Reincarnated In An Apocalypse

Chapter One: The Boy Who Saw the Past

 

Otto cursed the sky, the earth, and his own reflection — convinced no one in the world was unluckier than him. Misery followed him like a shadow, and he made sure to share it.

Hugo, buried by regret and death, finally clawed his way back to life.

Delrina held her mother’s hand in a quiet hospital room, whispering promises to undo the mistakes that once shattered their family.

Fred, once a police officer with a badge and a future, now drove through shadows and silence — betrayed by the one person he trusted most.

Emmy wandered through life like a feather in the wind, carefree and aimless — until fate shackled her to something far darker.

Six teenage friends, bonded by secrets and silent suffering, each believed they bore the heaviest burden. Each one whispered to themselves, "I’m the most miserable one."

Each of them thought they were finally turning the page, ready to leave their pasts behind.

None of them knew the sword already hung above their heads.

And among them, one had been chosen.

A girl fated to save the world — and correct the mistake she made in another life.

---

Somewhere else...

A dark red valley swallowed the horizon. The air trembled with power — old, bitter, and cruel.

“Why did you keep Zale in the group, my lord?”
Addon’s voice was low and grating, the sound of gravel in the throat of a dead man. “He keeps breaking out of your control.”

The Devil stood still for a long, heavy moment. Only three other beings stirred in the valley — all waiting to die.

“He’s necessary,” the Devil said at last, every word deliberate, as if carved from stone. “The others can’t find the palace without him. And if I let them wander too long, they might kill someone important to my plan.”

Addon bowed slightly. “Forgive me, my lord. I just… don’t understand how such insignificant creatures can help you destroy a god.”

“You still have much to learn, Addon.”

A breath, slow and deep.

“The existence of a god depends on belief. And belief is dying. Evil has taken root in human hearts. Only a thread holds their faith together. If we break that final thread… the god will vanish with it.”

“Then,” Addon said softly, “it begins.”

“Yes. In seven days, the wait of centuries ends.”

---

July 7, 2020

Mountains. Rain. Silence.

The sky wept over the broken ridges, mist crawling like ghosts through stone and pine. On the second floor of an abandoned building, a boy stared out the window — hollow-eyed and far away.

Berry.

Alone since his grandfather's death, the mountains became his only friends. He liked the rain. It was the only thing that didn’t demand answers.

Then came the roar outside.

An off-road car screeched to a halt, spraying gravel like bullets.

Four men got out — three gave off shady-uncle vibes, but one looked… off. Too clean. Too stiff. A professor.

Berry didn’t panic — not at first. He just tilted his head like a curious child.

Why’s a professor hanging out with tomb raiders?

Even the dogs outside seemed unsure — ears low, tails twitching as they sniffed the scent of something not quite human.

Then realization dawned. They were already at the door.

Berry ran.

Down the stairs. Heart pounding. Rain hammering the roof. He reached the back door—

—and stopped.

The air reeked of rot. A creeping, coppery stench.
The smell of the dead.

Archer stood outside, tall and cold, rain sliding down his scarred face like a second skin. Beside him, their leader Orion, eyes too calm for a man built of war.

Inside, Liam and the professor-like one — Zale — entered from the front. There was no escape.

“Ooh, where you going, boy?” Archer’s voice was rough, like crushed gravel.

Berry’s thoughts spun.
Okay. Scar guy’s the enforcer. Orion's the mouth. Zale’s the brain. The other two… muscle.

The door crashed open — slammed him backwards.

“What are you doing, Archer?” Orion asked, smirking. “Didn’t I say not to hurt him?”

Berry blinked up at them. Still dazed. Still silent.

“You know why we’re here, right?” Orion’s voice grew harder.

Berry shook his head.

But he did know.

His grandfather had warned him. Told him strange stories — and ever since, Berry had seen things. Dreams… visions. A boy in rags, stabbing a man in royal robes. A palace. Blood on ancient stone.

He’d written it off as hallucinations. Symptoms of his illness. But those eyes — the ones in his dreams — felt too real.

“We’re looking for something,” Zale said quietly, stepping forward. “Something called the King of Immortals. Do you know anything about that?”

Berry’s breath hitched. His chest tightened.

His illness flared, gripping him like a vice.

Zale moved fast — pushing the others aside, kneeling by Berry’s side.

“It’s okay,” he whispered. “No one’s going to hurt you. Just breathe. You’re alright.”

Zale’s voice didn’t just sound calm — it felt like calm. Like someone wrapping a blanket around your soul.

Berry blinked. Grounded. Breathing.

“I f… feel better n…now,” he stammered. “Th…thank you.”

Zale nodded. “Can you help us? We’re willing to pay.”

Berry hesitated.

But the word pay echoed in his mind. He needed money for his meds. For food. For quiet.

“I’ll tell you. But it’s fifty thousand,” he said. Still stammering — but less now. His control was returning.

“Fifty thousand?” Orion snapped. “For a fairytale?”

Zale raised a hand. “If he can help us find the palace too, it’s worth it.”

Berry nodded. Slowly.

He’d seen the palace.

In his dreams.

In another time.

And whether it was madness or memory — he knew the path.

And he would show them.