This story was originally written in Indonesian. I used AI to help translate it into English, so I apologize in advance for any translation errors or awkward phrasing that may appear.
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Darkness...
Santi was slowly falling into an endless void.
"Am I... dead?"
A chilling coldness engulfed her. Silence. Emptiness. There was nothing—only an infinite black stretching in every direction.
"I'm sorry, Mom... I promised I would change... I promised I wouldn't disappoint you again... It's all over now, but... please, just once... let me see you again."
And then, a blinding light pierced through the darkness.
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ZRAAAK—
Suddenly, the light pulled her in. Her body felt weightless.
In an instant, she found herself in a completely different place—bright, yet silent.
"H-huh...? Did I... move?" she whispered, confused.
Then, a voice echoed from all directions—deep, powerful, and omniscient.
"Calm yourself, human. You are a sinner... You do not belong here."
Santi lowered her head, her expression filled with sorrow.
"A sinner... Yeah. I know. I admit it."
"You were supposed to suffer for your sins. However... your mother has forgiven you. She begged me to grant you mercy."
Tears rolled down her cheeks. Her heart ached at those words.
"But your sins were not committed against her alone. Thus, I cannot fully forgive you. However... a mother's love cannot be ignored. So I shall create a new world. Right now, in this very moment, you shall be sent to a realm of your own.
It is not a gift... but it may serve as punishment."
---
Suddenly, the entire space shook violently.
"W-what's happening!?"
Santi was hurled into the void, witnessing an unbelievable scene—massive explosions, swirling stars, and the birth of entire planets in mere seconds.
A new world was being born—for her, and her alone.
Not as a reward, but as punishment... as redemption.
"The world you shall enter is harsh and merciless. A world where magic is real. This time, in this life... be a daughter your mother can be proud of. Do that, and your sins shall be cleansed."
The voice vanished, and her body was hurled forward—
Through time. Through space.
---
"Waaah... Waaah..."
A baby's cry echoed. Santi's vision was blurry, but she could see it—people with horns?
"Your Highness, the child is born. A healthy girl."
One of the horned figures gently lifted her up, then handed her to a beautiful woman lying in bed.
Her long, crimson hair flowed like fire, and her ruby-red eyes gleamed like precious jewels.
"Is... is this my new mother...? She's beautiful... but that aura—so intimidating."
"Haaah... Even after bearing ten children, this is the first one I gave birth to myself. It hurts... even for someone like me."
Santi—now a newborn—was taken away to be bathed. But as she listened, the maids whispered things that sent chills down her spine.
"I wish she had died during childbirth..."
"Don't say that. Did you see that demon that tried to kill Her Majesty during labor? It was slain instantly."
"Demons...? What kind of world is this?"
---
After her bath, she was returned to the woman on the bed.
The woman—her new mother—gently stroked her head.
"Such a weak little thing... But I can't bring myself to hate you. Still, I have no choice."
The queen rose from bed effortlessly, her body healed through magic.
"Let's see what path you'll choose. Will you try to kill me too, like the others?"
"WHAT!? Her other children tried to kill her!? What kind of family did I just enter!?"
The queen sat beside her and looked down into her eyes.
"From today onward, your name is Pandora. Tenth child of the cruelest demon queen in all of history."
That name resonated deep inside Santi.
And yet, hearing those words... her fear faded.
"Despite everything... I think... she's a good mother."
---
But Santi—now Pandora—knew nothing of what truly lay ahead.
Her new mother was none other than the infamous Demon Queen of Ijdornia—the most feared ruler in all of history.
---
In her heart, she said her final goodbyes.
"Father... I know you killed Mother and made me the scapegoat. But still... you're my father. I forgive you."
"Siska... We weren't close anymore, but once, we were best friends. You never invited me to your house, and now I understand why. I hope someday you'll forgive me."
"Mom... Thank you. When no one else believed in me... you did. You worried for me when everyone else turned their backs. I'm proud to be your daughter. Thank you, and goodbye."
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"This time, I'll make it. I swear I will... From now on, I am no longer Santi. My name is Pandora."
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And so, Santi was reborn into a world she knew nothing of.
A world of swords and sorcery.
A world of endless battle and deep-rooted pain.
This was no blessing. This was her punishment—
A final chance to rewrite her fate.
From this moment on, Santi no longer existed.Now begins a new journey—
The journey of Pandora, as she seeks to rewrite her destiny in the world of Ijdornia.