《One More Time!》


 Chapter 1: Death is The Same

    "Huh? What the fuck?" As I came to, that was the first thing I heard. I found myself lying on the cold hard ground in what seemed to be a dimly lit cave.


    I turned my head towards the voice. There were five men sitting by a table looking as confused as I was feeling. Before I managed to utter a word, they grabbed some knives and swords, and jumped up. "Who the fuck are you?" One of the men yelled.


    They were looking at me warily with their weapons pointed at the ready. One of the men whispered to another "Ya think he''s some kind of wizard? He just popped out of nowhere."


    As a sensible person who had never been in a physical confrontation in his life, I did what anyone else would have done. I ran like hell.


    Their footsteps followed quickly behind me. One of them yelled "Hey, stop!"


    Is he dumb? Who the hell would stop in a situation like this!


    My heart was beating so loudly it felt like it had switched places with my brain. It was at this moment I truly regretted never keeping to my new year''s resolutions of starting a new and healthier life. Noodles and pizza don''t do much good for fitness apperantly.


    Unsurprisingly I could hear them getting closer. Before they managed to catch up, I fell flat on my face. At first unable to understand why, I soon did. Pain. A sharp shooting pain through my leg. It hurt worse than that time I stubbed my toe or when I stepped on those legos.


    Looking down I saw an arrow pierced straigth through my calf. It was throbbing, and with every throb it brought more pain. I let out a scream along with curse words I didn''t even understand myself.


    The five men chasing me caught up. Standing directly above me pointing their weapons at me, one of them spoke. "Now listen up you little shit, you''re going to tell us exactly who you are, how you found this place, and if there''s any more of you."


    Too bad for him, but I wasn''t listening at all. The fear and panic had grabbed ahold of me long ago. The beating of my heart and throbbing of my leg trumped any words he could speak. Pretty certain I pissed myself at some point too, how shameful.


    Looking down at my foot I thought of the countless hours I could have spent to become a professional football player, which I never did, and now never will be able to. I could take up golf instead, but who the fuck cares about golf. Who has ever uttered the phrase "Wow, that golf person is really cool." No one, thats fucking who.Love what you''re reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on.


    While I was lost in a world of pain induced fantasies, the man kept yelling at me. "Are you listening, you little piece of-


    "Uhhh, Derrick, you''re getting piss on your shoes" was the sentence that put a stop to the yelling.


    The first hit knocked the air out of me, snapping me back to reality. "You little motherfucker, I''ll teach you to piss at someone!" The kicks kept coming and coming, and lets not forget the stomps. My bones were creaking and cracking with every hit.


    I tried to speak, but I couldn''t get a word out. In the end it was one of the other men who stopped it. "Derrick, calm down, he''ll die at this rate. Why do you even care? I''ve seen you piss yourself more than once during one of your famous drunken escapades."


    "Shut the fuck up, Niles, or you''ll be next! Fuck this, I''m going. Take care of this mess yourself if you''re so great." The man called Derrick stomped off into the distance. How childish.


    Niles let out a sigh and looked at the other people around "Such a temper. Well, what should we do about this this guy? I don''t think he''ll last much longer" At this point, I was lying crippled on the floor in a pool of piss and blood, wheezing like a hundred year old chain smoking alcoholic.


    Searching deep within myself I managed to find the willpower to force out the 2 most important words in any survival situation. Through my cracked teeth and bleeding lips I uttered. "Help me." I am certain they would have done so, if I didn''t cough blood in the face of the man called Niles while speaking. I should really get that checked, because blood is supposed to be kept on the inside I hear.


    Niles let out another sigh and wiped his face. "I''m sorry, I don''t know who you are or where you came from, all I can do is make this as painless as possible. I hope you end up in a better place than this one, so just close your eyes and pretend it''s all a bad dream." As his words ended, I felt something cold and hard being inserted into my chest.


    At least the painless part was true. Along with all the blood leaving my body, so did the pain. My vision blurred, and I thought about about my life. There were ups and downs, well mostly downs... You know what, let''s not think about my life after all.


    Dying isn''t half-bad, it felt weirdly pleasant and cozy. All I could do was hope that he was right; that I was going to a better place after this. My heart released its last thump and I died.


    "Huh? What the fuck?" As I came to, that was the first thing I heard. I found myself lying on the cold hard ground in what seemed to be a dimly lit cave.


    I turned my head to the voice. There were five men sitting by a table looking as confused as I was feeling. They grabbed some knives and swords and jumped up. "Who the fuck are you?"


    They were looking at me warily with their weapons pointed at the ready. One of the men whispered to another one "Ya think he''s some kind of wizard? He just popped out of nowhere."


    Wait a god damn moment. This isn''t a better place at all, this is the exact same place.

 Chapter 2: Death Might be Bad

    My mind was racing a thousand miles an hour. Is this the rebirth thing they talked about in buddhism? I was guessing I would end up as a catarpillar, or maybe a squirrel in my second life, but this is even better!


    I must have built up a lot of good karma. Like that time I gave to charity, because that lady came knocking at my door telling me to. Or the time I gave my shopping bag filled with goodies, to that crazy homeless guy that grabbed ahold of my leg, and started biting. And the time when... I... yeah, when I did that other stuff. I''m a great person.


    With the questions of the universe unraveling before me, I returned back to reality. Wow, when did they get so close. The guy called Derrick, I think, was yelling. "This is the last time I''ll ask, who the fuck are you?!"


    I''m a sensible guy, and seeing as running didn''t work, I did the second most sensible thing. I fell to my knees. "Oh my god, please don''t kill me. Please, I have a sick mother at home that needs tending, along with my dying wife, and 5 children. Please don''t hurt me in a any way. If I''m hurt, I can''t keep running my tripple shifts to buy medcine and feed them. I won''t tell anyone, I promise. I didn''t see anything. Actually, I''m blind, yes, I''m blind, I can''t see anything, where am I?"


    I was trying to reason with them. Tears were flowing down my face like a river and my hands were folded in prayer. This was of course, all an act. Some might say it looked too real to be fake, but that is why I''ll be reciving an oscar and not them. Using the special technique called method acting, I put myself into the shoes of a pathetic loser who is afraid of pain, and is surrounded by 5 men with sharp weaponry.


    Sadly, these people do not enjoy the finer arts in life, as I promptly got a foot planted directly in my face. I heard a sickening crack from my nose and the blood immediately started pouring. The floor was littered with a decent amount of my teeth. On the bright side, I''ll save some money on dentist bills from now on.


    I held my face with my hand and looked up at the man who kicked me. It was the guy named Derrick. "Don''t you ever shut the fuck up? You''re lucky I don''t just cut you fucking tongue out. I''ll ask you one last time, who are you?"


    What do I say? What can I say to make him less want to hurt me? Should I tell the truth? Would they even believe me? Of course not, they would think I''m crazy. Wait, I think I''m having a flashback, I hope it''s something good.Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.


    They were looking at me warily with their weapons pointed at the ready. One of the men whispered to another one. "Ya think he''s some kind of wizard? He just popped out of nowhere."


    Of course! Wizards. Wizards can do anything. But wizards are a bunch of old guys with grey beards, right? I''m a young strapping man, I''m not sure they would fall for it.


    Why are all wizards old anyway? and why do they have beards? I guess the age thing could be related to experience, experiments and such, but would''t just writing some books, and passing them down solve that problem? The beard thing I don''t have an explanation for. Not all men are prone to growing long lush beards after all. Maybe having the ability to grow a nice beard is a prerequisite to becoming a wizard?


    With yet another one of the world''s mysteries disolving right before my eyes, I was left with the most important questions of all. Should I call myself Merlin or Gandalf? Going through the pros and cons of each at a speed of which a quantum computer would be jealous of, I ended up with Merlin.


    It''s all about the feel huh. If you say the name Gandalf, you immediately think of the classic bearded old man with a wizard hat and staff, but the name Merlin is more subtle. It''s a name that could make people go. "Yeah, I can believe that man is a young beardless wizard."


    Finally finishing up my dastartly calculations, I prepared to speak "I am-" I got slapped straigth across my face, blowing my head sideways.


    I felt the tears welling up on my eyes. Stop, don''t let them see you cry, baby boy. Don''t show them those tears.


    Fighting back the liquid pooling in my eyes, I turned back and spoke again. "I am Merlin, the grand wizard of-" Of what? What am I the grand wizard of? This was never part of the plan! Hurry, just make something up. "Wizardio."


    Really? REALLY? Is that the best I can come up with? Fucking ''Wizardio'', are you kidding me? Damn, it''s too late now. Just roll with it. "You will release me this instant, or I will turn you all to cind-" Another slap landed on my face. At least he had the courtesy of not hitting my right side twice.


    Derrick spoke "What the fuck is wrong with you? You sit there mumbling to yourself before spouting nonsense about being a wizard. Were you dropped on your head as child or something? I can''t deal with this. Elric take care of this shit and find somewhere to dump him"


    I got up as fast as I could and tried to run. I say try, because the second I got up and turned my back, a man who I assume to be Elric, slashed down with a sword and I promptly fell down. It was a deep wound. I tried getting back up, but the pain were like chains, keeping me stuck to the ground.


    What does a person think about the second time they die? Nothing much really. I just hope I become a catapillar this time. The sword descended once again severing my head from my body.


    "Huh? What the fuck?" As I came to, that was the first thing I heard. I found myself lying on the cold hard ground of what seemed to be a dimly lit cave.


    I must really have a lot of good karma, huh. Or is it bad karma? I don''t see anything good about this.

 Chapter 3: Death is A Part of Life

    I closed my eyes. It was time to enact plan: ''Pretend You''re Not There'', or ''PYNT'' for short.


    The rustle of weapons rang out, and someone spoke. "Hey! Who the fuck are you?"


    Trying to trick me I see, but too bad, I won''t fall for it. Because I''m not here. Act like air, think like air, be air. Air can''t answer so neither can I.


    Someone whispered. "Is he dead?"


    To which someone responded. "How the hell should I know."


    The person who I assume was Derrick, raised his voice. "Last chance. Get up now or die where you lay."


    Nice try, Derrick, but you can''t catch this old fox. I know all your tricks, and I won''t fall for them.


    I heard Derrick whispering "Hey, Ian. Go check if he''s breathing."


    "No way, go check yourself."


    "Go check or you''ll be standing watch for an entire week."


    "Fine, fine! Just back me up if something happens."


    I could hear Ian closing in on nothing, because I am nothing, and nothing is there, therfore nothing is nowhere.


    His shuffling feet got closer and closer.


    I''m not here. I''m not here. I''m not here. I''m not here, go away. I''m not here, go away. I''m not here, go away! Okay, fine, I''m here.


    It seemed like Ian was about to speak, but got startled by my cheetah like reflexes. I sprang up and sprinted away, causing him to fall on his butt.


    ''Don''t think, and just run'' I thought to myself, which made me think even harder. I ran in a zig zag pattern, to make sure I didn''t get any boo boos on my leg again.The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.


    I could hear them running behind me, way further back this time. Seems like they got a real scare when nothing became something, and it ran away.


    As I ran along, I could finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. Or rather the cave, and there was no light, because it was dark.


    W-what is this feeling? Is this what they call hope? A hope for a new and better tomorrow? The hope of a new dawn?


    As hope filled my entire being, I felt something fly straight by my ear. Cold sweat drenched my back. That was an arrow wasn''t it?


    Focus! Keep your head in the game, or rather, keep your head down.


    Derrick yelling made me look backwards. "Sherman stop him! Sherman!"


    As I turned my head forwards, I could see a man blocking the exit with a big sword. Then I could see my own body from high above, as it ran along for another 2 steps before falling limp to the ground, headless.


    "Huh? What the fuck?" As I came to, that was the first thing I heard. I found myself lying on the cold hard ground in what seemed to be a dimly lit cave.


    I muttered with tears pouring down my face. "Sherman, you fucking asshole."


    After that, I lost count of how many times I died. It didn''t even hurt that much anymore. After getting beheaded, mutilated, and beaten to death a couple of times, it just becomes a part of your life, or death in this case. Like eating breakfast, or brushing your teeth.


    I even ended up learning the names of the the last two men, they are named Bran and Jordy. I don''t know much about them, they don''t talk much. Honestly, I wouldn''t be surpised if they were named henchman #1, and henchman #2.


    I feel like I''ve really gotten to know the rest of the boys. We have Derrick, the piece of shit, who seems to be the top dog. Elric the beheader, who likes to chop my head off. Sherman, the guardian, destroyer of hope. Ian, the wuss, who''s real fun to spook. He''s also pretty good with a bow. And last but not least, Niles, the nice one.


    Niles is a real good guy. He always makes it quick and painless, and tells me comforting words before ending my life. I''m pretty sure we could have been friends in another situation. We could have gone fishing or something.


    Like I said, I''ve tried most of the things I could think of to escape my current predicament, and none have worked very well so far. The time I pretended to be a mind reader, and told them their names, and what they would say next, was a fun one. It gave them a real shock.


    In the end, all I''m left with is my final option. It''s really simple actually.


    Murder.


    I just have to kill them all.


    I''ve never killed anyone before. The closest I''ve gotten is when I pushed someone down the stairs. It was an accident, I swear. Hitting them with something sharp should do the trick. It works fine on me after all.


    Anyway, let''s get this show on the road. I spoke to the man who was currently hoisting a sword above his head, standing over me. "Okay, Elric, I''m ready. Let ''er rip!"

 Chapter 4: Death is Killing

    "Huh? What the fuck?" As I came to, that was the first thing I heard. I found myself lying on the cold, hard ground in what seemed to be a dimly lit cave.


    I stetched my right hand out and grabbed the sharp rock nearby, and jumped up. The rock flew from my hand. A clack rang out when It sailed straigth into the Ian''s face, and more specifically, his eye.


    "Ahh!" Ian let out a howl of pain.


    Archer down. I sprinted forwards, bent down and firmly placed a new rock in my hand. I could hear Derrick yelling. "Kill him!"


    The andrenaline pulsing through my veins made it feel like the whole world slowed down. Elric ran towards me. When he got close, he used a downwards swing, just like I assumed he would. Doing a simple sidestep, I dodged to the side, and slammed the rock into his nuts with all my might.


    He grabbed his crotch as he fell down on his knees, and vomited. I grabbed his fallen sword. It was heavier than I thought.


    The sword cleaved into his neck. He placed his hands on his neck to stop the bleeding, or maybe simply because of the pain. It was a futile effort either way, as it was halfway severed.


    Bran and Jordy had gotten close. Bran was the first one to strike. By stepping backwards, I barely avoided the sideways slash that came at me. The reach of my longer sword made it possible for me to swing downwards, and split his skull in half.


    At the exact moment of Bran''s death, I heard someone yell. "Go to hell!" Jordy pierced his sword straigth through my stomach.


    I fell backwards, coughing up blood. Jordy pulled the sword out, and prepared for the finishing blow. I lifted my sword, and impaled him through the chest before he got the chance to strike. Shock and horror filled his eyes as he stepped back.


    Crawling back on my feet, I could feel the liquid spilling from my body drench my clothes. After everything I had been through, what was a little flesh wound like this.


    Jordy was in too much distress to fight back. Seperating his head from his body was an easy task.


    I scanned my eyes across the remaining three. Ian was still holding his face and screaming. Derrick looked pissed, and was charging straight my way wielding a sword. Niles followed closely behind him with a pair of daggers.


    Derrick would be easy to deal with. He was an incredibly simple man. The one who I had to look out for was Niles. Those cold and ruthless eyes didn''t even look like they belonged to a man.This novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there.


    It was time to rile Derrick up. "Come on, Derrick, you fucking piece of shit. Your cock is so small you could use it to floss teeth."


    It worked. Even if he didn''t scream. "You motherfucker!" It was easy to see his anger through the bulging vein on his forehead.


    He was upon me, and released a wild swing. It was full of power, but lacked accuracy. It did nothing more than slice my eye open when I dodged to the side. I returned in kin, and sent my sword towards him. A clang rang out as he blocked the blow. He had more skill than I anticipated.


    A dagger came rushing out from behind him. There was no time to move. It plunged into my chest. Coughing up blood, I jumped backwards as fast as I could.


    Derrick stared at me with deep animosity. "Burn in hell, you little shit." He put his feet in motion and charged forwards with his sword raised high.


    I didn''t even realize it myself, but a smirk slowly crawled unto my face. "Come with me." The sword flew from my hand and hurled towards him.


    Panic filled his eyes as he tried to dodge out of the way. It was no use. The throw had been too sudden, and the sword jammed itself into his chest. The blow put him on his back. His squirming and struggling only lasted for a few seconds before he stopped moving entirely.


    There was no time to enjoy the victory. A pair of daggers planted themselves into my throat. A thump sounded as I hit the floor, gurgling, and drowning in my own blood.


    Feeling the warm liquid spread out beneath me, all I could think of was. "I''ll make it next time." The last thing I saw were Niles'' cold eyes staring down on me.


    As I came to, I found myself lying on the cold hard ground in complete darkness.


    Bewildered at first, I soon managed to calm down. Guess I finally died for real, huh. Not that I''m surprised, I did kill people after all. Why would whoever''s in charge let me stay alive to try again.


    It''s weird. I should feel sad, but I don''t. I didn''t even feel a thing when I killed those people. Rather, it was pleasant in an odd way. The focus, the clarity. It was like I could truly see the world for the first time.


    But now it''s all over. It''s not really what I expected death to be like. I mean, is this it? An eternity in complete darkness with only myself to keep me company? As an added, cruel joke I even kept my sense of touch... Wait a minute.


    This feels oddly familiar. I stretched my hand out to my right. Sharp rock... I''m not dead am I. This is the exact same place I always woke up. But where are my new friends? I got up slowly. There were no sounds, or any movement. Not that the dark would allow me to see any even if there was.


    I spoke. "Hello? Derrick? Niles? Henchman #1?"


    No one answered. Being here all alone was kinda spooky. I started walking. And then I stopped because a wall jumped into my face. And then I started walking again, with my hands stretched out this time.


    After following the wall for a while I saw an exit. Not just walking straight outside, I stopped in front of it. "Sherman, you out there, buddy?" There was no response. I carefully snuck out the cave opening.


    Bright shining stars along two moons were overhead, giving light to the dark night. I just stood there and looked at the sky. I didn''t even care that there was an extra moon.


    Tears fell from my eyes. I was free.


    Not only was I free, but I think I might have gone crazy as well. A message had suddenly appeared in front of me.


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