Soulbound Ashes

Chapter 1 —The Breath of New LifeSummary:

Kael dies in his old world — sudden, unexplained, surreal. He awakens as a crying newborn in Elara's arms, feeling disoriented but safe. Darius is present — stern but protective. This is Kael's first experience of unconditional love. The chapter focuses entirely on Kael's sensory experience as a baby, slowly realizing this is a new world.