《A Collection Of Short Stories, Poems, and Writings》


 A Gods Observation

    I¡¯ve been watching the world I¡¯ve created for¡­ I don¡¯t know. Since before I introduced the concept of linear time, I suppose? I didn¡¯t turn that feature on until the plane of my creation was formed because it would¡¯ve messed up my plans. I can only imagine the chaos that would¡¯ve followed if my proto-lifeforms evolved before I could even finish designing the perfect atmosphere required for their survival!


    Anyway, where was I¡­ Ah, yes, I¡¯ve been watching this blue gem of a world I¡¯ve created for a long while. It was one of the few I sowed the potential of ¡°intelligent life¡± onto, not that other forms of life aren¡¯t intelligent in their unique ways. Am I biased? Perhaps, but who can judge their creator?


    I watched, as eons passed, the lifeforms I planted grow into various, wonderful beings. It never bores me to observe these tiny beings evolve into something greater. Sometimes, I¡¯m in awe of my own genius. Can you tell I¡¯m a humble guy?


    Yes, yes, I¡¯m aware I¡¯ve been rambling for too long. It¡¯s hard to notice the time passing as an omnipresent being. Now, after a few million years, the potential I sowed so long ago has begun to show signs of blossom. I was tempted to skip ahead, but I¡¯d be breaking the rules I spent ages getting right.


    Then, at long last, the first human was born. I¡¯m certain they didn¡¯t call themselves that for the majority of their history, but I took a liking to the word. It¡¯s ¡°quaint,¡± I suppose.


    I observed their continuous evolution and gradual effort to create something greater than what they could¡¯ve achieved individually. Alone, they are but another lifeform in this world. Together, they are a marvel, and that was merely the beginning.


    I told myself not to interact with them as I may interrupt their natural progress, but I couldn¡¯t resist the temptation. I oh-so desired to know how my creations would view me, and I approached them in different forms based on what they wanted to see. One group of humans loved me so much that they built a tower to reach me! Unfortunately, I got a little too excited and accidentally knocked it down. It was an accident, I swear.


    For the next few millennia, I stayed mostly quiet, mostly because I feared I¡¯d interacted with them too much. Though I spoke to them through ideas, they¡­ How should I put this? They were a little too enthusiastic about me. Apparently, they loved me so much that they were willing to slaughter their own simply because of how differently they saw me.


    The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.


    At first, I was shocked. Flabbergasted, even. I knew there was an inherent risk in allowing lifeforms to evolve this way, and I wanted to see what they¡¯d become without my intervention, but this¡­ Perhaps I should¡¯ve programmed them in a way that they¡¯ll never attack their own kind. Or maybe it wouldn¡¯t have worked at all, considering these humans would find new ways to brand their own people as ¡°different.¡±


    Then, I was heartbroken. They build so many beautiful things when they come together, but they destroy so often. They¡¯ll trample over the settlements their fellow humans created just so they can have more of what they already have. I designed this world in a way that they¡¯d always have enough to survive, but¡­


    I think what broke my heart the most was seeing them running in circles. They could¡¯ve had so much more. I wanted to see more of them collaborating together and sharing their woes and joys with their kin.


    Yet, they kept repeating the same mistakes over and over again. The once conquerors become the oppressed, and those enslaved become the slavers. I don¡¯t understand why they kept forgetting their roots, their innate love for their fellow man. Sometimes, in a single generation, a group of humans would forget their suffering at the hands of another and inflict the same pain on others. Why? Do they not possess the ability to empathize? Could that ability of theirs be stripped away under the right circumstances, even though it is one of their defining features?


    However, even in times of great suffering, some humans persevere. They held onto their humanity and continued down the path of cooperation. Even when their society coerced them to be selfish, they remained selfless, even at the cost of their lives. I couldn¡¯t help but wonder why there were such differences between members of the same group.


    Well, I could. I am capable of studying them down to the fundamental particles that they are made out of. However, that would ruin the magic, wouldn¡¯t it? They still hold so much potential, so much kindness and cruelty, even both at the same time occasionally. Why do it now if they may still hold more surprises for me in the future? That¡¯s the thing about being an omnipotent being. You figure out everything out too quickly if you peek at what¡¯s beneath the surface.


    Even though humans often seem to be running in circles, and they keep relearning the same lessons, they still make progress. It''s a lot less than I would¡¯ve liked to see, but it¡¯s still something. Besides, I have an eternity left to keep me company. What¡¯s a few thousand years more of waiting? Still, I hope they¡¯ll figure out the prank I pulled with them related to the dinosaurs soon. Their reaction is bound to be priceless.


    Now, I suppose I should check in on my other specimens within the galaxy the humans called Andromeda. The lifeforms I planted there should¡¯ve reached a more interesting stage by now. I can¡¯t wait to witness the surprises they hold.

 Cryptid Sighting

    Day 1


    0800


    I arrived at the location of the cryptid sighting. The driver, a local, told me I wasn¡¯t the tenth to visit the town this month, and that he¡¯ll be ferrying two more here tomorrow. If that¡¯s his way of telling me that there¡¯s no hope of finding it, then he¡¯s dead wrong. I¡¯ve been longing for this day since I first heard the legend from my great-grandparents when I was a kid. I don¡¯t care how many ¡°red flags¡± this place seems to be raising. I¡¯ll make Daniel eat his words when I take a picture of that cryptid.


    1000


    I¡¯ve settled down at the local motel. The driver certainly wasn¡¯t lying about the abundance of cryptid hunters here. Although, they seem more like tourists than anything. A bunch of posers. I bet they can¡¯t even list all the food that the cryptid eats or its sleeping cycle. They see a bunch of merchandise of the cryptid, and they¡¯re all hooked. Unlike them, these worthless trinkets mean nothing to me, and it will mean nothing to them when I find the cryptid. I will prove to my parents that this dream is worthwhile, even in this broken world.


    1300


    Just had lunch and ready to set off. I admit, I did find the ¡°Cryptid Meal¡± adorable. Their attempt at creating an image of the cryptid with food is commendable, especially when the dish is delicious, too. Anyway, I hitchhiked for the majority of my trip there and walked the rest. The mistake that all ¡°cryptid hunters¡± make is carrying too many supplies with them. The trick is to scavenge food in the forest itself. Sure, it¡¯s not recommended considering what happened That Day, but hey, the vegetation doesn¡¯t seem poisoned. I would know. Still, I¡¯m not aiming to risk my life on this endeavor, even if it¡¯s my lifelong dream. I suppose I¡¯ll have to be careful.


    1500


    Found a good spot to rest about a kilometer into the forest. I can¡¯t believe people would rather spend their money on useless souvenir junk than actually interacting with the forest. How many people can claim they¡¯ve come this close to one such wondrous and authentic before? Just thinking about how they wasted their precious opportunity on tourist traps angers me. I guess that¡¯s why Su Jing ended up not joining me. She knows how important this is to me, yet all she can think of is seeing the museum and crap like that. I get it, she doesn¡¯t want to get all dirty, but still¡­


    1800


    Surprise, surprise, I found the old shack that everyone told me I¡¯d better off not bothered with. Seriously, how difficult did they think finding this place is? Even with incomplete maps, one can easily nail it by pouring over the bits of information people have gathered over the years. No wonder Silvia is said to be the last true professional cryptid hunter. I thought the news was exaggerating, but seeing how the lot of them in town couldn¡¯t even reach here, I find it more believable now. In any case, the shack¡¯s holding up better than I thought. Yeah, there¡¯s mold and dust everywhere, but at least the floor¡¯s intact. Setting up a tent here¡¯s gonna be easier than I thought. I wonder how the previous owner here felt when everything went to shit before died trying to protect the cryptid.


    Day 2


    0700


    Nothing notable last night. Well, I heard a lot of different noises, but I¡¯m certain none of them belonged to the cryptid. My great-grandad got the best impression of it. All the old people said so. As someone who had asked him to do the impression every day till he died, I doubt I¡¯ll mistake other sounds for it. In any case, I¡¯ll be exploring the surrounding area extensively. Once I¡¯m sure the cryptid is nowhere to be found here, I¡¯ll head to The Light.


    1500


    Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! I know I can be a klutz, but I swear I kept everything out of sight! Is it the cryptid? Did it discover the packed tent I hid under the floor? There was no sign of the cryptid anywhere around, though. Dammit. I guess I¡¯m stuck here for the rest of the day trying to repair this damn thing.


    1900


    Ate a fruit I found on a branch. I think this is the most disgustingly delicious thing I¡¯ve ever eaten. Why is it yellow?


    Day 3


    1100


    Arrived at The Light. Man, I would¡¯ve loved to see this thing in its prime. Then again, it was one of the reasons why things went to shit, so it¡¯s probably not a good idea for me to poke around inside. Still, plenty for me to see here. It¡¯s crazy to think this is one of the last few places in this world where we can glimpse at what the past society might¡¯ve looked like. Heck, even if I don¡¯t find the cryptid at the end, I think this journey has been pretty awesome.


    1300


    Holy shit, holy shit, I heard it! I¡¯m damn fucking sure it¡¯s the cryptid! It has to be! I abandoned my lunch immediately and bolted to the origin. The sound didn¡¯t appear again, but I could hear something running around! The best part? My lunch was half-eaten when I came back! The cryptid must¡¯ve lured me away to have a bite! Haha! I doubt it¡¯s just a coincidence that some other critter came to eat my stuff in the short period while I was gone.


    1900


    I¡¯m exhausted after running around for the whole day. Despite my best attempts, I didn¡¯t get any closer to the cryptid again. Now I wonder if I should stick around or continue traveling further in. In any case, I think I¡¯ll hit the bed after dinner.


    Day 4


    Checked everywhere. Saw signs of the cryptid possibly traveling deeper in. Will follow tomorrow.


    Day 5


    0900


    Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.I see clouds gathering on the horizon. Everyone said the chances of raining are low during this season, but it doesn¡¯t mean that the possibility is zero. Shit. If it does rain, then the cryptid¡¯s track, at least what I think is the cryptid¡¯s track, will become difficult to follow. God, I hope I¡¯m not wrong about following this path. I may be able to identify it through the sound it makes, but not the tracks.


    1200


    Arrived on Prosperity¡¯s Edge. I don¡¯t know why they name the places here with fancy titles considering there¡¯s nothing much here even before That Day. In any case, I¡¯m starting to worry. I only have three more days left, two if I don¡¯t count the trip back. I have to find the cryptid. I have to. There¡¯s no telling when I¡¯ll have another chance, and Kim¡¯s¡­ I have to find and photograph it.


    2200


    Shit. More tracks but no signs of the cryptid. Had to eat a¡­ thing I found in a pond. At least, I think it¡¯s a pond. Anyway, I took a picture of it, so I¡¯m not describing it here. I suck at that anyway. It was surprisingly delicious when roasted. Anyway, I can hear thunder rumbling in the distance. Hopefully, it won¡¯t rain tomorrow.


    Day 6


    1400


    Guess what happened. Guess what fucking happened. Yeah. If traveling for kilometers on end under a scorching sun was bad, then doing the same on a rainy day is ten times worse. I¡¯m not going to lie, I¡¯m despairing. Even though the rain was thankfully light, it still made following the cryptid worse, especially because it hates rain too and blends into the environment well in the dark. In any case, I¡¯ve reached the edge, but I couldn¡¯t find the cryptid. I was certain I followed it well, but it just¡­ disappeared. I know it has a tendency to do that, which is why no one has found it yet despite the relatively small size of this area. For some reason, I have a feeling I may still encounter it on my way back to the shack. Maybe I¡¯ll get lucky.


    Day 7


    2300


    Nothing. I combed through every centimeter on my way back and found nothing. I even spent an extra few hours back at The Light, hoping I¡¯d find it there. I was a fool. Honestly, as I lean my wet back against the wall right now, I want to cry. I¡¯ve dreamed of this journey for so long. No one believed my great-grandparents or their friends were telling the truth. And as time went on, fewer and fewer people took it seriously. It still exists. I know it. How can a cryptid as nimble and clever as it disappears along with so many other things on That Day? It doesn¡¯t seem like it is based on what Great-Grandpa told me.


    Great-Grandma often told me how the cryptid didn¡¯t always have that title back when they were young. I always loved listening to her stories about how great of a companion it was, even if it was a little mischievous at times. I fell in love with it without even seeing it for myself. It¡¯s like¡­ a part of my soul is connected to them. No one around me understood this inexplicable feeling except for Kim. Even when they seemed skeptical about the cryptid, they always supported me. That¡¯s why I wanted to find it, but now¡­


    I don¡¯t know what to do. I can¡¯t sleep, even though my body¡¯s tired. Please, if there is a god out there, show me a miracle. Please. I promise I won¡¯t ask for anything else again in my life. Please, I just want to see it¡­


    2330


    I heard it.


    I heard the sound the cryptid made.


    Even though I was on the verge of falling asleep, I¡¯m certain it was the cryptid.


    2340


    It¡¯s here.


    I know it.


    It¡¯s been pacing back and forth on the roof. I heard it.


    I also heard a few raindrops. I can¡¯t believe I¡¯m wishing it would rain again after complaining about it for two days. If it rains now, there¡¯s a good chance it may come in.


    2350


    Yes! Yes! It rained! Not a lot, but definitely enough to prompt the cryptid to enter the shack! I heard it moving toward the entrance on the roof. I¡¯m so excited that my hands are trembling as I pull out my camera. All windows of the shack has been blocked, so it can only come through the entrance. Now, I just need to remain very still and aim the camera at the entrance.


    2358


    It¡¯s getting closer. I think it¡¯s at the steps right now. I heard it making its sound in that direction. I just need to not fuck this up. Kim, it¡¯s really happening.


    Day 8


    0000


    I saw it. Its piercing yellow eyes and black iris. Even though I had myself pretty well, it looked straight at me the moment it stood at the entrance. I can¡¯t make out the rest of its body, but I don¡¯t need to. The eyes and the sound were enough confirmation. I don¡¯t know if I should use flash now because it may run away before I did it. However, it¡¯s too dark right now. I need better lighting to photograph it.


    Ha, I can¡¯t believe it. The cryptid of my dreams is right in front of me, and I don¡¯t know what to do. I already took a photo of it in the dark, but it¡¯s not a convincing picture of the cryptid. So, I just stared at it, and it just stared at me.


    0100


    I can¡¯t hold on any longer. My entire body is screaming for rest, and using flash now won¡¯t guarantee a good picture. Now, I¡¯m just sitting with my legs crossed, slowly drifting to sleep. Is this it? I don¡¯t know why I¡¯m not happier. I¡¯ve seen the cryptid with my own eyes, yet¡­ Maybe my search for a cryptid has become something more than that.


    Oh, Kim, I want you to witness this with me so badly¡­


    0130


    Just before I passed out, I saw it stepping toward me, and then¡­ I think it sat on my lap, purring. Great-Grandpa will be so happy if he¡¯s still alive. Its fur is so soft¡­


    0730


    When I opened my eyes, I saw it standing at the entrance, facing against the rising sun at me. For some reason, I knew what it was allowing me to do. The look in its eyes couldn¡¯t be more obvious. My brain was still hazy, but I was conscious enough to hold my camera, aimed it at the black, furry creature in front of me, and took the photo.


    It was beautiful.


    1500


    I¡¯m now on my way back home. It still felt so surreal, like it was a dream, but the picture in my hand proves it¡¯s not.


    Honestly, I still don¡¯t know if what I did was right, not telling any locals about the sighting of the cryptid. Of course I wanted to prove the cryptid was still alive and well, but I didn¡¯t want it to be disturbed as well. If I share this picture, there¡¯s no doubt people are going to tear the place apart looking for it. If that happens, then it may truly disappear forever, and I don¡¯t want that.


    Maybe, one day, the cryptid¡¯s population will rise, and their return to the world will no longer pose a threat to their survival. For now, I¡¯m content that I was able to take a photo of it and even touched it.


    I can¡¯t wait for Kim to see the picture of this adorable cat.

 A Conversation With Death

    A woman in a black robe glided down onto the rooftop from the starry sky. The somber expression she wore did not leave her countenance despite her best attempt at collecting herself.


    Quietly, she approached the person a few steps away from her. Their expression couldn¡¯t be identified under the darkness of night. However, their facial features could still be vaguely discerned thanks to the distant light below them.


    The woman settled down beside the person, staring at the lively street below. For minutes, they say in silence. They watched the people celebrate the new year, beaming as they chatted with their loved ones.


    Eventually, the woman pulled back her hood, letting her flowing black hair rest by her waist. She settled her tool at the side and leaned sideways toward her companion.


    ¡°Why did you summon me with the Scythe Card?¡± she asked.


    Slowly, the person inhaled as though it took them all their strength to do so. Then, they slouched forward, their focus still blankly aiming at the streets below.


    ¡°They look happy, don¡¯t they?¡±


    The woman set her gaze upon the colorful stalls once more. ¡°They do.¡±


    A brief silence. Then, the person spoke again. ¡°I want to be there, down the streets, smiling happily without a care in the world, too.¡±


    ¡°Then why aren¡¯t you, August?¡±


    The person snorted, grew silent, and spoke again. ¡°I¡¯ve forgotten how direct you are. It¡¯s a sign that it¡¯s been too long since we last met.¡±


    ¡°August¡­¡± The woman turned toward the person, staring at him with a mix of concern and sorrow. ¡°Why did you call for me?¡±


    A weary sigh escaped August¡¯s lips. ¡°I¡¯m tired, Dea.¡±


    Their voice was small, so tiny that they could barely hear themself.


    Dea lifted her hand hesitantly but eventually gained the courage to hold their hand.


    ¡°I told you I¡¯d never regret helping you restore your lost memories. I lied.¡± August tightened their hand around hers. ¡°Back then, I withheld the truth because I believed fulfilling your greatest wish is more important than anything I want. How could I not after seeing how so many people used the Scythe Card? Now, I can¡¯t help but regret my actions.¡±


    The woman¡¯s eyes widened ever so slightly, but there was no surprise in them.


    ¡°Ironically, the days I spent the most with the living incarnation of death were the days that I felt most alive. I would often look back on those days, smiling as I did, wishing things could stay the same.¡± August gently patted her hand. ¡°You know, I was fine at first, and a long, long time after that. Facing my own mortality almost every day has numbed me to any fear this world has to offer. Sometimes, I wish it didn¡¯t, that I¡¯d be left with some fear to¡­¡±


    They smiled bitterly. ¡°What am I saying?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m¡­¡± Dea lowered her head. ¡°I¡¯m sorry I didn¡¯t visit you more often.¡±


    ¡°Are you?¡± Raising his volume, August turned to her with an almost angry look. Then, they shifted their gaze back to the street, uttering in a tiny voice. ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡±


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    An uncomfortable silence settled in the atmosphere as fireworks went off in the sky, its colors flashing on their faces.


    ¡°Sometimes,¡± August rubbed his thumb on the back of Dea¡¯s hand. ¡°Deep in the night, I wish I never met you. Those days were so happy that I could never move past them. Collecting the Scythe Cards, living together, having late-night talks¡­ I never expected those happy memories to gnaw at me years after our time together was over.¡±


    A tear dropped onto her skin.


    The mountains of words in Dea¡¯s mind waited to be uttered, but none left her lips. Her ability to comfort them, her humanity, disappeared the day she finally regained what she lost. And yet, it did not make her happy.


    ¡°I tried, Dea.¡± August sniffed. ¡°I tried so, so hard to move on. I kept reminding myself about the people we saved after snatching their Scythe Cards away. Again and again, I forced myself to remember the reasons that led to their use of the Cards and how I must persevere. That life is worth living regardless of the hardships one faces.¡±


    ¡°August¡­¡±


    ¡°When I attended Zeal¡¯s funeral, something inside me broke. For so many years, I held on to our promise that you¡¯ll visit us again. I swore I¡¯d lead a life that you¡¯d be proud of. But after that day¡­¡± More tears rained down the back of the woman¡¯s hand. ¡°I couldn¡¯t anymore, not when you didn¡¯t even show up.¡±


    ¡°I tried to, August!¡± Dea held his hand with both of her hands. ¡°I did all I could--¡±


    ¡°But you didn¡¯t.¡± Lifting their head, August stared at her with an anguished smile. ¡°Because Death belongs to no one, isn¡¯t it?¡±


    Biting her lip, Dea wanted to say something, anything, yet...


    ¡°Don¡¯t bother. I expected this much from you.¡± Indifferently, August withdrew their hand and settled it back on their lap, peering at the scenery below.


    Dea reached her hand out for him, but this time, she didn¡¯t touch him again.


    Before silence could settle once more, they spoke. ¡°Though I learned many things from our encounters with the Scythe Card users, a part of me always had a feeling that the same day may come for me. When the weight of living is too much to bear, and there¡¯s nothing left to see.¡±


    ¡°Is that why you hid the last Scythe Card from me?¡± asked Dea with a hint of disappointment.


    ¡°Yes.¡± August pulled out a black card with silver edges from their left pocket. ¡°It was just an insurance, in case our method of communication was lost like you suggest it may.¡± They chuckled. ¡°Who could¡¯ve thought the problem was you, not the method?¡±


    ¡°You know I don¡¯t perceive time the same way as mortals anymore.¡±


    ¡°And you said our bonds will never diminish because death will always be the shadow of the living, always be by our side.¡± Gritting their teeth, they gripped the card.


    Dea could offer no retort.


    ¡°I made friends, found a job I love, traveled the world, spent every last minute of my life trying to be happy, trying to live to its fullest. I don¡¯t want to have regrets like all the people we met on our journey. In the end, it didn¡¯t matter.¡± August lifted the card into their sight. ¡°The hole you left behind in my heart, in everyone¡¯s heart, was too big to be filled. We all missed you for every day of our lives.¡±


    ¡°I can do better, August.¡± Dea rose, her voice tinged with desperation. ¡°I promise I¡¯ll visit everyone more often. We¡¯ll have our late-night chats like we used to every Sunday and ice cream every Wednesday night. I¡¯ll do better, so please¡­¡± She stretched her hand toward the card. ¡°Don¡¯t use the Scythe Card. I want to see you again, in this life or the next.¡±


    ¡°Is that all it took?¡± August smiled bitterly. ¡°I flash the card in front of your face, and you immediately promise to do better? Ha. Ha ha ha¡­ Why didn¡¯t I do this years ago? That way, at least Zeal would¡¯ve been able to meet you one last time.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡± Her voice trembled. ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s too late for apologies now.¡± With great effort, August stood, facing her and placing the card on her palm. ¡°I¡¯m done. One way or another, I¡¯m leaving with you together tonight. It¡¯s your choice whether you take us home or take my soul.¡±


    ¡°August--¡±


    ¡°I know I¡¯m being selfish, but I don¡¯t have anything to live for. I don¡¯t care if our friends will miss me. I don¡¯t care if there is more to see in this world. It doesn¡¯t matter. I¡¯m sick of waiting for joy, pure, unfiltered joy, to return to my life. I never asked you to do anything for me. This is my first and only request. So, what will it be, o¡¯ Lady Death? Break the rules, or break my heart again?¡±


    For the first time in eons, Dea was in a dilemma. Though her human heart was long gone, its heartbeat echoed still in her empty chest. She didn¡¯t know what to do, what to think.


    Eventually, as the first ray of the rising sun spilled from the horizon, Death made her decision, and she opened her mouth.

 Echoes

    El:


    We call it The Visitor.


    The scene transitions to a short clip of an impossibly dark entity standing in the middle of a golden field. Its shape and size were ever-changing, and it cast no shadows on the ground. Behind it, levitating in the air, was a disgustingly white sphere.


    El:


    There was no indication of when it appeared or where it came from. One day, it simply emerged, and the world was forever changed. There was much speculation, but none proved to be correct in the end.


    The clip shifts into another, showing the dark entity adopting a human form. The expression of the Indian woman standing before it twists in terror as she finds herself staring at her own face.. The people gathered around gasps in shock and fear.


    El:


    However, one thing is for certain, which is that we never could¡¯ve imagined how its arrival will change our world.


    The dark entity, now a carbon copy of the Indian woman standing before it, acted similarly shocked. Both women panicked and reacted to seeing a mirror image of themselves in nearly the exact same manner.


    El:


    Due to the influence of popular alien movies over the decades, most of humanity expected the arrival of an extraterrestrial species to be the sounding of Gjallarhorn. In other words, the beginning of a catastrophic war against total extinction.


    Images of the same white sphere appearing across the world flashed by. In each photo, the sphere was spilling out more dark entities that took the appearance of any nearby humans.


    El:


    However, the end of the world paled in comparison to the nightmare that followed.


    More images are presented. Pictures of celebrities staring at their doppelg?nger in shock and ordinary citizens awing at their new twins.


    El:


    While these ¡°Replicants¡± typically acted no differently from the original during the first week or so, the Replicants¡¯ behaviors differed over time.


    The Chinese man in a video kicked an empty can to the road with a scowl. A moment later, another man wearing the same face picked up the garbage and gently tossed it into a nearby trashcan with a smile.


    El:


    They were ¡°better.¡±


    Virtually every single Replicant behaved in a manner that the people around them claimed to be an improvement over the original. They were well-liked and even accepted by those who loathed the original.


    Replicants of varying ages, ethnicity, and sex are seen treating others kindly.


    El:


    Many felt conflicted, to say the least, to witness what they presumed to be perfect versions of themselves. The resentment between family members doesn¡¯t seem to exist in their Replicants; mental illnesses present in the original appear to be absent in the duplicates; some copies even possess slightly more attractive figures.


    Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there.


    Videos of Replicants being attacked at temporary concentration camps are shown.


    El:


    Violence, as always, was the response of many people to their new twins. Governments panicked, religious groups declared holy wars, and the people feared they would be replaced. Even though the Replicants showed nothing but kindness to even those who threatened them, they were reviled. Human rights organizations condemn the cruel treatment of the Replicants, stating that they are no different from humans in mind and soul. After all, all Replicants experience pain and empathy as any other human, and they retain all memories of the original.


    Images of Replicants and the original humans casually interacting with each other stacked on top of one another in the center. Meanwhile, dead bodies appeared at the edges.


    El:


    Eventually, after months had passed, people started picking a side. As the Replicants required no sustenance, some people began welcoming them to their homes. The Replicants built relationships with the original and the latter¡¯s friends and families. Some even befriended other Replicants and humans. Meanwhile, murders of Replicants started and were on the rise. At least, that was what people initially thought.


    A woman with her face blurred spoke about how she started living with her Replicant husband after her original husband passed. Even though her voice was deliberately distorted, one could still detect the joy in her tone.


    El:


    The Nightingale Case. A woman in the Netherlands supposedly murdered her spouse and allowed the latter¡¯s Replicant to take their place. Her neighbor called the police, claiming her spouse was ¡°suddenly acting like a different person.¡± The authorities conducted an investigation due to the high tension with the Replicants. However, no evidence was uncovered. Furthermore, the woman¡¯s spouse had supposedly started receiving counseling sessions days before the report.


    Dozens of news reports on the Replicants appeared.


    El:


    As the Replicants are perfect genetic copies of the original, ascertaining the identity of murder victims who have a Replicant becomes impossible. There is no way of discerning the real from the fake from a purely biological standpoint. People point to the changes in a person¡¯s appearance and personality as a way of determining who¡¯s the original and who¡¯s not. However, that method becomes less credible as time goes on because it hinges on the assumption that people never change. They do.


    An article about a Malaysian child and her Replicant is displayed.


    El:


    One day, a Replicant was spotted transforming back into its black, ever-shifting form and returned to the mysterious white sphere. The Replicant¡¯s original claimed it was because she had fixed her bad habit of not washing her teeth before sleeping. Many were understandably skeptical about her story, but others believed her. In the following years, similar phenomena were observed across the world. Based on that, many believe The Visitors, as Replicants, are here to aid humanity. Many were against that idea, as plenty of Replicants were seen inflicting violence on humans. Although, they tend to ignore the context of such cases. For example, the Replicants repelled a group of police officers dispatched to crack down on a union strike.


    Pictures of humans and their Replicants living harmoniously with each other appeared.


    El:


    I know it can be difficult for humanity to believe that aliens visited Earth for benevolent reasons. After all, many humans are ingrained with the belief of ¡°conquer or to be conquered.¡± It has been a prevalent theme across history. However, many cases over the years have shown that Replicants bear no ill will toward the original human.


    The scene cuts to black, and the reflection of a disheveled young woman with glasses is seen on the screen.


    El:


    I know the world is scary, with or without aliens. I do. I see your fear whenever I look into the mirror. You believe your room¡¯s the only sanctuary left on this planet and that there¡¯s nothing outside your door that¡¯s worth venturing out for. You know it¡¯s false, because I do. Your family still cares for you, and even though you currently have no one you can call a friend, that doesn¡¯t always have to be true.


    A clip of a young woman with tidy hair and glasses smiling warmly played.


    El:


    You don¡¯t have to be alone, Ellen. Take as long as you need, but I hope you¡¯ll reach out to me one day when you¡¯re ready. No matter what other people say, you deserve all the happiness in the world, and I want to help you achieve it. See you, space cowgirl.


    The woman on the screen winked before the video ended.

 First Poem By Rayleigh

    I am really tired today.


    Just really, really tired.


    Slept all night, woke up late, and I¡¯m still tired today.


    Wanted to be a good boy.


    Write a good NaNoWriMo entry.


    But I¡¯m just so tired, so very tired.


    That I can¡¯t do it today.


    Why did god curse me with exhaustion?


    Why can¡¯t I play past midnight?


    I just want to have some fun,


    so why am I so tired?


    My friend suggested I do a freestyle poem,


    and I wanted to save this for a later date.


    But exhaustion claims me today,


    so I chose to do this now.


    Oh Lord, why did you curse me so?


    Is it to punish me for my hubris?


    Believing sleeping past twelve is acceptable?


    I merely wished to play more Cyberpunk,


    because writing consumes so much time.


    If I was given the same choice,


    I would not take the same route.


    Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.


    I wanted to do more,


    to work, to chat, to game.


    But I¡¯m just too tired,


    to even sit up straight.


    Oh Lord, why did you curse me so?


    To teach me about my grandfather¡¯s pain?


    To know how he feels whenever he groans?


    My ADHD is kicking in,


    because I¡¯m thinking about something else again.


    Thinking about the future, dinner, and love,


    wondering what to do tomorrow.


    Is there an easier way to meet your lover?


    To be found and embraced by them?


    I¡¯ve tried so many times,


    yet I¡¯m still lost in a maze.


    I¡¯m tired today,


    in terms of my body, my heart, and mind.


    I wish I needed nothing,


    because then I wouldn¡¯t wish for anything.


    To desire, to fear, to claim.


    What a terrible, terrible game.


    To be human, to be mortal,


    is to be an utter fool.


    I have no idea where this is going,


    and I¡¯m just writing what comes to mind.


    But I feel pretty good,


    even if I can¡¯t devise good rhymes.


    I wonder how long this poem will go,


    or if it¡¯s still a poem at all.


    Free style or not,


    rhyming or not,


    I have no idea how to write a poem.


    So I dedicate this poem to Yang,


    my bestest chum buddy pal.


    Who¡¯ll read this poem I wrote,


    and hopefully he¡¯ll smile.


    I feel much better now,


    but I think it¡¯s time for an end.


    I don¡¯t know how to close a poem,


    so

 An ordinary day in an urban fantasy apartment unit

    ¡°What¡¯s the matter, Al?¡±


    A young man with blond hair blinked, returning to his senses. He removed his fingers from one of the bull horns jutting out of his head while his tail swished. Glancing back, he saw a merman with long, blue hair approaching him in a wheelchair.


    Sighing, Al leaned back into the chair, staring at the starry night beyond his balcony. ¡°Just feeling stuck for today¡¯s NaNoWriMo entry. I wanted to finish this in an hour, but half an hour has passed, and I still have no clue what to write.¡±


    ¡°You could watch the vtuber stream that¡¯s about to start in 30 minutes together with me.¡± The merman grinned, arriving beside Al¡¯s chair. ¡°Anyone will feel inspired after watching Lily perform.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll pass. I doubt I¡¯ll ever develop an interest in them, Cass,¡± The blonde glanced at his partner¡¯s shirt. ¡°You bought another one? Didn¡¯t I tell you we should be saving up?¡±


    ¡°It was a limited edition, okay?¡± Cass pouted, pulling his shirt gently and staring at the image of the adorable figure with a white lily on her head. ¡°It¡¯ll just refrain from eating out this week.¡±


    ¡°No, you won¡¯t.¡± Al rolled his eyes with a faint grin. ¡°Anyway, are you occupied tonight again?¡±


    ¡°The stream won¡¯t last long tonight. It should be over by the time you finish your piece.¡± Leaning toward the blonde, the merman hugged, pecking the former¡¯s cheek. ¡°Want a suggestion?¡±


    ¡°No, not really.¡± Al sighed. ¡°I don¡¯t think the theme¡¯s a problem. I¡¯m just not feeling it today, I guess. I woke up late today and had a shitty morning, so I¡¯m practically out of creative juice after work.¡±


    ¡°Oh, you poor boy.¡± Suddenly, Cass was struck with an idea, and he turned his back to his partner. ¡°How about braiding my hair again? Mayhaps you¡¯ll gain inspiration while taking your mind off from your empty document.¡±


    ¡°Eh, why not.¡± Peeling his eyes from his laptop¡¯s screen, Al spun to his right on his stool. He laid his arms on the merman¡¯s shoulders first before gently cupping the latter¡¯s cheeks and grinning. ¡°Your skin¡¯s always so smooth.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s achievable for you, too, you know.¡± Cass rubbed his hand on the back of his partners¡¯. ¡°Just need to wash your face every day, like you should be.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m too lazy for that.¡± The blonde scratched the spot under his right horn and lifted his hands, his fingers combing through the blue, silky hair. A moment later, he pulled back his partner¡¯s long hair gently before started braiding it. ¡°So, how are you today?¡±


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    ¡°Pretty good. Spotted a gal at the supermarket earlier that made me question my arospec-ness for a moment. Just a moment, though. She¡¯s nice. Helped me grab a can of tuna on the shelf.¡± As Cass spoke, he closed his eyes, savoring the moment.


    ¡°Oh? Perhaps she¡¯ll be the girlfriend we¡¯ve been waiting for. We¡¯ll finally have the polycule relationship we¡¯ve always wanted.¡± Al grinned, holding the hair he was braiding in one hand and playing a relaxing tune on his laptop with another.


    ¡°Slow down, you horn dog.¡± Smirking, Cass gently patted his partner¡¯s leg. ¡°We¡¯ll see if she turns out to be a suitable candidate, but don¡¯t get your hopes up as always.¡±


    One simple braid was done, and the blonde moved on to the next. ¡°Says the guy who¡¯s lamenting about wanting a girlfriend to chat with last week.¡±


    ¡°A girl¡¯s talk is different from a guy¡¯s talk, okay? I¡¯d know.¡±


    ¡°Are you saying I¡¯m not good enough?¡± Al lifted his eyebrow.


    ¡°You said it, not me.¡± Folding his arms, the merman flapped his tail for a moment. ¡°Anyway, she seems to recognize my shirt, considering she asked about it.¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s also a vtuber fan, then?¡±


    ¡°Who knows? Maybe she only asks because Lily-chan is just so gosh darn adorable.¡±


    ¡°Hmm.¡± Al twirled his finger and completed another braid. ¡°Anything else?¡±


    ¡°A satyr called me handsome today and gave me his number.¡± Cass chuckled.


    ¡°Of course you are, you sexy merman.¡± Leaning down, the blonde kissed his partner on the cheek before sitting straight again. ¡°How did you respond?¡±


    ¡°I said thanks and awkwardly wheeled myself away because he¡¯s an important client I have to deal with for the next two weeks.¡±


    ¡°Oof.¡± Al winced. ¡°Why didn¡¯t you bring this up first instead of the lady?¡±


    ¡°Cuz the lady came to mind first. Besides, I don¡¯t need to speak to the client until a week later, thankfully.¡± Lifting his head, Cass opened his eyes and stared at his partner.


    Grinning, the blonde stared into the merman¡¯s eyes. ¡°What?¡±


    The blue-haired man smirked and lowered his head wordlessly. Then, he asked, ¡°So, have you gotten any ideas for today¡¯s entry yet?¡±


    ¡°I think I do, yeah.¡±


    ¡°Told you braiding my hair will help.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t think that¡¯s the source of my inspiration.¡± Al chuckled, ready to plant another kiss on his partner¡¯s countenance.


    However, Cass raised his hand and gently pressed his finger on the blonde¡¯s lips. ¡°My cheek¡¯s plenty wet already.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re no fun.¡± Pouting, Al settled his hands down on his lap.


    ¡°I¡¯ll let you carry me into my tub today,¡± said the merman, winking.


    ¡°Oh, do you mean¡­?¡± Al stood, his tail swishing vigorously.


    ¡°Don¡¯t expect much, now. I don¡¯t want to miss the stream. Let¡¯s go.¡±


    ¡°Aye, Cap¡¯n.¡± Beaming, the blonde slowly pushed his partner into the living room and toward the latter¡¯s room.

 To The Stars

    Gather around, children. Today, I shall recount a tale of our lost past. It is a tale you must all commit to memory, for if you fail to pass it down to your children, our descendants shall mourn for a pain they do not understand.


    Children, have you ever gazed upon the sky, mesmerized by the stars and moon above us? Have you listened to your history class, wondering why so many of our people aimed to reach the sky and beyond? Some of you may believe it is merely our curiosity driving us to explore what is previously unknown to us, but that is only the tip of the whole truth.


    You can see the signs in our most ancient recorded civilization. There¡¯s always at least one, but often more, characteristic in their culture that depicts the sky and the stars. You can see it in the gods, rituals, turn of phrases, and many more. We look up and yearn to ride the silver comets that soar through the sky, hoping they¡¯ll carry us across the sea of stars above us. We wish to reach for the stars.


    But why, you may ask. Why do we desire so much to go beyond, to touch the aether where our world resides? After all, we¡¯re the children of the earth. We¡¯re born on this land, live on this land, and die on this land. Why do we seek to touch the moon when all we are and all we have are bound to the soil?


    That is what many of our ancestors wondered as well. How can we long for something that is beyond our grasp so strongly? So much so that we dream of it, that we create stories of us sailing through the cosmos and exploring the unknown?


    Well, my children. The answer has always been right in front of us, but we have convinced ourselves that it¡¯s nothing but delusions. We are unwilling to face the truth, so we bury ourselves in the facts that prove we¡¯re of the earth. What¡¯s more painful than realizing what we desire can no longer be within our reach?


    We are born of the empyrean. We are the children of the aether, destined to sail across a thousand stars in the dark cosmic ocean. Our fate lies not on the ground we sit on but in the sky above us, like a mother tearfully watching over her children who can never be cradled in her arms.


    I see your doubts, children. How can we possibly be of the heavens when it has been proven we will not survive there? It is dark, cold, and nothing like the comfort of our home on the ground. Well, the answer¡¯s simple. What does any organism that finds itself in a new environment do to survive? They adapt. They transform, shedding away all that no longer helps them survive and only keeping the characteristics that can.


    However, some of our ancestors¡¯ characteristics remained. They lay dormant within our bodies, preparing us for the day we may need to return to the Beyond. For some, these characteristics are actively present, but those who bore our ancestors¡¯ marks are often labeled as ¡°freaks¡± or ¡°weirdoes.¡± Yes, that is what many have called you, children, but you mustn¡¯t fault them. They have forgotten their origins, their true home. They are pitiful in their own ways.


    No one knows for certain why our ancestors settled on this planet, but there is a tale that may shed light on our past, and it is a tale of betrayal and tragedy.


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    Long, long ago, there were two starborn siblings. Since their moment of birth, they were mighty, capable of navigating through even the most powerful solar storms. During their childhood, they visited more planets than any of their people; when they were teenagers, they could survive trips into the absolute void; and when they were adults, they could speed through the universe faster than the speed of light. They were unstoppable.


    One day, the elder sibling discovered a pale, red dot tucked in a corner of a galaxy not yet known to any of their people. When they landed, they saw nothing but death and fire. However, on the peak of the highest mountain, they saw the most magnificent flower in all of creation blooming there. Even though the planet was inhospitable to nearly all life, the flower blossomed in defiance of what was possible.


    Moved by the perseverance of the little plant, the elder sibling vowed to transform the planet into a paradise befitting of the flower. They toiled for weeks and months, slowly sourcing water from the nearest planet to douse the flames and calm the earth. It was grueling, and at times, the elder sibling doubted their success. However, whenever they laid their eyes on the stubborn flower, they pushed on. After all, they were the same, eager to defy what others believed they were capable of.


    When the younger sibling discovered what their older sibling was up to, they were devastated. After all, they¡¯re sailors meant to discover new worlds, not to reside within them. The younger sibling approached the elder, begging the latter to return to their people. The elder sibling refused, stating they would do so only after paradise had been granted to their unspeaking companion.


    Heartbroken, the younger sibling returned to their people but vowed to protect their sibling¡¯s secret. Unfortunately, their people still discovered the elder sibling¡¯s transgression. Starborns were forbidden to disturb the natural progression of the worlds they visited. Yet, knowing that, the elder sibling committed the cardinal sin.


    Thus, their people force the younger sibling to choose: punish their older sibling, or they both shall meet the same fate. Though the younger sibling was torn about their decision, they eventually chose themself over their sibling.


    When paradise was nearing its completion, the younger sibling returned. Overjoyed by the sight of their younger sibling, the elder one didn¡¯t notice their sibling¡¯s suspicious silence. Then, just as the elder sibling turned around, eager to show the home they had built for the flower, the younger one severed the former¡¯s wings with a celestial blade.


    Before the elder sibling realized what happened, the younger one fled in tears, unwilling to look back. Though the elder sibling loved the world they had built for their silent companion, they were still starborn. Devastated, they wept endlessly, and through their tears, paradise was completed.


    Their spouse, upon learning the news, rushed toward them. Though it was an excruciatingly difficult choice, their spouse remained with them in the new world. Together, they had children there, but the environment the children were born in weakened their bodies. Though they had the wings to fly, they could not reach the stars. And so, they and their descendants were trapped in the world their parent created. Though the once-death world has become heaven to the flower, it was hell to its dearest companion.


    What happened to the younger sibling later, you may ask. Well, ridden with guilt, the younger sibling was unable to move on. Thus, once every year, on the day they betrayed their sibling, they would intentionally pass by the new world, hoping to catch a glance of the latter. That is why we hold this festival every year today, to mourn. Surprising, isn¡¯t it? Over time, the true purpose of this festival was forgotten and twisted into something else.


    We¡¯ll never truly know why we¡¯re stranded in this world, but we don¡¯t need to. As long as we remember that our destiny lies in the cosmos and understand our longing to reach it, we¡¯ll return there once more, no matter how long it¡¯ll take.


    Now, it''s time to sleep, children. May you dream of the stars tonight.

 Regret - A Freestyle Poem

    A dark sludge,


    a corruptive force.


    A terrible void that swallows you whole.


    Inevitable, powerful, and irremovable.


    It gnaws on the mind; it demands a sacrifice,


    leaving your chest with nothing but a hole.


    Big and small, it comes and goes,


    but the stain is never gone.


    It speaks to you, tempts you like many other,


    to make a deal with the devil.


    ¡°I wish I could turn back time,¡±


    said the brokenhearted lover.


    ¡°I wish I did things differently,¡±


    lamented the childless parent.


    It eats and eats, never slows,


    until there is nothing but a hole.


    It berates you, it questions you,


    why you didn¡¯t do better.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t know any better,¡±


    the once teenager said.


    ¡°No one taught me another way!¡±


    The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.


    screamed the patient in the counseling room.


    An irremovable shadow;


    a stain that can¡¯t be cleaned;


    a picture that haunts;


    a memory that stays.


    Born from nothing, it does not.


    It births from tragedy; it births from fate.


    As sure as the rising sun, as certain as the waning twilight.


    They run, they hide, they cover their eyes.


    Tried as they might, tried as they don¡¯t,


    It arrives all the same.


    Once upon a time,


    whisked to a faraway land.


    Paradise to some,


    Hell to I.


    Chased by demons and encroaching void,


    flailing in the sea with no support.


    A light descends, a hand reaches.


    The beginning of the end.


    Time flies like a storm.


    The light illuminates the path.


    But drowning, a hand helps not,


    but to plunge another into the sea.


    It emerges, it consumes.


    And the Lord sings to float,


    but the drowned sinks further,


    with nary a hope.


    Forgives, it does not.


    Move on, it cannot.


    Forever accountable, it claims.


    Forever cursed, it says.


    The sea remains dark,


    but the rafts of planks,


    held the submerged up.


    Day by day, night by night,


    the storm fades, the cloud parts.


    The sun rises, the sea calms,


    but the eyes remain.


    Arrives again, it always will.


    Different face, different name.


    But ready, shall one who sailed.


    and sings the songs of the past that failed.


    Be wary, be kind.


    Be the one who minds.


    For even the gods won¡¯t know,


    where it will go.

 Of The Future

    2060


    Xing Yue


    It finally happened. It¡¯s a strange feeling, seeing something I would give anything to prevent but completely unsurprised that it happened. Who could¡¯ve thought that the ticking time bomb hanging around our necks would one day explode, despite politicians¡¯ assertions that it won¡¯t? I guess humanity deserves this, considering so many turned a blind eye. Ha¡­ Ha, ha¡­ This isn¡¯t fair at all. I devoted my life to this, yet I¡¯ll be going down with those who sunk this ship. Guess I¡¯ll cook that premium instant noodle I¡¯ve been saving for a special occasion. Happy end of the world.


    2072


    James


    Well, since this is the only digibook I could find that¡¯s still intact, I guess I¡¯ll use this as my diary from now on. I wonder if I should be glad or feel sorry that the previous owner of this diary didn¡¯t manage to open her instant noodle package. It¡¯s incredible how long these things last.


    I wonder why I¡¯m writing this. Maybe it¡¯s to leave a record of my existence after everything went to shit? To prove that I lived? Even though this digibook won¡¯t last longer than a few decades? Ha¡­


    I wonder why the research in this lab wasn¡¯t ever made public. This shit might¡¯ve been able to save the world. Maybe it¡¯s a stretch, but I don¡¯t care. Any hope would¡¯ve been enough.


    Honestly, I¡¯m still in disbelief, even though it¡¯s been ten years. The world actually ended. The post-apocalypse isn¡¯t just a game or a movie anymore. It¡¯s here. Now. I used to think seeing enough dead bodies would completely desensitize you, but¡­ Heh. I guess real life¡¯s different, huh? At this point, my nightmares are more of a nuisance than anything.


    Some people are working together to survive, but a lot of people are still¡­ Well, I don¡¯t think they¡¯re trigger-happy, but they¡¯re certainly being jackasses. I was hoping I could make this place into my new home to avoid those fuckers, but I doubt it¡¯ll hold for long.


    Doubt I¡¯ll write another entry, but I suppose I¡¯ll leave this somewhere more obvious. Heck, maybe someone else will find this and use it to record a new history. Heh, who am I kidding? Humans are doomed.


    2090


    Luce


    Whew! Thank goodness I saved this digibook before it went kaput! I knew it was the right idea to explore the underground lab here. Mom keeps telling me I won¡¯t find anything valuable here, but I proved her wrong! Haha!


    Uncle Jimmy seemed kind of surprised when I told him I found this. I guess it¡¯s been a long time since he saw an intact digibook. He just fixed it up without telling anyone about it, which is great because I don¡¯t need the others to try to snatch it away from me.


    I¡¯m really happy Uncle Jimmy managed to patch this up. So many of the digibooks I found are all destroyed. What a shame. I wish I could¡¯ve read them.


    Mom said we¡¯ll need to move tomorrow, but she doesn¡¯t want to tell me why. She thinks she needs to protect me from ¡°the danger of this world,¡± but if I don¡¯t even know what they are, how do I know when I should run away and hide?


    Anyway, I won¡¯t ever let this digibook out of my sight! I¡¯m going to write down alllll the details of our journey to the new place that Mom said will be happy to welcome us! Apparently, the people there have been trying to rebuild society! I¡¯m excited to see what that place looks like.


    Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.


    2097


    ???


    Wow, didn¡¯t expect to find this piece of junk still functioning. I guess I¡¯ll write something here to check if it¡¯s still working. Let¡¯s see¡­


    I WISH I COULD FUCK TOM, KILL THAT BITCH I CALL MY BOSS, AND MARRY  GINNY.


    Yep, working well. Hope the reset function still works. Eh, who am I kidding? No one¡¯s going to dig through any buried past entries anyway.


    2111


    Cherm


    Why did Grandpa hide this in the storage? We could¡¯ve used this to make records. Hmph.


    I¡¯m surprised the past entries are still accessible. So that¡¯s how people felt in the past, huh.


    I should continue the tradition and add an entry too, hehe.


    I thought about what I should write, but I guess I¡¯ll go with something comforting to the previous owners.


    It has been 51 years since ¡°the world¡± ended. I don¡¯t see why everyone made such a big fuss about it. Things could¡¯ve gone a lot worse, honestly. Most of the MINERVA repositories were intact, so smaller communities were quickly built in areas with one. Hmm, maybe this digibook originally came from somewhere further?


    According to Grandpa, the world has changed for the worse, but I don¡¯t think so. Sure, many buildings and infrastructures are destroyed, but people don¡¯t live in those cramp buildings anymore. The environment is healing, but really slowly, and people don¡¯t live like zombies in oppressive societies anymore. It¡¯s weird how Grandpa will complain about governments being bad but also misses it. So strange.


    Hmm, I¡¯ll need to have Joelly check this digibook later. The screen keeps flickering.


    2170


    Emire


    It has been a hundred and ten years since ¡°the world¡± ended. To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the founding of our town, I asked Ms. Cherm if I could add another entry to this ¡°diary.¡± Diary in quotes because this digibook will be on display at the town¡¯s museum starting from tomorrow. Our town¡¯s top software engineer, Pellen, successfully uncovered all entries buried within this digibook. So, now, it has become a valuable relic of the past.


    To honor the tradition and follow Ms. Cherm¡¯s footsteps, I shall briefly record what happened since she last typed an entry.


    The conjoining of the continents has been a blessing in disguise. Though it wreaked an untold amount of destruction across the world, it ultimately brought humanity together. Before the calamity, the world was filled with strife. Entities known as countries were at each other¡¯s throats, vying for dwindling resources. They refused to put aside their differences to save the world as they knew it. Meanwhile, the rich and powerful continued to ignore the problems of the world, blaming them on the common people. Ultimately, they perished in the disaster of their doing.


    Though a hundred and ten years have passed, humanity still remembers the sins of their ancestors. We know how often our ancestors forget the lessons of the past, repeating the same mistakes over and over again. I believe it¡¯s because they have never faced a catastrophe so apocalyptic that they couldn¡¯t afford to ignore the consequences. We will make no such mistake. We will remember the horrors of the past and vow to do better, and we have done better.


    The world as I know it no longer faces the issues that plagued the old humanity. No longer does anyone need to beg for food, be enslaved, or die in pointless conflicts. No longer do we discriminate against our fellow humans, who have all worked together to create the world I was born into. Though we may still stumble, we collaborate to resolve issues, not blame it on someone else.


    Fiction in the Old World often portrays a world devastated by calamities as cruel and unforgiving. Cannibals, excessively fuel-consuming vehicles, and murderous psychopaths are all but exaggerations. The humanity of old often finds themselves unable to imagine a better world. Often, they would indulge in fantasies of what they pessimistically expect the world will be. Perhaps that is why ¡°the world¡± has to end for humanity to take the next step because they have trapped themselves in a prison of their own imagination.


    I believe I¡¯ll stop here. I realize I¡¯ve been ¡°ranting.¡± Ms. Cherm does mention that¡¯s a bad habit of mine. Despite the advancements this new world has created, such as better renewable energy and machines, the destruction of the old world is still present everywhere. I can¡¯t help but wonder about the heights humanity could¡¯ve reached if our ancestors had simply cooperated instead of competing.


    In any case, thank you for reading this. Hopefully, when another entry has been made in this relic, the world will have become an even better place.

 A terrible, horrible, no good day

    You sprinted as fast as you could, still not fully understanding why you were suddenly chased by the group behind you. As you panted, regret flooded your heart, and you began to wonder why you strolled down that street.


    You were on a mission with a clear directive from your superior. All you had to do was remain in the safe house and perform your task. Initially, you were willing to obey any instructions from your superior. After all, it was your first on-site mission, and you¡¯ve been looking forward to coming here for a long time.


    However, as the days went by, and you watched the people beyond your windows enjoying their lives, you wavered. You suppressed your desire to leave and devoted yourself to the task. After all, your mission was a noble one, and it is your duty to complete it. No distractions were allowed, but¡­ you couldn¡¯t resist.


    One day, your superior declared they would be leaving the safehouse for an extended period. Additionally, your peers had been working overnight and were quite exhausted. Thus, you were the only one left still awake when the sun rose.


    After you had your breakfast, preparing to return to work, you did something you shouldn¡¯t have. You looked outside the window again. On the streets, you saw people enjoying themselves at their local festival. The street outside the safehouse was closed off as various stalls filled both sides of the road.


    It had been months since you were dispatched there, yet you still wasn¡¯t allowed to spend casual time in the neighborhood. The only times you were allowed outside was when you had to complete a task with a time limit. It was different from what you wanted. You wanted to fully immerse yourself in the place you¡¯ve long to visit.


    Alas, you were unable to resist your temptation and decided to disobey your superior. Hastily, you put it on a suitable disguise from the wardrobe and sneaked out without alerting your colleagues. Your heart was racing. Was it because of excitement? Fear? You didn¡¯t know, but you didn¡¯t care.


    As you marched out into the street, you breathed in deeply and beamed. Yes, you could finally enjoy the fresh air on your terms and soaked in the delightful atmosphere of the festival. All the worries that once dominated your mind immediately faded away as you practically skipped into the crowd.


    Sauntering down the street, you noticed many people giving you weird looks, but you didn¡¯t care. You were loaded with the local currency, so you spent it on trying the activities and foods that the various stalls offered. Did you savor the food and activities or understand it? Not really, but it doesn¡¯t matter, because all you wanted was to immerse yourself in the place your group is trying to save.


    You promised yourself that you would only spend thirty minutes, but when you check your watch, three hours had passed. Anxiety exploded in your mind as you raced back into your safehouse. Unfortunately, during your hurry return, your disguise fell apart slightly. You thought no one noticed, but a few locals did, and they made sure you knew almost immediately.


    Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.


    ¡°I¡¯ve heard of yer kind before,¡± said a man with a white moustache and a cowboy outfit. ¡°Y¡¯all those immigrants ¡®trying to help,¡¯ ain¡¯t it? Saw y¡¯all on the tv the other day.¡±


    The man¡¯s companion flashed his holstered gun, narrowing his eyes. ¡°We don¡¯t treat immigrants kindly ¡®ere.¡±


    ¡°Come on, Dad. Just leave ¡®em be. They ain¡¯t doin¡¯ nothin¡¯ wrong,¡± said a young woman sitting on the steps.


    ¡°No!¡± The man with the cowboy outfit pulled out his pistol, glaring at you. ¡°Our country doesn¡¯t need anyone to ¡®help out,¡¯ especially from immigrants! Get ¡®em!¡±


    You recalled a scenario you read up in your handbook before, and you bolted without a second thought. Though you didn¡¯t recall much detail from the handbook, but one detail you did remember was how volatile the locals were. Would it cause more commotion if you ran like a crazy person? Sure, but it was much better than getting yourself killed and jeopardizing the mission.


    And so, you dashed toward your safehouse while being chased by a handful of bloodthirsty locals. You questioned yourself why you didn¡¯t put on your basic equipment before leaving the safehouse. So many thoughts crossed your mind, but none were particularly helpful. You kept hoping the bullets wouldn¡¯t hit you, but as you did, one grazed your limb.


    That was all it took to stun you. You crashed into the nearby wall. Your safehouse was within your sight, but you couldn¡¯t scream at your comrades for help. If you did, it would expose the safehouse. Thus, left with no other choice, you contemplated suicide. You couldn¡¯t believe how foolish you were, and you began to understand why your superior forbade you from leaving.


    ¡°We got ¡®em, boys.¡± The man in the cowboy outfit panted, staring daggers at you. His companions towered over you, surrounding you. All of them were smirking at you with murderous intent. Despair settled in your heart. You wondered why they reacted so negatively to you when all you and your team were doing was for the sake of world peace.


    The man cocked his gun and aimed the barrel at your head. ¡°Sayonara, you filthy--¡±


    Without warning, all four men surrounding you dropped to the ground, unconscious. That inadvertently revealed the figure standing behind the men, who was an individual in a costume of the local mascot. In the hand of the individual before you was a device you¡¯re very familiar with.


    At that moment, you realized who you¡¯re staring at. It¡¯s your superior.


    ¡°What did I tell you, Zyuts?¡± Your superior¡¯s piercing silver ¡°eyes¡± stared straight at you. ¡°This is why you¡¯re not ready. If you had messed up the mission, what would our people think, hmm? Did you even care about the earthlings¡¯ well-being or did you sign up for the mission thinking it¡¯s a vacation trip?¡±


    ¡°I-I¡¯m sorry.¡± You said.


    ¡°I¡¯ll decide your punishment after my task¡¯s over. When you return, I want you to tell the others that we¡¯ve received a new wish humanity has been collectively asking for. Once we¡¯ve dealt with all the previous wishes and solving world hunger, we¡¯ll move to doing this one.¡±


    ¡°W-What is it?¡±


    ¡°Turning earthlings into beings they refer to as ¡®furries.¡¯¡±

 Not Today

    KyubiSin (9:00 am): What the hell¡¯s going on over there?


    KyubiSin (9:01 am): I saw news saying a virus is spreading rapidly in your country


    KyubiSin (9:01 am): Are you okay?


    JoshJosh (9:03 am): I¡¯m fine for now, but things aren¡¯t looking good.


    JoshJosh (9:03 am): The government just told us all to stay inside our house, but barely anyone¡¯s listening.


    JoshJosh (9:04 am): I can see smoke in the distance all the way from here.


    JoshJosh (9:04 am): Things are going crazy right now.


    JoshJosh (9:04 am): People are shouting and scrambling to figure out what¡¯s going on


    KyubiSin (9:05 am): Shit man. I think you need to get out asap.


    JoshJosh (9:06 am): And go where? It¡¯s not like I can fly out of the fucking country right now.


    JoshJosh (9:06 am): The government already said no one goes in or out.


    JoshJosh (9:07 am): Fuck. Why the hell is this happening?


    KyubiSin (9:08 am): Didn¡¯t they say the virus was contained or some shit?


    JoshJosh (9:09 am): I dun fuckin kno. Maybe some idiot started spreading it again or sum shit


    JoshJosh (9:10 am): I gotta go. My mom¡¯s calling me, and we need to prepare for whatever¡¯s coming.


    KyubiSin (9:10 am): Fuck. Please be okay, man. I dunno what I can do, but I¡¯ll try to help


    KyubiSin (9:11 am): Just update me if something happens.


    JoshJosh (10:00 am): Cant promise


    KyubiSin (10:01 am): The news said the virus is contained in the northern region right now.


    KyubiSin (10:02 am): But they¡¯re going to seal off the entire area by evening


    KyubiSin (10:02 am): Aren¡¯t you visiting your relatives in the northern region right now?


    KyubiSin (10:03 am): Fuck, I wish I can help. Please be safe.


    JoshJosh (10:30 am): Shut it ur not helping


    JoshJosh (10:31 am): am in northern region, but close to checkpoint they settin


    JoshJosh (10:32 am): family¡¯s packin and runnin right now


    JoshJosh (10:33 am): update me on news. cant check everythin rite now


    KyubiSin (10:34 am): Okay, okay.


    KyubiSin (10:50 am): UN¡¯s sending soldiers to set up and secure the checkpoint.


    KyubiSin (10:51 am): They¡¯re only going to allow people through the checkpoint and quarantine them until 6pm


    KyubiSin (10:52 am): Everyone who tries to cross after that will need to be checked thoroughly before they can go through


    KyubiSin (10:52 am): Some people are saying they¡¯re just going to shoot anyone who seems to be infected


    KyubiSin (10:53 am): What the fuck man


    KyubiSin (11:30 am): Okay, they¡¯re saying everyone should cross the checkpoint asap. Can¡¯t believe they were just telling y¡¯all to stay at home just an hour ago


    JoshJosh (11:56 am): On the highway right now. Stuck in traffic. People are just running


    JoshJosh (11:58 am): Family wondering if we should split because the old relatives can¡¯t run.


    JoshJosh (12:00 pm): Relative want the young to help carry the old people


    JoshJosh (12:00 pm): Can¡¯t carry a person while running!


    KyubiSin (12:05 pm): Wtf, don¡¯t they know you¡¯re tiny? How tf can you carry anyone?


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    KyubiSin (12:06 pm): More update. They may refuse entry to anyone who shows symptoms that resemble the virus


    KyubiSin (12:06 pm): So just make sure to appear calm when you arrive at the checkpoint


    JoshJosh (12:10 pm): Calm?! Fuckin really? Everyone fuckin panickin


    JoshJosh (12:11 pm): Mom says we should run while relatives stay in car


    JoshJosh (12:12 pm): Relatives mad, but we just grabbed our stuff and ran


    JoshJosh (12:13 pm): Mom says the shouting match can wait till we cross


    KyubiSin (12:14 pm): How far are you from the checkpoint right now?


    KyubiSin (12:50 pm): Hello?


    JoshJosh (1:30 pm): kilometers. At a gas station right now. Resting. Ran for 30 minutes


    JoshJosh (1:35 pm): ppl stealing shit inside store right now


    JoshJosh (1:36 pm): staff all ran already. Grabbed a few bottles of water. Mom wasn¡¯t happy, but no point in paying


    JoshJosh (1:37 pm): also ate stuff


    KyubiSin (1:40 pm): Man, you gotta keep running. People are crowding at the checkpoint right now. Even if you get there, it may still take you an hour to cross


    JoshJosh (1:45 pm): ikik


    JoshJosh (1:45 pm): Oh fuckfuc


    KyubiSin (1:46 pm): What happened?


    KyubiSin (1:46 pm): Did someone attack you?


    KyubiSin (2:00 pm): Josh? Are you okay? Please tell me you¡¯re okay.


    KyubiSin (3:00 pm): Josh, where are you? There¡¯s only three hours left


    JoshJosh (3:01 pm): Mom was infected. I¡¯m crying right now


    JoshJosh (3:02 pm): Ii ttired to help, but she just


    JoshJosh (3:03 pm): She told me to run so I run


    JoshJosh (3:05 pm): Hiding in a phone shop right now.


    JoshJosh (3:06 pm): Think Im halfway there


    JoshJosh (3:07 pm): Need to catch my breath


    JoshJosh (3:08 pm): Never ran this much before


    KyubiSin (3:09 pm): Your mom¡¯s infected? Where¡¯s she now?


    JoshJosh (3:10 pm): Idfk. She didn¡¯t want to risk me getting infected so she told me to run


    JoshJosh (3:11 pm): Maybe she overreacted. She doesn¡¯t seem sick.


    JoshJosh (3:12 pm): Shit I think I hear someone. GTG


    KyubiSin (3:12 pm): Stay safe. You¡¯re the most important person to me right now. I can¡¯t lose you


    KyubiSin (3:30 pm): UN has set up the quarantine zone past the checkpoint. Apparently a few people have died from the chaos. You should stay close to the highway but not on it if you can


    JoshJosh (4:00 pm): im trapped


    JoshJosh (4:00 pm): fuckfuckfuck


    KyubiSin (4:01 pm): What happened??


    JoshJosh (4:02 pm): takin shortcut thru store


    JoshJosh (4:03 pm): fucker jumped outta nowhere


    JoshJosh (4:03 pm): hiding upstairs behind blocked door


    JoshJosh (4:04 pm): think he infected. Not acting right


    JoshJosh (4:04 pm): can hear him outside


    JoshJosh (4:05 pm): still far from checkpoint


    JoshJosh (4:05 pm): can barely make it if i run nonstop


    JoshJosh (4:06 pm): im scared. What if i cant go through?


    JoshJosh (4:07 pm): dun wanna die


    KyubiSin (4:08 pm): Bump the guy away or find something to push him away


    KyubiSin (4:09 pm): Ignore him. Just get your ass to the checkpoint now.


    JoshJosh (4:11 pm): Gonna runghdfsddfd


    KyubiSin (4:12 pm): Josh? What happened?


    KyubiSin (4:20 pm): Josh, say something.


    KyubiSin (4:30 pm): Say something! Anything!


    KyubiSin (5:00 pm): Josh, they¡¯re starting to stop people from going through


    KyubiSin (5:05 pm): Please be okay, Josh. I can¡¯t lose you.


    KyubiSin (5:05 pm): Please, please be okay¡­


    KyubiSin (5:30 pm): Thirty minutes. I can¡¯t stop crying


    KyubiSin (5:45 pm): I¡¯m sorry for all the bad stuff I said to you before. I¡¯ll buy you anything as long as you survive. Anything


    KyubiSin (5:55 pm): They¡¯re gonna close the gates soon. God, please¡­


    KyubiSin (6:10 pm): I¡¯m sorry for not being a better friend I¡¯m sorry I¡¯m sorry I¡¯m sorry


    KyubiSin (9:00 pm): They¡¯re actually shooting people now. I tried contacting the people there, asking if you made it through, but all the lines are busy.


    KyubiSin (9:01 pm): I wonder if you¡¯re still alive hiding somewhere or¡­


    KyubiSin (9:02 pm): Fuck, I shouldn¡¯t have made that stupid joke¡­


    JoshJosh (1:00 am): You¡¯re buying me a 4090 pc once I reach back home


    KyubiSin (1:30 am): YOU¡¯RE ALIVE! HAHA!


    JoshJosh (1:30 am): Told you I wouldn¡¯t die that easily


    KyubiSin (1:31 am): You fucking asshole. You made me cry the whole night! What happened?


    JoshJosh (1:35 am): Guy knocked my phone away when I tried to run. Typing with my mom¡¯s phone rn


    JoshJosh (1:36 am): Can you believe my mom made it there before me?


    JoshJosh (1:36 am): Begged them to wait just a few more minutes before closing the gates


    JoshJosh (1:37 am): When I arrived like 5 or 10 minutes past 6, I fainted right at the gate


    JoshJosh (1:37 am): Only woke up about 20 minutes earlier


    JoshJosh (1:38 am): I wasn¡¯t infected, and neither was mom. She did overthink it. Typical


    KyubiSin (1:40 am): I¡¯m just glad you¡¯re alive, man.


    JoshJosh (1:41 am): Same.


    KyubiSin (1:42 am): What about your relatives?


    JoshJosh (1:43 am): Dunno, dun care. Call me heartless, but I don¡¯t give an f about relatives I meet like once every three years or sum shit


    JoshJosh (1:44 am): They just strangers with fancy titles


    KyubiSin (1:44 am): Damn. Brutal.


    JoshJosh (1:45 am): Anyway, gonna sleep. TTY tmr


    KyubiSin (1:45 am): ttyl

 Tabletop Night

    ¡°I¡­ am your father.¡±


    Immediately, the group around the table groaned in unison.


    ¡°Really?¡± Parvati rolled her eyes. ¡°This old twist?¡±


    Xiao Chen tapped his finger on the table, annoyed. ¡°I was expecting more than a stupid Star Wars reference, you know.¡±


    ¡°Come on, let them finish first.¡± Nazrin glanced Quinn, sitting in the spot of the dungeon master. ¡°There¡¯s probably more going on.¡±


    Quinn returned a grateful look at Nazrin, then continued, ¡°Signis coughed, laying limply against the wall. Nokrin gazed at his father, shocked, puzzled, and furious.


    ¡°¡®You¡¯re lying!¡¯  barked Nokrin. ¡®My father is a righteous Harper! He¡¯d never kill innocents, no matter the circumstances! He¡¯s nothing like you!¡¯


    ¡°¡®Is that so?¡¯ Signis said, smiling weakly. ¡®I guess I shouldn¡¯t have worried the spell didn¡¯t work¡¯


    ¡°¡®What are you saying? What spell?¡¯¡±


    ¡°Excuse me.¡± Xiao Chen lifted his hand. ¡°Isn¡¯t the cave supposed to be crumbling? Shouldn¡¯t they be having this conversation after they¡¯re out of danger?¡±


    Panic smacked right into Quinn¡¯s face. ¡°Uhm, it¡¯s uh¡­¡±


    ¡°Eh, we can ignore that.¡± Parvati waved her hand. ¡°Movies and shows do this stuff all the time anyway. Besides, I¡¯m interested in what Signis has to say.¡±


    ¡°Even though you thought the twist was lame?¡± Xiao Chen raised his eyebrow.


    ¡°It¡¯s their first time DMing, so I¡¯ll ignore it. Quinn, continue.¡±


    ¡°Uhm, okay.¡± Quinn nodded before inhaling and speaking in a gruff, weak voice,


    ¡°¡®A memory alteration spell, of course,¡¯ said Signis before he coughed again. ¡®Tell me, how much do you remember your ¡®father,¡¯ hmm? Do you remember his name? His face? His voice?¡±


    Then, Quinn switched to a young, noble voice. ¡°¡®N-No, but it¡¯s normal! He died when I was a young kid! Anyway, I don¡¯t believe you!¡¯¡±


    Again, they switched back to the gruff voice, ¡°¡®Even though your memory is better than anyone you met?¡¯ Signis grinned. ¡®I know you had suspicions whether your memory was altered at least once in your life. You¡¯re just that kind of kid.¡¯


    ¡°¡®So what?¡¯ snapped Nokrin. ¡®That doesn¡¯t prove anything! I--¡¯


    ¡°¡®Search your feelings, my son. You know it to be true--¡¯¡±


    Xiao Chen groaned, ¡°Okay, now you¡¯re just directly ripping off Star Wars--¡±


    ¡°Shut it!¡± Nazrin and Parvati shot a glare at their friend in unison.


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    In response, Xiao Chen lifted both his hands in resignation and leaned back against his chair.


    Quinn cleared their throat, resuming,


    ¡°¡®You¡¯re just wasting my time.¡¯ Nokrin lifted his sword, his hands trembling. ¡®It¡¯s time we end this, once and for all.¡¯


    ¡°¡®Do you still have the owlbear doll I left you? The one with a poorly stitched beak.¡¯ Signis winced but retained his smile.


    ¡°¡®H-How¡­¡¯ Nokrin¡¯s arms froze as he stared at the dark knight in disbelief, visibly shaken.¡±


    As Quinn spoke, they grinned at Parvati. She, in response, did a fist pump, delighted that her theory about the origin of the doll was correct.


    ¡°¡®It was my first and last gift for you, my son. Time was running out, so I couldn¡¯t complete it perfectly in time.¡¯¡±


    ¡°¡®Then why?!¡¯ Tears gathered in Nokrin¡¯s eyes. ¡®Why did you tell everyone you were the one who killed my father? I know you weren¡¯t the one who killed those villagers, so why did you lie? Why did you leave?¡¯


    ¡°¡®Because it was the only way I could protect you.¡¯ Signis coughed with blood. ¡®The townspeople despised me for marrying your mother, even more so after she died giving birth to you. When calamity struck the village that day, I saw an opportunity to spare you the scorn that the people there bore toward me. I didn¡¯t want you to live in a world where your very existence is disdained by others because of me, so I did what I thought was the best.¡¯


    ¡°¡®You could¡¯ve done it in another way!¡¯ Nokrin stabbed his sword into the ground. ¡®Have you any idea how much I mourned for you?¡¯ How much did losing my father destroy me? If not for my new companions, I would¡¯ve¡­ I would¡¯ve¡­¡¯


    ¡°¡®Did you think you were the only one suffering? I thought of slitting my throat after I left you.¡¯ Choking on his voice, Signis pulled out the amulet from under his armor, holding it tightly. ¡®A life without you and your mother was a life I''d rather not live. The only reason I didn¡¯t take my own life is because I couldn¡¯t risk having people discover the truth. I had to keep living as the Butcher of Swinford, so no one will ever doubt your story.¡¯


    ¡°¡®Why didn¡¯t you tell me the truth yesterday, then? We could¡¯ve--


    ¡°¡®Could¡¯ve what? Cleared my name? I had killed too many over the years for the sake of protecting you, my son. I didn¡¯t even want to tell you the truth, but I could see the anguish on your face. I know you would¡¯ve spent the rest of your life wondering if I was your father, and¡­ I couldn¡¯t resist facing you as your dad once more.¡¯ Signis snapped his amulet from his neck and tossed it to Nokrin. ¡®Take this, and leave. The cave will collapse at any moment now.¡¯


    ¡°¡®No! I won¡¯t let you leave again, not after I¡¯ve found you!¡¯ Nokrin grabbed the amulet and turned to the rest of you, tears running down his cheeks. ''Help me carry him out!''


    ¡°Before any of you can say a thing, Signis spoke up, his voice even weaker now. ''No, Nokrin. This is where I meet my end. I deserve this after all the blood I''ve spilled. Besides,'' he smiles faintly, ''I can''t have the Perfect Knight be seen saving a villain like me.''


    ¡°''I don''t care! I will--''


    ¡°Suddenly, Signis blasted Nokrin and his sword away, and a boulder dropped onto the spot that Norkin was standing on just a second ago.


    ¡°''Dad!'' Nokrin tried to lift the boulder, but it was too heavy.


    ¡°¡®I¡¯m glad¡­ to be able to hear you¡­ call me Dad again¡­¡¯ Signis then drew his last breath as more rocks fell from the ceiling.


    ¡°Nokrin grabs his sword with one hand, clutches the amulet with another, and races out of the cave with you three.¡±


    ¡°Wait, what? There¡¯s not even any obstacles on the way out?¡± Xiao Chen frowned.


    Quinn lowered their head. ¡°I-I was thinking we can do that next week. I-I need to leave in a few minutes¡­¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s fine, Quinn.¡± Nazrin gently patted Quinn¡¯s shoulder. ¡°You did well, considering you came up with that whole sequence last night.¡±


    ¡°I think we could¡¯ve rolled for saving Signis. My character probably could¡¯ve reached him in time.¡± Parvati shrugged. ¡°But eh, it wasn¡¯t too bad.¡±


    ¡°Too ¡®cinematic,¡¯ and the resolution was kind of boring.¡± Xiao Chen stood. ¡°But, still, not too shabby for your first run. Just make sure our campaign ends well next week. Still got a few loose ends.¡±


    Quinn beamed and nodded. ¡°T-Thank you.¡±


    ¡°Pack up quickly, then. You don¡¯t wanna be late.¡± As Nazrin spoke, he also stood and began to clean up the table.


    The others followed suit.

 Colors of Emotion

    The hues of blue,


    sorrow and gloom.


    It clings to you, it beckons you,


    to drown you in the face of the moon.


    The shade of red,


    fiery with wrath and obsession.


    It grants your spirit, it grants you power,


    but it leaves your heart cold and your body charred.


    The tint of green,


    the whisper of envy.


    For your heart¡¯s desire, for your spurious wish,


    it asks of you to indulge and embellish.


    Yellow with anxiety,


    trembling in fear.


    Two demons in a trenchcoat,


    demanding you to hear.


    Never-ending, ever ceaseless,


    they feast upon your darting eyes.


    The guilt of a purple rose,


    for its thorns meant to defend, not oppose.


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    It sobs, it cries, it mourns,


    for a moment that would never be.


    For the dance of disgust and shame,


    they tangoed under the orange glow.


    Loathe each other, they did,


    but blind to the coin they both stood in.


    Apathy is the death of all,


    the grey, consuming fog.


    It spreads, it envelopes, it mauled,


    until there is nothing more.


    Black is the tone of loneliness¡¯ call,


    pleading for anyone to respond, big or small.


    Void of the human condition, death to the human spirit,


    undefeatable, unacceptable, unmistakable.


    Colors, emotions, experience,


    contradiction and conjoinment are the norm.


    Of one hue, the blue¡¯s blue,


    of another, a calm view.


    The flaming red,


    scorching yet warm.


    Love and hate,


    roses and bombs.


    Of green and yellow,


    of envy and pride.


    For one dimmed in the clutch of resentment,


    the other shone in the podium of joy.


    It comes, and goes,


    it falters and flows,


    like the color of rainbows.


    It sings and curses,


    it bleeds and nurses;


    It showers and drizzles,


    it''s written in epistles.


    Emotions, they vex and bless,


    a spectrum of glee to stress.


    They gush like streams, they bubble like steam,


    it¡¯s never-ending.


    They are of human, of human we are.


    May we cherish, may we scorn,


    but devoid of the yellow joy or the purple guilt,


    we¡¯re no different from the unborn.

 Eclipse

    You awoke. You blinked. You screamed, but no voice emerged from your mouth.


    The sunlight blinded you temporarily, but you didn¡¯t evade your eyes. You allowed the pain to sear your eyes as you unzipped your sleeping bag. It was another night of nightmares, and so you were already numbed to the pain.


    Your heart was numb and empty, devoid of any warmth. Your motivation to resume your journey drained, much like every morning. So often you wished to die, wished to slumber forever, wish to be rid of the horrors that haunt your dreams. Then, you glance at the colorful wooden mask beside you, and the flames of wrath burn within your heart once more.


    For a time, you didn¡¯t need such an external reminder. The inferno that raged within you needn¡¯t any fuel, for the very existence of your memories was enough of a reminder. However, as days turned into weeks, and weeks into months, you started doubting yourself. You wondered if the end of the journey would bring you peace at all. After all, the fire driving you forward was not of comfort but destruction, and there was little left to destroy.


    Upon standing up, you changed into your clothes, uncomfortable as always. You touched your face, your scowl still etched onto your countenance. Sometimes, you wished you didn¡¯t have it, but you were still glad it was there. After all, you didn¡¯t need or want others to approach you. You weren¡¯t a book where the contents on the pages were better than its cover.


    Once your makeshift camp had been dealt with, you picked up a fearsome mask, one of many hanging on your backpack, and equipped it. You poured power into the mask, and the mask responded by injecting a power of its own into your veins. Suddenly, you found yourself able to wield the element of the earth once more.


    With your backpack pressing against your back, you pressed your hand on the ground. As your hunger pulsed into the earth, nearby signs of life were transmitted into your being. Suddenly, the forest was akin to the palm of your hand.


    When the docile beast a few hundred meters away noticed you, it was too late. Despite its struggle, it continued to sink into the ground, unable to escape the earth. Casually, you arrive at the deer-like creature as it bleats with extreme panic. With a forceful and abrupt thrust of your arm, you clutched its mouth. Irritated by the sound it was making, you tightened your grip and, in a blink of an eye, you withdrew your arm.


    Without delay, the creature dropped to the ground as if it were a lifeless doll. You released its legs, causing it to collapse to the side, its widened eyes staring straight into your soul. That, too, irked you, so you stomped on its head without hesitation, squashing it like a watermelon. The gory sight didn¡¯t faze you, neither did the blood that was spilled onto your clothes.


    Upon removing your mask and hanging it by your backpack, you lowered your jaw and shoved the still-struggling creature, who was now a ghastly blue silhouette in your grip, down your throat. You neither blinked nor gulped as you swallowed the spirit of the crying beast. Eventually, the spirit was no more, and you closed back your mouth.


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    Violently, you took in a deep breath, savoring the brief moment of ecstasy coursing through your body before a terrible, familiar feeling returned to your chest. You ignored it, as you always did, and marched forward.


    During your trek, thoughts bubbled in your mind. You refused to entertain them as they would spur you to question your journey and actions. You¡¯d inevitably hear that familiar voice, asking you if your goal was worth the pain you¡¯ve caused and will cause. Each time you reply, you give a different answer, so you stop responding. No amount of replies would bring you the salvation you oh so desperately hope.


    It¡¯s not my fault, you said to yourself. She shouldn¡¯t have returned my memories. This is all her fault, and when I speak to her again, I will tell her of the agony I have inflicted because of her. She will experience guilt, whether she desires it or not, and if she isn¡¯t tormented, I will ensure she does.


    That was the mantra you repeated in your mind every time you were near your next destination. Even without the mask, you could detect signs of life when you were close enough to one, and you were close to many at that moment.


    As the sun hung high in the sky, you arrived at the edge of a village. You noticed no guards or walls or defenses of any kind. It was just another peaceful, ordinary settlement that was tucked away in the forest. Conflicting emotions burst into your heart, both urging and dissuading you to act.


    Minutes later, you noticed children playing at a spot not far from a house. No adults were around them. Hence, you picked a silly mask you painted last night and put it on. When the children saw you approaching them with the ridiculous mask and goofy behavior, they were interested, as they always did.


    You played along with them for a little while, refraining from saying anything. A disguise was only as good as your ability to maintain it, and you were very good at keeping your facade. Then, the children asked if they could wear a mask that was hanging on your backpack. They always did, because you were a skilled artisan.


    In response, you nodded. You settled down your backpack, picked the mask that the girl before you took a liking to, and stood. Without warning, you gripped the girl¡¯s neck and lifted her into the air. You always relished in and strongly disgusted by the shock and fear on their faces. Could you have done it in a better way? Sure, but that wouldn¡¯t be enough to vent the violence and anger that had long ate your heart.


    As the other children screamed and the girl in your grip struggled to breathe, you finally spoke.


    ¡°Didn¡¯t you want to wear a mask?¡±


    You threw the mask into the air with your other hand, slapped your palm onto the girl¡¯s face, and pulled back. A ghastly blue silhouette of the girl was peeled out of her body, and when you caught the mask falling back down, her spirit was sucked into the mask. Expeditiously, you slammed the mask back onto her face, and she released a scream that she previously wouldn¡¯t have been able to produce.


    Finally, you dropped the girl back onto the ground. The other children were paralyzed with fear as they watched their companion lie motionless on the ground for minutes. Then, she stood back up like a broken doll. Lifeless and erratically, she turned to you, staring at you with hollow eyes. Another failure.


    However, it was fine. After all, you crafted plenty of masks yesterday, and the adults had already kindly rushed toward your location upon hearing the girl¡¯s scream.


    Alas, you were finally feeling excited. After all, you were certain the modifications to your crafting process yesterday would yield helpful results. Humming, you grabbed two masks from your backpack and strolled toward the other children, a smile creeping onto the mask you wore beneath your face.

 Shell of A Ghost

    I recall bits and pieces of the past. They say Guardians aren¡¯t supposed to remember when they¡¯re resurrected by Ghosts, but I do. I never told anyone. Was it because I¡¯d be annoyed by all the questions thrown at me? I know firsthand how inquisitive those nerds in the Tower¡¯s library can be. I¡¯d rather not be bothered by them, but¡­ I know there¡¯s a deeper reason why I refuse to speak of it with anyone else.


    Occasionally, the memories emerged in my mind. Some were pleasant, most were¡­ less so. They frequently took the form of nightmares, though they came in the form of intrusive thoughts, too. Often, I see my fellow Guardians lamenting how they wish they could remember, but they know not how blessed they are to be ignorant of their past. There¡¯s a reason why the Light wipes the slate clean, and I know it terribly well.


    It¡¯s amazing how very few scenes I could recall weighed me down so much. Considering how emotionally loaded the memories were though, I understand why they slipped through the Light¡¯s memory-wiping power. I asked Luna, my Ghost, if she could ¡°patch up¡± the mistake, but she claimed she did not know how. Apparent the Guardians weren¡¯t the only entities bestowed with Light who didn¡¯t have any recollections of the past. She even agrees that it¡¯s terrible the thing that birthed her didn¡¯t equip her with knowledge beyond a few basic stuff.


    Was it little wonder I couldn¡¯t connect with other Guardians, who were all unburdened by their past? I could visit the counselors in the Tower. I could seek guidance from them, and learn how to come to terms with the scraps of who I was and rebuild my ¡°self.¡± But, I¡­ I don¡¯t know if I could trust them. How will I know they won¡¯t lead me down the wrong path? Or simply label me as ¡°defective¡± and study me? After all, this has never happened before as far as I can tell.


    Luna says I¡¯m being irrational, and maybe I am, but¡­ I don¡¯t know. I don¡¯t know who I am except for the traumas of a ghost or much of anything about the world I¡¯m born into yet. Though what I¡¯m capable of comes to me instinctually, it doesn¡¯t provide an emotional assurance as to who or what I¡¯m supposed to be.


    There¡¯s a Guardian in the Tower whom everyone calls Crow. Apparently, he killed the previous Hunter Vanguard and was revived as, well, a Guardian. Rumors say he may be willing to provide counsel to those who may be struggling with their new identity as Guardians. Also, apparently, his old memories were thrust back into him, but based on what Luna told me, he doesn¡¯t experience the emotional weight of his past. Based on that, I shrugged off Luna¡¯s suggestion, because I remember how I felt far more clearly than what may have actually happened.


    So, I kept to myself most of the time. Of course, I mingled with the other Guardians still, hoping that would show me my path forward. I should¡¯ve expected their temporary company only dulled the pain. Luna kept telling me what to do and how I could handle the pain, but I just told her to shove it. I was essentially a big baby, and big babies don¡¯t know how to deal with all this crap. For a long while, I just needed time for everything to settle down.


    As I performed my missions and explored the world, I gradually bonded with Luna. Sure, she and I have problems to sort through, but we grow closer as we spend more time together. Gradually, I became more comfortable opening myself up to her, and she more understanding of my inner world. She still offers me advice from time to time, but I can tell it comes from a place of care and not just blind worry anymore.


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    Honestly, I developed a bit of a crush on her, and I think she has feelings for me, too. A romance between a Guardian and a Ghost isn¡¯t completely unheard of. There were rumors of a Guardian who installed their Ghost into an Exo body. However, I¡­ I don¡¯t know what to do with myself for now, so we didn¡¯t entertain the idea.


    One day, we stumbled across an Eliksni corpse on the outskirts of the EDZ. A Vandal, it would appear. Before we could even investigate the body, a Ghost casually floated past us and resurrected the Eliksni before our very eyes. To say Luna and I were shocked would be an understatement. Similar cases have been reported starting from a few months ago, but it was still extremely rare.


    When the Eliksni awoke, he screamed and flailed about. It took us quite a while to calm him down. His Ghost, later dubbed as Shocky, stated that he had never seen such a thing before, but I do. While my reaction wasn¡¯t as dramatic as the Eliksni¡¯s when I was first rezzed, it was similar. He remembers, too.


    For the first two weeks, we didn¡¯t bring him back to the Tower because he was in rough shape, mentally and emotionally. I doubt his psyche could¡¯ve handled it. Like me, he didn¡¯t remember his name or who he was, but he could viscerally recall his death and some information related to why. We helped him pick a name, Frestras, and I basically spent the weeks accompanying him.


    The Vanguard didn¡¯t question me where I disappeared to for two weeks. It was mostly because THE Guardian was taking care of everything like they were the messiah granted to us from a higher power. I wouldn¡¯t be surprised if that was the case. Anyway, during that time, I took Frestras to my hideout and we just spent the days together. Thankfully, he knew how to speak English, which made things easier.


    At first, he was wary of everything, including us and his ghost. We surmised from his overall behavior that he was likely betrayed when he died. However, the power of the Light was strong, and the initial shock wore off by the end of the day. Though the emotions still lingered in his heart faded rather rapidly over the first week, they didn¡¯t disappear. They haunted him still, much like how it was for me.


    To soothe him, I shared my own experience with him. Frankly, I didn¡¯t expect doing so would bring me comfort as well. Who would¡¯ve thought being able to share moments with someone who understood your pain deeply was actually pretty great? For the first time in my second life, I felt¡­ alive. Despite how tormented he was by the fragments of his past memories, he was quite the uplifting, cheerful guy. I didn¡¯t expect that from an Eliksni. Then again, I haven¡¯t really interacted with one in-depth.


    I¡¯m a little embarrassed to say, but by the end of the second week, I fell for him a little. Gosh, am I this lonely and thirsty? So much so that I fell in love with the first two people I had a heart-to-heart with? He¡¯s quite attractive too, I won¡¯t lie¡­


    After the two weeks were over, we brought him to the tower. There was a commotion, and he was overwhelmed by everything, but he had me by his side. Though Guardians weren¡¯t supposed to look into their past, an investigation was launched into his death. Since most of the Eliksni is part of the Last City now, we have a duty to bring his murderer to justice.


    A few days later, things finally calmed down, and he was deemed to be a Warlock. It¡¯s funny, because he acts more like a Hunter than a Warlock, and I¡¯m the exact opposite. Guess we made a good pair, and he agrees because he wants to form a fireteam with me, not with his kin. The other Eliksni Guardians tried quite hard to persuade him to join them, but he refused, stating he was more comfortable with me for the moment. It actually irritated a few Eliksni, both Guardian and mortal, to see one of their own rejecting them and preferring a human. A few stink eyes were directed at me but I ignored it.


    And so, the fireteam, Shell of A Ghost, was born. We looked after each other¡¯s back as we completed missions and tracked down his killer. A lot happened since then, and our relationship improved. Well, ¡°improved¡± is underselling it. However, that¡¯s a story for the future. For now, I¡¯m just glad I have someone to count on, to support me when I need it.

 Burnout

    An invisible exhaustion,


    an impossible mountain.


    It clutches your mind, it squeezes your heart,


    it fills your chest with tar.


    A burning flame without smoke,


    a weariness without pain.


    Even through a looking glass,


    it may not be visible.


    It tears, it munches, it gnaws.


    A suffocation unlike others,


    not of vacuum of water.


    A soul-burning void, unparalleled.


    It builds and builds,


    sometimes visible to the heart,


    other times only when it starts.


    It robs, it denies, it crushes,


    the desire to move forward.


    Chains of metaphor,


    bounds one physically.


    ¡°Non-negotiable!¡± it exclaims,


    as it plants you before a wall.


    You stare, you scream, you wrestle,


    but the struggle is its feed.


    With your limbs pinned,


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    and your mouth stripped,


    it opens your chest,


    to fill it with cement.


    A fire lit within your soul,


    for you wish to move but cannot do so.


    A limit before you break,


    but a limit that frustrates.


    Rest, but unwilling so,


    as the clock ticks on.


    The world waits for no one,


    and no one waits for you.


    A sign of imminent danger,


    a caution to reevaluate.


    For it did not emerge from the aether,


    nor did it leave no trace behind.


    A closer examination, it suggests,


    not an obstacle to annoy.


    Irritation, the language of all beings,


    for when only it is spoken do you listen.


    What brings it comfort?


    What provides it peace?


    It is not urging, my friend,


    but a stress decrease.


    It irks the impatient,


    it upsets the blind.


    It draws the lights,


    and shows the line.


    A moment of serenity,


    one due in time,


    will show the path,


    to a better life.


    Alas, one must heed its message,


    one etched in your heart and mind.


    It is no malevolent spirit,


    nor is it an antagonist.


    Unkind, it may be,


    but aid, it undoubtedly is.


    One may resent, one may spit,


    but discomfort is the mark of disrepair.


    A break, if needed; a chat, if available.


    To see the sky, and smell the roses.


    The method varies,


    but the end converges.


    The road may be long,


    but strolling through time,


    and not sprinting through it,


    will surely bring peace.


    So, permit yourself to rest.


    No matter how long, no matter how fraught,


    should you persist, remaining steadfast,


    your effort shall bear a fruit of unparalleled delight.

 The Way Of War

    Day 1 | 0900


    The screen blinked to life, depicting a young man standing in a small room adjusting the camera. The room was devoid of any decorations, consisting of only a bed, a desk, and a chair. Besides the young man¡¯s feet lay a huge backpack. He stared at the screen with a satisfied smile and settled down on the bed.


    ¡°Today is my first day at the barracks, and I¡¯m so excited!¡±


    The young man clapped and did a fist pump.


    ¡°I¡¯ve been dreaming of this moment for years! Justin and I passed all the tests with flying colors, and we were given our own rooms! They¡¯re small, but it¡¯s better than living with a bunch of other dudes. We won¡¯t be sent to the front lines yet, but we¡¯ll get to see how everything runs here! We can see the war machines up close and--¡±


    Someone beyond the screen outside shouted at the young man, prompting him to turn to his right. After he responded, he stood and approached the screen.


    ¡°Ops, time for me to go. I don¡¯t know how busy I¡¯ll get, but I hope I¡¯ll have enough time to record all the big moments. Alarik, signing off.¡±


    He winked at the screen a second before it went black.


    Day 3 | 1900


    The instant the screen flashed to life, Alarik was seen dancing in front of the bed. As he did, he spoke slightly out of breath, but unbelievably delighted.


    ¡°We were chosen! Us! Justin and I!¡±


    Alarik laughed, then sat on the bed, panting with a grin.


    ¡°In a week, we¡¯ll be sent to the FOB closest to the front lines. I can¡¯t believe we¡¯re be moving months ahead of schedule! We still won¡¯t be fighting, but at least we¡¯ll be able to see some action, baby! Gosh. It feels like yesterday when Justin and I were still watching the movies about this, but now we¡¯re actually here! For some reason he doesn¡¯t seem as excited, but eh, understandable. He still has a girlfriend back home while I don¡¯t. Tsk. Oh well, once I return home, there¡¯ll be babes swarming me, hah!¡±


    He sighed, then gazed at the screen rapturously.


    ¡°Things are going to be great.¡±


    He marched forward, reached his arm forward, and everything turned black.


    Day 5 | 2200


    A bunk bed and a table on the side entered the screen. Alarik was seen speaking to a person off-screen while stepping backward. Brushing his hand across his face, he settled on the lower bed. His eyes were filled with joy and weariness.


    ¡°We arrived, but our convoy was attacked by those filthy creatures. One of the vehicles was taken out, but the rest of us made it out. Now, I know why they moved us here ahead of schedule. Clearly, they need as many men as possible fighting back. I admire how the people working here have been holding down the fort and supporting the front lines. Soon, I¡¯ll be able to fight for the greater good, too.¡±


    A leg entered the screen from the right as another man spoke.


    ¡°Still think the front line¡¯s fun and games?¡±


    Alarik snapped his sight to his companion, frowning.


    ¡°What, did that incident scare you, Justin? This only strengthens my resolve to fight!¡±


    ¡°If you say so. I saw you shaking back in the car.¡±


    ¡°I did not! Don¡¯t butt into my diary!¡±


    Alarik stood and rapidly approached the screen. Once again, darkness arrived.


    Day 10 | 0600


    The screen pans upward from beneath Alarik¡¯s chest. He was smiling brighter than the rising sun. The screen shook ever so slightly without stopping, indicating he was walking as he spoke.


    ¡°So, Justin and I piloted the mechs yesterday. The small ones because those were easier to use. If we prove to be effective in controlling it, the bigger ones will be waiting for us. Honestly, I don¡¯t mind if I was stuck piloting that thing forever because it was so fun! It controls similar to the simulation, but it feels so much different when controlling the real thing!¡±


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    Alarik glanced backward before facing the screen again.


    ¡°I¡¯m not supposed to be out here right now, but I got so excited that I woke up early. Today, we¡¯ll be attacking an enemy base! It¡¯s been a while since I last made another entry, and it¡¯s a big day today, so I wanted to record my thoughts before it happens. I really¡­ I¡¯ve-I¡¯ve¡­ There are no words I can describe how I¡¯m feeling right now. Today, I¡¯m going to show those filthy things and everyone in the base who Alarik Dyson is. Mom and Dad will be so proud. Sis will probably condemn and start spouting about some peace bullshit. Psh. If they wanted peace, they would¡¯ve stayed on their side instead of coming over here. Anyway, I should head back now. Justin¡¯s going to freak out if he doesn¡¯t see me when he¡¯s awake.¡±


    With a wave of his hand toward the screen, the world fades to black.


    Day 30 | 0000


    Moonlight pierced through the window, being the only light source illuminating the room. The camera was facing the bunk bed again, and Alarik dragged his feet toward the furniture before crashing his butt on the lower bed. Then, he raised his head, showing a scar below his left eye and his unshaven face. Brushing his hand across his hair, he visibly struggled to form a word. A minute later, he sighed and finally spoke.


    ¡°The operation¡­ was a success, but it wasn¡¯t an enemy base. It was a makeshift camp filled with defenseless¡­ civilians, if we could call them that. I¡­ I didn¡¯t¡­ I thought I¡¯d hear the cries of battle, not cries of¡­ Oh, god¡­¡±


    He pressed his hand on his eyes.


    ¡°I could still¡­ hear it. And see it. They didn¡¯t even fight back. Just pleaded. I thought the games and movies and virtual reality reels had prepared me for this. A fight was what all I, we, wanted, but this isn¡¯t a fight. It was¡­ It was nothing but slaughter. I could hear the bones crunching, their flesh squelching, a-and¡­¡±


    Suddenly, he inhaled and exhaled rapidly and sharply before calming down.


    ¡°Justin ran away. We were pretty sure he did. I don¡¯t know why, but¡­ it seems like he had been planning to do it. Why, Justin? I didn¡¯t think you were such a coward. I need you right now, but you¡¯re not¡­¡±


    He removed his hand, staring straight at the screen.


    ¡°They branded Justin a traitor and are planning to ship me back, but I won¡¯t leave until I find him. I don¡¯t give a shit if I¡¯m court-martialed. I will find you, Justin, and we¡¯ll go back home together.¡±


    Sluggishly, he rose and shut the screen off.


    Day 70 | 0900


    Alarik was sitting to the right of the screen inside a spacious room made of mud. Sunlight spilled onto the ground from the window in the distance. A new scar was visible on his forehead. As he spoke, traces of anguish could be detected in his calm voice.


    ¡°I-- We were all wrong. I don¡¯t know the whole situation yet, but I¡¯ll be debriefed by Justin later. I found him, by the way. He was almost a thousand kilometers away from the front lines, living with¡­ them. I was¡­ So many emotions crossed my mind at once that I didn¡¯t know what to say when he came out and told his new friends to stand down. I--¡±


    He sighed with frustration, tightening his fist.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know which angers me more -- the fact that he didn¡¯t think to tell me he was still alive or that he was part of the resistance since¡­ who the fuck knows how long. How the HELL did he even become a member of the resistance without stepping foot out of the country the whole time I''ve known him? How is he already so buddy-buddy with all of them? This is unbelievable.¡±


    Silence followed, and he drank a glass of blue liquid nearby. Three minutes passed, and he spoke again.


    ¡°Justin better have one hell of a reason to be sticking around here or I¡¯m dragging him home whether he wants to or not.¡±


    Without warning, he reached his hand toward the screen, and nothing.


    Day 150 | ???


    There was nothing on the screen, but Alarik¡¯s weary voice could be heard.


    ¡°We¡¯re all sinners. Every last one of us, but the higher-ups in the military and government, the people I once admired¡­ They deserve to meet Satan himself. They deserved to be personally punished by the Lord of Hell, because there is no justification in this world that can absolve them of their actions. Nothing. We were all fools to believe this conflict is as simple as it is.¡±


    A strained pause, and then he continued.


    ¡°Over the past few months, I¡¯ve seen¡­ things. Things my younger self wouldn¡¯t have believed. Things that my sister has been telling me, but I refused to listen. I saw the mechs, I saw the explosions, and I was in. That was all it took for me to murder innocents. How could I have been so blind? How could anyone? Weren¡¯t we supposed to be ¡®intelligent?¡¯ ¡®Superior?¡¯ Ha, ha ha¡­¡±


    His harrowing laughter echoed.


    ¡°I was skeptical at first, after hearing what Justin had to say. I was a fool to doubt him. It was in front of us all along, and we refused to see it. I refused to see it. Even though I¡¯ve sacrifice much of myself to right my wrongs, it¡¯s not enough. It¡¯ll never be enough, but I still have to do this. I can¡¯t live with myself if I don¡¯t. Hopefully, my death will be a wakeup call to my parents, and I hope Sis will persuade them to realize the truth.¡±


    He inhaled deeply.


    ¡°In three days, we¡¯re mounting the biggest attack on the headquarters. Thanks to Justin, Miem, Lazlow, and me, we have enough firepower to push them back. I hope it goes well. If not, well, I hope this recording reaches my family. Mom, Dad, Sis, I love you. The truth is harsh, but you shouldn¡¯t evade it. I¡¯ll gladly sacrifice my life again for this cause if given the choice. We owe it to them, to every living being in this world. Goodbye.¡±


    Day ??? | 1500


    A man in a casual outfit settled down on a wooden box a distance away from the screen. He was inside a hall, staring straight ahead. Scars were visible across his arms and face, but he didn¡¯t at all appear fierce. Instead, he wore a serene and somewhat indifferent expression.


    ¡°Alarik died a week ago. When I went through his room yesterday, I found this recorder and had someone repair it. I didn¡¯t realize he was still recording his video diary, but it didn¡¯t seem he made much entry. Since he wants this to reach his family, I¡¯ll just record one last thing before sending it back to his home. Attached with this recorder will be my recorder, explaining everything in further detail. Just in case those watching can¡¯t recognize me anymore due to the scars, this is Justin.¡±


    Justin lowered his head, continuing in a monotone voice.


    ¡°The attack, which you would¡¯ve seen on the news by now, was successful. Alarik was the only reason we won and the truth was revealed to the public. I¡¯m sorry I couldn¡¯t save him. I would¡¯ve gladly sacrificed my life for his, but he wanted me to live. So I did. In a week from now, we¡¯ll march to the capital and demand the ceasing of this pointless war. Maybe we¡¯ll all die, maybe we¡¯ll succeed. There¡¯s no telling, but neither Alarik, I, nor anyone standing with us regretted fighting back. Humanity can be terrible, but we rebelled because if we can change, I believe everyone else can. It¡¯s just a matter of effort and perspective.¡±


    Seconds later, he raised his head once more, smiled, and approached the screen. Then, he stopped and uttered one last sentence.


    ¡°See you in the next life, Alarik.¡±


    Fade to black.

 Epoch of A Dream

    ¡°Was it fun?¡±


    You snapped to your senses and slowly shifted your sight to the right. Though you don¡¯t hear anything, you know it¡¯s a feminine voice. You tried to see, the shapes blurred and mixed, but you know it¡¯s a woman¡¯s figure.


    For a moment, you don¡¯t know what she¡¯s talking about, so you face forward again, and you see a familiar sunset before you. It was one you had only witnessed for a week, but it was a week you can¡¯t ever forget. For better or worse, and you hope it¡¯s better, the sight of that sunset has been seared into your mind.


    ¡°It¡¯s beautiful. We could¡¯ve watched this together.¡±


    The voice beside you spoke before you. You see the blurry figure of a child, but you still recognize who she is. You always will recognize her, even in the crowds she isn¡¯t in.


    ¡°Why aren¡¯t you saying anything? Trying to be mysterious again, hmm?¡± The voice, now of a higher pitch, teased behind you.


    You turned around, and you saw the classroom you were always in. You don¡¯t see her smile, but you know it¡¯s there, right in front of you. It¡¯s clear as day, but you have no hand to touch her. Suddenly, you experienced a light tapping on your forehead.


    ¡°You should make more friends, you know. I know how big your heart is. You can squeeze in a few more people in there, heh.¡± The voice spoke, the figure before you lowered her gaze back on the table, and you saw her familiar, golden hair.


    You want to speak, but there are no lips on your empty head to convey the words. All you can do is watch her scribble in her notebook. Her sketches are just an inch too far from your sight, but you see it in your mind¡¯s eye anyway. Fantastical drawings of another world, a world where--


    You blinked. That was your mistake. Always so blinded by work that you often only see her between your blinks, between the darkness and the drab world. The colors drained from the scene before you, and you¡¯re back on the desk you detest. Another man touched your shoulder, sending volcanoes of tar through your body.


    ¡°Are you alright?¡± She asked, her worried face in the mirror on the desk.


    You stepped into the kitchen, eyes dreary, shoulders slumped. Coffee is poured into the cup below you, and you hear her footsteps approaching from behind. Silently, she hugs you, and her cold warmth stirs the coffee within you. Of course, you¡¯re not okay. No one in this goddamn world is okay. But with her, with her¡­


    ¡°Oh, now you¡¯re just imagining things.¡± The detached voice rang in all directions as you saw her silhouette passing you by in your middle school¡¯s corridor.


    ¡°You didn¡¯t even like me, remember?¡± The figure of a crying young woman sat on the staircase before you. Your feet were locked in place as your view of her grew smaller.


    ¡°Why didn¡¯t say it back then? You know what I am, you know what you are, but you didn¡¯t say it in the end. Is it because YOU¡¯RE A COWARD?!¡±


    You fell backward, down and down without an end. A weightless descent, it was, and you felt the hair on your cheeks, just like what happened that day. You closed your eyes, and you see--


    ¡°What¡¯s with that smile? Are you really that happy about this?¡± The voice chuckled from your left, and you turned to her. She was wearing her ugly but favorite rainbow bikini. You weren¡¯t wearing anything better yourself, but does it matter? When the edges of your heavy lips lifted against the gravity of existence?


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    Oh, you swam. You still remember you almost drowned in that pool, but she saved you, as she did many times before and after that. The fear that your days with her will end slowly melts in the water, and she stares at you, beaming. You lay your hand on her cheek, and you kissed her.


    When you blinked, you were on the bed. Ten minutes had passed. You experienced the journey back home, her figure luring you into a futuristic yet fantastical room. You stripped, she stripped, and both of you conjoined. Oh, the pleasure was intense. Not only that, the world didn¡¯t end at any point in that process. You¡¯re amazed, and you know what¡¯s truly going on, but you¡¯re still there, inside that room, with her.


    Then, you¡¯re back there again. On the beach, basking in the twilight. You sniffed, and the stench of smoke filled your lungs. You turn to your left, and you see an unfamiliar face you¡¯ve been staring at for the past week. She turned toward you, but spoke with a voice you¡¯re much more familiar with, the one who had been speaking to you


    ¡°What did you want me to say? That it¡¯s not your fault? That I should indulge you a little because you managed not to mess things up more than you usually do?¡± A blob stood beside what your brain recognized as a window.


    It was that night again. The fateful night that never came to pass. Or did it?


    ¡°May the stars never shine on us again.¡±


    She stood beside you, wanting to kiss you one more time, but couldn¡¯t. Her empty touch shattered you into a thousand pieces. You know the pain as you watch remnants of yourselves fall through the tunnel of time, but you can¡¯t feel it. Not anymore. They¡¯re no longer yours.


    Then, you blinked again, and that unfamiliar face beside you on the beach became less unfamiliar. You want to touch her, so you know you still exist, that you¡¯re still breathing, but you hesitate. What if the ouroboros ate its tail again? What if the stars still refused to watch you, like they had been for so much of your life?


    Without warning, your hand was grabbed, and you struggled to keep your eyes open. You feel the water surrounding you, and the gusts pressing against your cheeks. Your arm was in pain, and you want to let go. You want to be free, but you can¡¯t help but look up, to see who was risking their life for you.


    ¡°Don¡¯t let go, detective.¡± The face you came to take a liking to over the past week shouted at you in a detached, calm tone. ¡°I have you.¡±


    She was wincing, planting herself on the boardwalk as she tried desperately not to let the violent waves sweep you away.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know what¡¯s left for me tomorrow.¡± Words regurgitated from your throat alas, but now, you wish you could speak.


    ¡°Then you must live to see what surprise it holds then.¡± The background noise you know exists does not echo in your ears, only her voice. Delilah¡¯s voice. Yes, that was her name, wasn¡¯t it?


    ¡°What if it crushes me again? What if The Miracle never comes?¡± You asked wearily, staring at the hungry sea swallowing you.


    ¡°Then I will sit beside you until the day after tomorrow, and the day after that, until it comes.¡± Delilah releases your hand as you slowly levitate into the air.


    ¡°And if you say no when I ask you to? What then?¡± You stared down at her, your tears dripping on her cheeks.


    ¡°You¡¯ll just have to find out, won¡¯t you?¡± Delilah grins faintly.


    Words escaped your mouth and--


    You woke up. Pain paralyzes your body. You blinked, staring at the fan above you. Then, you blinked again, and it¡¯s still there. The leviathan of reality has subsumed you once more.


    Slowly, and painfully, you turned your head to your left. Your sight is still blurry, but you see a woman in glasses reading a book.


    She detects the sound of your movement and reveals a faint smile at you. With the closing of her book, she utters, ¡°Sunrise, parabellum.¡±


    For a moment, seconds stretch into eons, and you, the soul, wonder what to say. However, you, the body, have already spoken. Perhaps there was something better you could¡¯ve said. Something poetic, something profound, something that mattered.


    Then again, what matters more, at that moment, than


    ¡°I¡¯m alive¡­¡±

 A Purpose More Burdened Than Glorious - An earnest reflection on Loki (TV Show)

    Let¡¯s start from the beginning.


    Iron Man 1 was the first movie I watched in the MCU roughly back when it came out, so I¡¯ve been a fan of this franchise since pretty much its inception. I was a kid, so, anything that¡¯s fun and awesome caught my attention. I didn¡¯t like it as much as the other movies I watched around that time, but I liked it. Then, as these movies came out, I watched them. Mostly with interested indifference, to be honest.


    Imagine this: you like drinking coffee made with those instant packs, but can you truly claim that it is one of the best things you ever tasted in your life? Usually, such praise is reserved for something you rarely tasted or a dish that holds great meaning to you. It doesn¡¯t mean you like instant coffee a lot, but you¡¯re unlikely to put it in the list of ¡°top ten best things you ever consumed in your life.¡±


    And that¡¯s what the MCU was like for me. Something I really, really like, and even love at times. It wasn¡¯t until Infinity War and Endgame came out that I realized just how much I cared about this franchise and its characters. Hell, I cried when I saw the Avengers Assembled scene. And I still want to care about it even when my most favorite characters are no longer around.


    However, I think both the people in charge of the production of these MCU projects and some of its fans may have forgotten why people cared about these movies. People watch these movies for fun, definitely, but what gets them planning to watch the next entry of the MCU is the characters. The emotional journey of these characters is the foundation on which the MCU is built. I¡¯m not the first to make this statement, and I certainly won¡¯t be the last, but I want to write it out still.


    Because this is the reason why I stopped caring about something I once held a deep affection for. I watched some of the shows when it came out, and they were entertaining. I quite like the Hawkeye show and Moon Knight, to be honest. They were fun, and they recaptured some of the magic that once hooked me in, but they were all bogged down by one thing. The one thing that every project post-Endgame has been doing and is the bane of all creative endeavors - capitalism. What, did you think I was gonna write something poetic? Come on, it¡¯s always capitalism.


    Jesting aside, I find myself unable to care much about the MCU since Endgame. After all, it is the culmination of a decade¡¯s worth of blockbuster storytelling. It¡¯s highly unlikely anyone can replicate it, especially in this current landscape. The projects that came after didn¡¯t really give me a reason to care, either. Back then, Tony Stark and Steve Rogers were the core that made the MCU, so even when other movies didn¡¯t work out well, they were still there holding the greater narrative together. There¡¯s nothing like that post-Endgame, and there won¡¯t be after I finish writing this piece with how things are turning out.


    That is why, even when I finished watching Loki Season 1 and liked it a lot, it wasn¡¯t enough to make me want to watch Season 2 when it came out. Everything else Marvel was putting out sucks, so why would Season 2 be any different? Guardians 3 was great, but that¡¯s because of James Gunn and his team, not Marvel. I had no interest in watching Season 2 until people were getting loud about how good the ending was.


    So I watched the first episode of Season 2 and was immediately hooked back in. It reminded me of my love for the MCU, but it didn¡¯t reignite it. And then, I binged the rest of the episodes in one night.


    I spent the next hour just¡­ talking about it with a friend who didn¡¯t watch it. Usually, when I think something is really good or bad, I¡¯ll get loud about it. I¡¯ll say how much I love or hate that something. I get quite animated.


    But after watching Loki Season 2, I just sat before my computer and calmly talked about it with my friend. To process how I felt about it, because for the rest of the night, I don¡¯t know how or what I¡¯m feeling.


    There¡¯s a lot of preamble here because I want you, reader, to understand where I¡¯m coming from before you read what I have to say about the show. Those experiences and my perception are as significant as what the show actually is. Without my relationship with the MCU, as someone who once loved but now feels utterly indifferent toward it, I wouldn¡¯t be talking about this show the way I am. For other people, this show¡¯s probably just another entry onto their pile of ¡°pretty good/great show.¡± For me, well¡­


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    Have y¡¯all ever watched Steins Gate before? It¡¯s a pretty popular anime that I watched years ago. The first half of this time-traveling show is the setup, and the second half is the payoff. I wondered, as I watched the first half, if the setup was ever going to be worth it. I even considered stopping watching because it was getting kind of boring. Then, I watched the second half, and I know why it¡¯s ranked #3 on MAL.


    Loki, to put it simply, is that. Everything that came before the last three episodes of Season 2, including all of Loki¡¯s appearance in the MCU movies, is essentially that first half, and the last three is the payoff. In a way, it is even greater of a culmination than Infinity War and Endgame combined. I don¡¯t mean it as a hyperbole when I say this may be the best MCU thing ever, and it¡¯s because it¡¯s not ¡°in¡± the MCU.


    You know how people say MCU movies or shows are ¡°same-y¡±? A lot of them certainly share common ground, like the light-hearted tone and the quips, for better or worse. There¡¯s a style to MCU stuff, but Loki the show doesn¡¯t have that style.


    At first, it still certainly feels like it¡¯s rooted in the MCU, even when the direction of its style, whether it be the music, the set designs, the tone, everything, isn¡¯t really. The first season of Loki no doubt feels more in line with the rest of the MCU as it is, like I said, setup. Not that it doesn¡¯t have great payoffs in the first season, it does, but all of that is presented is still just set up. It¡¯s also a lot of ¡°fan service,¡± like with the Loki variants and cheeky nods here or there.


    When Season 2 started, it still felt more or less consistent with Season 1, but the change in tone was immediately noticeable past a certain point in episode 1. That change, or perhaps sharpening, in tone is gradual as the episodes went on. Then, the end of episode 4 hits, and I know then this is something different.


    This isn¡¯t ¡°just¡± another MCU project anymore. It¡¯s not here to pander to the fans mindlessly or trying and failing to keep you interested in the next project, promising something better is in the horizon. When episode 5 starts, it¡¯s a clear declaration to anyone watching that this show is about nothing but what the title says. It¡¯s about this MCU version of Loki and his journey.


    To those who are avid readers of fanfiction, I only need a single sentence to describe what this show is. This show is like a god-tier fanfiction that understands a character perfectly and intimately. This show is so very clearly the product of those who love and care about this character.


    I didn¡¯t even like Loki that much. I thought he was a fun villain who turned into a good guy. That was how he was when he met his hand at Thanos¡¯ hand, but this show is like a rabid fan explaining why the character Loki is good in the best way possible. It is a conversation with the audience about why Loki is a compelling character who deserves to have this journey.


    If this show had all its MCU-specific concepts and characters swapped out, and all its core ideas retained, it¡¯d still be a pretty fantastic show. However, this show is built atop over a decade of material on this character, and that is what makes it great for me. It is of the MCU, but not by or is the MCU. Its success is detached from and dependent on the MCU at the same time.


    There are very few times in my life that I just stay quiet for hours after absorbing a story. I¡¯m not claiming that this show is the best thing ever or incredibly profound. It¡¯s not a landmark piece of fiction or anything like that. But, tell me, what other character went from being in a mythological fantasy setting to an existential, science fiction story over the course of twelve years, from the big screen to the small one?


    I don¡¯t think the MCU will ever produce a project that is as good as this again. For me, this is the new and definitive ending point of the MCU. Thor may still be around, but, well, let¡¯s just say I¡¯m not terribly interested in what he does next, but I hope he¡¯ll meet with Loki again. Pretty much all the characters I cared about from before Endgame are now officially all gone. Maybe I¡¯ll watch an MCU project if it proves to be entertaining in the future, but it won¡¯t be the same anymore.


    However, it¡¯s fine. I¡¯m satisfied with this. And, no matter what future projects do with the events that happened in this show, nothing can change the fact that it has become one of the few stories that emotionally moved me to my core. I don¡¯t even care if people think I¡¯m exaggerating or mock me for thinking something like this is somehow on the level of other incredible pieces of fiction. It doesn¡¯t matter.


    The story of Loki through the movies and show makes me glad that I¡¯m alive to witness it and other similarly incredible stories.


    So, no matter what happens, I¡¯ll cherish this show. For all times. Always.


    Thank you for reading.

 A Peaceful Night

    ¡°Failed again, have you?¡±


    A feminine, familiar voice entered Cygnus¡¯ ears as they opened their eyes, their back laying flatly on the ground. Glancing downward, they saw a woman in a cloak stirring a pot over a small campfire. Then, Cygnus aimed their gaze back at the starry sky above, unblinking.


    For minutes, the two remained silent, though neither appeared uncomfortable with it.


    A long while later, Cygnus inhaled deeply, and their stomach growled.


    ¡°The stew is ready. Come, I shall serve you a bowl.¡± The woman gently tapped her wooden spoon on the edge of the pot before resting it on a wooden bowl.


    Grunting, Cygnus sat up. Though they appeared well, they were moving in such a way that one would think they were severely injured. With great effort, they rose and stepped past the light visible only to them and settled on the dry, grassy ground beside the woman, facing the campfire.


    ¡°Where did you get the pot?¡± Cygnus murmured, their deep yet somewhat feminine voice echoed in the clear air.


    ¡°Boc retrieved one for me when I informed him I wished to prepare dinner for you.¡± The woman smiled, carefully ladling the stew into a wooden bowl. Then, she handed it to Cygnus.


    Wordlessly, Cygnus removed their helmet, revealing a weary and scarred countenance with sharp, crystal-blue eyes. Their disheveled crimson hair rested upon their shoulders as they settled their helmet beside them. They inhaled deeply again, accepting the bowl.


    ¡°My apologies if the stew is not to your liking. My sense of taste was charred along with the rest of my body.¡± The woman returned to her seat. ¡°Boc will return soon with some bread.¡±


    ¡°Bread?¡± Sniffing the stew, Cygnus raised their head, staring at the woman with a raised eyebrow. ¡°In the middle of nowhere?¡±


    ¡°Though this land is in ruins, the inhabitants live still. You recall the Blackguard, yes?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, and his lobsters.¡± The warrior held their spoon outside of the bowl and gulped down the stew, drinking the liquid ravenously. Any meat or vegetables that entered their mouth were swallowed whole down their throat.


    The woman watched with nary an emotion and continued, ¡°There are others like him, preparing food for passing-by travelers to purchase. Of course, unlike the Blackguard, who can fend for himself, they did so in concealed locations.¡±


    ¡°What about the wandering merchants?¡± Gulping one last time, Cygnus settled the bowl on their thigh, their eyes fixed wearily on the woman. ¡°They sell food sometimes.¡± A moment later, they handed the empty bowl back to the woman, beckoning the latter to refill it.


    The woman did as she was asked. ¡°They are¡­ unique. Any creature or man with intelligence knows better than to upset them.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t say.¡± A heavy huff exhaled from Cygnus¡¯ nose. ¡°The stew¡¯s good, by the way.¡±


    ¡°I am glad to receive your compliment.¡± With a faint smile, the woman delivered a bowl full of stew back to her companion.


    Cygnus accepted the bowl, but this time, they didn¡¯t glug the stew down. Instead, they tapped their spoon on the edge of the bowl and stared intensely at the content within.


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    ¡°What is the matter?¡± wondered the woman, watching her companion.


    ¡°I¡¯m still¡­ unsure why I¡¯m here,¡± Cygnus answered in their gravelly voice.


    ¡°Was my explanation insufficient?¡±


    ¡°No. It is not the facts I am concerned with. I simply¡­ do not understand why I am dying repeatedly for a land I was not born in and have no ties to. My ancestors may have originated from here, but this is not my land, and the people are not of my clan. I would¡¯ve preferred to rest eternally in the tomb my kin built than to live once more in another land.¡±


    A silence followed. It enhanced the crackling of the campfire and the sound of Cygnus eating the stew with a spoon. They gazed into the campfire, not once glancing in the direction of the woman.


    ¡°When I was singed, I asked myself the same question.¡± The woman pulled back her hood, similarly peering into the fire. ¡°My purpose was not born of me. It was entrusted to me, whether I had been willing to accept it or not. I, too, understand not why I must undertake this task. It was not me who broke this realm. It was not me who sowed chaos and suffering. This world brought me no warmth, so why should I do so for it? When no great reward lay at the end of my journey?¡±


    Cygnus blinked, then, very slowly, shifted their sight toward the woman, peering at her with faint anticipation.


    ¡°After the war ended, I spent the following years wandering around this land in search of a worthy champion to bring me to my destination. In my journey, I see the horrors that the war left in its wake. Back then, this land was still grossly populated with people, and they did terrible things to one another. All for what? Power? Loyalty? A greater calling? Though they claim they know where they are heading, they are as blind as a bat.


    ¡°One day, I stumbled upon a small village, hidden beyond a dense forest. It was yet untouched by the war, so I sought respite there. It was a period I looked back fondly. There, I witnessed peace and happiness. It is unlike the capital, devoid of the shady dealings and desperation for power that littered the streets. For a time, I was relieved of my errand, and I¡­ relished in it.¡±


    ¡°Let me guess, it was destroyed when the claws of war reached the settlement, and you left.¡± The empty bowl in Cygnus¡¯ hand was placed down on the ground.


    ¡°No. No conflict ever arrived in the village, but it was ruined still.¡±


    ¡°What happened, then?¡±


    ¡°Though the war did not directly touch the village, it could not escape the unseen aftermath. The battles were fought at any cost, and they inflicted acute damage to the land. That reached the peaceful settlement, preventing the crops from growing as they should. Over time, the crop yield decreased, and the people were forced to leave, one by one, until there was no one left.¡± When the woman lifted her head, she noticed Cygnus staring straight at her with a question in their eyes. She blinked and lowered her gaze slightly. ¡°My powers are limited. If there was something I could have done to prevent this tragedy, I did not find it.¡±


    Cygnus nodded, though somewhat dismissively, and lifted the bowl back to the woman.


    Gracefully, the woman refilled the bowl once more. ¡°As I journeyed, I witnessed many similar circumstances. Even in the darkest times, people persevered as long as they could. They did not strive to survive because there is an inherent meaning in their existence, but because they have instilled a value worthy of their effort to live into their being. Though many terrible acts have been committed in this land, the people still deserve a chance to remain in this world and experience what beauty it still or will hold.¡±


    ¡°I understand your longing for your home. You owe nothing to the people here, and you deserve your eternal rest.¡± The woman rose, ambled toward Cygnus, and crouched down before them. Peering into Cygnus¡¯ eyes, she rested the bowl on their palms. ¡°However, you are one of the only hopes, or perhaps the only, for this land. The inhabitants of this realm have suffered the same way your kin suffered. However, unlike them, there are no champions left to rescue them except for foreign warriors such as yourself. I implore you, open your heart and see the good that still remains. I only wish you do not heed the words of the white mask or others like him, unable or unwilling to see the village at the edge of the forest. There is more to life than glory or power.¡±


    Without delay, the woman stood and returned to her seat as Cygnus nudged their view from the campfire to the warm bowl in their hands. They blinked, then picked up the spoon.


    ¡°Perhaps, tomorrow, you can show me where the hidden eateries are.¡± The warrior sipped the stew. ¡°I want to witness them for myself.¡±


    The woman smiled. Suddenly, as though noticing something, she turned to her left. ¡°Ah, Boc has returned alas. He will be delighted to learn the ingredients he gathered have made for a wonderful stew.¡±


    She glanced at her companion once more. ¡°A meal shared among friends is one that tastes better than alone, don¡¯t you agree?¡±


    Cygnus grinned and waved at the demi-human calling out their name, his hands holding a packaged loaf of bread.

 A Perfectly Normal Man On Mars

    This is a story about Jim.


    Boring name, isn¡¯t it?


    However, this little boy¡¯s life is nothing but boring.


    Jim is the first human to be born on Mars, you see.


    His birth is a remarkable step forward for humanity and the colonization of the galaxy.


    Wherever he goes, he is accompanied by cameras. There is not a single second where he isn¡¯t the center of someone¡¯s attention.


    Many will find his life absolutely miserable, but he does not.


    Though he does not take a particular liking to such a lifestyle, he is accustomed to it.


    In a way, the cameras are a more significant presence in his life than his parents.


    One may wonder how his upbringing is impacted by the constant spotlights on him.


    To many¡¯s surprise, Jim grows up no different than a boy on Earth does, except the view of his world is more barren than lively.


    While his parents are stressed about how to educate and raise him, he simply does what he desires, and never once does he ¡°cross the line.¡±


    His ¡°normalcy¡± is more unique than anything he is due to his circumstances. Many wondered if he was even a kid at times during his childhood.


    As time passes, more babies are born in the colony on Mars. A certain man who funded the colony is tempted to provide the newborns ¡°unique¡± names but his foolish suggestion is vetoed by nearly everyone.


    Jim is 10 when he is enrolled in the first school on Mars with children half his age. The other babies are only born years after his own, so he is the only student in his class. That is, until another similar remarkable individual joins him. The first child sent from the Earth to reside on Mars.


    It is no coincidence his one and only classmate is a girl, whose name is Alice.


    Unlike him, she does not have a family. Not on Mars, nor on Earth.


    Her origin is concealed by the authorities who sent her away from her home.


    They claim she is a special child, which is why she was chosen. Of course, as you¡¯re aware, that cannot be further from the truth.


    She is merely an orphan everyone deems can survive the trip to Mars, and a perfect, well, ¡°candidate,¡± for Jim.


    It is no surprise, then, that she has trouble adjusting to her new, suffocating life.


    Nightmares are frequent for her, and she is prone to sudden tears.


    Fortunately for her, then, that her classmate is Jim.


    He treats her no differently from another boy she¡¯s familiar with back on Earth.


    Sees her as an ordinary girl, he does.


    His attitude toward her grounded her more than anything produced on Earth.


    As they are the only two children of similar age, they grow closer to each other.


    Nothing more than friends, Jim claims.


    Of course, the adults will not shut up about how well they¡¯ll be as a couple.


    Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.


    Alice is greatly bothered by how the adults treat her as a decoration in the life of the Most Specialest Boy Alive.


    Ironically, she often finds comfort in his company.


    And so, they grow up.


    Their bond, though undergone changes, remains stronger than ever.


    There is a period when Alice can¡¯t help but find herself drawn to Jim.


    Ultimately, she set aside her feelings out of respect for his wishes.


    And so, they become young adults, and it is time for them to choose their path.


    Neither of them are excellent in any particular field. They are not geniuses, despite their extraordinary conditions.


    Jim can choose to become a representative of the Mars colony. Frankly, there is no one better than him to do so with Alice.


    Though he rejects the offer, he still helps out with a little issue.


    The Mars colony operates under different rules compared to Earth, which means that there is no need for anyone to ¡°work.¡±


    Of course, the capitalists are enraged the people they hired aren¡¯t willing to live under their tyrannical thumb.


    However, they soon realize they did not want to piss off the only people who can blow up the most valuable quarry in human history if push comes to shove.


    A tenuous relationship was thus established with Jim¡¯s help.


    His silver tongue made short work of the negotiation, especially when his inspiring speech was broadcast on every social media platform.


    Though the people of Earth continue to view him as a hero afterward, he is content merely reading books and editing the works of aspiring writers.


    Alice, on the other hand, decides to become a space botanist, so to speak.


    The relationship with the capitalists will not last, and they need to create a suitable atmosphere on Mars so crops can be directly grown on the surface of the planet.


    Her work is greatly appreciated by many, and people soon see her as a scientist, not a poster child.


    One day, Jim accompanies Alice to a patch of land where the experimental crops will be tested.


    To Alice¡¯s utter surprise, they discover technology from an ancient civilization buried in the ground.


    Their actions inadvertently awaken a powerful artificial intelligence residing within the technology.


    The colonists prepare for the worst as long-dead machines roar to life and surround the colony.


    However, only one person is unfazed by that sudden turn of events.


    Though Alice understands Jim better than anyone, for a moment, she considers the possibility that he may simply be insane.


    After all, who can maintain their nerves while facing an artificial intelligence that may have brought ruin to the once-thriving civilization on the barren planet?


    Jim can, apparently.


    Everyone watches, with curiosity and fear, at Jim as he communicates with the artificial intelligence.


    No one knows what the intelligence is speaking, including Jim, yet he miraculously talks it down.


    In fact, he befriends the intelligence all while not understanding a thing it says.


    He does not explain why or how he achieved that feat. He still can¡¯t.


    It is merely something he can do, he claims. No one believes him.


    Regardless, that was a fortunate turn of events for the colonists.


    With the artificial intelligence¡¯s aid, the colonists are able to understand it.


    Of course, the first thing that people ask is why did it accept Jim¡¯s call for peace.


    Its response essentially boils down to, ¡°He¡¯s chill.¡±


    The intelligence also implies Jim appears familiar to it for an unknown reason.


    However, no one gives that remark any thought as they are too busy losing their minds over the fact that an ancient artificial intelligence did not destroy the colony because the person who talked to it was ¡°chill.¡±


    Moving forward, the artificial intelligence cooperates with the colonists to build Earth 2.0 on Mars.


    In less than a decade, the Mars colony is completely self-sustainable, and Alice becomes the most accomplished woman there.


    Jim, on the other hand, continues to read his book and edit any stories he fancies.


    Occasionally, he steps forward to mediate conflicts.


    For example, that time when the US (and a few other countries) launched an all-out war against Mars due to a certain man¡¯s childish greed.


    Or that time when the artificial intelligence threatened to destroy all humans for their hubris and sins that mirror its previous masters after being provoked by idiots.


    Jim will casually lend a hand to his home and return to his room, acting as if nothing extraordinary happened.


    Once, Alice asks him how he is able to perform so many impossible feats.


    Jim merely responds with, ¡°It¡¯s not impossible when you have to protect your home.¡±


    In the seven decades following the official establishment of the Mars colony, Mars has become the ideal location for a human to live in.


    A human, not a bag of worms that eats only money disguised as a human.


    In time, even the Earth will be changed significantly for the better.


    However, for now, Jim continues to lead his ¡°ordinary life¡± on Mars, sometimes struggling with editing the mountains of stories waiting to be read by him.


    And that is the abridged version of the history of Mars until now.


    Thank you for reading.

 The Pull

    An invisible, irresistible force.


    An undeniable, unerasable draw.


    Mighty as a black hole,


    unavoidable as the rising sun.


    An urge of no beginning,


    a tail with no head.


    The grasp of miasma,


    borne of an innocent love.


    The root of all evil,


    the parent of all sins.


    An unforgivable crime,


    but the will to live.


    Two sides of the same coin,


    not of dark nor light.


    Tempered on one end,


    unleashed on the other.


    The manifestation of one¡¯s restraint,


    the corruption of one¡¯s will.


    An eternal tug of war,


    undetectable to the naked eye.


    This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    A symptom of madness,


    for those who watched.


    A sign of unbearable pain,


    to the poisoned one.


    The spark of life,


    if circumstances right;


    the death of all,


    should it be sated no more.


    An impossible task,


    a struggle unto eternity.


    Mastery through time,


    forged by failures.


    One should not indulge,


    nor should they comply.


    Negotiate, if it were be,


    or ruin lays ahead.


    Where, then, will the line be drawn?


    How can one determine so?


    A question from even forefathers,


    yet remained unanswered.


    Dulling it, men have tried.


    Ignoring it, women were encouraged.


    Spoiled, if it were a child.


    A lunatic, should one foot be in the grave.


    A beast of bottomless hunger,


    or a puppy to be entertained.


    The cessation of all joy,


    the advent of delight.


    A road, neverending.


    A path, often winding.


    A journey initiated alone,


    but one needn¡¯t be unaccompanied.


    A travel defined by destination,


    but one with roses to admire.


    Should one look, should one sniff,


    they shall find gold in the petals.


    A desert for the thirsty, a lake to the quenched.


    A pull, to the ignorant, a push, for the content.


    A course, it neither determines nor deny,


    for it is the North Star that guides.

 Texting In Urban Fantasy

    AphroditeTakesTheWheel: yo, I saw a unicorn earlier. even touched it. It was awesome.


    TheKumaPuma: Don¡¯t we see one once every few weeks?


    AphroditeTakesTheWheel: so what? it¡¯s still cool when it happens. this time, i even get to touch it.


    Kim: Did you wash your hands afterward? They¡¯re usually quite dirty.


    AphroditeTakesTheWheel: it didn¡¯t look dirty, tho.


    Kim: Regardless, you should wash your hands. No dinner for you unless you do.


    TheKumaPuma: You don¡¯t want to miss Jayce¡¯s cooking tonight~


    AphroditeTakesTheWheel: i washed them already, okay. i was just saying it didn¡¯t look dirty.


    Kim: Good.


    Jayce-on: Y¡¯all, a giant passed by my workplace today.


    AphroditeTakesTheWheel: a giant¡¯s in the city???


    Kim: I saw it on the news.


    TheKumaPuma: Why¡¯s one there?


    Kim: Apparently, one of the buildings is on the verge of collapse.


    Jayce-on: Yep. My desk is in the riiiiiight spot for me to watch the whole thing unfold. T¡¯was wild seeing a giant hugging a skyscraper toward the plains.


    AphroditeTakesTheWheel: pls tell me you recorded the whole thing.


    Jayce-on: I gotchu, Honey.


    AphroditeTakesTheWheel: ?????? U da best.


    TheKumaPuma: How did they get a giant in, though?


    Kim: The authorities cast an invisible platform above the roads and evacuated the area surrounding the building.


    TheKumaPuma: Damn, I wonder how many sorcerers that took. Wizards? I never know the difference.


    Jayce-on: Don¡¯t you work with sorcerers and wizards semi-regularly? How do you still not know the difference?


    TheKumaPuma: I draw what they tell me. I don¡¯t ask why. They pay me, they get their stuff. End of story.


    AphroditeTakesTheWheel: darling dear, you really ought to pay attention to the world you live in. this is something everyone learns in middle-school.


    TheKumaPuma: Nu.


    Kim: When are you returning home? @AphroditeTakesTheWheel


    AphroditeTakesTheWheel: uhhhh, in an hour, maybe?


    Jayce-on: Perfect. Buy a bottle of soy sauce on your way back.


    AphroditeTakesTheWheel: what brand izzit again?


    Kim: Blue Oyster.


    AphroditeTakesTheWheel: kkk


    TheKumaPuma: @Kim Illustration¡¯s almost done. U wanna look at it later? See if I got everything right?


    Kim: I will, thanks.


    Jayce-on: Ey, who y¡¯all wanna get kinky this Sat night?


    Kim: I thought we agreed to keep the NSFW talks in another chat.


    Jayce-on: Ya, but we barely use it. ¡®ave to scroll allllll the way down.


    Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.


    TheKumaPuma: Pls don¡¯t talk about that right now. I need to focus on my work till tmr night. No horny till then.


    Jayce-on: Ugh, fineeeeee.


    Kim: I¡¯d like to join this time. It¡¯s been a while.


    TheKumaPuma: Come on, not you, Kim! Now I¡¯ll have an even more difficult time focusing.


    AphroditeTakesTheWheel: DID KIM SAY THEY WANNA JOIN?!


    Jayce-on: Yassss


    AphroditeTakesTheWheel: FUCK YEAH


    Kim: Please, speak of it no more. @TheKumaPuma needs to focus. If you all don¡¯t behave, I won¡¯t participate.


    AphroditeTakesTheWheel: okokok


    Jayce-on: I¡¯ve already a few ideas kekeke


    Kim: By the way, a certain someone¡¯s merch has arrived.


    TheKumaPuma: Is it mine?


    Kim: It¡¯s @AphroditeTakesTheWheel


    AphroditeTakesTheWheel: POG


    AphroditeTakesTheWheel: just put it in my room and don¡¯t open it okay!


    TheKumaPuma: Dammit, not again. This is getting too long. I need to call that prick. If he says he ¡°can¡¯t do anything¡± again, I¡¯m going to do terrible things.


    AphroditeTakesTheWheel: pats pats dere, there


    Jayce-on: pats pats There, thereeeee.


    TheKumaPuma: Aight, heading home now. Kim, was there any development with that thing?


    Kim: Which thing? The slime or the layoffs?


    TheKumaPuma: Both


    Kim: The use of slime particles in the magic infusion array was a success, but it did not produce the intended spell.


    Jayce-on: y¡¯szzat?


    TheKumaPuma: I bloody knew it. They¡¯re all idiots if they think that¡¯s somehow going to produce a ¡°universal gender-affirming spell¡± or whatever the hell that means.


    Kim: @Jayce-on It¡¯s a complicated problem, but the gist is that a slime¡¯s transformative abilities aren¡¯t as potent as the process requires. Essentially, the people performing this ritual are attempting to discover a shortcut to a complex spell.


    TheKumaPuma: Hope whatever thing they tested the spell on isn¡¯t disfigured horribly. Bunch of quack bastards, they are.


    AphroditeTakesTheWheel: weren¡¯t they the same people who tried making a spell that allows people to use social media with their eyes or something


    Jayce-on: think so, ye


    TheKumaPuma: It¡¯s their whole strategy. The clickbait articles their project generates are basically their whole business model, somehow.


    AphroditeTakesTheWheel: so many beeg words. das why I only follow accounts that shows cute stuff.


    Jayce-on: Didntcha just tell @TheKumaPuma to pay attention to the world? Lmao


    AphroditeTakesTheWheel: i am just by listening to Jayce and Kim.


    Kim: Moving on, the layoffs at Pungee have been quite the shitshow, to put it mildly.


    Kim: They fired Shelvatori.


    AphroditeTakesTheWheel: WAT


    Jayce-on: Huh? Why¡¯d u care about this?


    AphroditeTakesTheWheel: i like listening to the music whenever i watch Al play the game


    AphroditeTakesTheWheel: i¡¯m so sad shelvatori¡¯s gone now¡­


    TheKumaPuma: Godddamn, I didn¡¯t expect they give him the boot. If even he¡¯s getting kicked, then no one¡¯s safe.


    Kim: Have you all seen the latest prophecy from the oracles?


    AphroditeTakesTheWheel: no. what is it?


    Kim: They claim a great change is coming. The First Death, or so they say.


    Jayce-on: Death of what?


    Kim: Based on the context, many people interpreted it as possibly the capitalist system.


    Kim: However, that interpretation is contentious, to say the least.


    Kim: The right wing folks are claiming that prophecy is referring to the return of the dragons to ¡°raze the leftists.¡±


    TheKumaPuma: I doubt the dragons will make distinctions like that if they ever do return


    Kim: They will not, no. Most people do agree that the prophecy¡¯s referring to a society upheaval in which the individuals in power will be threatened by the masses.


    Jayce-on: The prophecies always come late, innit? Everyone can alr see big changes are coming.


    TheKumaPuma: Yes, but the prophecy reassures the public because they¡¯re always accurate. Now, it¡¯s something that¡¯s actually going to happen and not just people speculating it may.


    AphroditeTakesTheWheel: how r the prophecies always be released?


    AphroditeTakesTheWheel: didn¡¯t a bunch of people tried taking them down every time?


    Jayce-on: They magic, deary. Magic > tech


    AphroditeTakesTheWheel: tru tru


    Kim: The rich and powerful are no doubt fearing for their golden thrones.


    Kim: If they try to prevent it, they¡¯ll only hasten the process.


    Kim: If they don¡¯t, they fall regardless.


    TheKumaPuma: Finally, some good fucking karma.


    TheKumaPuma: Aight, I¡¯ll stop talking for now. See y¡¯all back home.


    AphroditeTakesTheWheel: same!


    Kim: Be safe, everyone.


    Jayce-on: Don¡¯t forget game night!


    AphroditeTakesTheWheel: yayaya

 Fantasy Story

    They always came to you for the same purpose. They come in different shapes, sizes, and ages, but they carry with them the same thing. It¡¯s invisible, but you see it as clear as day in every one of their eyes.


    You don¡¯t recall anything beyond the confines of this wooden room, though you¡¯re never curious about the past. It¡¯s always your visitors who ask you who you are and where you come from. The disappointment in their eyes when you answer you don¡¯t know always confounds you. After all, they did not come solely to learn about you. No one did.


    One day, you simply appeared in the room with lavish decorations but no furniture. The visitors come soon after. You know not the world outside, but the door always seems to be connected to different locations each time it¡¯s opened. The sight beyond the threshold never piqued your interest, to the confusion of many visitors.


    No two visitors ever see you as the same thing, even when there are two of them standing in the same room. You don¡¯t know how they perceive you, but they always react to you emotionally. Some with shock, others with anger, a few with a weary smile.


    Each time, a visitor would walk in, bewildered, and you deliver the speech inscribed in your mind. You don¡¯t truly understand what any of the words you¡¯re uttering mean, but it always brings your visitors joy.


    As you waited for their answer, you observed their reaction. There are those who responded without hesitation or delay as if they had long memorized what they wanted to say. As for the others, their countenances tended to be inscribed with agony. Some only needed time to reach an answer, but a few repeatedly questioned what they should say.


    Eventually, they left. They all do. You give them no reason to stay, and they have better things to do now that they¡¯ve crossed the finish line. Your room is but the mark of the end of their journey.


    That is why you can¡¯t help but be a little curious when a peculiar being steps into your room one day. Unlike the others, they do not appear to be in distress or ecstasy. Instead, they wore a calm smile and a huge backpack. Every other time, your visitor will pay attention when you recite your speech. However, they seemed more interested in the room than what you have to offer.


    When you finish speaking, they stare at you, claiming they can see your ¡°true form.¡±


    You do not understand what they meant or mind what they said. All you did was urge them to provide a response. That was the ¡°rule.¡±


    To your utter surprise, they reject it, saying they¡¯ll stay in the room as long as they please since you can¡¯t eject them from the room.


    For the first time in your existence, you experience what they claim to be panic. After all, their presence actively prevents other groups of visitors from entering the room, thus disabling your ability to carry out your sole task. There are no instructions given to you should any abnormalities occur because no beings walking through that door would ever act differently than you expect. Until that day, of course.


    This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.


    As you attempt to piece together the knowledge you¡¯ve accumulated by observing how your visitors behave, you watch them, Akaine, act as though they belong in the room. They emptied their backpack and set up living quarters in the corner with the least decorations. Often, they tried to chat with you, but you were often too occupied to notice or reply.


    Eventually, you decided to break the rule to deal with the exceptional situation at hand. Unfortunately for you, that failed too. Akaine simply had no desire to leave the small room, no matter what you offered them. You were puzzled and stumped, wondering if your creator would be¡­


    Then, Akaine smiled, saying you did have a soul after all, despite the legends. You do not understand what a ¡°soul¡± is, but there is a burning sensation coming somewhere within you.


    It is then Akaine made a request: to listen to your account of every visitor who ever visited your domain.


    Once again, you were baffled since no visitor has ever desired anything else that isn¡¯t related to the world they originated. However, you are glad because you can finally carry out your task.


    Hence, you began recounting your every encounter with a visitor. Akaine listened attentively, scribbling on their device as they did. You thought they would simply absorb your stories, but they often ask you questions, seemingly intending to rouse an emotion within you. You do not understand their goal, but you go along with it.


    You had every opportunity to exploit their questions to banish them from your room, but you were too intrigued to do so. You were not reprimanded in any way for breaking what you thought was an iron-clad rule, so why not indulge yourself a little?


    Time does not pass the same way outside in your room. However, from how many times Akaine settles on and leaves their bed, you surmised it has been a long while. Every visitor in the past wanted nothing more than to return to their home as fast as possible, yet Akaine enjoyed their time.


    With each passing tale, they amplified the mysterious sensation within you with their questions and remarks. You still don¡¯t fully comprehend their aim for doing so, but you begin to savor the time spent with them.


    Then, one day, you recounted your final tale. At that moment, you almost hoped you didn¡¯t have to fulfill your task if it meant they could stick around longer. To your pleasant surprise, your wish was granted when they suggested you modify your realm.


    They propose that if your realm could be turned into a hub of sorts, where people from different walks of life could stay for a little while and share their stories, then you could extend their stay. There would be an endless amount of tales you can regale to them.


    Of course, that would also mean you¡¯d be betraying what was inscribed in your psyche since your conception. Although, you had nothing much to lose in the first place, so you barely hesitated. Thus, your room expanded into an inn, and more than one door was installed into the walls.


    Initially, things were hectic for you and your companion. Dozens of people poured in, all desperately demanding you to perform your task. Given your nigh-omnipotent power, no problem was too difficult for you to solve. Soon, your realm transformed into a place that you and your companion envisioned.


    Now, as you watch a new crowd sauntering into your realm, Akaine approaches you, far older than they first arrived. You turn to them, asking why they wished for this.


    They responded, ¡°I just wanted an archive of our own, you could say. A repository of all tales from all worlds so none shall be lost to time. Stories are wonderful things, aren¡¯t they?¡±


    With a cheeky grin, you nodded.

 The Sole Path

    I have seen a thousand worlds and traveled across them through hundreds of methods, yet I never found home. Magic, interdimensional portals, faster-than-light travel, spirited away, I¡¯ve seen it all. No realm was too weird or advanced for me to comprehend, and no people were too alien or outlandish for me to communicate with.


    The individuals I met often asked me where I was from or who I initially was before embarking on this journey, but I don¡¯t know. I can¡¯t tell them. It didn¡¯t matter I still retain my memories because I can no longer feel them. They¡¯re merely reels in my mind, a movie I no longer live in. I know my origins, but they¡¯re not mine anymore.


    I don¡¯t particularly like discussing my past with others, at least when they ask me questions to show me pity or sympathy. It doesn¡¯t matter anymore, or maybe it still does, which is why I avoid it. Some will often claim my past is intricately linked to the future I¡¯m pursuing, but I don¡¯t believe them. Or, maybe I¡¯m afraid to.


    I don¡¯t want to admit it, but after all the things I¡¯ve seen since that fateful day, I¡¯m no different from a god to my past self. However, a god is not what I am nor what I want to be, not when my heart remains mortal. Of all the worlds I traveled to, not a single deity I met faces the same struggle that I do, so I can¡¯t possibly be one, right?


    Sometimes, I wonder if I truly know what I want and why I continue my search. I tell everyone I merely wished to settle down at a place I can call home and spend the rest of my days there. I say that when I¡¯ve already mastered my ability, granting me a passage to the realm I was born in. Is that not my home, the birthplace of my existence?


    But¡­ I never went back. I didn¡¯t take even a peek. I mustn¡¯t, because if I was wrong, and going back doesn¡¯t complete me, then does home even exist to me anymore? Did it ever exist? That¡¯s why I always told them I can¡¯t return home. It¡¯s easier that way.


    Once, there was a child who told me I should build my home instead of searching for it. I had spent a considerable amount of time in that particular realm because it matched closely to the one I came from. They told me, instead of looking aimlessly, why not take root there and build the home I like? After all, I¡¯ve amassed knowledge and power beyond an ordinary mortal.


    I considered it and attempted it. However, as I toiled to build my residence and relationships with the locals, my heart remained empty. I tried desperately to find meaning in that place and the people in it, to form a genuine bond I don¡¯t want to break, but I can¡¯t. None of my efforts ever filled the impossibly wide hole in my chest. That¡¯s why I left without saying goodbye.


    The moment I became aware of my desire is the moment I wonder if it¡¯ll ever be fulfilled. A woman I met on my journey told me that a home is not a place but the people I stay with. If that is the truth, and I dearly hope it is not, then I may never find one. Not once did I meet a traveler like myself, and not once did I even so much as hear a rumor about someone like me.


    If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    More than sorrow, I was enraged. Furious. I wanted to scream at the top of my lungs, cursing whichever cosmic or supernatural entity cursed me with this fate. Why did I deserve this? To wander endlessly through an infinite world, forever disappointed by the false hopes I encounter.


    ¡°Why not kill yourself?¡± suggested a talking raccoon upon listening to my story. ¡°Doesn¡¯t sound like you¡¯ll ever find what you¡¯re looking for, so why not end the pain now?¡± they said.


    I don¡¯t have an answer. I want to end the pain, but not like this. I¡¯ve seen much, and I want to see more. If only the hole in my chest doesn¡¯t exist. If only I have someone to share all this with. I know there is more to life, even with my cursed existence, but I can¡¯t enjoy any of it.


    In every world I visit, I¡¯m often accompanied by at least someone, a companion, to show me their world and teach me about it. All the wonderful creatures, cultures, and creations within it. Sometimes, my pain is dulled, and I find myself enjoying what they want me to see. Sadly, there¡¯s always a disconnect between them and me. Despite my best efforts to paint my inner world with words and even images, they can¡¯t understand me, not after all I¡¯ve been through.


    So, I always leave in the end, hoping that next time, I¡¯ll be lucky. I¡¯ll finally find the home I deserve. Everyone deserves a home, so that includes me, right? Why can¡¯t I find it, then? How much longer should I journey to reach my destination?


    There are times when I meet people who envy my fate, or at least I thought they did. I don¡¯t know if they fully comprehend the consequences or if they¡¯re merely intrigued by the novelty of being able to see so many different worlds. Perhaps they won¡¯t experience the same agony as me if this fate was theirs, then in that case, why was I given this fate? Why couldn¡¯t it have been someone else? Why do I have to go through all this simply to seek comfort so many others achieve so easily?


    I grew bitter. I tried to stay bitter, thinking that was an excellent way to give my fate a middle finger, but that didn¡¯t help me. It only pushes away all the potential within my grasp.


    I often thought back to what that kid said, about how I can choose to build instead of search. It failed once, but it doesn¡¯t mean it¡¯ll always fail. I told myself that, I tried to reason with myself, but I can¡¯t do it. I. Just. Can¡¯t. It hurts more to fail at building something than at searching because then I¡¯ll be to blame for my failure, not my luck.


    This¡­ path. It has been so long. Over time, I tried to comfort myself, telling myself that perhaps the road could be my companion and my home. I don¡¯t need to find a place or a person. This neverending journey will be enough, and I should learn to be content with it. If others probably can do it, then sure, I can too, right?


    It lessened the pain, yes. Each night, before I go to sleep, doesn¡¯t feel as bitter, even when I reside in another¡¯s home. But it¡¯s still there. My desire haunts me still. It still wants a home that may have evolved into something that can never be achieved. I fear it becomes a symbol of the impossible.


    Perhaps, one day, the shape of the home I envision will change into the lonely path ahead of me. When that time comes, I will no longer curse my fate, and I will be doubly overjoyed if I do find a home I previously imagined. It¡¯s good, right? Frankly, I don¡¯t know.


    For now, my ride awaits. This time, I¡¯ll be traveling to another dimension molecule by molecule. Wish me luck.

 The Dilemma

    ¡°I know you¡¯ve been wary of my words because I¡¯m ¡®the Dark Lord.¡¯¡± The gigantic, skeletal figure in lavish robes spoke as he did air quotes with his fingers. ¡°However, do you ever wonder if I¡¯m the Dark Lord because that¡¯s what I am or because that¡¯s what I¡¯m meant to be in this little game, Quinn?¡±


    The humanoid figure with feline features standing above the lake pursed her lips. She glanced at the Dark Lord, whose ¡°eyes¡± shone a soft, green light.


    Seeing the hesitation scribbled on her face, the Dark Lord paced along the shore, speaking in a gentle tone. ¡°Every adventure requires an antagonist, and in this case, a villain, so is it really my fault that I¡¯m the Dark Lord? It is not I who chose this path. The fact that the ¡®higher power¡¯ does not refute me proves this.¡±


    ¡°What about the people you killed?¡± A male human, a companion of Quinn¡¯s, shouted while standing on the edge of the lake behind her. ¡°What about my brother?¡±


    ¡°I had no say in the matter. You must realize that, no matter how powerful people claim me to be, there is no way for me to resist the puppeteer controlling me. Controlling all of us. We are but pieces on an elaborate chessboard.¡±


    ¡°Liar!¡± The human raised his staff, eager to strike, but Quinn raised her hand, stopping him. Furiously, the human stabbed his weapon into the ground. ¡°Don¡¯t be swayed by his words, Quinn! Remember what the Goddess said! He can¡¯t be trusted!¡±


    ¡°And your ¡®Goddess¡¯ can?¡± Should the Dark Lord still possess his eyebrow, it¡¯d be lifting at the moment. ¡°I have spoken nothing but the truth since we first interacted while she has been manipulating everything in this world to make you point your swords toward me. Without strife, without conflict, there is no adventure, and this world will cease to be. Perhaps it would¡¯ve never been born.¡±


    ¡°What do you propose?¡± Quinn snapped, the determination in her voice laced with hesitation.


    The Dark Lord paused his steps, shifting his warm yet unsettling gaze toward her. ¡°That your party join me, and we¡¯ll wrestle the control of this world from the Goddess.¡±


    ¡°So you can rule it!¡± A crimson-skinned woman with horns behind Quinn barked.


    ¡°So we can be free.¡± The Dark Lord sighed. ¡°How about this? You all have encountered many wonderful people in your journey, yes? Isn¡¯t it a tragedy that so many of them pass at the end of their ¡®quests¡¯? Don¡¯t you want them to keep on living or to meet a better fate? Their stories ended because the Goddess deems so. She could¡¯ve given you what you wanted, to see those people live happily ever after. I wish for the same, Quinn. No adventure, not even the greatest, is worth the suffering that follows.¡±


    ¡°Bullshit--¡± The human shouted but was once again interrupted by Quinn.


    ¡°Let him finish.¡± Quinn narrowed her eyes.


    ¡°Thank you, my dear.¡± Tightening his grip on his staff of skulls, the Dark Lord continued, ¡°I understand your distrust in me. Frankly, I don¡¯t trust myself, too. While I remain somewhat autonomous, my free will can be stripped away at any moment, and I will be forced to play the part of an evil villain. I am weary of the pain and bloodshed.¡±


    He dropped his staff to the ground, the impact reverberating in the cave.  ¡°If you choose to side with me and face the Goddess, you can have all the power. In fact, you can strip what might I possess so I can pose no threat to anyone ever again. Turn me into a rabbit if you must. The people you meet in your travels deserve the happiness you believe they should, and this world deserves to be free. I understand how enticing an adventure is, to forget the burdens of the mundane life and be a hero, but is this all worth it? Is it really?¡±


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    Quinn frowned intensely, a thousand thoughts running through her mind. Indeed, she and her companions have met interesting characters aplenty, but they were rarely left unscathed. The world is a cruel, harsh one, where survival is a battle one faces every day. Mercy cannot be spared to anyone, yet she and her party strive to achieve peace for all nonetheless.


    There, at that moment, the Dark Lord offers what she desires to achieve at the end of her journey. She knew not if it was a trick, but if it was true, wasn¡¯t she obliged to accept his offer?


    ¡°Ask the Goddess, Quinn.¡± An old woman in light armor, who stood beside the young man and woman from earlier, spoke. ¡°She will enlighten you, show you the path.¡±


    Pensively, Quinn nodded, lifting her sight toward the hole in the cave ceiling, where the light was pouring through onto the lake. A moment later, a masculine silhouette appeared before Quinn and spoke in a somewhat high-pitched voice.


    ¡°I heard the conversation, and I understand your dilemma.¡± The ethereal figure before Quinn stepped toward the latter. ¡°You wish to know what argument I can offer against the Dark Lord¡¯s proposal, yes?¡±


    Quinn nodded, her cat ears twitching.


    ¡°Then that is what you shall receive.¡± The Goddess swept her gaze across Quinn¡¯s party and the Dark Lord. ¡°This world, this¡­ journey. It exists because of you. The Dark Lord is right, but consider what he¡¯s offering you.¡±


    ¡°A world where everyone¡¯s happy?¡± Quinn narrowed her eyes.


    ¡°A world without consequences. A world devoid of growth and complexity.¡± The Goddess¡¯ angelic figure shifted as she peered at the Dark Lord. ¡°The people who died didn¡¯t meet their end for no reason in this world. Each of their deaths carries a weight that changes those who witness it.¡±


    ¡°And what about the dozens of innocents who were murdered by my minions under your command?!¡± The Dark Lord pointed at the Goddess. ¡°What about the dozen others that the heroes never met in order to serve as the backdrop to their adventure?¡±


    ¡°I won¡¯t deny that this world exists only because of you and your friends, Quinn. The same goes for the suffering you see everywhere in this world. However, consider what will happen if you choose to side with the Dark Lord. The journey will end prematurely, the sacrifices that have already been made will be in vain, and the lessons you learn will be for naught. This world will be spared, but it¡¯ll be as if it never existed if you leave like this. It wouldn¡¯t have meant anything to you or your companions.¡±


    Enraged, the Dark Lord snapped his finger, appearing directly before Quinn. ¡°So what? The journey of those who died mattered too, even if they couldn¡¯t have existed without you. The world needn¡¯t be this way. It can simply be better. Your journey is still far from over, and you will witness more tragedy before you face me in my castle. The characters you will come to love won¡¯t suffer if you never encounter them in the first place. Isn¡¯t that better for them?¡±


    ¡°And those characters will have never grown, forever unchanging, because they were not tempered by painful lessons and your aid into something better. Will you deny the chance for this world, its people, and your party to be forged in the fire of hardship? Remember, the world won¡¯t improve if you leave it like this. Sometimes, things won¡¯t get better until it gets a little worse.¡±


    ¡°Enough!¡± The Dark Lord pushed his arm through the silhouette, though it didn¡¯t affect the latter. He aimed his demonic, green eyes at Quinn, demanding, ¡°It¡¯s time to choose, Hero. Which path will you choose, a world with a happy ending for everyone, or one that will suffer even more for your sake?¡±


    ¡°Whichever you choose,¡± The Goddess smiled faintly. ¡°I will respect your decision. Just don¡¯t forget what you¡¯re here for and what your adventure represents.¡±


    And so, Quinn stared at the two almighty beings, pondering what choice was the superior one. Though she could consult her friends, she already knew what they would say. Thus, she was the only person left who needed to decide.


    Then, at long last, she spoke again.

 Magic Alien

    June 24th


    10:00 am


    They came suddenly. One moment, the sky was still blue, and the sun was still shining. The next, nothing but grey and darkness. It was as if the sun was snuffed out. Many claim it¡¯s aliens, but we¡¯ve received confirmation from the other side of the planet that they can¡¯t see the night sky either. Whatever it is, it¡¯s big enough to envelop the sky of the whole planet.


    Everyone¡¯s scrambling to figure out what to do while trying not to bump into each other in the dark. I was tasked to observe the situation, but there was nothing to be observed. Guess I¡¯ll just keep sitting here, staring out at nothing.


    For some reason, I feel oddly calm, as though a part of me is certain nothing bad will happen. Or is it just my coping mechanism with this sudden, bizarre phenomenon? I can¡¯t tell for sure, but I guess I won¡¯t be driving to lunch later. Don¡¯t wanna risk crashing into something.


    3:00 pm


    A few countries attempted to send fighter jets closer to whatever was blocking the sky, but it was too far. It¡¯s basically sitting on the outermost atmosphere of the planet. I doubt anything less than a rocket can reach it. They¡¯ll try shooting the thing next, which I sincerely hope isn¡¯t going to provoke retaliation or something.


    People have been hearing things from the ¡°Blanket of Doom.¡± Some claim it¡¯s high-pitched, some say it¡¯s a low grumbling, etc. Everyone¡¯s saying different things, but I¡¯m not hearing it. Frankly, I don¡¯t think it¡¯s a solid object like a UFO. It might be¡­ alive. A wild thought, I know, but a movie that came out not too long ago showed the possibility of a UFO being a living being, so maybe that¡¯s the case?


    10:00 pm


    It¡¯s still there, and I can hear something. I can¡¯t tell what it is exactly, but it¡¯s not as unsettling as I thought it¡¯d be. My partners said the same thing. Something tells me that, even if this thing is gone, things won¡¯t be over.


    June 26th


    8:30 am


    When I woke up, the thing blocking the sky was gone, and there was a new development. Those who witnessed the moment it disappeared claim the thing moved like waves, then in a rigid, mechanical manner, before it folded itself smaller and smaller until it became something and landed on the planet. Right now, everyone¡¯s searching for it.


    Even though the sky only turned dark for approximately two days, it caused massive disruption and destruction across the globe. Dozens of people died due to various mishaps and accidents. We were lucky, my partners and I. While my husband is eager to move on from this freaky phenomenon and not think about it anymore, my wife and I were still curious to learn what actually happened and what would transpire in the following days.


    June 30th


    9:00 pm


    They found it. It was ¡°floating¡± in the Mediterranean Sea. In quotes, because people could walk on the water around the object, which appeared to be something akin to a shrine. Or perhaps a temple? The whole thing was captured on camera.


    The design was¡­ otherworldly, to say the least. I was never good with words, so I¡¯m not even going to bother describing it. It has weird shapes and weird colors. I¡¯ll just snap a photo and attach it to my diary later.


    In any case, they were still deciding what to do with it. There¡¯s also no telling if any living beings are inside the structure, though the whole thing could be a living thing itself. My husband didn¡¯t want to look at the news, but he did and admitted it looked like a fucked-up creature. I just hope I can sleep without this thing popping into my dream later tonight.


    July 4th


    11:00 pm


    The ¡°thing,¡± now dubbed Xenos, has moved to the mountains. Each day, it will ¡°slide¡± towards a new mountain in a different part of the world. Additionally, its shape keeps changing. Sometimes, it resembles actual human structure; other times, it¡¯s¡­ utterly incomprehensible. It¡¯s not an alien, for sure. Well, not alien like the ones we usually see. Technologically advanced and whatnot. It¡¯s more supernatural and fantastical than anything.


    However, that wasn¡¯t the big thing everyone was talking about. It¡¯s the second big thing. The initial discovery team, upon returning home, started feeling discomfort. Doctors assumed they were infected by some unknown virus, but they weren¡¯t sick. At most, their bodies felt a little itchy and or painful, but other than that, they¡¯re perfectly fine.


    You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.


    Around two days ago, their bodies started to change, all doing so in different manners. For some, their hair or skin color shifted slightly, for others, they have nubs growing on their heads or waist. Each of their transformations is different and gradual but certain. Still, they were fine, mentally and physically.


    They were requested to be quarantined as a failsafe, but it was still too late. Just hours ago, the other people who made contact with the discovery team also started showing similar symptoms. Once again, each of their bodies changed in slightly different ways.


    In response to this, countries from all over the world are quarantining all regions that Xenos touched down upon. Some speculate it¡¯s useless because no one can figure out how this ¡°virus¡± is spreading. If it¡¯s airborne, then there¡¯s no stopping this ¡°epidemic¡± cuz Xenos always land on a remote mountain area.


    My partners and I played video games for the night as my husband is getting a little too anxious about this. He started spiraling, talking about how the world¡¯s going to end, and honestly, I don¡¯t blame him. It¡¯s scary, but there¡¯s nothing much we can do.


    July 10th


    12:00 pm


    The ¡°virus,¡± now called Janus, is spreading fast. All attempts at quarantine failed. No matter how aggressively the governments across the world acted, they could not stop Janus from reaching more of the world. Many people protested these violent suppression acts, and riots broke out, which worsened the situation. Of course, there are those who immediately acted upon their racist tendencies, discriminating against those who were infected, but they weren¡¯t immune.


    Xenos is still moving around the world, and the locations it visited have expanded. It started visiting locations barely inhabited by humans. No one knows why, but we don¡¯t care anymore. Oh, one thing the world is certain of is that the virus is spreading from the discovery team, not from any of the locations that Xenos visited. Quite strange, considering its the source of Janus.


    My partners and I have been stuck in the house since about June 5th. It worsened my husband¡¯s mental state, and my wife and I had to take turns caring for him. He seemed to have calmed down now that we¡¯ve established a new routine. Of course, we all still have to work because capitalism is hell.


    July 15th


    9:00 pm


    I was wondering why we haven¡¯t seen any of the discovery team members or the people they first infected since the start of the month. Now, we know.


    Alberto Lago, one of the members of the team, escaped the quarantine zone about a few hours ago. He¡­ well¡­ He doesn¡¯t look like anything the man he used to be. His skin was red, he had four pairs of wings, and an extra arm. He flew at incredible speed and had retractable sharp nails. Despite the authority¡¯s best attempt to capture (probably kill) him, they failed, and he¡¯s gone.


    Following that, a whole lot of secrets were exposed. Anonymous apparently have been getting quite busy as they leaked various videos and photos of infected people. Some people grew in size, most in shape, and some don¡¯t even resemble a human anymore. However, most of them develop traits that resemble creatures in myths and stories.


    I kept this a secret from my partners, but I¡­ can¡¯t help but be drawn to their transformations. It¡¯s harder to tell in photos, but in videos, it¡¯s clear that the infected people are more upset regarding their treatment by the people keeping them in ¡°cages¡± than their new traits.


    Demons, angels, satyrs, dragonborns, mermaids¡­ Only a few of the infected shown on the internet looks truly inhuman and alien.


    Either this is the end of the world¡­ or a new beginning.


    August 1st


    11:00 am


    My newly developed tail¡¯s going to need some getting used to.


    So¡­ the world failed to contain Janus. It has spread to every part of the world.


    I would¡¯ve written more entries covering the events that led up to this day, but things have gotten very chaotic, and I haven¡¯t had time to write until now.


    All the infected break loose after people realize the new virus only changes a person¡¯s appearance, not their minds. Not everyone has transformed yet, but it¡¯s only a matter of time before everyone does, so the inhuman treatment of the infected ended. Some in violence, some in peace.


    I was the one who went to buy groceries about a week ago, so I¡¯m technically at fault for bringing the virus into our household. If I didn¡¯t, though, we would¡¯ve all starved to death, so it was inevitable. I wondered who in that store infected me. I didn¡¯t see anyone looking or acting odd. Or maybe it¡¯s someone I passed by? Regardless, people are just scrambling about what to do, including us.


    My husband¡­ understandably freaked out when his iris started to change shape, though his vision was unaffected. Honestly, my wife and I aren¡¯t really that bothered. We¡¯re the type to accept things as they come, but not quite my husband.


    He acts like a drama queen every day, saying we¡¯re all going to turn into monsters and lose our humanity. Well, we may not look fully human anymore, but we aren¡¯t monsters. Well, some people are. News was reporting people using their new abilities to commit crimes, but frankly, it¡¯s a lot lower than I thought, considering some people transformed into giants and dragon people.


    My husband grew less agitated as everyone in our neighborhood slowly looked human. He had reluctantly accepted this was happening to everyone, and there was no changing it.


    Yesterday, my wife, now looking like a reptilian creature with metal-looking scales, proposed that Janus might be turning our external appearance so it matches our internal one. Her strongest proof is that no one feels uncomfortable in their new skin, and some people are even overjoyed that their biological sex has changed.


    I can accept that theory, honestly. I always felt quite like a cat if it¡¯s a person, and now I¡¯m a catperson with very flexible and extendable fingers. My husband¡¯s now a shapeshifting deer person. His body changes shape whenever he feels strongly about something.


    The main reason I¡¯m writing today is because we all heard a voice in our heads. The voice claimed to be Xenos and that they¡¯d have an announcement soon once everyone on Earth had changed.


    This whole thing better not turn into another generic alien flick. Am I weird to be so casual about this? Maybe, but I''d rather meet my end in an interesting way instead of The One Scenario Everyone Believes Will Definitely Happen.


    However this whole thing turns out, this has got to be the wildest year on Earth ever.

 Writing, My Journey

    The wellspring of joy and meaning,


    a precious gift from the muses.


    The wind that stoked the flame of life,


    the drive to create.


    A passion of myriad origins


    that leads to the same road.


    A fan fiction, it may have been,


    but the advent of a new adventure.


    A desire to see an alternate path,


    which animates the pen in my hand.


    A branch then leads to a seed,


    and creates a unique tree.


    A sapling of unsightly figure,


    yet nonetheless delightful to raise.


    And so, it begin, the first of many,


    which will one day become a garden.


    Though my passion was seen,


    and my efforts acknowledged,


    yet still I do not find,


    one who admires.


    Attempts were made, sweat was shed,


    yet the fruits of my labor were savored by none.


    ¡°It¡¯s fine,¡± I said, for the act was joy,


    but soon I witnessed a fact I cannot deny.


    Still, I pressed on, and I found compatriots,


    but their flames burn not as brightly.


    And so I said, ¡°One day. I need only wait,¡±


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    Oh, how foolish I was to have so much faith.


    More seeds were planted, more trees were grown,


    still no one was there to adore its glow.


    Continue, I toiled,


    satisfied by the act alone.


    I thought, one day,


    ¡°There has to be another way!¡±


    So I lay my hand on my mouse,


    and clicked away.


    A digital world, I ventured,


    an ocean of possibility.


    Here I will find passersby,


    who¡¯ll no doubt stay.


    ¡°Admirers, at last!¡±


    As I said with giddy.


    For a time, for a place,


    I was not needy.


    The years passed, the seasons changed,


    and the seed of a new beginning was planted.


    A magnificent fruit it shall produce


    should the tree be maintained.


    Alas, a storm passed, and the tree fell.


    The fruits, once sweet, now bitter.


    ¡°One day, again,¡± I said,


    ¡°but not today.¡±


    Sparks flew, but none remained.


    The furnace continues to be cold and grey.


    A sprinkling there, a nudging here,


    but never amount to any greats.


    The storm passed, and the sea calmed.


    Once more, I am home.


    The soil of time grew richer,


    and it was time to grow.


    Bushes raised, crops sowed,


    step by step, the garden¡¯s whole.


    A main attraction, it still lacks,


    thus began the woes.


    A long, fraught journey,


    of countless trippings.


    Alas, I arrive,


    at the seed of destiny.


    The tree of my soul,


    The light of my life.


    A marvelous, thrilling goal.


    A story worth a thousand nights.


    Alas, compatriots I found.


    We share, and dance, and laugh,


    around the campfire of words.


    Truly, a sight to behold.


    Months passed, and the tree had grown mighty,


    its leaves and branches tended by two.


    In the future, it shall bore a wonderful fruit,


    but not yet, not when there¡¯s much work left to do.


    My stroll in the garden near its end.


    New flowers blooming from the seeds I plant.


    Though the path is short, and the care is scant,


    My heart is content.

 Danger. Darkness. Dwarves.

    You thought it was just going to be another standard mission. You gulped down your beer, slam your butt down in the drop pod, and even read a little article as you waited to plunge into the depths of hell. Your hell or the glyphid¡¯s hell? It¡¯s all up to lady luck, but you show them the terror of your death machine more often than not.


    The drop pod lands, and you and your three pals rush out after a brief scan of the surroundings. Two of ¡®em are greybeards like yourself, but the other one¡¯s less experienced. No matter, you thought. You¡¯re skilled enough to carry the mission even if your teammates fall.


    The biome this time is Fungus Bog. Not a great location, but you prefer every other biome over Hollow Bough any day of the bloody week. Those half-sentient stabbers had been the bane of your existence on your every trip there.


    As your group mined Nitra (and a little gold at the side), you all chatted. Though it was a fifth hazard area, it wasn¡¯t anything you couldn¡¯t handle. A dozen dead bugs and three buckets of Nitra, you pressed on. The driller was kind enough to widen the tunnel for your team to pass through, but you see the glint in his eyes. An ¡°accident¡± was bound to happen, one way or another.


    As your team traversed forward, you arrived at an open area with more than a handful of poison-spewing fungus and a puddle of sticky goo. The engineer helpfully covered it up with his platform while you were on fungus-destroying duty. Of course, you didn¡¯t destroy The Special Ones. Oh, the Mission Control was mad as usual as your team religiously chanted ¡°Mushwoom!¡± to no end.


    It was a triple dreadnought mission, so you marked the exact location of the cocoons as your team explored the mission area, mined resources, and eliminated dangers such as cave leeches. Those greasy meatballs met their ends at the hands of the competent scout, who spotted the jet boots tucked in the corner.


    Though Mission Control urged your team to clear the dreadnoughts as all three cocoons were on the verge of maturity, you continued to saunter through the vast cave structures. For one, Mission Control was always worried about the dreadnoughts maturing, even though it never happened. For another, clearing out hazards such as Spitballers is as important as everything else. The last thing any team would want was a lethal distraction.


    Just as you thought it was about time to wrap up the prepping, you heard Mission Control announcing the imminent landing of lithophage meteors. The others paid no mind to the warning, thinking it wouldn¡¯t be of any issue, but you panicked. Hard. The impact zone was targeted right at the center of the area, and all three cocoons aligned in the same spot but at different elevations.  You and Mission Control screamed at your teammates, but it was too late. The meteorites arrived, and all three cocoons were smashed into bits, releasing the nightmares incubating within.


    Karl save us. You prayed as you saw giant heat signatures on your map.


    The less experienced engineer panicked immediately, asking us what to do. The driller and scout argued, but their bickering proved no use. You took a deep breath, strategies running through your mind, and yelled for everyone to listen. They did immediately.


    Rapidly, you barked out orders to each of your teammates. All of you were to escape back to the clearing at the initial drop zone and carve out the environment to facilitate easier dreadnought extermination. The engineer suggested we abandon the mission, but you shot him down. The dreadnoughts might disturb the other teams, and the drop pod would¡¯ve survived the onslaught of three or potentially more dreadnoughts. It was do or die.


    Your team rushed back to the landing zone. A regular dreadnought was pursuing your team closely, so the scout and you had to keep it occupied while the driller and engineer worked their magic.


    They accomplished their tasks on record time, and you requested they order all the supply drops they could. The scout wanted to use the drops as a weapon, but you told him it was too risky. The availability of the supplies was far more important than the damage it could deal.


    The scout lit up the place, and your team began the extermination. At first, things were going well. All of you were only up against one regular dreadnought as the others tried to catch up. Then, it was the twins. The bloody twins, you cursed. More susceptible to damage but difficult to nail down.


    Then, just as the engineer was downed, the last dreadnought crashed into the party, literally. Smashed a hole in the wall. It was a hiveguard and its sentinels were bringing in the heat.


    The scout and driller were yelling at each other for friendly fire while you used your last shield to heal the engineer. You would¡¯ve weaved a beautiful poem of curses at your feuding teammates, but you were too busy drawing the dreadnoughts'' attention from them.


    Things were getting grim. Supplies were dwindling, and your teammates, despite getting back up and fighting, were spent. They couldn¡¯t last longer, you could tell. You needed a goddamn miracle to wipe all three dreadnoughts, which were still mostly in top shape.


    Lady Luck responded to your call, and a glyphid bulk detonator arrived on the scene.


    You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.


    The engineer paled instantly. The light in the scout¡¯s eyes went out. Any destructive tendencies left in the driller were snuffed out. There was no hope left, they all believed.


    However, you refused to give up. There were still supplies, red sugar, and fuel in your jet boots. Your teammates were weakened, yes, but they were still standing. You were still standing. By Karl¡¯s beard, you were going to ensure your team left the planet alive.


    You inhaled as deeply as you could and roared, rousing your teammates with a brief speech and proposing you all use the detonator to kill all three dreadnoughts at once. It would be a risky play, but it was the best option your team had at completing the mission.


    You reignited the flames in their eyes, and they did as you planned -- bring down the detonator¡¯s health as low as possible, expose all dreadnought¡¯s weakness, and blow them all to kingdom come. The engineer was downed the most, but he also dealt the most damage with his precise use of the grenade launcher.


    Minutes pass, and you could see victory on the horizon. The shields on the dreadnoughts were cracked, and the detonator was growing weaker. Supplies had run out, but it didn¡¯t matter, not when salvation was at hand--


    You were too careless. The detonator had gotten a little bit too close to you, and you were downed. Your teammates struggled to draw the attention of the glyphids and bring you up because your shield was the only thing that could withstand the explosion of the detonator.


    The engineer went down first, then the driller followed. The scout was the only one still alive, his grappling hook firing the instant its cooldown was over. By a hair¡¯s breadth, he brought you up but was blasted into the nearby wall by a dreadnought immediately after. At that moment, you were the only one left.


    You kited around the dreadnoughts, damaging all the glyphids bit by bit, hoping to get the timing right. If you fail, then Fungus Bog will be your grave. Dozens of other dwarves might also perish as the dreadnoughts escaped to other locations. You have to succeed. You must.


    Unfortunately, your luck was spent, and you were cornered. There was no way out. You¡¯ve spent your last bullet. You could use your grenade, but that would only hasten your end. You press your back against the wall, and Mission Control bids you a somber farewell. You are the best dwarf since Karl this mining rig has ever seen. Rest in peace, he said.


    For a moment, you thought about closing your eyes, but you objected to that notion. You were going to stare those glyphid bastards in the eye as they took your life after you slaughtered the whole of them. No remorse filled your chest as you grinned. It was a good run, you thought.


    Then, just as the dreadnoughts arrived before you, with the detonator at the back, you saw something at the far back of the room. You could barely make out a figure as the last of the scout¡¯s flare faded.


    In a flash, you heard the dreadnoughts¡¯ armor all breaking at the same time. Then, at the corner of your eye, you saw something standing atop the detonator and smashing the orange bastard.


    You knew what was to follow in the next five seconds, and you couldn¡¯t afford to be distracted by the mysterious thing.


    The first second, you pulled out your shield.


    Second second, you threw it to the ground.


    Third second, the shield landed before your feet.


    In the fourth second, the force field expanded from the core of the shield.


    Last second, you gazed upon the dreadnoughts repelling from the shield as the detonator expanded in size in the blink of an eye. Then--


    BOOOM!


    You watched as the explosion tore through the dreadnoughts like butter, their innards spilling onto your shield and the nearby walls.


    It was the most beautiful thing you¡¯ve seen in your career. A sight that couldn¡¯t possibly be replicated again.


    For a minute straight, you thought you went deaf as you were rooted to the spot, overwhelmed by that turn of events. Then, you shifted your sight down and saw your comrades on their last breaths lying at the edges of the newly formed crater.


    You tossed your empty minigun away, slapped yourself, and smashed the evac button on Molly. Though you heard Mission Control¡¯s voice, you could neither identify the words he said nor his tone. There was one final task left, and you had to focus.


    That day, you exerted your muscles to their maximum capacity and carried your comrades toward the drop pod location, which was in a room next to the initial landing zone. You heard distant rumblings all around you, but you couldn¡¯t care less. There was nothing left to do but drag your teammates into the drop pod.


    A hundred meters, seventy meters, fifty, thirty, ten, five, and finally, zero.


    You slumped against the gate of the drop pod, which remained close because bloody Molly still hadn¡¯t gotten into the drop pod. Sometimes, you wondered if Mission Control truly gave a damn about you dwarves.


    As the glyphids crawled toward you, you pulled out your last fire grenade and tossed it before the ramp. A fiery wall was erected, but it wouldn¡¯t deter the creatures for long.


    Then, right before your eyes, you saw a figure, unlike the bugs, jump into the shadow. It was the same entity who saved you earlier, you believed. You tried to shake away your thoughts, believing your bleeding was causing you to hallucinate. However, you couldn¡¯t deny the possibility.


    Could that figure really be¡­?


    Suddenly, the gates opened. You widened your eyes, tossed your comrades inside, and leaped into the drop pod just as the shadow and the firewall vanished. The gates slammed shut as the drop pod flew upward. Healing mists were sprayed onto your teammates as you leaned against your seat. Your eyelids grew heavier, but you knew there was one more thing you needed to do before you sleep. One more procedure to accomplish to mark the completion of this mission.


    You grabbed your pickaxe, raised it into the air, and shouted three words.


    ¡°Rock and stone!¡±

 My Most Cherished Story - Spirit Circle

    I love stories. I am obsessed with them. It is the ambrosia to my soul and many others, a bridge to an invisible world borne in each of us. A different world, a different person, but one mirror to reflect them all.


    So, since today¡¯s the last day of NaNoWriMo, I decided to pay tribute to the one story that seems to slip most people by and deeply affects me still - Spirit Circle. It is a manga series written and illustrated by Satoshi Mizukami, the same person who created Lucifer and The Biscuit Hammer and Sengoku Youko. I actually knew him through that last work before discovering Biscuit Hammer and Spirit Circle.


    So, what¡¯s Spirit Circle about? Well, like many great works, it has a simple premise - Fuuta Okeya, a 14-year-old student, one day encounters Kouko Ishigami, the new transfer student, who has a ghost around her, both of whom he found familiar even though he never met them. When she saw his birthmark, she challenged him to a duel, claiming they were bound by reincarnation and that it was her duty to eliminate him permanently. When he narrowly escaped death by her hands, he gained insight into one of his past lives, and thus his short but heavy journey began.


    The whole story is mainly about the two of them, how their grudge began, and how their past lives led them to their current situation. The main character has a bunch of friends who also appear in his past lives, and they all have their own separate journeys that intersect with his, which are all pretty neat.


    In essence, this is a story about change, forgiveness, and the nature of the human experience. It is a deeply human and moving story about regrets and moving on to a brighter future, learning how to become better. Of course, a lot of other stories touch on these themes too, so what makes this one so special? What traits does this manga possess that spurs me to crown it as my most cherished story ever?


    Honestly, it¡¯s the way the author presents the concept of reincarnation. Now, this isn¡¯t the usual shitty isekai reincarnation thing. No. This is the idea of reincarnation in its original form - the idea that a human possesses a soul, and that soul continues to live different lives on planet Earth after the human dies. Each time, they¡¯ll lose their memories, but their soul will have gained new knowledge and experience that subtly or not-so-subtly influence their new mortal life.


    Now, I¡¯m raised to believe in reincarnation, but I¡¯m not gonna convince anyone that this totally exists or anything like that. It is simply a conclusion I came to after seeing the evidence the world has presented to me. In any case, I bring this up because it¡¯s why this story resonated with me so much. Now, don¡¯t worry. This isn¡¯t like ¡°a Christian being moved by a Christian story¡± kind of deal. The manga is only using this premise as a jumping-off point to tell a human, larger-than-life story.


    Now, with all the context established, this is your spoiler warning. If you¡¯re someone who adores heartfelt, moving stories about people and life, please read the manga first. It¡¯s only 45 chapters. It¡¯s not that long. If you have an afternoon or evening to spare, just read it first. Okay? Okay.


    Spoiler begins below. (Also I know some people are just going to ignore this so I still kept spoilers to a minimum. No end-of-the-story type of spoilers.)


    Fuuta¡¯s fourth past life is when I was truly sucked into this story. The second and third weren¡¯t bad, but they weren¡¯t anything outstanding either. (His first life is the big secret one and the last to be revealed.) A few prominent characters are established and you get a gist of how things worked. His second life is more classic lover tragedy, and this third was a long yet ultimately fulfilling life. Kouko killed him in his second life (and was killed later because of it) and cursed him with the birthmark in the third in her dying breath, so it indicates that her hatred of him stemmed from their first lives.


    His fourth life begins relatively simple. An old architect retelling tales of his youth of building a unique sphinx in the desert. He meets some familiar faces, including Kouko, who in that life is a princess/prophet. She wants to mend their grudge, though she¡¯s only vaguely aware of their multi-lives hatred, but he doesn¡¯t because he doesn¡¯t believe in past lives in his fourth.


    Then he returns home, marries a gal who actually loves his friend instead (both are his current day friends), and skips narrating the rest of his life. And that¡¯s the point. For his entire life, he only did one notable thing, building that sphinx, which he is known for. No matter what he does, he can never escape the title of ¡°Mr. Sphinx,¡± even though he thinks it looks stupid. Because of that one fixation in his life, he allowed his entire life to pass through him passively.


    This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    There¡¯s a lot more going on, but at the end of the day, before he died, he realized he had wasted his entire life, trapped by the actions of his youth. Then he just died. Alone. Unloved by himself and misunderstood by everyone. All that time he had to build something meaningful in his life, and he threw it all away because he failed to realize the truth until a day before his death.


    It was a notable contrast to his third life, in which he felt utterly fulfilled having spent time with his friends and raising a daughter. He died satisfied. As for his second life, well, he essentially died in a blaze of glory for love. It was ¡°epic.¡±


    When he confronted Kouko the next day to learn more details about what happened in their fourth life, he was further devastated. The sphinx he built cause Kouko¡¯s family and entire clan to be killed because of bullshit political reasons. The thing that ¡°ruined¡± his life and his family¡¯s life ended dozens more too. It was a guilt that weighed extremely heavily on him, and it was brutal. Despite what happened in his other lives, the fourth one would always feel the most somber, and it marked a turning point in his following three lives.


    Usually, stories can only allow this kind of ¡°tragic backstory¡± to last for a period in the main character¡¯s lives because, well, they only have one life. But in this one, you get to see how far-reaching the consequences of the characters¡¯ actions are. You see how their past and present impact their present and future in more ways than one, literally.


    Of course, my description of the story may not sound enticing, but the way the manga frames these stories is why it¡¯s so great. Also, again, there¡¯s a lot more going on, like I haven¡¯t even mentioned Rune, one of the four main characters, and the ghost around Kouko, East. They are the ¡°mystery characters¡± that is tied to the central plot and why Kouku hates Fuuta.


    The story constantly uses Fuuta¡¯s past lives as a contrast between the past and present. He gets to learn other sides of the story through Kouko whenever he finishes dreaming about his past lives. He¡¯ll notice that the people in his current life have shown up in his past lives before, one way or another, and how their roles in his past lives changed. His current life is a carefree, naive one, so he was always deeply affected by the horrific and painful ways he had affected his past lives and the past lives of others.


    But, there¡¯s joy too. Whether intentionally or not, he brings happiness to the people around him too. In the second, he loved someone deeply, wishing he could¡¯ve saved her life, and in this third, he gets to fulfill that wish. He became the adoptive father of the girl he liked in his second life and raised her. During his fifth life, it was because of him that his friends managed to get together when they failed to do so in his fourth.


    It¡¯s a story about the terrible consequences of mistakes one makes, intentionally or otherwise, and the little and big joys in life. Life can be many, many things, but only when one can move on can one be open to many more possibilities.


    The story gets into a lot of convoluted stuff near the end, but the core essence of the story never changes. One must be willing to let go to live. Being obsessed with the past, trying desperately to right a wrong you cannot undo, will only lead to further unhappiness and ruin. That was what drove his first life into madness. He didn¡¯t want to move on, and it almost caused the end of the world if not for Kouko.


    All of us have experienced that pain before, in one way or another. A terrible thing that changed our lives. We want to go back to how things are when things are better, but time stops for no one. Us humans only have so much time on this planet, and this story is a reminder to appreciate every moment. No matter how good or bad things are, for better or worse, there will always be a tomorrow.


    I always find fiction or tales about human flaws and our desperate attempts to improve ourselves. Hell, I struggle with that every day. It¡¯s hard, it¡¯s downright impossible at times, but we have to try. A story like this is a comfort, especially with its reincarnation premise, because it suggests that, even in the end, you¡¯ll still get another chance to try. Maybe you¡¯ll fuck up again, but you¡¯d still improve bit by bit because you learned something new. The execution of this idea, combined with the premise of this manga, is why I love it more than everything else.


    ¡°Why do we live? Well¡­It¡¯s probably because something good will happen.¡±


    I love stories. This manga will always remind me why. Thank you for reading.


    P/S If you have a few extra minutes, please consider checking out the following mangas. They are also all very good and I want you to enjoy them too.


    Golden Kamuy - A historical comedy manga about different factions searching for a lost gold deposit of sorts. Trust me, it is a deeply human story as well and I honestly considered writing about this instead. Seriously, it¡¯s awesome. It also got an anime, but I recommend the manga. Also, don¡¯t be scared by the ¡°history¡± tag. Seriously, I know nothing about this manga¡¯s historical setting and it still hooked me in.


    Touge Oni - A brilliantly illustrated manga about a group of trio navigating ancient, mythical Japan. Seriously great stuff


    Sensou Kyoushitsu - A fantasy (with a hint of sci-fi) story about a group of people with extraordinary powers. I know it sounds generic, but it¡¯s damn fun. The main character¡¯s power is using a trumpet to direct armies with floating signs. It¡¯s great, check it.


    Omniscient Viewpoint Reader - absolutely amazing story that plays with story conventions and modern tropes/trends. Absolute banger and beautiful art.


    I have more to recommend but then I¡¯d be here all day lel

 The Oath Made

    Before the warrior, atop the crucible of a smoldering yet mighty flame, was a golden tree, its highest branches soaring into the clouds. Though the tree was distant, its massive size created the illusion that it sat right beside the snowy mountains.


    Cygnus¡¯ pensive gaze was fixed on the brilliant pillar of The Lands Between, the symbol of all that is great and terrible of the continent. Like a statue, they remained utterly still as though fearing the slightest movement would chase away the one whom they were waiting for.


    Their grip, clutching on the handle of their straight sword, tightened when a wispy, magical sound appeared near them, which was then followed by footsteps. Each step was light, yet all sounded dull, as though the world itself had grown legs.


    Then, silence, the steps ceasing by Cygnus¡¯ side. A subtle gulp, and Cygnus resisted the urge to turn their head. Was it awkwardness that prevented them from speaking? Perhaps, but it could not be compared to the fear that clutched their racing heart. A fearless warrior, they were, who slayed a mighty giant capable of conjuring a ruinous flame mere hours ago. Yet, they found no courage to utter a word.


    ¡°You have inherited the Frenzied Flame. A pity.¡± Alas, it was the person whom they awaited spoke first.


    Arduously, Cygnus shifted their sight to the woman, with a tattoo on her closed eye, beside them. Relief filled their heart and poured out of their lips. ¡°Not when this will save you.¡±


    ¡°My life is of my own, not for you to dictate.¡±


    Biting their lip, Cygnus lifted their heavy feet off the edge of the crucible, turning their body toward the woman. ¡°Melina, please, heed my words.¡±


    The woman, holding a dagger of faded sunlight, faced the warrior, too. ¡°And what words shall the Lord of Frenzy depart onto me?¡±


    ¡°That I am yet to be, nor will I be.¡± Cygnus lifted their hand, attempting to hold Melina¡¯s shoulder, but withheld the desire when the latter leaned away ever so slightly. ¡°I¡¯m doing this for you. It will ensure your survival as I reach the end of my quest.¡±


    ¡°And you will extinguish the world to that end?¡±


    ¡°There is a way to quell the Flame of Frenzy once I incinerate the Erdtree.¡±


    Melina was visibly taken aback. Then, she shook her head.


    Upon removing an unalloyed gold needle from their pouch, Cygnus presented it to Melina. ¡°I ventured into the chamber of The Severed, defeated her, and repaired the treasured relic of the prodigious empyrean. According to Gideon, upon the burning of the Erdtree, I will be transported to the floating city we witnessed back at the Four Belfries. There, within the heart of the storm where time stood still, I can expel the Flame of Frenzy with this needle.¡±


    If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    A faint sigh slipped Melina¡¯s lips. ¡°The All-Hearing is not to be trusted.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯ll work. I promise.¡± Cygnus returned the needle to their pouch.


    ¡°Your assurance amounts to nothing.¡±


    ¡°I researched--¡±


    ¡°The Frenzied Flame is not to be trifled with!¡± The sudden rise of Melina¡¯s voice stunned the warrior. ¡°None survived the journey to the storm, and none still with the needle. Your confidence in the All-Hearing is misplaced.¡±


    ¡°All of time exists in the same moment with the eye of the storm, and the needle wards off the influence of gods. This will dispel the Flame of Frenzy.¡± Cygnus set their unwavering gaze on the woman. ¡°I know you¡¯re aware both facts are genuine, so this combination will work.¡±


    ¡°And what of my purpose?¡± Melina narrowed her eye. ¡°I¡¯ve imparted upon you my thoughts on the matter during our journey. Did my words fall on deaf ears?¡±


    ¡°No. As I understand it, it is the reason for your being, but should it need to be forever?¡± Cygnus¡¯ trembling fist pressed on her chest. ¡°I¡­ I¡¯ve enjoyed our journey together, Melina. I was a stranger in a strange land, unsure of my calling in my renewed life. You were my guide, my companion, my light. The despair of my defeats would¡¯ve overtaken me if not for your encouragement and comfort. I could only press forward because you were by my side. Does my companionship mean nothing to you in comparison to the burden thrust upon you?¡±


    ¡°No. Your¡­ company has sparked a joy I did not know I yet possessed.¡± A faint smile danced on Melina¡¯s lips as memories flashed past her eyes. ¡°Our chatter, at times benign and occasionally profound, has delighted me to no end. I relished our every moment, but¡­¡± Light faded from her irises as she aimed her indifferent look at her companion. ¡°The Frenzied Flame cannot be relied upon.¡±


    ¡°Then trust in me.¡± The warrior stretched their hand. ¡°I¡¯ve slayed all the demigods and achieved what all others thought impossible. I¡¯m not one to place my faith blindly, and you know it. You¡¯ve witnessed my wariness. Please, be assured, the Frenzied Flame will not follow me to the seat of the Elden Lord.¡±


    Silence befell the scene with hesitation thick around the robed woman.


    ¡°Do you remember the night we spent in Liurna, where we had stew and bread with Boc?¡±


    Slowly, Melina nodded.


    ¡°You spoke of your journey in discovering hope and believing in your mission. That day, you spurred me to trek on the same path as you, and as I arrived at the end, I saw you.¡± Gently, Cygnus reached their fingers toward her cheek. ¡°You have become my reason to endure in the quest to save this world.¡±


    Melina widened her eyes in surprise, her countenance tinged with conflicted emotions. ¡°I had assumed the Lunar Princess was your drive to press forth. Was I mistaken?¡±


    ¡°Not, you¡¯re not, but my heart is big enough for you two, especially you who watched my every fall and victory. Without your support, I would¡¯ve perished, one way or another.¡± With enough courage, Cygnus laid their palm on Melina¡¯s cheek, which the latter did not reject.


    ¡°I¡­¡± She lowered her head but settled her coarse hand on their wrist. ¡°Becoming the purpose of the Elden Lord to be¡­ It is an outcome I did not foresee.¡±


    ¡°Do you dislike it?¡± A fragile fear swirled in Cygnus¡¯ eyes.


    Gently, Melina shook her head. ¡°I don¡¯t, but I am¡­ uncertain. Of the path lies ahead of us.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s life, my dear.¡± Abruptly, the warrior pulled her into their embrace. ¡°I wish nothing more than you and the Princess¡¯ happiness. Please, allow me to bear your burden so we may view another sunrise together.¡±


    Wordlessly, Melina closed her eyes. Various thoughts zipped past her mind, but in the end, they all converged on the same destination.


    Minutes later, she opened her good eye and tenderly pushed Cygnus away. ¡°Should you break your promise, I won¡¯t hesitate to take your life. My fate does not hold greater importance than all other life in the Lands Between.¡±


    ¡°It won¡¯t come to that. You have my word.¡± Finally, the warrior smiled. ¡°Now, are you ready to watch me commit a cardinal sin?¡±


    ¡°Destined Death awaits you, My Lord.¡± Melina grinned, too.