ATLA, In A Darker World

Chapter 1 Death ....... And Life

There was a popular saying in movies, Tv shows and novels.

It could start in a variety of ways. Nonetheless, it usually ended with the following….

“Build something greater on the ashes”.

And from what I could remember, it was a phrase that was mostly associated to madmen with a knack for world destruction and domination.

People like Hitler, Thanos, Zod, Luthor, Ultron, Ozai...... The last one quite literally took that concept to near literal fruition. Almost burning everything he didn't approve of on his world to ash.

The concept in their minds were to destroy everything, and rebuild on what remained. Or what managed to survive their catastrophe, into their image.

99% of the time, they never succeeded. Amd the remaining 1% usually had their work undone. But still.

I wasn't a particularly ambitious person per se. At least, I would like to think so. Perhaps it was because of the environment I was brought up in, or the fact that years of grueling hard work and effort never led me to amount to much in life.

Another famous saying. Success consisted of 99% hard work and 1% Talent. The first saying could only be considered a statement which I had little knowledge on.

This one, however, was something I experienced myself. So I can confidently say that the latter was more or less a large load of BS.

After all, all those years of slaving my ass off didn't yield any valuable results. I watched as the status between me and the truly successful in life remained the same way I initially saw it. As large as a dimensional chasm.

It couldn't be helped. My talent in school wasn't enough to stimulate a qualitative change.

Compared to those who were born rich, wealthy and had valuable connections, I had no advantage, no edge. Basically, lost at the starting line.

Which led me to think of yet another famous saying. Work smarter, not harder.

This phrase might sound pleasant and easy to do, but it would face practical problems when placed in reality.

Working smarter would many times entail scheming, cunning and plotting against others. As well as pushing you to do things that would usually violate your moral conscience.

As well as your dignity and self-esteem.

Especially when a former classmate asks you to kneel to him so he can recommend you to a job position.

After working hard yet finding nothing and having such an opportunity presented before you, would it be smart to take it?

Perhaps.

But would your pride allow such? Mine certainly didn't. Not everyone faces similar situations, but you get the idea.

Perhaps I should have adhered more to that motto during my lifetime.  Unfortunately, it was too late by the time I realized it.

After years of hard effort, the only thing I received was a slice of reality. So yeah ..... I wouldn't define myself as ambitious.

Not anymore.

A normal person would let themselves go, immerse themselves in their imaginations, and use fantasies to distract themselves from their failures.

I was the same. Writing novels and fanfictions to take my mind away. But I was more realistic.

The whole rebirth shebang was never something I took for an actual possibility, hence never truly interested me. Until I was involved in it.

I never thought about what followed. I mean, I'd hoped to get another chance to relive my life. Perhaps ninety percent of the population would share my sentiment.