In that endless void, Kenzy spent his time speaking with Eliris. Sometimes he asked who she was, where she came from, and why she was there, yet Eliris could only answer, "I do not know."
Even though Kenzy already expected that answer, he never grew tired of asking, and Eliris never stopped responding.
"Eliris, will I stay here forever, with you?"
"No."
"What do you mean?"
"We will be leaving this place soon."
"I do not understand."
"Kenzy, you will leave this void. No, not just you. We will both leave. You will live again in a new world, though it may feel unfamiliar."
"You mean, reincarnation?"
"Yes."
"Reincarnation? Something like that actually exists?"
"It does, and you will experience it."
Kenzy fell silent. The void remained still until he finally whispered,
"I do not want to."
Eliris was startled.
"Why?"
"I do not want to be alone. Stay with me."
"Kenzy, my situation is a little special. I am alive, but I may not be able to accompany you."
"What do you mean by special?"
Eliris did not answer. Her silence made Kenzy anxious.
But finally she spoke.
"I can stay with you, but not immediately. I will give you something."
A small purple light appeared and attached itself to Kenzy's right ear. Kenzy asked, "What is this?"
Eliris answered that it was an item paired with her own, capable of finding her. When the item reacted, it meant she was nearby.
"Kenzy, live well. Remember that you are not alone. Do not push yourself too hard. Sometimes you must know when to stop so you do not fall later."
At that moment, Kenzy's soul began to scatter into tiny shimmering particles, like floating dust. Confused, he pleaded for Eliris to come with him.
Eliris moved closer, and for the first time, she revealed her true form.
A woman with long hair and a gentle voice. She cupped Kenzy's face with both hands. Her hands were warm, alive, and comforting, making Kenzy cry.
"Kenzy, do not cry. We will meet again out there. Promise me you will find me and live well."
Kenzy nodded and made that promise through his tears.
"Kenzy, live a better life this time."
His soul began to fade as Eliris spoke her final words. She cried uncontrollably. The last words Kenzy managed to say before reincarnating were,
"Eliris, I love you."
His soul vanished completely, leaving Eliris alone.
Suddenly, a deep crimson light appeared, thick and heavy like blood. Eliris approached it, but something was wrong. Her body began to break apart, like sand falling from a hand.
Bit by bit, her form dissolved.
Before she disappeared completely, she pointed at the crimson light. A glow shot from her fingertip and pierced the red light, breaking half of it apart.
As her existence reached its end, she spoke one last time.
"Do not touch him."
Kenzy smelled something pleasant, like flowers, yet not quite flowers.
He felt something soft and warm. When he opened his eyes, he saw a beautiful woman looking at him.
Her eyes were crimson like blood, her skin pale and smooth, her white hair soft and fragrant like snow. Kenzy found himself mesmerized.
'She is… beautiful.'
A gentle smile appeared on the woman's face as she noticed Kenzy had awakened.
"Oh, my little Ard is awake."
Kenzy froze.
Little Ard?
What did she mean by that?
He looked at his small, weak hands. He touched his chubby, soft cheeks.
There was no doubt about it. Kenzy had reincarnated… and he was now a baby.
He could not believe it. While he was still processing everything, his tiny stomach growled.
'This is… embarrassing.'
The woman giggled softly.
"It seems my little Ard is hungry. You just woke up and you're already starving."
Kenzy felt even more embarrassed and tried to cover his eyes with his tiny hands.
Suddenly, something soft and bouncy touched his cheek.
It felt like jelly, smooth and warm, and there was a single, soft bump.
When Kenzy opened his eyes, he panicked.
'What is happening?
Why is she suddenly showing me her chest?'
"Ard, why are you pushing it away? You are usually so eager."
'That is not me. Someone save me from this woman…'
The baby's face turned red with panic. His eyes trembled, but his mouth opened on its own.
"My dear, if you're hungry, do not fuss."
Before he could react, it was already in his mouth.
Kenzy did not intend to suck it, yet his infant instincts took over, and he began sucking.
Kenzy was horrified.
The shame was unbearable.
'I… I am sucking someone else's breast. I deserve to di…'
Wait.
This is… delicious.
What kind of milk is this? It is not too sweet, slightly thick, warm, extremely pleasant.
'What am I doing?
Get a hold of yourself, Kenzy. You were an adult… but… it really is delicious.'
And so, Kenzy drowned in the bliss of breast milk. Or something like that