Chương 2: My New Family

Listen While Reading Recommendation: from sunset to sunrise (piano & strings ver.) Darkness. Darkness was all I could feel. No color, no warmth, no cold—just nothing. The eternal void of absolute nothingness. But does true nothingness even possess the color black? No, there would simply be no color at all. Yet how can a human mind possibly process the complete absence of color? Still, my consciousness persisted. I was alive, trapped in this endless black expanse. No matter which way I looked, it remained the same.

I couldn't even tell if my eyes were open or functioning. My senses felt numb.

I could barely register anything else. I felt utterly lost… and, quite honestly, terrified. I don't know what happened. I met someone, and then… they sent me here? At worst, I thought I would simply be logged out. But nothing like that occurred. That man was no Game Master, no Developer arriving to congratulate me or thank me for playing. No. He was… something else entirely. Oblivion. What a strange name, yet he was so handsome that I lowered my guard. Goddamn it. … Time seemed to stand still in this black void.

No matter how long I counted, it felt as though no time passed at all. I was forever stuck here. For eternity. … Eternity. Eternity. Eternity. … When will it end? … I had begun to feel strangely tired. My consciousness faded in and out. … My memories slowly blurred together. … It felt as though I were melting. … … … … Warmth. After what seemed an immeasurable span, I sensed my very existence dissolving into nothing. Then… I felt an incredible warmth. It was so relieving, so welcoming, so comforting, so cozy.

I wanted to sleep in it forever. I felt cradled, carried gently in this warmth. Sometimes I even sensed a hand softly caressing the membrane that enveloped me. Days, weeks, months passed. I began to hear her voice.

"Grow big and strong…" A voice I could never mistake for anyone else's, yet one I could scarcely believe I was hearing. Was this a dream? Was I dreaming right now? Could dreams stretch on this long? Could they truly be this strange? I no longer knew, but her voice… I recognized it instantly, and an overwhelming wave of disbelief and awe crashed over me. If I could cry right now, I would be sobbing like an infant—because I had finally begun to understand where I was. And what had happened to me.

Merely thinking about it flooded me with an all-consuming emotion. This can't be real. No, it can't… right? This is… … I passed out for a long while, drifting into sleep as I felt something forming around me. Once I had felt nothing; now I felt something. A body. I had been formed, cell by cell, with a beating heart and a functioning brain. The moment of my birth had arrived. I could sense it, this space had grown too tight for me, and even now, I could hardly believe what was happening. That familiar voice…

it couldn't possibly be hers, right? Maybe… maybe this was still a dream, and when I woke I would return to my dead-end office job, killing myself for a miserable salary, enduring mistreatment from everyone, dragging myself home exhausted only to work more before collapsing into sleep. Or maybe… maybe things were different now. Maybe I could finally… Could I finally have a second chance in this cruel game of roulette called life?

"The baby's coming…! Please make space!" A young man's voice echoed from outside. Footsteps filled the room beyond. I heard many other voices, and then— As I wrestled with countless thoughts and the dawning realization that this might truly be real, I was pulled into the world. Being born with full consciousness was a jarring, disorienting experience—one I would never recommend to anyone.

"Almost there! Keep pushing, dear!"

"I-I am…!"

"She's almost here, be strong…! I am here for you." A cold hand seized my tiny head and drew me out before I could even cry. My eyes opened to blinding light and vivid colors everywhere. I stared in silence, gasping my first breath, and looked up at the one holding me: a handsome man with long cascading white hair, golden eyes, horns, and a gentle smile.

"Welcome to this world, little one."

"A-Ah…" My lips trembled as I gazed at his face. It was him. It was really…

"Let me have her." Before I could process anything, someone else took me—a beautiful young woman with long black-and-red hair and gentle crimson eyes. A third eye rested on her forehead, and her red horns were even longer, yet despite her demonic appearance, her smile radiated pure tenderness. A mother. The "perfect mother" I had once conjured in my own delusions, my own fantasy.

"Hi…" She cried, tears streaming down her face as she hugged me gently and kissed my forehead.

"You're so awfully calm. What's wrong?"

"Aren't babies supposed to cry?" My father wore the same tender expression. He was my "perfect father"—deeply flawed yet deeply emotional, with a real heart. Someone who never saw me as a mistake, but as a blessing. Someone who could love me the way I had always longed to be loved. I could scarcely believe what I was experiencing. Maybe I had died and this was my final dream, my last fantasy playing out inside my mind? Or… Maybe…

"Uwaah… Uwaaaaahhhhh!" Before I could think further, I cried. I wept—not from fear or sadness, but from overwhelming happiness. Joy and sorrow collided inside my heart in a torrent.

"There it is," my father said softly, caressing my head with a light smile.

"She was a little scared maybe!" my mother chuckled.

"Did you scare her?"

"M-Me?! I just held her for a second…" my father muttered, looking guilty.

"I'm sorry…"

"No, I was joking, haha," my mother laughed, kissing his lips.

"I'm so happy right now… Thank you so much, Louis… Thank you so much for giving me a daughter."

"No…I have to thank you, Mirai. Thank you," my father said, tears slipping down his cheeks as he sat beside her and hugged us both.

"Thank you for always being there for me… Thank you for helping me build this together… After so long, we finally… are a proper family." I felt overwhelmed by their tender love—something I had never witnessed in person, at least not in real life. A true love forged through countless tragedies endured side by side. After watching the world end thousands of times, these two, my parents, had saved the universe, defeated impossible foes, all to secure a future for their daughter. … Me.

If this was truly real, if my creation, my world, had somehow become reality and I had been reincarnated into it… Then… I didn't know what to think. How could something so absurd ever happen? Then one word surfaced in my mind. Oblivion. That man. Had he done this? Had he done it for me? Could he have been some god-like being all along? But another question burned even brighter. Why? Why me? Why my world? Why my fantasy? Why not anyone else? … I couldn't understand. I might never understand.

But if this was truly real and not a dream, I had to find the reason. Why I was here, why my ideal parents were real, and why…

"Shall we call her Elizabeth like we planned?" my mother asked.

"Sure, it's a nice name," my father nodded.

"For her second name, I want to follow the tradition of my family."

"What tradition?" my mother asked, breastfeeding me as she spoke.

"By mixing our two names to create a new one," Louis explained.

"My mother did the same, allowing my father to name me as a human, then granting me my dragon's name, Benstafriel." If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.

"So a fusion between Mirai and Louis?" my mother wondered.

"Umm…I don't know. What about… Miralis?"

"Miralis sounds nice and simple," my father agreed.

"But let's think of a few more…" They kept discussing names—something that had never happened in my old world. That alone confirmed I was no longer inside a program, no longer in a game. This was real life. When I looked around, I saw I was inside a vast, regal palace of pure white. The room was filled with beautiful golden furniture, paintings of dragons, and portraits of my parents. I must be in the Celestial Ashen Palace—my father's castle in the rebuilt Frostbane Kingdom.

Through the far window I could see the bright blue sky, the sun shining above, drifting white clouds, and the immense capital city below. What had once been wasteland around the capital was now vibrant green grassland teeming with life—rivers, lakes, and forests. Farther still, snow-capped mountains framed the horizon, and beyond them the vast Glass Desert with its towering Glass Pyramid, a massive Dungeon brimming with challenges and treasures.

I could even glimpse the blue oceans and the Twisted Dream Continent—an area merged with the Dream Plane—and wait a second. How could I see so far?! Was this my dragon sight? Holy moly, it was incredible! Ouch. But it gave me a sharp headache. Better not overuse it. Still… I had truly been reincarnated. As… my own character, no less.

"I guess that's a good name, right?" my mother asked.

"Yes, let's go for that one," my father nodded. They had finished deciding my second name—my "Dragon Name"—after giving me my human one. Both parents looked down at me with warm smiles.

"Elizabeth, from here on, I shall grant you your True Dragon Name," my father said. He glowed with bright white light. Intangible, ethereal ashes drifted down from the ceiling as he spoke. Suddenly the world turned black. I found myself cradled in my mother's arms in this darkness.

"Your true dragon's name is Loumirayael." A white sigil appeared before me, glowing with golden light—a coiling dragon spreading its wings. When my father named me, the sigil settled onto my forehead.

"Once you reach adulthood, you will be crowned as a True Divine Dragon and inherit half of what we own."

"I hope that you grow strong and healthy, my dear, beloved daughter."

"By merely being healthy, you already make me the happiest man alive… I love you, Loumirayael." His words overwhelmed me. I cried again—my parents mistook it for fear of the strange event.

"Hahaha, calm down, it's okay," my mother chuckled.

"Louis, that's enough, right?"

"Ah, yes," my father nodded. Suddenly I was back in the normal world. That space he had taken me to—what was it? I didn't remember writing anything like that… But then again, the game had been a game. Powers were simplified into skills with special effects. What my father had done felt like true teleportation to another space. Was it part of a Domain or Aura ability? Or…had he brought me inside something? Perhaps…his Fantasy Heart? Even so…

"It seems she was born with an awakened Fantasy Heart," my father said, interrupting my thoughts.

"I glimpsed it as the light faded—a massive being stood behind her. I believe she may awaken her Incarnation during childhood. We must be prepared." Incarnation? What was that? There were definitely elements I hadn't written, and the game hadn't generated with AI. This was all new. It was as if someone else had written—oh wait. Oblivion. Or perhaps this was simply how the world had naturally developed. I didn't understand. But yes—many things were different.

For starters, the story had originally begun when I turned sixteen, after I exhausted myself building the world and launched into the main campaign. All of this early childhood was completely new, original content! … Or perhaps I should stop thinking of my life as a game anymore.

"Hm, I see. What Spiral do you think she has?" my mother asked.

"She's very unique. I can already tell by her appearance—scales here and there, horns, wings, tail. Unlike you, she wasn't born with an unawakened dragon bloodline."

"I'm relieved she wasn't," my father nodded.

"And the Spiral…it will definitely be a new one. I can feel it within the Fantasy Plane—a new Spiral is forming because of her. That's how significant her birth was, I suppose."

"When we were at Crescent Moon Lake, we saw glimpses of possible futures," my mother sighed.

"In one of them we had her. And now here we are… That future where Elizabeth was born was the best one. Her birth means a new beginning. Perhaps…it could mean…"

"That's enough," my father said gently, shaking his head.

"Don't worry about such things, Mirai. We've done enough. We freed Earth from the Entities and the Grievances. We slew the Five Seats… We've done more than enough. The world has fully assimilated Fantasium. People are finally adapting, living normal lives. Earth may never return completely to what it was—it's evolving into a Fantasy World even now—but that's what's best for all of us. My grandfather said it, my mother too, and even my father."

"Yeah…" my mother nodded, smiling warmly at me.

"Are you looking forward to your future, dear? It'll be full of surprises and lots of fun… We'll make sure you have a great childhood—the one we could never have…"

"Well, I technically had a fine childhood," my father said.

"But… Ahem, I mean… never mind." He grew nervous when my mother narrowed her eyes at him. It really felt like I was living in a sequel—just as I had imagined writing it. I had always found the concept fascinating: parents as the true protagonists of the story before their child was born. It added wonderful depth to the world-building… but now it was all real, and the feeling was utterly insane. Everything I had created and written had come to life.

I couldn't wait to experience it, the colorful vistas, the fantastic beasts, the countless realms, worlds, and planes. But also… I couldn't relax completely. Once I reached sixteen—or perhaps even earlier—the enemies, the antagonists, the villains of this world would begin to emerge. My parents' "happy lives" had been interrupted by ghosts from their pasts—or the pasts of their own parents—seeking revenge. For that reason, I had to prepare.

Even as a newborn, while sleep tugged at me and I felt myself drifting off at any moment, I had already made up my mind. I would grow strong—stronger than my avatar in that old game world—and I would protect my family. This new family I had always dreamed of having was no longer fictional. Now that this wasn't a game, I wasn't even sure we could all survive. They were incredibly powerful, yes, but the threats we would face were equally terrifying—or even stronger.

There were no longer "Revive Character" or "Restart Battle from the Beginning" buttons. I couldn't take anything lightly. I had to grow stronger. Their lives were now as real as mine. But how strong was I right now? Elizabeth had been super strong at sixteen because she had spent her childhood training and fighting to earn her power. But what was I now? Just a baby. I had to start from zero. Well… not entirely, right? I was extraordinarily privileged. This was literally a "perfect reincarnation" scenario.

I possessed the bloodline of divine dragons and abyssal chaos demons. As my father said, I had a "Spiral" and a super-strong "Incarnation"—whatever those truly were. And my Fantasy Heart was awakened, meaning I should be able to wield Fantasium—a highly refined, even more potent form of Mana, the magical energy that fueled all power. With this boundless talent, I should grow strong incredibly fast. But as a baby… I couldn't do much except nap. And right now, I felt incredibly sleepy.

So for now, cradled in my beloved mother's arms, I decided to close my eyes and stop worrying about everything. It was fine to plan ahead… but not to the point of missing out on enjoying this new life. ♢♢♢♢ Three full years had passed since my birth, and by now I had completely accepted that this was not a dream but real life. Surprisingly little happened. I had been raised mostly inside this room. My mother occasionally took me on short strolls outside but always returned so quickly that I rarely met many people.

During this time, I had made progress in my growth. Just like in the game, I first gained the ability to control Mana—I chose that path because it felt easiest. The first thing I did was learn to manipulate it. Day after day, week after week, month after month, I wove Mana with my tiny hands. I had yet to awaken anything further—my awakening ceremony was still ahead.

From what I had overheard, that was when children—especially those like me—would awaken deeper draconic powers and gain access to something my parents called "The Andromeda System." I had some guesses about what The Andromeda System might be, but so far I had no real idea. That wasn't something I had written either. But… maybe it was some kind of System? No way, right? This was reality, not a game…

Anyway, with the Mana I could control, I wanted to try casting Spells and perhaps even unleashing some latent Abilities. But whenever I attempted it… FLASH! That damned sigil on my forehead stopped me! Now I understand why Dad had placed it there—to prevent me from causing chaos in the palace! Damn it. I loved him, but he was way too thorough. How had he even thought of this? I had underestimated the cunning "Mad Prince" Louis Drakeheart. I did write about him as quite a genius.

But to think he would deceive his own daughter!

"Nnggh! Nyaagh!" I kept pushing Mana outward, trying to shape it into forms. I wanted to conjure magic. I wanted to see magic! But… I couldn't.

"Elizabeth, what's wrong dear? Did you poop your diapers?" my mother asked, watching me squirm in my cradle as I fought against my father's sigil.

"Mama! Mamaaaa!" By now I could speak clearer words, but it was safer to pretend I was just a grumpy toddler. I didn't want to risk them discovering I was reincarnated. I couldn't predict their reaction.

"W-What's wrong dear? Calm down," she sighed, chuckling as she lifted me.

"There, there. Are you hungry, baby girl?"

"Nuhh!" I shook my head angrily and pushed away her breast.

"Uuh! Wah!" I pointed toward the window—at the vast grasslands surrounding the castle, which floated above the capital on a sort of elevated island.

"Do you want to go play outside?" my mother wondered.

"Well… I guess I've been too overprotective, huh? Hmm, okay!" She nodded and carried me outside. No way. I just had to ask?! Okay, okay—this was happening. Oh my god, it was happening! Inside my little head, my neurons were exploding with excitement, disbelief, and pure joy. My mother carried me through the corridors. I saw several maids and butlers—all Dragonoids.

Unlike pure dragons, Dragonoids were usually humans or other races who had been granted dragon blood by a divine dragon—often their benefactor, master, or king. My father, as King of Frostbane and effectively this entire planet, had bestowed a drop of his blood on a trusted few, transforming them into Ashen Dragonoids.

They were characterized by pale skin (if already light-skinned; otherwise mostly unchanged), white-gray scales, white or occasionally golden horns, gold or red eyes, and hair that usually turned white. Among them was one maid who always made me stare in awe because she was a character I had loved.

"Gigantia!"

"Hm? Oh! Look who's outside—if it isn't our little dragon princess! Hahaha! Only three years old and already venturing out, hm? Hello, Your Majesty," she bowed to my mother.

"Good morning, Gigantia. Are you busy? Would you like to accompany me outside with my daughter?" my mother asked.

"Louis is quite busy today; he has a meeting with the other countries. Camelot is, as always, stirring up trouble."

"Hm! Well, since the fall of the Vultarn High Dominion, the world has enjoyed quite a great era of peace. Camelot's Ruler, King Arthur, is merely provoking your husband because he loves sparring with him, hahaha!" Gigantia laughed. She was a giantess of the Mountain Giant Race from Yggdrasil—over three meters tall, muscular, with skin hard as stone and spike-like growths around elbows, shoulders, and head resembling horns.

They had clear brown or dark brown skin—sometimes black like charcoal—and older ones could even grow ore deposits: silver, gold, bronze, crystals, even diamonds. Gigantia was fairly young—only eighteen—and had been recruited by the head maid, Catrise, an Ice Giantess serving my father and my grandmother's church, the Church of the Holy Dragon Mother, guardian of humanity since the Dimensional Convergence long ago.

She had long white hair, dragon scales glowing gold and silver, and her Mountain Giant heritage merged with my father's bloodline had turned her into a formidable Mountain Giant Dragonoid. She had golden horns formed of actual gold deposits, and her eyes gleamed gold brown. A large golden jewel resembling a heart grew in her chest, making her stand out among the mostly human and elf staff. Her maid dress looked a little too tight—I felt like the moment she flexed; it might tear apart…

"Huh, I would prefer if he didn't fight all the time," my mother sighed.

"My husband still hasn't let go of his love for combat. He hides it well, but he's a complete battle junkie—even now that he's a father!"

"Hahahah! Well, that's why we love the king!" Gigantia laughed.

"So! Shall we go? I was just going to clean my room, but I can leave that for later, Your Majesty."

"Oh alright then, please come!" My mother nodded, and she and Gigantia chatted as they carried me outside the palace. Once they stepped into the "backyard"—a massive sprawling wilderness of grassland, flower gardens, a nearby forest, a big river with a central lake, and a beautiful snow-capped mountain in the background (the only one on this floating island)—I gasped in awe. The breeze felt wonderful. The nature was breathtaking. I was so glad to be here.

Even more so knowing this was the "epilogue" of a much harsher story. My parents had saved the day, saved the world, and now I have got to enjoy the beautiful realm they had built together with everyone else.

"Waoh…" As I made a small sound of wonder, my mother and Gigantia chuckled. They walked deeper into the grasslands while I looked around in fascination. Seeing the world I had once shaped in a video game now existing in reality filled my eyes with joy. It was so beautiful I could cry.

"Shall we have a picnic here?" my mother asked, sitting on the grass. Today she wore a gorgeous black-and-red dress and, as usual, walked barefoot.

"Hm!" I nodded enthusiastically. The moment she set me down…

"W-Wha…! Elizabeth wait!" my mother panicked.

"She's fast as hell—or is that my imagination?!" Gigantia gasped. Indeed—the instant I was free, I sped across the grasslands, exploring the grass and flowers to my heart's content.

"Wow! Hahaha! Hahahaha!" I couldn't help laughing as I crawled on all fours. I didn't feel tired at all—I was bursting with energy, wagging my black-and-white scaled tail. My mother and Gigantia chased after me, but I accelerated, spreading my tiny wings.

"Let's see…!" I glanced at my little wings—one white, one black. The white one was covered in feathers; the black one bore long, sharp, venomous claws. I was a very special dragon after all—half Celestial Dragon from Dad, half Abyssal Demon from Mom. Thus my unique appearance. FLUOSH! As I spread my wings, I managed a tiny leap into the air.

"Wooow! Hahahaha!" This was flying! I leaped again but tumbled into the grass, rolling down a hill.

"Waaaahh! Hahahahaha!" I kept laughing while my mother and maid screamed in fear.

"W-Wait! Elizabeth!!!"

"Young lady!" As they grew worried, I chuckled the whole way down until I landed in a big bed of flowers. POOF! Petals flew everywhere. I crawled out slowly; hair already covered in flowers…and bugs.

"Ew!" I shook my head frantically and—almost instinctively—began licking my scaled hands to clean myself, just like a cat…or a dragon.

"Elizabeth! Bad girl, come here right now!" my mother said, suddenly a little stern.

"Hehehe!" But I was indeed a bad girl. I darted away with super dragon speed, dodging both her and Gigantia as I raced toward a beautiful river.

"Wow…" The water was pristine and clear. I could see small fish swimming by, little mollusks, everything. I dipped my tiny hand in, feeling the cold. Looking at my reflection, I finally saw my appearance more clearly. Just like the avatar I had designed—I looked exactly like that. My hair was still short, barely reaching my shoulders, but distinctly split: left side pure white, right side black with red streaks. My eyes matched, gold on the left, red on the right.

A clear division of the powers I had inherited from my parents: Chaos and Harmony.

"Hm?!" Instinct kicked in as a catfish swam past. My tail wagged. I dropped to all fours, claws digging into the ground.

"Rawr!" SPLASH!

"ELIZABETH?!" I heard my mother scream as I dove in, mouth open, catching the catfish instantly. I sank my fangs deep and swam back like a puppy, shaking water from my dress and body.

"Mama! Wook! Fishie!" I carried the fish in my mouth and ran to offer it to her. Her eyes widened; worry slowly gave way to a smile.

"E-Elizabeth! Y-You don't know how…I was so worried—A fish?! Wha—Hah… Hahahah…! What are you even doing?" she laughed loudly.

"M-Maybe I'm not used to dragon children yet… Are they all like this?"

"I'm afraid so, Your Majesty!" Gigantia laughed.

"Even three-year-olds—they run around catching fish, bugs, anything their tiny jaws can grab. I've heard that Louis' mother, the previous Queen Lady Benladra, was like little Elizabeth even younger. At just three months old she was already hyperactive, running everywhere, making trouble for her parents. But I even heard from one of the Divine Dragon King's acquaintances, Lady Tisha, that she once saved their skin when she was just a baby!

Back then when the Divine Dragon King and his first wife, Lady Belladine, were still mortals on the path to ascension, not yet Gods."

"I see, haha…" my mother chuckled, ruffling my hair.

"Alright dear, did you have fun? I guess it's not so bad. I've forgotten you're a little dragon after all—you're so tough—you even already know how to swim! Heheh."

"Hm!" I nodded and jumped back toward the river.

"W-Wait!" she screamed again, but I swam up, reveling in the cold water around my body. It felt wonderful.

"Mama!" I called, trying to invite her.

"You little thing!" she said, irritated but amused, jumping into the river and wading through.

"Aaah! It's so cold!" she cried.

"Hahaha!" I giggled until she caught me and lifted me up.

"Gotcha!" she declared.

"To punish you I'm going to eat you with kisses! Mooch, mooch, mooch!"

"Hahaha! Mama! Noo! Heheh!" I laughed helplessly in her bear hug, unable to escape.