The world was too bright.
My eyes fluttered open, but the sharp light made everything blur, an unending white haze. I blinked repeatedly, trying to focus. Slowly, the glow of light softened, and the world around me started to take shape.
I felt it first—the warmth of the blanket cradling me, the soft fabric against my newborn skin. The air smelled faintly of lavender and fresh linen, a hint of something floral mixed with an expensive scent I couldn't quite place.
There was the hum of machinery in the background—subtle, but undeniable. An air conditioner? The soft whirring of technology I didn't recognize. The silence between each sound felt... intentional. Perfected.
I turned my head, feeling the unfamiliar weight of my tiny body, and glimpsed a figure leaning over me. She was tall, her movements graceful, as she carefully adjusted my position in her arms. Her face was soft, features smooth with care, but there was a sharpness in her eyes—a determination that told me she was someone who controlled her world.
"Shh... you're okay now," she whispered, her voice warm and soothing as she cradled me against her chest. Her clothes were soft and expensive, the kind of fabric that felt like it cost more than a few months of rent.
She smiled down at me, a tender expression. "It's a big world, little one. But you're safe. You're with us now."
Safe? I was... confused. I didn't understand why I was here. I didn't even know where here was, except that it felt... different. I could feel the weight of my body, of my tiny, infant hands, and I realized with a rush that this was not my original body. I was reborn—that much was clear.
"Everything's been arranged," the woman continued, her words soft but purposeful. "You'll grow strong, little one. Just like we've planned."
I didn't know what she meant by "plans," but I could sense that there was more here than just a simple rebirth. The way she spoke—like this was all part of a grand design—made me feel as though I was a piece in a puzzle much larger than myself. My thoughts swirled, still foggy, but I couldn't shake the feeling that I was supposed to be someone important.
The room around me was immaculate, the walls adorned with art that seemed too perfect to be casual decor. Marble floors gleamed in the soft light, and the window showed a sprawling view of the city. Below, I could see the outline of buildings stretching as far as the eye could see. A city that never slept, a place that was alive with energy.
I was higher up than I had ever been before.
The woman moved toward the window, and I was too small to do anything but watch, my little head barely able to focus on the scene outside. Her voice was gentle as she spoke again, but there was a quiet authority in her tone.
"He's awake."
A man entered the room, his movements sharp and deliberate, and immediately, my attention was drawn to him. There was a power in his posture, the kind that commanded respect without even trying. His eyes, dark and intense, fell on me, and for a moment, I felt as though he was inspecting me, like a piece of art or a rare object.
"Good. It's time," he said, his voice deep but warm, as though the words carried weight. He looked at the woman, then back to me, his gaze lingering for a moment longer than necessary.
"Everything is set," the woman responded. "We'll give him everything he needs to grow."
I didn't understand all of it, but something about their words felt calculated, as though everything was part of a larger plan—one that involved me. They moved with purpose, and the room they occupied felt like it had been built for a single, specific reason. Luxury, comfort, perfection—it was all around me, not in an obvious way, but in the subtle details: the polished wood of the furniture, the soft gold accents on the walls, the way the air smelled so precisely like fresh linens and something expensive, something that made this place feel more like a fortress than a home.
The man glanced down at me one last time before turning to the woman. "He'll be ready when the time comes."
I didn't know who they were. I didn't know why I was here.