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"A thread cut short is still part of the tapestry."
— Krishna
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The headlights were too bright.
The sound too fast.
The pain too brief.
Then, there was nothing.
No heaven. No hell. No tunnel of light.
Just... stillness. Like floating in warm ink.
He couldn't remember his name at first. But the cold of pavement lingered in his skin. The smell of metal and blood clung to him like wet clothes. His phone had just 1% battery. The lunchbox in his hand was crushed.
> So that's it, he thought. I really died.
Somewhere in the distance, laughter echoed. Not cruel. Not kind. Just amused. Ageless.
A figure stepped into view.
He wore no shoes. His skin glowed like starlight seen through honey. His smile was soft, eyes dark as oceans. In his hands: a flute that sang without wind.
> "You did die," the man said gently. "But not for the last time."
The boy stared. "...Am I dreaming?"
The man chuckled. "You always ask that."
A pause. "Who are you?"
> "Krishna," he said, tapping the space between stars. "But you've called me other names, in other lives. I've watched your thread dance through cycles. A king once. A coward twice. A monster three times. You've killed. You've wept. You've been betrayed."
The boy's breath caught. Memories shimmered just out of reach — fire, blood, golden thrones, and endless screams.
> "This time," Krishna said, "you'll be born of a god. One who thinks he is clever. Zeus, they call him."
The boy blinked. "Zeus? Like… the lightning guy?"
> Krishna grinned. "The very same. He's been spreading his seed like a storm with no sense of direction. One of his recent escapades reached my world." His eyes twinkled with mischief. "So I decided to return the favor."
> "You'll be born as his scion — but I've laced your soul with something... new."
He raised his hand. A lattice of golden script spiraled into existence.
> "This is a gift. A system. Not a game, not a cheat. It watches. It weighs. It rewards only when you earn."
> "Train? You grow. Kill with purpose? You grow. Do the impossible? You grow."
> "When you reach certain thresholds, you may shape that growth into skills — based on what you understand. Not what you've stolen."
The boy stared at the glowing lattice. It pulsed like a second heartbeat.
> "I don't get it," he whispered.
Krishna crouched beside him, eyes kind now.
> "You don't have to. Just live. Struggle. Triumph. Fail. It's all the same, to me."
He stood again.
> "This time, the world you enter will be harsh. No cars. No phones. Just war. Steel. Honor twisted by blood."
> "You'll be named Leonidas."
The name struck something deep. A flame lit behind the boy's ribs.
> "And when the time is right… you will remember me."
The darkness began to swirl. A current pulled at his limbs.
The boy shouted, "Wait! What am I supposed to do?!"
Krishna's smile widened.
> "Make a mess, child. And make it beautiful."
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[System Seeding: Complete]
Reincarnation Initiated
→ Identity: Leonidas
→ Bloodline: Son of Zeus
→ System Blessing: Architect of Chaos
→ Divine Origin: Krishna — The Weaver
> [SYSTEM AWAITS FIRST TRIGGER: "ACT OF COMPASSION"]
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The boy fell through the stars.
Somewhere far below, a woman screamed in childbirth.
And somewhere even farther, the gods began to stir.
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