Aetheric Chronicles: Reborn As An Extra

Adrian's eyes burst open. He found himself lying on a bed, a little girl sleeping while hugging him. She looked a bit younger than Lily.

Confusion washed over him as he observed the girl closely. Despite her younger appearance, she was undoubtedly Lily. 'What is going on?' he wondered, his mind racing.

Carefully, Adrian extricated himself from Lily's grasp and stood up. He approached the window and looked out, his reflection revealing a slightly younger version of himself and bit malnourished. "Did I travel to the past of the illusion world... or... have I become the brother of Lily the old man told me about?"

Just then, the door creaked open, and the same old man entered the house. Adrian's confusion deepened as he noticed the old man looked older than he remembered. "Good morning, boy," the old man said with a warm smile, though there was a hint of weariness in his eyes.

"Good morning," Adrian replied, trying to mask his bewilderment. "Did... did something happen? I feel strange."

The old man chuckled softly. "You had a rough night, my boy. The fever hit you hard, but you're better now. Come, let's have breakfast."

As they sat down to eat, Adrian's mind whirled with questions. He needed to understand the nature of this new illusion and find a way to pass the trial. But first, he had to play along and gather more information.

Lily, still groggy from sleep, joined them at the table. "Brother, are you okay?" she asked, her voice filled with concern.

Adrian smiled reassuringly. "Yes, Lily, I'm fine."

As they ate, Adrian observed the old man and Lily closely, trying to detect any discrepancies or hidden clues. He had to stay alert and be prepared for whatever challenge lay ahead.

"So, where are you two from? What were you doing in the forest?" Suddenly the old man asked.

'!'

It seems Adrian didn't need to search for long. 'So, he wasn't their real grandpa. Then we probably came yesterday.'

Adrian looked at Lily who clung to him in fear. It seems there was a deeper story behind Lily and her brother.

Adrian's mind raced as he carefully crafted his response, aware that every word could be a clue or a trap within this illusion. He looked at the old man with a mix of sincerity and caution. "We are orphans, and we got lost on our way to the next town," he said, his voice steady.

The old man nodded slowly, a thoughtful expression on his face. "I see. It's dangerous for children to travel alone. You're lucky we found you when we did." He turned his attention to Lily, who was clinging to Adrian's side, her eyes wide with fear. "Don't worry, my dear. You're safe here."

Adrian's heart ached for Lily. The bond they had formed, even within this illusion, felt real and strong. He had to find a way to protect her and uncover the truth behind this trial.

After breakfast, the old man suggested they take a walk around the village. "It will do you good to get some fresh air," he said kindly.

Adrian agreed, hoping to gather more information. As they walked through the village, the sights and sounds were familiar yet tinged with an unsettling sense of déjà vu. The villagers greeted them warmly, their faces friendly and welcoming.

Adrian observed everything closely, looking for any signs or clues that could help him understand the illusion. The village seemed peaceful, almost idyllic, but he couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss.

Lily held his hand tightly, her eyes darting around nervously. "Brother, do you think we'll be okay?" she asked softly.

Adrian squeezed her hand reassuringly. "Yes, Lily. We'll be okay. I'll make sure of it."

Then they returned to the old man's house, and the old man offered them to stay with him telling them he had no other relatives, so it was fine. Though Adrian was reluctant, he decided to agree. Then they slept.

When he opened his eyes again, three days had already passed and the day of the festival had arrived.

The same scene started to play out. The chief told everyone they had to choose children to undergo the Sacred Spirit's trial.

He once again should observe everyone's reactions. However, this time the old man shouldn't act like the first time. But, Adrian managed to catch a glimpse of the chief and the old man exchanging nods.

'...Were they in cahoots?' Adrian asked himself but it was too soon to reach the conclusion. However, the little bit of trust he had for the old man disappeared right after he saw that exchange.

The chief pointed out the chosen children. And as he expected the chief chose Lily and he volunteered in her stead.

"I will be fine." Adrian gently released Lily's hand and passed her to the old man, who held her close with a worried expression. "Take care of her till I return," Adrian said coldly. The old man nodded, gratitude and fear mingling in his eyes.

The village chief gestured for Adrian and the other chosen children to follow him. They moved in a somber procession toward the Sacred Spirit's Abode, a mountain not far from the village.

Eventually, they reached a cave entrance, its mouth framed by ancient stone pillars covered in moss and vines. The village chief led them inside, the darkness swallowing them whole. The air grew colder, and the faint sound of dripping water echoed off the walls.

After a while, they emerged into a large clearing illuminated by a soft, otherworldly glow. The clearing was dominated by a large stone altar, and surrounding it were intricate carvings depicting the Sacred Spirit.

Suddenly, Adrian spoke up, his voice echoing off the cavern walls. "Chief, what exactly is the Sacred Spirit? And why are you sacrificing children for it?"

The village chief paused, turning to look at Adrian with a mixture of surprise and amusement. "That old wretch was right; you are indeed a smart one," he chuckled. "Alright, I'll tell you, since you can't do anything anyway. Your sister is in our hands."

"..." Adrian nodded silently.

The chief took a step closer to Adrian, his eyes glinting with a devoting light. "The Sacred Spirit is an ancient being that has protected our village for centuries. It grants us prosperity, keeps us young, and wards off illness and misfortune. But in return, it demands a compensation—ten children every year."

'!'