ã€ŠEclipse: System Downã€‹


 First Chance

    My eyes drifted open. Darkness surrounded me, encompassing in every direction. I tried to move, but the walls around me were too close. My heart pounded in my chest, breath coming in fast gasps. ¡°Where¡­ where am I?¡± I whispered, running my hands over the rough, jagged surface around me. Solid rock encased me on every side.

    ¡°Hey!¡± I shouted, pounding on the ceiling. ¡°Can someone hear me? Get me out! Please!¡±

    A faint rustling came from somewhere above, and bits of stone and dust rained down on my face. I gasped, spitting the grit from my mouth, panic clawing at my throat. Suddenly, a flicker of light broke through the cracks, growing steadily brighter until it flooded my rocky prison.

    ¡°Hey, you alright?¡± a voice called out. The mans voice was calming in my worried state, his voice was soft and gentle. ¡°Cover your face¡ªthe debris can get nasty. Use your forearms, I learned that in a workplace safety seminar works in car crashes too.¡±

    I shielded my face as more dust rained down. Moments later, the slab above me shifted, and a hand reached inside. I grabbed it, and with a heave, I was pulled into the open air.

    ¡°You good?¡± the voice asked. Its owner was a young man, maybe my age, 18 or 19, with short blonde hair swept to one side and beautiful blue eyes. He looked ordinary, yet there was something about him¡ªa confidence, maybe¡ªthat put me at ease, or maybe it was his friendliness and easiness in this situation.

    ¡°I¡¯m Jakob,¡± he said, offering a lopsided grin. ¡°What¡¯s your name?¡±

    ¡°Ezekiel,¡± I rasped, brushing dirt from my clothes. ¡°Thanks for getting me out. I hate enclosed spaces.¡±

    Jakob nodded. ¡°Yeah, these coffins aren¡¯t exactly cozy. You¡¯re the first person I¡¯ve found who¡¯s still alive.¡±

    I nodded, exhaling a breath I hadn¡¯t realized I was holding. My eyes adjusted to the dim light, revealing more of the cavernous space around us. A cool draft whisped through the hall, carrying a strange scent¡ªearthy and metallic, like damp stone and rusted iron.

    The ground beneath us was uneven, strewn with dirt and jagged rocks. On either side of the narrow walkway stood more coffins, embedded haphazardly into the walls. Some were cracked open like the one I was in, while others remained sealed tight. The corridor stretched forward, opening into a wider chamber framed by towering marble pillars that gleamed unnaturally in the dim light.

    ¡°Where are we?¡± I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

    Jakob shook his head. ¡°No idea. But this place doesn''t look normal. See how the pillars don¡¯t match the rock around them? It¡¯s like two different places got mashed together.¡±

    I glanced at the marble columns, noting the polished stone beneath them. The chamber ahead looked like a temple or a throne room, it looked ancient, procedurely generated like out of the backrooms. The contrast made my skin crawl, it gave me an uncanny valley feel.

    Jakob pointed toward three unopened coffins along the far wall. ¡°I¡¯ve been trying to find people like you. Haven¡¯t had much luck so far, but maybe we¡¯ll get lucky again.¡±

    As if in response, a faint thudding noise echoed through the hall. A muffled cry followed, a weak puff of air and then a voice. Jakob and I exchanged a look. Without a word, we rushed toward the sound, stopping at the nearest coffin.

    ¡°Help! Please, get me out!¡± a voice cried from within. Together, we pressed against the heavy slab, muscles straining as we heaved it off. It fell to the ground with a loud crash, the sound reverberating through the chamber and then the rock cracked into five peices.

    Inside the coffin lay a young man, eyes wide ad scared. He gasped for air, clutching at his chest as if afraid the walls would close in again. ¡°Thank you,¡± he wheezed, voice hoarse. ¡°I¡­ I couldn¡¯t breathe. Thought I was going to die.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re okay now,¡± Jakob said, offering a hand. ¡°What¡¯s your name?¡±

    ¡°I¡­ I don¡¯t know,¡± the man stammered, pressing his hands to his temples. His fingers dug into his skin, leaving red marks. ¡°I can¡¯t remember anything. Just¡­ something about the system. It¡­ it didn¡¯t accept me. I¡­my skin was crawling for the longest. I felt my bones in my skin pulse and then¡ª¡±

    His eyes rolled back, and he let out a scream. Blood trickled from his nose and eyes as he collapsed, convulsing violently. ¡°What is going on here?¡± Jakob asked, for the first time I heard panic in his voice.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know, but we need to help him¡ªgrab him!¡± I said, already moving toward the man. Together, we lifted him, half-dragging, half-carrying him toward the base of the nearest pillar, where the floor was smoother.

    As we set him down, a sudden blue flash caught my eye. I blinked, startled, as a message appeared in the upper left corner of my vision, glowing faintly:

    ¡ª New Mission Acquired: Read the Grimoire ¡ª

    ¡ª Accept the Quest ¡ª

    ¡ª Tutorial Unlocked ¡ª

    ¡ª Loading¡­ ¡ª

    ¡ª Suitable System Unlocked ¡ª

    ¡ª Body Modifications Unlocked ¡ª

    ¡ª System Successfully Integrated with Host ¡ª

    ¡ª Directional Wheel Unlocked ¡ª

    ¡ª Start Your Journey. Thrive in Your New World Because Your Old World Is Gone ¡ª

    ¡ª Main Objective: Survive ¡ª

    I stumbled back, heart racing. ¡°What the hell? Jakob, did you see that?¡±

    Jakob clutched his head, wincing. ¡°Yeah¡­ yeah, I saw it. And something¡¯s happening to me. My body feels¡­ weird.¡± He staggered toward the center of the chamber, gripping the pedestal for support. His breathing came in ragged gasps, and sweat dripped down his face.

    ¡°Jakob!¡± I called, stepping toward him. His hands trembled as he reached for the book resting atop the pedestal. ¡°Grab it!¡± I shouted, my voice echoing through the hall.

    The moment his fingers touched the book, the air around us shimmered, and a high-pitched whine filled my ears. My vision blurred, and I felt a strange, pulling sensation, as if my body was being unraveled thread by thread.

    ¡°What¡¯s happening?¡± I gasped, reaching for Jakob, but it was too late.

    Yellow, red, and green squares flickered around us, breaking our bodies apart like pixels on a glitching screen. I felt weightless, drifting in a sea of color and static. My mind raced, stimulated beyond belief. I went to open my mouth, but no sound came out and then.

    Ai! Are ye ready for war?¡± an older man growled, his face inches from mine. His brown hair was cut short, shaved on one side, with a jagged scar slicing down his scalp like a lightning bolt frozen in flesh. The stench of stale liquor and rotting teeth hit me like a fist, and I flinched back. War? What war? Where the hell am I? And where¡¯s Jakob?

    ¡°I¡­ I don¡¯t even know where I am¡ª¡± I stammered, my voice catching in my throat.

    He grabbed my shirt and yanked me forward. His grip was iron, fingers digging into my collarbone as his glare drilled into me.

    ¡°Enough of yer games, Fredrick. Try to run, and I¡¯ll kill ye where ye stand.¡± His voice dropped low, rough with years of smoke and bitterness. ¡°See the horde out there? We hold the line, or our families back home die. I ain¡¯t goin¡¯ home to find my son gutted on the floor. So do yer job, or I¡¯ll end ye myself.¡± He shoved me back hard enough that I stumbled.

    I caught myself, breath shaky, heart pounding. I wasn¡¯t in my body. Somehow, I was inside some guy named Fredrick¡ªa middle-aged, worn-down soldier. My hands were rough and pale, my build stockier. It was surreal seeing my skin change right before my eyes, but that wasn¡¯t even the worst part.

    ¡°What exactly am I supposed to fight them with?¡± I asked, voice unsteady, hoping he wouldn¡¯t notice the fear creeping into my tone.

    ¡°That sword on yer back and yer bloody skills, what else?¡± He scowled, then spat on the ground. ¡°Did ye hit yer head? We ain¡¯t got coin for rifles. We¡¯re lowly swarm guards¡ªjust meat for the grinder.¡±

    Swarm guards? Oh, fuck this.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know where I am,¡± I muttered, shaking my head. ¡°What¡¯s going on out there?¡±

    The man¡¯s eyes narrowed. He leaned in close, voice dropping into a growl. ¡°Don¡¯t tell me you¡¯re playing mad to weasel out of this. Yer not gettin¡¯ out. The Graverobbers and Scarab-Borns out there¡¯ll butcher us if you ain¡¯t ready. Now, take a swig.¡± He shoved a flask into my chest, nearly knocking the wind out of me.

    I hesitated, glancing down at the dented metal container. Its cold surface pressed against my skin, the smell of cheap bourbon leaking from the cap. Slowly, I unscrewed it and took a sip. The liquid burned all the way down, harsh and bitter, making me cough.

    ¡°There¡¯s my man, Fredrick.¡± He grinned, clapping me hard on the back. ¡°That wake ye up? Now¡ªready yerself. We move on my count.¡±

    I followed him, crouching low in the trench. Barbed wire twisted along the edges, tangled with broken bodies and torn clothing. The air reeked of blood, gunpowder, and something far worse¡ªlike meat left to rot in the sun. Beyond the trench lay a battlefield scarred by craters and littered with debris. Dust clung to the air, thick enough to taste. The figures in the distance weren¡¯t human¡ªnot entirely. Hulking creatures with the heads of scarabs and warped, muscular bodies loomed over the chaos, their black carapaces glistening in the dim light. Dead soldiers lay around them, their blood soaking the earth.

    ¡°On my count, son. One¡­ two¡­ three¡ªGO!¡±

    He vaulted over the trench wall, charging straight into the fray. I stood frozen for a moment, staring after him in disbelief as the battlefield erupted into chaos. Men screamed, blades clashed, and the ground trembled underfoot.

    ¡°Ah, fuck this,¡± I muttered under my breath. Without a second thought, I turned and bolted in the opposite direction, away from the battle, away from the death and carnage ahead. My feet pounded against the dirt as I scrambled toward a distant hill, hope flaring in my chest. If I could make it over, I might find some way out of this nightmare.

    But just as I reached the base of the hill, the ground quaked violently beneath me. I stumbled, falling hard onto my hands and knees. Dust clouded my vision, and for a moment, all I could hear was the pounding of my heart. Then a massive shadow stretched over me, blocking out the pale gray sky.

    I froze.

    Slowly, I looked up.

    Suddenly, the world stilled. My body froze, caught in a cold, suffocating bubble, trapped outside of time and space.

    Tsk.

    What?

    Tsk.

    The sound echoed in my ear, sharp and unnerving, followed by a strange breeze, as if someone was blowing air directly against me.

    Then, a weight on my shoulder. A hand?

    I jerked my head to my left, but there was nothing there. Then came a rustling, faint, beside me on the right. My body refused to move, locked in place within this unnatural bubble. I could only turn my head, my eyes frantically scanning for the source of the disturbance.

    Tsk.

    ¡°You disappoint me, Chozeh,¡± a voice purred, laced with mockery. ¡°Come now, did you really think you could run from the system?¡± A laugh followed, cruel and mocking. ¡°You¡¯re a funny little man, I¡¯ll give you that. I like you.¡±

    I shook my head, desperate to pinpoint the source of the voice, but saw nothing. Until¡ª

    ¡°Come now,¡± the voice beckoned, smoother, more intimate. ¡°I only show myself when you ask. Do you want to see me, Chozeh? Do you want to feel me, Chozeh?¡± The words lingered like a caress. ¡°I want to feel you. Feel your heartbeat. Tear into your stomach, your flesh and bones. Eat your liver.¡±

    ¡°Who are you? Why have you frozen me in place like this?¡± My voice shook, a knot of terror tightening in my chest.

    Then, a touch. A hand brushed against my thigh¡ªslow, deliberate. Long, pale fingers with filthy black nails scraped against my skin through my pants, pressing harder until a thin line of blood appeared, trickling down my leg.

    ¡°You sick fuck, what are you doing? Stop touching me like that! Let go!¡± I shouted, struggling against the unseen force.

    The voice chuckled darkly. ¡°Oh, come now, the voice of reason. I thought we were bonding. Were we not?¡±

    I could feel it then¡ªhis presence. Something flickered at the edge of my vision, a face¡ªlong, white nose and painted skin, twisted in a grimace. Bells jangled faintly as he leaned closer.

    The man looked demonic, his features contorted in a savage grin. His attire was garish¡ªpurple, black, and green, with blood splattered across his jester¡¯s suit. Bells on his shirt tinkled with every movement.

    His eyes burned like hellfire, dark crimson irises that bore into my very soul. His jester hat brushed against my skin, the bells ringing like a death knell.

    ¡°I¡¯m just letting you know about the journey,¡± he whispered, the words oozing with malice. ¡°You¡¯ll be seeing me a lot, Chozeh. Don¡¯t worry¡ªyou¡¯ll find out soon enough.¡± He paused, a cold grin creeping across his face. ¡°Just remember, Chozeh¡­¡±

    His finger pressed into my back, sharp as a knife, slicing through skin like paper. He dragged it upward, his touch searing and invasive.

    ¡°You can¡¯t escape me. Or the system. Accept your fate. You and the other gods don¡¯t like it when travelers try to interfere. But I felt your soul. It resonated with me, Chozeh. So much.¡± His voice became low, almost tender. ¡°So I¡¯ll help you. Until I don¡¯t feel like helping anymore, and then¡ª¡± His smile widened, sickeningly wide. ¡°I¡¯ll kill you in ways that will leave you feeling it in the afterlife. Got it?¡±

    He leaned in closer, his grin stretching impossibly wide. He dug his fingers into my back, tearing through flesh with a sickening squelch. Blood trickled down, and he licked it off his long, blade-like fingers as if savoring it.

    Then, he shoved me to the ground.

    His presence vanished as suddenly as it came, leaving me gasping for air. The tension in the air lifted, and I could move again¡ªfinally.

    But as I staggered to my feet, my vision spun. My body hit the ground, cold and sharp, pain shooting down my neck. I glanced up just in time to see a headless body collapse in front of me, blood spraying across the ground. A man stood over me, sword raised, flinging the blood off his blade.The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

    It was the man from earlier¡ªthe one who¡¯d warned me not to run.

    ¡°I¡¯ll kill you where you stand if you try to run,¡± his voice echoed in my head, his words ringing in my ears.

    I guess he wasn¡¯t joking.

    Blackness crept in as my vision faded. The last thought that lingered in my mind was of the clown¡ªthe twisted, sickening way he spoke to me¡ªand the words, ¡°Other gods.¡±

    ¡ª-Tutorial Failed: System Reboot¡ª-

    ¡ª-Returning Host to Original Body¡ª-

    ¡ª-Returned Host¡ª-

    I stumbled forward and collapsed to my knees. I grabbed my neck and fiddled with my bullet necklace underneath. What had I gotten myself into? A hand settled on my shoulder, and a voice broke through my foggy thoughts and foggy vision.

    ¡°Are you okay?¡± I jerked back involuntarily, breathing hard and letting go of the cold metal bulle. ¡°Woah calm down. What happened to you?¡±

    Jakob gripped my shoulder, he was clearly concerned his brows furrowed together. I looked up, feeling the warm drip of liquid running from my nose, touching it and then smearing it on my lip. A sharp pain throbbed at the base of my skull, pulling my eyes down to earth into a the rocky terrain underfoot. At least I wasn¡¯t dead; it could¡¯ve been worse, right?

    ¡°Did you not¡ª? Did you not see that?¡± I asked, breathless, my heart was punching me in the chest. I was sweating so much from the adrenaline and the pain that I didn¡¯t notice the searing pain in my neck.

    ¡°See what?¡± he looked backwards, and then back at me.

    ¡°I was¡­ in someone else¡¯s body. I felt it,¡± I muttered, my dreads falling over my face, sweat beading on my forehead. I wiped them away, moving them out my vision, my bright red eyes flaring in the darkness of the cave. Wet damp drips hit me as we moved forward looking for an escape. My brown skin flickering in the torchlight as if I was glowing.

    Jakob¡¯s grip tightened slightly, holding my shoulder in a way a brother does. ¡°No, I didn¡¯t see anything like that. Are you sure you¡¯re alright?¡±

    I frowned, legs aching from the fall of before. ¡°Yeah¡­ sure. I¡¯m fine. Let¡¯s just keep moving¡ª-It''s probably just the heat of this place frying my brain, or something. I don¡¯t know I just feel weird.¡±

    Speaking of Jakob. I haven''t noticed, what are you wearing?¡± I muttered, frowning as I grabbed a fistful of the scratchy, gray fabric draped over me. ¡°Where did my clothes go? They¡¯ve got me in rags? Wait¡­¡±

    I froze, staring at my bare feet, then slowly lifted the hem of the robe. My eyes widened in disbelief. ¡°Jakob¡­ Jakob¡­¡±

    ¡°What is it, Ezekiel?¡± he asked, turning toward me with concern.

    ¡°They¡­ they took my clothes. AND MY SHOES.¡± My voice cracked, rising in pitch. ¡°They took my SHOES! They gotta die. Who would do that? Where are my shoes?!¡±

    Jakob glanced down at himself, his expression shifting from curiosity to confusion. ¡°Now that you mention it¡­ I¡¯m in a loincloth and a tunic. That¡¯s¡­ huh?!¡±

    ¡°Jakob!¡± I dropped to my knees, clutching my head in despair. ¡°Who would take a man¡¯s shoes? WHO would do that?¡±

    Jakob blinked at me, bewildered. ¡°Are¡­ are you crying?¡± He crouched beside me, patting my shoulder awkwardly. ¡°I¡¯m sure you¡¯ll get them back. Or find new ones. There¡¯s gotta be shoes somewhere.¡±

    I sniffled, wiping my eyes. ¡°You think so?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, definitely. And honestly, I¡¯d like to find something better than this ridiculous tunic. It¡¯s¡­ uh, kinda drafty. Feels like I¡¯m wearing a skirt.¡± He pulled at the fabric, grimacing. ¡°Anyway, where even are we? This doesn¡¯t look like the same cave. It¡¯s too dark¡ªI can barely see anything besides rocks and walls.¡±

    I stood up, brushing dirt off the rough robe. ¡°I don¡¯t think so either. It feels¡­ different. The air¡¯s colder and a wind is blowing this way.¡± I squinted into the dimness. ¡°Wait¡ªlook, there¡¯s a light over there.¡± I pointed toward a faint glow in the distance. ¡°It¡¯s not much, but we should follow it. It Might be a way out.¡±

    We started toward the light, cautious but hopeful. Each step echoed faintly in the dark, the sound swallowed by the cavernous void around us. As we drew closer, the glow grew brighter, until it flooded our vision in a sudden, burst of light.

    I stumbled back, raising an arm to shield my eyes. The searing brightness dulled a moment later, revealing¡­ nothing. Just an endless expanse of white stretching in every direction, a void without walls, ground, or sky.

    ¡°Jakob¡­ what is that?¡± I whispered, confused.

    Before he could answer, a voice echoed in my mind:

    ¡ª System Transport Complete ¡ª

    ¡ª Mission Accepted: Reincarnated ¡ª

    ¡ª Main Goal: ??? ¡ª

    ¡ª

    ¡ª Class Unlocked: Seer ¡ª

    ¡ª Skill Unlocked: Analyse ¡ª

    A chill ran down my spine as I stared into the white. Whatever this place was, it wasn¡¯t anywhere I recognized.

    Jakob exhaled, his shoulders tense. ¡°Reincarnated¡­ what does that even mean?¡± He turned to me, a flicker of fear in his eyes. ¡°Ezekiel, what do we do now?¡±

    I clenched my fists, feeling the rough fabric of my robe scratch my skin like it was made of a hundred rats. ¡°First¡­ we find out where we are. Then we figure out if anyone else is here. And after that¡­¡± I glanced at my bare feet. ¡°We find my shoes.¡±

    ¡°Wait Ezekial that book, do you remember it?¡±

    He patted his pockets, searching his persons. His brow furrowed, his movements more patting his illusionary pockets. Before he could say another word, the air shimmered, and the book appeared, raising from a pedastool off the marble floor beneath us.

    Jakob froze, his gaze darting between the book and his empty hands. ¡°What the¡­ Did you see that? It just proofed out of nowhere.¡±

    ¡°I did. What¡¯s going on? This place looks like a solid white box. There¡¯s literally nothing here except the marble floor.¡±

    He reached out, as if willing something to his palm. Nothing happened. He tried again, his face contorted to show his concentration. A faint shimmer, a ripple in the air¡ªand the book appeared above his hand, floating for a brief second before dropping into his grip. It just fell out of the sky from off of the pedastool.

    We stared at each other, wide-eyed. My mind raced, thoughts spiraling. ¡°Looks like we have some kind of¡­ retrieval ability? Or is that just this room? This could be huge. Are we in a video game or something? Or just a different universe with different physics?¡±

    Tentatively, I focused, reaching out in my mind, searching within the core of my chest and then expanded it to my arms and then my head. There¡ªa small, cold weight pressed against my brain. I grasped at it, and in an instant, a dagger materialized in my hand, the cold steel glimmered in the white vastness of the room.

    Jakob¡¯s voice was barely above a whisper. ¡°What kind of magic is this?¡±

    ¡°Some kind of inventory system? Are we in a video game Jakob?¡± I speculated, my voice unsure. ¡°What¡¯s the book say? Wait let me see if I can get an idea: Analyze.¡± I looked at it hard and spoke the words. Everything around me went grey and the book began to glow in a yellow light on its exterior, as if glowing.

    ¡ªAnalyze Complete¡ª

    ¡ªBook of the Void. The gaps in spacetime and the story of an interdimensional traveler. A man of the madness and a masterclass survivalist¡ª

    ¡ªUpgrade Analyze to unlock more information¡ª

    ¡°Well that didn¡¯t tell me anything on this besides it¡¯s a book of the void.¡± Jakob nodded and stretched his arm out to grab the cover.

    As he opened the book, something felt as if it was looking at us. The leather cover was weathered, the pages unnaturally pristine, it honestly didn''t make sense how this old book could look so good. Jakob opened it further, flipping through the pages. His eyes skimmed the text, the initial confusion on his face melting into the barren landscape around him.

    ¡°Ezekiel¡­ you need to read this.¡± His face was worried.

    I took the book, feeling its weight, it was heavier than it looked, and with its dark cover, the blackness sunk into my skin. Skimming the first few lines, I read:

    ¡°You are dead. The life you once knew is gone, left behind like a fading memory. Now, you live within the bounds of this system, a new world governed by rules of power, trade, and sacrifice. Here, your body, your mind, and even your soul are mere resources, expendable in the pursuit of survival or strength.¡±

    My chest felt hollow, an ache blooming like a flower in a summer evening. The word dead echoed in my mind, peeling away something disgusting beneath. Like a rotten fruit, my core felt wet and soft.

    Dead.

    We were dead. Were we truly dead?

    I had to let that sink in.

    ¡°Does that mean there is no hope of return? No chance, not even the slightest? Were we reborn, or was our earth destroyed, leaving us stranded here? Agh, this raises so many questions. And not a single thing closer to an answer.

    Hey Jakob. Did you get any skill? I was thinking maybe I could upgrade mine and have it tell us more in the future?¡± He shook his head.

    ¡°No I didn¡¯t get anything. That sounds like a good idea but I have no clue how we could use that to escape this place. Just thinking about what he meant by all that had my mind racing.¡±

    It felt as if my old life had vanished entirely, slipping away like a dream, one I could no longer revisit. But there was no turning back now¡ªI had to know. I forced myself to keep reading, to at least find the answers, if not some.

    ¡°You will discover your abilities, your limitations, your classes and stats, your strengths and weaknesses. Your weapons, your skills, will materialize from your will alone. You will learn to flourish in a starved environment. You will gain power beyond your former knowledge, but the price is steep. Every choice will demand sacrifice, and every sacrifice, its benefit. You are only here to feed the machine if you can not develop with it.¡±

    The reality sank in: We could trade parts of ourselves for power? Souls¡­ limbs¡­ emotions? What the hell did that even mean? How would that even work? I just cut off a finger and grow wings?

    ¡°The system chooses your path, but you may diverge. Choose with your intuition rather than thought, for not everything is as it seems in this world. Blood is only as thick as you make it, so choose your friends wisely.¡±

    Skills? System? Choices? What choices? The only choice that mattered was life or death, wasn¡¯t it? Like what is this book here getting at?¡±

    The words here didn¡¯t make sense. Who would make something like this? Who would think of such a cruel joke to place on a kid freshly out of high school? I kept reading, each sentence more absurd than the last. A wave of disbelief hit me like this was an absurd joke.

    I looked at Jakob, who nodded grimly. ¡°So¡­ we have magic now? We are like Harry Potter or Percy Jackson or something?¡±

    He was right. The book had made that clear, but how? It didn¡¯t explain anything. Anything whatsoever?

    I turned the page and kept reading, trying to see what would come next.

    ¡°Beyond this tomb lies the unknown. In it, the weak will be shattered. Strength is no longer a choice¡ªit is a currency. You must become both shield and sword to those who follow you, for they will need you more than they know. But remember: the path of mercy is paved with death. Some will drift into madness, and you must let them fall. Those who cannot carry their weight will become burdens to you, slowing your progress.¡±

    Jakob¡¯s face hardened. His voice was rough when he spoke. ¡°He¡¯s telling us to abandon the weak¡­ even those who look to us for help? I¡¯m not about to do that?¡±

    ¡°This book is for those willing to become stone and flame. Its words are written in the ashes of worlds I¡¯ve seen, worlds I¡¯ve conquered, and worlds I¡¯ve left behind. Do not seek allies. Seek only those who share the same curse that binds you. You are not their kin. You will never be one of them. And if you forget that truth, the land itself will rise to remind you.¡±

    Karion Viscus ¨C Wayfarer of Worlds, Scribe of the Void.

    Jakob placed a hand on my shoulder, his grip tight. ¡°We can¡¯t show this to anyone, if we find anyone and get out of this cave.¡±

    I nodded, and the bright room suddenly dimmed. This came out of nowhere and I had to blink to readjust my eyes. It all shifted and I stepped away. Shutting my eyes hard. When I opened them everything went back to normal.

    The dark, uneven walls loomed over us, pressing inward with an oppressive presence, jagged edges clawing at the shadows. It felt as though they were pushing us forward, urging us deeper into the unknown. We kept walking, our footsteps echoing faintly as dust stirred with each step. The dry, gritty air clung to my throat, making both Jakob and me cough. I gripped my neck, trying to ease the burn.

    After several minutes, we entered a clearing. The room opened up into a wide expanse littered with stone slabs. I reached out, running my fingers along one of them. They stood in rigid rows, cold and smooth beneath my touch, like caskets for the dead. The chill in the air seemed to preserve them, keeping decay at bay. Jakob and I braced ourselves against a few slabs, straining to pry them open, but the lids wouldn¡¯t budge. They were too heavy, sealed by something beyond mere weight.

    ¡°Anyone here?¡± my voice echoed through the chamber, each word swallowed by the oppressive silence. ¡°We¡¯re here to help¡ªor at least we¡¯re trying!¡±

    Only silence answered. Resigned, we turned toward a distant archway and pressed on, moving further through the hall.

    As we neared the cave¡¯s entrance¡ªor exit, I suppose¡ªa sudden gust of wind hit us, dry and stifling, like the breath of something ancient and evil. The air carried the acrid stench of sulfur, and heat radiated from the two suns above, spinning in an awkward, rhythmless dance. Jakob and I exchanged a glance, then turned back, scanning the slabs one last time.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t see anyone in there. Are we alone?¡± Jakob¡¯s voice was tight with unease.

    I shook my head. ¡°No¡­ Maybe they left before us. It couldn¡¯t just be us, right?¡±

    We stepped outside, and the ground trembled beneath our feet¡ªnot violently, but enough to unsettle us. It felt as though something beneath the earth was shifting, stirring in its slumber. We looked ahead and it seemed people were already here. They must¡¯ve exited before us because the looks on their faces seemed heavy with confusion

    They looked dazed, disoriented¡ªsome barely older than children, clutching at one another with wide, fearful eyes. Others bore the weary lines of age, faces etched with lives they would never return to. About thirty of them, all as bewildered as Jakob and me.

    The world beyond was alien. Barren red sands stretched endlessly toward the horizon, broken only by towering pillars of jagged rock that jutted upward like shattered bones. The wind howled through the desolate landscape, carrying flecks of grit that stung our eyes. Above us, two suns hung side by side¡ªone a blazing red, the other a ghostly, pale blue. Slowly, the red sun began to eclipse the blue one, casting the land in a surreal, blood-tinged glow.

    Around me, unfamiliar faces turned toward us, searching for something¡ªanything¡ªthat made sense. Jakob caught my eye, and I knew we had to say something, do something, before panic took hold.

    I took a deep breath, forcing down my nerves, and raised my voice above the murmurs of fear. ¡°Everyone, listen up!¡±

    The crowd stilled, their eyes locking onto me, desperate for guidance.

    ¡°I know you¡¯re scared,¡± I said, letting the words settle over them. ¡°Believe me, so are we. But you¡¯re not alone. We don¡¯t know what brought us here, or why, but if we¡¯re going to survive, we have to stay together.¡±

    Jakob stepped up beside me, his voice calm where mine wavered. ¡°This place¡­ it¡¯s dangerous. No one¡¯s going to make it alone. We need each other now more than ever. I don¡¯t know any of you, but if we stick together, we might have a chance.¡±

    He clapped his hands, trying to break the tension. ¡°If anyone has questions or ideas, speak up. We don¡¯t know much more than you do, but we can start forming a plan.¡±

    I scanned the thirty faces before me¡ªstrangers united by fear and hope. Each one was a flicker of life against the endless, crimson wasteland.

    ¡°We¡¯re going to survive this,¡± I said, the words feeling empty even as I forced myself to believe them. ¡°Stick with us, and we¡¯ll figure this out.¡± My throat tightened as a sudden wave of homesickness hit me. God, I missed school. I missed her.

    Jakob shot me a glance, a voice echoed out loud and it had caught my attention.

    Who the hell are you two?¡± a tall man demanded, his voice rough and commanding. ¡°Where am I, and how did I get here? Do you know anything ¡®bout this place? Last thing I remember, I was working on a vehicle in my uncle¡¯s shop¡ªthing dropped on my head¡ªand now I¡¯m here.¡± His eyes scanned the crowd before locking on us. ¡°You know what it feels like to walk out of a cave with what looks like two hundred people?¡±

    There weren¡¯t anywhere near that many. I did a quick head count. Fifty, maybe a hundred tops.

    ¡°Calm down, friend. We¡¯re in the same boat,¡± I said, raising a hand in what I hoped was a reassuring gesture. ¡°Name¡¯s Ezekiel. Nice to meet someone after that long walk down the cave.¡± I took a step forward, extending my hand. ¡°But listen, we need to get this group together. Right now, it¡¯s a lot of chatter and no direction.¡±

    The man¡¯s eyes flicked to my outstretched hand, unimpressed. ¡°I¡¯m going anywhere but here. You all might want to follow, or don¡¯t. Not my problem.¡± He crossed his arms, radiating the kind of confidence that comes from knowing you can handle yourself. ¡°You don¡¯t look like the savior type, son.¡±

    He was a good half-foot taller than me and Jakob, which said a lot, considering I stood at 6¡¯1. There was something about him¡ªan air of authority, like he was used to people falling in line without question.

    ¡°You military?¡± I asked, noting the faded fatigues and the stiff, straight-backed posture. ¡°We could use someone with that kind of experience.¡± I straightened up, pulling my hands from my pockets and standing to my full height.

    ¡°Ex-Marine,¡± he said with a grunt, his eyes drifting to the horizon where the sun was beginning to dip, casting long shadows across the crimson sands. ¡°And from the looks of it, we¡¯re in a desert. If we don¡¯t got no cover soon, it¡¯s going to freeze once night hit.¡± He raised a hand to shield his eyes, revealing forearms thick with muscle. His salt-and-pepper beard looked rough, like it hadn¡¯t seen a razor in days, and his green hat sat low, casting a shadow over his intense gaze. His chocolate-toned skin glimmered in the fading light of the sun.

    ¡°What¡¯s your name?¡± I asked. ¡°Glad to see another black man here. Hopefully, we can get along¡ªmaybe skip the threats.¡±

    ¡°Calvin. But you can call me Sergeant Harris,¡± he replied, tugging his hat lower as if to get a better read on us. ¡°Ain¡¯t got no time to bicker with kids, no offense. Now, I¡¯m about to head that way. Feel free to follow¡ªor don¡¯t.¡± He jerked a thumb toward the distant dunes behind him.

    ¡°I¡¯m Ezekiel, and this is Jakob,¡± I said quickly. ¡°We weren¡¯t the first out of the cave but I know we aren¡¯t on earth anymore.¡± I hesitated, glancing back at the crowd. Most of them looked confused, scared. ¡°We need to get these people organized, Sergeant. They¡¯re looking for someone to take charge. Maybe we could assign roles, form a plan? I might be young, but that doesn¡¯t mean I can¡¯t lead.¡±

    Harris regarded me with a level stare, his expression unreadable. Then slowly he nodded, I could tell he was thinking, not sure of what, but something came to his mind; and after a second he smiled and then responded. ¡°Smart. If we¡¯re going to make it out of here, we need a base¡ªsome kind of temporary outpost where we can regroup, scout for supplies.¡±

    ¡°Exactly.¡± I turned toward the crowd, noting how their scattered conversations had quieted, as if they sensed something important was about to happen. ¡°If they¡¯re willing to follow, we might be lucky enough to survive out here.¡±

    ¡°Then let¡¯s move.¡± Harris¡¯s voice was gruff, no-nonsense. ¡°I¡¯ll take point. You two keep the stragglers in line. Start gathering the able-bodied. We¡¯ll need scouts, fast.¡±

    Before I could reply, he scanned the crowd, picking out a handful of men who looked capable and a black hair woman followed behind, and then they set off toward the dunes. Over his shoulder, he added, ¡°I¡¯ll check the perimeter. Fill me in when I get back, you make them listen while I do the adult shit.¡±

    Jakob stepped up beside me, watching Harris disappear into the distance. ¡°Think we can trust him?¡± he asked quietly.

    I didn¡¯t answer right away. If Harris knew how to survive, we needed him. ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± I admitted. ¡°But right now, we don¡¯t have much of a choice.¡±

    Once Harris was gone, I stepped forward, raised my voice, and called out, ¡°Alright, everyone¡ªgroup up! We¡¯ve got a team scouting for supplies and shelter. The rest of you, stick close and keep calm.¡±

    A low murmur rippled through the crowd¡ªuncertainty, whispers turning into irritated mutters. Then a voice cut through, loud and defiant.

    ¡°Who put you and Officer Dipshit in charge? If you check his hat, you¡¯ll probably find streaks from my ass.¡±

    The crowd shifted, parting slightly as a tall, wiry guy with reddish-brown hair stepped forward. His freckled face was half-covered by his messy bangs, and he wore an oversized band shirt that read ¡®Do You See the Whales¡¯ in solid red letters across the front. A winged whale was printed beneath the words, and on the back, the shirt said ¡®Gojira.¡¯ His cargo pants sagged awkwardly, two sizes too big, and he shifted on his feet as though caught between stepping up and retreating into the background.

    Jakob took a step forward, he spoke up. ¡°Who said that? Don¡¯t hide in the crowd.¡±

    ¡°I said it,¡± the young man muttered, scratching the back of his neck, his eyes flicking nervously between us. ¡°Tired of military types barking orders.¡±

    Before the guy could respond, an older girl smacked him on the back of the neck, the slap ringing out sharp and loud. He winced, rubbing the spot as he shot her a glare. ¡°Ow¡ªJerissa, what the hell?¡±

    The girl ignored him, stepping forward with an air of casual confidence. She wore thigh-high shorts and a green-and-white striped shirt that ended just above her waist showing her belly button and a star piercing coming from her belly button. Arms crossed, she gave me a quick once-over before extending a hand. ¡°Ignore my idiot brother,¡± she said with a sigh. ¡°I¡¯m Jerissa.¡±

    I took her hand, giving it a firm shake, maybe holding it a second longer than I should have. ¡°Ezekiel. You can call me Zeke.¡±

    Jerissa smirked slightly, clearly catching the moment. ¡°Well, Zeke, looks like you¡¯ve got your hands full.¡±

    ¡°Can you not flirt with every guy you meet?¡± the guy grumbled. ¡°You¡¯re embarrassing.¡±

    Jerissa shot him a withering look, and he immediately shut up, scowling as he rubbed the back of his neck again. She turned back to me, her smirk fading as she got serious. ¡°Alright, so what do you need us to do?¡±

    Before I could answer, Jakob spoke up. ¡°We need to figure out who¡¯s here and what they can do. People know each other¡ªwe need to form groups, get a sense of everyone¡¯s strengths, and see who needs help the most.¡±

    ¡°Right.¡± Jerissa nodded, catching on quickly. ¡°I¡¯ll help with that. C¡¯mon, Odin.¡± She gave her brother a pointed look, and he reluctantly followed her.

    As we worked to split everyone into smaller groups, Jerissa took the lead with the women, while Jakob and I focused on the men. We told them to group by height and build, a quick way to identify those who might be better suited for different tasks. As the crowd shifted and rearranged itself, I did a quick headcount¡ªtwenty men, ten women. Not great odds, but it was something to work with.

    That¡¯s when I noticed her¡ªa small girl standing alone, apart from everyone else. She couldn¡¯t have been older than seven, her wide eyes fixed on the shifting groups around her, fear and uncertainty written across her face.

    I stepped toward her slowly, crouching down to her level. ¡°Hey there,¡± I said gently. ¡°What¡¯s your name?¡±

    She fidgeted with her hands, wide eyes fixed on me. ¡°I¡¯m Delilah. What¡¯s your name, sir?¡±

    I gave her a gentle smile, trying to look as reassuring as possible. ¡°I¡¯m Zeke. Delilah, I¡¯m going to make sure you¡¯re okay. Is that alright? Is your mommy or daddy here with us?¡±

    Delilah¡¯s face fell, her hands clutching each other tightly. ¡°No¡­ the last thing I remember is my mommy making me breakfast. Then I took a bath, and¡­ I fell asleep in the tub. I woke up here, and¡­ I was so scared when I heard the rocks fall.¡±

    A knot formed in my throat, but I forced myself to keep my expression calm. ¡°Well, Delilah, see that girl over there?¡± I pointed toward Jerissa, who was still wrangling her brother with a look of barely contained exasperation. ¡°She¡¯s a friend of mine. She¡¯ll keep an eye on you, okay?¡±

    Delilah looked over at Jerissa, then back at me, and offered a shy smile. ¡°Okay, Mister Zeke.¡±

    I gave her a light pat on the head. ¡°Good. Go ahead and stick close to her.¡±

    As she ran off toward Jerissa, I straightened up and let out a long sigh. ¡°This is going to be a handful, isn¡¯t it, Jakob?¡±

    Jakob crossed his arms, nodding toward Jerissa and her brother, who were still locked in an argument. ¡°Yeah, looks like it. Maybe we should go around, ask each group what they¡¯re good at, and start figuring out who can actually help.¡±

    I glanced over the scattered groups¡ªstill a mix of uncertainty and confusion. People were tired, nervous, and on edge, but we didn¡¯t have time to let that fester. ¡°That, I can agree with,¡± I said, rolling my shoulders. ¡°Let¡¯s get to work.¡±

 Venomous Emotions

    ¡°Sargent.¡± Harris raised a hand over his head, his voice warm and crisp against the cooling air. ¡°There¡¯s a green spot that way. Rally everyone and report what you¡¯ve gathered so far. We¡¯ll talk on the move.¡±

    I nodded, stealing a glance at the scattered groups behind us. Four clusters of men, five in each group. Two smaller groups of women. That left me, Jakob, Jerissa and her brother, and the little girl¡ªour ragtag bunch trailing Calvin¡¯s crew. Thirty-eight in total if my math was right. Maybe a few more. Maybe a few less.

    ¡°Everyone, follow us!¡± I called, forcing my voice to get loud in the open terrain. A slight murmur rippled through the crowd. Some people were suspicious it seemed, but even so, they still began to shuffle into a loose line, moving like ants on a picnic trail.

    A sudden flash of lines and symbols filled my vision, almost blinding me. A translucent wheel appeared at the bottom of my gaze, its edges had faint black lines. A small white diamond on the wheel pointed forward, aligning with the sparse patches of green ahead.

    ¡ª Mission Accepted: Find the Oasis ¡ª

    ¡ª Direction Unlocked: Follow the foliage ¡ª

    ¡ª Reward: ??? ¡ª

    I blinked hard, I couldn¡¯t tell if that had always been there or if it just come out of nowhere. When I looked up, the sky stretched endlessly before us, an ocean of golden-orange sand below rippling under the fading light. Dunes rolled like solid waves, cresting and falling, their edges catching the last rays of the setting sun. Beyond them, patches of compacted dirt broke the humps of sand, like islands emerging from an endless sea.

    The sun hung low on the horizon, casting an orange-pink glow that seemed to cling desperately to the sky like a sailor overboard. The nighttime silence deepened until a faint chirping sound emerged. Crickets? Or something pretending to be crickets. The air was cool now, the kind of chill that you would only think came with the open sea.

    Ahead, a scattering of strange palm trees rose against the barren backdrop, their twisted bark resembling braided rope or the ridged texture of a pineapple¡¯s skin. Beneath them, spindly bushes jutted out, their long, matte green leaves looked like the legs of a spider. They reminded me of a microscopic virus, something I¡¯d once seen in a high school anatomy textbook.

    I felt like a sailor adrift on an ocean, only this one had no water, just an expanse of shifting sand and an unsettling sense of loneliness.

    It was an odd experience moving forward with a bunch of people following me. For what and why? I didn''t know, but they listened; maybe soon they would start to question me. I was scared that was going to happen soon, but it hasn¡¯t happened yet.

    As the sun dipped below the horizon, the sky transformed into a canvas of deep blues and purples, streaked with vibrant streams of light. Stars emerged, more vivid than I¡¯d ever seen back in New Orleans, where city lights drowned out such beauty. Don¡¯t get me wrong, New Orleans could be pretty in its own way but nothing like this. The smell of cheap weed and the unbathed homeless begging for your only dollar really took the beauty out of it.

    Under this expansive, alien sky, a sense of calm washed over me as if I¡¯d dived right in. Still, an undercurrent of anxiety lingered, it put me through the wringer holding me down and keeping me from swimming up. The thought of never seeing my mother and sister again hurt me. Was this place a punishment, stripping me of everything I¡¯d once taken for granted? Why me? What have I done besides stick up for those who need it?

    A soft feminine voice pulled me from my thoughts, I was glad because I was seriously hurting only myself in this silence so far. ¡°So, Ezekiel? What brings you here?¡±

    ¡°Nothing much, just killing time.¡± My lips formed thin lines as I pressed them into a straight face.

    She reached out, gently twirling one of my dreads between her fingers. ¡°That¡¯s cool. Same as me, then.¡± She giggled softly, ¡°Why do you think we are here? You seem nice enough?¡±

    I noticed her brother, Odin, observing us from a distance his eyes burning at me. Wondering what his deal was.

    ¡°I wanted to ask,¡± she continued, releasing my hair and resting her hand on my shoulder. ¡°Do you know anything about this place or leading?¡±

    The real question I suppose. ¡°I used to coach my little sister¡¯s basketball games if that counts for something.¡±

    ¡°No, silly,¡± she said, her tone more serious. ¡°I¡¯m asking if you¡¯d want help or need it. Don¡¯t be afraid to ask; I know it¡¯s a lot of work to help yourself, let alone a whole group of people. If you want to talk, just let me know. Ok?¡±

    I nodded, appreciating her offer.

    ¡°I used to have to watch over my brother all the time when my parents were away on business,¡± she added. ¡°I know how it is looking after people. It¡¯s not easy, but someone has to do it, okay? If not you, who else?¡±

    Jakob chimed in, cleaning his earrings with his finger. ¡°I¡¯d do it for a Scooby snack. And maybe, I don¡¯t know, some normal food I guess. I¡¯m hungry.¡±

    Odin appeared beside us, his presence sudden and unsettling. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t touch that role with a ten-foot pole,¡± he muttered.

    ¡°Where did you even come from?¡± Jakob exclaimed, clutching his shirt as he jumped.

    ¡°I came from Earth with the rest of you,¡± Odin replied dryly, grabbing his sister¡¯s collar and gently pulling her away from me.

    ¡°Well, I say it¡¯s perfect for Zeke to do,¡± Jerissa insisted. ¡°He seems stoic and quiet, even a bit lovable, like a big angry teddy bear.¡±

    ¡°Oh, that¡¯s wonderful to hear,¡± I replied sarcastically. ¡°Great leader I am; everyone wants a hug and some cocoa.¡±

    ¡°I could use some cocoa right now. Oh, and a cinnamon pop tart those are great man.¡± Jakob said half-heartedly ending his sentence. ¡°And I don¡¯t know if ¡®lovable¡¯ is the word. Zeke seems like the quiet tsundere type. If you fill his head with compliments, he¡¯ll just melt like putty. So you need to call him names and pick on him a bit.¡±

    I wondered if Jakob knew me at all.

    ¡°Worst leader ever! And it¡¯s your fault we ended up in this place.¡± He grabbed his head in pretend worry. ¡°You have no clue what you¡¯re doing,¡± he teased, laughing childishly.

    ¡°Great. So now I¡¯m the scapegoat,¡± I muttered under my breath. ¡°Like I¡¯m some kind of expert at this.¡± I scanned the faces around me, all of them looking for answers I didn¡¯t have. Strangers in a strange place. I wasn¡¯t their savior. Hell, I didn¡¯t even know why we were here, and I doubted I ever would. The role had been dumped on me, but I wasn¡¯t about to let it stick. They¡¯d have to understand that soon enough.

    It wasn¡¯t that I hated people¡ªI just didn¡¯t trust myself with them. Groups had a way of swallowing you whole, drowning out your thoughts, burying you under their noise and needs. I had enough of my problems. I didn¡¯t need theirs piling on top.

    Still, I couldn¡¯t deny the pull of it. Leadership wasn¡¯t something I chose¡ªit was something I was forced into. When my dad died, someone had to step up. Mom could keep us fed, but everything else? That was on me. Fixing the sink. Helping my little sister with her homework. Scraping together rent when Mom ran through her paycheck on pills. I wasn¡¯t a leader because I wanted to be. I was a leader because no one else gave a damn. I was drowning, stuck in the deep end, and no one was throwing me a line.

    Now, here I was again. Different faces, the same feeling of being held down and raped into submission. It didn¡¯t matter what I wanted¡ªI had to deal with it. The exhaustion, the suffocating reality of it all. These people needed someone, and they¡¯d already decided it was me. They expected me to show them the way forward, even though I didn¡¯t know where forward was. Hell, I didn¡¯t even know where I was. Was I facing backward?

    Was I lost too? I nodded my head and gulped down the dry lump of saliva in my throat.

    And the memories wouldn¡¯t stop. The constant ¡°Zeke, I need your help,¡± as if I was a never-ending resource. Mom blowing the rent money on drugs and blaming me for not fixing it fast enough. Limping home after getting stabbed and being told it was my fault for not fighting back harder. For not being a man. That phrase always stuck in my head like a bent nail. I was just a kid, but that didn¡¯t seem to matter. When it happened to me it was the same thing. When I got stabbed it was the same thing. I was 18?!? I was already patched together from years of knives, fists, and stray gun barrels¡ªand somehow, I was still expected to carry everything. Alone. Alone!?! Why!?! And why this!?!?!

    My mother loved me, but not enough. Not enough to stop herself from taking another pill that was eating away her insides. Not enough to protect me when I was bleeding out. Not enough to fight for me when I couldn¡¯t fight for myself. And now? Now I had no one to keep these thoughts out of my head.

    Sometimes, I wished I¡¯d never saved her. Sometimes, I wondered if she wouldn''t have pulled the plug on me if she¡¯d had the money to keep me alive. What kind of mother does that to her kid?

    And what kind of man does it make me?

    But there was no time to unravel it, to detangle that thread right now. Our old lives were gone, wiped clean like they never existed. No safety net. No escape. Just us, standing here in a strange, hollow place, trying to make sense of it all.

    And now their eyes were on me, waiting for direction. Their faith pressed on me like an anchor tied to my chest, dragging me deeper into the dark ocean. The irrational thoughts looked at me with bright white eyes in the shadows, just the vague outline of people. And the emotion that I couldn¡¯t shake: What if they knew? What if they figured out the guy they trusted didn¡¯t want this? Didn¡¯t even want to be alive, let alone here?

    I couldn¡¯t keep this up. Not for long. I needed to get out of my head¡ªtalk to someone, anyone¡ªbefore these thoughts festered into something worse. Before they drowned me for good.

    That release. I needed that. I could hear the echo of my name outside the glass fish tank surrounding my brain. Her voice was smooth like honey, it soothed me down a bit. Something I needed.

    ¡°Yeah, that makes sense,¡± I said with no clue what the conversation was. They just looked at me strangely and nodded. Then they began talking amongst themselves while I kept myself in thought until something else caught my mind.

    Ahead of us, Calvin led his people¡ªa tight formation of four men and one woman. They moved as a unit, speaking in whispered voices, laughing and slapping each other on the back like they all were best friends or knew one another. Maybe they did? Regardless he kept just enough distance from the rest of us to signal he wasn¡¯t one of us and show his attitude toward the majority of us left.

    Smart, I guess. Better to keep his friend group''s lips sealed. To keep them away from us and out of hearing range.

    A partial word of his voice carried back on the wind: ¡°We need a hunting party. Draw up a plan, and I¡¯ll round up the strongest. Well the strongest besides me.¡± He rolled his head back in a fit of laughter.

    The rest was lost, but the fragment was enough to stir unease in my gut. Whatever unity we had that would keep us together wouldn¡¯t last not with someone working independently like that. It¡¯s a hostile thought process, I¡¯ll have to bring it up to Jakob. Sooner or later, someone would shatter it. And I wasn¡¯t sure I¡¯d want to be the one.

    A small hand tugged at me. Delilah, the little girl, clung to Jerissa¡¯s hand, her wide eyes searching mine. ¡°Are we almost there, mister? My feet hurt.¡±

    I looked away, jaw clenching, mad that it had to be this way, mad that she looked just like my little sister, but wasn''t. ¡°Yeah,¡± I said, maybe too quickly. ¡°If they hurt too much, I¡¯ll carry you, ok?¡± She nodded, her hair bobbing and bouncing as she smiled, and I forced myself to fix my gaze on the alien horizon ahead.

    What if they started asking for things I couldn¡¯t give? What if the girl ends up hungry or thirsty? I had a snack in my pocket but don¡¯t I need to eat too? Or is that wrong to think when there¡¯s a starving child there? I always struggled with what was right and I still struggle with how to handle people. I know we all needed to pause and collect ourselves. But for now, all I could do was walk forward. No other options.

    We moved through the sand, step by step, closing the distance to the patch of green ahead.

    The closer we got, the stranger the trees became. They rose from the sand like broken arches, their dehydrated, trunks bearing alien fruit¡ªeach one a deep, meaty red that looked wrinkled like an avocado, but full as a pear. A sharp curved needle hung by the fruit, it looked strange like the plant was protecting its seed or something.

    The bark was rough and pitted, like cactus skin, but sprouted spindly, hairy needles. Each limb branched into its segmented appendages resembling the legs of an insect. The yellowed, bulbous joints twitched faintly, as though alive. Below, the roots curled upward, clawing out of the sand like fingers. The trees swayed with the wind¡ªnot quite natural, not quite still. They felt less like plants and more like a statue. I¡¯d never seen anything like them. Not on Earth. Not anywhere.

    Sargent Harris dropped back, falling into step beside me. His gravelly voice spoke to me.

    ¡°So, Ezekiel,¡± he began, ¡°what do you know about this place? And what about the people? I¡¯ve been meaning to talk to you but my survival plans came first.

    I shifted uncomfortably, the sand giving beneath my feet. ¡°Not much,¡± I admitted. ¡°It¡¯s an alien world, obviously.¡± I gestured to the strange sky, but his sharp eyes stayed fixed on me. ¡°There¡¯s some sort of¡­ system in place here, something tied to us. I haven¡¯t worked it all out yet. We¡¯ve got about forty people¡ªthirty-eight if I counted right. Twenty men, ten women, and the rest of us and yours. I haven¡¯t spoken to everyone yet but I need to.¡±

    Harris nodded thoughtfully, glancing upward at the faint stars. ¡°A system, huh? What kind of system? Are you saying a machine did this to us? Terminator-style? Or like the Matrix?¡±

    I hesitated, unsure how to explain without sounding insane. ¡°Not exactly. I think it''s more like¡­ code. You know, like a video game. Some people think the universe might be a simulation. What if it is? What if we could use it¡ªlike a tool¡ªto change ourselves? Not saying I believe it, but it¡¯s something I¡¯ve been thinking about since I woke up here.¡±

    He narrowed his eyes, studying me. ¡°And the proof? You got any?¡±

    I raised my hand and showed him my palm. I felt the faint hum of energy coursing through it. Taking a breath, I swiped my hand through the air. In an instant, a dagger materialized in a flash of light, its edge gleaming under the alien moonlight.

    ¡ªMission Accepted¡ª

    ¡ªTeach the system: 1 of 5 people taught¡ª

    ¡ªReward: ???¡ª

    Harris¡¯s eyebrows shot up, his mouth opening slightly. ¡°Well, I¡¯ll be damned.¡±

    I nodded. ¡°When I woke up, I got a notification. Something about ¡®System Integration.¡¯ It said our bodies will evolve with us, granting abilities and powers. Not everyone seems to have access to it, though, so I¡¯ve been keeping it quiet until I can figure it out.¡±

    He stared at the dagger for a long moment, then grunted. ¡°Show me how you do that. You just¡­ thought about it?¡± He rubbed his chin.

    I swallowed, trying to keep pushing down the anxiety I still felt from early hanging on my back. ¡°Yeah. I got some words in my head and they told me to focus hard enough. Not everyone can do it, though. I didn¡¯t want to freak people out before we had shelter, didn''t want people just going all stabby before we got acquainted with one another. Figured I¡¯d explain after we settled in.¡±

    I barely finished the thought before he grinned like a kid with a new toy. Concentrating, Harris closed his eyes, and in seconds, a massive Bowie knife shimmered into existence in his hand. Its polished steel glinted in the moonlight. Then, with another effort, he summoned a sleek, black handgun, its silhouette almost too real.

    My pulse quickened. Did he summon a gun?

    How?

    He turned it over in his hands, inspecting it with a soldier¡¯s ease, dropping the magazine and pushing it back in with a click. ¡°This,¡± he muttered, ¡°just made things a hell of a lot easier.¡±

    His voice didn¡¯t quite match mine. My mind reeled. Was he a soldier back on Earth? The way he handled the weapon so casually unsettled me.

    ¡°Jesus,¡± I muttered under my breath. ¡°What are you about to do with that thing?¡±

    Harris glanced at me, smiling. ¡°Welcome to the new world, kid. Looks like we¡¯ve got a lot to figure out.¡±

    The revelation hit me like a jab to the ribs. If Harris could summon a gun, so could others. What would happen if they figured this out before I could explain things properly? My chest tightened as I glanced back at the group trudging through the sand. There was already so much drama it felt like. We didn¡¯t need to add much more.

    Harris turned to me, his expression a mix of excitement and thought. ¡°So, Ezekiel, this¡­ system thing. You¡¯re telling me it¡¯s just a matter of figuring out how to use it?¡± He twirled the knife in his hand effortlessly disappearing it instantly, then tucked the gun into his belt.

    I nodded reluctantly, trying to restrain myself. ¡°That¡¯s the gist of it. It¡¯s not automatic, though. You have to focus on what you want, and even then, it¡¯s like¡­ trial and error. Not everyone might be able to do it. From what I¡¯ve seen so far it¡¯s only certain people. Maybe others can unlock it after a time though.¡±

    Harris frowned, his brow furrowing as he considered this. ¡°But you can. I can. This means others might figure it out soon, too. We¡¯ll need to keep that in check.¡± He glanced back at the others, his face hardening. ¡°This kind of power¡ªit changes things. People will want it, maybe kill for it. You understand what that means?¡±

    I clenched my fists. ¡°Yeah, I do. That¡¯s why I haven¡¯t told everyone yet. It¡¯s¡­ a lot to handle.¡± My voice dropped. ¡°And honestly, I don¡¯t know how to control it myself.¡±

    Harris snorted. ¡°Control comes with practice. And discipline.¡± His eyes flicked back to mine. ¡°If you¡¯ve got the power to lead these people, you better figure out how to use it fast. Otherwise, someone else will. Hell, I will.¡±

    I wanted to argue, to push back, but it wasn¡¯t the time, we would have a group discussion. I will not act on my own in this instance, I can wait and maybe¡ªjust maybe. He was right. If I couldn¡¯t figure this out, someone like Calvin¡ªor worse than him¡ªwould step up and take over. And I wasn¡¯t sure anyone else would lead with the group¡¯s best interests in mind, I wasn¡¯t even sure if I could trust him, but I hoped.

    Ahead of us, the greenery came closer, its alien features becoming more distinct. The twisted trees swayed unnaturally in the breeze, their spiny limbs twitching like living creatures. The air grew thicker, heavy with a faint, metallic tang that made my tongue feel dry and my stomach churn.

    Harris broke the silence. ¡°We need to set up camp before it gets too dark. Those trees might give us cover, but they don¡¯t look friendly. I¡¯ll take some of the men and scout ahead. You stay here and keep everyone calm.¡±

    I nodded, relieved to have a moment to think. As he gathered a few volunteers, I turned to Jakob, who had fallen in step beside me. He looked at the dagger still in my hand and raised an eyebrow.

    ¡°So,¡± Jakob said, his voice trying to conceal itself, ¡°you¡¯re just giving everyone magic powers now?¡±

    I shot him a glare. ¡°It¡¯s not like I planned this or showed him. Harris figured it out on his own. I didn¡¯t even know we could get guns.¡± But then I had a thought. A flashback to the trenches, something the man had said. Something I can¡¯t remember.

    Jakob smirked. ¡°Yeah, sure. But if he¡¯s got a gun now, what¡¯s stopping him from taking charge? Or worse, shooting someone?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s what I¡¯m trying to figure out,¡± I muttered, my gaze shifting to the group trailing behind us. Delilah was clinging to Jerissa, her small frame hunched from exhaustion.

    Jakob¡¯s smirk faded, and his tone softened. ¡°Look, I get it. This isn¡¯t exactly what you signed up for. But these people are looking to you. Harris might have the muscle, but you¡¯ve got their trust. Don¡¯t waste that man. Alright?¡±

    I didn¡¯t respond. Instead, I turned back toward the desert and looked at the group of people behind us.

    ¡°Let¡¯s just focus on getting through the night,¡± I said finally, more to myself than to Jakob. ¡°We¡¯ll deal with the rest tomorrow. I¡¯m tired.¡±

    My thoughts came to life on the cold night. Could I summon a gun as well? Should I even want to? Was it necessary to use a gun? What could be out there on this planet that might make a gun useful? Or would we be better off without one?This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

    Then my mind wandered back to Analyze.

    Could I use it now? What if I could learn more about this gun, or him, or¡­ anything? I should probably try to level it up any way I¡¯ve just been so sidetracked lately. I rubbed the back of my head yawning looking up at the stars and my mind drifted.

    I thought the word Analyze in my head and focused on Harris¡¯s gun. It seemed weird all of these skills coming out of nowhere but I would not take them for granted.

    ¡ª-Analyzing¡ª-

    ¡ª-Analysis Complete¡ª-

    ¡ª-Sargent Calvin Jones Harris¡ª-

    ¡ª-Ex-Marine, honorably discharged after killing a fellow soldier in Iraq. Afterward, he worked as a mechanic at his uncle¡¯s shop.

    ¡ª-Gun Handling Level 2¡ª-

    ¡ª-Upgrade Analyze to find out more¡ª-

    Huh. That was interesting. Gun leveling level 2? Maybe our experience in our past life transferred over in some way. It would make sense with him being a marine and all that. But it didn¡¯t feel like the right time to talk about it. I¡¯d have to let Jacob know about this later. I turned my gaze toward the gun again, regarding it with a suspicious glance.

    ¡ª-Analyzing¡ª-

    ¡ª-Glock 19. Standard service pistol. Widely used in military forces worldwide. Requires Gun Handling Level 1 to wield effectively¡ª-

    I blinked. Could I use this on anything else? What else could I analyze?

    I shifted my gaze toward the sky, focusing on one of the moons hanging like a pearl in the velvet night.

    ¡ª-Analyzing¡ª-

    ¡ª-Alpha Centauri system: Proxima B¡ª-

    ¡ª-4.25 light-years from Earth¡ª-

    A dull ache spread in the pit of my stomach. So, we are on another planet, huh?

    I glanced around, noting the strange terrain beneath our feet. The ground was rocky sand and dried dirt. My thoughts shifted, wondering about the rest of the world.

    ¡ª-Rocky Sand: Formed from broken rocks over millions of years¡ª-

    I looked up at the strange tree next to me, its green leaves hanging like heavy curtains from a twisting trunk. Something about it felt¡­ different from the others.

    Before I could process it, a voice shouted from ahead.

    ¡°Kei! Stay away from that tree!¡±

    I spun around just in time to see a tall Asian man walking toward the tree. He reached out to touch one of the dangling leaves overhead and grab the fruit.

    Suddenly, the ground erupted. The sand beneath us shifted, and a massive pincer erupted from the earth. A man screamed, but it was too late. The creature¡¯s tail whipped and lashed around Kei¡¯s leg. He cried out in pain as a few of the others scrambled back, but the tail retracted with terrifying speed, pulling him deeper into the sand.

    The tree turned out to be part of a tail. Kei fell back on his ass in the sand and tried swimming through it. He pushed his arms out of the pit and tried clawing up. Another man tried to run past Kei, but he was too slow. The scorpion reached its large pincers down picked him upright by the midsection and carried him to its mouth. Half of his body gave way and split in two. A wet chewing sound hit the air around us, and a crunch. Half of his skull was ripped open, and the creature had its mandibles in the man¡¯s brain. The man¡¯s lower half lay broken like a children¡¯s toy as blood pooled underneath him in the sand.

    ¡°We have to do something¡ªnow!¡± I shouted, turning to Calvin and the others. Without thinking, I rushed to Kei, grabbed his hand, and yanked him away from the creature¡¯s reach. People scattered around us, some narrowly escaping, others not so lucky.

    The scorpion grabbed another person. A sickening crunch could be heard.

    In the chaos, Calvin cocked his weapon, leveling it at the scorpion. He fired several rounds, the bullets bouncing off the creature¡¯s thick exoskeleton, barely making a dent.

    It didn¡¯t flinch; it bit down on the other man like a sandwich and then turned its head back toward the group.

    ¡°Aim for its vitals!¡± I yelled. ¡°The weak spots!¡±

    ¡°Yeah? And where the hell would that be?¡± Calvin shouted back, frustration and fear crackling in his voice.

    I dropped the injured man as we finally reached safety and focused. Analyze, I thought, hoping the ability would reveal something useful.

    ¡ª-Analyzing¡ª-

    ¡ª-Ka¡¯bolgdi Scorpion¡ª-

    ¡ª-Vital Points: Behind the head plate and under the thorax¡ª-

    ¡ª-Weakness to extreme temperatures and intense sensory vibrations¡ª-

    ¡ª-Additional details locked. Upgrade Analyze to access¡ª-

    The data flashed before my eyes. ¡°Behind the headplate! Under the gut!¡± I shouted. ¡°And it¡¯s weak to heat and vibrations!¡± I wasn¡¯t sure how helpful the last part would be, but I yelled it anyway, hoping it might save someone.

    Calvin¡¯s jaw tightened, his expression grim as he adjusted his stance. He leveled his weapon, aiming at the vulnerable thorax just as the creature lunged toward another group member. The gunfire cracked, but the bullets just sparked off the creature¡¯s tough exoskeleton like pebbles against steel.

    My instincts kicked in. ¡°Hey!¡± I yelled, waving my arms to draw its attention. It worked. The creature lunged, and I took off, sprinting across the sands, the beast hot on my heels.

    The ground beneath me shook with each strike of its tail, sand exploding in small geysers as it missed by mere inches. My lungs burned as I pushed myself harder, zigzagging to throw it off. Behind me, Calvin barked orders, and gunfire cracked again, but the creature¡¯s armored body absorbed most of the shots like they were nothing.

    I made a break for Calvin, diving into the sand at the last moment. The scorpion¡¯s tail slammed into the ground just behind me, the impact sending shockwaves through my ribs and my chest. The beast shrieked, its tail lodged in the hardened terrain. Calvin didn¡¯t hesitate. He stepped forward, reloaded, and unleashed a volley of gunfire into the creature¡¯s softer underbelly.

    The bullets found their mark, tearing into exposed flesh. A chittering scream echoed from the creature as its claws flailed wildly, trying to shield itself. But Calvin kept firing, each shot precise. The scorpion staggered, its movements slowing as black blood poured from its torn abdomen. It dragged itself forward, guts trailing in the sand, trying to escape. With one final, agonized screech, it collapsed, its limbs twitching grotesquely even in death.

    The smell hit me first¡ªsickly sweet and rotten. I coughed, covering my nose as Calvin lowered his gun.

    ¡ªLevel 2 Unlocked: 1 Skill point available for use¡ª

    ¡ª2 Level 1 Skills will be assigned during the dream sequence. Each will be available to pick up later.

    As the group gathered around the fallen scorpion, Calvin wiped the sweat from his brow. ¡°Dear God, what the hell was that thing?¡± he muttered.

    ¡°Ka¡¯bolgdi,¡± I replied, still catching my breath. ¡°Some kind of alien scorpion. Feeds on travelers in the sands.¡±

    ¡°Feeds on humans?¡± Calvin¡¯s face twisted in disgust. I nodded.

    ¡°Fuck,¡± he said, shaking his head. ¡°This is going to be hell on Earth, isn¡¯t it?¡±

    I pushed my dreads back, trying to steady my breathing. ¡°We need to pull everyone together,¡± I said. ¡°As many people as we can. We have to teach them how to do what you just did.¡±

    ¡°You mean start killing shit?¡± Calvin raised an eyebrow.

    ¡°Yes, we have a lot of people here, and we need them to survive,¡± I said firmly. ¡°We can¡¯t take these things on alone, but we can¡¯t just leave supplies behind either. First, we take care of the wounded and check the dead. Then, we loot this thing for food and anything useful.¡±

    Before Calvin could respond, a woman stepped forward from the group. Her face was pale, almost yellow, and her eyes flicked nervously between the dead scorpion and the injured man. I recognized her¡ªthe same woman who¡¯d screamed at Kei to stay away from the tree earlier.

    ¡°It¡¯s a scorpion, right?¡± she said, her voice shaking slightly. ¡°On Earth, most scorpions aren¡¯t deadly¡ªsomething about their venom being diluted. But this¡­ this thing¡­¡± She glanced at the swelling on the man¡¯s leg, her expression grim. ¡°This is different. This is serious.¡±

    ¡°Someone give me a shirt, now!¡± She held out her hand, catching one tossed from the group. In a fluid motion, she tore it into strips, her movements quick and decisive.

    She turned to me, handing me a piece of the cloth. ¡°Here¡ªput this in his mouth and hold it there. When the pain hits, he¡¯ll bite down hard. Better this than him chewing his tongue off.¡±

    I did as she said while her eyes zeroed in on the wound, her face tightening as she examined the dark, blueish-black streaks spreading up his leg. ¡°Damn,¡± she muttered. ¡°It struck a vein¡ªfemoral artery, maybe. This is bad. The venom¡¯s already moving fast.¡±

    She crouched beside the man, meeting his panicked eyes. ¡°Look, I need you to decide. Do we risk cutting off the leg to save your life, or do we let it spread and take our chances? Think fast.¡±

    He just stared at her, frozen in shock. She exhaled sharply, deciding for him. ¡°Fine. I¡¯m calling it.¡±

    Without hesitation, she wrapped the cloth tightly around his leg, just above the wound. Grabbing a sturdy stick someone handed her, she used it as a lever to twist the fabric into a makeshift tourniquet. The man winced as his skin turned pale under the pressure.

    ¡°This¡¯ll slow the venom,¡± she said, her voice calm but urgent. ¡°It¡¯s not a fix, though.¡± She looked around at the others. ¡°Lift him carefully¡ªkeep that leg as still as you can. Too much movement will only make things worse.¡±

    She paused, glancing at me. ¡°We could cut the wound to drain it, but without sterile tools, the infection¡¯s a huge risk. Still¡­¡± She hesitated, clearly weighing the options.

    I nodded, trying to keep my voice steady. ¡°Do it.¡±

    She took a knife from someone nearby, her hands steady but her jaw tight. As she cut into the wound, thick, black blood oozed out in slow, jelly-like clumps. The man¡¯s face turned pale, but he stayed conscious, biting down hard on the cloth.

    ¡°Alright, that¡¯s the best we can do for now,¡± she said, tying off the wound quickly. ¡°Let¡¯s get him moving. He needs to lie down soon, and keep that leg as still as possible.¡±

    As we lifted the man, I turned to her. ¡°You were amazing back there,¡± I said, genuinely impressed. ¡°What¡¯s your name?¡±

    She brushed a strand of dark hair out of her face, her tone softening just a bit. ¡° Ning Xiaoyu,¡± she said. ¡°But my friends call me Nara.¡±

    ¡°Nara,¡± I repeated. ¡°It¡¯s nice to have someone like you here. You knew exactly what to do.¡±

    She gave a faint smile but didn¡¯t look at me, her focus still on the injured man. ¡°Thanks. Let¡¯s just hope it¡¯s enough. This place¡­¡± Her gaze drifted to the massive scorpion carcass, ichor still pooling beneath its segmented body. ¡°If insects are this size, I don¡¯t even want to think about what else is out there.¡±

    Neither did I. But I wasn¡¯t about to let her see my fear. ¡°We¡¯ll make it,¡± I said, more to convince myself than her. ¡°We don¡¯t have a choice.¡±

    We finally reached the oasis, supporting the man stung by the massive scorpion he¡¯d stepped on. My shoulders ached from bearing his weight the entire way, and every muscle in my body screamed for respite.

    ¡ªOasis Found¡ª

    ¡ªReward Unlocked¡ª

    ¡ªLocked item box¡ª

    ¡ªItem sent to your inventory¡ª

    I stretched out my arm waving away the notification, rolling my shoulder, as we ensured he was settled beneath a real tree this time¡ªnot one of those thorny, alien-looking shrubs, but an actual tree with wide branches offering shade. Kneeling beside him, I examined his leg.

    The swollen, purplish skin looked even worse now¡ªblue veins spidered out from the puncture wound, and the split flesh gaped open like a bludgeoned lip. I tried to keep my face neutral as I spoke to him.

    I thought about the item in the corner of my mind but decided to not say anything about it now. We needed to get things settled here first.

    ¡°I¡¯d ask if you¡¯re okay,¡± I said, ¡°but I think we both know the answer to that. Is there anything I can do for you?¡±

    He shook his head, his eyes shifting between Jakob and me. ¡°Not unless you can fix this,¡± he muttered, gesturing to his leg.

    ¡°If I could, I would,¡± I replied sincerely. ¡°But let me know if you need water or anything else, alright? We¡¯ll get you through this.¡±

    He nodded, murmuring a quiet ¡°Thanks.¡±

    I straightened and turned to Jakob. ¡°We need to talk later,¡± I said in a low voice. ¡°Figure out what we¡¯re dealing with. If this is anything like a system, with the skills I have, we should be able to level up, right? Build on what we¡¯ve got.¡±

    Jakob scratched his chin, glancing toward the others scattered across the oasis. ¡°Yeah, maybe. Wouldn¡¯t be the strangest thing, considering everything else going on.¡±

    ¡°Good. But don¡¯t tell anyone about my skills, Jakob,¡± I warned, staring directly at him. ¡°This place is dangerous enough without people knowing what I can do. Last thing I need is a target on my back. You do this for me, I¡¯ll do the same for you.¡±

    Jakob grinned faintly. ¡°Brothers forever, Zeke. You¡¯ve got my word.¡±

    I extended my arm, and he clasped it, pulling me in before releasing with a solid snap.

    ¡°If we don¡¯t have each other, we don¡¯t have anything,¡± I said. ¡°You¡¯re my brother now, Jakob. And we¡¯ve got to take care of all these people, no matter what the book says about survival.¡±

    Jakob nodded. ¡°Understood.¡±

    I turned back to the injured man. ¡°And you¡ªdon¡¯t go spreading anything you hear. We¡¯ll know if you do.¡±

    He swallowed hard and nodded. ¡°You won¡¯t hear anything from me. I¡¯ve got enough to worry about as it is.¡±

    ¡°Good. And don¡¯t think of yourself as a burden,¡± I said, kneeling back down beside him. ¡°If it were my leg, you¡¯d do the same for me.¡±

    He chuckled weakly. ¡°Yeah, but I did this to myself. Stupid mistake. I was hungry, Zeke. Still am, if I¡¯m honest.¡±

    I couldn¡¯t blame him. My stomach churned in agreement, and the dramatic temperature drop wasn¡¯t helping. The heat had drenched me earlier, but now the cold air made my sweat feel like ice.

    Patting down my pockets, I found nothing until my fingers brushed against an unending space and something felt familiar, I dug into the space and thought about it and I pulled out my old leather wallet¡­ and a granola bar I didn¡¯t even realize I had in my inventory?

    The injured man¡¯s eyes locked onto it immediately, and Jakob¡¯s weren¡¯t far behind.

    ¡°You have food?¡± Jakob blurted. ¡°I¡¯m starving, man.¡±

    ¡°Shh,¡± I said sharply, glaring at him. ¡°We¡¯ll have to share it with everyone. Check your inventory you might have something too. Think about it, it wouldn¡¯t make sense to split this into forty pieces, but we need to see what the group has. We¡¯ll ration everything.¡±

    Jakob didn¡¯t argue but gave me those big, watery eyes like a begging dog.

    I sighed and snapped the granola bar into uneven halves. ¡°Here,¡± I said, handing them each a piece.

    ¡°Hey!¡± Jakob protested, holding up his smaller piece. ¡°Yours is bigger! What happened to looking out for each other?¡±

    I glared at him, my patience threadbare. ¡°You¡¯re welcome,¡± I muttered before pushing past him.

    Behind me, the injured man called out, ¡°Thanks for that, Ezekiel. It means a lot, I hope you know.¡±

    I didn¡¯t turn around. I couldn¡¯t let them see me clutching my stomach or hear its growl. Instead, I moved toward the siblings and the little girl, Delilah. I¡¯d made a promise to look out for them.

    If I didn¡¯t take care of them, no one would.

    ¡°Odin, Jerissa, and Delilah?¡± I called out. ¡°You busy?¡±

    ¡°Course not,¡± Odin replied. He leaned against a sedimentary rock wall, arms crossed. ¡°We haven¡¯t done much of anything besides sit on our asses since we got here.¡±

    Well, if you¡¯re bored, you can help me out,¡± I said, crossing my arms. ¡°I¡¯m going to ask around, see if we can get people to pitch in. Better than just sitting around and suffering. Gotta stay strong, right?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, I know that.¡± Odin¡¯s reply came in his usual detached tone, eyes fixed somewhere distant. ¡°More than I¡¯d like to admit.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll help,¡± Jerissa said, stepping forward with a faint smile. The moons¡¯ pale light caught her red hair, turning it to a shimmering flame.

    ¡°Course you will,¡± Odin muttered, shooting her a sidelong glance.

    Jerissa turned sharply, her gaze hard. ¡°You always have something to say, don¡¯t you?¡±

    Odin didn¡¯t flinch, merely shrugged and looked away.

    ¡°Zeke?¡± A small voice spoke to me. Delilah stepped forward, rubbing her tired eyes. Her thin frame trembled in the night air. ¡°I¡¯m hungry¡­ and cold. And I miss my mom.¡±

    Her words hit me like a punch to the gut.

    I crouched down, meeting her tear-filled eyes. ¡°I¡¯ll do something about that soon, okay?¡± Fishing into my pocket, I found the last piece of the granola bar. I broke it in half and handed the pieces to Delilah and Jerissa.

    Delilah took hers with a soft ¡°Thank you¡± and ate it quickly, crumbs clinging to her lips. Jerissa accepted hers with a quiet nod.

    Odin¡¯s gaze lingered on the food for a moment before he turned back to the dark sky.

    ¡°It¡¯s brighter here than it was on Earth, isn¡¯t it?¡± I said, trying to fill the silence. Odin nodded but stayed quiet, his expression unreadable.

    ¡°Well,¡± I continued, ¡°meet me by the treeline in five minutes. We¡¯re going to look for firewood and anything else useful.¡±

    Odin didn¡¯t respond, still lost in the stars. I turned to Jerissa and lowered my voice. ¡°Is he always like this?¡±

    She sighed, her features softening. ¡°Only on nights like this. He gets in these moods. Needs space, I think.¡±

    I exhaled, nodding. ¡°Alright. Thanks.¡±

    ¡°And you. Stay warm, okay? If you get cold go huddle next to Jerissa or Jakob. Oh and if you ever get cold just do this alright?¡± I grasped her hands together and began rubbing them on top of one another and stuck them to her chest. ¡°Remember to think good thoughts and you¡¯ll always have that warm fuzzy feeling okay?¡±

    ¡°Thank you, mister,¡± she murmured as if about to cry again. She looked down.

    ¡°You¡¯re welcome.¡± I forced a smile. ¡°If you get scared, go sit with Jakob and Kei, alright?¡±

    She nodded sleepily, yawned and shuffled toward the others.

    Scanning the camp, I spotted Nara under a tree. She sat cross-legged, her commanding presence drawing the attention of the group around her.

    ¡°Hey, Nara,¡± I called as I jogged over. ¡°You busy?¡±

    She turned, arching a brow. ¡°Surprised you remembered my name, Ezekiel. What do you need?¡±

    Before I could answer, the man sitting beside her turned toward me. Broad and towering, with a grin that stretched wide across his face, he exuded confidence¡ªor maybe arrogance.

    ¡°I¡¯ve got time,¡± he said, his deep voice rumbling like distant thunder. ¡°Name¡¯s Donnie. Need some help, little man?¡±

    I frowned, glancing at Nara. ¡°Who¡¯s this?¡±

    ¡°Donnie,¡± she said flatly. ¡°Don¡¯t worry¡ªhe¡¯s harmless¡­ mostly.¡±

    Donnie laughed, clapping me on the shoulder with enough force to make me stumble. ¡°Relax, kid. I¡¯ve been waiting for this. Time to show off my survival skills. And Nara, what do you mean ¡®mostly¡¯? You talking about my looks? I know my looks can kill.¡±

    He grinned, his gut straining against his shirt despite his otherwise muscular frame. Standing at least six and a half feet tall, he was a bear of a man. His nasally, sing-song voice didn¡¯t match his size, making him all the stranger.

    ¡°Oh great. A doomsday prepper,¡± I muttered.

    ¡°Call me what you want, but I¡¯m ready,¡± he said, flashing finger guns. ¡°Got my knife and lighter¡ªalways prepared.¡±

    I sighed. ¡°I was actually asking Nara,¡± I said pointedly, then turned back to her. ¡°So?¡±

    She shook her head. ¡°No, I¡¯ll stay here. Someone has to organize the group and figure out what supplies we have. Wandering around blind won¡¯t help us.¡±

    ¡°Good call,¡± I said. ¡°Alright, Donnie. Meet me at the treeline in a minute. I¡¯ve got one more stop to make.¡±

    I found Calvin lounging on a fallen log, one leg stretched out as if this were all some vacation. Beside him sat a woman with jet-black hair and lipstick to match, her sharp eyes flicking between me and Calvin with a mix of amusement and disdain.

    Calvin raised a fist toward me in greeting. I didn¡¯t move to return it.

    With a lazy grin, he lowered his hand. ¡°What do you want?¡±

    ¡°We need to organize,¡± I said. ¡°Everyone has to pitch in¡ªsupplies, rations, anything that¡¯ll help us survive. Nara¡¯s taking stock. Can you stick around and help?¡±

    Calvin leaned back, smirking. ¡°Nara¡¯s already on it, huh? Who is she again? Oh yeah, some lady.¡±

    The woman beside him straightened, her voice pushing away his smugness. ¡°Of course she is. Unlike you, she¡¯s actually useful.¡±

    Calvin¡¯s smirk didn¡¯t falter. ¡°Didn¡¯t ask you, love.¡±

    Her jaw tightened, but she didn¡¯t respond. Calvin turned back to me, his self-assured grin spreading wider. ¡°Look, kid, I¡¯ll whip these people into shape. You, Nara, whoever else¡ªyou don¡¯t have the spine for it. I know what it takes. I know what they¡¯ll need when the real shit hits the fan.¡±

    He gestured toward the group scattered across the camp, his hand sweeping dismissively. ¡°Half of them will die anyway. They¡¯ll wander into the forest, get eaten, or starve. That¡¯s just reality. The strong and disciplined will survive¡ªand I¡¯ll be the one to lead them.¡±

    I was getting fed up with his smug tone. My fist clenched at my side, but I kept my voice level. ¡°Next time I¡¯ll remember that when I need help from someone so generous.¡±

    The woman beside him smirked, but Calvin didn¡¯t flinch. He just leaned back further, casually waving a dismissive hand at me. ¡°Yeah, yeah, I know, kid. Just be grateful I¡¯m even doing this at all.¡± He dug his pinky into his ear, looked at it for a moment, and flicked it on the ground.

    Disgusting.

    The woman sighed, brushing herself off as she stood. ¡°I¡¯ll help you, kid,¡± she said, her voice sharp. ¡°Anything to get away from this asshole.¡±

    Calvin chuckled darkly, closing his eyes, leaning back and stretching. ¡°Good luck with that. Cassandra.¡±

    And so, we moved forward¡ªme, Jakob, Odin, Jerissa, the new girl, and Donnie. We split into two groups: Jakob took one crew, and I led the other. Our task was simple: find anything we could use to survive. Supplies, shelter, food¡ªanything.

    Donnie, Odin, the new girl, and I scoured the underbrush, our eyes flicking from tree to tree in search of anything edible. Then we spotted it. Dangling from a branch above was a fruit¡ªraspberry-like, though the size of a melon, its skin tough and bumpy. It looked strikingly similar to the one Kei had tried reaching for before the scorpion sting, but with a few subtle differences.

    Donnie was the first to approach, his eyes lighting up like he¡¯d just discovered gold. He reached up and started shaking the tree with all his might, grunting with effort.

    I stepped forward, hand raised as if to stop him, but I said nothing. It couldn¡¯t be a trap too¡­ could it?

    ¡°Hey, dumbass,¡± the new girl called out, crossing her arms making fun of him. ¡°You know brute strength isn¡¯t going to work, right?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m¡­ not¡­ trying to¡­ knock it down,¡± Donnie huffed between breaths. ¡°I just¡­ want the¡­ fruit. I¡¯m so hungryyyyy.¡±

    The tree shuddered under his force, its branches swaying, but the fruit stubbornly stayed put. Donnie let go, stumbling back and crashing flat on his rear.

    She rolled her eyes and extended her hand. ¡°Ugh, fine. Hand me your knife, fatass.¡± Her lips twisted into a grin.

    Donnie hesitated, clearly unamused, but eventually pulled out a small folding knife.

    ¡°A box cutter?¡± Cassandra said, raising an eyebrow and inspecting it closely. ¡°Seriously? Where¡¯d you work before all this¡ªHome Depot? Let me guess: stocking shelves?¡±

    Odin snorted. ¡°I don¡¯t even think he could handle that. My guess? The electronic aisle at Walmart. That¡¯s where they put the ones with no ambition.¡±

    Both of them erupted in laughter as Cas casually tossed the knife back to Donnie. He caught it, his jaw tightening, eyes snapping to the ground as he seemed to fight off a retort.

    I pulled my knife from the strange inventory we¡¯d somehow acquired and handed it to her. ¡°Here. Try this one.¡±

    ¡°Finally, someone useful,¡± Cas said with a smirk, taking the blade from me. She scaled the tree with practiced ease, as if she¡¯d done it a thousand times. The trunk bent slightly under her weight, the branches groaning ominously.

    ¡°No, I didn¡¯t work at Walmart,¡± Donnie muttered, his voice defensive. ¡°I worked at Best Buy.¡±

    Odin shot him a long, disappointed look. ¡°Wow. Even worse.¡±

    A loud thump cut through the banter, followed by another and then another¡ªmassive fruits falling from the tree, nearly pelting Odin on the head.

    I froze midstep.

    ¡°Step forward.¡± A voice came from the woods.

    The command wasn¡¯t spoken¡ªit reverberated in my mind. I couldn¡¯t control anything for a split moment as I stepped forward. My foot lifted to obey, but I snapped out of it, blinking hard and staggering back.

    ¡°Hey, watch it!¡± Cas called from above, breaking my trance.

    ¡°A little late for that, don¡¯t you think?¡± I snapped, taking another step back just as her knife slipped from her grip and clattered to the ground¡ªexactly where I¡¯d been standing a second ago.

    It wasn¡¯t just the knife. Something else had wanted me there. Under it.

    Cas swung down from the tree, landing with a flourish. She straightened, brushing stray leaves from her jacket, a smug grin spreading across her face.

    ¡°Woah,¡± Odin said, stepping forward. His bravado faltered, slipping into something that bordered on pathetic. ¡°That was¡­ uh, cool. You¡¯ll have to show me that trick sometime.¡±

    Was he flirting with her?

    I guess he was.

    Cas ignored him, turning her attention back to the fruit. Donnie, meanwhile, was already digging into one of the giant raspberries, juice dripping down his chin like he hadn¡¯t eaten in weeks.

    ¡°Hey, fatass!¡± Odin barked, his earlier charm gone, replaced by irritation. ¡°That¡¯s for all of us to share!¡±

    Donnie froze mid-bite, looking like a kid caught raiding the cookie jar. ¡°It¡­ it was?¡±

    We all stared at him in silence.

    ¡°Well,¡± I said, my voice dry and awkward, ¡°at least we know it¡¯s not poisonous.¡±

    My gaze flicked over my shoulder, catching a glint in the shadows. Eyes. Watching. Waiting.

    I stiffened, forcing calm into my voice. ¡°Grab what you can and head back to camp. Meet up with Jakob and Jerissa. I¡¯ll catch up after I look around. Got something I need to take care of.¡±

    They hesitated, exchanging wary looks before nodding. One by one, they retreated toward the camp, their footsteps fading into the wilderness.

    The Silence was unnatural as everything muffled in the damp windy breeze. A small whistle echoed through the woods.

    I swallowed hard, my throat dry. ¡°Come out,¡± I said, turning toward the trees. My voice was steady, but my fingers twitched at my sides. ¡°I can see you. I can see your red eyes.¡± I gulped

    A low laugh rippled through the air¡ªa soft scraping of claws on bark and the muffled silence only followed by the ringing of my ears.

    The ringing got louder and louder and¡ª-

    ¡°Oh, you can, Chozeh?¡± A figure emerged from the treeline. Slowly behind the brush his red eyes floated surrounding a black figure. Its body was long, too long but still disturbingly human. The light shown halfway on his painted face. His grin stretched unnaturally wide across his cheeks, revealing rows of jagged, shark teeth. Its eyes burned like embers, and long black nails extended from its fingers, gesturing lazily ahead. ¡°Walk with me. Walk this way.¡±

    I froze, my breath catching in my chest.

    The clownish demon hovered closer, its grin still unnaturally wide. ¡°Just past here is a temple. One of my temples. I¡¯ll take you there, show you what it means to worship me. You¡¯d like that, wouldn¡¯t you? I can do all the naughty things I want to a boy like you.¡±

    ¡°No,¡± I said, forcing myself to stand up straight. I was nervous but I pushed through. ¡°I¡¯m not going anywhere with you. I won¡¯t let you control me. I¡¯m a man, and I stand up for what I believe in. You won¡¯t push me around, demon.¡±

    The demon¡¯s grin faltered, twisting into a sinister scowl. Its voice dropped, a warning. ¡°Didn¡¯t we go over this last time?¡±

    Before I could react, its hand shot forward, nails grazing my neck. The touch sent a searing pain straight to my jaw, my breath hitching as blood beaded where the nail pressed.

    ¡°You don¡¯t know who I am, boy,¡± the demon hissed, its voice full of snake venom. It floated in a slow circle around me, arms flailing theatrically, mocking me. ¡°I am a Shinigami. A devil. A god of pestilence, madness, treachery and rape. Every twisted desire you can imagine. Every sick pleasure someone could crave? I give it to them. I show it to them. I feed it to them firsthand.¡±

    It leaned closer, rancid breath searing my ear, I could feel its breath blowing on my ear. ¡°The most depraved horrors you can imagine? My followers perform them in my name. If you keep testing me¡­¡±

    Its grin returned, wild and predatory. ¡°I¡¯ll pluck out your eyes and eat them.¡± He licked his long sharp fingernails. A sizzling pop could be heard.

    The demon paused, inhaling sharply, claws twitching in anticipation. It savored the thought, its smile stretching impossibly wide. ¡°A boy like you has no rights. None to question. None to defy.¡±

    Its voice deepened, and bells on its head reverberated through the air like the toll of a funeral bell. ¡°I am your new god. Worship me, revere me, and perhaps¡ªif you amuse me¡ªI might grant you a pardon. A blessing, even. Now¡­¡± Its ember-like eyes burned brighter as it extended a hand, nails gleaming like obsidian. ¡°Drop to your knees, boy.¡±

    Before I could react, it jabbed a nail deep into my throat. Pain exploded, sharp and blinding, as blood gurgled in my mouth, spilling down my chest. My knees buckled, and I collapsed, gasping, clawing at my neck¡ªbut it was no use.

    The demon hovered above me, grinning, its shadow consuming my vision.

    ¡°You¡¯re worthless,¡± it spat, releasing me. ¡°You are nothing to me¡­¡±

    My body hit the dirt with a hollow thud. Blood pooled beneath me as my head spun. My vision darkened, and the world slipped away.

 The thing in the woods

    Jakob¡¯s stomach growled again, as he leaned back against the bark of a tree. The granola bar he¡¯d eaten earlier barely counted as food, and the ache in his stomach was only growing worse. Waiting here wasn¡¯t helping, either. Ezekiel was still off talking to Calvin, that muscle-bound loudmouth and Jakob didn¡¯t trust that guy. He always looked like he was plotting something, even when he was just sitting around. No¡ªespecially then.

    ¡°Hey, Jakob.¡± A voice snapped him out of his thoughts.

    He glanced up to see Jerissa and her brother strolling over. Jerissa gave a quick wave while Odin hung back, hands stuffed in his jacket pockets.

    ¡°Yo,¡± Jakob said, returning the wave before sliding his hands into his own pockets.

    ¡°You coming with?¡± Jerissa asked, stopping a few steps away.

    ¡°Yeah, just waiting for Zeke to get back,¡± Jakob replied, nodding toward the bench where Calvin and his lackeys were sitting.

    ¡°Speaking of, where is he?¡± she asked, craning her neck to look.

    ¡°Over there, with Beefy McRibs and his crew,¡± Jakob said dryly.

    Jerissa snorted. ¡°What¡¯s wrong with Calvin? He seems like he just wants to help. You know, keep us all alive and stuff.¡±

    Jakob shot her a sideways glance. ¡°I don¡¯t trust him. I overheard him talking to some women earlier¡ªsomething about ¡®making use of their free time later.¡¯ Whatever the hell that means.¡±

    ¡°Word. I don¡¯t trust him either,¡± Odin chimed in. ¡°Big palooka.¡±

    Jakob raised an eyebrow. ¡°The hell¡¯s a palooka?¡±

    ¡°Boxer,¡± Odin explained. ¡°But, like, a suckass one. But in this case just an Oaf.¡±

    Jakob couldn¡¯t help but laugh at that. ¡°Where¡¯d you even learn a word like that?¡±

    ¡°Gramps,¡± Jerissa said with a grin. ¡°He was always going on about how he used to box in underground rings back in New York. ¡®Big Johnny,¡¯ the undisputed heavyweight of the early 1900s.¡±

    ¡°According to him,¡± Odin added, his tone deadpan.

    ¡°Yeah, according to him,¡± Jerissa echoed with a laugh.

    ¡°Anyway,¡± Odin continued, his tone growing quiet and serious again, ¡°I don¡¯t like Calvin either. Something about him screams control freak. Hate those military types¡ªand he definitely doesn¡¯t seem like one of the good ones.¡±

    ¡°Exactly,¡± Jakob muttered, glancing toward Ezekiel, who was finally heading back their way. ¡°And here he comes. Took him long enough. My man, my brother, what¡¯s good?¡±

    As Zeke approached, Jakob¡¯s attention flicked to Calvin, who leaned back on the fallen log with his usual smug grin plastered across his face. Calvin flipped them off lazily, earning a round of laughter from his lackeys. Jakob¡¯s jaw tightened.

    Jerissa muttered, crossing her arms as she followed Jakob¡¯s gaze. ¡°What¡¯s his deal? Seriously?¡±

    ¡°Everything,¡± Jakob grumbled. ¡°Absolutely everything. I don¡¯t like the way he talks to Zeke. He¡¯s just trying his best, isn¡¯t he?¡±

    Ezekiel finally reached them, his expression unreadable, though the tight pull of his shoulders was unmistakable. Before Jakob could ask what the plan was, Jerissa turned to him with a curious look.

    ¡°So¡­ what¡¯s the story with you two?¡± she asked, gesturing between Jakob and Ezekiel. ¡°You guys seem close. Brothers?¡±

    ¡°Brothers,¡± Jakob said after a beat, smiling.

    ¡°Acquaintances,¡± Ezekiel muttered.

    ¡°Ouch.¡± Jakob brushed his shoulder playfully, feigning offense. ¡°It¡¯s only for good luck, right?¡±

    Jerissa¡¯s brow furrowed. ¡°Not brothers? Adopted, maybe? Or¡­ mixed?¡±

    ¡°My mom¡¯s Latina, if that¡¯s what you¡¯re asking,¡± Jakob replied.

    Jerissa¡¯s face flushed, and she laughed awkwardly. ¡°I¡ªuh. No, never mind. Forget I said anything.¡±

    ¡°God, you suck at this,¡± Odin groaned, shaking his head.

    ¡°Suck at what brother?¡± She said putting her hands on her hips.

    ¡°You know. Talking like a normal human being.¡± He said holding his head on his hands looking off into the vast desert dunes.

    Jakob turned to Ezekiel, eager to change the subject. ¡°So, what¡¯s the plan?¡±

    ¡°Food, resources, and shelter,¡± Ezekiel said briskly, his voice cutting through the chilly air. ¡°We also need firewood. Splitting up to gather it would be helpful.¡±

    Jakob nodded. ¡°We can handle that. Should only take two of us to get firewood. Who wants to come?¡± Jakob just wanted someone to talk to along the way to keep him occupied, fearful of walking into the woods alone.The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

    ¡°I¡¯ll join,¡± Jerissa said, showing as much eagerness as he did.

    ¡°Ugh, this again.¡± Odin groaned, but Jerissa shot her hand up between their faces signaling she didn¡¯t want to put up with his nonsense

    ¡°Great. Two groups, then. Let¡¯s get to it,¡± Ezekiel said, sounding like he wanted the task over with as quickly as possible.

    And so, Jakob and Jerissa walked forward into the treeline.

    The coldness of the night sunk into their skin but it was still slightly bright due to the setting of the third sun. Trees stood ten to fifteen feet apart and the brush cut their knees as they walked. It was an open forest but it began to get darker with each and every minute. Giant flying insects buzzed around them and huge luminescent mothsflew around their faces

    The woods felt colder than the clearing as they moved deeper among the trees. The faint scent of pine mingled with the damp earth beneath their boots, and the chirping of crickets provided a steady background hum. Jakob bent to gather dried branches, the chill biting through his jacket as he stuffed them into the crook of his arm.

    ¡°So, Jerissa,¡± Jakob said, breaking the silence looking away from the giant beautiful flying creatures and night creatures glowing out here. ¡°tell me about yourself. You and Odin¡ªhow¡¯d you end up here?¡±

    She glanced over her shoulder, her arms already full of sticks and looked around her to see where they may be going. ¡°What do you want to know, Jakob?¡±

    ¡°Anything,¡± he said, grabbing another branch. ¡°What did you do before all this?¡±

    ¡°I was a college student,¡± she said, walking ahead. The dappled sunlight filtering through the canopy painted her jacket in flickering gold. ¡°Studying social sciences. I wanted to help people, you know?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, I get it,¡± Jakob said, crouching to pick up another bundle of kindling. ¡°Never had the chance to go to school myself. I wish I could¡¯ve.¡±

    She paused, turning to look at him. ¡°Why¡¯s that?¡±

    He hesitated, gripping the branches tighter. ¡°Family couldn¡¯t afford it,¡± he said simply, leaving out the full story. ¡°I was planning on it eventually but I just got out of high school so I figured I could wait if anything.¡±

    ¡°That sucks,¡± she said softly, the nighttime churning into a deeper darker blackness. The chirping crickets fell silent, and the air seemed to hold its breath.

    ¡°Why is it so quiet?¡± she asked suddenly, she was getting scared, more scared than she had been before.

    Jakob froze, listening. The chirping was gone, and a heavy, oppressive quiet settled around them. Only his heart made a noise in the silence.

    ¡°Maybe it¡¯s nothing,¡± he said, though his grip on the bundle of sticks tightened.

    ¡°Maybe,¡± Jerissa said, though her eyes flicked nervously toward the shadows.

    As Jakob reached for another branch, the air shifted. The damp, earthy scent of the woods turned into something more pungent, like the stench of a wet dog. His stomach twisted and felt like he was going to pike as he got closer to the smell. Ahead, a small blue blob peeked through the leaves.

    Fur?

    He crouched and picked it up, the foul odor clinging to his hands like an un-washable grease. The stench was sour and nauseating, like dying flesh. He held the scrap up to a dim beam of blue light filtering through the branches, inspecting it closely.

    ¡°Jakob, do you see that?¡± Jerissa¡¯ said worredly.

    ¡°See what?¡± Jakob asked, turning to her.

    ¡°I¡­ I thought I saw a pair of eyes in the distance.¡± Her voice cracked, brittle like dry leaves. ¡°Maybe I¡¯m imagining it, but¡­¡± She shook her head, clutching the kindling she¡¯d gathered. ¡°I think we should leave Jakob.¡±

    Jakob swallowed, forcing calm into his voice. ¡°It¡¯s fine. We¡¯re almost done. Just need a couple more sticks and we will go.¡±

    It wasn¡¯t fine. Every nerve in Jakob¡¯s body screamed that something was here¡ªor had been. He¡¯d show the others the fur when they got back, but for now, he pushed forward, brushing past low branches, ducking under limbs.

    Ahead, a cluster of sticks lay huddled together, practically begging to be picked up. Jakob tried to focus on that.

    ¡°Jackpot,¡± he said, glancing back at Jerissa. ¡°This¡¯ll be the last of it, promise. I want to get out of here as much as you do.¡±

    She didn¡¯t answer. Her face was pale, her shoulders stiff. Jakob just wanted to finish and get back. He hadn¡¯t slept in so long, and he was damp from sweat and purely exhausted.

    He knelt, fingers wrapping around one of the sticks. It didn¡¯t budge.

    ¡°Rooted,¡± Jakob muttered under his breath, leaning in to pull harder. The stick still wouldn¡¯t move. He squinted and yanked harder.

    Then he saw it.

    A worm wriggled on the stick¡¯s end¡ªblue and furry, with a large grey head.

    No. Not a worm.

    A finger?

    A hand?!

    Jakob stumbled back, his breath catching in his throat. His pulse hammered in his ears as the sick realization of what he¡¯d found sank in.

    ¡°J-Jakob,¡± Jerissa¡¯s voice trembled as she seen him fall backwards. ¡°The eyes¡ªthey¡¯re back.¡±

    Jakob followed her gaze, still sitting down on his ass looking down and then up.

    Two glowing eyes hovered in the darkness, unblinking and watching with a voyeuristic hunger. The rancid stench grew stronger, overwhelming him. Musk, sweat, fur. A low growl rippled through the silence, vibrating deep in his chest. Then the creature stepped closer, its yellow teeth glowing in the faint moonlight. Four sharp canines and a mist of white clouds coming from its mouth.

    Every instinct screamed at Jakob to run, but his legs felt like lead.

    ¡°Run,¡± he hissed, turning around he grabbed Jerissa¡¯s arm and shoved her ahead.

    She hesitated for half a second¡ªjust half a second¡ªbut it was enough to make his chest seize with fear.

    ¡°Go!¡± he shouted, shoving her harder.

    They moved.

    It moved.

    The forest erupted with noise¡ªbranches snapping underfoot, leaves clawing at Jakob¡¯s face, the pounding of his heart like a drumbeat in his skull. Behind them, the growls grew louder, closer. Its pursuit was deafening, and every cold breath burned in Jakob¡¯s chest.

    He kept pushing Jerissa ahead, keeping her in his line of sight. Always protect the people who can¡¯t protect themselves¡ªthat¡¯s what his mother had told him, right? But where was she now? Nowhere. It was just Jakob and Jerissa. He had to help her and him survive this, there was no way they could fight a creature like that.

    The clearing came into view, and Jakob pushed harder, ignoring the burning in his legs and the ache in his lungs. They burst out of the woods with a crash, and he stumbled, tumbling to the ground.

    Jerissa fell with him, her breath coming in uneven gasps. Jakob grabbed her shoulders instinctively, his hands shaking from the adrenaline.

    ¡°You okay?¡± he asked, though his throat felt raw.

    ¡°I-I¡¯m fine,¡± she stammered, her voice cracking. ¡°We could¡¯ve died. I¡¯m glad you¡¯re safe.¡±

    Her cheeks flushed as she realized he was still holding her. She scrambled upright, brushing herself off. ¡°I-I am too, but¡­ what the hell was that?¡±

    Jakob opened his mouth to answer, but the words wouldn¡¯t come. His thoughts were tangled in what he¡¯d seen¡ªand what it meant for them. Were they really safe?

    Before he could find his voice, the others swarmed them, shooting questions like arrows. Jerissa¡¯s voice faded into the chatter around them, but Jakob¡¯s mind stayed fixed on those eyes.

    And the hand.

    It hadn¡¯t touched him, but he could still feel it¡ªgrabbing his wrist, dragging him into the woods. It hadn¡¯t happened, but it had. He swore it had.

    Jakob glanced down at his trembling fingers, the stink of musk and decay still clinging to them.

    He hadn¡¯t thought about anything but running. That was the right thing to do, wasn¡¯t it? Could he have done anything else?

 Leveling up.

    A large grey stone staircase climbed up to an alter. At the top, faint shapes danced wildly in the firelight, they chanted and yelled in rhythm as smoke and ash traveled down the steps. The pounding of wooden leather drums throbbed like a heartbeat, rattling everything around.

    My vision bobbed with each step. I wasn¡¯t in my body¡ªI was inside someone else, just like before. Like when I had first arrived here.

    Two dark-skinned men walked beside me, their torsos inked with swirling tribal tattoos and adorned with necklaces of jagged beast teeth. Together, we dragged a woman between us. Her legs scraped against the rough stone stairs, her head lolling limply. Blood and tears streaked her pale, battered face, and her swollen belly strained against her torn dirty clothing.

    Her expression was frozen¡ªno fear, no anger, just a hollow, unseeing stare. She looked as though she¡¯d seen things no one should ever see.

    The bruises on her body told stories I didn¡¯t want to hear.

    ¡°Chozeh,¡± a voice hissed, perching on my shoulder.

    I froze. The word burned like a brand on my mind, whenever I heard it I winced. I knew who it was and why I was here now. It all came together.

    ¡°These are my followers, Chozeh,¡± the voice continued. ¡°You will be like them. I will break you until you follow me, just like I broke them all.¡±

    ¡°No!¡± I struggled trying to pull away from the man¡¯s body to no avail, I tried to wrench myself free. ¡°Get out of my head!¡± I thought to myself.

    I couldn¡¯t stop myself, my body kept moving under someone else¡¯s control. The chanting grew louder with the blaze and heat.

    ¡°Ubunti¡¯ De¡¯nali Xaspenof. Gala Gala Tenti¡¯!¡±

    The rhythmic words danced into my ear in the humid night. I tried wrapping my mind around the foreign syllables until something clicked into place.

    ¡ªSkill Unlocked: Translation¡ª

    ¡°Unity for the Dark One. Darkness will rise.¡±

    I felt a form of disgust and bile rise from the back of my throat at the words.

    At the top of the stairs, a figure stepped forward. The crowd fell silent, they showed their reverence to the man with a quick kneel. He wore a jagged necklace of bone that surrounded his chest. The gnarled stubs of fingers grasped at himself, as if to rip the skin apart selfishly and claim what was once theirs; the flesh of a human and desire for warmth. Leaves jutted from his animal leather vest, the edges appear seemingly growing out of his skin to hide away from the man. In one hand, he held a staff, a human skull with a long green vine tying the stick together. The other a chalice of blood.

    When he raised the staff high, every eye turned to him.

    ¡°Today,¡± he roared, his voice booming over the crowd, ¡°the Son of Darkness shall be born! And with his birth, we shall bring forth a New Dawn!¡±

    A wave of howling erupted from the crowd, their chants merging into a primal cacophony.

    For the Dark Lord ¡ª-/\/¡ª-/|/¡ª-!¡± he bellowed, from his chest a fully painful yell. ¡°He brings wisdom to the children of the eclipse! Wisdom to us!¡± He tipped the red blood chalice back drinking half of it and smearing the rest on his skin. He wiped the blood off of his face and tossed the chalice to the ground. ¡°So now we bring life to the god. Tonight his son shall be born!¡±

    ¡°Cha-la, Cha-la, Cha-la!¡±

    The crowd roared the chant in unison, their bodies moving in wild, erratic dances. They dipped their hands into pools of blood that coated the temple floor in an a sinister purposeful aqueduct system from the raised stone slab in the center. He cupped the blood and painted symbols onto the woman¡¯s pregnant body. White teeth flashed in broad grins, the man¡¯s unblinking eyes stared in the red haze of torchlight and skyline.

    I watched in horror as they ducked and bobbed their heads. they leapt with an unholy joy, forming a circle around the jerking, reanimated corpses strung up along the walls. The dead pulled violently from the chains tied to the temple walls their bodies being yanked around like a dead dog being pulled on a leash.

    The chant grew louder, a rhythmic pounding noise that reverberated in my skull. It blended with the relentless pounding of drums, the beat synching into a collective friendly.

    Overhead, the moon began to shift, sliding in front of the larger of the three suns. Darkness descended like a curtain being pulled. A frigid, cold wind tore through the temple, sinking deep into my stolen body the others not even reacting to the wind.

    ¡°It is time!¡± the man cried, his voice booming over the night. He slammed his staff into the blood-slick stone with a resounding crack.

    The crowd parted, and two men stepped forward, dragging the woman from before. Her battered body was thrust onto a poorly smoothened stone altar, her bloodied skin glistening under the flickering firelight. The chains rattled as they locked into place, their sound sharp and final.

    Her body jerked violently, her wrists and ankles straining against the restraints. Her cries reached into the heavens pleading for help. The screams she made, loud as they were couldn¡¯t overcome the rising cacophony of chanting, drumming, and howling that the people made.

    I wanted to look away. I tried. But I couldn¡¯t.

    The vision held me captive, forcing me to watch as the horror unfolded.

    Her screams shook the air. Snot and tears poured out, her neck bulged as she writhed, the pain too much for her to handle.

    The crowd roared. The earth trembled beneath us, as if an earthquake encroached.

    High above, the moon turned crimson, its deep red glow bathing the ritual in a hellish light. The corpses strung along the stone walls began to twitch. First a finger. Then a hand. Then their heads jerked, hollow sockets glowing faintly, then they began speaking in tongues. Their lifeless bodies moving as if yanked by invisible strings.

    ¡°YES! YES!¡± the bone-crowned man threw his arms wide, casting his staff aside. He drew a dagger from his belt, its jagged blade etched with runes that pulsed faintly, whispering a language only it could understand. He rubbed the edges and his eyes glinted in the red sky as he looked directly at me. A glowing white light lingered there before he twisted his head back and reached for the sky

    The woman¡¯s screams reached a fever pitch, her body arching off the altar.

    ¡°It is time!¡±

    The dagger plunged into her swollen belly digging deep.

    Blood sprayed across the altar, black against the crimson light. The crowd¡¯s cheers reached a frenzied peak, their voices a violent symphony of madness.

    The man dragged the blade downward in one practiced motion. Flesh parted like wet paper. Her body convulsed one final time before falling still.

    Reaching into her open cavity, he pulled out a child.

    The infant was unnaturally pale, its tiny body slick with blood. It did not cry. It only stared, unblinking, as the bone-crowned man raised it high above his head.

    ¡°For ¡ª-/¡ª//\//¡ª-!¡± he cried.

    The corpses jerked violently in unison, their hollow eyes blazing with dark energy. The air shuddered and I couldn¡¯t look away.

    The child opened its mouth and. ¡ª-/\///¡ª/\/¡ª-

    It went quiet. Everything went dark, and all I saw was ¡ª-///¡ª\//¡ª-. Static.

    I was floating. Drifting in a vast empty black abyss. My thoughts raced as I floated in the darkness, they spun endlessly in the inky world and my head spun with them.

    Why did this happen to me? Why do I have to go through this? This madness?

    What the fuck was that?

    Can I please get out of this?

    This world wouldn¡¯t let me rest.

    Please, just let me rest.

    My mind hurt, my head hurt. I just wanted a moment of peace. A second of silence. A fragment of sleep.

    I just wanted to go home. To see my mother, my sister¡­

    My father.

    My father.

    He was gone. He¡¯d been gone for so long, and it still wasn¡¯t right. Him leaving like that. But what could I do? He didn¡¯t walk out on us¡ªnot like that¡ªbut he might as well have.

    He chose to serve his country. And he paid the price.

    I could still hear him saying, ¡°Nobody dies in war anymore. The American military is the best in the world.¡±

    Yeah. Look where that got him. Six feet under, blown to pieces by an IED. A fucking roadside bomb of tin cans and putty turned him into confetti¡­ into pieces. Just bits of him scattered across the desert wind.

    It¡¯s funny. I¡¯ll probably lie torn to shreds in a desert too. Like father like son.

    They cremated what they could scrape up of him. There wasn¡¯t enough left to bury.

    I kept some of his ashes in a necklace¡ªa bullet casing from his battalion turned into an urn. I still wear it. Even now, it rests beneath my shirt, cold in the night and heavy against my chest.

    Maybe that feeling has been there all along.

    When he died, I swore I¡¯d never be like him. Never be a hero.

    And yet¡­ look at me now. Walking the path of a demon. A god of torment and destruction. A god of rape. It¡¯s so ironic, isn¡¯t it? In so many ways.

    I died being a hero and left my mom and sister alone.

    But what choice did I have? To die at his hands? To let Teresa deal with the crimes of those scumbags? No person deserves that, not even me no matter how I may feel. What could I do? Nothing. I still can¡¯t. All I can do is watch this unfold, every dirty detail etched into my mind. All I could do was watch. I can¡¯t even close my eyes to it. I can¡¯t shut my eyes and act ignorant of the world like so many do on earth.

    The police can¡¯t help me. They couldn¡¯t help me when my ¡®uncle¡¯ pinned me to a wall and felt me up. I told my mother and she just blamed me. I couldn¡¯t stop it he was stronger, yet she still blamed me.

    I gripped my head, clawing at my hair, tugging hard enough to sting. What choice do I have?

    I couldn¡¯t think like that. Not now. Not here.

    A bitter smile tugged at my lips, and then a laugh. This was all absurd. So absurd wasn¡¯t it?

    ¡°I can¡¯t let him win,¡± I muttered to myself. ¡°Do what you have to. Endure it. Survive.¡±

    Survive until I can live on my terms. That¡¯s what I have been doing till now and before this incident. It worked then, didn¡¯t it?

    Survive until I''m no longer trapped. Until im no longer pinned against the wall. Until I¡¯m no longer beaten for just being me.

    And maybe that way¡­ I can live forever, that¡¯s always what I wanted. Even when life gets rough I never wanted to hurt myself. I¡¯m just so scared of dying, closing my eyes, and never waking up. Closing my eyes and never wanting to wake up.The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

    Isn¡¯t that what everyone wants? To live forever?

    I sat. And sat longer. I felt empty for a time until the emptiness felt more than just that.

    The nothingness began to fill me like a plugged tub and the anxiety ensued.

    Then a text bubble appeared in front of me. Still floating around me as I clicked on it. Words popped up in the dark.

    ¡ª-Level 2 Unlocked¡ª-

    Become one with the dark lord. A prophet of a demonic elder force. Seer class will upgrade at Level 3.

    ¡ª-Inventory Item Unlocked: Locked Black Box¡ª-

    A mystery weapon or battle item for completing your first quest.

    ¡ª-Skill Unlocked: Heal¡ª-

    Heal some of the damage an ally receives. You will take half of the damage yourself, but this will grow stronger as you level.

    ¡ª-Skill Unlocked: Mend¡ª-

    Fuse two inanimate objects into one. At low levels, only minor combinations are possible.

    ¡ª-Bonus Skill Unlocked For Completing Your First Mission: Crimson Light Orb¡ª-

    Create a red ball of light that will shine in the darkest of nights. Eclipse the Moon, Child.

    ¡ª-Club And Staff Proficiency Unlocked¡ª-

    Basic weapon proficiencies unlocked. Perfect for survival.

    ¡ª-Dagger Proficiency Unlocked¡ª-

    Basic weapon proficiencies unlocked. Perfect for survival.

    ¡ª-Blessing Unlocked: ¡ª/¡ª-//-/¡ª-¡¯s Judgment¡ª-

    A divine boon of unknown power. Unlocked through the path of suffering. Will unlock more at a time.

    ¡ª-HUD Unlocked¡ª-

    ¡ª-Stat Screen Unlocked¡ª-

    ¡ª-One of Four Growth Cycles Unlocked: ???¡ª-

    ¡ª-Analyze: Level 2¡ª-

    ¡ª-Progress Saved¡ª-

    I blinked and suddenly found myself standing in a stark white room¡ªsterile, empty and unsettling. It felt like a hospital room that had been wiped clean of life.

    To my left, a bed hung from the wall by thick nylon cords, its pristine white sheet untouched. Across from me, a sink and TV were seamlessly built into the far wall, as if they had always been there waiting for me.

    But the room wasn¡¯t just empty¡ªit was devoid of life. Like an unfinished thought. A blank slate or unfinished dream.

    And for a moment, I felt the same. Like my mind had been wiped clean, leaving me standing in the only thing that remained.

    I turned and saw a table behind me, its hard white surface perfectly smooth as if brand new. On it sat a picture frame, tilted toward me. The photo inside was too familiar, a picture of me my father, mother and sister all hugged up on one another. Both of my father¡¯s hands on our heads with a large smile on his face.

    My chest tightened. I guess I¡¯ll never see them again, will I?

    A lump formed in my throat, but I pushed it down swallowing a lump of air. Hopefully they¡¯re alive. Hopefully I¡¯m just¡­ lost on another planet or plane of existence or something like that right? Tell me if this is the alternative¡­ please, just let them think I¡¯m gone, not trapped here. Let them think I was dead and not suffering on an alien planet.

    I sat on the edge of the bed, holding the remote I¡¯d found on the table. It was a SNES controller hooked into the television screen. The TV screen flickered to life, displaying a simple interface:

    ¡ª-Stat Selection Screen¡ª-

    Vainglory

    Vanity

    Vehemence

    Vitality

    Each option glowed in and out faintly. Description¡¯s appeared as I hovered over them.

    ¡ª-Vainglory¡ª-

    Your ability to rally anyone, from a single person to a crowd, convincing them to believe in you or follow your way. This path offers a balanced growth, blending charisma, cunning, and leadership. A choice for those who walk the middle ground.

    ¡ª-Vanity¡ª-

    A dexterous and clever stat. Governs agility, wit, and deception. This path enhances quick thinking, evasiveness, and manipulation. Ideal for those who prefer speed and cunning over brute force.

    ¡ª-Vehemence¡ª-

    The stat of emotional resonance and magical power. Governs wisdom, insight, and influence over mystical forces. For those who understand their emotions¡ªor wield them as a weapon. Ideal for healers, enchanters, or manipulators of the intangible.

    ¡ª-Vitality¡ª-

    A stat of physical resilience and raw strength. Perfect for warriors, tanks, or survivalists. Those who embrace this path believe the body is the ultimate weapon and shield, unburdened by the complexities of magic.

    Each choice came with a warning:

    Choosing one of these will affect your growth rates and skill types. It is recommended to remain with the given class, but you may change every new level if the current one proves unsuitable. Be warned¡ªskills and growth are not guaranteed when switching.

    I leaned back, staring at the screen. The words blurred as thoughts flooded my mind. This was the moment¡ªmy path was in my hands. No more demon gods whispering in my ear, no more unseen strings pulling me into their games. Just me.

    I clenched my jaw, my father¡¯s voice pulling to the front of my mind.¡°Do what¡¯s right, no matter how hard it gets on you. You want to be a family man right? Learn what it takes and do everything you can too protect those you love.¡± I could feel my father¡¯s grip on my shoulder and his hard eyes staring at me.

    My eyes fell on Vehemence. The emotional one. Magic tied to the connection of life and feelings I suppose. I wasn¡¯t an emotional person I thought, was I? But couldn¡¯t this help with that? Could I control it? Or would the emotions control me, like everything else in this world.

    <hr>

    The screen flickered to life, a white text block appearing at the bottom.

    An 8-bit version of me, clad in a hooded robe, dashed across the loading screen before pausing, its digital dreads spilling from the hood. It smirked, winked, and bobbed its head like some old-school game guide before speaking:

    ¡°Here¡¯s a helpful hint. Emotions and feelings can power magic, but only when you are truly at your worst. Magic comes from the soul and body¡ªonce you lose part of that, it never comes back. Cut limbs and scars can heal, but soul-traded magic may never return, no matter how much you heal or grow.¡±

    I clicked through the text, half-bored, half-intrigued. The mechanics were interesting, even if the ominous warning sat heavy in my mind.

    Press X to continue.

    The screen shifted, displaying a rough figure of me. A new window popped up, breaking down stats and details as I clicked through.

    Your current spread is balanced but leans toward a Finesse/Zeal hybrid with some social utility (Influence). Here¡¯s what it suggests about your character¡­

    ? Finesse (2/6): You¡¯re agile, quick-thinking, and likely focused on mobility or clever tactics.

    ? Zeal (2/6): A connection to faith or mystical power is developing, possibly for healing or minor magic.

    ? Influence (2/6): You¡¯re decent at swaying others or gaining allies, though not yet a true leader.

    ? Might (1/6) & Vitality (1/6): Physical power and durability aren¡¯t your strong suits yet.

    ? Command (1/6): Leadership potential is minimal but present.

    <hr>

    Growth Milestones

    ? Gain one skill point per level.

    Level 3:

    ? Perks:

    ? Gain 3 extra skill points to allocate freely.

    ? A moment to define your core role, setting the direction for your character¡¯s specialization.

    ? Pick a new skill.

    ? ???

    Level 6:

    ? Perks:

    ? Gain 3 extra skill points.

    ? Unlock a bonus skill based on your highest stat:

    ? Might: Offensive or defensive combat ability.

    ? Finesse: Precision-based or stealth-related ability.

    ? Zeal: Faith/magic skill for support or damage.

    ? Command: Leadership ability to influence allies or NPCs.

    ? Focus: Enhanced resource management or strategic bonuses.

    ? Influence: Persuasion or crowd control skill.

    ? Unlock the ability to raise one stat to 5/6, solidifying your specialization.

    ? Pick a new skill of your choice

    ????

    Level 9:

    ? Perks:

    ? Gain 3 extra skill points.

    ? Receive a random assortment of skills, items, or weapons to choose from based on your playstyle. Examples:

    ? Might: Heavy weapon or armor.

    ? Finesse: Lightweight dual weapons or gear improving speed.

    ? Zeal: Rare scroll, healing staff, or holy relic.

    ? Command: Tools to control larger groups or NPC buffs.

    ? Focus: Items improving magic or stamina use.

    ? Influence: Relic or charm to manipulate allies/enemies.

    ?Pick a new skill

    ????

    Level 12:

    ? Perks:

    ? Gain 3 extra skill points.

    ? Unlock an ultimate passive ability based on your highest stat. Examples:

    ? Might: Permanent damage resistance or power increase.

    ? Finesse: Boosted critical hit chance or evade mechanics.

    ? Zeal: Aura that heals allies or enhances spell power.

    ? Command: Charisma boost, affecting loyalty or group efficiency.

    ? Focus: Reduced cooldowns for abilities or enhanced resource pools.

    ? Influence: Auto-succeed persuasion checks or debuff enemies.

    ? Pick a new skill.

    ? ???

    Level 15 (Final Level):

    ? Perks:

    ? Gain 3 extra skill points.

    ? Unlock an ultimate skill or ability based on your specialization:

    ? Might: Devastating AoE attack or indomitable defense stance.

    ? Finesse: Extreme precision attack or flawless evade counter.

    ? Zeal: Divine intervention or mass healing ability.

    ? Command: Summon allies, inspire large groups, or resource regeneration.

    ? Influence: Charm high-level NPCs or control crowds.

    ? Pick a new skill.

    ? ???

    ? Evolve.

    <hr>

    My highest skills were Zeal, Finesse, and Influence.

    It made sense to lean into those, didn¡¯t it? Stick to what I was good at. Build on a foundation I already understood instead of scattering my focus. But Zeal¡ªwhat the hell did that even mean? Did it make my will stronger? More determined? Or was it some kind of tether to the demon clown, drawing me closer to his influence with every point?

    The skill confused me?

    Finesse, though¡­ Finesse was clear. It was precision, agility, and motor control. It was an action I could take, something tangible, physical: something mine.

    I hovered the cursor over the Finesse icon, my thumb lingering, hesitating. Something about it felt¡­ off. But it was just a game, right? Just pixels and code.

    ¡°Screw it,¡± I muttered.

    The click echoed louder than it should have. I dropped the controller onto the table and fell back onto the bed, the springs groaning under my weight.

    That¡¯s when the TV flickered.

    I blinked as if I didn¡¯t just see that.

    It snapped off, then on again. Static crackled and hummed, accompanied by the faint hum of interference. I grabbed the remote and spammed the power button, but the screen refused to obey.

    Then the signal went fuzzy.

    A clean white glove appeared, reaching from inside the screen. It grabbed the edges of the glass and pressed down showing the dark white print of the glove. The hand began to pull, as if warping the glass itself. The arms attached to it stretched unnaturally, bending and stretching like rubber.

    ¡°Hi there, buddy.¡±

    The voice was sickeningly cheerful. A clown¡¯s face pushed against the glass¡ªa porcelain white mask Venetian mask with an exaggerated smile shown through. The screen warped under his touch, fogging with his breath as he pushed close.

    ¡°Did you miss me?¡±

    The screen shook violently, the clown rattling it like he was trying to break free. My stomach clenched as I scrambled back on the bed, my breath hitching in my neck.

    Then, nothing.

    The screen went black.

    I exhaled, relief washing over me, only for it to be ripped away.

    The screen flickered back on, but this time, his nose pressed against the glass, squeaking like a cartoon sound effect. It came out of the screen first. Slowly, his face tilted, and then his head began to stretch through

    He was coming through.

    The clown twisted and contorted, his body slithering out of the television like a snake out its nest. His limbs bent at impossible angles, folding in on themselves before snapping back into place. When he finally stood, he loomed over me, his frame impossibly tall, his head ticking side to side like the pendulum of some sinister clock.

    His eyes weren¡¯t eyes at all. They were static, black-and-white chaos swirling like turbines. He tilted his head in metronome-like rhythm, the sound clinking around me, filling the room.

    ¡°What do you want?!¡± I shouted, my voice cracking. I pressed myself against the headboard, clutching my knees to my chest.

    He didn¡¯t respond. He just stood there, staring. Ticking.

    Seconds felt like hours as the silence went on infinitely, punctuated only by the faint hum of the television static. My heartbeat slowed, my panic shifting to anxiety and then dread. Maybe he wasn¡¯t here to hurt me. Maybe he¡¯d just¡­ stand there. Watch me for some reason? Some twisted voyeuristic delight.

    Time went on as he just stared and watched.

    I pulled the blanket over my head, a childlike reflex I couldn¡¯t stop. For a moment, I let myself believe that maybe he¡¯d leave me alone. That if I couldn¡¯t see him, he would just disappear.

    Then I felt it.

    A slithering. Something moved on top of the blanket, brushing against my legs. A hand? A snake?

    I yanked the covers off, my breath hitching¡ªready to scream. But the room was empty.

    Or so I thought.

    The clown hadn¡¯t moved. He still stood at the foot of the bed, his head ticking faster now, an eerie, mechanical stutter. I clenched my fists and forced myself to stand, adrenaline numbing the fear.

    ¡°Leave me alone!¡± I shouted, swinging my fist at him.

    My hand passed through him like smoke.

    His jaw unhinged, dropping far lower than it should have. With a sharp crack, his head twisted toward me, static eyes locking onto mine.

    I dove back under the covers, pulling them tight over my head. My breath came in short, ragged gasps. Silence settled in¡ªthick, endless. The ticking had stopped.

    I waited.

    Minutes. Maybe hours. My muscles slowly relaxed, my eyelids growing heavy.

    And then, it started again.

    ¡°Let me in¡­ Let me in, Diana. I have something to show you. A gift from your darling husband for the holidays. Something just for you.¡±

    Thump. Thump. Thump.

    Thump. Thump. Thump.

    I lifted the covers.

    And I wasn¡¯t in that sterile white room anymore.

    I was home.

    The long doorway in the corner of my bedroom. The wooden floor. The door that would open if you jiggled the handle long enough.

    And I just lay there. Waiting.

    Waiting for the creak.

    Waiting for the voice.

    ¡°So you aren¡¯t asleep?¡±

    Pounding and stuttering steps came through. He fell and grabbed the dresser to steady himself and then walked closer. The sound of something moving in the dark. Then a rhythmic pounding¡ª

    The door groaned open. A shadow moved in the dim light, stepping inside. He made his way to the foot of my bed, sitting on the corner¡ªdirtying my sheets. The stink of cheap booze clung to him, I knew he was on the pills my mother took too from the way he addressed me as Diana. His ex wife. It was like how couldn¡¯t see it was me or couldn¡¯t tell,

    He swayed slightly, rubbing the bottom of my foot with slow, absent circles. His voice slurred.

    ¡°You know¡­¡± He paused, like something was caught in his throat. ¡°All I want for the holidays is you, Diana. I miss you. I miss us, alright?¡±

    Fingers trailed up my foot. A slow, tickling motion.

    Foot to ankle.

    Ankle to knee.

    Knee to thigh.

    And then¡ª

    He was on top of me.

    I couldn¡¯t move. Couldn¡¯t breathe.

    I should have fought back. Should have screamed. But as I thought this he got on top of me and held a hand on my throat.

    All I could think was¡ª

    At least it¡¯s me and not my little sister. Like that¡¯s a valid excuse for anything going on right now.

    His hand ran over my crotch, squeezing. My body jerked, a strangled sound escaping me. It was a low cry I tried to pull away but he thought it was meant for something else.

    He thought it was pleasure.

    So he squeezed harder. Pinned me harder

    I told him to stop. I muffled over his hand

    I told him again. Louder.

    He shoved me down, clamping a hand over my mouth. His weight pinned me, crushing me, suffocating me.

    And there was nothing I could do to stop him. I could only watch with big teary eyes.

 Dream sequence

    A large grey stone staircase climbed up to an alter. At the top, faint shapes danced wildly in the firelight, they chanted and yelled in rhythm as smoke and ash traveled down the steps. The pounding of wooden leather drums throbbed like a heartbeat, rattling everything around.

    My vision bobbed with each step. I wasn¡¯t in my body¡ªI was inside someone else, just like before. Like when I had first arrived here.

    Two dark-skinned men walked beside me, their torsos inked with swirling tribal tattoos and adorned with necklaces of jagged beast teeth. Together, we dragged a woman between us. Her legs scraped against the rough stone stairs, her head lolling limply. Blood and tears streaked her pale, battered face, and her swollen belly strained against her torn dirty clothing.

    Her expression was frozen¡ªno fear, no anger, just a hollow, unseeing stare. She looked as though she¡¯d seen things no one should ever see.

    The bruises on her body told stories I didn¡¯t want to hear.

    ¡°Chozeh,¡± a voice hissed, perching on my shoulder.

    I froze. The word burned like a brand on my mind, whenever I heard it I winced. I knew who it was and why I was here now. It all came together.

    ¡°These are my followers, Chozeh,¡± the voice continued. ¡°You will be like them. I will break you until you follow me, just like I broke them all.¡±

    ¡°No!¡± I struggled trying to pull away from the man¡¯s body to no avail, I tried to wrench myself free. ¡°Get out of my head!¡± I thought to myself.

    I couldn¡¯t stop myself, my body kept moving under someone else¡¯s control. The chanting grew louder with the blaze and heat.

    ¡°Ubunti¡¯ De¡¯nali Xaspenof. Gala Gala Tenti¡¯!¡±

    The rhythmic words danced into my ear in the humid night. I tried wrapping my mind around the foreign syllables until something clicked into place.

    ¡ªSkill Unlocked: Translation¡ª

    ¡°Unity for the Dark One. Darkness will rise.¡±

    I felt a form of disgust and bile rise from the back of my throat at the words.

    At the top of the stairs, a figure stepped forward. The crowd fell silent, they showed their reverence to the man with a quick kneel. He wore a jagged necklace of bone that surrounded his chest. The gnarled stubs of fingers grasped at himself, as if to rip the skin apart selfishly and claim what was once theirs; the flesh of a human and desire for warmth. Leaves jutted from his animal leather vest, the edges appear seemingly growing out of his skin to hide away from the man. In one hand, he held a staff, a human skull with a long green vine tying the stick together. The other a chalice of blood.

    When he raised the staff high, every eye turned to him.

    ¡°Today,¡± he roared, his voice booming over the crowd, ¡°the Son of Darkness shall be born! And with his birth, we shall bring forth a New Dawn!¡±

    A wave of howling erupted from the crowd, their chants merging into a primal cacophony.

    For the Dark Lord ¡ª-/\/¡ª-/|/¡ª-!¡± A buzzing sound emitted. The man bellowed, from his chest a fully painful yell. ¡°He brings wisdom to the children of the eclipse! Wisdom to us!¡± He tipped the red blood chalice back drinking half of it and smearing the rest on his skin. He wiped the blood off of his face and tossed the chalice to the ground. ¡°So now we bring life to the god. Tonight his son shall be born!¡±

    ¡°Cha-la, Cha-la, Cha-la!¡±

    The crowd roared the chant in unison, their bodies moving in wild, erratic dances. They dipped their hands into pools of blood that coated the temple floor in an a sinister purposeful aqueduct system from the raised stone slab in the center. He cupped the blood and painted symbols onto the woman¡¯s pregnant body. White teeth flashed in broad grins, the man¡¯s unblinking eyes stared in the red haze of torchlight and skyline.

    I watched in horror as they ducked and bobbed their heads. they leapt with an unholy joy, forming a circle around the jerking, reanimated corpses strung up along the walls. The dead pulled violently from the chains tied to the temple walls their bodies being yanked around like a dead dog being pulled on a leash.

    The chant grew louder, a rhythmic pounding noise that reverberated in my skull. It blended with the relentless pounding of drums, the beat synching into a collective friendly.

    Overhead, the moon began to shift, sliding in front of the larger of the three suns. Darkness descended like a curtain being pulled. A frigid, cold wind tore through the temple, sinking deep into my stolen body the others not even reacting to the wind.

    ¡°It is time!¡± the man cried, his voice booming over the night. He slammed his staff into the blood-slick stone with a resounding crack.

    The crowd parted, and two men stepped forward, dragging the woman from before. Her battered body was thrust onto a poorly smoothened stone altar, her bloodied skin glistening under the flickering firelight. The chains rattled as they locked into place, their sound sharp and final.

    Her body jerked violently, her wrists and ankles straining against the restraints. Her cries reached into the heavens pleading for help. The screams she made, loud as they were couldn¡¯t overcome the rising cacophony of chanting, drumming, and howling that the people made.

    I wanted to look away. I tried. But I couldn¡¯t.

    The vision held me captive, forcing me to watch as the horror unfolded.

    Her screams shook the air. Snot and tears poured out, her neck bulged as she writhed, the pain too much for her to handle.

    The crowd roared. The earth trembled beneath us, as if an earthquake encroached.

    High above, the moon turned crimson, its deep red glow bathing the ritual in a hellish light. The corpses strung along the stone walls began to twitch. First a finger. Then a hand. Then their heads jerked, hollow sockets glowing faintly, then they began speaking in tongues. Their lifeless bodies moving as if yanked by invisible strings.

    ¡°YES! YES!¡± the bone-crowned man threw his arms wide, casting his staff aside. He drew a dagger from his belt, its jagged blade etched with runes that pulsed faintly, whispering a language only it could understand. He rubbed the edges and his eyes glinted in the red sky as he looked directly at me. A glowing white light lingered there before he twisted his head back and reached for the sky

    The woman¡¯s screams reached a fever pitch, her body arching off the altar.

    ¡°It is time!¡±

    The dagger plunged into her swollen belly digging deep.

    Blood sprayed across the altar, black against the crimson light. The crowd¡¯s cheers reached a frenzied peak, their voices a violent symphony of madness.

    The man dragged the blade downward in one practiced motion. Flesh parted like wet paper. Her body convulsed one final time before falling still.

    Reaching into her open cavity, he pulled out a child.

    The infant was unnaturally pale, its tiny body slick with blood. It did not cry. It only stared, unblinking, as the bone-crowned man raised it high above his head.

    ¡°For ¡ª-/¡ª//\//¡ª-!¡± he cried.

    The corpses jerked violently in unison, their hollow eyes blazing with dark energy. The air shuddered and I couldn¡¯t look away.

    The child opened its mouth and. ¡ª-/\///¡ª/\/¡ª-

    It went quiet. Everything went dark, and all I saw was ¡ª-///¡ª\//¡ª-. Static.

    I was floating. Drifting in a vast empty black abyss. My thoughts raced as I floated in the darkness, they spun endlessly in the inky world and my head spun with them.

    Why did this happen to me? Why do I have to go through this? This madness?

    What the fuck was that?

    Can I please get out of this?

    This world wouldn¡¯t let me rest.

    Please, just let me rest.

    My mind hurt, my head hurt. I just wanted a moment of peace. A second of silence. A fragment of sleep.

    I just wanted to go home. To see my mother, my sister¡­

    My father.

    My father.

    He was gone. He¡¯d been gone for so long, and it still wasn¡¯t right. Him leaving like that. But what could I do? He didn¡¯t walk out on us¡ªnot like that¡ªbut he might as well have.

    He chose to serve his country. And he paid the price.

    I could still hear him saying, ¡°Nobody dies in war anymore. The American military is the best in the world.¡±

    Yeah. Look where that got him. Six feet under, blown to pieces by an IED. A fucking roadside bomb of tin cans and putty turned him into confetti¡­ into pieces. Just bits of him scattered across the desert wind.

    It¡¯s funny. I¡¯ll probably lie torn to shreds in a desert too. Like father like son.

    They cremated what they could scrape up of him. There wasn¡¯t enough left to bury.

    I kept some of his ashes in a necklace¡ªa bullet casing from his battalion turned into an urn. I still wear it. Even now, it rests beneath my shirt, cold in the night and heavy against my chest.

    Maybe that feeling has been there all along.

    When he died, I swore I¡¯d never be like him. Never be a hero.

    And yet¡­ look at me now. Walking the path of a demon. A god of torment and destruction. A god of rape. It¡¯s so ironic, isn¡¯t it? In so many ways.

    I died being a hero and left my mom and sister alone.

    But what choice did I have? To die at his hands? To let Teresa deal with the crimes of those scumbags? No person deserves that, not even me no matter how I may feel. What could I do? Nothing. I still can¡¯t. All I can do is watch this unfold, every dirty detail etched into my mind. All I could do was watch. I can¡¯t even close my eyes to it. I can¡¯t shut my eyes and act ignorant of the world like so many do on earth.

    The police can¡¯t help me. They couldn¡¯t help me when my ¡®uncle¡¯ pinned me to a wall and felt me up. I told my mother and she just blamed me. I couldn¡¯t stop it he was stronger, yet she still blamed me.

    I gripped my head, clawing at my hair, tugging hard enough to sting. What choice do I have?

    I couldn¡¯t think like that. Not now. Not here.

    A bitter smile tugged at my lips, and then a laugh. This was all absurd. So absurd wasn¡¯t it?

    ¡°I can¡¯t let him win,¡± I muttered to myself. ¡°Do what you have to. Endure it. Survive.¡±

    Survive until I can live on my terms. That¡¯s what I have been doing till now and before this incident. It worked then, didn¡¯t it?

    Survive until I''m no longer trapped. Until im no longer pinned against the wall. Until I¡¯m no longer beaten for just being me.

    And maybe that way¡­ I can live forever, that¡¯s always what I wanted. Even when life gets rough I never wanted to hurt myself. I¡¯m just so scared of dying, closing my eyes, and never waking up. Closing my eyes and never wanting to wake up.

    Isn¡¯t that what everyone wants? To live forever?

    I sat. And sat longer. I felt empty for a time until the emptiness felt more than just that.

    The nothingness began to fill me like a plugged tub and the anxiety ensued.

    Then a text bubble appeared in front of me. Still floating around me as I clicked on it. Words popped up in the dark.

    ¡ª-Level 2 Unlocked¡ª-

    Become one with the dark lord. A prophet of a demonic elder force. Seer class will upgrade at Level 3.

    ¡ª-Inventory Item Unlocked: Locked Black Box¡ª-

    A mystery weapon or battle item for completing your first quest.Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

    ¡ª-Skill Unlocked: Heal¡ª-

    Heal some of the damage an ally receives. You will take half of the damage yourself, but this will grow stronger as you level.

    ¡ª-Skill Unlocked: Mend¡ª-

    Fuse two inanimate objects into one. At low levels, only minor combinations are possible.

    ¡ª-Bonus Skill Unlocked For Completing Your First Mission: Crimson Light Orb¡ª-

    Create a red ball of light that will shine in the darkest of nights. Eclipse the Moon, Child.

    ¡ª-Club And Staff Proficiency Unlocked¡ª-

    Basic weapon proficiencies unlocked. Perfect for survival.

    ¡ª-Dagger Proficiency Unlocked¡ª-

    Basic weapon proficiencies unlocked. Perfect for survival.

    ¡ª-Blessing Unlocked: ¡ª/¡ª-//-/¡ª-¡¯s Judgment¡ª-

    A divine boon of unknown power. Unlocked through the path of suffering. Will unlock more at a time.

    ¡ª-HUD Unlocked¡ª-

    ¡ª-Stat Screen Unlocked¡ª-

    ¡ª-One of Four Growth Cycles Unlocked: ???¡ª-

    ¡ª-Analyze: Level 2¡ª-

    ¡ª-Progress Saved¡ª-

    I blinked and suddenly found myself standing in a stark white room¡ªsterile, empty and unsettling. It felt like a hospital room that had been wiped clean of life.

    To my left, a bed hung from the wall by thick nylon cords, its pristine white sheet untouched. Across from me, a sink and TV were seamlessly built into the far wall, as if they had always been there waiting for me.

    But the room wasn¡¯t just empty¡ªit was devoid of life. Like an unfinished thought. A blank slate or unfinished dream.

    And for a moment, I felt the same. Like my mind had been wiped clean, leaving me standing in the only thing that remained.

    I turned and saw a table behind me, its hard white surface perfectly smooth as if brand new. On it sat a picture frame, tilted toward me. The photo inside was too familiar, a picture of me my father, mother and sister all hugged up on one another. Both of my fathers hands on our heads with a large smile on his face.

    My chest tightened. I guess I¡¯ll never see them again, will I?

    A lump formed in my throat, but I pushed it down swallowing a lump of air. Hopefully they¡¯re alive. Hopefully I¡¯m just¡­ lost on another planet or plane of existence or something like that right? Tell me if this is the alternative¡­ please, just let them think I¡¯m gone, not trapped here. Let them think I was dead and not suffering on an alien planet.

    I sat on the edge of the bed, holding the remote I¡¯d found on the table. It was a SNES controller hooked into the television screen. The TV screen flickered to life, displaying a simple interface:

    ¡ª-Stat Selection Screen¡ª-

    Vainglory

    Vanity

    Vehemence

    Vitality

    Each option glowed in and out faintly. Description¡¯s appeared as I hovered over them.

    ¡ª-Vainglory¡ª-

    Your ability to rally anyone, from a single person to a crowd, convincing them to believe in you or follow your way. This path offers a balanced growth, blending charisma, cunning, and leadership. A choice for those who walk the middle ground.

    ¡ª-Vanity¡ª-

    A dexterous and clever stat. Governs agility, wit, and deception. This path enhances quick thinking, evasiveness, and manipulation. Ideal for those who prefer speed and cunning over brute force.

    ¡ª-Vehemence¡ª-

    The stat of emotional resonance and magical power. Governs wisdom, insight, and influence over mystical forces. For those who understand their emotions¡ªor wield them as a weapon. Ideal for healers, enchanters, or manipulators of the intangible.

    ¡ª-Vitality¡ª-

    A stat of physical resilience and raw strength. Perfect for warriors, tanks, or survivalists. Those who embrace this path believe the body is the ultimate weapon and shield, unburdened by the complexities of magic.

    Each choice came with a warning:

    Choosing one of these will affect your growth rates and skill types. It is recommended to remain with the given class, but you may change every new level if the current one proves unsuitable. Be warned¡ªskills and growth are not guaranteed when switching.

    I leaned back, staring at the screen. The words blurred as thoughts flooded my mind. This was the moment¡ªmy path was in my hands. No more demon gods whispering in my ear, no more unseen strings pulling me into their games. Just me.

    I clenched my jaw, my father¡¯s voice pulling to the front of my mind.¡°Do what¡¯s right, no matter how hard it gets on you. You want to be a family man right? Learn what it takes and do everything you can too protect those you love.¡± I could feel my father¡¯s grip on my shoulder and his hard eyes staring at me.

    My eyes fell on Vehemence. The emotional one. Magic tied to the connection of life and feelings I suppose. I wasn¡¯t an emotional person I thought, was I? But couldn¡¯t this help with that? Could I control it? Or would the emotions control me, like everything else in this world.

    <hr>

    The screen flickered to life, a white text block appearing at the bottom.

    An 8-bit version of me, clad in a hooded robe, dashed across the loading screen before pausing, its digital dreads spilling from the hood. It smirked, winked, and bobbed its head like some old-school game guide before speaking:

    ¡°Here¡¯s a helpful hint. Emotions and feelings can power magic, but only when you are truly at your worst. Magic comes from the soul and body¡ªonce you lose part of that, it never comes back. Cut limbs and scars can heal, but soul-traded magic may never return, no matter how much you heal or grow.¡±

    I clicked through the text, half-bored, half-intrigued. The mechanics were interesting, even if the ominous warning sat heavy in my mind.

    Press X to continue.

    The screen shifted, displaying a rough figure of me. A new window popped up, breaking down stats and details as I clicked through.

    Your current spread is balanced but leans toward a Finesse/Zeal hybrid with some social utility (Influence). Here¡¯s what it suggests about your character¡­

    ? Finesse (2/6): You¡¯re agile, quick-thinking, and likely focused on mobility or clever tactics.

    ? Zeal (2/6): A connection to faith or mystical power is developing, possibly for healing or minor magic.

    ? Influence (2/6): You¡¯re decent at swaying others or gaining allies, though not yet a true leader.

    ? Might (1/6) & Vitality (1/6): Physical power and durability aren¡¯t your strong suits yet.

    ? Command (1/6): Leadership potential is minimal but present.

    <hr>

    Growth Milestones

    ? Gain one skill point per level.

    Level 3:

    ? Perks:

    ? Gain 3 extra skill points to allocate freely.

    ? A moment to define your core role, setting the direction for your character¡¯s specialization.

    ? Pick a new skill.

    ? ???

    Level 6:

    ? Perks:

    ? Gain 3 extra skill points.

    ? Unlock a bonus skill based on your highest stat:

    ? Might: Offensive or defensive combat ability.

    ? Finesse: Precision-based or stealth-related ability.

    ? Zeal: Faith/magic skill for support or damage.

    ? Command: Leadership ability to influence allies or NPCs.

    ? Focus: Enhanced resource management or strategic bonuses.

    ? Influence: Persuasion or crowd control skill.

    ? Unlock the ability to raise one stat to 5/6, solidifying your specialization.

    ? Pick a new skill of your choice

    ????

    Level 9:

    ? Perks:

    ? Gain 3 extra skill points.

    ? Receive a random assortment of skills, items, or weapons to choose from based on your playstyle. Examples:

    ? Might: Heavy weapon or armor.

    ? Finesse: Lightweight dual weapons or gear improving speed.

    ? Zeal: Rare scroll, healing staff, or holy relic.

    ? Command: Tools to control larger groups or NPC buffs.

    ? Focus: Items improving magic or stamina use.

    ? Influence: Relic or charm to manipulate allies/enemies.

    ?Pick a new skill

    ????

    Level 12:

    ? Perks:

    ? Gain 3 extra skill points.

    ? Unlock an ultimate passive ability based on your highest stat. Examples:

    ? Might: Permanent damage resistance or power increase.

    ? Finesse: Boosted critical hit chance or evade mechanics.

    ? Zeal: Aura that heals allies or enhances spell power.

    ? Command: Charisma boost, affecting loyalty or group efficiency.

    ? Focus: Reduced cooldowns for abilities or enhanced resource pools.

    ? Influence: Auto-succeed persuasion checks or debuff enemies.

    ? Pick a new skill.

    ? ???

    Level 15 (Final Level):

    ? Perks:

    ? Gain 3 extra skill points.

    ? Unlock an ultimate skill or ability based on your specialization:

    ? Might: Devastating AoE attack or indomitable defense stance.

    ? Finesse: Extreme precision attack or flawless evade counter.

    ? Zeal: Divine intervention or mass healing ability.

    ? Command: Summon allies, inspire large groups, or resource regeneration.

    ? Influence: Charm high-level NPCs or control crowds.

    ? Pick a new skill.

    ? ???

    ? Evolve.

    <hr>

    My highest skills were Zeal, Finesse, and Influence.

    It made sense to lean into those, didn¡¯t it? Stick to what I was good at. Build on a foundation I already understood instead of scattering my focus. But Zeal¡ªwhat the hell did that even mean? Did it make my will stronger? More determined? Or was it some kind of tether to the demon clown, drawing me closer to his influence with every point?

    The skill confused me?

    Finesse, though¡­ Finesse was clear. It was precision, agility, and motor control. It was an action I could take, something tangible, physical: something mine.

    I hovered the cursor over the Finesse icon, my thumb lingering, hesitating. Something about it felt¡­ off. But it was just a game, right? Just pixels and code.

    ¡°Screw it,¡± I muttered.

    The click echoed louder than it should have. I dropped the controller onto the table and fell back onto the bed, the springs groaning under my weight.

    That¡¯s when the TV flickered.

    I blinked as if I didn¡¯t just see that.

    Huh. That¡¯s strange.

    It snapped off, then on again. Static crackled and hummed, accompanied by the faint hum of interference. I grabbed the remote and spammed the power button, but the screen refused to obey.

    Then the signal went fuzzy.

    A clean white glove appeared, reaching from inside the screen. It grabbed the edges of the glass and pressed down showing the dark white print of the glove. The hand began to pull, as if warping the glass itself. The arms attached to it stretched unnaturally, bending and stretching like rubber.

    ¡°Hi there, buddy.¡±

    The voice was sickeningly cheerful. A clown¡¯s face pushed against the glass¡ªa porcelain white Venetian mask with an exaggerated smile shown through. The screen warped under his touch, fogging with his breath as he pushed close.

    ¡°Did you miss me?¡±

    The screen shook violently, the clown rattling it like he was trying to break free. My stomach clenched as I scrambled back on the bed, my breath hitching in my neck.

    Then, nothing.

    The screen went black.

    I exhaled, relief washing over me, only for it to be ripped away.

    The screen flickered back on, but this time, his nose pressed against the glass, squeaking like a cartoon sound effect. It came out of the screen first. Slowly, his face tilted, and then his head began to stretch through

    He was coming through.

    The clown twisted and contorted, his body slithering out of the television like a snake out its nest. His limbs bent at impossible angles, folding in on themselves before snapping back into place. When he finally stood, he loomed over me, his frame impossibly tall, his head ticking side to side like the pendulum of some sinister clock.

    His eyes weren¡¯t eyes at all. They were static, black-and-white chaos swirling like turbines. He tilted his head in metronome-like rhythm, the sound clinking around me, filling the room.

    ¡°What do you want?!¡± I shouted, my voice hitched in his presence. I pressed myself against the headboard, clutching my knees to my chest.

    He didn¡¯t respond. He just stood there, staring. Ticking.

    Seconds felt like hours as the silence went on infinitely, punctuated only by the faint hum of the television static. My heartbeat slowed, my panic shifting to anxiety and then dread. Maybe he wasn¡¯t here to hurt me. Maybe he¡¯d just¡­ stand there. Watch me for some reason? Some twisted voyeuristic delight.

    Time went on as he just stared and watched.

    I pulled the blanket over my head, a childlike reflex I couldn¡¯t stop. For a moment, I let myself believe that maybe he¡¯d leave me alone. That if I couldn¡¯t see him, he would just disappear.

    Then I felt it.

    A slithering. Something moved on top of the blanket, brushing against my legs. A hand? A snake?

    I yanked the covers off, my breath hitching¡ªready to scream. But the room was empty.

    Or so I thought.

    The clown hadn¡¯t moved. He still stood at the foot of the bed, his head ticking faster now, an eerie, mechanical stutter. I clenched my fists and forced myself to stand, adrenaline numbing the fear.

    ¡°Leave me alone!¡± I shouted, pushing him away.

    My hands passed through him like smoke.

    His jaw unhinged, dropping far lower than it should have. With a sharp crack, his head twisted toward me, static eyes locking onto mine.

    I sat in the bed watching. My breath came in short, ragged gasps. Silence settled in¡ªthick, endless silence. I then looked up and ticking had stopped.

    But now the door was open. The back of it I could see the shape of a man. A shape of a bottle. All behind a thick smog of blackness.

    I closed my eyes and waited. Nothing.

    I opened them and the door was now closed.

    Minutes. Maybe hours passed. My muscles slowly relaxed, my eyelids growing heavy. My body seemed to fight the sensation of calmness but it couldn¡¯t fight the sleep that I desperately needed.

    And then, it started again. A thumping.

    ¡°Let me in¡­ Let me in, Diana. I have something to show you. A gift from your husband for the holidays. Something just for you.¡± He whispered through the door tapping on it with his half empty bottle. ¡°Let me. In.¡± He slid his back down the door and began pounding on it.

    Thump. Thump. Thump.

    Thump. Thump. Thump.

    I stared at the door imagining if this was real or a dream. I didn¡¯t know. Why was I reliving this? Why?

    I couldn¡¯t tell because I wasn¡¯t in that sterile white room anymore. I wasn¡¯t in that hospital or dreamy white place I saw back on earth. Back before I was dead. Back before I wanted to be dead. The hazy blurry view was like that of a camera lens unfocused and bleeding red around the corners on an unnatural angle. I remember vague faces one of hers. She was there, not my mother. Not my sister. Not my family, but her.

    But now the white room was gone. I was home. I don¡¯t understand?

    I don¡¯t understand why? My eyes began to tear up as I looked at the beaten brown door that I hated so much. My life would be so much different had it just been able to lock. My father said he¡¯d fix it countless times but always slacked off on it. Now I was paying his price.

    The long doorway in the corner of my bedroom. The streaked wooden floorboards stained with spills and dirt. The wooden floor that creaked and moaned as if enjoying the steps of their owners. The door that would open if you jiggled the handle long enough that couldn¡¯t be fully locked.

    And I just lay there. Waiting, on my back. I felt spiders on my skin. I felt vulnerable even as the man. I just waited. I couldn¡¯t move, I was reliving it again. I waited.

    Waited for the creak.

    Waited for the voice.

    ¡°So you aren¡¯t asleep?¡± No I wasn¡¯t asleep. I wanted to yell at him to go away but my lips wouldn¡¯t move.

    He walked through the door, I heard the movement. The floorboards moaned in ecstasy and whispered in my ears the dark truths of the world; but that was honestly the last thing I wanted to hear. He fell to the floor and grabbed the dresser next to my door to steady himself. He took his time getting up. The only thing I could focus on was the sound of something moving in the dark. A creak and step. And then another. And another.

    The door groaned open. A shadow moved in the dim light, stepping inside. He made his way to the foot of my bed, sitting on the corner¡ªdirtying my sheets. The stink of cheap booze and an unwashed musk clung to him, I knew he was on the pills my mother took from the way he addressed me as Diana. His ex wife. It was like he couldn¡¯t see it was me instead of her. Maybe he just ignored it, who knows, but right now I wish I wasn¡¯t here.

    He swayed slightly, rubbing the bottom of my foot with slow, absent circles. He played with my feet seductively, the tingling feeling exacerbated by my panic and anxiety. It was a dirty pleasurable feeling like a cigarette burn to the skin after a deep drink. The man¡¯s voice slurred. That¡¯s if you can call him a man. To me he felt more like a monster.

    ¡°You know¡­¡± He paused, like something was caught in his throat. ¡°All I want for the holidays is you, Diana.

    I miss you. I miss us, alright?

    I¡¯ll give you a night you can¡¯t forget. Or say no to.¡±

    Fingers trailed up my foot. A slow, tickling motion.

    Foot to ankle.

    Ankle to knee.

    Knee to thigh.

    And then¡ª

    He was on top of me.

    I couldn¡¯t move. Couldn¡¯t breathe.

    I should have fought back. Should have screamed. But my mind was blank as he got on top of me. He held a hand on my throat it hurt to breathe for a moment as he trailed down my shirt.

    All I could think was, ¡®At least it¡¯s me and not my little sister¡¯. Like that¡¯s a valid excuse for what he was doing.

    His hand ran over my crotch, squeezing. My body jerked, a strangled sound escaping me. It was a low cry. And as I tried to pull away he pushed down on me harder. I assumed he thought it meant something else. Anything but me wanting to get up.

    He thought it was pleasure.

    So he squeezed harder. Pinned me harder

    I told him to stop. I muffled over his hand

    I told him again. Louder.

    He shoved me down, clamping a hand over my mouth. His weight pinned me, crushing me, suffocating me until I couldn¡¯t breathe. Until my neck turned blue.

    And there was nothing I could do to stop him. I could only watch with big teary eyes. It hurt so bad. God it hurt.

 Sleep my friend

    I came to with a jolt, Jakob¡¯s hands gripping my shoulders, shaking me hard.

    ¡°Hey, man, are you alright? Can you get up? What¡¯s wrong? Wake up!¡±

    I blinked, my vision clouded in a dull white haze. Jakob¡¯s face hovered inches from mine, his bright blue eyes cartoonishly wide with worry. Wet blonde hair clung to his forehead, like he¡¯d just run through a thunderstorm.

    ¡°I¡­ I¡¯m alright,¡± I rasped, pushing myself up. Every muscle in my body screamed against it. My stomach twisted. The ground tilted beneath me, unsteady as I straightened. ¡°What about you? You look like you¡¯ve seen a ghost. Did Calvin or someone stage a coup? What¡¯s going on?¡±

    Jakob yanked me to my feet in one firm pull. ¡°I¡¯m fine, Ezekiel. But you¡ªman, you passed out cold. We need to get you to Nara. You might need food, water¡ªsomething.¡±

    ¡°Seriously, Jakob, I¡¯m fine.¡± I brushed the dirt from my clothes, forcing myself to stand steady. ¡°I just got lightheaded, that¡¯s all. Walk with me. Tell me what¡¯s happened since I blacked out. Can¡¯t believe they left me here alone this long. Looks like it¡¯s midnight or something.¡±

    I lied to him.

    I wasn¡¯t fine.

    That demon still wanted me. Still whispering. Still feeding off whatever it fed off of¡ªfear, pain, exhaustion. It had to be nightmares. That¡¯s the only way it could know. The memories. The ones I buried. The ones I burned out of my mind.

    I was so fucking tired.

    Tired of the touching. Tired of the hurting. Tired of the monsters in my closet. The ones riding my back.

    Tired of being here.

    Jakob hesitated but fell into step beside me. He reached out, resting a hand on my shoulder.

    I jerked back on instinct swatting it with my hand hard.

    He shook his hand as if it hurt. Both of his hands shot up in surrender. ¡°Damn¡ªsorry. Didn¡¯t mean to scare you. You sure you¡¯re okay?¡±

    I shoved his shoulder, hard. He took a few steps back to catch his center mass. ¡°I told you I¡¯m fine, so stop fucking asking. Jesus, man, listen. Listen when I tell you I¡¯m fine! I¡¯m right here¡ªfucking listen to me. Why can¡¯t anyone respect boundaries in this goddamn place? Fuck.¡±

    Jakob¡¯s face fell, and he exhaled slowly, running a hand through his wet hair. ¡°I¡¯m not trying to piss you off. I just¡­¡± He shook his head. ¡°We¡¯re all we¡¯ve got, man. I just need you to be real with me.¡±

    I clenched my jaw. The trees reached over us like zombies in an old pulp fiction movie. Everything about this place¡ªthe touching. The cold. The air. The memories.

    I needed space.

    ¡°Just¡­ don¡¯t touch me for a while,¡± I muttered. ¡°I can¡¯t deal with it right now.¡±

    Jakob nodded. We walked in silence, the sound of our footsteps were the only thing in the forest making noise.

    Eventually, he spoke. ¡°Anyway¡ªWe got the wood we needed. Donnie set up a fire. I came looking for you and¡­¡± His voice faltered.

    I glanced at him. ¡°And?¡± I said with an attitude.

    He exhaled sharply. ¡°I saw something in the woods. I¡¯m not sure. It looked like a devil or something. Damn thing nearly mauled me and Jerissa.¡±

    I stopped mid-step.

    My stomach twisted again, but not from exhaustion this time. Maybe from hunger, I¡¯m not sure myself.

    I turned to face him. ¡°Wait. Say that again. You saw a devil? What did it look like?¡±

    Jakob shrugged, shifting uncomfortably. ¡°Didn¡¯t get a good look. Just saw a blue hand and found some of this.¡± He reached into his pocket and pulled out a tuft of fur¡ªdark, coarse, and slick with something wet that smelled faintly of grease. ¡°Why do you ask? Have you seen a devil?¡±

    My stomach churned, but I forced my expression to stay neutral. ¡°No,¡± I lied, shaking my head. ¡°Just curious.¡±

    Jakob frowned but didn¡¯t press further.

    Ahead, the orange glow of firelight pierced through the shadows. A crackling blaze, three feet wide, roared in a shallow pit, its flames with the people fueling it. The rest of the group huddled around it, their faces shadowed and weary.

    The tension was in the air. Even from this distance, I could tell no one felt safe¡ªnot even with the fire keeping the darkness at bay. Not with some wild animals roaming the woods while we had no homes or shelterThe author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

    I blinked at the firelight ahead, its glow flickering through the trees. Jakob walked beside me waving at people like this was high school or a family reunion.

    ¡°I¡¯ve made it back. I was out cold,¡± I said, my voice let out an aggravated tone. ¡°Fill me in on what I missed please.

    Jakob turned his head slightly, glancing at me. ¡°Nara needs to look at you. You hit your head.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± I insisted, brushing it off.

    ¡°You did?¡± Jerissa piped up from the circle of people by the fire.

    Nara stood, she stared daggers at me. ¡°I¡¯ll look at it, Jakob.¡± She approached with a gaunt stride, her hands already reaching for me. ¡°Thank you for telling me. It important to keep everyone here safe. Especially those who are looking after us.¡±

    I let out a groan. She sounded like my mother.

    And as I sighed I let her fingers gently grab my head, pulling back my dreads to inspect the side of my skull. Her rough accent hummed in my ears. ¡°Now, be still. ¡°

    ¡°You know you have thick hair right? It make it hard to inspect.¡±

    Her hands worked methodically, rubbing my temples and probing for any injuries. The faint scent of mint and lemon clung to her, oddly soothing. Her hands felt nice on my head, I wish someone did that more to me. She tilted my head and touched a small spot above my eye and my skull throbbed.

    ¡°Where does it hurt, Zeke? Here?¡± She pressed the back of my head, and a sharp ache jolted through my skull.

    Her touch was firm but not unpleasant. Almost comforting. I wished someone did this for me more often.

    Then she found the spot.

    ¡°Here?¡± She pressed a small area above my eye, and a sharp ache flared through my skull.

    ¡°Agh¡ªactually, yeah, that hurts now that you mention it. Please stop poking it.¡±

    She pressed again. Harder.

    ¡°AGH¡ªStop, Nara! That hurts!¡±

    She tilted my head so I was forced to stare into her narrowed, unreadable eyes.

    ¡°Oh, so when you don¡¯t listen to friend, it fine. But when I do it? It problem?¡± She pressed once more for emphasis.

    ¡°OW! Fuck¡ªyou¡¯re petty!¡± I flinched away, rubbing my head. ¡°Okay, okay, I get it! Just stop, you¡¯re gonna scramble my damn brains.¡±

    ¡°Good.¡± She smirked, clearly satisfied. But her words stuck with me. Friends. I wasn¡¯t expecting her to say that. We¡¯d only known each other for a day.

    ¡°Now, lay down,¡± she ordered, her tone firm but not unkind. ¡°Talk to me. Tell me what happen. I¡¯ll help where I can.¡±

    I hesitated before sinking down by the fire, leaning against a log. The warmth of the flames licked at my skin, but it didn¡¯t drive away the cold pit in my stomach.

    ¡°Alright,¡± I sighed. ¡°I passed out, unlocked some skills, and now I¡¯m back. I guess I hit my head, but I thought I was fine.¡±

    The others stirred, their interest piqued.

    Nara¡¯s brow furrowed. ¡°Show me.¡±

    I hesitated, then held out my hand. ¡°Crimson Light.¡±

    A small orb of blood-red light shot into the air, hovering above us. The firelight dimmed against its glow, and the group stared in stunned silence as it raced up to the stars and moon before sizzling out like fireworks.

    You can also¡ªagh¡ª¡± I winced as Nara¡¯s fingers prodded my head again.

    Might as well rip the bandaid off now.

    ¡°You can pull weapons and stuff from your inventory,¡± I added. ¡°Might even find things from your past.¡± I nearly said past life. Caught myself just in time. ¡°Or, you know, snacks or whatever. I can show you¡­ just give me a minute.¡±

    I closed my eyes as she kept rubbing my scalp.

    Reaching into the void, I summoned a knife from my inventory. The steel gleamed in the firelight as I handed it to Nara.

    ¡°Jakob, show them how to use their inventory while I rest, yeah?¡± My voice came out slower than I intended. God, I was tired.

    Jakob sighed, but nodded. ¡°Alright, Zeke. I got you.¡±

    ¡°Wake me up in an hour.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, yeah.¡±

    She examined the knife, then my hand. Her fingers brushed against my skin, and her gaze focused on me. ¡°What¡¯s this on the back of your hand, Zeke? A tattoo?¡±

    I frowned, pulling my hand back to look. There it was¡ªa black number, bold against my skin.

    ¡°Two,¡± I murmured, my stomach twisting.

    ¡°What is it?¡± she pressed, leaning closer.

    ¡°I think¡­ my level?¡± The words felt strange coming out of my mouth. ¡°When I passed out, I saw a stat screen. It said I leveled up, and I put my points into Finesse. That¡¯s it.¡±

    She studied the number carefully. ¡°And no one else has this mark?¡±

    I shook my head. ¡°Not that I know of. Maybe if you level up, you¡¯ll get one.¡±

    Nara scoffed, shaking her head. ¡°I do not want one. I keep my body pure.¡±

    Nara¡¯s voice softened, but her eyes gleamed with curiosity. ¡°Zeke, this is a strange request, but¡­ can I watch you sleep?¡±

    I blinked, caught off guard. ¡°You want to watch me sleep?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s purely for observation,¡± she clarified. ¡°Whatever¡¯s happening to you, I want to study it.¡± The fire crackled beside us, casting wavering shadows on her face. That¡¯s all.

    ¡°If you keep rubbing my head like that,¡± I muttered, ¡°I might just pass out anyway.¡±

    Her fingers, still tangled lightly in my dreads, slowed. For a brief moment I felt ok, the fire¡¯s heat felt less stifling, the night less jarring on my mind.

    ¡°This isn¡¯t a joke,¡± she said, I want to make sure you are ok Zeke.¡±

    I sighed, running a hand down my face. ¡°I know. I know. It¡¯s never a joke with you.¡± I hesitated, watching the way the firelight danced in her eyes. ¡°You really think something happens when I sleep?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± she admitted. ¡°But something is happening to you. And if it¡¯s tied to sleep, I need to witness it myself and figure it out.¡±

    Her words made me think. If it is tied to sleep. Then the visions, the nightmares, the feeling of something crawling into my head, shifting through my past like an open file cabinet. Then he knows, he knows it all. He knows me better than me perhaps because my memories sometimes just disappear from my mind.

    I exhaled slowly. The thought of someone else seeing what I saw, even just as an observer, made me feel¡­ exposed, vulnerable and a couple other words I was too tired to think of.

    But then again, wasn¡¯t that already happening? Wasn¡¯t something already invading my mind, my body, the core to my very being?

    Maybe it was time I stopped trying to fight it alone. Maybe.

    I leaned back against the log, letting my eyes drift to the dark sky above. The stars seemed further away than usual.

    ¡°Alright,¡± I murmured. ¡°Sure. I¡¯ll let you do your thing.¡±

    Nara didn¡¯t respond right away. Instead, she watched me carefully, as if studying the way I breathed, the way my shoulders eased ever so slightly in surrender. She waited, waited for me to calm down.

    Then, gently, she shifted closer, her hand resting on the front of my head right between the eyes.

    ¡°Sleep, Zeke,¡± she whispered. ¡°I¡¯ll be here. We all will be.¡±

    And for the first time in a long time, I felt safe. Might¡¯ve been a woman¡¯s touch or her nice cold hands. Either way.

    My eyes drifted.