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"Every journey begins with a single choice, but who among us truly chooses where their road begins?"
—Anonymous
The void was unyielding—a vast, empty expanse where time felt irrelevant. There was no light, no sound, no weight, only a sense of existence suspended in nothingness.
A fragment of consciousness drifted aimlessly, stirring faintly as fragmented memories flickered through its awareness. A mundane life. Unfulfilled ambitions. A death so abrupt that it felt more like an interruption than an ending.
Then, a voice broke the silence, smooth and resonant, carrying an edge of mischief.
"Well, well. What do we have here?"
The void trembled, faint cracks spreading through the emptiness. A figure emerged, neither male nor female, shifting between forms as though it couldn't decide what to settle on. Its eyes shimmered with a knowing amusement.
"You're not like most of them," the figure said. "Most souls just drift on through. But you... you're interesting. A little brighter than the rest."
The fragment of consciousness pulsed faintly, like a heartbeat. It couldn't form thoughts, let alone words, yet curiosity stirred within it.
"Relax," the figure said, waving a hand. "You don't have a body anymore, so there's no point trying to talk. Let me keep this simple: you've died. Happens to everyone eventually. But lucky you—I'm feeling generous today. How'd you like another shot?"
The void cracked further, revealing faint glimmers of light beyond.
"A new life, a new world," the figure continued, its tone light and almost playful. "And because I'm in such a good mood, I'll throw in a little extra. A gift. Something to set you apart."
The fragment quivered with unease, a faint sense of dread creeping in. The figure smiled wider, as though reading its thoughts.
"Don't look so worried," it said, gesturing dramatically. "I'm not cruel. Just... curious. Let's make this fun, shall we?"
With a flick of its wrist, the void shifted again. A massive wheel materialized, spinning chaotically. Its surface shimmered with countless names, symbols, and concepts, flickering too fast to comprehend.
"This," the figure said, stepping aside to admire the wheel, "is your bonus round. The wheel decides what gift you'll carry with you into your next life. Where you're going? That's for me to know and for you to figure out."
The wheel spun faster, its symbols blurring into a kaleidoscope of colors. The fragment of consciousness stirred uneasily, catching fleeting glimpses of possibilities: Lightsaber Mastery, Eldritch Invocations, Super Soldier Serum, Force Sensitivity, and more.
As the wheel slowed, the symbols became clearer. It passed over Dragon Slayer Magic, Chronokinesis, and Infinity Stones before halting on a sliver so thin it was almost invisible.
"Sasuke Uchiha," the figure said, its grin widening. "Oh, this is going to be good."
The fragment rippled with confusion. Sasuke? A name tied to ambition, genius, and betrayal. A storm of images flickered in the fragment's awareness: a boy chasing vengeance, the red glow of Sharingan, the crackle of lightning, the searing heat of fire.
"Relax," the figure said, as though sensing its unease. "You're not becoming him. You'll just inherit his tools. His Sharingan? It'll be perfect for your new world. Fire and lightning mastery? Can't go wrong with that. Oh, and the more practical things—the stuff your world's media never really covered. Sealing techniques, medical ninjutsu, battlefield tactics. His life was a lot messier—and a lot richer—than the streamlined version you know."
The fragment pulsed again, still uncertain.
"Ah, and one last thing," the figure said, its tone shifting to something sharper, more deliberate. "There's always a catch, isn't there? Let's call it a geis."
A faint pressure settled over the fragment, heavy and unyielding.
"You won't be able to talk about this—about me, your old life, what you know. Try, and you'll find yourself unable. It's for your own good, really. Secrets like this tend to attract the wrong kind of attention."
The weight of the geis sank deeper, binding itself to the fragment's very essence.
"Don't worry about the details," the figure added lightly. "You'll figure things out as you go. Or you won't. Either way, it'll be fun to watch."
The void cracked open completely, spilling light and sound into the emptiness. The fragment felt itself pulled forward, faster than thought, into the brilliance.
The figure raised a hand in farewell, its grin fading into the light.
"Good luck," it called out, its voice echoing faintly. "Try not to disappoint me."
Lucius Animusphere opened his eyes for the first time, a newborn in a world that felt both alien and strangely familiar.
Author's Notes (Refined)
Welcome to Lucius Animusphere's story, a journey of fractured identities, second chances, and extraordinary challenges. Here's some clarity on key elements of the prologue:
The Sasuke Legacy:
The wheel's choice grants Lucius Sasuke's complete skill set and memories up to a defined point in his journey. These include abilities like fire and lightning mastery, sealing techniques, medical ninjutsu, and the Sharingan (reinterpreted as Mystic Eyes).
Media vs. Reality:
The ROB hints that Sasuke's life, as inherited by Lucius, is far more detailed and nuanced than the version portrayed in media. This includes lesser-known skills, like medical techniques and survival strategies, which reflect a "complete" Sasuke.
The Geis:
Lucius is bound by a geis that prevents him from revealing his reincarnation or foreknowledge. This ensures his growth remains grounded and that the story focuses on his challenges and personal development.
Delayed Merge:
The reincarnator's memories and Sasuke's abilities do not awaken at birth. Lucius lives a separate life within the Moonlit World until he escapes it. The merge happens later, after he isolates himself from his family, allowing for significant character development before his transformation.
As Lucius's journey unfolds, the threads of fate will weave a tale of identity, power, and self-discovery. Stay tuned.