《That Journey of mine》


 That wandered knight

    "Huh,"


    "so this is how it all ends....?!"


    "my Journey''s climax.....(smiled)"


    A land filled of dry bushes and broken branches and...


    "Blood...."


    "I am losing a lot of blood and ...i can''t feel my left side.....ugh! "


    The soldier, a broken figure, lay amidst the charred wreckage. His left side, a horrific wound, was a stark reminder of the battle''s brutality. His eyes, once filled with pride and purpose, now dimmed, losing their light. His mind, once sharp and clear, was now clouded by pain, each thought a tormenting echo.


    Unable to move his body, he gave up on the thought of surviving. But....


    "move you stupid body of mine....!"


    He dragged his battered body along the ground, using only a single, bleeding hand for support. Finally, he leaned against a jagged boulder, its rough surface holding him upright.


    "Aw... shit! My lucky toe is gone," he chuckled,


    a strange glimmer of humor lighting his weary eyes. The absurdity of it made him laugh, the sound raspy and defiant against the grim reality of his condition.


    Even in this moment, with death looming, he found a way to make himself chuckle at the ridiculousness of it all.


    ¡ºBOOOOMMM!!¡»


    A large crackling sound attracted his attention and returned his sanity for a bit.


    "AHHHHH!"


    "Help! Please!"


    "Get down!"


    "NO!"


    He turned his sight towards the battlefield he was a part of.


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    The sight of his surrounding is now as clear as day to him. The sound of bullets and airstrikes which feels like raging thunderstorm is now audible to him. The body which was losing it''s hot blood and was turning cold and pale senses the heat of destruction again.


    ¡¸Uff.... just get done already you dumb comrades.¡¹ He muttered and closes his eyes as if going to sleep. But focusing on his now sensitive ears.


    The air crackled with explosions, punctuated by the haunting cries of pain and terror.


    "Medic!"


    "Run!"


    "God, no!"


    Each scream of falling soldier brings a desperate plea, echoing across the chaos of the battlefield.


    <After few minutes of this boom bababbam>


    The once echoing battleground suddenly fell into a haunting silence. In that stillness, a hurtful smile crept across his face, as if he were ready to open his eyes and embrace whatever fate awaited him. He savored these precious moments of peace.


    But then,


    the silence shattered.


    **"Screeeeeeeeeeeeechhhhhhhhhhhh...!!!"**


    The sound clawed at his brain, tearing through the quiet and piercing his heart. It was a familiar, agonizing wail¡ªthe metallic beast slicing through the air,


    its presence a harbinger of doom.


    It ripped through the clouds, a monstrous shape defying gravity, carrying with it the weight of destruction. The roar echoed in his mind, a reminder of chaos lurking just beyond the horizon, ready to unleash its wrath upon the world below. In that moment, the calm was gone, replaced by the relentless specter of violence.


    That sound, which stole his last flicker of hope for victory and survival, grew closer and closer.


    "Zapppp!"


    It passed overhead in the blink of an eye, leaving a deafening silence in its wake. Even on this bright sunny day, a flash erupted in the sky, an ominous beacon of destruction.


    "A fu*k*ng airstrike?!" he gasped, disbelief washing over him. "Are you serious?!!"


    Panic surged through him as he realized the gravity of the situation, the impending doom looming larger than life. The weight of despair settled heavily on his chest, each breath a reminder of the chaos that was about to unfold.


    ¡¸They say when you''re about to die. The time kind of slows down . It gives you a quick flashback of your whole life. Some wonderful moments, some haunting experience,reminder of your mistakes and big achievements and ofcourse.... ¡¹


    "Guilt" [mutters but it echoes in his heart]


    ¡¸We the first line of defence was supposed to guard a post which is the potential point of invasion for my country. A team composed of only veterans which is supposed to be unbeatable and ever victorious was guarding this yard¡¹


    ¡¸But..... we failed so miserably.¡¹


    "hey Motherland, my homeland,


    As I stand at the edge of death,


    I who failed in your defence and let the enemy in your pure lands.


    As I march into your Embrace for eternal sleep I beg for your forgiveness,"


    A single tear falls from his eye, a look of self-loathing etched across his face as he displays his loyalty to his motherland.


    "I am still a sore loser huh..! "


    ¡¸I don''t want to die yet though¡¹ - he wished in his heart.


    ¡ºThe airstrike, descending upon the already burning land, finally made contact with the ground. It seemed to slow in its descent, as if granting a son a final moment to bid farewell¡ªor perhaps to instill even deeper fear and terror in those awaiting their end, souls already broken and resigned to their fate....¡»


    "If it is my fate then...so be it" A broken figure swallowed by flames. Turns in dust**..


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    "Oh my little lost knight. You''re not the one to be bound by fate as you''re the fate of my world.


    Oh the hero of a peaceful world or should i call you **ll#%+n &**h*? wo€¡ê$?*.


    May you be the one who redeems your own guilt or be the reason of others misery and resentment.


    As this is your own.... "That Journey of Mine""


    "Welcome to the land of ''URVI''"

 Prologue

    ¡¸''Is this a dream?¡¹ He tried to ask himself


    But no sound left his lips. He couldn''t even twitch his mouth.


    A bluish glow emanated from his form as he floated in a vast, endless void of blackness, utterly without anchor.


    He had only just come to his senses, but when he opened his eyes, all he saw was darkness. It wasn¡¯t the kind of darkness where light was merely absent¡ªthis was an oppressive, consuming nothingness. Though the space was somehow bright, there was nothing to illuminate: no land, no sky, no air, no sound. Just an endless, empty expanse.


    Anyone trapped here long enough would surely lose their mind. But he felt no fear. Not just fear¡ªhe felt no amazement, surprise, confusion, or anything at all. His emotions were absent, as if they''d never existed. Was it because he was...


    ¡¸Am I... dead?¡¹ he wondered, a flicker of something close to confusion surfacing in his mind."


    "...?!"


    ¡º"Who the f*ck are you, b**ch?!" he snapped, his voice echoing in the void as he questioned the strange presence in his mind, the one that seemed to be speaking his every thought. Annoyed, he began cursing, rage building inside him.¡»


    ¡º"Oi, do you want to die?!" he shouted, his anger flaring. In a desperate burst of fury, he tried to swing his fists, to leap at the unseen voice, to do anything to silence it.¡»


    ¡ºBut he couldn¡¯t.¡»


    ¡º"Why?!" he demanded, confused. He had meant to punch, to move, to lash out, but somehow the voice had known he would¡ªand had stopped him.¡»


    ¡ºThe reason was painfully clear. He had no fists. No arms. Not even shoulders to connect them to. No chest, no body. Nothing.¡»


    ¡ºBecause he was...¡»


    ¡ºDEAD.¡»


    ¡º"WTF?!" he shouted, his voice trembling in the silence.¡»


    ¡ºBut he didn¡¯t feel too surprised. Somehow, he¡¯d already sensed it. Besides, emotions seemed dulled, as if drained from him entirely, making this realization almost... easy to accept.¡»


    ¡º"So I¡¯m dead, huh?" he said to himself, almost amuse faint, existent smile tugged at his nonexistent face. For a moment, he felt a strange relief.¡»


    "So I really am dead..." he repeated, this time feeling a pang of something close to sorrow. The urge to cry surged up, heavy and relentless, but no tears came. The weight pressed on his chest¡ªor where his chest should have been¡ªan unbearable, invisible burden.


    "Oi, aren''t you making it a bit overdramatic?" he shot back at the voice, the irritation flaring up again. "I didn¡¯t felt that much." He said.¡»


    He felt a surge of frustration but quickly let it subside. There was no point in arguing with this voice¡ªit was a waste of time. He realized that he couldn¡¯t even muster the energy to keep resisting.


    Fine, he thought. If this voice wanted to narrate his every move, he¡¯d just let it be. He¡¯d consider it a part of himself, a surrogate for his own thoughts, since he couldn¡¯t quite think or speak the way he used to.


    With a resigned sigh¡ªor at least the feeling of one¡ªhe sank deeper into the emptiness, letting the voice continue.


    "So, since I have no idea where I''m going or what comes next... might as well give myself a quick flashback," he thought, almost amused by the irony of recounting his life after it had ended.


    "Hi. My name was Deva Ram Dharma. I was a highly decorated and dedicated soldier, one of the best in my country¡¯s ranks. And yeah... currently, I am...


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    His mind drifted back to his childhood, a memory that felt both familiar and distant. "I grew up like any other kid on the streets, in a middle-class family. I was the second child, with an older brother and a younger sister. And, of course..."


    "Mom..."


    A faint, fleeting emotion surfaced, flickering on his non-existent face, an ache he hadn''t expected.


    "I never knew my father. I never actually saw him. But Mom used to tell me stories about him. She said he was tall, strong, always smiling¡ªthe kind of man who could make people feel safe just by being there. That''s why she fell in love with him. But he was a soldier, too. The day my sister was born, he got his orders to go to war... and he never came back."


    "Yeah, sounds like one of those cliche, tragic stories, right? But that¡¯s how it was. Mom raised us alone, and I could tell she loved him deeply, even though he was gone."


    He paused, as if remembering.


    "Maybe that¡¯s why she wanted me to join the military. Or maybe it was just something I was destined for."


    "I took to the battlefield like it was in my blood. I gave everything to the job¡ªfought and fought, killed and killed. I got shot, stabbed, slashed, bombed, and one idiot even tried to throw me out of a plane. But somehow, I survived it all."


    "That¡¯s how I became a veteran. A survivor of countless battles." He felt a sense of pride over his achivement .


    "And then... a new assignment came, a notice that would be my last, the one that would end my life."


    "A piece of paper which was supposed to be my letter of summon has later turned out to be my warrent of Death."


    Floating in that inky abyss,


    I found myself drifting through memories, bound to my past as if it was haunting me.


    That hollow, pseudo-feeling of loss and regret echoed through me¡ªa pain that wasn¡¯t real but still seared.


    ¡¸I didn¡¯t want to accept the truth that I was dead. I couldn¡¯t bear knowing I¡¯d lost everything, that I would never again see those I loved, never again walk the familiar streets where I¡¯d spent my life. I regret it¡ªthat there was so much more I could have done, so much more I could have made...¡¹


    Caught up in these thoughts, I lost all sense of time....... Then again, there was no time here¡ª


    ¡¸No day, no night.¡¹


    I couldn¡¯t tell how long I¡¯d been drifting, but finally, I reached a place that felt solid, like land. It was the only part of this void that appeared vivid, perfectly illuminated, as though it was my final destination. As I floated closer, I sensed a sense of attraction, so I braced myself, using what was left of my form, and landed on my feet.


    The moment my feet touched the ground, the vast blackness around me contracted, shrinking to the size of a cave''s entrance, while a new world unfolded before me¡ªa world both beautiful and terrifying.


    I stood on the shore of a sea¡ªa sea of blood and bones. Its surface rippled with a red, warm glow, disturbingly beautiful, like any sea I¡¯d seen in life. The sky overhead was turbulent, with clouds that looked like flames, casting a ghostly light on everything below. The sand underfoot was pale as chalk, and the stones scattered along the shore were unmistakably bones.


    The air was thick with the stench of decay and rotting flesh, yet, in this unsettling place, everything felt strangely captivating.


    After taking in the dark beauty of this landscape, I felt my awareness sharpening, my thoughts coming back into focus. My senses, dulled before, returned in full force, and my form, once sluggish and distant, felt under my control again. It was as though my soul had finally reconnected with my body.


    At that very moment, a horrific chorus filled the air¡ªa symphony of crying and pleading so fierce it was like thousands of thunderclaps or the sky itself tearing apart.


    But in the midst of my confusion and curiosity, I found a flicker of hope.


    Maybe there are others like me here, others who can answer my questions, maybe even help me. Maybe...


    Without hesitation, I began to run, following the direction of the cries. I sprinted toward the shore, where the sea loomed ominously, its ghastly waves lapping close. As I neared the edge, a form appeared on the shore, faintly resembling my own.


    ¡¸There are people here... dozens of them? But no¡ªhundreds¡­ thousands¡­ no, billions?!¡¹


    The closer I got, the higher the count rose. The sight unfolding before me drained every ounce of strength from my legs, bringing my sprint to an abrupt halt.


    I was frozen, paralyzed by the indescribable horror in front of me, witnessing a scene that no words could ever capture¡ªa vision of hell, displayed before my very eyes.


    I the fearless soldier, the seasoned warrior who had stood unbroken through decades of war, who had cut down enemies without hesitation, who had once been called the very embodiment of death on the battlefield¡ªthis was who I was. I had survived where countless others had fallen, faced horrors that would have shattered lesser men. I was the one they feared, the one they called upon to end battles, the relentless, unyielding force that knew no weakness.


    ¡¸I am... scared...¡¹


    The only sound that escaped me was the hollow whisper of a broken soul.


    Before me stretched a horrific procession: billions of souls plunging into the crimson sea, moving forward as if compelled, striving toward a distant shore, barely visible through a thick veil of fog.


    The sight stirred something deep within me, bringing to mind stories from my childhood.


    A desolate land, bordered by a river filled with torments, leading to a realm that seemed like heaven itself.


    ¡¸This... this is just like the Vaitarni River¡¹, I murmured.


    The river of legend¡ªa place where souls waded through suffering, shedding their sins, to emerge cleansed and prepared to enter the endless cycle of reincarnation.


    Note:


    ¡°In Hindu mythology, the Vaitarani River is the river of blood and pus that souls cross after death on their way to Yama''s court or the River of stix in greek mythology ¡±


    ¡­¡­¡­¡­


    ¡¸I should get going too¡¹, I whispered to myself.


    For a long moment, I stood frozen at the shore, watching as endless souls disappeared into the blood-red river. Fear clawed at me, urging me to turn back, to avoid the unknown beyond.


    But a quiet certainty pulled me forward. This was where I belonged.


    With a deep breath, I took a hesitant step, then another, feeling the river¡¯s cold, biting touch as it drew me in. The cries of the souls echoed all around, but I moved forward, surrendering to the pull of the current.


    With each step, my memories, my regrets, even my fear began to drift away, dissolving into the river. Stripped of everything, I was left with a quiet, empty stillness.


    At the far shore, the fog parted, and I came face to face with a presence that drew every part of my being toward it. It was as if I had found the source of all creation, the origin and the end of everything. From this presence, everything seemed to flow into existence, only to return there in the end.


    A radiant light filled the space, a peace vast and all-encompassing, beyond words, beyond form, yet achingly familiar¡ªas though I had always known it. In silent understanding, our gazes met, and every question, every longing, dissolved in that single, timeless moment. I reached out, and as my essence touched him, I felt myself unravel, merging into the boundless whole. I was no longer just Deva Ram Dharma; I was part of something infinite, woven into the eternal cycle, embraced at last by the sacred unity of all things.


    ¡¸Goodbye , me ¡¹,


    he whispered, a final farewell to himself.


    And in that instant, Deva was gone. No sound, no trace¡ªjust a sudden, profound stillness where he had stood. His essence dissolved into the light, as if he¡¯d never existed, leaving only the faintest ripple in the boundless expanse, absorbed into the source and end of all things.

 CH 1: Tiny Paws, Fierce Heart.

    ...


    (Crunch.....)


    ...


    (Riiip-crunch...)


    A muffled, tearing sound disturbed the silence, bouncing off the stone walls of a deep, forsaken dungeon.


    The noise faded,


    (drip... drip... drip)


    Replaced by the steady sound of water falling from above, pooling onto the cold, uneven ground.


    The dungeon stretched out, dark and musty, thick with the smell of rot and damp earth. The air felt heavy, stale, carrying the faint rustle of scurrying insects and the sharp (hissss....!!!!) of unseen reptiles slithering over moss-covered rocks.


    Roots twisted through the stone like tangled veins, gnarled and creeping, while shadows danced along the walls, flickering under cracks of faint sunlight.


    At the center of this grim scene stood a massive, ancient tree, tilted precariously above a colossal corpse sprawled beneath it. Its roots dug deep into the dungeon floor, breaking through the stone as if the tree itself had fought to survive in this place.


    (whfff... shhhh)


    Leaves, brittle and dust-covered, drifted down slowly from its branches, carried by a whisper of wind  that somehow penetrated the dungeon''s depths. Sunlight cut through cracks in the ceiling above, piercing through the canopy of branches, casting a ghostly glow on the ground below.


    (Creak... crackle...)


    The ancient tree groaned under its own weight, sending a cascade of leaves tumbling down, their brittle **(crunch)** filling the silence as they landed on the damp floor.This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.


    Beneath this tree lay the remains of a massive beast¡ªa dragon?, or something like it, now little more than a decaying husk. The once-majestic creature had long since succumbed to the dungeon''s decay, its scales dull and peeling, its flesh sagging in sickly shades of green and gray. The creature''s stomach was swollen and bloated, covered in patches of rotting scales and streaks of dark, congealed blood.


    The walls seemed to close in around it, amplifying every faint sound, from the (scuttle) of small creatures feasting on the remains to the (drip-drip) of moisture seeping from the dungeon ceiling.


    **(Crack... squelch.)**


    The silence shattered again, louder this time, as the dragon''s stomach gave a violent shudder. The skin stretched and split, a jagged tear forming along the belly with a sickening...


    (schrrip...).


    Dark fluid oozed out, thick and foul-smelling, spilling onto the floor in sluggish, heavy drops.


    **(Splurt!)**


    From within the gash, something round and wet tumbled out, landing on the stone with a (thud..).


    It was an unrecognizable, blood-soaked ball of flesh, coated in the dark gore of the corpse around it. It lay there, still for a moment, in a shallow pool of rot and blood.


    After taking some moments


    Then, it began to twitch.


    **(Shrrrip.)**


    A tiny claw pushed through the membrane, tearing a small hole. The claw withdrew, only to return, this time with a determined grip, pulling at the sticky flesh until a small, fur-covered form emerged. It dragged itself free, landing heavily in a nearby puddle with a (splosh....).


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    (Splaassshhhh.....!)


    After taking his comfortable first shower , he jumped out of puddle with energetic swiftness.The cool water washed over the creature''s fur, clearing away the blood and grime to reveal a sleek, dark coat.


    It trembled...


    Shaky and unsteady...


    ¡ªAs it slowly rose to its tiny feet. A faint shaft of sunlight pierced through the branches above, cutting through the dungeon''s gloom to cast a gentle glow on the newborn creature.


    The creature blinked, its large, bright eyes gleaming like Blood-red pearls, reflecting the light with an innocent, almost curious shine.


    ¡¸Greeuu...¡¹


    As it took in its strange new surroundings, it let out a soft, cautious whine, the noise echoing faintly against the stone.


    Its tiny, round ears twitched, alert to every sound¡ªthe distant skittering of insects, the whisper of falling leaves, and the faint rustle of something large moving far off in the dungeon''s depths. With tiny claws, it rubbed the water from its face, revealing an endearing, almost dog-like face. Two long, sharp fangs peeked out from its mouth, glinting in the dim light, giving a hint of something fierce beneath its innocent appearance.


    In the shadows of that cold, rotting dungeon, under the ancient tree and within the remains of a monstrous beast, a new creature had been born¡ªa creature with an old spirit and a warrior''s heart, taking its first breath in a world both beautiful and terrifying.


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    ¡¸Grrr....kuu...¡¹ ~ "what ...the hell is this place?"

 Chapter 2 : Who am i, again?

    ¡¸Ahhhh! It used to be such a warm place¡­¡¹


    ¡°I¡¯m not quite sure where I am......, but that place¡ªit was like my haven. It was like sleeping under an endless, sweet sunshine, a cradle of warmth that wrapped around me completely. I couldn¡¯t move or open my eyes, yet I was at peace, drifting to the gentle rhythm of a constant,Drum sound¡ª


    (thump, thump, thump),


    like a beat of heart. I¡¯d lose myself in that melody, carried along by its quiet hum. My body seemed to thrive on it; I never even had to think of food. Every time hunger started to stir, it vanished, my belly filling up as if by magic.¡±


    ¡¸Ahhhh, those were the days. But now... now it¡¯s cold and damp. The musty air clings, and I haven¡¯t been fed for who knows how long¡­ wuuu.¡¹


    This place, once so safe, is no longer the cozy refuge it used to be. The melody¡¯s gone, that sweet, life-giving bubble I lived in has burst.


    ¡¸And the worst part isn''t that? It was these tiny weird, crawling creatures who keep invading my space¡­¡¹


    *(Scrr...kk...kk...) *a wriggling sound started filling the air.


    ¡¸Awawawa! They¡¯re coming back¡ªagain!¡¹


    These little, slimy, squirming invaders¡­ they¡¯re utterly revolting! I don¡¯t know how else to put it.


    ¡¸What¡¯s so disgusting about them, you ask?¡¹


    ¡¸Everything!!! Their tiny, ugly faces and those monstrous mandibles trying to tear into me. Their slippery bodies ooze some sort of horrible-smelling slime, and the countless legs, writhing all over¡­ ugh, just thinking about them makes me want to *(blurrrrgh)*.¡¹


    But no, I can¡¯t throw up. This was my home, my sanctuary¡­ and, unfortunately, they¡¯re my only food right now.


    (Gulp¡­ slurrrrp.) **"Ugh¡­ it¡¯s so disgusting."**


    "Should I leave and find somewhere better?"


    [Nahhhhh! I can bear this much¡­ yeah, I¡¯ll just take a nice, long nap." Let''s close my eyes, hoping for peace.]


    *Skkk...reeee...ckk...*


    ¡¸What the¡ª? I ¡®just¡¯ ate, you little pests. Give me a break¡¹!


    And yet another reason to despise them.


    ¡¸Alright, you disgusting little freaks. You want a fight? Lemme show you who¡¯s bossss...ss......


    W¡­Wait.... the hell?!¡¹


    I brace myself, feeling a bit of excitement as I prepare for some action. But what no one told me was that in this game, there¡¯s no such thing as fair rules! Who said they could swarm in groups, all attacking at once?


    Isn¡¯t this way too unfair?! I¡¯m all alone, there¡¯s no space to dodge¡­ and how many are there? Twenty? Thirty? Let¡¯s say a hundred so I don¡¯t lose face if things go badly.The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    So began the legendary battle of one brave soul against a supposed hundred wriggling creatures.


    ¡­And ended just as quickly, with a nearly immediate defeat.


    ¡¸No, no, I didn¡¯t lose! It was a tie. Yeah, a tie.¡¹


    They¡¯d ganged up on me, and as we wrestled, the chaos grew until¡ª*kabooom!*¡ªI crashed right through the wall.


    "¡¸Oi, wait¡­!¡¹" *(Bomp!)*


    "¡¸Ouch¡¹!" *(Blomp!)*


    "¡¸Oye¡­o.o.o¡­awwwwch!¡¹" *(blomp¡ªbomp¡ªbummm..)*


    "That hurt¡­"


    I landed hard, my first encounter with the rough, rocky world outside. And of all places, I hit my head.


    But I have to get away before those filthy little pests find me again.


    Now, just to be clear, I¡¯m not scared, and I didn¡¯t lose either. This is what they call a tactical retreat.


    ¡¸If only I had my ar#y fi#?arm&@?#****¡¹


    ¡­Wait. Something just beeped, a strange sound cutting me off. It was like something muted me or erased part of what I said.


    ¡¸Huh?! What¡­ what was that?¡¹


    ¡¸What did I say just now? I was saying¡­ if I had my¡­(?)..something?... what was that again?¡¹


    Ah, whatever. Running away should be my focus right now.


    But i can''t move my limbs. Was I asleep for too long? Or was eating those wriggling worms a huge mistake? Is my body actually paralyzed?


    Well, with my (self-proclaimed) muscular, strong arm, I¡¯ll drag myself out of here.


    Dragging myself through the wreckage of my old home, my vision is clouded by debris. I couldn¡¯t see where I was headed until, suddenly, the ground just disappeared beneath me.


    So i fell.


    ¡¸Ahh, this one¡¯s going to hurt.¡¹


    *Splashhhh!* I plunge into water.


    But I can¡¯t even tell if I know how to swim. Luckily, it was shallow, just deep enough to roll out of. For the first time, my eyes open, clearing away all that gunk. My body, which felt tied up and stiff, finally feels free.


    ¡¸¡­It was just a muddy puddle?¡¹, I realize, disappointed as I glance back at the murky water.


    Then, a single leaf flutters across my field of vision, catching my attention. As I follow its path, I finally see the world around me.


    I¡¯m mesmerized. Before me, a massive green tree stretches like a canopy, its branches reaching out like sheltering arms. Through a crack in what looks like a cavernous ceiling, a single beam of sunlight shines down, illuminating the dim, damp cave like a secret, enchanted realm. The air smells humid and musty, yet to me, it feels as if magic itself is unfolding before my eyes.


    This scene, which left me no words to describe its beauty.


    ¡¸What the hell is this.....place...??¡¹ I nearly shouted.


    Everything around me felt strange, so new and overwhelming. I could barely keep my eyes open, as if the world was too bright, too vivid to bear. Tears welled up and trickled down my face, stinging, as though they too were part of this harsh new reality. I turned away, squeezing my eyes shut, covering them with both hands.


    Eyes closed, I let my other senses fill in the story around me. My ears twitched, catching sounds drifting through the cave¡ªthe faint drip of water, the scratch of hidden creatures in the shadows, the restless hum of life around me.


    A sudden gust of cold air brushed past, shocking and sharp, prickling my nose, making it cold. I rubbed it to bring back warmth, shivering as I did. My fur, still damp from the puddle, clung to my body, and each draft of air seemed to chill me to my very core.


    ¡¸Ugh....¡¹


    This was nothing like the warmth I had known before. Instinctively, I turned back, trying to return to the safe place I had come from¡ªthe place where I¡¯d known only comfort and gentle warmth.


    But as I looked, there¡¯s nothing left to go back to...


    Instead, what loomed in front of me was..a massive, decayed form.


    Once, it must have been majestic. Now it lay in ruin, a skeleton of its former self, its flesh and bones picked clean by pests and other beasts, leaving a haunting, hollow carcass. What remained was almost unrecognizable, yet something in me knew, could almost feel what it once had been.


    I took a few stumbling steps,


    catching sight of myself in a small puddle, my first glimpse at my own face. My reflection looked back at me¡ªa creature covered in dark, soaking fur, round, tiny teeth just peeking out from my mouth. How small I looked, so different from the great body lying in front of me. I was so small next to its massive frame, which must have once carried a powerful body with large legs and strong fangs. A strange, aching feeling crept through me¡ªa kind of emptiness I didn¡¯t know how to explain.


    I didn¡¯t understand what any of it meant. I had no memories, no answers, but somehow, looking at that fallen creature brought an uncomfortable tightness to my chest, a weight that was both strange and painful. each second, that hollow ache only grew, spreading through me like an icy chill.


    A shiver ran through me, colder and deeper than anything the air around me could cause. My nose tingled sharply, and my eyes¡ªalready filled with tears¡ªoverflowed again, hot against my cheeks. The shivering of my body no longer seemed to matter; I was frozen from the inside out, trapped in a feeling I couldn¡¯t name.


    ¡¸Why...?¡¹


    My voice came out in a soft, trembling whisper. I didn¡¯t know who I was asking or what I wanted to know. Why did the sight of that lifeless creature hurt me so much? I didn¡¯t know it. I barely knew myself. And yet, there was something so familiar about it, like an echo of a memory I couldn¡¯t quite reach, stirring both confusion and grief.


    I had never felt anything like this before. I didn¡¯t know if I was ready to feel it now.


    Time passed; the day had set, and night rose.......


    I think I had grieved enough for the loss of my haven. Slowly, I moved away, curling my round body tightly to shield against the cold. I found shelter beneath an upturned root of the massive tree, folding myself into the curve of it. My tired eyes began to close, the weight of the day heavy on me,


    Until finally, sleep came.

 Chapter 3 : The Crisis

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    </td><td>


    </td></tr></tbody></table>


    ---


    *¡°Bang! Tat-tat-tat! Whizz!¡±*


    A deafening explosion jolted me awake. My head throbbed, and my stomach churned.


    ¡º....e...va..! Soldier! Get up!¡»


    The voice seemed urgent, but it was not loud and was unclear to me.


    ¡¸ W-who is that? ¡¹ I mumbled, my vision is really blurry. World seemed like spinning.


    *¡°BOOM! Screech!¡±*


    The ground shook violently, and dust choked the air. A sharp, burning smell stung my nose.


    ¡°Move, Soldier! We¡¯re under attack!¡±


    ¡°¡¸Attack? What attack?!¡¹¡± I yelled, clutching my puzzled head. The pounding inside it was unbearable.


    *¡°Tat-tat-tat! Clang!¡±*


    Bullets ricocheted nearby. Someone yanked me up.


    ¡ºDeva, focus! Or You¡¯ll die here!¡» a harsh and loud voice which pulled my senses back.


    ¡¸Deva...?!¡¹ ¡ªI asked.


    ¡°¡¸I don¡¯t... I don¡¯t know who is that.!¡¹¡± My chest tightened. ¡°¡¸What is happening?!¡¹¡±


    ¡ºQuestions later! Move!¡»


    *¡°BOOM!¡±*


    An explosion roared behind us as I stumbled forward, dragged by the voice, lost in chaos I couldn¡¯t understand.


    We ducked behind a supply truck, the relentless gunfire echoing around us. I exhaled sharply, relieved for even a second of cover.


    *¡°Thud!¡±*


    Pain exploded in the back of my head like a chunk of stone crashing into it. The impact sent my senses reeling, my vision snapping into sharp focus.


    ¡°¡ºGet up!¡»¡± A rough hand grabbed my collar, yanking me forward before slamming me onto the ground.


    ¡°¡ºUgh!¡»¡± I groaned, looking up to see a towering figure looming over me. A middle-aged, burly man, his dark complexion marred by grime, his soldier¡¯s uniform stretched taut over rippling muscles. His voice was harsh, cutting through the chaos.


    ¡ºYou awake now, you drunk bastard?¡» he barked, his piercing eyes boring into me.


    ¡°¡¸I...¡¹¡± I tried to speak, but my throat felt dry.


    ¡ºWe¡¯re on a siege mission, idiot!¡» ¡ªhe growled. ¡ºLives are on the line! Stop playing around and pick up your weapon. We¡¯re moving out!¡»


    ¡°¡¸Yes, Captain!¡¹¡± The words tumbled out of my mouth instinctively, like I¡¯d said them a hundred times before.


    I blinked, my surroundings finally coming into focus. The battlefield stretched out before me, a chaotic blend of smoke, fire, and screams. Soldiers in identical uniforms were counter-firing at enemy barricades, their shouts drowned out by the cacophony of battle.


    *¡°Boom! Whizz! Tat-tat-tat!¡±*


    An airstrike hit in the distance, a fiery plume rising into the sky. Enemy tanks rumbled forward, their presence a constant threat.


    ¡°Deva! Break¡¯s over¡ªget moving!¡±


    I turned to see a young man crouched behind me, firing rapidly at the enemy. He tossed a rifle my way.


    ¡°Take this!¡± he shouted, his voice strained but urgent.


    I caught the gun, my hands trembling slightly as I stared at it.


    *¡°Reload¡±*


    -------


    ¡¸Eh?...¡¹


    I woke up...!!


    As my eyes fluttered open, I found myself in the same damp, muddy, and stale-smelling place. The faint chill of the morning seeped into my fur, reminding me where I was.


    The night had ended, but the sun had yet to rise. A dim gray hue faintly lit the surroundings, casting eerie shadows from the twisted roots of the massive tree I had taken shelter under.


    Compared to yesterday, when the land was alive with wicked and terrifying noises of beasts, it was eerily quiet now. The silence felt unnatural, almost suffocating.  If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.


    I swallowed hard, realizing how dry my throat felt. A sharp thirst clawed at me, urging me to move.


    I slipped out from under the root that had served as my resting point and made my way to a nearby water puddle. The water, though murky, looked just clear enough to drink.


    As I bent down and lapped up a few gulps, the cool liquid soothed my parched throat and calmed my racing thoughts.


    My eyes wandered to the surface of the puddle. There, in the rippling water, I saw my reflection.


    ¡¸It was a dream... duh?¡¹ I murmured, staring at the distorted image of myself.


    My fur clung damply to my small frame, and my weary eyes held a faint glimmer of confusion.


    ¡¸A weird one at that.¡¹


    The reflection wavered as a breeze brushed the puddle, but I couldn¡¯t tear my gaze away.


    ¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­


    It has been Three nights since that day.


    Since waking up in this strange, damp world, I¡¯ve decided to explore this dungeon-like place. After days of wandering and searching for food, I¡¯ve managed to piece together some understanding of it.


    Firstly, this place is enormous¡ªspanning a kilometer, maybe more. Its size feels endless, with winding paths, towering stone walls, and hidden caverns that stretch beyond what my eyes can see.


    Secondly, it¡¯s rich in resources. Plants of strange shapes and hues grow abundantly, insects scuttle across the damp ground, and water flows from crevices in the rock. The most curious thing is the glowing stones embedded in the walls and ceiling, casting a soft yellow light. They illuminate the place, making it feel both otherworldly and alive.


    And thirdly... I realize I know nothing at all.


    Despite being able to recognize things, understand my actions, and question my surroundings, there¡¯s a void where my memories should be. I know how to walk, eat, and think, but I don¡¯t remember ever learning these things.


    I have no recollection of this place, the peculiar flora and fauna within it, or even of myself.


    Before waking up in that dark yet warm void, everything was a blank¡ªno faces, no voices, no past moments to cling to. And yet, somehow, I can comprehend it all, as if I¡¯ve lived through it before.


    It¡¯s a strange paradox: having knowledge but no history to explain it. I don¡¯t know if this is a blessing or a curse, but for now, I keep moving, hoping the answers lie somewhere in this endless maze.


    The place where I woke felt like an abandoned cave. The silence was oppressive, broken only by the faint skittering of small reptiles and pests. For the first two days, I wandered aimlessly, scavenging for food and shelter in this desolate cavern. Then, I came across an exit.


    It was far above me, barely visible through the darkness, but the sounds that echoed from beyond it¡ªguttural and alien¡ªsent chills down my spine.


    Still, the stagnant peace of this cave had worn me down. The promise of something beyond this quiet, stalled existence was too tempting to resist.


    I climbed.


    Exiting the cave felt like stepping into another world. The air outside was thin but strangely invigorating, and I found myself on a high peak overlooking a glowing pond. The water shimmered with light, illuminated by luminous stones scattered on the bottom.


    The serenity of the pond belied the presence of its strange visitors.


    https://drive.google.com/file/d/1dexzlCtKxZcuRlAhVfz_-OuIkl0TUuPe/view?usp=d</a><figure></figure>


    rivesdk


    They emerged slowly from the shadows, each more bizarre than the last. Some were towering creatures with elongated limbs and scaled bodies, while others were smaller but lethal-looking, with claws and teeth sharp enough to carve through rock. There were enormous serpents, feline predators the size of horses, and even giant spiders whose eyes glinted like polished obsidian.


    "Woah... so many of them," I whispered, half in awe and half in fear. From my vantage point, I watched the creatures interact.


    It was a surreal sight: so many beasts gathered together in one place, yet none appeared to be fighting.


    I stayed hidden, unsure whether they¡¯d welcome an intruder like me or tear me apart on sight.


    Time passed. My patience was finally rewarded when, one by one, the creatures dispersed.


    <figure></figure>


    Seizing the moment, I climbed down from my perch and leapt into the glowing pond. I filled my lungs with air, letting my body float like a bloated balloon as I kicked and spun toward the shore.


    I emerged on solid ground, wet and shivering but alive.


    This was a really faul smelling and harsh environment at first look. As i inspected my surroundings and further wandered in for few hours


    (Graahhhhhhh....!!!)


    ¡°crumbel...¡±


    A sound began reverberating through the entire cave, a deep, thunderous *(boom-boom)* that seemed to pulse in time with my racing heart. It echoed off the walls, overlapping and amplifying itself, creating a symphony of chaos that made the air feel alive.


    I should have felt fear¡ªthose screams, sharp and guttural, carried a raw, primal intensity that could send chills down anyone¡¯s spine. But my newborn curiosity was louder, driving me forward.


    I followed the sounds, each step accompanied by the crunch of loose gravel underfoot. The air was heavy with the distant *(clack)* of claws against stone and the occasional, sharp *(CRACK)!* of something massive slamming into the walls.


    The closer I got, the more intense the sensory assault became. Then, it hit me: the sweet, metallic scent of blood, thick and cloying, curling around my senses.


    The low rumble of snarls and growls filled the air now, interspersed with quick, piercing screeches that echoed like blades scraping against stone.


    I rounded a corner and finally saw it¡ªthe source of the chaos.


    Two of the cave¡¯s residents were locked in a brutal fight.


    One was a towering, scaled behemoth, its movements accompanied by the heavy *(THUD)* of its massive feet. With each step, the ground beneath it trembled and cracked, sending loose rocks tumbling down the cavern walls with soft


    *(clinks).*


    Its tusks and horn gleamed dangerously, sharp and sturdy enough to pierce even metal


    *(swish-shhh!)*


    Its opponent was a smaller, two-legged creature with razor-sharp claws that slashed through the air with a terrifying speed. Each strike landed with a sickening *(CRUNCH!)* against the scaled hide, sending fragments of broken scales scattering across the ground. The creature¡¯s quick, darting movements were marked by rapid *(patter-patter)* sounds as its feet scraped across the stone floor.


    It was a perfect match of brute strength versus speed and precision.


    The clash of claws against scales echoed like thunder, a constant barrage of


    clang........crack......thud...


    that reverberated in my chest. The ground trembled beneath their ferocity, dust falling from the ceiling with every collision.


    I found myself unable to look away, completely absorbed in their brutal dance.


    But all battles must end.


    The scaled behemoth, despite its slow movements and numerous wounds, endured. Its stamina outlasted its opponent¡¯s speed. With a final, devastating strike, it let out a guttural (GRRAAWWRRRR!) and impaled the clawed beast through the chest with its massive horns.


    The clawed creature let out a strangled, high-pitched *screeehh!* before falling limp, its body collapsing to the ground with a heavy *THUMP!*


    The victorious beast roared again, a deep, earth-shaking GRAHHHHHH! that resonated through the cave, making the walls vibrate and loose stones clatter to the ground.


    (drip-drip-drip)


    Despite its triumph, the scaled giant was far from unscathed. Blood dripped from deep gashes along its body with a rhythmic drips pooling beneath it. Its movements were slow and labored, each step producing a low *scrape* against the rough stone floor.


    I stayed hidden, watching silently. I didn¡¯t know whether to feel awe or terror.


    I was still dazed, my senses struggling to catch up with the chaos I had witnessed.


    The mammoth beast, victorious but battered, had begun to feast on its hard-earned kill. Its powerful jaws tore into flesh with a sickening *rip*, chewing through meat and bone alike. The sounds of its feast¡ªa grotesque mix of crunching and wet tearing¡ªechoed through the cavern.


    Watching it devour its prey sent a strange pang through me. Was it hunger gnawing at my insides, or was I still too awestruck by the battle to think straight? Either way, I found myself driven by a reckless urge.


    I moved carefully, sneaking behind the jagged rocks, my eyes fixed on the massive loaf of meat the beast was feasting on. My body acted on its own. Without thinking, I crept closer, closer still, until I left my cover and lunged toward the food.


    Was I always such a fool?


    Before I could reach it, a scaled tail lashed out with terrifying speed, catching me off guard. It struck me like a battering ram, and my body was sent hurtling through the air.


    *CRACK!*


    <figure></figure>


    I slammed into the wall with enough force to create a massive crevice.


    ¡¸What happened¡­?¡¹


    My vision blurred. The world spun violently, shifting as if I¡¯d been teleported to another reality. My head throbbed, and I could barely make sense of my surroundings.


    Then, a deafening roar¡ª*GRAAAAHHHHH!*¡ªripped through the air, jolting me back to my senses.


    The beast, now furious, turned its full attention on me. It lifted its massive front legs, casting a shadow over me, and then slammed them down with a thunderous impact. The force shattered the ground beneath me, sending cracks racing outward like spiderwebs.


    Before I could react, it lunged, horns gleaming as it charged.


    *BOOM!*


    The beast tore through the crevice I¡¯d been thrown into, demolishing the walls as if they were paper. The impact sent me flying once again, my body a helpless projectile smashing through boulders and glowing stones alike.


    *CRASH!*


    I finally hit the ground, my momentum carrying me across the rocky floor until I came to a painful stop. Every breath was agony, and I felt blood rising in my throat.


    *Gruuuuaaaaahhhhh!*


    The beast¡¯s furious scream echoed, shaking me to my core.


    Fear took hold of me. My instincts screamed for me to run, but my body refused to obey. Broken and battered, I used what little strength I had left to drag myself forward. My limbs trembled with every pull, leaving streaks of blood on the ground.


    Suddenly, a wet *splurt* erupted from my mouth. Blood streamed from my nose, painting the rocky floor beneath me. One of my eyes grew heavy and unresponsive, leaving me half-blind. My limbs turned numb, and I collapsed again, face-down in the dirt.


    My mind swirled in confusion.


    It again swings its tail at me , the force was big enough to crack the whole ground and make me go blank.


    ¡¸Ohh!! Shi**t!!!....¡¹

 Chapter 4 : Soul-Reaper

    *Thud...* ¡°Crush-crackle...¡±


    *Thump.*


    *Thump-thump.*


    ¡¸Whe...re...am...I...??¡¹


    My eyes fluttered open, blurring into the dim surroundings. My ears latched onto the heavy, rhythmic crunch of footsteps¡ªsomething massive, grinding rocks to dust beneath its weight.


    ¡¸Ouou...¡¹


    A shiver coursed through me. My body was ice-cold, pain radiating from every nerve. Blood pooled in my mouth, bitter and metallic, dripping past my lips. My nose was blocked, making each breath a struggle.


    The ground swayed unnaturally before my hazy sight, and I realized... I wasn¡¯t on it.


    I was hanging, suspended. My captor¡ªa monstrous beast¡ªheld me clamped between its teeth. Each step it took jolted my broken body. With a casual flick of its head, it hurled me like trash, sending me crashing onto the cold stone beside its earlier prey¡ªa carcass mangled beyond recognition.


    It must have thought me dead, a fresh meal for later.


    The beast lunged at the lifeless form, teeth ripping and tearing flesh with savage hunger, swallowing chunks whole. The wet, guttural sounds of feeding filled the cave, echoing in grotesque harmony.


    My heart pounded as I lay there, paralyzed with dread. My fate was clear. I¡¯d be next, devoured in a single bite.


    Panic consumed me. Fear boiled into desperation.


    ¡¸I... I don¡¯t want to die yet...¡¹


    ¡ºI %@on¡¯t wa&* to d@* ye#...¡»


    A strange, distorted voice echoed in my head, unintelligible yet sharp as a blade. Flashes of blurred, alien images seared my mind, too fast to comprehend.


    Then, in my despair, *something shifted.*


    The air froze. The world dulled into silence. My heartbeat surged, hammering in my ears.


    Colors fractured. The cave, the beast, even the very rocks dissolved into shimmering particles, scattering like a kaleidoscope of rainbows. I could see everything¡ªevery atom, every grain of sand¡ªvibrating and suspended in this surreal stillness.  If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.


    Then, from beyond the veil of this distorted reality, a voice.


    A faint, wordless call pulled my gaze to the corpse being devoured. A white, translucent cloud hovered over it, a strange ethereal glow radiating outward.


    It was *alive.* It was *calling me.*


    Hope ignited like a flame in my chest. My senses screamed at me¡ª*that¡¯s the key to survival.* If I could reach it, I could live.


    I wasn¡¯t ready to die. Not yet.


    I clawed at the ground, dragging my dying body with the last remnants of my strength. Blood trailed behind me, painting a grim path across the cold stone.


    Each agonizing pull felt eternal, but I was close¡ªso close.


    The slight scrape of my movement must have caught its attention. The beast, feasting moments ago, froze. Slowly, its massive head turned toward me, nostrils flaring.


    It let out an ear-splitting roar, a sound of pure fury. It had realized its prey still clung to life¡ªand worse, was reaching for *its* prize.


    The cave trembled as it leapt toward me, its colossal form a shadow of death descending.


    ¡¸I... have to move....¡¹


    Desperation surged through me. Summoning every ounce of strength left in my broken body, I lunged forward. Just one more step. Just... one...


    *SWISSHHH... CRUSHHH¡ªCRUMBLE!*


    A blinding pain erupted through me as its scaled tail whipped around, striking like a hammer of stone. I was pinned to the ground, my body trapped under its crushing weight.


    The world blurred again, but I couldn¡¯t let go¡ªnot yet. The glowing cloud was right there,


    [just beyond my reach.]


    ¡­¡­¡­¡­


    *CLICK... CLACK...*


    ¡¶Reload!!¡·


    The battlefield roared with chaos¡ªexplosions tearing through the ground, bullets slicing the air, and the relentless symphony of death.


    A lone soldier stood at the center of it all, calm amidst the storm. The embers of war reflected off his steely gaze, his movements deliberate as he loaded his weapon.


    *Grrrrrrkjkkkk!* A radio crackled in the distance.


    <"Heya, Captain!">


    <"C01XXX2, Deva Ram Dharma, is on the front, sir!">


    The captain, battle-scarred and weary, let out a sigh of relief, his sharp eyes glinting with hope.


    [¡°Finally, you stupid drunkard!¡±] a comrade shouted over the roar of gunfire, half-laughing, half-cheering.


    [¡°Deva, we¡¯re counting on you!¡±]


    Even as bullets rained down, the squad felt a surge of energy. The infamous Soul-Reaper was here, and the tides of battle were about to shift.


    [¡°Give him cover, boys! The Reaper is on the hunt!¡±] the captain bellowed, his voice cutting through the chaos like a rallying cry.


    The soldiers sprang into action, lobbing grenades with precision.


    *BOOM-CRACK! FWOOSH!*


    Explosions rippled across the enemy line, flames and smoke swallowing their positions. Confusion spread like wildfire. Disoriented, enemy forces scattered, their formation crumbling under the relentless barrage.


    From the wall of fire and smoke, it began.


    *BANG! BANG!*


    Bullets tore through the enemy ranks with deadly accuracy. Soldiers fell before they could even locate the source of the attack. Another smokeshell hissed into their midst, thick clouds blotting out the battlefield.


    Then came the whispers of death.


    *Shhk! Thud! Bang!*


    A figure moved within the smoke, swift and silent. Each step was calculated, each strike fatal. The enemy soldiers fired blindly into the haze, their panicked shouts filling the air. But it was futile.


    Through the suffocating smoke, a shadow emerged¡ªa figure barely human, more a force of nature than a man. Black as midnight, his sleek silhouette weaved through the carnage with inhuman grace.


    And then, they saw them.


    Two blood-red eyes glinted from the void, glowing with a predatory hunger. The sharp glint of a blade followed, slashing through throats and backs. Point-blank gunshots silenced screams before they could fully form.


    *SHHKKK. CRACK. THUD.*


    Bodies dropped one by one. The figure moved too fast to track, too deadly to stop. Every step left another lifeless body in its wake.


    [¡°What the hell is that...?¡±] one enemy soldier whispered, his voice trembling. But no answer came. Only death.


    [¡°He¡¯s cruel as they say...¡±] a young comrade whispered in awe, his voice shaking as he watched from behind the smoke.


    In mere minutes, Deva Ram Dharma had dismantled the enemy¡¯s defenses, leaving nothing but bodies and silence. His blade dripped with blood, his eyes unblinking.


    [¡°Soul-Reaper,¡±] they whispered, the name carrying through the battlefield like a chilling wind. It was the only name that could describe the man who turned war into a massacre.


    ¡­¡­¡­


    **¡¶ Bio-Ability: Soul-Reaper¡·**


    *<Activated>*

 Chapter 5 : The Fated one

    ¡¸Good Morning!! Every.......oneeeee!!!¡¹


    ¡¸Today is the 6th day of me waking up in this world.¡¹


    ¡¸Currently, I¡¯m all beat-up and shredded. I look like a dead body. Last night was a hilarious one¡ªI got into a fight with a majestic beast.¡¹


    *(Ahhh!! He had a really bad temper. Tch... tch... stingy fellow.)*


    ¡¸I just tried to borrow a little piece of meat, and he got really angry. I almost became his side dish.¡¹


    *(But I survived..... I guess.)*


    (You know, I really thought it was my day to be a goner.)


    ¡¸But, HHAHA... Luck was my bitch. MOFO!!!¡¹


    *(I chuckled as I made fun of the dead body of the massive beast lying below me.)*


    ---


    The scene shifts to reveal a cave devastated by chaos. Broken rocks, deep cracks in the earth, and claw marks scar the walls. Dust lingers in the air. In one corner, the lifeless body of a mammoth beast lies sprawled. Its once-impenetrable scales are now slashed and torn, horns shattered, and its prideful eyes dulled to nothing.


    Just above the beast¡¯s broken form, a small, furry creature quivers slightly, letting out weak breaths of exhaustion. Its bloodied fur sticks to its body, and its voice shakes as it babbles to itself.


    He might have lost his mind because of pain and injury¡ª


    ¡¸Oye-oye, you wanna die so badly? I¡¯m already letting you be, narrator¨Cshit.¡¹


    He shouted at the hollow silence, his words directed at no one¡ªor perhaps himself.


    (Well, he¡¯s not all wrong. My body is all cut up and worn out. It hurts everywhere, and blood keeps dripping. My vision is blurred, and my head feels like it¡¯s about to split open.)


    ¡¸But I can¡¯t stay here forever.¡¹


    (With a groan, I rolled down from the beast¡¯s high perch and landed with a thud on the cold ground. My body screamed in pain as I started dragging myself forward, every inch leaving a trail of blood behind.)


    ---<faint screeming sounds starts reverberating in cave>


    ¡¸All this commotion might have attracted a lot of... residents. If they find me, I won¡¯t be spared.¡¹


    *The faint sound of distant growls echoed through the cave, sending a shiver down my spine. My ears perked up, and I quickened my pace, teeth gritting against the agony.*


    ---


    *Finally, the air grew still. The smell of other beasts faded. Taking a deep, shaky breath, I sniffed the air and caught the faint scent of water.*  The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    ¡¸Water...¡¹


    *The scent was faint but unmistakable, earthy and damp. Forcing myself to move, I followed it. My paws scraped against the rocky ground until I found an underground stream trickling through the cracks in the cave floor.*


    *The sight of it made my heart leap. Without hesitation, I threw myself into the water, splashing and gulping greedily. Cold relief washed over me as the blood and dirt on my fur were carried away. My wounds stung as the water touched them, but the chill numbed the pain.*


    ---


    *For a brief moment, I felt peace.*


    ¡¸Ah... this feels...¡¹


    *But before I could finish, my body gave out. Exhaustion overwhelmed me. My vision dimmed, and drowsiness took over.*


    ---


    *I didn¡¯t even notice the current pulling me. The stream carried my limp body through the cave, its gentle flow growing stronger. The sound of rushing water grew louder and louder, until¡ª*


    ---


    *BOOM! SPLASH!*


    *A roaring waterfall pulled me out of the cave and into the open air. My body tumbled helplessly, the wind whipping past as I fell. With a jarring crash, I landed on a jagged rock at the base of the waterfall.*


    ---


    *I lay there, unmoving. The cold spray of the water pelted my fur, but I was too weak to care. My battered body twitched slightly, clinging to the edge of consciousness.*


    ---


    *The distant roar of the waterfall echoed around me as I stared blankly at the sky above.*


    ¡¸I¡¯m still alive.¡¹


    *The words slipped from my lips in a weak, determined whisper.*


    ¡¸That¡¯s what matters... for now.¡¹


    ---


    *¡¶Bio ability ¨C Soul-Reaper¡·*


    *¡¶Activated¡·*


    ¡¸Wooaahhh...?!!¡¹


    I jolted awake, my senses reeling, my heart hammering as if I had fallen from some unimaginable height.


    Once again, I found myself beneath an unknown ceiling.


    The room around me was a fragile thing¡ªa hut crafted from branches and dried twigs, its cracks clumsily patched with mud. A single, flickering fireplace fought valiantly against the shadows, its amber glow barely illuminating the cramped space. I lay on a makeshift bed of wood husk, covered by rough animal skins. My body was swathed in grimy bandages that reeked of pungent oil and faintly medicinal herbs.


    *I was being nursed?*


    I flexed my limbs cautiously. Pain rippled through me like a distant thunderclap, sharp but fleeting. My wounds had closed, though a dull ache remained. I sat up slowly, my breath catching in my throat as the fire¡¯s warmth began to sink into my cold skin.


    For a fleeting moment, I let myself relax.


    Then¡ª*¡°crunch¡±*.


    The faint sound of gravel shifting underfoot jolted me upright.


    *Crunch¡­ crunch¡­*


    Light, deliberate footsteps approached, muffled by the weight of the earth. My ears twitched as I strained to catch every sound. Whoever it was, they weren¡¯t heavy¡ªbut there was a rhythm to their movements, an unsettling steadiness that made my fur bristle.


    *Creeeaaaak¡­*


    The door groaned like a dying beast, its ancient hinges protesting as it swung open. A sharp beam of light pierced the room, illuminating every dusty corner. I flinched, retreating deeper into the shadows, my eyes stinging from the sudden brightness.


    ¡°[aho tvam mam romayuktam mitram jagritvan?!]¡±


    A voice echoed through the small hut, sharp and unfamiliar. The words were gibberish to my ears, but the tone was neither hostile nor hurried. It was... curious. Playful, almost.


    The silhouette in the doorway stepped forward¡ªa small, dark figure draped in animal skins, carrying a bent wooden stick. Their footsteps tapped softly against the stone floor, measured and unhurried.


    I growled instinctively, low and threatening.


    ¡°Grrrr¡­¡±


    The figure paused, tilting its head, then moved again, undeterred. Each step brought them closer, and with every inch, my instincts screamed to flee, to lash out. But I stayed rooted, pinned by equal parts fear and confusion.


    When they were almost upon me, the figure cast off their heavy cloak. It landed with a soft *thud* on the dirt floor, revealing a small form beneath.


    I froze, pressing myself against the wall.


    But instead of aggression, the figure extended a hand.


    I clenched my eyes shut, every muscle tensed, bracing for a blow.


    Instead¡ªsoftness.


    Fingers, warm and gentle, brushed against my fur. They scratched behind my ears, smoothing the matted tufts, easing the tension in my trembling frame. The touch was cautious yet kind, the kind of touch I hadn¡¯t known in what felt like lifetimes.


    Slowly, warily, I opened my eyes.


    A child.


    A boy, perhaps no older than ten summers, knelt before me. His face, streaked with mud and grime, was lit by a radiant smile so wide and genuine it seemed to banish the shadows in the room. His wild grey hair caught the firelight, shimmering faintly like spun silver, and his golden-brown skin glowed where the sunlight kissed it.


    But it was his eyes that held me. Large, round, and brimming with a warmth I had almost forgotten existed.


    For the first time, my fear melted away, replaced by something unfamiliar¡ªa fragile hope.


    He giggled softly, his fingers playfully tugging at my ears, and for a moment, I forgot everything. The pain, the confusion, the weight of my journey¡ªit all faded in the presence of his innocent joy.


    I didn¡¯t know why our paths had crossed, why this child had found me. But in that moment, it didn¡¯t matter.


    Two stories had begun here, intertwined by the whims of destiny.


    But destiny is a cruel thing.


    Neither of us could know that where one story blooms, another must wither.


    How will you end, oh¡ª


    *That Journey of Mine*

 Chapter 6 : VEER FLAMEFORGE.

    "Kiroowww..."


    The forest was alive with the sounds of snapping twigs and rustling leaves as a sleek, cat-like beast darted through the underbrush. Its padded paws hit the ground in rhythmic thuds, each step almost silent, though the occasional crack of a dry branch betrayed its path.


    The beast let out a guttural roar, deep and wild, sending birds flapping noisily out of the trees.


    It leapt onto the nearest trunk, claws scraping against the bark with a sharp (scritch). Perched high, it paused for a split second, its ears swiveling at the faintest sound.


    (Whizz!)


    An arrow shot through the air, barely missing the beast and burying itself into the tree with a solid thunk.


    The creature hissed, its golden eyes narrowing. Without hesitation, it sprang to the next tree, its tail flicking like a whip as another arrow sliced past its flank.


    "Missed again!" a voice muttered somewhere in the shadows, low but sharp with focus.


    The predator moved faster now, weaving through the forest in a blur of fur and muscle. Arrows rained down like hailstones, digging into tree trunks and the soft earth with dull thuds. The beast twisted mid-leap to avoid one, the feathers of the arrow brushing its fur.But it wasn''t just running¡ªit was hunting. Its sharp gaze locked onto a figure standing atop a small ridge. The archer was young, his small frame cloaked in shadow, but his stance was steady. The faint light caught his grey hair and the slight curve of his weapon¡ªa bent stick that seemed almost too humble for the precision with which it was being used.


    The beast growled, a low, rolling sound that seemed to shake the leaves around it. And then it lunged.


    (Swish!)


    Another arrow flew past, but the beast was ready. It juked to the side, its paws barely touching the ground before it launched itself toward the archer, claws outstretched.But the boy was faster than he looked. He ducked, spinning his bow with a sharp whoosh and cracking it against the beast''s side.


    (Thwack!)


    The impact sent the creature sprawling, but it wasn''t done yet. It snarled and scrambled to its feet, only for the boy to pivot, pull an arrow from his quiver, and shoot it point-blank.


    (Thud.)


    The arrow sank deep into the beast''s chest. It let out one last, guttural roar before collapsing onto the forest floor with a heavy whump.


    For a moment, everything was still. The boy stepped closer, bow lowered but still in hand. His breathing was steady, his expression calm despite the ferocity of the fight.He crouched beside the beast, one hand resting gently on its head. "You fought well," he said quietly, almost casually, his tone carrying a strange mix of respect and finality. "Rest now. The flame takes you."The forest was silent again, save for the faint rustle of leaves in the wind.


    The boy joined his hands in a respectful Namaskar, bowing his head briefly over the fallen beast. A solemn moment passed before he shifted his stance. With practiced ease, he grabbed the beast by its legs, hoisting it up.


    The animal''s body vanished under his robe of rough animal skins, the fabric stretching slightly to accommodate the weight. A faint smirk crossed his mud-streaked face as he muttered to himself, "Alright, my breakfast is ready."


    He adjusted his robe and straightened up, his voice brightening.


    "My name is Veer Flameforge. I''m twelve years old." His tone carried a strange mix of pride and casual ease."Veer means brave," he continued, "and Flameforge¡ªthat''s the name of our tribe."


    Veer''s eyes scanned the forest around him, his sharp gaze taking in every shadow, every flicker of movement among the trees. "There are always special regions in this world," he said, gesturing broadly, "each with its own crazy qualities."


    "Like deserts that burn endlessly, or seas frozen solid. Islands that float in the sky, and even mountains that move. But this place¡ª"


    He swept his arm out at the dense, overgrown wilderness.


    "This is the forest. The one that births dungeons and ruins."His voice dropped a little, tinged with a mixture of pride and caution. "Because of... well, circumstances, we live in the most hidden¡ªand the most dangerous¡ªpart of this forest. We hunt, we farm, and we maintain this entire region just to survive."


    Veer crouched near a patch of soft dirt, tracing invisible patterns with his finger as he explained, "This forest is alive in ways most people can''t even imagine. Its dungeons don''t just sit still. No, they move. They shift around like they''ve got minds of their own.


    "And when dungeons go uncleared for too long, The Dungeon breaks. They, uh... let out monsters." He glanced up, his expression suddenly serious. "That''s why this forest is crawling with them. Real monsters. The kind you don''t want to meet in the dark."


    He stood and brushed off his hands, a wry smile creeping back onto his face. "Not that we get many visitors here anyway. None in the past twelve years, at least. A hundred years ago, though? There was a city nearby."


    Veer''s gaze drifted toward the horizon, his eyes softening. "That city thrived off clearing the dungeons, trading, growing... But look at it now. Not a single proper wall is left. The forest has swallowed it whole."


    He shook his head and snapped back to his usual tone. "Back then, there were maybe ten dungeons around here. Now?" He raised an eyebrow. "I counted 118. Yep, you heard me. One hundred and eighteen dungeons. And they''re still multiplying."Veer sighed, scratching his head. "It''s our job to balance the forest''s ecology. To protect it from invaders. This place¡ªit''s our safe haven."


    He paused, then smirked. "Well, ''safe'' is a bit of a stretch.""You want to know what''s the most dangerous thing here?" His voice dropped, and a chill seemed to settle in the air. "It''s not the beasts or the multiplying dungeons. It''s that dungeon. The one that showed up a hundred years ago and changed everything. The one that doesn''t break, no matter how much time has passed.


    "The Dungeon of Guilt."


    Veer''s smile faltered for a moment, replaced by a flicker of unease. "That thing''s scary. Always has been. It doesn''t just sit there, either. It rotates, shifts, and messes with the other dungeons. It''s like the forest''s beating heart¡ªand its curse.


    "I pray it never breaks," he said with a dry laugh, though his eyes betrayed a sliver of genuine fear. "Because if it does? Humanity''s doomed. Heheheh."


    Veer turned and started walking deeper into the forest, his steps light and measured. "There are other villages in this forest," he added, his tone casual again. "But they''re not like ours. No humans in those ones."If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    He glanced back briefly, as if checking for unseen eyes. "This forest... it''s home. But it''s got a way of reminding us who''s really in charge."


    As Veer spoke, his gaze shifted toward a commotion in the forest. A group of orcs was returning to their village, hauling a massive snake they had hunted. These creatures were colossal, towering three times the height of any human, their grey and green skin shimmering with sweat and blood. Their thick, muscular bodies moved with a weighty, deliberate gait. Wild hair tumbled to their waists, unbound and untamed, and long tusks curled out from their mouths like weapons of their own.


    Veer chuckled under his breath, raising an eyebrow at their appearance."Hahaha, they look super strong... and pretty ugly. Like oversized hairy boulders with tusks."


    The amusement in his eyes turned to curiosity as he noticed a group of goblins blocking the orcs'' path.


    The goblins stood much smaller, their lean bodies twitching with nervous energy. They held crude weapons¡ªspears carved from wood, knives made of sharp stones¡ªand wore a determined look.


    Veer smirked, shaking his head."Ahh, how stupid. Even if they''re three times the number, they don''t stand a chance against orcs."


    He leaned against a tree, watching intently as the goblins held their ground. That''s when his sharp eyes caught movement behind the orcs. A second group of goblins was creeping closer, hidden in the bushes, their eyes glinting with cunning.


    "Oh, so that''s the plan. Distract with the front group while the second ambushes from behind. Clever little pests... But¡ª"


    The goblins launched their attack before Veer could finish his thought. Chaos erupted in the clearing.


    The first group shouted and charged, drawing the orcs'' attention, while the second group leaped from behind, hurling stones and stabbing with their makeshift weapons.


    The orcs responded with raw, brutal power. Their fists smashed through wooden spears, sending goblins flying into trees with sickening thuds.


    One goblin managed to climb an orc''s back and jab at its neck, but the orc roared and slammed him to the ground with bone-cracking force.


    Veer''s grin widened as he took in the scene. The air was thick with the sounds of snarling, screaming, and the dull thud of bodies hitting the ground.


    "What a show. They''re fast and coordinated, but those stone weapons? Useless against orc skin".


    The fight ended as swiftly as it began. The goblins, bloodied and battered, scattered into the forest, retreating with yelps of terror. The orcs roared in victory, lifting their massive arms in triumph.But as Veer scanned the scene, his sharp eyes caught two young orcs lying lifeless in the dirt, their massive bodies unmoving.


    He tilted his head, a flicker of respect crossing his face."Well, look at that. Five times the numbers and they still got stomped, but they managed to take down two young ones. Not bad, goblins. Not bad at all."With that, Veer stretched and turned back to his path.


    "Now, where was I? Oh, right¡ª"


    The Forest Villages


    "This forest has nine villages in total," Veer began, his voice slipping back into its usual calm cadence.


    "Two of them belong to the orcs.


    The first is Orga, and the second is Ortra. The orcs are fierce warriors, and their villages are heavily fortified. Most outsiders stay far away from them unless they''re looking for trouble¡ªor a death wish."


    He glanced over his shoulder, as if imagining the goblins who dared to challenge the orcs.


    "Then we have four goblin villages. Goblins are the most numerous and scattered across the forest. Each village has its own quirks.


    "The Greyhelem goblins are clever little things, quick and resourceful. Then there''s Grandtrunk, where green goblins live up in the trees like monkeys. They''re agile and annoying. Up in the mountains, you''ll find the Miletts goblins¡ªtough, cold, and hardy. Lastly, there''s Roders, home to swamp goblins. Slimy little creatures who thrive in the muck."


    Veer''s tone shifted slightly as he mentioned the next village, one tinged with a mix of respect and irritation.


    "Then there''s the dwarves. The grey dwarves have only one village, Valheimer. They''re talented, no doubt about it. They''ve dug out countless dungeons in search of rare metals and gemstones. They craft some of the strongest weapons and tools in the forest. Our village often trades with them for weapons and utensils."


    But then Veer clicked his tongue and muttered bitterly.


    "Still¡­ they''re greedy, money-loving cheapskates. Always trying to swindle you if you''re not careful."He bit his tongue as if the thought annoyed him more than he cared to admit.


    (You deserve the trouble you get, you thieves.)


    "Ah, and then there''s the forest elves,"


    Veer continued as he wandered through the dense undergrowth, his tone carrying a mix of intrigue and disdain.


    "They''re the rarest beings in this forest, mostly because they hardly reproduce. They live for thousands of years, their tall, slender forms untouched by time. Their smooth, pale skin gleams in the sunlight, and their hair, in various shades of green, seems to merge with the forest around them."


    He paused, his expression darkening slightly."Don''t let their wisdom fool you, though. Forest elves are arrogant and stuck in their old ways. They consider themselves the rightful rulers of these lands, and maybe they once were, but that attitude hasn''t earned them any friends. No one here trusts them, and they trust no one."


    Veer crouched by a tree, brushing away a cluster of leaves to reveal faint carvings etched into the bark. He traced the patterns with his fingers¡ªa language long forgotten, one the elves still clung to.


    "They''ve been here for centuries. Some say they were once slaves in the great city that thrived before the Cataclysm. When everything fell apart, they survived, retreating into the forest. Now they control every inch of this place, from the animals to the plants. It''s their domain, and they don''t let anyone forget it."


    With a dismissive shake of his head, Veer stood and continued walking.


    After hours of wandering and surveying the forest, Veer finally reached a familiar landmark: a waterfall cascading into a sparkling river below. The air here was cool and fresh, the roar of the water drowning out the forest''s usual hum. His village lay just beyond the river, a short but slippery crossing.


    Veer knelt by the water''s edge, washing his hands and the muddy remains of his hunt. He stared at his reflection for a moment before splashing the image away with a flick of his fingers.


    Gripping his stick tightly, he stepped into the river. The cold water rushed around his legs as he used the stick to steady himself on the slippery rocks beneath.


    ¡­[Splasshhhhh!]¡­


    The sound of splashing water made him freeze. His sharp eyes darted toward the waterfall. For a moment, he thought it was just a rock dislodged by the current. But then he saw it¡ª


    a black mass of fur caught against a jagged stone near the base of the falls.


    He frowned, curiosity piqued.


    The thing was drenched and motionless, its lifeless form tangled in the water''s relentless flow. Veer cautiously approached, his stick extended. With a quick, practiced swing, he nudged the black ball of fur, expecting it to tumble away.


    Nothing...


    No movement, no reaction.


    Veer''s gaze narrowed as he took a step closer, the cold water rising higher around his knees.


    "What is this? Some kind of dead animal? Or... something else?"


    He reached out again, this time determined to get a better look.Veer crouched down and grabbed the drenched black blob by its fur, lifting it with one hand. Water dripped from its tangled mass as he turned it over, examining the strange creature.


    "Oh what is this?" "A wolf cub? Or... a hairy slime?"


    As he looked closer, his sharp eyes caught a faint rise and fall of its chest."It''s still breathing... barely. It''s alive."


    For the past twelve years of living in this forest, Veer had seen countless creatures, but this one was unlike anything he''d encountered.


    The blob had the round, squishy body of a slime but was covered in thick, matted fur. Its ears were pointed, resembling those of a wolf, while its face was bear-like. Its eyes, though closed, were unnaturally large, like a cat''s.


    What puzzled him more was its anatomy¡ªor lack thereof. It had only two stubby paws, a flat, barely visible tail, and two tiny, hidden hands buried deep within its fur.


    "What kind of weird beast are you?" Veer wondered, tilting his head.


    As Veer''s fingers brushed over the fur, they came away wet with blood."It''s bleeding... and badly wounded."


    His eyes softened for a moment before narrowing again. He knew how the forest worked¡ªanything left vulnerable at night would either freeze to death or become some beast''s midnight snack.


    "Hahhhhhhhhhhh..."


    Veer exhaled loudly, annoyed with himself. He knew what he had to do. Pulling off his robe, he wrapped the strange creature tightly and slung it over his side.


    "Guess you''re coming with me," he muttered.Veer trudged through the forest until he reached a fortified wall hidden deep within the trees. The gate loomed large, flanked by two muscular men armed with long spears.


    "Hey, guysssss!!! I''m back!" Veer shouted, his voice echoing through the trees.


    One of the gatekeepers squinted and grinned."Oh, if it isn''t the young guardian himself. Lord Veer, returning from his hunt. Did you get something good this time?"


    Veer puffed out his cheeks in mock irritation, his voice dripping with sarcasm."Yeah! I did, but you''re not even getting to look at it."


    The other guard laughed, poking fun."Owww, such a small man you are. Always hiding your treasures, huh?"


    Veer rolled his eyes and walked past them, muttering, "jealous much?"


    He passed through the gates and entered Pinto the final village¡ªAgni-mandir,  the ninth and only human settlement in the forest. The population barely scraped past 200, but they survived, carving out a modest life amidst the dangers of the wild.


    Veer rushed straight to his hut, a modest wooden structure on the edge of the village. Once inside, he carefully unwrapped the black furball from his robe and set it on the floor. The creature was still and silent, its tiny body trembling slightly from the cold.


    Veer rummaged around the hut, gathering twigs, husks, and scraps of fabric to fashion a makeshift bed.


    Once satisfied, he laid the creature down gently, covering it with a dusty, dried animal skin to provide extra warmth.


    The furball still didn''t move.


    Veer frowned.(It''s probably freezing. Drenched and bleeding like this, it doesn''t stand a chance without heat.)


    Determined, Veer turned to the empty fireplace in the center of his hut. He threw in every piece of wood he could find, piling it high. Then, he grabbed his bent stick and held it firmly in both hands.


    [Fwoosh...]


    The stick transformed instantly into a rugged, battle-worn bow. Veer pulled the string lightly, aiming at the unlit fireplace. He whispered a single word under his breath:


    ""OM~Samindhe.""


    A glowing arrow materialized from thin air, its flame flickering softly in the dim light. Without hesitation, Veer released the arrow.


    [Fwoosh! Crackle!]


    The fire roared to life, its warmth spreading through the hut. Veer leaned back, watching the flames dance. The creature on the bed stirred ever so slightly, its small body relaxing under the growing warmth.


    "Don''t die on me, little slime-dog-bear-whatever-you-are," Veer muttered."I just went through all this trouble. You better survive."


    He sat down near the fire, his bow resting across his knees, and watched the strange creature with a mix of curiosity and wariness.


    "What are you?" he wondered, as the flames reflected in his sharp, grey eyes.His tired eyes gets ready to take a wink of sleep.

 Chapter 7: The Spring Festival.

    The first rays of sunlight streamed through the dense canopy of Kailasha Forest, bathing the Flameforge village in golden light. Dew clung to the leaves, shimmering like tiny jewels, while the air buzzed with the energy of preparation.


    The Spring Festival, a once-in-five-years gathering of the nine villages, was nearing its zenith.


    For three days, under the watchful gaze of both the sun and moon, a fragile truce would bind the Nine villages, a rare respite in a world teeming with tension.


    Veer walked the forest¡¯s edge, his bent stick resting against his shoulder. His sharp grey eyes scanned for herbs and prey while his thoughts wandered. Behind him, Kaal darted from bush to bush, snapping at insects with gleeful abandon. The furry creature''s mischievous antics were as much a source of amusement as they were exasperation.


    ¡°Kaal,¡± Veer called, his voice firm but warm. ¡°Stick close. You¡¯ve already annoyed the goblins enough for one lifetime. They are still looking for a chance to settle the score.¡±


    Kaal paused, his red eyes gleaming mischievously. ¡°¡¸Let them try to catch me! I¡¯ll bite their noses off!¡¹¡±


    Veer chuckled.


    ¡°You¡¯re going to get us both into trouble one day, but remember fighting between villages is banned for three days.¡±


    He lifted Kaal by his ear, and Kaal made a wide smile.


    As they were returning to the village, Veer¡¯s gaze softened as he watched Kaal playing with the children, his tiny tail wagging as they tried to catch him. The sight stirred a memory, pulling Veer back three years to the day he first found Kaal.


    It had been a stormy evening when Veer stumbled upon the creature at the edge of the forest. Kaal was barely alive, his inky black fur drenched, his crimson eyes dim


    The villagers had been wary, their unease growing as they observed him.


    ¡°He¡¯s as black as the void,¡± one elder had said. ¡°And those red eyes... it¡¯s like death stares back at you.¡±


    Baba had studied the creature intently before murmuring, ¡°Kaal. Yes, yes, Kaal he¡¯ll be. A shadowed name for a shadowed soul.¡±


    So we started calling him that.


    The creature had been named, but acceptance was slow. The first few days after Veer brought him home had been chaotic. Kaal had growled and snapped at everyone, even biting one of the village children who had tried to pet him.


    ¡°Relax,¡± Veer had always said back then, holding out a piece of roasted meat. ¡°If I wanted to eat you, I¡¯d have done it already.¡±


    That patience had been the turning point. Over time, Kaal warmed up to Veer, and their bond deepened. When Kaal started speaking, it had shocked the entire village. Beasts and dungeon spawns weren¡¯t supposed to talk. Yet Kaal did, and with a wit sharper than most.


    By the time they reached the village, the festival¡¯s preparations were in full swing. Smoke from cooking fires mingled with the scent of blooming flowers, and laughter echoed through the village. Elders directed younger villagers, traders bartered loudly.


    ¡°Kaal, you¡¯re back!¡± a little girl named Lotus squealed, running up to hug him.


    Everything was just like it should be.You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.


    Veer, however, seemed a little off as he had come to realize something.


    Later that evening, the elders gathered in Elder Hall. The sacred golden [Flame of Life] flickered in the chamber behind them, its glow casting eerie, dancing shadows on the walls. Crucial decisions for the preparations were being discussed. Veer sat among them.


    ¡°Today on this auspicious day I have came on a decision,¡± Veer announced. ¡°As everyone of importance is here, I want to discuss it now.¡±


    The room fell silent as they waited for the young boy to continue.


    ¡°After the Spring Festival, I will leave for the Arcane Academy,¡± Veer announced, his voice steady.


    The silent room erupted in protests.


    ¡°Arcane?! To the central empire?¡± one elder shouted.


    ¡°You want to leave?!¡± cried Elder Sura, her tone sharp with disbelief. ¡°You¡¯re the last guardian of the Flame!¡±


    ¡°What will happen to the Flame of Life if danger comes while you¡¯re gone?¡± added Elder Pina, her knotted hands trembling as she gestured toward the sacred flame.


    Veer met Baba¡¯s gaze. The oldest elder in the village was sitting at the highest bed, caressing his white beard.


    ¡°Baba, the Flame must be protected for generations. Currently forest is calm, If I stay, I can only defend it for so long. But if I go, I can learn, grow stronger, and ensure its safety forever,¡± Veer explained with steady and sharp words.


    But hall was still loud in protest.


    Baba raised a hand, silencing them all. His voice was a peculiar mix of wisdom and whimsy. ¡°Child speaks true, yes, yes. The boy dreams of strength, of knowledge. But dreams can be costly, oh yes.¡±


    The elder sighed deeply, his fingers tracing patterns in the air. ¡°Then go, go with the forest¡¯s blessing. But know this: if you fail to come, the blood of the Flameforge will stain your hands.¡±


    Veer clenched his fists. ¡°Failure is unacceptable.¡±


    The festival began, bringing with it a sense of fleeting unity.


    Goblins from Greyhelem arrived first with bags of offerings, followed by the rival orcs of Orga and Ortra. The tension between them was palpable, but the festival¡¯s rules forbade fighting.


    Kaal, as always, found his way into trouble.


    ¡°Hey, furball! Where are you going to?¡± Miro, a little kid, sneered, blocking Kaal¡¯s path. ¡°You¡¯re just a dumb monster. You think you are one of us?¡±


    Kaal bared his fangs. ¡°¡¸Say that again, and I¡¯ll show you who is actually dumb!¡¹¡±


    Before a fight could break out, Pino, the village storyteller, intervened. ¡°Enough, Miro,¡± he said with a smirk. ¡°Unless you want me to spin a tale about a bully who was bested by a talking furball.¡±


    ¡°Oh! I will really like to listen to it,¡± Lotus, a little girl, came forward for Kaal¡¯s defense.


    Miro scowled but backed off, and Kaal stuck out his tongue triumphantly. Kaal and Lotus gave Pino a nod of thanks before darting off to help¡ªor hinder¡ªfestival preparations.


    As the first day passed, unease grew. The Goblins of Millet had not arrived till now, and the group sent to find them had not returned. When the elves finally arrived, their prideful stride drew glares from other villagers. Still, their elder brought troubling news.


    A meeting of the village elders was convened.


    The elf elder spoke first, his voice smooth but grave. ¡°We sensed an unfamiliar turmoil in the forest yesterday. It was subtle but unmistakable¡ªsomething is strange this year.¡±


    The dwarf elder grunted, his brow furrowed. ¡°Could be nothin¡¯. Could be somethin¡¯. But these Millets not showin¡¯? That ain¡¯t right.¡±


    ¡°Yeah,¡± said the goblin elder from Grandtrunk. ¡°Our fastest scouts haven¡¯t returned either.¡±


    Baba¡¯s voice broke through the grim conversation. ¡°Shadows move, whispers grow. Not seen, not heard, but there. Always there. Beware, beware.¡±


    All the forces were ordered to be on alert.


    On the final night of the festival, the villagers danced and sang, and finally, their prayers summoned the Flame of Life. All the fire torches of the nine villages shared their flames to merge as one rainbow fire and merged in the central fire stove. Everyone started shouting in surprise, and the dark night filled with light from the Flame.


    Veer, however, couldn¡¯t relax. He stood at the edge of the village wall, his bow in hand, eyes scanning the dark forest. The Flame of Life flickered behind him, its light steady but vulnerable.


    Kaal padded up beside him, his red eyes reflecting the firelight. ¡°It¡¯s really shiny.¡±


    Veer nodded, gripping his bow tighter. ¡°Yes. It¡¯s shiny and beautiful. Its your first time seeing it right? You know why we worship that fire?¡±


    ¡°¡¸Hm? Why?¡¹¡± Kaal bent his body in curiosity.


    ¡°It is life itself. That fire is the reflection of everything in existence. It nourishes the urza to flow in the living or nonliving. You, me, everyone in the village and forest, or the outer ones¡ªwe are all connected through it.¡±


    Veer continued.


    ¡° Once in Five years, everyone in forest despite of race and village comes together to worship it . Same as all that flame also attracts the monsters around, that is why all the forces of forest guards it for these three days.¡±


    ¡¸Hmmm......¡¹


    As the festival¡¯s final hours approached, an unnatural silence fell over the forest. The usual chorus of crickets and rustling leaves was gone, replaced by a stillness that pressed on the soul. Veer¡¯s heart pounded as the shadows seemed to shift and creep closer. The Flame burned brightly, but for the first time in years, Veer wondered if it would be enough.


    In the distance, a low, guttural growl echoed¡ªa sound that didn¡¯t belong.


    Kaal¡¯s fur bristled as he whispered, ¡°Veer... something¡¯s watching us.¡±


    Veer slashed the air with his stick. It transformed into a bow, and he shot an arrow into the trees'' shadows.


    And then, the shadows jumped.