Chapter 1: another beginning

Frustrated cries was muffled against the sound of the rain and the thunder echoed in the forest. In the soil, there was a body of a teenager crying mournfully as her hand was gripping against the soil.

The teenagers heart was heavy, tired. She continued to cry as the rain continued to pour over her. Her clothes was already damp and filthy. Her ash gray locks was as messy as ever and her eyes are stinging red.

"Im tired! Im already tired!" Louise screamed as she cried so hard like there was no tomorrow. Despite her cries, her heavy heart never lighten, instead, it grew heavier and heavier as she continued to mourn over someone's death.

"I dont remember my life anymore. What did I do for the gods to punish me like this…!"

As if on cue, a huge lightning struck on the ground a few meters away as she screamed in agony. She crued for hours until her voice was hoarse, until she couldn't muster to let put a proper sound.

Louise lied down, back touching the soil. With heavy heart, her last tears fell from her lavender eyes as she watched at the darkest shade of gray over her.

"I was about to save them...i was about to save them…. For many times, I cant remember how and when did I start. My soul is already tired and I dont want to see them die before me anymore…"

Louise has been repeating her life over and over again. It was a punishment. To die and live again only to see her comrades die before her. Her comrades that she treated as her own family and someone to love fully. She never knew what she did on her previous life, but she was sure that she was punished.

The rain continues to pour and her eyes slowly getting heavier. She soon closed her eyes, desperately praying the Gods that this is just a dream, praying the Gods that she'll see them again.

Unfortunately, there's no way she would.

Instead, a lightning struck on the ground not too far away from her, only the gods from the heavens knew what happened next.

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The feeling of warm sunrays was the first thing Louise felt as she regained consciousness. Her eyes are still closed, she carefully listened at her sorroundings and heard the peaceful birds chirping not too far away from her and muffled voices around her.

Oh, she thinks. She was suddenly aware of the soft surface on her back, and the fabric over her body. It was a warm blanket.

Where Am I…?

Louise then slowly opened her eyes and squinted it again for a second because of the sudden light intrusion causing her eyes to sting. Soon, she regained her proper vision and a ceiling of a house was the first thing appeared before her.

"..a—"

Louise coughed so hard causing to hear hurried set of footstep towards her direction. Her throat is really sore… what did she do?

The door on the room was creaked open causing Louise to abruptly stand up but only to lie down immediately in pain and emit a pained groan. The stranger who just entered the room ran to her direction and helped her to rest her back against the headboard of the bed.

"God Heavens, please dont move too much yet. You have a heavy fever…!"

The woman infront of her cried and instantly bought her a glass of water. Louise carefully accepted the glass, almost losing her grip on the glass as her strength slowly gave out.

"Whe—"

"Ah, you have a severe sore throat. I think its the best for now if you dont talk too much. Ill bring you medicine later." The woman said softly and sat beside the chair.

"I suppose youre still not feeling well. If you're curious of where we are, we're at the small village of Canis. I found you on the entrance of the village after a storm 2 weeks ago. You still cant walk since your legs are injured, but its only for a month. You didn't woke up earlier until now."

Louise blankly nodded as she started at the glass of water on her hands. She then noticed the clothing on her body. Her face immediately flushed and immediately looked at the woman with shame on her face.

"Ah, don't worry. There's no one in the house aside from my little sister. I personally changed your clothes. They were ragged and they cant be used anymore…."

Louise unconsciously released a sigh of relief.

"Ah, my name Fiona. I am 18 years old."

Louise looked at the woman infront of her to examine her physical features. Fiona...is a pretty lady. She had the common brown hair and black eyes. Her skin was smooth and slightly tanned. Her hair was curly, and pretty cute. It was tied up in a messy braid.

"Me...Im…"

Louise mouthed as she placed the glass of water by the nightstand. Her hands started to move on the air to point at herself.

"Louise…"

She mouthed her name.

Reading Louise's lips, Fiona's face beamed.

"Do you remember something before you arrived here?"

The sudden question caught Louise off guard. Her eyes stared at Fiona blankly.

"..."

Louise tilted her head in confusion, Fiona was stunned.

Louise clearly dont remember anything.