Singularity: Danmachi

Shiro's eyes fluttered open, but the world was a blurred haze of unfamiliar shapes and colors. He tried to move, but his limbs felt heavy and unresponsive. Memories—no, more than memories—an overwhelming torrent of lives past surged through his mind, each fragment crashing into the next with the force of a tidal wave.

First came the life of Kaizen Santos, a college student whose genius was overshadowed by his own cowardice and laziness. Kaizen had watched his dreams crumble, abandoning all hope and eventually sinking into a life of despair and worthlessness. The regrets and missed opportunities of that life were suffocating, yet they were just the prelude to a more harrowing existence.

Then came the memories of Shiro, not just any Shiro, but an ultimate life-form—crafted as a weapon to bring about destruction. Created by the mad Divine Ancestor, Twilight Valentine, Shiro had been subjected to a decade of brutal torture. The pain and suffering from that life were etched into his very soul, blending seamlessly with the agony of his recent past.

Shiro's final memories before the coma were the most vivid and horrifying. His peaceful village had been devastated by a dragon-like monster from the northern mountains. He had witnessed his mother being devoured, his father torn to shreds, and his friends burned alive. The screams, the destruction—every moment was seared into his consciousness. The sheer weight of these memories was almost unbearable, threatening to drive him to madness. If not for the resilience forged from his second life's memories, Shiro might have succumbed to despair.

Struggling to his feet, Shiro's strength faltered. He stumbled and collapsed onto the cold floor, a wave of nausea overtaking him. He heaved, expelling the contents of his stomach in a torrent of sickness.

Heavy footsteps pounded toward him, the door flung open with a force that shook the room. A figure rushed inside—a goddess, her presence commanding immediate attention. Her green eyes, filled with concern, locked onto Shiro. Her long blue hair, with two pronounced bangs and a braided tail, cascaded down her back. She wore an elegant outfit of white and pale blue, complemented by long brown boots, a belt with a white cloth and dagger, and adorned with gold bracelets and hair accessories.

"Are you alright?" Her voice was gentle yet laced with urgency.

Shiro's golden amber eyes, normally bright and gentle, were clouded with confusion and despair. His long, white hair splayed around him like a halo, and his pale skin made him look almost ethereal. He looked up at the goddess, his usual composure shattered by the turmoil within.

"I… I don't know," Shiro mumbled, his voice shaky. The recent horrors and the weight of the memories from his past lives left him feeling disoriented and lost. He struggled to process the reality around him, the stark contrast between his former life's chaos and the strange calm of his current surroundings.

Artemis's worry deepened. "You've been through a lot. You were found by my Familia, and we've been tending to your wounds and ensuring you recover."

Shiro's gaze fell to the floor, his thoughts a jumble of anguish and uncertainty. He didn't know what to say or how to explain the depth of his inner turmoil. His desire to remain low-key and conceal his true past was paramount. For now, he could only focus on navigating this unfamiliar world while grappling with the ghosts of his previous lives.

Artemis's voice softened as she continued, "We'll help you get through this. For now, just focus on resting and recovering."

A month had passed since that fateful day, and Shiro had slowly begun to calm down and adjust to his new reality. The support he received from the Artemis Familia members and the consistently concerned Goddess Artemis had been instrumental in his recovery. Their kindness and care had provided him with a semblance of stability and comfort.

Shiro found himself walking through the garden villa of the Artemis Familia in the Opera Country Meilstora, a land known for its role in aiding the Guild in creating amusement facilities in Orario. The tranquility of the garden was a welcome respite from the chaos of his recent memories. The peaceful surroundings and beautiful scenery offered him a moment of reprieve, allowing him to clear his mind.

As he wandered through the lush greenery, Shiro couldn't shake the realization that he had once again reincarnated into a story he knew all too well. This time, instead of the world of *Tensura*, he found himself in *Danmachi*. Here, gods walked among mortals, indulging in their desires while sealing their Divine Power, known as Arcanum, and creating their own Familias to influence the mortal realm.

Shiro's heart was heavy with the weight of his past lives, but the acceptance of his current reality was beginning to take shape. He had to navigate this new world carefully, hiding his secrets and seeking a place where he could find peace and purpose amidst the gods and mortals of Danmachi.

Shiro wandered through the lush garden of the Artemis Familia's villa, finding solace in the tranquility and beauty of the surroundings. As he admired the vibrant flowers and serene landscape, his attention was drawn to the front gate, where Goddess Artemis had just arrived. Her usually composed demeanor was replaced by an unmistakable expression of displeasure and frustration.

However, as soon as Artemis's eyes met Shiro's, her anger seemed to evaporate. A soft, almost affectionate smile crossed her face. She walked over to him with a purposeful stride and, without a word, placed her hand gently on Shiro's head, ruffling his long white hair.

Shiro was momentarily stunned. He wanted to speak up, to assert that he wasn't a child, but the warmth in Artemis's gesture made him hesitate. The goddess seemed to genuinely enjoy the moment, so Shiro remained silent, his cheeks flushing slightly.

After a pause, Shiro finally managed to ask, "Goddess Artemis, if you don't mind me asking, what's troubling you?"

Artemis's smile faded slightly, replaced by a look of concern. "I was at the auction houses today," she began, her voice tinged with frustration. "There are slaves being sold—an abhorrent practice that I can't stand. I wanted to rescue them, but slavery isn't illegal here, so my actions would be considered a crime. I intended to buy them, but I don't have the necessary funds."

Shiro was taken aback. He had never known that slavery was legal in the Danmachi universe, only having heard of it in the context of Evilus's dealings with intelligent monsters in season 3. The revelation shocked him, and he felt a deep sense of unease.

As he grappled with this new information, Shiro found himself lost in thought, forgetting for a moment that he was in the presence of a goddess. Artemis watched him with a mixture of concern and admiration. The past month had been difficult, but seeing Shiro's thoughtful expression gave her hope. She had grown fond of him and wanted to see him find meaning and purpose in his new life.

Noticing Shiro's deep contemplation, Artemis gently pinched his cheeks, startling him back to reality. "Don't overthink things," she said with a soft, affectionate tone. "I know it's not my place to change the laws of this country, and I can't save everyone. I have my own responsibilities and concerns for my Familia. For now, I need to rest. I'll leave you to your thoughts."

With that, Artemis gave Shiro a reassuring nod and made her way toward her quarters. Shiro watched her go, his heart heavy with the weight of the new knowledge and the sense of duty that had begun to stir within him. As he looked up at the sky, he felt something profound awakening inside him, like a flower slowly blooming within his very soul. The complexity of his new world and the challenges it presented were beginning to take shape, and Shiro knew that he would have to navigate them with care and resolve.