This is a compelling and emotional sequence. To capture the "literary yet modern" feel, I have elevated the vocabulary and pacing while maintaining the visceral, first-person perspective common in contemporary light novels and speculative fiction.
That Time I Reincarnated as a Stone
Chapter 17: To the Tenth Power
We reached Uuk’s home, and he collapsed into sleep instantly. Now that I really look at him, he sleeps far too much—sometimes days on end without waking. He’s a total slacker. Honestly, I envy that kind of life.
I followed his lead and drifted off; it was late, and I felt too lethargic to make the trek back to my own place. I settled into a makeshift bed of leaves I’d gathered there, but that night, a strange dream took hold. I was suspended in a bleak, black void. I couldn't move my body; I felt the cold bite of iron chains tracing my skin. I tried to scream, but I had no mouth. In the distance, two crimson eyes bored into me. Suddenly, a voice whispered: “Go see your parents, and trust no one.”
The vision shattered. I bolted upright, my heart hammering a thousand miles an hour. My skin burned like molten lava, and my fur was matted with sweat. I retched. Shaking, I pulled myself up and scanned the area. It was morning. Uuk was gone. Where could he have gone? Fear began to gnaw at me. What was that dream? What did it mean? My head throbbed with confusion. Trust no one? What about my parents?
I had to get a grip. I took a deep breath, held it, and let it go. I repeated the cycle until the panic subsided. Should I even listen to this? Maybe it’s just a stupid nightmare. But waking up in a pool of vomit isn't normal. I had to go to my parents; they’d worry if I didn't show.
I took off running. With every stride, my limbs felt heavier. I imagined the worst. Had the dogs gotten them? Was something wrong? The anxiety was suffocating. When I reached the tree, I scrambled up the trunk. There they were—calm, sitting and eating. I collapsed to the floor in sheer relief.
"Don't scare me like that!" I barked, slamming my fist against the ground.
But... the voice had said not to trust. What was happening? My mother approached and wrapped me in a hug. At first, I felt comforted, but then reality struck like a physical blow: Liva don't communicate like this. To show affection, we press our foreheads together. I recoiled, leaping back into a defensive stance.
There were no words, only violence. They lunged instantly. The thing that looked like my mother charged head-on while the other flanked me with inhuman speed. I managed to dodge the first few swipes, but watched in horror as my father’s hand began to warp, swelling to a grotesque size. In a heartbeat, that massive fist slammed into my jaw.
The world went black. I was out cold.
"F... R... I... D... O... Are you there...?"
A faint whisper drifted through the dark.
"What happened?" I asked, my mind a fractured mess.
"You’re home, baby. It’s me, Mo—"
The voice was hauntingly familiar. I blinked slowly, trying to stitch reality back together. Everything was blurred, the world spinning on its axis. As my vision cleared, the first thing I saw was a glowing lightbulb.
"Wake up, sweetheart. You have to get to class."
I remember now! That’s my human mother’s voice! But why? Why am I hearing her? Is this a memory? I sat up on what felt like a mattress, dazed and clumsy. I moved my arm and it felt... different. I stared at it, unable to process what I was seeing: a human hand. Small, like a boy on the cusp of puberty.
"Get up now, or I’m coming in there to get you!" her voice rang out again.
"I’m coming, I’m coming," I replied automatically, the words slipping out without a thought.
I stood up, walked out of the room, and headed downstairs. Everything was exactly as I remembered it—even the alien sticker I’d peeled and stuck onto the doorframe was still there. This was the house of my childhood.
I froze just before reaching the kitchen, a slight tremor running through my leg. I wasn't ready to see her again. Not after her horrific death. The scent of fresh pancakes hit me, and I forced the trembling to stop. I stepped inside. There she was, radiant as ever, cooking the best breakfast in the world.
A lump formed in my throat.
"I'm here, Mom," I said, my voice cracking.
"Why are you crying, honey?" she asked with her signature sweetness. I hadn't even realized my eyes were overflowing. She walked over. "Come here. Hug your mom. Whatever is bothering you, it'll pass."
I couldn't hold it back anymore. I threw myself into her arms and held on for dear life.
"I love you, Mom," I sobbed into her apron. "Everything has been so hard lately. I miss you. Why did you have to go?"
"But I haven't gone anywhere. I’m right here with you. Now dry those tears and get ready for school," she said, stroking my hair. "You're still such a crybaby."
"I'm sorry, Mom. Truly. I didn't want to do it," I stammered through the sobs.
"What are you talking about? Have you gone crazy on me? You little nutcase. Now eat, and never forget that I love you to the tenth power."
I sat down, and she set a plate in front of me. I took a bite. It was delicious. I didn't stop until the plate was clean.
"I'm going to go get ready." I felt like I was forgetting something, but it didn't matter. I raced to my room, and in a flash, I was ready for a new adventure at school.
We hopped in the car and left. When we arrived, she kissed me goodbye and headed to work. She always worked so hard. It was just the two of us; it had always been just the two of us.
As I walked through the school hallways, the whispers started.
"Did you see the way he looks at people? They say that's why his dad left."
"Is it true he's a killer?"
"He looks traumatized."
"Maybe he's just stupid."
"I heard he killed a dog a while back."
Amidst the background noise, I heard the voice of my second favorite person: Mika, the most beautiful girl in the universe.
"Hi, Mika," I said to my future wife.
"Hi, Frido. How are you?" she asked kindly.
"Same as always. People talk, but I'm fine as long as you're here."
The whispers grew louder, more distorted.
"Come on, Frido." She grabbed my hand and pulled me away. Once we were outside, she started her usual lecture. "You have to stand up for yourself. I need my future husband to be someone I can rely on." She realized what she’d said and turned beet-red.
"I promise I'll be the best husband for you," I said, smiling and giving her a thumbs-up.
Suddenly, the image shattered. It was night. It was pouring rain. I saw that damned car overturned on the side of the highway. I ran toward it and looked inside. She was there, wearing that same beautiful smile.
"Go, Frido! Run! It's going to explode!"
"Don't you love me anymore, Mom?" I asked. My hands were slick with blood from leaning on the shattered glass on the pavement.
"I would never say that, son. I love you with all my soul. My time is up, but yours is just beginning. Run, please... and never forget that I love you to the tenth power," she replied, her smile radiating a warmth that could melt the world.
The engine ignited. The blast threw me back, and everything went dark.
I returned to reality...
..."