"Who…are…you?" Brat asked when he finally managed to lift his gaze toward the woman on the throne. His voice shook. His body was as light as air.
The endless white outside the throne made the golden throne stand out even more, as if the world had shrunk to this one moment.
"Hello, Ethan. I am the goddess Luminaris," the woman said as she slowly stood from her golden throne.
Her movements were graceful, almost unreal, as if she were made of light rather than flesh. Every step shimmered. Her long blonde hair cascaded down like strands of sunlight, and her dress rippled with soft shades of blue, glowing faintly in the white void.
"So…am I in heaven?" Brat asked, his head jerking left and right trying to make sense of the endless expanse. It was all white - no walls, no sky, no floor he could see - just a blank eternity.
"No, Ethan, this is not heaven. Let me just say that it is the space which connects worlds," Luminaris replied as her soft voice seemed to echo delicately, as if the very air respected her presence.
"Alright, but…why do you keep calling me Ethan?" Brat asked. He stepped back a bit, confusion swirling in his chest. "That's… not my name. It's Brat…"
"Well, that's the name your real parents gave you," Luminaris replied softly.
The words hit him with the force of a silent blow. His eyes widened. His breath stopped. His real…parents?
He remembered nothing - not their names, not their faces, not their voices. Only the fire, the screams, and then the long years afterward filled with pain and loneliness.
Something hot stung his eyes, and before he could stop it, a tear fell.
"You really had a hard life in your world," Luminaris said, her beautiful face saddening. Even her luminous aura dimmed a bit, as if sharing his sorrow. "So I will grant any wish of your choice."
And when Brat heard that, an idea struck him, with a desperation stronger than any hope, about the one thing he wanted and never had the courage to voice.
"Can you bring my parents back?" he managed to ask, his voice trembling.
Luminaris lowered her head, her blue eyes clouding with regret. "Sorry, but I can't," she said quietly. "If I could, I would bring them back for you. But their souls are already long gone."
In an instant, the small spark of hope was shattered for Brat. His shoulders tightened and his face fell once more into the now - familiar shape of sadness he had worn for years, only deeper now, because hope had raised him before letting him fall again.
Seeing his face, Luminaris felt her heart ache. She had watched his life from beginning to end. No child should experience what he had endured.
His parents murdered… then he, a helpless boy, taken in by the killer… tortured… hurt… then killed as well. His life had been nothing but tragedy stacked upon tragedy.
She knew he deserved more, and though she could not undo the past, she wanted him to have a chance for peace.
"How about I reincarnate you into another world full of magic and swords?" Luminaris asked, her tone lightening a bit. "You can start anew. A wonderful life. Does that not sound good?
"Why…why are you doing this?" Brat asked, eyes searching her face. He wasn't used to kindness-not real kindness.
"Hmmm… I guess I feel sorry for you," Luminaris replied with a small, honest smile. "And I always do this for souls. But in your case, I will let you keep all your memories."
"Okay… but I have a condition," Brat said.
"Oh? What is it? If it is within my power, I will do it," Luminaris said with interest. She straightened her posture as though ready to accept whatever request he could think to make.
Brat swallowed. It was the only thing he really wanted. "Can…can you give me normal, loving parents?" he asked, voice small, almost fragile.
Instantly, Luminaris's expression softened. "Okay. I will reincarnate you into a normal, loving family."
Brat's lips trembled into a smile. It wasn't wide, but it was real - the kind of smile someone makes when something warm finally touches a frozen heart.
"Alright now, I will reincarnate you," Luminaris said, stretching out both of her hands toward him.
Light of different colors-scarlet, gold, emerald, sapphire - began to form around Brat's whole body. The lights floated like shimmering feathers, floating easily at first, gathering more and more intensively. He felt the warmth, the pull, the gentle sensation of being lifted.
He felt himself being consumed by these lights, piece by piece, wrapped in the power of a new beginning.
But before the light completely engulfed him, Brat gasped and flung his hand out.
"Stop!"
The lights froze instantly in midair, a swirl of suspended color. Even the faint hum of magical energy went silent.
Luminaris stepped forward, concerned. "Is something wrong, Ethan? Do you need something?" she asked softly.
Brat hesitated. His fingers clenched slightly. This was selfish - he knew it - but he wanted just one thing before he left this place forever.
"Umm… can I see how my parents looked like?" Brat asked softly.
Luminaris smiled - a soft, comprehending smile. She lifted her hand and waved softly.
A tiny circle of light appeared before Brat. It shimmered, expanding slowly as if a window to another world was opened. An image formed at its surface.
A beautiful young woman, eyes bright with warmth.
Smiling softly, a handsome young man, as if holding someone dear.
Of faces filled with the love he had never lived to experience.
Brat's breath shook. Tears fell, slow at first, then faster. For sixteen years he had lived with nothing but distant pain and hollow memories. Now, finally, he had something real. Something to hold onto. Something to remember.
He wiped the tears from his eyes and cheeks, after which he swallowed hard. "Okay… I'm ready."
Luminaris nodded. She lifted both hands again, and the lights resumed swirling around him - brighter, faster, more vibrant.
The energy filled the white void with color. "I wish you a happy life in your new world," Luminaris said softly.
The light then surged, enveloping Brat entirely.
Then he vanished.