The Night of Awakening Part 1

Alone and standing before the bathroom sink's mirror in his home, Daniel gazed at his own reflection with an air of bewilderment. His own image appeared as an enigma, a haunting glimpse of the past. With a subtle movement, he turned the faucet, producing a harsh sound, and without hesitation, he splashed his face with the water he cupped in his hands. Each droplet cascading down his skin felt like an endeavor to shake off the drowsiness that enveloped him.

As he turned off the water flow from the faucet, which began to drip gently into the sink, creating a monotonous melody, Daniel remained entranced by his own reflection. The features on his face mirrored the traces of his adolescence, and a past that seemed distant and surreal, akin to a far-off memory.

While he observed the water droplets trickling down the drain, Daniel muttered to himself, his voice quivering, "How is this possible? How did I return to the past?" His voice trembled with the bewilderment of the moment as he desperately tried to make sense of the inexplicable.

"This makes no sense at all," Daniel muttered, his voice laden with perplexity and anguish. Memories of that dreadful assault by one of the Shadows resurfaced, vivid and brutal. The unbearable heat, the screams, and the despair—all of it seemed to have occurred just moments ago.

Still, his gaze fixed on his reflection in the worn mirror, Daniel remained motionless, staring at his own pale and contorted face, he was frustrated, confused, and desperate.

In an act of desperation, he pinched his own skin, hoping to awaken from a terrible nightmare, a coma, or an inexplicable spiritual state. However, the sharp pain and the warmth of his skin elicited a cry from Daniel, proving that he was indeed awake.

With the undeniable reality weighing heavily upon him, Daniel contemplated his situation and fell to his knees on the cold bathroom floor. Tears flooded his eyes, streaming down his face, and his sobs reverberated against the cold, worn walls. It was a cry of acceptance, a lament for the inexplicable turn his life had taken.

"Why!" Daniel murmured, his voice weak and choked with tears. Deep down, he knew he didn't deserve such an opportunity, that this second chance at life was an enigma. The mystery of what had happened haunted him, and he felt helpless in the face of a reality that didn't fit into his understanding of the world.

Desperation gripped Daniel's heart. At the same time, he felt a twinge of happiness at the thought of a second chance, but also the distressing fear of having to face the darkness that had enveloped him in the past.

Even though he felt helpless, Daniel forced himself to rise from the floor, now moistened by the tears that had witnessed his agony. With one last glance at the reflection of his contorted face, he leaned on the small bathroom sink. His eyes met his own in the mirror, now filled with unwavering determination.

With a resolute voice, he proclaimed, "None of this matters now! This second chance is unique, and I won't squander it. Even if I have to plunge into the darkest depths, I will emerge in a new light. I will make it my anchor, my hope for a new dawn. Whatever destiny has in store for me, I will face it with courage because this is my chance for redemption."

His words reverberated in the silent bathroom, and an aura of determination and renewal hung in the air. Daniel, soaked in tears and anguish, now rose like a transformed individual, ready to embrace the unpredictable challenge that awaited him.

Leaving the bathroom, Daniel headed straight for the living room in his house, where he turned on the television, tuning it to a typical and widely popular channel. This channel was renowned for its news programs.

"It has been over a year since major world powers plunged into war," the journalist continued, amid a narrative of a world in turmoil. However, none of this mattered to Daniel at that moment. His gaze was fixed on a crucial piece of information. Looking at the date displayed, represented by a spinning sun symbol indicating the weather conditions outside his house, Daniel realized it was Thursday, February 29, 2024.

"It seems I don't have much time to prepare," Daniel murmured as he realized the time period he had returned to in his past. He knew that at midnight on March 1, the entire world would sink into darkness, marking the end of the old Aeon of Horus and the beginning of the new Aeon of Seth, characterized by destruction and the rebirth of a new era.

"There's not much that can be done in this short time frame. At the very least, I should protect my home and arm myself," Daniel quickly formulated a plan and left his house. As he ventured into the outside world, he was met with a radiant and vibrant environment.

The sight of the sunlit landscape inspired Daniel to take a deep breath, and he embraced the moment he now lived in fully. "Just to think that I spent my whole life undervaluing nature, and now I see it in all its glory after so long... I feel a profound regret for my previous attitude. We only truly appreciate the little things when we lost them," Daniel said in a moment of contemplation and appreciation of the environment he hadn't seen in over seven years since the beginning of the new Aeon. His eyes captured the beauty and harmony that nature offered, filling him with gratitude for this second chance and the opportunity to witness life in its fullness.

After scouring the city for essential supplies and provisions for his survival, Daniel finally returned home, well into the night. Upon entering his living room, filled with boxes containing precious resources, a sense of satisfaction washed over Daniel, despite having spent all his savings to acquire them.

Considering the imminent scarcity of basic supplies like water and canned goods during the new Aeon, Daniel was thankful that he still had access to delivery services that operated until 9:00 PM. "Otherwise, my goods would have never arrived on time," Daniel reflected.

"It's time to initiate the final phase of the plan," Daniel murmured as he carefully selected materials such as chalk, twine, nails, a pen, white cardboard, stones, and candles.