Zach took a deep breath as he stepped into the grand hall. Sunlight filtered through tall windows, casting a warm glow over the polished floors. At the far end, standing near an elegant staircase, were his parents.
His mother, Vivian, was breathtakingly beautiful, with golden hair and striking green eyes. She exuded an air of grace, the very image of a noblewoman. Beside her stood his father, Vincent, a tall and imposing man with a strong jaw and piercing blue eyes. He carried himself with the confidence of a seasoned leader.
As Zach approached, he felt an odd nervousness. He had met with presidents and powerful figures in his past life, yet somehow, meeting his 'new' parents felt more nerve wracking.
Vivian was the first to kneel down and pull him into a gentle hug. "Zach, my sweet boy. You seem quiet today. Are you feeling alright?"
Zach hesitated before nodding. "Yes, Mother. I'm just... still waking up."
Vincent studied him with sharp eyes, but his expression softened. "We're heading to the church soon. Let's get going."
Moments later, Zach found himself seated in the family carriage with his parents, the rhythmic movement of the wheels over cobblestone lulling him into thought. He was still wrapping his head around this world, his new family, and the fact that he was four years old again.
Across from him, Vincent sat with arms crossed, his sharp blue eyes focused outside. He was a man of strong presence, wearing a dignified expression that exuded authority. Yet, as he turned to his wife, his brows furrowed.
"There's trouble in the neighboring town," Vincent murmured. "I received reports of bandits growing bolder near our borders. If we don't act soon, they might start targeting Ravennest."
Vivian sighed, rubbing her temples. "And the lord of that town? Has he done anything?"
Vincent shook his head. "Nothing effective. He's either too scared or too incompetent. Either way, this is going to be a problem."
As the conversation continued, Zach's head suddenly throbbed.
Pain.
A sharp, stabbing pain crashed into him like a tidal wave. His small hands clutched his skull, his breath coming in ragged gasps as his vision blurred.
Memories flooded in.
Not his memories.
Not the life of the Zach who fought corruption and built a better society.
These were the memories of the boy whose body he now inhabited.
He saw flashes of his mother's warm smile as she tucked him into bed. The strong yet kind voice of his father as he sat in his study, discussing matters of the town. The giggles of a three-year-old Mia as she played with her dolls. The halls of their grand estate. The bustling town of Ravennest. His childhood.
And then
Darkness.
His breath hitched as the most terrifying memory surfaced. Early that morning, before the sun had risen, someone had entered his room. A pair of gloved hands had wrapped around his tiny throat, pressing down with unrelenting force. He had struggled, but his four-year-old body had no strength to resist. His lungs burned, his vision darkened, and then nothing.
His entire body convulsed as the memory overtook him, his breath coming in strangled gasps. Panic surged through his small frame, his chest tightening. He let out a strangled whimper before his body went limp.
"Zach?!" Vivian's voice shot through the carriage, her hands immediately cupping his face. "Zach, wake up!"
His mind swam between past and present, his consciousness flickering. The feeling of hands choking him still lingered, the terror sinking deep into his bones.
"Stop the carriage!" Vincent barked, already moving forward to grab his son. "What's wrong with him?!"
Zach barely heard them. His body trembled as the weight of realization settled over him.
Someone had murdered him.
This wasn't just some random reincarnation.
Someone had taken the life of the original Zach. But why? Who would want to kill a four-year-old boy?
Before he could make sense of anything, darkness claimed him once more.
And now? He needed to find out who had killed the original Zach before they tried again.