The days quickly passed, and John was slowly coming to the realization of was really happening to him, he was back to the time he was born.

Everything was the same, his parents, the house, the old dog that died when he was a child. Everything was repeating in the same way.

Even though he didn’t have the memories of when he was a baby, he could at least recognize something.

If there was something that was different, it was him.

He was a grown man, that had a daughter, and despite the circumstances, he was very happy to live with Hope. Now, his daughter was gone, and he didn’t know if he would ever have her again.

The only thing that he knew was that he have gone back in time, the why or the how was a mystery to him, but he thought everything would come to light someday.

Weeks quickly passed after his birth, and then months. There was not much he could do as a baby, only eating and making poop! He was very sad because he couldn’t control his own body. His legs were so weak that he couldn't even properly stand. and his vocal strings didn’t allow him to speak properly. Not that he tried in front of his parents…

His mother was acting very strange. Having a child that didn’t behave as expected was strange, to say the least.

John behaved well, and only cried when he wanted to eat or to be cleaned.

The days passed and the months become years. John was now three years old. He learned how to talk and walk easily, surprising his parents. Even though he tried to make it seem natural, they were still amazed.

They thought that they had a prodigy as a son. After all, John was very interested in books and in things of the adult world since little.

In truth, John was trying to find an excuse to “learn” how to read earlier.

The years slowly went by, and his parents helped him in finding a teacher to learn how to read and write. He quickly “learned” and amazed everyone in the town. He was the talk everywhere. How the parents wanted to have a child-like him and things like this.

Even though John showed an intelligent mind, his father still required his help in the fields. During these years, something very strange happened. The memories of his ancestors about taking care of plants and crops awakened again!

The memories were even clearer in his mind right now. The impression caused in his mind was multiplied.

Although it was only memories of some man and woman taking care of the fields and of trees, it was still amazing seeing such things happening.

He still planted the oak with his father when he was two years old, and took care of it every day, watching it grow, and feeling the nature from it.

He was now eight years old. He was a bright, well behaved and beautiful little boy in the eyes of his parents and everyone in the village.

Today was a decisive day for him. He could finally visit Alana!!

her parents moved to the town this year according to what they told him, and he could finally visit them now!

Since he was reborn, this was the moment that he most wanted to happen. He could finally see the love of his life again, and expend even more time with her….

***

I looked through the window and saw that my parents were working far in the fields. If I left home now, they wouldn’t see it.

I stepped out of the door and sneaked toward the road. Getting there, I followed the familiar route and walked toward the familiar road.

Following the road, I could finally see the house in the distance. I was coming here in the last few days to observe, as it was around this time that they moved in, and today I could finally see some movement!

There were some wagons and some people moving things into the house, and a woman holding the hand of a little girl….

This girl had dirty blond hair, and looked like a little angel…

I approached the house and got near the woman beside Alana.

Getting closer to her, I said. “Good morning miss. Are you moving here? Welcome to the neighborhood.” I said with my sweet child's voice. There was a lot of bad things about being a child, but I could at least charm almost anyone with my cuteness.

The woman looked at me and smiled sweetly. “Oh… What a cute little boy. Thank you! Do you live near here?” She asked.

I nodded to her and said. “I live in a house just 30 minutes walking from here, it’s pretty close by.”

“That’s great, your parents must be very good people to raise such a charming gentleman.”

I looked at Alana, that was curiously looking at me from behind her mother's skirt. I smiled at her and said. “Do you want to play?”

She looked to her mother with pleading eyes, and the woman answered. “You can go, but stay near the house.” “Thanks, mom.” She said.

I grabbed her little hand and guided her to play in the fields….

***

The years slowly passed. The only real difference from the last life was that now, me and Alana were good friends for a long time ago. We were now almost 12 years old, and the day when the mage would test us would soon arrive.

I awoke early that morning, ate breakfast with my parents and walked toward Alana's house, to go to the test together with her. I already knew the results, so there was no surprise in it. For me, it was only a simple ceremony that would come and pass.

I approached Alana’s house and saw that she was waiting with her parents in the entrance. I approached them and said. “Good morning.”

Her mother smiled and replied. “Hey John, bring her home after the test ends ok?” She didn’t have much hope for a mage appearing in her family. Usually, only families that previously had a mage would manifest someone with the talent, and she was realistic. The life in the fields was the best one for her.

Alana father looked to me and said. “Little boy, take good care of my mother.”

I straightened my back and answered. “Of course sir. Understood miss.”

They nodded and Alana left the house toward the village together with me.

When we arrived there, some children were already waiting in line, already organized by the head. We came closer and quickly got into position.

The other children arrived soon after, and they began to chat among themselves.

I waited silently for the moment when the mage would arrive. After a moment, the head got up from his seat and looked toward the entrance of the village.

The middle-aged mage arrived, donned in his beautiful robes. We did the same compliment as last time, and he began to test the kids.

Everything was proceeding smoothly. The only kid selected was the boy from last time. My time soon arrived, and I placed my hand on the crystal, just as instructed.

The crystal glowed with a small but deep green light. There was a glint in the mage eyes, he investigated the glow closely, but soon shook his head and said. “You were almost there boy. Although you have low mana, you have an average affinity with the element of wood. Unfortunately, you’re not going to be chosen.”

I froze for a moment. There were no words coming out of my mouth, and the mage surely though that it was because I was not selected. The mage waved his hand while saying. “NEXT”

I left the place like a zombie and got back to my place. Alana looked at me and waved her hand in front of my face while saying. “Are you alright?”

After seeing her face, I snapped out of my daze and looked at her. She was already tested earlier and was not selected just like last time. however, she was not sad and crying.

“Are you alright?” I asked her.

“Yeah, I’m fine.” She answered.

“Are you not sad because you’re not going to be a mage anymore?”

“Well, there are some good things here in the farms as well…” She said while looking down and hiding her face from me.

I quickly understood what had changed for her. I had appeared in her life…

***

I arrived home, and my parents were working in the fields, just like usual.

I seated on the couch and began to think about what happened in the test.

It was not the same as last time! There were some things that I didn’t remember due to the memories being so old, but some things were carved into your flesh, and you wouldn’t forget them.

The last time I was tested, my mana talent was low, just like today, but the affinity for wood was low as well!! However, the man clearly said today for having an average affinity…

How had those things changed? how? This was a mystery that I wouldn’t know the answer unless I studied magic. Unfortunately, I was not selected to be a mage, so I couldn’t learn it.

I breathed deeply and calmed down. Even though this detail had changed, it didn’t matter to me. I would still live my life happily with Alana, and this time I wouldn’t let her die!!!

The years passed, and we were still close to each other. The night when there was a full moon still happened.

I married Alana, but this time, my parents answered faster than last time.

The years passed, and we decided to have a child. I made sure to follow the same sequence in everything that I did, so Hope could be born again.

I was very happy when I discovered that she was pregnant at the same time!!

The excitement almost exploded out of my chest.

The months quickly passed, and her belly was really big, being eight months pregnant. I was going to the city to buy some ink, to paint the baby room. She wanted to stay home, but I insisted and took her with me.

I had never discovered who killed Alana, so I couldn’t stop the origin of the event, I could only move her elsewhere so that she could be in a safe place.

The day passed quickly. We bought the ink, and we were returning home.

I wanted to know what happened to the farm… was there a fire like last time? The people who killed her were still around? There were many questions and no answers.

There was a tension in the air on the way back, and even Alana asked me if there was anything wrong.

Getting near our house, I looked around and saw something that terrified me, but left me relieved. Our house had been robbed.

People entered our house and took some things. Nothing too important. At least I could have some peace of mind now.

After fixing the lock, I had a good night of sleep.

***

I woke up the next morning, took care of the field, and after an exhausting day of work, I went to my parent's house to visit them with Alana. We slowly walked through the fields, until we arrived in front of my parent's house.

I looked at the door, that was half opened and entered the house while saying. “Dad, Mom, I'm home.”

Alana slowly entered from behind me, and we looked around.

My parents gave me no answer. I went to the living room and was shocked by what I saw.

Both my parents were laying on the floor, Dead.

***

A few days passed, and I took care of their burial. My mind was in chaos. Every morning I went to the fields to work like a zombie and didn't know what to do.

My parents had obviously died because of my actions. As my farm was very near theirs, the people had left my house, and after not being satisfied with what they found, they went to loot my parents.

Maybe, the death of my parents would haunt me for the rest of my life, but I would have to live with it. There was no turning back now, what was done was done.

***

The month slowly passed. Having a great burden made everything even harder.

I was coming back from the fields when I heard a call for help.

“JOOHHNNNN.” Hearing my wife desperately calling for me, I ran like a madman to the house.

Arriving in it, I knocked the door opened and saw that she was leaning on the wall, with a wet floor beneath her.

“The baby is about to be born.” She said.

I quickly prepared the carriage and took her to the town. The midwife was already prepared because she knew the baby was going to be born around these days.

I looked at the woman who heads helped Hope come from the world and knew that Alana was safe in her hands.

The labor began, and it was quite short. After a few minutes, the baby had come out. She gave the baby to Alana, and just like in the traditions she was the first to announce the sex of the baby.

We have a little boy. She smiled brightly, but my world fell around me.

The impact of not having a girl was too huge on me. Where was my little Hope? Where was my little girl?....

Thankfully, everyone in the room was looking at my son and didn't see my sorrowful expression.

Alana looked at the boy and said in a lovely voice. “Your name is going to be Bryan, just like your grandpa.” Looking at my son gave me comfort. At least I could live a happy life with my family… i thought to comfort myself.

***

Two years passed. We were happily living family. Even though I had lost my parents, my life was a total bliss these last two years. Raising my son together with Alana was amazing. No words could describe the happiness in my chest.

I looked to the sky in thanks for everything that I had.

I walked with Alana in one hand, and the little Bryan frantically walking in tiny steps in the other.

The sky was blue, and the day was beautiful.

There was a sudden light in the horizon. “NOOOOOOO.” I screamed in despair. And everything went black.

***

A woman was seated on a bed, with a big bulge on her belly. She had her legs wide open and has had a face of pain.

“Arghhhhh.” She gritted her teeth and screamed in agony.

There were several people in the room, a woman was grabbing something round that was coming out between her legs.

A man was holding her hand while saying. “It's gonna be fine honey. You're almost there.”

The woman squeezed the man's hand even further and screamed together with him in pain.

“Arghhh.”

The women around the room looked at the man screaming with his wife and shook their heads. They turned their attention back to the woman, and a baby was soon delivered.

However, something strange happened. The baby was completely still as if he was dead. The midwife slapped the baby's but in order to make it cry, but the slap didn't make any effect. She even thought that the baby was dead for a moment, and checked it, getting relieved after seeing that it was alive.

There were tears coming out of the baby's eyes. He silently cried, as if he was suffering deeply….

Everybody was shocked by this sight.

The midwife gave the baby to his mother's arms. She looked and after confirming that it was a boy, they decided to name him John.

The mother hugged him closely and said. “Don't cry little John. Mom is here with you…”