Sam tried to open his eyes, but his eyelids refused to cooperate.
No matter how hard he struggled, his body wouldn't respond. Then, a voice called out.
"Sam, this is Puppet. You're currently a ghost. I accidentally transferred you before you would be born." Sam looked dumb-stuck on what it meant
"So you cannot interact with this world. But after it ends you should be reborn."
Before Sam could process the words, a sudden burst of light pierced the darkness.
The harsh rays of the sun blinded him, forcing him to squint and instinctively raising his hand to block the sun.
As his eyes finally got used to the sun, he started to look around to know where he was.
He found himself inside a small, dimly lit house. The air was thick as a woman was in labor.
Her body was full of sweat when she clutched the sheets, her face in pain.
A doctor, dressed in rough, worn clothes, worked quickly but carefully to deliver a healthy baby.
Moments later, the piercing cry of a newborn filled the room.
As the baby was lifted into the dim light, Sam didnt feel any connection with the newborn baby.
'why do I feel like this is wrong?' his confusion was evident even his supposed parents felt wrong.
Everything here felt wrong.
Looking outside the window he saw younger version of himself playing outside.
His instinct told him that was really him.
If Sam could, he would die here but he was a ghost.
So he quickly escaped the house and followed his younger self to a home.
He was more happy to see that his current family looks just like his real family.
---
years went by rather quickly as it was his younger Sam's 15th birthday. His sister who turned 18 next week.
Was chosen by a magical sword to be the hero to slay the ancient demon.
The king of the iron continent personally invited the family to the royal palace.
Once inside, the king threw a grand banquet to celebrate the new hero.
At the grand banquet, the king led the young heroine into his throne room.
"Young hero, before you embark on your journey to slay the great demon. I must ask you to consider marrying one of my sons. This would ensure that our bloodline has the potential to bear another hero in the future."
The heroine bowed her head respectfuly "I apologize, Your Majesty, but I cannot agree to such a request. I am not yet of an age to give myself to anyone, and I hope you will understand my position."
The princes, though noble, didn't have any heart and such she refused the king's proposal.
The king rose from his throne, his steps getting closer to her.
She instinctively took a step back, but he closed the distance, placing his hands heavily on her shoulders.
His towering presence loomed over her, and she felt a shiver of electricity course through her body.
"Oh, dear heroine, don't you care about your family?" A sinister grin spread across his face.
Her body felt weak under his gaze.
"W-what do you mean...?" her mind working on how to escape.
The king's grin widened, making him look more like a devil than a man.
"Think about it, if you marry one of my sons, your family could live in wealth and comfort. I will personally grant them the title of baron. No more struggling, no more worries." Seeing the hero pounder the king knew he got her in his trap.
She pictured her parents withering hands, caused from years of their small farm, struggling to pay the taxes.
She remembered her younger brothers, some nights having no food, his clothes coming from his father's.
The offer dangled before her like a poisoned fruit, like an salvation.
---
Meanwhile, in the grand banquet hall
Her father scanned the crowd, his eyes looking for his daughter.
But there was no sign of his daughter. which made him worry so she called his wife. "Protect him!"
Unable to shake the feeling, he slipped away from the banquet, stepping out looking for his daughter.
But the unease only grew heavier.
As he was walking straight toward the throne room.
Gritting his teeth and without thinking, he burst into the throne room.
The sight before him made his blood run cold, the king towering over his daughter.
His hand gripped her shoulder tightly while her tears fall to the floor, paralyzed with fear.
Seeing her daughter like this he charged forward, shoving the king back.
Her father dropped to his knees, wrapping his trembling arms around his daughter.
His voice as if his words could shield her from the world.
"Don't worry, I'm here," he whispered into her ear "Don't listen to anything the king said."
hearing it was her father she looked up at him.
The king didn't say a word. Instead, he turned and left the room, a massive grin spreading across his face as he disappeared through the doors.
"Don't worry, he's gone. It's just us now. You're safe," her father holding her tightly in his arms.
"Sob... sob... t-the... k-king..." her voice struggled to speak with her sobbing.
"Shh, don't listen to anything he said. You still have your family with you. We're here for you." gently patting her head.
His calm demeanour slowly began to soothe her.
Thanks to her father's comforting words, she managed to calm herself down.
"The heroine shouldn't cry like this," wiping the tears from her face with his rough hands. "Come on, let's go back."
She looked up at her father a small smile rose at her lips. "Yeah," nodding. "Let's go back."
Following this event, life in the town remained relatively peaceful until one day, a royal messenger arrived with alarming news.