The first thing Elijah saw was the exhaustion in the woman beneath him. His mother he assumed by her rapid breath and drained expecting on her face as if she had run for a marathon
She was breathtaking, even with the weariness etched into her delicate features. Her long brown hair clung to her damp forehead, and her chest rose and fell with labored breaths. But what unsettled him wasn't her beauty-it was her attire.
She wore rags. Torn fabric draped over her frail form, as if she were no more than a servant. A maid. Just like the woman holding him. he then took a look around the room it was like the room of a king or prince in a fantastic novel most because of it beautiful aw striking furnishings.
Before he could make sense of his surroundings, the atmosphere in the room changed.
A presence entered, suffocating, and absolute.
The man strode in like he owned the world itself. His steps were silent, yet they commanded attention. He was adorned in regal attire-rich fabrics of deep crimson and gold, a crown resting atop his head. Power clung to him, making the air thick with tension.
Everything fell silent.
felt his tiny body stiffen. His instincts screamed at him-this man was dangerous.
The king's gaze lowered to him, glowing red eyes piercing through the space between them. Then, his cold voice rang out.
"Show me his body. I want to see it..."
The maid hesitated for only a second before complying nod, her hands trembling slightly as she lifted Maxi unwrapping him from the warm cloth that covered him giving way to the humid atmosphere of the room and leaving him bare and naked. The king's eyes scanned over his tiny form, scrutinizing every inch.
Then, his gaze landed on Maxi's right hand.
He scoffs.
"Pathetic."
The single word was laced with disappointment and disgust. Without another glance, the king turned sharply, his black cloak billowing as he strode toward the door.
SLAM.
The room shuddered as he left, the heavy doors closing behind him.
Silence.
A soft, tired chuckle broke it.
"Maria, please give him to me,"
Elijah turned his tiny head toward his mother. Her smile was weak but full of warmth as she reached for him, the maid nodded carefully, placing him in her arms. His mother then put his naked noby again, the top part of her chest that exposed her skin, and as his skin touched hers, he felt all her love and joy coursing through him.
"Maxi," she whispered, brushing a delicate finger over his cheek.
"That is your name, my sweet little angel, a name fit for a prince."
At that moment, the world itself seemed to stir.
Maxi felt it.
A presence-no, three presences.
Something beyond comprehension, beyond or just maybe really strong gods, was watching him. Smiling, and no one else seemed to notice.
Heat surged through his hand. The mark the king had scoffed at-faint before-blazed to life.
It was unmistakable now.
Three eyes, interwoven, each gazing in a different direction. Beneath them, a grin-sharp teeth carved into his flesh like a twisted smile.
It pulsed with something otherworldly.
Maxi stared at the mark, awe flooding his tiny, reborn body.
"What kind of world was this, and what the hell did i get myself into?"
---
Five Years Later
Maxi turned the page of his book, eyes scanning over the ancient text. His small fingers traced the words, absorbing every piece of information he could.
Even at five years old, his mind was sharp-too sharp. Memories of his past life mixed with the knowledge he had acquired in this one, making him something far beyond an ordinary child.
The study was dimly lit, the scent of old parchment and ink filling the air. He was alone, as always. No noble title, no prestige-just a forgotten child of a ruthless king and a son to a beautiful woman how he didn't serve have as his servant none the less his 6th wife.
A soft knock interrupted his focus.
"Master Maxi."
A maid's voice.
He sighed, closing his book and pushing his round glasses up his nose. He stood, his small form clad in simple yet refined clothing.
As he walked past the mirror, he finally saw himself.
A fragile-looking boy with round glasses, brown hair, and piercing red eyes.
A boy with the mark of something far greater than more powerful and mysterious than he knew that could make him the comparable to the Kings of Kings of this world.
And yet... he was nothing.
For now.