In a place no one knew, so dark it seemed like a black hole where nothing could exist, a consciousness awoke,
'Where is this place? Is it the afterlife?' Joshua thought to himself, thinking no one else was around.
'Master? You're here too?' Ryan was surprised. Just as he had no hope of escaping this place where he had been for goodness knows how long now, Joshua appeared.
'Ry, it's you.'
'Yes. I was here for a long time before you appeared.'
'Makes sense, you died first after all.'
'Yes.' Ryan replied. This time, he felt a force pulling him away. 'Master, I don't think I'll be here for any longer.'
'…Alright.' After that, he didn't feel Ryan's presence anymore. So, he decided to wait.
After who knows how long, hours, days, months, or even years, he saw a light. For him, it was hope. He was about to die again of boredom after all. He felt a force pulling him. Not resisting, he was brought closer and closer to the light.
In the world of Valystria, a baby, no, two babies, were born.
"My lady, it's… twins." The voice wasn't one of joy, but of fear. In Valystria, twins were considered cursed; if one ever had any, they would be killed on sight. However, they were so rare that people doubted whether twins were even real.
'That sounds like trouble.' Joshua thought to himself. When he saw his 'mother', he went speechless. She was seemingly an elf with brown hair and green eyes, with a beauty that was out of the world. '…Is this a fantasy world?' It was hard to believe, but as a scientist, he had no choice but to believe in proof.
However, at this moment, his 'mother' looked unbelievably sad. She had to abandon one of her children, or both would be killed if they were found out. And the child who was picked? Joshua obviously.
With a pained expression, she took the one with fewer royal features and said, "I'm sorry, I really am. …Asher, this will protect you." She named him as she blessed a ring and slipped it on his finger, with the ring adjusting its size immediately.
"Miya, bring me a paper and pen." She ordered the midwife who delivered her babies. She trusted her as she had accompanied her since they were children.
"Yes." The maid moved with quick haste.
With the paper and pen, Joshua's mother wrote down a letter and signed it with her signature.
"Lukas," She called, before a man appeared before her, kneeling on one knee.
"Bring this child to Baron Alder's residence safely." She ordered.
The knight before her did as she ordered immediately, leaving the palace on horseback, covering the distance of a few days in just one night.
---
When dawn broke, a maid opened the doors to let in fresh air. However, as she looked down, she saw a cradle covered with a piece of cloth. "What's this?" She opened the cloth and saw a sleeping baby. "A baby and a letter?" She saw the letter was addressed to Baron Alder, so she decided to report this to her Lord.
Knock, knock.
"Who is it?" Leon Alder had just finished dressing when he heard a knock on his private quarters.
"I have something to report, Lord Leon." The maid spoke respectfully, keeping her head down even with a door between them.
"Come in." He ordered as the doors opened.
"My Lord, there is a baby at the door, with a letter to your name."
"…A baby? Alright, I will go." He finished as he followed the maid outside.
He took the letter and read it, 'Leon, I will have to ask you for a favor to take care of Asher. Evelyn.'
"E-Evelyn? Why is she contacting me now? Who is this baby?" Although he had many questions, he decided to wait and see. Taking the wrapped baby who had just awoken in his arms, he thought, 'Maybe this is a blessing for Eleanor and me.' After all, no matter how hard they tried, Eleanor couldn't bear a baby. And just as they were about to think of adopting, Asher showed up and gave them hope.
"You will be just like my own child." He whispered into Asher's ear softly.
Hearing that, Joshua knew his life in this new world had officially begun.