Chap 4

Finally, Kane's third birthday arrived. He had read as much as he could about the world, he lived in over the previous two years, and he had discovered that it was vaster than he had anticipated. The previous two years had been really unremarkable, but judging by the expressions on his parents' faces, today was going to be special. Since Stephon, his older brother, was stationed overseas, he would be unable to attend. Jamie and Alia were giddy as well, but they always were.

Hiding the excitement was rather difficult to say the least. The bathroom was a place where he could he could smile and be happy without their eyes on him. There weren't many differences between the toothbrushes in this world and those on Earth. They were made out of smooth wood rather than plastic. Like the showers, the sinks were operated by hand pump. After a quick bath, he smiled at the reflection in the mirror. Wild spikey black hair, emerald green and a rough face. Brows were thick and bushy. Features were masculine and full. Looking like a kid version of gatsu from manga was cool. Sliding on a white collard button up and orange pants, it was finally time to take on the day.

Kane detected a loud voice coming from the living room. A voice he had never heard before since arriving on a new planet. The man was as broad as Kon but shorter, with a long, rust-colored beard that was braided near the end. His eyes were sunken and looked menacing, and his skin was slightly browned. Kane believed he resembled an Earth Viking.

"Kane, get over here and meet your grandfather," Kon raised his voice.

"This is my little Viking grandson?" He smiled and picked Kane up. The rugged man had to be a Viking. The accent was a dead giveaway.

Kon coughed. "And blacksmith."

The man ignored him. "How old are you little warrior?"

"I turn three today grandpa."

"Three is old enough to wield a sword and shield. You should prepare him for the world he will grow up in as soon as you can, Kon. The little boy's soul is abnormally strong. I believe he will make a great warrior."

"Or blacksmith." Kon butted in.

"Or neither." Mother walked into the living room with both siblings in tow." My little boy might not want to be a muscle brain or steelhead. I'm sure there's a Valkryie woman needing a house husband," Amira laughed.

"My son won't be leeching off women like the ones in your country. Isn't that right son? Blackheart men provide for their families like men. If even, they marry some rich and ridiculously strong Valkyrie princess who doesn't let him drink with his friends anymore."

"That's enough you two," The rusty bearded man grabbed Kane and pulled the back of his shirt down.

"Jamie, Alia, can you give me and your parents some privacy? It'll only be a moment."

The atmosphere in the living room had turned serious. Everyone sat on the wooden, but cushioned velvet couches. There was an awkward silence before the rugged man spoke again.

"Why didn't you two tell me he bore the mark?"

Mother looked like she wanted to slap his face off, but Kon held her hand and her scowled eased.

"What mark are you talking about Kin?" Amira voice held some venom.

"Show your parents your back son."

As soon as Kane's button up dropped, he heard his mother father gasp.

"You mean to tell me that you hadn't seen your three years old's back in a long time?"

"Kane is really mature for his age. We don't need to treat him like a regular child. He's a prodigy. We didn't need to wash him after his second birthday. I'm guessing that's when the mark bloomed," Amira said. Her hand traced Kane's back and his skin tingled.

"Is anyone going to tell me about this mark." Kane grew tired of them talking as if he wasn't right there.

"I'm going to ask you a question and I want you to answer truthfully. Did you reincarnate or transmigrate to our realm?" Kin asked. Kane's heart pounded against his rib cage. His breathing became louder, and his eyes began to shake. Under the gaze of his family, he felt smaller than usual.

"Don't worry little warrior. Reincarnation and transmigration are common. I'm a transmigrator myself."

"I-I didn't know." There was no point in lying at this point. His horrible poker-face had already given him away."

"I reincarnated, but I'm still the same son you know and love!" Kane was scared. What if they thought that he wasn't their true son? Would they throw him away or worse?

"Don't worry little warrior. Your father transmigrated into the body of my dying son. Well, they have the same soul, but you know what? It's hard to explain."

Kane turned to his father, who smiled wide. "You reincarnated. You didn't steal a body even if it's technically yours. You are our son Kane. Even if you transmigrated, we wouldn't hate you or be mad. Transmigration is only possible if you share the same soul. Everyone alive are reincarnated or transmigrated souls. It isn't uncommon for people to have memories of their past life."

"I also reincarnated," Amira pointed out. "So, it's okay. The mark you bear comes from Baldr. He is the god of reincarnation among other things. He marked you as a vessel. Which explains your spirits strength. Kin was right. We have to start your training early, but today's your birthday. Let's open up your presents." Amira clapped her hands and shot up fast as hell.

Kane was left with his father and grandfather.

"What realm did you come from son? I came from the third realm, Valhalla. Home of the Vikings. Contrary to my appearance, I was a weak warrior and died battling the wind giants and ended up in Adoni."

"I'm from Nirti, the eighth realm, where dwarves and elves were in charge. Prior to me screwing someone's elven princess, everything was rather calm. "Elven princes don't like walking into their homes and seeing their wives yelling the name of the human up under them," Kon chuckled.

"My realm isn't as fun as you guys'. I came from the Earth realm." Kin and Kon failed to hold back their chuckles. "Did I say a joke or something?"

"No, it's just that hearing Earth and Realm in the same sentence is laughable. The people there are so backwards and weak that their gods gave up on them. I heard they hunted down their magic users in witch trials. What idiots." Kane eyed the rugged man with malice. "My apologies. Continue."

"I can't remember much, but I know I was really young and died trying to save people from a burning building. Then I met an old bald man who reincarnated me to Adonis."

Kin choked on his spit. "You met Baldr personally?"

"Uh, yes. He said that this is where I belong and that I was strong. He also told me that Nu is coming and that he hoped that I can help."

"Dear god. It looks like our peaceful times have come to an end."

"What's wrong grandp-"

"Happy birthday Kane!" Amira and the children came into the living room with wooden boxes in their hands. Grandpa and dad didn't look happy at all.

"I don't know why you two have grumpy looks on your faces but suck it up and be happy for my baby boy before I start throwing punches," she eyed Kon who smiled immediately.

"Congratulations, son! Check out my gift first. He could hardly lift up the box Kane handed him, but as soon as he opened it, he sensed a connection. The present was a tiny, shining metal hammer. Kane grasped it by the hilt and felt the metal's weight and texture. He was suddenly shown a variety of sights. His bond with the hammer grew more solid. It was speaking to him inaudibly. He was able to tell see when the hammer was simply ore. He could see who had mined it, who had taken the impurities out, how it had been made, what additional materials had been utilized, and who had carried it out. Kane felt through the hammer's connection that it didn't want to be a hammer, but a short sword. Still, it loved to be in hands.

Kane's trance was interrupted by the screams of his family.

"Son, what happened? Your eyes went white and started shooting light and the hammer started to glow."

Kane looked down at the hammer with a newfound love and respect. It no longer felt heavy in his hands.

"I think you guys need to be sitting when I tell you this."