Aria stepped through the portal, the world around her shifting from the celestial splendor of her mother's realm to her father's domain—a place where nothingness reigned. The change was almost jarring, as if the very fabric of existence had unraveled before her eyes.
The vibrant palace, filled with colors that seemed to hum with life, faded into an endless expanse of silence. The ground beneath her feet shimmered like silver, as though she stood on the surface of a frozen sea, untouched by time. Above her, the sky stretched endlessly into a dark, deep indigo, a canvas dotted with stars that twinkled as if they were alive.
And in the midst of this infinite nothingness stood her father. Orion, god of the heavens, exuded an aura of immense power, but it was tempered by an overwhelming sense of peace. His presence was commanding, yet comforting. His skin gleamed like polished bronze, and his piercing blue eyes seemed to reflect the cosmos itself. He wore robes of midnight blue, adorned with shifting constellations that danced with his every movement.
Beside him stood Kael, her older brother. Tall and broad-shouldered, he bore the same powerful aura as their father, but with a warmth that softened his imposing presence. His hair, nearly silver, gleamed under the light of the stars, and his eyes—pale, almost otherworldly blue—held a wisdom that came from years of watching over the realms.
Aria's white hair swirled around her as she stepped toward them, her orange-and-pink eyes determined.
"Father, Kael," she greeted them with a deep bow, her voice steady, though it carried a hint of the emotions she was holding back.
Orion extended his hand with a warm smile. "Aria, my radiant star. It is good to see you."
Kael stepped forward, his smile wide and sincere as he pulled her into a hug. "Sister, it's been too long. You look like you're ready to take on the universe."
Aria couldn't help but smile, feeling the comfort of their bond. "I've come to discuss the mission. Mother told me about the heart of the forest and the urgency of restoring it. I'm ready to go to Beastworld and do whatever it takes."
Orion's expression softened, filled with both pride and concern. "I knew you would be. The heart of the forest is vital for the balance and prosperity of Beastworld. Only you can truly sense and restore it. I have every faith in you."
Kael placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "While you're away, I'll take over your duties here. You won't have to worry about a thing. I've got it covered."
Aria's heart warmed at his words. "Thank you, Kael. I know I can count on you."
Orion stepped closer, wrapping his arms around them both in an embrace that felt like it could shelter them from the entire cosmos. "We are all in this together. Aria, your task is difficult, but you have the strength to rise to it. And remember, you're never alone. We will be with you every step of the way."
They stood there for a moment, the silence of the vast expanse around them only deepening the unspoken bond between them. Despite the weight of their responsibilities, there was an unbreakable sense of unity in the air.
As they parted, Orion kissed her forehead gently, his voice full of love. "Go with the blessings of the heavens, my daughter. Restore what has been lost and bring balance to Beastworld."
Kael smiled at her, his eyes glimmering with pride. "Good luck, Aria. We're here, ready to help in any way we can."
Aria took a deep breath, her resolve hardening. "Thank you, Father. Thank you, Kael. I won't fail you."
With one last look at her family, Aria turned toward the portal, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead in Beastworld.
Flashback ends.
Aria's consciousness floated in the void, her mind trying to make sense of the strange new reality she found herself in. She wasn't just in another world; she was in the body of a baby. A baby. She had agreed to this mission, but somehow, the part about being reborn as a child had slipped her mind.
She groaned, her small fists clenching in frustration. She summoned her father's essence, reaching out to their usual meeting place in the vast, empty space of nothingness. It was there, she knew, where her father could hear her.
Her infant form scrunched up into an exaggerated pout, her little face scrunching in annoyance as she wailed, "You didn't tell me I'd be reborn as a baby!" Her voice was loud and shrill in the emptiness, echoing across the void like a thunderclap.
Orion, trying to suppress a smile, answered her with a calm voice. "Aria, I—"
"You thought it would be hilarious, didn't you?" she interrupted, her tiny voice full of exasperation. Her bright eyes narrowed in a glare that would have been terrifying if she wasn't still in a baby's body. "This is worse than the time you convinced me I could turn invisible just by closing my eyes!"
"That was a misunderstanding," Orion said, his tone light with humor. "A youthful mistake."
"Misunderstanding my celestial foot!" Aria huffed, her little hands flailing in the air. "I should've seen it coming. Who else but your daughter would get the 'reborn as a baby' quest?"
A soft chuckle resonated from Orion. "Aria, it was not meant as a jest. But I admit, the irony is not lost on me."
Aria groaned again, this time swiping a tiny hand across her face in dramatic frustration. "I can't believe I fell for it. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, and I should've read the fine print."
From behind her father, Kael's voice came in, warm and teasing. "I'm starting to think you're overreacting, Aria. You're still the same, even if you are a little smaller."
Aria's gaze shifted toward Kael, and though she was still in a baby's body, her eyes widened with mock disbelief. "Kael! Are you really going to side with him?"
Kael stepped forward, his smile as warm as ever. "I'm just saying, a baby's not so bad. You've got time to figure things out. Besides, you're the Aria. No challenge is too big for you."
Aria blinked, her frustration easing as she realized her brother's unwavering faith in her. "Well, fine. I guess I can't really be mad at you. But this is so embarrassing! I look like a baby and I am a baby!" She puffed out her tiny chest in a dramatic display of her displeasure. "At least let me be a teenager next time!"
Orion's smile was soft but filled with pride. "Aria, you will grow and learn in this form. And you will find strength in ways you can't yet imagine. But this mission is not just about you—it's about the future of Beastworld, and you were chosen because of who you are, inside and out."
Aria's baby hands curled into fists, but her expression softened. "Okay, okay, I get it. I'll make it work. But next time, no surprises, okay? I'm too young for this."
Orion nodded, his voice gentle. "Agreed. Full disclosure from now on. And know this, Aria—you are never truly 'small' in my eyes."
As her tiny body began to fade back into her new reality, Orion's voice echoed in her mind. "One more thing, Aria. Coming here takes a tremendous amount of mana. Your current body can't sustain it. You've used up your stored mana, and you won't be able to come here easily again."
Aria's tiny face scrunched in determination. "Got it. No more impromptu trips to the void. Diapers first, world-saving later."
Orion's laughter filled the void one last time. "That's my girl."
With a final, resolute giggle, Aria embraced her new beginning, her tiny hands gripping her tiny fists, ready to tackle the world ahead of her.
...
And with that, we dive into Aria's new unexpected adventure! Talk about a cosmic plot twist, right? She was all ready to take on a world-saving mission, but no one told her about the whole "reborn as a baby" part. It's a big adjustment, to say the least, and I thought it would be fun to see Aria's reactions to the not-so-glamorous side of this divine journey.
The main theme here is about Aria coming to terms with her new form, but it's also a peek into her relationships with her father, Orion, and her brother, Kael. Even though she's a little baby (literally), her determination and sarcasm are still very much intact, and that's definitely going to carry her through. I wanted this chapter to show how her family cares for her, even if her dad can't resist a little cosmic humor at her expense.
We also get a little insight into the bigger stakes of her mission. This isn't just a "save the day" story—it's about the future of an entire world, and Aria is already learning the weight of her responsibilities, even if she's still figuring out how to control her tiny body. I loved adding some lighthearted moments here too, to balance out the seriousness—because sometimes, you just need a good laugh when your life takes a major detour.
Thanks for reading, and don't worry—Aria may be small, but she's got big plans. More to come as we see her grow into the role she was destined for. I hope you're still enjoying her journey, even if she's literally taking baby steps right now.