Prologue

Tun... Tun... Tintin… Tintin… Tintintinnnn… Tiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii…

This was the last sound that I heard in my life, the sound of the heartbeat monitor announcing to the world my departure. Though most people would be unwilling to listen to this sound in their last moments, I somehow felt calm and relaxed. I welcomed the death with open arms.

It's not like I was waiting for my death but I was glad that this meaningless life had finally come to an end. I had never given up upon myself or on this damnable world. Even when I had lost an arm and had to be carried everywhere in a wheelchair, I had wanted to give my everything to make my life meaningful.

I have no idea about my parents, my real name, or where I was born. I was found in a cradle in the footsteps of an orphanage and was taken by a senior sister of that institution. The children had to survive on bread crumbs as we lived in a war-stricken country. Poverty knows no boundaries, we had to struggle every day. In summer, we would struggle to find drinkable water. In winter, we would face the biting cold due to a lack of clothes.

My only ray of hope was the senior sister who picked me up when I was abandoned in all those dark times. She would work for more than 14 hours every day to keep every child in the orphanage well fed. She would love us, teach us and scold us like we were her own family. She would look at us dotingly unlike all the common folks who gave us a scornful look.

Unfortunately, every good thing eventually comes to an end. One day for my upcoming birthday which was the day I was abandoned, she gave me some money and told me to buy a gift for myself and a sumptuous meal. I still remember how happy that small gesture made me as if I had my long-cherished dream come true. Then it happened, I heard a loud 'BOOM!!' and it scared me shitless. When I returned to the orphanage, it was like someone had pulled me from the heavens to the depths of hell. The whole neighborhood around the orphanage had been razed to the ground. There were airstrikes in the city that day, but for the first time since I started understanding the way of the world, I felt so lost. My only home, my only family, and the only happiness in my life were all up in smoke. I don't remember anything at all after that except I was roaming in the city feeling devastated. I didn't care if any bomb landed on me, I had nowhere to go. Later when the airstrikes ended, the city patrol unit gathered everyone in a huge open field and divided the crowd into various camps. They ran a survey among survivors, those with families left whether in the city or other cities were sent on immediate notice. While those like me who had nowhere to go were recruited as soldiers for the coming war.

I was only 14 at that time, but I still decided to go and train with the military. I had to find a direction in life to remain sane, I had to vent my anger somewhere, and what better option than the country that bombed the orphanage. I had no lofty goals like becoming a military leader or a war hero, I just wanted to bury as many enemy soldiers as possible in tribute to all the lives lost in the orphanage. I started as a bag carrier for the first few months while they gave us the training to combat every morning and evening. I had food to eat and I had clothes to wear, it would have been a party when everyone was alive but with no one to share that happiness with, all of it seemed pointless.

The war ended after four years and we had completely routed the enemy. I never wanted to be the war hero but I had become one. At the age of 18, I had killed more than 500 enemy soldiers, captured 3 of the enemy bases. I was a seasoned trained killer. I had also come to realize that I had to move on with my life. After the war, I was awarded a small house for my merits in the war. It was big enough for four people to live comfortably.

I had opened a small martial arts coaching center in memory of the orphanage. In my four years in the military, I had mastered 5 different types of martial arts – Karate, Kungfu, Taekwondo, Muay Thai, and Jiu-Jitsu. I had also become a Grandmaster in Tai chi. Though I felt lonely and yearned for those happy days, I immersed myself in training the youth. My peaceful life continued for six years.

One day for the graduation of my class, I decided to throw them a graduation party. As I was driving through the streets, I saw an oncoming truck changing lanes and coming right at me. At that moment I suddenly realized that my breaks were not working. I tried to keep the car in control but I was suddenly rammed by the truck in a full-on collision.

When I woke up in the hospital, I was told I had lost an arm and both my legs were crushed under the weight of the engine. After an investigation, I was also told that the assailant was one of my students. He was responsible for tempering with the breaks as well as the driver of the truck. Ironically, he passed away after the collision. When I asked what was his motive in doing so, I was told he was the son of one of the enemy soldiers I killed when I conquered one of their bases.

Was I sad to lose my legs and an arm?

It was devastating as I had found solace in teaching martial arts to overcome the loneliness in my life. It was all I had, now that was gone too.

Did I blame the student for taking his revenge?

Not really, I had done the same when I was his age. Surprisingly the absurdity of the situation made perfect sense to me. It was just that I had never imagined that after six years of peaceful life would make me forget the cruelty of this world. That day I swore that I would never let my guard down again.

The next four months that I spent in the hospital were like hell has let lose itself on me. Not only I was in physical pain, but the process of going through rehab was torture in itself. Everyday rehab was a reminder that I was a cripple now. I was on the verge of insanity when my other students visited me. They had told me that they kept the training center clean and everything was going well. Some of my already graduated students were taking turns to keep the center running. The thought that I had impacted a few lives, the fact that someone cared and I was not alone was all I needed to keep living this pathetic life.

For the next two years, everything remained the same. Everyone except my first student had moved on with their lives. I don't blame them after all who would want to waste their life looking after a cripple. Perhaps I would have done the same if I were in their place, but this first student of mine was an orphan just like me. He was also kind at heart, not at all suited for the type of training that I gave which was meant for killing enemies. He once told me that he trains not for killing but living. Living with him was like a breath of fresh air. I wished he would never have to lose that innocence. That was all I wanted in this life, for this gentle soul to remain unblemished from the cruelty of fate. Then again, when has been my wish ever listened to.

After another year, we were hit by a plague. Many people lost their lives and him being one of them. I too was hospitalized and that brings us to why I was dying. In the present, I could hear the ringing of the heartbeat monitor going flat.

Tun... Tun... Tintin… Tintin… Tintintinnnn… Tiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii…

Haahhh… If I were to be born again, I swear I would not let fate dictate my life for me. I would be the ruler of my life, the emperor of my destiny.

***

Why is it so dark? Haven't I died? Why can I feel my legs and my arm? Why can't I stand if I can feel my legs? What in the world is happening?

An infinite number of questions were running through my head. I was so bewildered by the conundrum of the situation. At this time I had no idea it was only the beginning of ridiculousness that would follow.

***

[Claire's POV]

Today is such a beautiful day. I wonder what I should buy for lunch today. It's been a while since I had some meat to eat. I earned a lot this week, I should have a grand meal. I mean I can treat myself to a sumptuous meal once in a while, right? Okay! I have decided, let's go some shopping! Hmm… what's that?

As I was passing by a street between my home and the food market, I saw a basket in a dark alley. At first, I decided to ignore the matter but then something caught my eye. It was a basket made with very good material and with an intricate design carved onto the basket clearly showed the mark of a Master Craftsman. It would cost a minimum of 5 silver coins if sold to a merchant. I decided to have a closer look as it piqued my curiosity. I noticed a blanket inside the basket which was made of an unknown material, but one look at it could tell that it was the finest material I have ever seen. I picked up the blanket to see if there was something inside.

"WHAT!!! Am I dreaming? Who would leave a baby in an alley like this? Such a cute baby and WOW! Your eyes are so beautiful, I have never seen someone with red pupils. Who would do such a horrible thing to this cute little puppy? Poor child, I should take him to Imperador Orphanage."

***

[MC's POV]

I couldn't see anything, but I was sure of two things by now. Firstly, I was covered by the softest blanket I have ever felt. Even the silk blanket had never felt this soft and smooth before. Secondly, as ridiculous as it may sound, I was in a child's body. I can't even start to comprehend this unbelievable scenario. I feel like heavens are playing a prank on me and not a funny one. There are a few reasons why I came to this absurd conclusion.

When I try to speak something all I hear is cooing sounds that a baby makes when they are less than 2 months old. Then there is also the fact I can't stand up even though I can feel my legs. Also, I feel like my hands and fingers are too small that I can't even consider the possibility of it being other than a baby's.

While I was having a fit about this whole situation, I felt the blanket being lifted and the light entering my eyes. Reflexively I had to close my eyes to lessen the strain caused by the light. It was then I heard the words that I would probably never forget in this lifetime.

"WHAT!!! Am I dreaming? Who would leave a baby in an alley like this? Such a cute baby and WOW! Your eyes are so beautiful, I have never seen someone with red pupils. Who would do such a horrible thing to this cute little puppy? Poor child, I should take him to Imperador Orphanage."

I saw a lady so beautiful that I have never seen before. She had long black hair which was made into a big bun with two long hairpins across the bun. Her deep black eyes, sharp nose, lips were so red, the skin of a fair shade, large breasts and I could tell she wasn't wearing any makeup or lipstick. She was wearing a tube-type skin-tight cyan-colored dress, she covered her shoulders using a similar cyan-colored scarf. Her neckline was visible which showcased her amazing collar bone. For a second, I was awestruck, I truly believed I was in the heavens and she was the queen of angels. It took me a while but then I started to interpret her sentence which left me flabbergasted.

WHAT!!!! WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY LEAVING A BABY IN AN ALLEY? WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY TAKING HIM TO AN ORPHANAGE? SHIT!!! FATE HAS PLAYED ME AGAIN FROM THE START!!! THIS IS SO FREAKING UNFAIR!! I WAS ABANDONED AGAIN!!!! I WILL KILL SOMEONE!!

"uuuuaaa… uaaa… uuuuaaaa... uuuuaaaa…"

"Haha… Why are you pouting little one? You are so adorable. Let me kiss your chubby cheeks. Muah! Hehe… your cheeks are so bouncy. Such a cute little puppy."

"UUUUUAAAAAA! UUUUUUAAAAAAAA! UUUUUUUUAAAAAA!"

THIS WOMAN IS CRAZY! WHY WOULD YOU KISS ME? WHO ARE YOU CALLING LITTLE ONE? WHO IS A CUTE LITTLE PUPPY? I'M TELLING YOU I AM A SEASONED TRAINED KILLER… WAIT… OH RIGHT! I AM A FREAKING CHILD RIGHT NOW.

"Hahahaha!! Look at you being all flustered."

This woman has a screw loose.