The cold was penetrating my soul, deeper than the ice fragments that torn my body. I looked down, from the edge of the unwitting abyss, and I saw my kingdom burning. The ligamentary red fire swallowed up the tall constellations that I built with the sweat of years and the blood of innocent people. My popular screams, which I swore to me eternal loyalty, were fading in the roaring of the arrogant victory of my enemies. I remember the moment I fell. The cold sword penetrates my chest, the view of betrayal in the eyes of my closest allies, the bitter taste of the defeat that filled my mouth. An empire was built of shadows and fear, ruled with an iron fist, but in the end, it fell like any other tyrant. But now ... now I feel warm. A soft warmth wraps my little body. I opened my eyes slowly, and I felt the low light penetrating my eyelids. I no longer see the fire or the abyss. Instead, the simple wooden ceiling of a familiar room was staring at me. I felt confused. I tried to get up, but my body was weak, I could barely move my slender limbs. I looked at my hand. It was small, childish, not carrying the scars of the battles or the signs of the strength you gained over the years. This was ... my room. My room is in my humble father's house, before I left to make my path towards power. Before I pollute my hands with blood, before my name becomes synonymous with fear. I felt suddenly. Was all this just a dream? Long and horrific nightmare? But the memory was very alive, the pain was very real. I felt the taste of ash in my mouth, and echoed my popular screams still ringing in my ears. I got up with difficulty, and my legs shivered. The sun had barely started to climb, and its golden rays sneaked through the window. I looked at my reflection in the mirror hanging on the wall. A child's face staring at me, spacious eyes filled with amazement and confusion. My age ... maybe ten years? This cannot be real. I lived a full life, a life full of intrigues, wars, victories and defeats. A sprawling kingdom has ruled, and witnessed the rise and fall of thrones. How can I return to this? To this weak body, to this simple life? She sat on the edge of the bed, and tried to absorb what happened. There was no logical explanation. Maybe ... this was a kind of punishment? An eternal curse to re -live my life, knowing what will happen? But another idea began to form in my mind, a malicious and promising idea. If I was here ... if I had another chance ... I smiled a small smile, it was not suitable for a child's face. I had an opportunity to correct my mistakes. An opportunity to avoid falling. An opportunity ... to be better. Or maybe ... worse. In my past life, I sought power out of anger and revenge. I have been betrayed and injustice, and this prompted me to the path of darkness. But this time ... this time I will seek full consciousness. I will use my knowledge of the future to avoid the mistakes I made. I will be more cautious, more subtle, and more cruel. I will not let anyone stand on my way again. I will not trust anyone. I will build a stronger and more stable empire than ever. I will not fall. This time ... I will win. I got out of the bed and started examining the room. Every piece of furniture was familiar, reminding me of the life I had almost forgotten. A simple and calm life, before my ambition is overwhelmed. I stopped in front of my room window and looked abroad. The small village was calm in light of the early morning. There was nothing to indicate the greatness that I would one day achieve, or the terror that I will bring to this world. But I knew. I knew everything that would happen. I knew the upcoming conflicts, the betrayal that will happen, and the opportunities that will have me. I felt a new force growing inside me, a force that I did not feel even at the height of my Majdi. It was the power of knowledge. The power of the ability to change the future. I decided at that moment. I will not just be another version of my past. I will not repeat the same mistakes. I will use this opportunity to become a different thing. Something ... more. I will be the villain that I never imagined. The villain who knows every step his enemies will take. The villain who will not have mercy. I smiled again, this time the smile was wider and darker. It was a smile of a person who knows a dangerous secret. Secretly will change the course of history. I got out of my room, my steps are small but confident. My father was sitting at the breakfast table, reading his morning newspaper. He raised his head when he saw me, and smiled a warm smile. "Good morning, son. I slept well?" I looked at him, to his good and loving face. In my past life, I did not give him a lot of attention. I was always busy with the pursuit of power. But now ... now I realized the value of these simple moments. "Good morning, dad." I said in a calm voice. I sat on the chair opposite him, and I started eating my breakfast. The food was simple, but it was the most delicious of any feast I ate in my palace. While I was eating, I was thinking about my plans. I knew I needed to start early. I will not waste time in the random pursuit of power as I did in the past. I will be systematic, and I will focus on my goals. I knew who my future enemies were. I knew their weaknesses and strength. I knew the crucial moments that would be my fate. I will use this knowledge for my favor. I will manipulate events, I will direct people, and I will make opportunities that have not been present before. I will not be just a reaction to the events. I will be the strength you form. After breakfast, I asked my father to allow me to go out to play. The atmosphere was sunny and gentle, and the other children were playing on the street. I joined them, but my mind was elsewhere. I was watching them, and studying them. I was looking for signs of strength and weakness. I was looking for those who could be my allies, and those I should get rid of. In my past life, it took many years to start building an empire. But this time ... this time I will start today. I looked at a boy older than me who was bullying on a smaller child. In my past life, I was going to ignore it. But now ... I saw an opportunity. I approached the bullying boy and told him in a confident voice: "Leave this child and his affairs." He looked at the boy with contempt. "What will you do, young?" I smiled. "You will know soon." I did not use my physical strength. Instead, I used my words. He knew his weaknesses and fears.
I used this knowledge to manipulate him, to make him feel afraid and insecure. Within minutes, the older boy was running away, crying. I helped the younger boy to his feet, looking him straight in the eye. "Remember this day," I said. "Remember that I was the one who helped you." The child didn't understand my words, but he felt something different in my gaze. Something cold and powerful. I returned home feeling strangely content. I had begun. I had taken the first step on my new path. There were still many years before I could achieve my goals. But I was patient. I had waited before, and I could wait again. I knew the road would be long and challenging. But I wasn't afraid. I was ready. Because I was no longer just a child. I was something else. I was… the villain who would shake this world. I looked at my reflection again in the mirror. The child's face no longer looked as innocent as it had before. There was a new look in his eyes. A determined, ruthless look. This was the beginning of my story. The story of the villain who had returned from the dead to rule the world. And this time… victory would not elude me.