《Drifter》


 The Beginning

    On this day I woke up like any other day. I go out for my morning jog, because exercise is key to a healthy life or I¡¯ve heard many times from my instructors. I¡¯m jogging through the neighborhood and I hear some loud gun bangs. I start to feel pain coming from my head. Then I touch it and feel blood coming out. Thinking man I must have been shot by a stray bullet. Then everything just blanked out.


    When I come to I¡¯m in a line but wonder what am I doing here? Since I¡¯m not in a hospital I must have died. I start to look around and see millions of people. Everybody is wearing the same thing. A white shirt, white pants, and white shoes. Then I started to notice that some of the people look like they have animal ears. Others didn¡¯t look to pleasing to the eyes, or simply put they looked like an orc you would see in the Lord OF The Ring series.


    I¡¯ve must have gone into some kind reincarnation cycle after my death. I try talking to the person in front of me.


    ¡°Hi, how did you die?¡±


    ¡°¡­.¡±


    There is no response from him. Then I try looking into the eyes of the person behind me and notice that their eyes are completely blank. Like they aren¡¯t even conscious of walking in line. Everybody looked to be sleeping walking and just following whatever system this was.


    I start to look at the end of the line notice that there is a person that is directing the people to either enter the left door or the right door. There is a door behind this person too, but I don¡¯t see anybody enter that door.


    I finally reach the man and he points to the door on his left. I decided I should try asking him something.


    ¡°Where does this door lead?¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    However, he doesn¡¯t reply and just continues pointing to the on the right.


    ¡°Why should I enter that door and not the other one?


    ¡°¡­¡±


    I then look into the man¡¯s eyes and his eyes looked dead just like all the other beings moving in the lines. After thinking about what I should do. He looked like he wasn¡¯t conscious either. Maybe everybody here is just a part of a system and I am something strange because nobody but me seems to making the decision on what door to enter and following where ever the person at then points to. I decided not to enter the door on the right or left but the door behind the man.The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.


    Upon opening the door there is a bright light entering my eyes, so immediately turn around and look back but there is nothing there. Nothing but a black abyss. Seeing this I unconsciously took a step forward. When I did I turned around and noticed that I was in a jungle. This chilled me to the bone. Maybe I should of just follow the man¡¯s advice and enter the door on his right. I continued to look around and noticed a piece of paper on a podium. How weird for there to be a podium in the middle of a jungle.


    I grabbed the paper and started to read.


    ¡°Good day there Nicholas. You have chosen the door of being a drifter. The door to the left would have let you reincarnate into the same world you were born in. The door on the right would take you to a new world to be born in. You were chosen to be born into a new world because of your untimely death. The stray bullet instantly killed you and your family already knows of your passing.


    Next since you have become a drifter you won¡¯t be reincarnated but allowed to drifter between worlds. You keep your original name. You can stay in the world you are currently in or change to another world. However, you will only be able to change the world you are in once every 25 years. There are others like you out there too. Do no assume that you are the only drifter, but on this world there is currently no other drifters.


    I would recommend for you learn about this world. It has magic and as you live here for your first 25 years as a drifter you can get to learn magic or just die. Magic is a curious thing that can help you live a life of meaning.


    Should you not die in your first 25 years here I will teach you how to drift between worlds.


    Have a nice day and try not to die because I doubt you will become a drifter again.¡±


    After reading all this I looked up again and noticed I was no longer in a jungle, but in an open plain. I saw that there is a man walking towards me. I tried to think quickly. I don¡¯t want to die already and want to see different things. The paper said there was magic in this world. I want to try it out.


    How should I react to this guy though¡­ he looks like a farmer from the middle ages. I should pretend I have amnesia. Hopefully, I can understand him and he understand me. Oh wait isn¡¯t it already strange I¡¯m wearing nothing, but white. Then I look at myself and notice I¡¯m not wearing the white clothing anymore but wearing clothes similar to the man walking towards me.


    ¡°Hi, there stranger. What are you doing in the middle of the plains?¡±


    ¡°I have no clue sir.¡±


    ¡°Oh. Are you lost perchance?¡±


    Hrm¡­ that in itself a pretty good alibi.


    ¡°Yes I¡¯m lost sir. I was trying to get to the next town, but lost my way in the jungle for a couple of days. I don¡¯t have anything so I was wondering if you could help lead me.¡±


    ¡°Sure I can help you. The village I live in is a bit small, but we all help each other out to get by. By the way my name is Steve.¡±


    Should I use my name? I¡¯ll just go with Nick.


    ¡°My name is Nick. Thank you for the help Steve.¡±

 The Village

    Today is the third day I¡¯ve been in the village. I don¡¯t sleep too well in this place because the bed is made out of hay. With a cloth covering it only, but what choice do I have to get my life started in this world. I¡¯ve come to learn a bit about the village.


    The village wasn¡¯t big. It had about only 4 cottages and only 4 different families living in this village. The place actually didn¡¯t have a name of its own, because it was so small. Nobody in the village had a family name either. One family used to be mercenaries, two families were farmers, and the last one was a reclusive family that rarely came out.


    Steve used to be a mercenary for the nearby town. However, he got married and no longer wanted to live that life. He has two children: a boy and a girl. The boy seemed to be in his mid-teens while the girl looked to be 4 or 5. Steve took me into his family for the time being, because I told him I don¡¯t have any family and I would like to learn from Steve. He took to believing me because I also told him I wanted to become a mercenary or an adventurer when I was skilled enough.


    I soon hear a noise coming towards the barn I¡¯m in.


    ¡°Wake up Nick. I want to see how well trained your body is and if you have the talent to become an adventurer or mercenary. I¡¯m sorry for the accommodations, but this is all I can help you with for a roof over your head. I can¡¯t exactly just let someone I don¡¯t know into my home.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s alright Steve. I appreciate the help that you are giving me.¡± I¡¯m surprised he even had a barn. Surprisingly he is quite cautious of me even though he led me into their small village.


    ¡°Come we are going behind the back of my house to practice. Do you know how to swing a sword? Actually what is your weapon preference?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll try to use anything you have. I¡¯m sorry for the not having anything of my own. My village was quite small like your own. My parents died in a raid. That¡¯s why I was trying to go to the next town and learn to be a mercenary.¡±


    Trying to make up a story is easy considering I used to read a lot besides my time with my studies. I know how to use most weapons because my parents weren¡¯t home so I had an interest in martial arts. Something to do since I read so many books and don¡¯t want to die should something happen to the world. Well I¡¯m already done with that world, but I wonder if he has anything to teach me.Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.


    ¡°Everybody has their own stories. No need to tell me. Here take this wooden sword for now. It¡¯s what my son uses to practice with me.¡±


    He throws me the wooden sword and I catch it with my right hand.


    ¡°Ok. Now I want you to attack me with all you got. I want to see how skilled you are. If you can¡¯t beat me then you have no chance at surviving out in the real world.¡±


    ¡°Thanks for the advice.¡±


    I get into a fencing stance. Then soon take slight steps toward Steve. I thrust forward toward his body. Steve then shifts his body back and deflects my thrust. Using Steve¡¯s momentum I grab the handle with both of my hands. And swing towards his body. Noticing this Steve quickly let¡¯s go of his sword and gets out of the way of my swing.


    ¡°Man you are quite skilled. I have never seen any use a sword like you. You have a fluid motion with your sword and use your opponent¡¯s momentum to aid in your counter. If I was in my prime I would be able to spar with you, but not as I am now. I haven¡¯t been too active in polishing my technique since I quit being a mercenary. How about I just see what you can do. Instead of sparing how about you just show me your forms and practice against the pole there for now. If you need any adjustments I¡¯ll try to give you advice.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry Steve. It has been awhile since I¡¯ve spared with anyone and I got a little excited.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s good that you are capable. Your dream will only come sooner.¡±


    I then start to practice on the pole.


    I start to think of the past and remember that I used to spar a lot with different teachers. They said I was naturally gifted and weapons, but my parents never saw or acknowledge me for it. It is nice to know that I still have the gift for it after dying. Now that I think of it my body seems to be in really good condition. My body actually feels like it has more energy here. Who knows maybe it is the magic in this world. Think of that much. Maybe with magic I will be able to exceed my past self. I¡¯ll ask Steve if he knows any magic tomorrow.


    I saw Steve watching me, but it didn¡¯t look like I needed any adjustments. He looked more amazed than anything. Doing these exercise though I can feel my body start to tense up a bit. I wonder how long he wants me to practice for.


    ¡°Hey Nick your pretty dam good. I was wondering, could you teach me some of your moves? Your technique seems to be dam good and if we sparred more I don¡¯t¡¯ think I would have been your match even if I was in my prime.¡±


    ¡°Sure Steve lets spar then. I¡¯ll go easier and try to teach you.¡±


    In the end I guess our roles got reversed.

 A talk

    I woke up earlier than yesterday. I¡¯m hoping that I can have a talk with Steve before we do anything else. Yesterday, I didn¡¯t have a chance to talk with Steve about magic. He was too busy asking me questions on how I executed my stances and how I changed forms so easily. I told him that he was just way too stiff and his muscles aren¡¯t moving the way they should. It¡¯s kind of hard for me to understand why his body is so stiff. He was born in this world, while I wasn¡¯t, but even I can move even more freely than I could in my last world.


    Oh well, hopefully he gets the hang of my technique¡¯s. I don¡¯t want to be stuck in this village for too long if I can¡¯t learn anything new. Well it¡¯s not all bad though; because he promised me food for teaching him.


    I finally arrive at the door and start knocking.


    ¡°Who is it?¡± a feminine voice from inside asks.


    ¡°It¡¯s me Nick.¡± I reply.


    ¡°Oh, come in Nick.¡± answers the voice.


    ¡°Hi Stacy. Is Steve around?¡± I respond to Stacy. Stacy is Steve¡¯s wife.


    ¡°I¡¯ll go get him. Have a seat while I make breakfast.¡± Answers Stacy.


    I take a seat at the table and start to look around. The kitchen isn¡¯t all that big. I just see one table and four chairs with everything being made out of wood and looks rather plain compared to what I would consider even basic from my last world.


    I wonder if they must have to cook and wash outside. Man now that I think about it I haven¡¯t washed my body since I died. I¡¯m going to have to suck it up. Damn this primitive world. I can¡¯t wait to be able to use magic.


    ¡°Hello there Nick; is it already time to do some more exercises?¡± eventually Steve enquires.


    ¡°No, but I was wondering if I could ask you some questions.¡± I enquire back to Steve.


    ¡°Sure. With what you are teaching me I¡¯ll try to help you as best I can.¡± Steve replies.


    ¡°I was wondering do you by chance know anything about magic or have any books around.¡± I quickly ask.


    ¡°I do know a little about magic, but not much. It is hard to learn both the sword and magic, so I stuck with the sword. It is easier to learn and I had a sturdy body. I just made the best choice for me. I know a bit because my sister chose to be a magician, but I don¡¯t know much beyond that. I have a couple of books; but I don¡¯t know if they are what you are looking for. They are just some children¡¯s stories.¡± informed Steve.This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.


    ¡°Anything is fine. I never got to learn about magic. I heard that people can use magic, but that was about it. I never got to learn anything about how to use it or even why people can use magic. Any book is fine too.¡± I said.


    If he doesn¡¯t have any relevant books it should be fine. Wait hopefully I can even read their writing as I can understand them.


    ¡°OK. Stacy please fetch one of the children¡¯s books for Nick. Ok, well magic, being basics of magic isn¡¯t too hard. The hardest thing to it is the application of it. Just about anybody can learn magic, but whether you can use it well enough is a whole other story. For me I can make a ball of light and that is just about it. Here let me see if I can still do it. First you close your eyes. Now you have to try and feel the essence around you. When you start to feel it; try to pull it in with your mind into your hand like this.¡± Informed Steve.


    I soon see a light being emitted from his hand, but it soon fades away afterwards.


    ¡°That¡¯s just about all I can do with magic. The white light is a pure sign of magic. Afterwards people go to school and learn how to change the essence of it into different things. I don¡¯t know how to do it, but that is the basics of magic.¡± finished Steve.


    I wonder if I can do it too. I try to close my eyes, but I can already feel a substance all around my body. Is this the essence he was talking about? Well I try to pull it into my hand. I open my eyes and see a flicker of light come out of my hand.


    ¡°Wow! Nick you¡¯re gifted at magic too?¡± said a wondered Steve.


    I guess this feeling I have been feeling all this time is the essence he was talking about, but I¡¯ve been feeling it in my body too. Not just around me. I wonder if that is a good thing.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t know. This is the first time I¡¯m trying it.¡± I said.


    ¡°Hey I just remembered; the people at last house at the end. They know some magic. Who knows how much they really know because they never come out, but they know more than I do. We can try asking them tomorrow if you¡¯d like.¡± Steve thoughtfully mentioned.


    ¡°That would be great.¡± I said with enthusiasm.


    ¡°Here is the book hun.¡± Said Stacy has she came back into the room.


    ¡°Thank you love. OK. Nick here is the book.¡± Said Steve handing it from Stacy to me.


    I took the book and looked at it. I couldn¡¯t understand any bit of it. It looked like chicken scratch to me, or child still learning how to write. Damn it all. I guess I¡¯ll have to learn their alphabet and style of writing. I handed the book back to Steve and said:


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry Steve, I don¡¯t actually need it. It was just my first time seeing a book. My family didn¡¯t have too much money and I wanted to see what a book liked like. I¡¯m actually sorry, but I was wondering can you teach me how to read?¡±


    ¡°Of course. I¡¯m sure that won¡¯t be a problem. My wife teaches the kids in this village; a bit what she knows. You can learn from her this afternoon.¡± Steve informed me.


    I guess my schedule is just getting more and more full. First is sword training and after it is learning their written language and alphabet. At least this world is interesting and I won¡¯t get bored quickly.