Chapter Text
Waking up as Reagan Matthias is... interesting.
But also fucking weird. And very unexpected.
If I was going to be reincarnated I'd have preferred to be some other unknown black character in this book, but here I am.
I mean I guess being Reagan isn't so bad. Rhiannon's my twin sister and a badass so that's a plus.
I don't really remember how I ended up in this situation. I don't remember much of anything aside from what happens in this world.
It's been a month since I arrived in this world in the body of Reagan. And it's been an adjustment. Especially when I found out I was engaged.
It was especially trying for my family. I'm glad for whatever accident Reagan had. It was a pretty bad head injury and it allowed me explain my sudden lack of memories. At least I remembered Rhiannon. Her–or my–twin sister.
I've never been more glad to not be an exact replica of someone. Not that I'm saying looking like Rhiannon is bad thing. She's gorgeous. We do still look alike, but you can still tell the difference. For one, I have two, small little beauty marks, on the corner, right under my left eye. My eyes are more half-lidded and my lips not as full as hers. Plus, I'm a few inches shorter than her.
But it's hard seeing them like this. Stressed and worried and unsure of how to handle the fact that their child had lost all her memories. And I can't help feeling guilty over what I have done to them.
They tried everything. Pictures, or paintings and journals and all my favourite things to get me to remember, but nothing.
Guilt eats it's way at me at the truth. The truth being, that their Reagan is gone and there's only me now.
But they're quick to adjust to this new me. They don't push and they still love me, which is more than I'd expected.
They're good people.
💠
I've been here an entire year. And still no signs of leaving.
I breathe out, shift my feet and throw another kick in the air, followed by a fist and then kick again.
Ever since coming to the realisation that this is not a dream and I'm stuck in this body, I've been training it. Or better yet, Rhiannon's been training me.
It was a complete shock for my family when I told them that I wanted to go to Basgiath with my sister.
And it was not a very happy discussion.
I mean sure. Everyone was supportive of Rhiannon, but me. That was just crazy.
I'm Reagan. The oldest. My sights were set on marriage and then having a family and living in some region somewhere with my husband.
Not Basgiath. Or dragon riding. Or fighting wars.
We argued. My mother hadn't spoken to me for a week and my father kept giving me concerned looks.
My...fiance, thought I'd been going crazy and had tried to talk me out of the idea.
He still does. But I'm not changing my mind. He can threaten our marriage all he likes, but I really don't care.
He's a good man and I like him. But I'm not in love with him and I'm certainly not going to marry him.
Rhiannon was also very concerned, but also supportive. Though I suspect she only played along for the first few months cause she thought I'd change my mind at some point.
Yet here I am. Still training. Still preparing for the parapet and as the months draw closer to Conscription day, my family is slowly coming to the conclusion that, no. This is not a passing phase.
Reagan is not a fighter. That much is for sure. She's fit, sure. But her body does not know how to take a punch or throw one.
So with Rhiannon's help, I've been learning how to fight and perfecting my own moves. I'm a few inches shorter than her, so I get advice from some retired infantry around the village on how best to attack and defend against someone bigger than me.
In my time here, I've made some friends with two former infantry men. They were lucky to have survived their positions and they've been really helpful in my training.
I'm good. Not Rhiannon good, cause she's got years of training on me. But still, better than I was before.
Conscription day is two months away and I'll spend that entire time training for it.
Since I got here, I've written down all my memories of Fourth Wing in a journal. The important things, to prepare myself and make sure I didn't forget anything important.
I'll need to keep that journal safe and on me at all times.
Who knows what would happen if someone either here or at Basgiath found it.
I shiver at the thought and shakes my head, getting out of those disturbing thoughts.
Basgiath is a problem for when I'm there. Right now, my only problem is packing and finding transport to the College.
That night, dinner with my family is nice, if a little tense. The days are to conscription day are winding down and I can feel my family's anxiety as they realise that I'm still going through with my decision.
"Are you sure about this?" Melissa, my mom, asks, breaking the silence.
I knew this was coming. It's been the same song and dance since I mentioned that i was still going to Basgiath five months ago.
"Mom..." I start softly. "We've talked about this a hundred times. I am going to Basgiath and im going yo become a rider." I tell her softly.
"I know, but darling. Don't you think you should wait another year. Go next year." She please softly and the concern in her tone makes my stomach twist.
"You were in an accident and you lost your memories. I just think..."
"I know what you think, mom." I say, cutting her off. "And you know what I'm going to say." I retort.
"Reagan..." She starts, tone pleading.
"Mom, please." I cut her off again.
"She's just worried about you, Rea. And as excited as I am to have you go with me. I'm also a little concerned about your decision." Rhiannon explains softly.
I sigh, the fight in me leaving. "I know. And I understand why. But I want to do this." I say gently. "I want to go to Basgiath. I want to be a rider. Ever since I lost my memories I've been...lost. I don't know anything. I don't understand my own feelings. But when I heard about Basgiath I just got this...feeling. Like I had to do this. It's something that I really, really want and I know I can do." I confess. "And I had really hoped you'd trust me to do this, instead of...talking me down." I finish, looking away from them.
The table is silent after my rant and I glance hesitantly at them.
I can see the wheels turning in everyone's heads. The worry, concern and arguments that they probably all have.
When no one says anything else, I sigh and get up from seat, picking up my late.
"I'm going to Basgiath. Whether you want me to or not." I say and turn away before anyone can say anything.
I leave my plate in the sink and walk towards my room, upstairs.
When I close the door, a sigh leaves my lips. I'm so tired and emotional now, I don't know if I'll be able to go to bed.
I did not think that this was how my last day at home was going to be. I'm ruining Reagan's life.
This is not who she walk and I can tell that even after all this time, they're still finding it hard to adjust to who I am now.
Walking to the bed, I changed into something more comfortable for bed. Pants and a tank top and fall face first into my bed.
"Ugh!" I groan loudly and turn my head, facing the open window. It's hot, so I rarely close it. Besides, the view's nice outside.
The stars are different.
When I ended up here, I'd hoped to be a good daughter and not ruin Reagan's relationships with her family. It'd be easier to explain a personality change after three years at a war college.
But yet, here I am. Making her life miserable. I'm a terrible person.
I wonder where she is on most nights. Like I wonder where I came from. And how I ended up hijacking the body of a character from a book.
It's strange, that I can very easily remember what happens in this book, but can't remember my own life or how I got here.
How very convenient. Frustrating. But convenient.
I turn, staring at the ceiling.
Doesn't matter anyways.
While I'm here, I'm going to do as much as I can to save this world.
To protect my family. Because even if they're not mine. I've still come to care for them and would much prefer if they didn't die from venin attacks.
Couldn't I have been reincarnated as anyone else, in any other story. Just my luck, I end up in a world with evil, magic-sucking monsters and their evil, wannabe, fake ass dragons.
Movement outside my door draws me out of my thoughts and my attention snaps towards whoever is out there.
I hear a soft knock and a voice comes through from the other side.
"Rea." It's Rhiannon. "Can I come in?" She asks softly and I hesitate for a moment before getting up.
I walk to the door and open in slightly. Peeking through the space.
"Hey." I greet lamely.
"Hey." She also greets, lios tilting up in a small smile. "Mind if I come in?" She asks.
I tilt my head, as if I thought thrn look back at her. "Depends. Are you here to talk me out of the next three years of my life?" I raise a brow in question.
She sighs and rolls her eyes at me. "Rea..."
I huff and open the door, gesturing for her to enter. I shut the door behind her and walk to the bed, sitting on the edge.
We're both quiet. Rhiannon walking around my room and taking notes of how different everything is now. Me watching her and trying to gauge what she's feeling about this new difference.
"So...." She starts, drawing out the word. "That was intense." She says, watching me intently. She leans against the armoire and crosses her arms.
Crossing my arms. "It's always intense." I shrug. "They all think I've gone crazy." I say tiredly.
"No they don't..." I look I give her stops her short and clears her throat. "Okay, maybe a little." She admits.
I roll my eyes and fall back on the bed.
"Rea..." She calls, her voice sounding closer and I feel the bed dip beside me. "They're just worried about you."
"They worry about you too, but don't try to talk you out it." I point out.
"It's different..."
"How?! How is it different?" I ask angrrily.
" You know why."
"I thought we got over this." I groan, rubbing my face tiredly.
She sighs. "We did. But come on. You can't expect them to be okay with such a drastic decision so quickly."
I scoff and turn away on my side, back facing her and looking at the window.
"Rea..."
"I get it. Okay." I snap, then sigh. Rhiannon doesn't deserve my anger. She's been nothing but supportive and helpful.
"Sorry." I mutter and shift. Sitting up in my bed and facing her.
"It's okay." She mutters back and rubs my arm. "Talk to me."
"About what?" I try and she raises a brow, unimpressed.
"I said it all downstairs. Basgiath, while dangerous, feels like a good change." I start slowly. "I'm no longer the person you all knew. I don't even know who she was. But this is me now. And I feel like going to Basgiath and becoming a rider is what I need to finally feel like me. Make myself into someone that I know." I ramble and blush, not sure if what I said made sense or not. I've never been good with words.
"Wow." She says finally. "Is that really what you feel?" She asks and I shrug.
"Rea... I'll always have your back. And I'll always support you. No matter what." She reassures. "Your my sister. My first best friend. I love you." She shares, holding my hands and squeezing tight.
"I'll admit. This was a shock to me too. And I thought you'd change your mind after some time, don't get mad." She adds quickly. "I just worry. Like everyone. But if you really want this. Then I'm with you. All the way to the end." She ends with a smile.
I smile gratefully and pull her into a hug. "Thank you. I love you and I'm so glad you're my sister." I mutter into her shoulder and she hugs me back, just as tightly.
"I am pretty great." She jokes and laugh.
"We should get to bed. Mom and dad will come around soon. Don't worry." She says and I nod.
We shift under the covers and turn off the light.
We do t fall asleep immediately. Instead talking nonstop about our plans for when we get to Basgiath.
With everything that's happened. I'm glad that Rhiannon's my sister. She's pushy, but in a good way. And I love her.
I'd be crazy to not fight to protect her.
💠
I duck and throw a punch, but Rhiannon dodges and throws her on.
We go on for longer. Kick here. Punch there. Someone gets pinned down then breaks free. My body moving in quick, steady rhythm as well spar. Like we do every day.
It's been a good few weeks and I enjoy the burn in my arms now that I've gotten used to my own fighting style.
Training with Rhiannon is also fun and I love spending time with my sister. Getting to know her properly.
The air feels lighter between us ever since that night in my room and it's good.
I can't say the same thing about my parents. My father is a little more supportive. Mother on the other hand. Not so much.
But on the bright side, my engagement to Caleb is over. Guess he couldn't handle how different I was from the woman he knew and loved.
I feel bad. Taking away someone he thought he'd spend his life with. But this is my life now. And I don't want to be tied down to man any time soon.
We still talk from time to time. We're cordial, but it's fucking awkward and I'd rather avoid bumping into hum at all costs.
Conscription day is only two weeks away and Rhiannon's been jittery in excitement. I feel just as jittery, but not in excitement. More in intense nerves because the story is finally beginning.
When I cross that parapet. And I will. They'll be no going back.
I still haven't figured out how to get Xaden on my side without him killing me or thinking I'm crazy. And it's very stressful. So I've decided it's a problem for future me, after I step on the other side of the turret.
"Fuck." I groan when Rhi throws me on my back and pins me down. Drawing me out of my thoughts.
I twist around, trying to break free of her hokd but she's got ne diwn good.
"Stop thinking so much and focus." She teases and I roll my eyes, tapping her arm in surrender.
She lets go and helps me up, brows furrowed. "Where's your head been these last few weeks?" She asks in concern.
I shrug and smile, hoping to ease her worry. "Basgiath." I answer truthfully. "Just excited to finally be going." I add, which is kinda a lie.
She grins at me and we make our way indoors. "Me too." She admits. "And to think that only a year ago, I thought I'd be going in alone. But I'm so happy to know you'll be there with me."
I grin just as much. "Me too. I can't wait to bond a dragon." I tell her, and I'm honestly truly excited for that. I just hope they don't torch me for being a body-snatcher.
"Just next week and we'll be in Basgiath and ready to cross that parapet. I can't wait." She sighs dreamily and I shake my head at her enthusiasm.
"Neither can I." I mutter as we make our way upstairs.
I've been practicing on a balance beam for five months and along with that. I dragged Rhiannon far to a hill and made her scale it with me, like our lives depended on it.
It's no Gauntlet. But she should be a good enough workout for when we actually have to do it. I even made her run up a steep slope of the hill with me. A mock ramp at the end of the Gauntlet. It's great training and it's helped build our stamina. All very necessary.
When Rhi asked about the need for this training, I simply shrugged and said you never know what to expect.
I couldn't exactly say we're practicing for a death course on the side of a mountain. That we'll need to win inorder to meet the dragons and bond one.
"You know..." I start slowly, following her to her room. "I know the plan was to go next week. But I was thinking..." I say hesitantly. "How about we leave earlier. Like, this Saturday?" I suggest with a small smile and watch as she freezes in the middle of getting undressed.
"Saturday?" She asks. "As in, in two days?" She asks again and I nod.
"Why?" She asks with a raised brow. "I mean, Basgiath is far, but it's only three days."
"I know that." I answer immediately. "But don't you think it'd be better to arrive a little earlier. Just so we're ready for it. I mean...crossing the parapet after four days of travel and only two day's rest doesn't seem like the best idea." I shrug and hope she agrees with me.
She looks at me in confusion, but I see the wheels turning in her head. "I mean...that does sound like a good idea." She admits softly, moving to sit on the bed. "But where would we even stay?" She asks.
"An inn." I answer readily.
"With what money?" She raises a brow unimpressed.
"I have money." I reveal with a shrug. " It was originally wedding money. But I'm not going to be needing that anymore. So..." I trail off and look at her with puppy eyes.
"You're really ready for this." She says and nod. "Fine." She sighs and I squeal excitedly. "But we leave on Sunday, not Saturday." She demands and I open my mouth to argue but she shushes me. "Sunday. Three days of rest to cross the parapet is more than enough, don't you think." She says, not really asking and I sigh .
"Fine. Sunday it is." I agree and she grins.
"Great. Now leave so I can go shower." She orders, getting up.
I groan and fall back on her bed. "But your bed is so comfy." I whine and she laughs.
"No, get off!" She yells, throwing a shirt at me. "You're getting sweat and dirt all over it." She complains.
"No!" I refuse and before I know, she's throwing herself on top of me and it soon turns into a pillow fight.
Our laughter echoing down the halls of our home.