1 The Enlightened One is born

My name is Gautama, but everyone calls me Sid. I don't have any friends or family. I don't know where I come from or where I'll go and do. I was born somewhere I don't know. I was never told and I never asked. I do know where I grew up though. It started in Europe, Germany and from there I was passed around my entire childhood. 

No one could do anything with me. I was emotionless throughout. I didn't see a meaning in anything that we were doing. I didn't have a home, a family, friends, loved ones, likes, dislikes ... I was a blank piece of paper that no one wanted or could write on. 

I say this in the past tense because I finally died. I don't know how that came to be. I think I was following what that monk was telling me about meditation and then ... nothing. I must have blacked out or maybe I was killed? It doesn't matter. I wasn't leaving anything behind, because I never owned anything anyway. No one would miss me. No one would remember me and no one would care.

The only thing I ever had, was my name. Sid. Gautama was the name I chose for myself one time I was asked what my family name was. I don't know why or how I came up with that name, but it just so happens that that name came to mind and so it stuck with me. 

.

This brings me to the current situation. I am 'floating' or 'flowing' might be the more accurate term, through this endless stream that has nothing in it. I feel like this might tell me something but I don't know what that might be. I never really liked riddles. I preferred to just let my thoughts wander and see what happens. However, I did enjoy the meditation, that monk showed me, no matter how short it was. 

{.id.....a}

Hm? What was that? I thought I heard something. I listen and look around here but there is no one here. Again I hear that voice.

{.idd..ta}

What is that? Wait! I think ... there is something. At the end of this stream, I believe I see something. A silhouette of a person or something similar. I feel the stream slowing down as I approach this person. And then the stream finally stops. I have arrived at the end of the stream. I feel ... sad that it's over. It was a nice journey.

{Siddharta}

"Huh? So you are the one who called me. What do you want?"

{So you can finally hear me. Good. I have been waiting for you, Siddharta.}

"My name is Sid. What's your name?"

{You're wrong. Your name is Gautama Siddharta. You were never meant to stay as long as you did in that world, but for some reason you did. I am here to give you what should have been yours, to begin with.}

The silhouette says and two vials appear before me. I look back at the person with a questioning gaze.

{These are Meta Essence vials. They contain what should belong to you. But I remember you never read any fanfiction or comics and the like. So you don't know what these are.}

"You're right. I never saw meaning in those things. People were so absorbed in those and forgot the real world was different."

{You are correct. It can be bad if consumed too much. So then let me explain this to you very shortly. These two vials are Meta Essences. They grant you certain abilities which can vary depending on which ones you consume. The two I have here, are the Essence of the Honoured One and the Essence of Unlimited Potential. These are the ones that you should have gotten anyway, but something went wrong. You will consume these two and I will then send you on your way. A great journey awaits you and I hope that you will find the happiness you always wanted.}

"I see. And what are these powers that I will gain? They sound intriguing especially the first one, but I am not sure I am willing to accept something and not think that it will cost me anything."

{This won't cost you anything, because these two should already belong to you anyway. So don't worry and just take them.}

"Excuse me then.", I say and take the first vial. I open it and then drink it in one go. The taste ... is good. It tastes like ... home, like something you knew but can't say what it is. Then I took the second one and drank it as well. The second one had no flavour for some reason. It was just ... empty. Like drinking nothing.

{That concludes our short meeting Siddharta. I hope you have fun out there. I'm sure we'll meet again someday. But make sure not to come back too soon, alright?}

"Sure thank you I guess."

.

.

When I open my eyes again, I can see the scenery changed. I am in the body of a baby apparently. I wonder who might find me here, on this ground in the woods. Why a baby would be here is a mystery to me. But for some reason ... I can see the answer to that question. It just comes to me when I want to know it. I was picked up by slave traders who are currently on their way to sell their 'merchandise'. Quite a bumpy start to this new life of mine. Oh well, I'll see where this takes me.

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I was quite a pretty baby and now child, or at least that's what I was told. Contrary to what I thought, I wasn't sold to slavery. Instead, I was picked up by a woman called May. She is a gentle person with a good heart ... or so she wants everyone to see her. In truth, she runs a little business on the side where she gathers, lost and abandoned kids, raises them and then sells them to the 'Auction'. 

That's also how I ended up in this 'Human auction house' with an explosive collar and inside a cage, at the tender age of two. I'm not the only one though, there are others as well. I am surprised at the looks of the different races in this world. Quite a lot of variety and it also doesn't seem to surprise anyone what is going on here. From what I gathered, this 'Human Auction House' is located on an island that isn't really an island. 

My comprehension and understanding abilities have skyrocketed since my rebirth. I don't know why that is but it is a welcome change. Another thing I noticed is that I am eerily calm about all of this and for good reason. I don't really care. It matters not to me. I will see how things go and see from there. I don't like the prospect of being a slave, but I am not strong enough to do anything about it. 

"Oi, pretty boy, what are you thinking so hard about? Don't even try it. There is no getting out of these explosive collars, believe me. Unless you are interested in blowing up your pretty neck?", a big man says to me. He is also one of the slaves that are to be sold today. 

"What are you looking at kid?"

"You."

"Aha and why is that?"

"No reason. I am interested in why you are here. Were you captured by slave traders as well?"

"No, I couldn't pay a debt I had and was captured by the goons of the loan shark I owed money to. This is pretty much my own fault.", the man sighed. 

"Can you tell me more about the place we are at?"

"You don't seem very scared right now. Do you understand what this means that you're here? You will be sold to slavery, boy. And from the looks of you, I wouldn't be surprised if some rich noble takes a fancy in you and makes you bed her or his bed. Disgusting f*cks the lot of them."

"Nobles? From a kingdom of some kind?"

"You don't seem to know anything."

"I'm two years old this year."

"..."

"..."

"I see, well then my mistake. This world is ruled by what we call the World Government. There are many different kingdoms around the world but those that stand on the top of this world are the World Nobles, also called Celestial Dragons.", the man started his tale very vague. 

"Dragons? So like a different species? Are those real?"

"Not real dragons like you must be thinking about. The World Nobles have the highest authority within the World Government. They are free to do as they please without consequences, even commit heinous crimes, and if they are threatened in any way, they have the authority to summon a Marine Admiral to deal with the offending party."

"Marine? Admiral? What is that? Like a government official?"

"Haha, yes something like that. They are the lapdogs of the World Government. The Marines are the ones that hunt pirates across the world and imprison or kill those that threaten the rule of the World Government. They are supposed to keep the peace but they are glorified dogs."

"And a Marine Admiral is a high position then?"

"Yes. A Marine Admiral is the second highest position and a true powerhouse in this world. The only one higher than them is the Fleet Admiral, who controls the entirety of the Marines and only answers to the World Government."

"I see."

"You still seem very calm about all this. Maybe I wasn't clear before. You will become a slave. If you are unlucky and there is a World Noble attending, he might buy you. And you with your looks ... well I dread what they'd do with you. 

The World Nobles practice slavery, using wanted pirates, other people and races as servants, trophies and "pets". To mark them as slaves, the Celestial Dragons brand them with the symbol called "The Hoof of the Soaring Dragon", forever marking them as "less than human". Slaves are treated particularly horribly. Owners, particularly Celestial Dragons, would purchase them to work them down to the bone, threatening them with death for failure and opposition of any kind.

And now get this. Celestial Dragons own slaves in broad daylight, a practice that is supposed to be illegal by order of the World Government itself. And yet do you know what happens when slaves manage to flee? Marines hunt down slaves who are freed or flee without the Celestial Dragons' consent to return them to their owners. KIAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA"

"Hahahahahahahaha that is pretty funny.", I had to laugh at the irony. The man stopped laughing when he saw me laughing as well. He looked at me strangely. Like he was watching an alien of some kind.

"You're a strange one kid. Are you not right in the head? I feel like you didn't understand what I was saying."

"No, I understood what you said. Getting depressed about a situation like that is unwise and useless. I prefer to take things how they are and change whatever I can and wish to. It makes things simple."

"And how are you going to do that when you are a slave?", he asks me sceptically.

"I am now two years old. It stands without question that I will grow stronger as time passes. No one says that I will have to stay a slave forever. Who knows maybe something interesting might happen."

"... you are indeed crazy. But I enjoy talking to you. What is your name kid?"

"My name is Gautama Siddharta. But you can call me Sid."

"Sid eh? Well then Sid it was nice meeting you and I hope that your dreams come to pass. My name is Ronald, maybe you can remember that name, but it's not necessary."

"I'll remember it for sure. Don't give up hope, Ronald.", I say as a burly man walks in and opens my cage. He grabs me and drags him with him to the stage, in order to present me and sell me to the highest bidder. 

I am interested to see what happens.