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If there was one thing I hate about being reborn into a fantasy world, it was the lack of internet.

I mean, having superpowers is cool and all, but how am I gonna find a solution to my daily Youtube fix? I'm an addict, what can I say? There were not enough books to read, nor any activities to do much in this boring town.

I finally turned twelve, and the baby of the hour was finally born. Teucer was much cuter than I had imagined. I always thought he was some naive, little shit, but maybe I can blame good ol' Tartaglia for that. I ain't the bastard, so I won't even try to keep my baby brother's innocence.

The world is cruel, but I'm gonna do my best in slowly teaching Teucer the ropes.

Both of the twins finally had apprenticeships. Basically, a form of an internship which might be their future career. Paris landed on a sweet spot with the manager at the docks, who might be an apprentice to a merchant soon. Patracles was the first sibling to get a blacksmith to teach him, whilst my older sister was studying to get a chance to capture a scholar from Sumeru to take her as an apprentice as well.

Fat chance that, as I knew it was basically impossible for a scholar from the version of Egypt in Teyvat that might come this far north. It's like an english teacher from the middle-east trying his best to move to Russia. My parents knew it, the twins knew it, but we all kept that between ourselves at least until big sis gave up on it.

"Ajax, can we see the lake again?"

Of course, how can I forget my little sister Tonya? She grew up to be one hell of a charmer with the boys in the village. She was still five, though, and the young boys in the village knew better than to mess with me (and the twins too!) when it comes to my darling angel of a little sister.

"What's the magic word, Tonya? You know better than to be rude." I took it to myself to teach Tonya personally, and while my parents were hesitant to change their mind, she started to get better in writing and reading than my other siblings did. "If you say it properly, we'll go through Miss Yonda's candy shop on the way and get you a treat."

Incentive was the goal, after all.

"P-please can we visit the lake, big brother?" Her big blue eyes like mine and Teucer's was a weapon she always used against me. I know better, but there are times I question my control when putting my hand on the risky cookie jar that mom hid from her and me.

"Alright, as long as you behave." I can't really resist the call of duty. I am a big brother after all, making my younger siblings happy was my number one goal. "We still need to ask mom," I sighed as I remembered the time the twins asked me a favor regarding their escape from the grounding that they received after doing odd jobs for me.

I owe them that much at least, until we got caught by mom.

She still wasn't talking to me.

The last year was very hectic, as I continued to expand my information reach across the town. Apart from the orphan kids that are more than happy to lend some eyes and ears, there were other kids with family businesses that kept an eye out for trouble or anything interesting.

Without the internet, all the knowledge of this world was basically out of my hands for the foreseeable future. Even with my extended information network, it only has the limit of the town. No one was brave enough to go beyond. The nearest town is the closest one to the city of Sneznhaya, but the only road to the place was inaccessible unless you had an escort of heavily armed guards. And food.

The mountains were crawling with bandits and monsters after all.

I haven't seen a creature yet, but I did see trouble that brewed over a year ago when a bandit was caught at the edge of the town. Everyone was on guard for a while, until I heard a bored Harbinger stopped by and massacred the poor saps. Good for them, I guess.

With the lack of any information beyond the borders of the town, my limits were shown as much.

I wanted to work with Paris to create a sort of information network with the merchant business, until I found that the only stop from this town was Sneznhaya and the merchant that he was supposed to work with for a small time barely journeyed around Morepesok..

The only way I can survive in this world is knowledge.

Barriers that blocked my path were bandits, monsters, and the fucking snow. As much as I love this town, I'm getting bored of it, and I am getting scared of my lack of options. I was stuck.

I did not want to repeat the same history that Ajax did, by doing something incredibly stupid, and look for trouble in the wilds. He was a lucky bastard, only escaping wolves and encountering a powerful being that may or may not kick the Archon's ass, and getting some training with them to become a powerful anti-hero.

I sure as hell don't want to join the fucking Fatui. Sure, they have connections and riches, but I ain't as strong or as lucky to have the powers of the Abyss. If I were to join them, I would be nothing but a grunt until; a) I get my ass kicked by the Traveler, b) if I am lucky enough, get stepped on by La Signora and die happily.

The prerequisites needed were lacking in the strength department. So, no show on that. WIthout any anime-protagonist rival training from this world's version of Scathach, then there is no point in fighting the gods nor the Traveler themselves.

At this point and time, I was nothing but a weak-willed twelve year old that was reincarnated into this world.

Grabbing little Tonya's hand and leading her down the stairs, I heard Ajax's mother in the kitchen, probably preparing for tonight's celebration at Paris' success.

"Hey ma," I called out. "Can Tonya and I visit the lake? She's getting a little restless since the twins left. It'll be quick, I promise."

The chopping halted, as her eyes looked through his. It was unnerving how quick for her it was to see through him. I always thought it was because of my escapades with my older brothers, but in recent years she kept a good eye on me. There was a feeling of worry in those eyes, but I was confident that I could get through whatever thoughts she might have.

"Very well," mother sighed, as she dropped the kitchen knife. "Be back before sundown, alright? I don't wanna hear of any trouble, especially after what the boys did last time."

She gave a quick peck on Tonya's cheeks, even if the smaller child tried to resist at first, and on my forehead as well.

"I promise, ma. You know I won't let anything happen with Tonya. She's too adorable to die young."

The woman gave a nervous laugh, but her eyes held a sort of joyous gleam in them. "I know. I am proud to raise such a responsible boy."

Usually words of praise from mother won't mean much, but I was wrong. I believed that a grown man like me wouldn't really care, but inside, I was a boy. The Ajax within was happy when I heard that, and I suppose I am too.

This world is getting through me, I swear.

"Better than the twins," I rolled my eyes at the laughter. Tonya laughed too, just happy that her mother was happy.

"Of course, now be the big man you are and bring your sister safely, alright? Good, I have a special treat for you tonight. Your father got lucky with the merchant that arrived today alongside Paris' mentor, and he might bring that special thing you call a cake from Sneznhaya."

A cake? A FUCKING cake? Goddamn, this woman. Alex and her are the best parents ever. Learning early on that the townsfolk had a local bakery, I thought I might get something special like a cake. After my fifth birthday, I realized that there was no cake apart from small sweets that father and mother always used to bring home, there were only simple meals like fish and veggies.

I thought that we were just too poor to afford it, but when I first ventured into Mrs. Hilde's bakery on my own, I realized how inferior the bakery was. No offense to the family of bakers, but the only thing they bake is stale bread in all sizes.

They don't have the capacity nor the knowledge to bake something like a cake. Because this town was a shithole, no matter how much I love it sometimes, I was reminded that I am far from the comforts of my old world.

It was a bitter feeling inside.

"R-really?" I was all fucking sunshines and rainbows, as my eyes sparkles in wonder. How many years has it been since then? Fuck. I haven't eaten any cake for two years before my accident. Fourteen years since the last time I ate a proper cake, with filling and all that. "I thought father said that was expensive and impossible to get?" Alex wasn't being an ass about that, and I might have understood.

A trip to Sneznhaya was a lot of money- or Mora to expend. Five years worth of my own savings won't even cover a single day of expenses in that place.

Mother's eyes burn with determination, "What do you mean, sweetie? Of course, we'll find whatever you want. The best parents are those who go beyond their limits." I had a feeling that poor Alexander was threatened with the couch if he didn't find a way to get what I wanted. Is that why he was giving me dirty looks for a while? Then, damn, I don't blame him.

Nights in Sneznhaya are cold, after all.

At least he wasn't threatened to the stables, that was a worse fate than death. If the cold won't kill you, then the embarrassment will.

"B-but why go this far?" My eyes actually threatened to swell with tears. But why, though? It might've been Paris' big break with success, but the request was under my wishes. "Maybe it's a little too expensive, mom. I don't want to trouble the family more than I should have."

Tonya's hand tightened my grip, as mother sadly frowned at me. Was it something I said?

"Oh dear, you shouldn't worry about that," she chastised me, but there was a quiet tone to her voice. "You should be enjoying life, not trying to save Mora. Your father and I know how much you want to leave Morepesok."

Shit. Was I really that obvious? I mean, sure, I was damn bored with this town, but there was something of importance as to why I must leave as well. I need more knowledge, and without that, there is nothing in this world waiting to grab me and end my second chance.

I died once, unfulfilled, and unhappy. I ain't gonna waste this one.

Thoughts went to all the best times I had with Ajax's family- with my new family.

I was always guarded against them, treating them as strangers to my own selfish benefit. I stayed as long as I could because it was for my own good, I always say to myself. Not because I enjoyed mom's cooking, or fishing with dad, pranking with the twins, and even trying to study with my older sister. No of course not, I did because I was not yet ready.

Before Tonya's birth, at my sixth birthday, I planned to leave as soon as possible. I did not want to get attached to Ajax's family. It didn't feel right at the time. I was a grown ass man, being breastfeed by my supposed mother, being teased with siblings I never had experienced with my old life, and a father that would spend quality time with me.

But after Tonya's birth, I realized how stupid I was.

This was my second chance, and I am never going back to my lonely ways. With busy parents, an only-child and growing up alone, and with barely any friends worth any salt. Back to my dead-end job, a quiet and lonesome life.

When I held Tonya for the first time in my life, when mother said to be gentle and said to look at my baby sister, I felt that all the things I thought were not for me felt right at that moment. I was a big brother, a little brother, a proud fisher, and a momma's boy.

I was still in denial, but I lived my second life as best I could.

Nothing can change that fact, not for my parents, not for my siblings, and certainly not for me.

I hated Tartaglia.

I hated him not because he works for a sick and twisted group, no. I hated his guts the more I spent time with them, Ajax's family. I never hated his guts because he was a weapon for the Tsaritsa, nor because he was a mentally broken as fuck maniac, no.

I hated him because of this perfect little family. Not rich, not poor either. Just enough to get by and be happy about it. I hated him because he left his loving parents. I hated him because of alienating his older siblings. I hated him because he abandoned Tonya and Teucer.

His sorry little excuse for wanting a better life for family was unfounded, at least to me. All he wanted was the thrills, the sensation of power, and the feeling of being useful to something or someone.

Ajax might've been a boy that had dreams. Tartaglia was a monster. I was a coward.

Even when Teucer was born, I was cowed. I wanted to leave, to start my second life elsewhere. But why would I do that?

No.

I wasted my life once. I will not waste it again.

Just imagining the disappointed looks my parents will give me if I left made me feel sick. The sadness and anger of the twins make my heart clench. Big sis might pretend that I never existed hurts more than it should have.

I know that was just the irrational thoughts on my mind, I wouldn't seriously leave without goodbye, right?

Tartaglia was an asshole that may have left his family, circumstances or not, but I wasn't that monster. I hope not.

There are nights when I see dark figures skittering around my dark room, and there are sordid moments that haunt me every second when I'm alone. This world was a rotten place, hidden by the glamour of adventure and magic. I might have been a pessimistic prick when I first arrived, and I still haven't dropped my guard down.

I never really shared it with my family, but the deal with the bandits on the outskirts of town scared the living shit out of me. Of course, the rest of my family was the same, every person in town was. I hid that nervousness with such a practiced facade that I experienced in my former life, people actually thought I was too innocent to care.

The scary thing is that I was, but within lay a different story.

Adrenaline was actually pumping in my veins. Every time I hear about danger or anything close to that, I feel something within me tries to get out. There was obviously something malicious clawing its way out, but I held it at bay.

I do not know what that was, nor any semblance on why, but it was curbed when I heard the news of the bandits' fortunate demise. More so when I held Teucer in my hands, I felt free and liberated from that awful feeling.

I had a sense of what it was, but I kept denying it. Best it was to let it stay that way.

"L-leaving?" I feigned ignorance. Normally, my parents were very observant, especially mom, but acting like a child was a mask that I rarely used, making it easy to make her flustered. "I don't want to leave you! Why should I leave? I can fish with pops, play with my big bros, and take care of my younger siblings. I have all the chocolate I need! I'll never leave you mom, because you are the best mother in town!"

Flattery served me well. Mother was embarrassed, but she was still obviously hesitant. It served for some time, but it was enough for later to stew on.

"Ajax, can we leave now? I'm bored. I wanna see the lake!" Gods bless this child, Tonya saved my life again. I reminded myself to treat her with some of my chocolates.

"Alright," mother relented, but her worried eyes turned to me again. "Don't wander off too far, yes? Dinner will be in a few hours, I do not want to hear from the mayor of any ruckus nor mischief. Else, you don't get to taste the cake tonight, ya hear?"

The thought of the cake was still present, but I nodded my head nonetheless. Tonya herself was restless as a kid waiting on the adults at the mall. I was like that too when I was her age.

"Yes, mom." Grabbing my fur coat, and my favorite scarf, I led a squealing child to the front door. "Relax, Tonya, take it easy on me, will you? Your big bro's gonna have some broken legs after this."

"Then if you have some broken legs, I'll kiss till it gets better."

Adorable.

I shake my head at Tonya's antics. I gazed back at the door, seeing a worried mother looking at her children leave. Was that how her face was when Ajax left for the Fatui? I know that Alexander sent him away because of how much trouble Ajax caused, but certainly there was a goodbye or something right?

The path was the usual dirt path, surrounded by thick trees. I always wondered how much better if the property had better roads, or better yet, transport.

Having spent a decade with a lot of free time, I had begun thinking of my future plans. Obviously, a lazy ass like me still does not have any solid plans. I know that my opportunities lay elsewhere, but I was beginning to doubt that.

Maybe stay in this village, find an occupation, live a steady life, settle down with a simple girl, and finally retire. I would definitely enjoy that type of quiet life, as my previous life was mostly spent in the city.

I would have considered it more if not for the fact that this world is a place filled with magic and monsters.

There was a consensus that I can die easily here, whether by getting eaten by a monster, kidnapped by the treasure hoarders, or worse, being a test subject for good ol' El Dottore.

I'd rather get crushed by Zhongli's rocks or get stepped on by mommy electro, than spending a single second with that bastard.

Then again, all of my efforts in convincing Alexander to teach me how to properly wield a blade was for naught. He believed that I was doing it for my "childish fantasies" which would make sense for any boy my age. I gave up on that the moment I saw the look mom gave me.

Magic on the other was useless. Even my big sis had trouble at that, a man like me from another dimension without magic, was a hopeless case. It didn't stop me from trying. Stealing big sis' books whilst the twins distracted her was at least entertaining.

And so, I spent my time accumulating my information network, teaching the orphan kids specific techniques, skills, and even the right tools. I also had a friend who's father owned a bar and worked on it, my personal info broker. I would occasionally spend some of my allowance and candy on street children who refused to go to an orphanage, making effective ears and eyes on the alleyways and streets.

It was limited to the town of Morepesok, and it was the limit I was able to stretch.

Paris and I got to discussing expansion when he finally works for his mentor at the merchant trade, but I have to wait a little longer.

There was a stone gateway that led to a forest that borders the lake. Forests this far north were usually calm in the daylight, but father always warned of the thick darkness after the sun was down. I was not worried, our walk around the edge of the lake was all Tonya wanted. She has been unnaturally quiet since they left the house, but the comfortable silence was soothing, as they watched the sun over the frozen horizons lower itself downwards.

Both siblings are safe, as the walk back to town would only take a few minutes.

"Hey big bro," Tonya called out to me, her hopping halted so suddenly. My heart dropped when I saw her downtrodden face, as my little sister gave the most bone-chilling look of neutrality towards me. "Is it true that you wanna leave? Why?"

I had no answer, as the wind's chill showed my tired sigh. "To be honest Tonya, I don't know. I mean, Morepesok is great and all, but there is something out there, you know? Something bigger, more bigger than this town. More than just snow all year round and a storm on the peak of winter. More than just warm food on the table, and-"

"Something more than family?"

Damn. I shut my mouth after that, mortified at the thought of Tonya's disappointment. Can kids her age be disappointed? I hope not.

"Of course not!" I tried to reply, but Tonya only gave me a weird look. "It's just that… well-" How can I explain to a five-year old girl what awaits beyond the safety of the village? Monsters and gods, empowered humans, power-hungry empowered humans, and even ancient evils that wait beneath the ground.

"I- I'm scared okay?"

The beautiful landscape of the fading sun, and the myriad of colors that reflect on the frozen lake was a view that was familiar to me.

Tonya twisted her neck, staring at me. "You? Scared? Big brother is never scared! Big bro Ajax chases boys away and they are scared of you!"

Ouch. Way to make it real Tonya. "I know," I sighed, "but I am scared of my family, of you and anyone in this town. There are monsters out there, Tonya. If they come here, nothing could stop them."

"But daddy could-"

"No, he won't." I know that Alexander is a big man, he could probably take out most of the toughest human enemies out there, with the exception of the Vision welders and Fatui soldiers. Harbingers and Archons are out of the question, of course, as they were beyond anything I could comprehend. "They can hurt a lot of people, and some of the people in this town already lost a friend or family."

One of Paris' friends went missing years ago, and nothing much was heard from him, but I managed to eavesdrop on Alex's partner and friend with the town guard. The adults kept it to themselves, but the boy was found dead a week after his disappearance, and only would explain to the kids when they are older.

I appreciated that sort of protection to our innocence, but there are times when I wondered how long they could keep it to themselves.

As the monster that got him was a Lawachurl, of the frost variety. It was gruesome the way the adults talked about it, as the details were rather queasy for even myself to hear. It was a slaughter as the boy accidentally stumbled into his territory and got smashed for it.

Fortunately, it was a few hours away from the town that it was safe, but not totally unfounded by the threat.

Still, that really made me question the safety of my family and myself in this town. That is why I spent the last few years trying to find a way to gather information.

It led to nothing but dead ends, and if I am willing to brave the wilds without help, then I would surely perish easily.

I was at the end of my ropes, and my family found my frustrations suspicious. I played it off as a sort of boy-hood fantasy, traveling the world, becoming a hero, and saving the world. They bought it, but it was too much of a convincing act as they seemed to do their hardest to keep me around.

Alexander was trying his best to acquire a cake, mother smothering me more than usual, and the twins rarely listen to my orders and I have not found the courage to dissuade them recently, and big sis was giving me all the attention I needed with her personal tutelage. It was suffocating, but I appreciated the gestures, and grew to love them for it. I never really realized that I adore this type of attention.

Back home, I was a lonely boy with no friends or siblings, with busy parents, and a job I never enjoyed.

In here, I was living a different kind of fantasy, a life I once wished that I had- a loving family that will cherish me no matter what. I realized that now.

"Don't worry," I kissed Tonya on her forehead like mom, and she didn't seem bothered by it. In fact, she clung as hard as she could to me. I could only chuckle at the adorable girl in my arms. "I will never leave you, or our family, Tonya. I promise. If any of those monsters show up, your big brother will beat them like the hero he is."

"Yay!" Tonya cheered, her face brightened up. "That's right, no evildoers shall harm me if my gallant brother is there to save the day!"

Life was good, I thought.

Resisting to chuckle at her expressive energy, I noticed the lack of light around us. It was dark already, and Alex's warnings came to mind immediately. "C'mon, let's go home before mom starts nagging father without us."

"Yeah," Tonya yawned. "I wonder what the cake would taste like?"

"Trust me when I say it would be the sweetest thing-" I stopped my sentence as I saw a light in the distance. "That can't be right, the lampost should be further down."

That is, until I realized the color of those lights.

Blood red.

AUTHOR'S NOTE:

Well, it is back to schedule, I suppose.

So, any bets if there would be no blood and violence in this fic? Fat chance that. Then again, this is Tartaglia's body. Our unfortunate bastard of a SI character might finally taste the scent of copper in his mouth. Good, as struggles breed the strong. We are going ahead on schedule here, and I was getting tired of pondering around anyway.

Next chapter might be Ajax's family's perspective on the little runt that is our new punching bag. They really needed some clarity about their thoughts on new Ajax.

Also, I watched the latest show on Netflix. Arcane is a animation masterpiece that I hope will continue its heart-retching story and character developments. I had a small bet with my friend about the last episode of the show, about the future conflict with Viktor and Jayce. It might be an interesting thing to watch.

And because of that show's quality, I was fooled by the absolute glamour and tried League.

My worst mistake so far.