Disclamer: I don't own anything
BETRAYAL AND NEW LIGHT
The stench of iron and gunsmoke choked the narrow alley as Enjou Benimaru slumped against cold concrete, his katana shattered at his feet. Blood seeped from a bullet wound in his chest, matching the crimson of his hair as it matted against his forehead.
"Beni… you really thought we'd let you live after what you saw?" His best friend Kenji stood over him, pistol still smoking in his hand. Behind him, the rest of their squad – the people Benimaru had fought beside for five years, called family – stared down with faces twisted in greed. "The organization pays well for those who keep their mouths shut. Too bad you chose the wrong side."
Benimaru's black eyes narrowed, even as darkness crept at the edges of his vision. "I trusted you," he whispered, his voice raw. "We swore to protect the innocent – not sell them out to traffickers."
Kenji laughed, a harsh sound that cut through the rain. "Trust is for fools, Beni. You were strong, but your kindness made you weak." He raised his pistol to Benimaru's head. "Any last words?"
A strange warmth spread through Benimaru's chest – not the burn of death, but something bright and powerful. A voice echoed in his mind, clear and mechanical:
"World Traveling System detected critical host injury. Emergency protocol initiated. Previous world ties severed. Destination selected: Remnant. Transferring in 3… 2… 1…"
Flames erupted from Benimaru's body, consuming him in a pillar of crimson fire. Kenji and the others scrambled back, screaming in terror, as the alley around them was bathed in light. Then everything went black.
The next sensation was soft warmth and the gentle sound of humming. Benimaru blinked open his eyes to find himself staring up at a woman with long chestnut hair and warm amber eyes, tears of joy streaming down her cheeks as she held him close.
"Welcome to the world, my precious Benimaru," she whispered, her voice like honey. "I promise you'll never know pain like I did. I'll love you with every beat of my heart."
Benimaru stared, his infant mind struggling to process. He was small – impossibly small – wrapped in soft cloth, his hands no bigger than her thumb. The voice returned, quieter this time:
"Transfer complete. Host status: Newborn infant. Previous life memories retained. Physical body reset to initial state. World Quest for Remnant unlocked: 'Guardian of the Kingdoms' – Eliminate 70% of active threats to Remnant's people (Grimm, criminals, hostile forces). Progress: 0%. System will remain dormant until host reaches cognitive maturity."
The woman – his mother, he realized with a surge of emotion he'd never felt before – carried him to a window, pointing at the night sky where two moons hung side by side like silver and gold coins.
"See those, my little flame?" she said softly. "Luna and Sol. They'll watch over you always, just like I will."
Benimaru's tiny fingers curled around her necklace – a simple silver pendant shaped like a flame. In his past life, he'd known only betrayal and loneliness. Here, in this new world called Remnant, he had someone who loved him unconditionally.
I swear to you, he thought, pressing his face against her chest. I'll protect you with everything I have. No one will ever hurt you as they hurt me.