you, Epimethis? How do you feel about this ring—about your connection to Wizard Orn?"

Epimethis tilted his head, his gaze flickering with a strange emotion. "Hmm? What about it?"

Klein frowned, feeling something unsettling in the air. "You were bound to this ring, too. And yet… you seem so nonchalant about it all. Aren't you upset? Angry, maybe? After all, you were the God of Hindsight, and Wizard Orn killed you, right?"

Epimethis' expression flickered for a moment, but then he simply smiled. "I'm… not quite what you think. I'm the remnant spirit of the God of Hindsight, yes. But I'm not the same as I once was." His voice grew softer, almost thoughtful. "I don't carry all of his memories. I've been… altered, shaped by Orn's designs. What's left of my original self is but a fragments. You could say we're completely two individuals sharing the same name."

Klein's eyes narrowed, sensing there was more beneath the surface. "So, you don't regret what happened to the God of Hindsight?"

Epimethis' eyes flickered briefly with something darker, but it was gone in an instant. "Regret? Perhaps. But regret does not change the past. And besides, I am not the God of Hindsight anymore. I'm me. And I have my own desires now."

Klein remained silent for a moment, contemplating.

Finally, Epimethis spoke again, his voice carrying a hint of mischief. "You know, Klein, it gets quite boring in here, just floating around in this endless void. I don't remember the last time I had a real conversation with anyone who wasn't bound to this ring. It's… isolating."

Klein raised an eyebrow, surprised by the sudden shift. "You want to leave?"

Epimethis floated closer, his eyes gleaming with curiosity. "Yes, exactly. I want to interact with people, see the world, feel what it's like to be alive. It's been so long since I've been stuck here. I want to experience life.

Klein's thoughts raced. The idea of a spirit, bound to a powerful artifact, desiring freedom was something he hadn't considered. But he could understand the loneliness of being trapped in this strange realm.

After a long pause, Klein sighed. "Fine. I'll agree. But only if you obey me. If you're bound to me, then you'll need to comply with my wishes."

Epimethis grinned widely, his eyes lighting up with excitement. "Agreed! I'll help you, Klein. You and I are going to make quite the pair, I'm sure of it."

Klein nodded, his mind still spinning from everything he had learned. The ring, the power it held, and the fact he and Klein was one and the same… It was a lot to process.

But Klein let out a relieved breath, the tension in his chest easing. The idea of invading someone else's body, of being an imposter, had gnawed at him since he was there. But now, with Epimethis' words, it seemed that wasn't the case at all. He wasn't some stranger in this body—he had merely awakened the memories of his past life.