As Karz looked through the eyes of this strange body—by his guess, that of an 11-year-old boy—he was struck with awe at the bizarre circumstances.
Suddenly, a knock came at the door, followed by the voice of an old man.
"Young Master William, have you woken up?"
Karz realized the man was referring to the child's body he now inhabited. He didn't know what to say. As he was still thinking, the door opened and in walked an elderly man dressed like a butler.
"Young Master William, why have you not dressed yet? Kindly hurry. The master and mistress are waiting for you at the table, along with Lady Isabella."
With that, the butler left, leaving Karz—now William—alone once again.
Just then, a voice echoed from behind. Karz turned around swiftly. But to his shock, he was no longer in the child's body—he was back in his own.
Towering at 6 feet 5 inches, Karz looked every bit the barbarian people mistook him for in his world. His massive build and rough exterior only reinforced the stereotype.
In front of him stood William—not as a reflection, but the real boy himself.
They stood suspended in an endless sky, surrounded by nothing but clouds below and a wide, empty sky above.
William was the first to speak.
"Do you like my body? Is it comfortable?"
Karz stared at him, uncertain whether to respond.
"You don't know what's going on, do you? You must be creeped out," William continued, calm and composed. "Well, let me tell you—I gave you my body so you could take revenge on those who wronged my family."
Karz finally spoke, his voice filled with confusion and suspicion.
"What do you mean, take revenge? And what do you mean by gave you my body? What do you want from me?"
William replied, his tone steady.
"Let me start from the beginning. I am William Ravenshade, heir to a fallen noble house. We were once Dukes of the North. Now we barely manage a small village, let alone a duchy.
A few months ago, I was kidnapped by men working for—at least I believe—the Marquis of Sea. Among them was a sorcerer who cast a spell on me to turn me into a vessel for a demon meant to destroy me and my family.
But somehow... instead of a demon, you came."
Karz stood dumbfounded. None of this made sense. Why had he been drawn here? Why him, and not a demon?
And why was this boy so calm?
William read his expression and spoke again.
"You're wondering why I'm so calm, aren't you? I can see it on your face.
Then let me ask you—what else can I do?
I was kidnapped by strangers, nearly killed for crimes I never committed—crimes, in fact, that were tied to my grandfather.
I've been bullied, treated like an outcast, and left to suffer for reasons I don't understand.
I've heard my parents cry at night, helpless to protect us, to change anything.
Honestly, I was waiting for death—afraid, anxious—until you came instead of the demon."
As his words ended, tears streamed down the boy's face. And finally, Karz understood. This boy was desperate for hope. A victim of circumstances too great to fight alone. A child crushed under a legacy of sin and suffering.
Karz stood still for a moment, then stepped forward.
"Rest, William," he said firmly. "I will change it all—for the better."
As those words left his lips, Karz found himself back in the room, inhabiting the body of William once more.
He looked at himself in the mirror and repeated, quietly but with resolve:
"Rest. I will change it all for the better."