I spent a really long time trying to think who would play which role. I realized Evan has a meaning in 7 different languages, and that's really cool, so he gets to switch names (Handpicked because I'm that extra).
Animas are human looking with animalistic features… I made Noax while I was still an innocent soul, RIP.
Chapter 1: A world of auras
Everyone is reborn.
One out of two people in the world is able remember each and every life, but they lose their original names, bound to trade new ones like coins until they get theirs back.
One has to earn their memories, bound to reincarnation like a curse, never knowing of their fate unless by someone else's hand.
The same name to save them both from the never-ending loop of death and rebirth.
The first life ends peacefully, or as peacefully as it can end, considering who he is. He doesn't know how the world works yet, but he soon will.
[ ]
He's 18 when he remembers for the first time.
He's the sole heir to the throne of Baeryth, a position he's been training his whole life to fit, he's a pure blue aura, he has an Anima keeping tabs on him. There's such a contrast between the person he is and the person he was that he almost believes the memories to be an odd hyper-realistic nightmare; but he knows better.
18 years of living in the world of Noax have taught him to always look at things twice, to get a second opinion; because in a world of magic and auras, anything was possible. Daniel, of course, turned to his protector, a cheetah Anima called Nathaniel.
Nathaniel, like most animas, was well versed in the area of souls, as Daniel's protector, he was particularly tuned to his own soul though. But for this particular instance it would be just perfect.
Daniel approached him during the evening, after finishing his duties for the day.
"I need to ask you something"
"Does it have anything to do with why you've been fainting lately?"
Nathaniel had been worried about him since the visions started, not because he knew, but because of the effect they had on Daniel so far.
"Yes"
Nathaniel nods, but his tail and ears tell Daniel he's holding something back.
"I think I might be seeing into the past, and I don't know what it means"
Nathaniel's entire demeanor shifts at those words, something settling in his expression.
"I think you should sit down"
And so Daniel learns, learns about tied souls and dreadful cycles, about time distortions and universe alterations. He's of those who remember, now he has to find his counterpart.
[ ]
He's 21 when he meets the others again. It's his coronation, being crowned prince is a whole thing, so the kingdom throws a party, goes all out since the people of Baeryth seem to adore their regents.
Royal events mean royal guests. As a mark of the peaceful times they were entering, Baeryth had invited royalty from all over Noax, kings, and queens, and princes, and princesses, and other nobles, they were all invited for the crowning ceremony and the party afterwards.
The crowning ceremony went on without a hitch, but then there was the party. Now, Daniel was much more used to parties than his past self, but that didn't mean he fancied introductions any more than he had in his previous life, just that he didn't stutter through them as much.
So far Daniel had met the King of the Maylands and his court, and a few of his own courtesans, and then he saw them. His eyes were first drawn to her, as if they remembered the countless times they had performed that movement before, back in a time where Daniel was nothing but a shadow.
Zoe, and the fact that he remembers her name means that she forgot all about their previous life, wears a vibrant pink dress with golden details, the boy besides her wears a blue suit also with golden details, the colors of Reikoru. Daniel stops dead on his tracks, whirls back, and looks in Zoe's direction again, only this time he focuses on who's walking with her; Connor Murphy stands beside his sister, completely alive.
Daniel remembers with vivid detail everything that happened the last time he met Connor Murphy. And even though this Connor has no idea who Daniel is, or what he did in their shared past life, he still dreads the moment when they reach him and begin the introduction.
Nathaniel must notice because he stands closer to Daniel, ready to intervene if necessary; Daniel was really glad for this particular difference, he wasn't alone.
Elements, why was it that the whole world seemed to have focused on Connor.
Because he died
"I'm duchess Zoe of Ghalia"
She courtesies like an expert; Daniel responded instinctively.
You could have stopped him
"I'm duke Connor of Ghalia"
He took his hand as he bowed, it was expected but it still sent electricity through Daniel's spine.
You let Connor Murphy die
Music fills the room like water pouring into a glass, trickling smoothly as it reverberates across the ball room walls.
Daniel makes a decision, as figures start moving towards the dance floor. He won't fail Connor this time.
"Would you care for a dance?"
He offers him his hand, palm up, to make it obvious that he's asking Connor, but also knowing exactly what it means. Connor looks at him like he knows something he ignores, but he takes his hand all the same.
"I'd be honored"
[ ]
The second life ends sooner that the first, more violently, more covered in blood, arms holding him tightly.
"Daniel, Dan please!"
He coughs up blood, the arms around him tighten their grip as a terrified gasp leaves the other.
"I-I'm s-sorry"
"Don't say that like you're giving up! Don't you-"
He somehow manages to lift his hand up, to touch Connor's cheek, brushing away one of the tears that are escaping him.
"You're so… so b-beautiful"
He doesn't live to see the aftermath.