1 Ch. 1 Apparently reincarnation is real.

I guess the best place to start would be the day I died. I regretfully don't remember much of what actually happened. The details are out of reach but, the events of that day are not. It was Friday, I just finished getting my college financial aid sorted out. A few moments later I got confirmation and made my way to the car then nothing.

I know it's not real specific and you probably don't care that much either. So to not bore you with the needless details, I'll keep it simple. First, I can't fully remember much of my old life. Second, I can recall having lived in a different world but, the names of those closest to me are blank. Lastly, I can't remember my old name no matter how many times I try to figure it out.

For the time being I have been in darkness, no temperature, touch nor sound. I should have gone insane from such isolation. Fortunate or not, I haven't gone mad yet. The inability to do anything gave me time to reflect on my past life.

Oddly enough I only felt hollow, I never got anywhere in life. I didn't even know what the hell I was going to do with my life. I just took general courses to start somewhere and I doubted that I could really make it on my own. Before I even had a chance to start my post life crisis, a blinding light halted the whole experience. As soon as the blinding light dissipated, I could see a room lit with white light.

At first, I thought, 'Did I seriously somehow go to heaven?' Only for that thought to die when someone pinched my arm. I struggled to get free from whoever thought it was a good idea to pinch me. I completely went through the 'I have my senses and a second life,' phase. By the time I got to the culprit, my heart nearly stopped at what I saw. 

A heavily scarred monster, a cyclops at least three times the size of a normal human. Their skin was ashen and riddled with white scars. A bald smooth head with a baseball sized red eye iris. I could see my own reflection in their eye. While unclear on certain details, I could clearly see myself trembling. 

"Don't panic you're safe now," The cyclops said in a surprisingly feminine voice.

'Yeah right, you're safe until I'm lunch.' I thought trying to shake free from my fear pinning me down.

"Remmy, you should remember that being so close to a newborn dweller drake frightens them," A deep voice behind me sighed.

"Oh I'm so sorry Shard," The cyclops named Remmy apologized, taking a couple steps back.

"Remmy, did you really name him Shard?" The deep voice asked in disbelief.

"It's a pretty name Belle," Remmy harrumphed defiantly.

"Remmy, what you consider pretty is what others consider silly," Belle countered.

"Then I'll break their limbs," Remmy snapped.

While Remmy and Belle argued, I tried to process the new information. Apparently reincarnation is a thing, and I'm a dweller drake (whatever that is). I also have been named Shard to add to boot. I hate to say it but, my name is going to be the butt of all jokes in my foreseeable future. Wait, the fact I understand what these two are saying, means they speak the language of my previous life.

Before I could even attempt to continue my train of thought. My stomach growled and demanded food, breaking my concentration. I tried to shout my protest at my stomach for interrupting. The first sound I made was a squeak similar to a baby crocodile. That caught the attention of Remmy and Belle.

"It sounds like it's time for a first meal," Remmy happily chimed.

"Aww what an adorable way to end an argument," Belle added.

To say I was embarrassed was a huge understatement. I was flat out desperate to disappear under a rock. While Remmy gently picked me up, I finally saw Belle. Much to my surprise, Belle was a tall, lithe and pale fallen angel. Her hair and two wings were raven black, she also had azure blue eyes. She had elegance and death in her presence. She smiled at me and the aspect of death disappeared.

"Welcome to your new home little one," She said softly.

Remmy added onto the moment putting a bottle in my mouth and in a blissful trance lulled me to sleep.

-A few months later-

Being reincarnated meant a new learning curve for me. Remmy is my foster mother and Belle is a family friend/bff to Remmy. The home I lived in was close to modern with some exceptions. Plumbing, heating, air conditioning and high quality glass windows were there but, television, cellphones and even landlines were non-existent.

I wasn't too sure on the lights though. No matter how much I tried to investigate them. This led to the possibility that I may have poor eyesight. What was attributed to this hypothesis was the fact I may or may not have other ways of seeing. I made the discovery when the lights in the house went out. 

Being able to navigate in the dark wasn't a problem. I just knew where a safe place was. When the lights were turned on, Remmy was surprised to find me next to her like nothing happened. That led to a trip to the doctor's office for a physical. Nothing out of the ordinary to support my claims.

The bonus of the trip, a clear resolution on my appearance. I had a human face and body with some exceptions. The exceptions were the reptilian tail and limbs from the joints down. Small nubs I'm assuming to be future horns atop my head, both my hair and scales were violet. My eyes were gray and haven't divulged their natural color yet.

It turns out that I'm a runt, albeit healthy and alive. I won't grow to the full height expected of a dweller drake. To be honest, I don't know how to process the whole you're a runt. Did that also mean that I have bad luck in being reincarnated as well? Moving on, learning how to walk and talk again ASAP.

These took longer than I honestly thought it would. The tail added a few challenges to my balance. Not to mention it hardly did anything unless I willed it too. Every time I tried to take off like a rocket was strapped to my back. Remmy always interrupted when I pushed it too far.

I found it frustrating at first, but all of my rushing efforts to walk had worried Remmy sick. I could have been covered in bruises and scrapes if she hadn't intervened. It did indefinitely remind me that my own impatience wasn't going to accomplish my goal. As for my speaking development, I had no luck there either. While Remmy and Belle either encouraged or went to mush hearing those squeaks I made. 

It took some years until I could walk short distances and speak short brief sentences. Remmy and Belle were chatting as I walked back and forth between them. I was trying to increase my stamina. My energy tank was quite pitifully small.

"It's good to see that Shard is energetic," Belle commented with a chuckle.

"Sometimes too energetic, I swear if I don't stop him from time to time he'll be covered in bruises," Remmy sighed recalling the memories.

"Shard, come give your Aunt Belle a hug," Belle coaxed.

I stopped my pacing midway and made my way to Belle. I didn't see a real reason why I should disobey Belle nor Remmy. As soon as I got close to Belle she picked me up and seated me next to her.

"Thank you sweetie," Belle said while gently petting my head.

"Belle, what did you want to talk about?" Remmy asked. "Your work rarely permits free time."

"The barrier is slowly getting weaker, and we can't undo the damage," Belle stated gloomily.

"No, that can't be true they have no reason to be here," Remmy protested in disbelief.

I couldn't believe what I was hearing, so there's a barrier keeping out some unnamed enemy. What is the barrier and who is everyone scared of?

"Remmy, I am telling you before the public announcement the humans are coming," Belle insisted.

Oh no, if humans are causing an uproar then that means. There's something valuable about this and whoever controls it first wins.

"Belle, how long until the barrier fails?" Remmy asked walking over and picking me up.

"I give it less than eight years," Belle calculated aloud.

"We will have to prepare then," Remmy sighed, accepting the truth.

"Prepare?" I did not realize I just spoke.

"Remmy, you greedy little hog you never told me that Shard could talk," Belle said shocked.

"Sorry must have slipped my mind," Remmy bashfully admitted.

"I'll hear more from Shard later, so how are you going to prepare for the humans anyway?" Belle assured then asked concerned.

"I'll reopen the forge and if I must, I'll ask my brother for help," Remmy stated, causing Belle to pinch her sinus.

"The forge I get, but your snob of a brother?" Belle asked in disbelief.

So I have an uncle both my mom and aunt hate. I am really starting to think my luck with reincarnation is awful.

"If it comes to that then yes, I will ask for his help," Remmy assured.

"Do tell me why he would even consider it?" Belle asked, still not accepting Remmy's fall out plan.

"I will explain everything after Shard is put up for the night," Remmy promised.

No, don't put me in bed, you were just getting to the good part. I was about to protest when Remmy started humming. Once again a blissful trance lulled me to sleep. I have only one infuriating thought right now. How does she do that so easily?