1 Chapter 1: Beginning

Ethan's consciousness flickered into awareness, awakening to a reality that felt both strange and achingly familiar. As his senses slowly sharpened, he found himself standing in a dimly lit hall, the air heavy with a sense of déjà vu that sent shivers down his spine.

In his past life, Ethan had been a gamer, one of the best, with skills honed through countless hours of digital battles and virtual conquests. Yet, amidst the accolades and victories, there was always one player who eluded his grasp, one opponent who consistently outmatched him—his big sister.

But gaming wasn't the only passion that consumed Ethan's thoughts. There was another, a secret longing that beckoned to him, whispering of worlds beyond the confines of pixels and screens. WAR BOUND: WRITE YOUR DESTINY a massive franchise that made it big in his world.

Despite the ups and downs of his life, Ethan had found happiness in the company of his beloved sister, their bond unbreakable even in the face of life's darkest trials. But when tragedy struck and he lost her, Ethan spiraled into the depths of despair, consumed by grief and haunted by memories of what once was.

Now, presumed dead and thrust into a hall that seemed to pulsate with a sense of familiarity, Ethan's mind reeled with disbelief. The walls, the floors, even the faint scent lingering in the air—all whispered of a place he knew all too well, a place he thought he had left behind forever.

But as he stood in the midst of this strange yet strangely familiar hall, Ethan couldn't shake the feeling that fate had other plans for him.

As the bewildered voices erupted around him, Ethan found himself at the center of a maelstrom of confusion and fear. Each question, each plea, pierced through the haze of uncertainty, resonating with a desperation that mirrored his own.

"I'm in a dream, aren't I?" one voice cried out, its tremulous timbre betraying a fragile grasp on reality.

"Who are you, and what have you done to us?" another demanded, the accusation laced with a mixture of anger and fear.

"Take us back!" a third voice pleaded, its words echoing with a sense of longing for the familiar comforts of the world they had left behind.

Amidst the chaos, Ethan remained rooted in place, his mind racing to make sense of the confusion unfolding before him. Though disoriented, he felt a strange sense of clarity amidst the turmoil, a gnawing suspicion that there was more to their predicament than met the eye.

As the cacophony of voices continued to swell, Ethan's gaze swept the strange faces around him.

With a deep breath to steady his nerves, Ethan stepped forward, his voice cutting through the clamor like a beacon of calm amidst the storm.

"We may not understand what's happening," he began, his tone measured yet resolute, "but we'll find our way through this together. Whatever challenges lie ahead, we'll have to face them as one."

As Ethan's words hung in the air, a stunned silence descended upon the hall for a brief moment, broken only by the sound of his own racing heartbeat. His mind reeled with disbelief at the uncanny resemblance between his thoughts and those spoken aloud by another.

"No way, I said that word for word like I was him? Impossible," Ethan thought, his thoughts swirling with a mixture of awe and bewilderment.

Just then, a figure emerged from the crowd, a younger man whose presence exuded a quiet resolve tempered by the weight of their shared predicament.

"That's right," the young man declared, his voice carrying a note of reluctant acceptance. "Right now, we are the ones in the dark, and throwing a tantrum won't help us. I really don't want to die, but I also hate the situation we're in."

As his words echoed through the hall, a palpable sense of calm settled over the gathered souls, their fear and uncertainty momentarily quelled by the young man's pragmatic wisdom.

"My name is Ryota Mori," he continued, his tone respectful yet tinged with a subtle undercurrent of disapproval as he cast a wary glance towards the angel before them. "Please continue."

As Ethan absorbed the realization of their circumstances, a sense of resignation washed over him like a wave crashing against the shore. The pieces of the puzzle were falling into place with alarming clarity, confirming his worst fears and forcing him to confront the truth he had long tried to deny.

'Ryota? Mori? War Bound's main character?' Ethan muttered to himself, his voice barely a whisper amidst the tumult of thoughts racing through his mind. "Oh, this day keeps getting better and better."

With a heavy sigh, he acknowledged the undeniable truth that he had been transported to this place as a character from the franchise he had idolized in his past life. The weight of that realization bore down upon him, threatening to crush his spirit beneath its relentless pressure.

'But which character exactly?' Ethan wondered aloud, his gaze flitting from one face to another in search of answers. The hall was filled with a motley assortment of individuals.

'I count 14 of us, including Ryota, which matches with what I know,' Ethan observed, a grim acceptance settling over him like a shroud. 'So I'm indeed in that place.'

With a resigned sigh, Ethan braced himself for the challenges that lay ahead, knowing that his journey was just beginning. As he stood amidst his fellow lost souls, he resolved to confront whatever trials awaited them with courage and determination, in this strange new world.

As Aurelia's words hung in the air, a hush fell over the assembled souls, their attention captured by the gravity of his revelation. Yet, amidst the palpable sense of awe and uncertainty, a few faces still bore the traces of lingering doubt and disbelief.

"I'm glad you've all come to terms with what happened," Aurelia continued, his voice resonating with a quiet authority that brooked no argument. His gaze swept over the gathered souls, his eyes lingering on those whose expressions betrayed their lingering skepticism.

"This is the hall of reincarnation," Aurelia declared, his voice carrying the weight of ancient wisdom. "And the place where you'll be prepped for your journey."

The mention of "reincarnation" elicited a chorus of incredulous murmurs from the assembled souls, their skepticism echoing through the cavernous hall. "What nonsense are you spouting?" one voice cried out, its tone laced with scorn and disbelief.

But as quickly as the murmurs had begun, they faded into silence, quelled by the majesty of their surroundings. For now, as the souls looked around, they began to notice the splendor of the hall in which they stood.

The hall was a marvel to behold, its architecture a testament to the skill and artistry of its creators. Towering columns of polished marble rose towards a vaulted ceiling adorned with intricate carvings and golden filigree. Sunlight streamed through stained glass windows, casting kaleidoscopic patterns of color and light upon the polished marble floors below.

At the center of the hall stood a grand dais, upon which rested a throne of gold and ivory, its regal splendor a testament to the power and majesty of its unseen occupant. Soft music filled the air, a symphony of ethereal beauty that seemed to emanate from every corner of the hall.

Aurelia's tone changed, but he still sounded warm and calming, though a bit rushed. "I'll just tell you what you need to know, the rest you'll find out when the time is right." Everyone stayed quiet. Ethan found a seat in the back, feeling overwhelmed.

"You will all be sent to a fantasy world of swords and magic," Aurelia said. "Most of you will find it familiar once you get there."

As Aurelia spoke, people started murmuring, feeling both excited and scared. Ethan and the others knew they were in for an adventure, but they also knew it wouldn't be easy.

Another voice broke the silence, this time belonging to a woman from the group. "A world of swords and magic? You're trying to butter us up before you tell us what's actually going on, aren't you?" she said, her annoyance evident in her tone.

Aurelia's smile widened at the woman's perceptiveness. "You saw right through me." he acknowledged, his tone still warm and reassuring. He then turned to the woman and asked for her name.

"Jean Harper" she replied, her voice firm and determined.

Ethan couldn't help but pout as he listened to the exchange between Jean and Aurelia. 'At this point, I can't get surprised anymore.' he muttered to himself, his frustration evident in his voice. 'Though the fact that my name wasn't in the book feels unsettling. Maybe I'm not alone.'

He let out a sigh, his thoughts drifting to Jean. 'A beauty among beauties.' he thought, a hint of sadness creeping into his tone. 'Too bad she's going to die early on in the story. The writer really covered up her potential. If not, she would've been one of the most important figures in the story.' Another sigh escaped him as he contemplated the twists and turns of their fate in this strange new world.

'But it'll soon be time for the best part anyways.' he reminded himself, forcing a small smile to his lips in an attempt to quell the rising tide of apprehension.

*

*

*

[A/N]

Thanks for coming this far. I really appreciate.

Don't forget to add my novel to your library if you like it. 😇