ã€ŠLegacy of Imaginationã€‹


 Peromenos: Volume 1 Chapter 1

    The headlights of the van cut through the city streets, one of many lights on the night with cars and street lamps dancing on the night, casting fleeting shadows across weathered brick buildings and neon signs with the contrast of the lights on the windows. The faint smell of exhaust and fried food seeped in through the cracked window as a blonde bombshell scrolled through her playlist, determined to find the perfect track to blast through the van¡¯s speakers.

    "Do we really have to listen to this again?" A messy ashy hair teen grumbled from the driver¡¯s seat, his yellowish brown eyes flicking between the road and the fuel gauge. He looked like he¡¯d rather wrestle a bear than endure another hour of blondes pop marathon.

    "Yes, we do," The blonde replied with an exaggerated sigh, her nails clicking against her phone. "My music has vibes. You¡¯re just boring."

    "Keep saying that, and you¡¯re walking to the restaurant," the ashy haired teen muttered, earning a rubber band flicked at his head by Noah, who was lounging in the back.

    "Hey, Sparky, maybe don¡¯t threaten the DJ," A brown haired boy quipped, grinning as he lobbed an rubber band at ashed haired teen''s ear. His aim was impeccable, and it showed in teen irritated glare.

    "Can you not, Noah?" I said from the passenger seat, pinching the bridge of my nose. "Some of us would like to make it there alive."

    "Relax, Xin, I¡¯m just keeping things lively," Noah replied, leaning back like he owned the van. "This group would be so boring without me."

    "Don¡¯t flatter yourself," a girl with long black hair shot back from the far corner, her legs propped up on the seat . She was balancing her phone on her knee, occasionally glancing at it as if it could magically show her something other than a no-signal icon. "The only thing you¡¯re keeping alive is Jack¡¯s stress levels."

    Two teens who are nearly identical in the middle row with a bag of chips between them who are seemingly ignoring the chaos unfold as they played chess against each other on their phone but looking closer they are whispering to each other, their quiet laughter barely audible over the music. Probably planning another prank¡ªthose two couldn¡¯t go five minutes without stirring up trouble.

    It should¡¯ve been a simple evening. Dinner at some hole-in-the-wall spot downtown, a nostalgic send-off before everyone got too busy to hang out. The restaurant wasn¡¯t even that far, just a few blocks down from Jack¡¯s usual coffee spot. But as we turned onto a quieter street, the night seemed to take on a strange, uneasy edge.

    And then it happened.If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.

    A blaring horn. Blinding headlights. Jack barely had time to swerve before the impact.

    The van jerked violently, spinning out as tires screeched against the pavement. The world became a blur of chaos¡ªmetal groaning, shouts overlapping, and the sickening crunch of glass and steel. My stomach lurched as I was thrown forward, head slamming into the dashboard.

    I awaken my eyes in a only to see the van upside down I try to look around only to see the corpse of Jack on the steering wheel before I was about to comprehend what happened a loud siren is heard and instinctively turned to look as I see a light.

    Before I could do anything my eyes start to lose focus and my vision closing as my senses becoming dull.

    Only to be met with...

    Pain. Darkness. Silence.

    My eyes then was shot open as gasp for air, the first thing I noticed was the smell of damp earth. My head throbbed, and every inch of my body ached as if I¡¯d been thrown into a meat grinder. I blinked, disoriented, and looked around.

    I wasn¡¯t in the van.

    I was in a forest.

    The towering trees stretched into the sky, their dense canopy casting dappled shadows across the forest floor. Birds chirped somewhere in the distance, and a soft breeze rustled the leaves.

    "What the hell?" I muttered, my voice sounded strange¡ªhigher-pitched, softer. My hands trembled as I looked down at them. They were smaller, the fingers stubby, like a child¡¯s.

    Shaking the confusion I tried to stand up, only for my legs to give out and I was on my knees, so I sat down looking around the forest before attempting it again.

    Panic surged through me as I scrambled to my feet, wobbling slightly, but didn''t falling to my knees this time. I needed answers. Where was everyone else? What had happened?

    A faint cry caught my attention, pulling me deeper into the woods.

    I followed the sound until I reached a small clearing.

    Only to see the most confusing thing in my life than what is happening now.

    A group of babies lay sprawled on a patch of soft moss, squirming and crying. At first, I didn¡¯t believe what I was seeing. It didn¡¯t make sense. But as I stepped closer, my breath caught in my throat.

    One by one, I recognized them.

    The tiniest one, his face scrunched up in frustration, had to be Noah. His wild hair was unmistakable, and even as a baby, he looked ready to cause trouble. Beside him was Emma, her pouty expression making her look like she was already demanding room service. Mera was there too, her tiny hands clutching a tuft of moss like it was some great prize.

    Cael and Star were curled up together, as inseparable in infancy as they were in life. And then there was Jack, the only one not crying, his tiny face set in a scowl.

    "This has to be a dream," I whispered, rubbing my eyes. But no matter how many times I blinked, the scene didn¡¯t change.

    Finally, I glanced down at myself, my heart pounding. My hands were those of a child, but my clothes were oversized and tattered, hanging off my much smaller frame. I must¡¯ve been¡­ what? Five? Eight, maybe?

    "Okay, Xin," I said aloud, trying to steady my breathing. "Get it together. Figure this out."

    The cries of the babies grew louder, and I knelt down, hesitating before picking up Noah. He immediately stopped crying, staring up at me with wide, mischievous eyes.

    "Of course, even as a baby, you¡¯re trouble," I muttered.

    One by one, I gathered them, doing my best to comfort them. It wasn¡¯t easy¡ªEmma shrieked like I¡¯d stolen her favorite toy, and Jack gave me a look that clearly said, What are you doing?

    Once everyone was relatively calm, I sat down, cradling Star in my lap. The gravity of the situation began to sink in.

    We¡¯d died. That much was certain. But this¡­ this wasn¡¯t an afterlife. It wasn¡¯t anything I could explain. We were alive, somehow.

    And we were kids.

    "I don¡¯t know what¡¯s going on," I said quietly, looking at the small, fragile faces of my friends. "But I¡¯ll figure it out. I¡¯ll take care of you guys. Just¡­ hang in there."

    As the sun began to set, casting the forest in hues of orange and gold, I felt a strange mix of fear and determination. Whatever had happened to us, whatever this place was, I wasn¡¯t going to let it break us.

    We¡¯d been through too much together.

    And this time would be no different. Except one thing "Why am I the only one who''s a kid!"

 Peromenos: Volume 1 Chapter 2

    I took a deep breath, staring at the row of babies laid out before me. They were all squirming or crying in varying degrees of unhappiness, and it was clear this wasn¡¯t going to be easy. If I was going to keep us alive¡ªand sane¡ªI needed to figure out how to transport all of them at once.

    "Alright," I said, more to myself than to them. "One step at a time."

    I hoisted Noah first, setting him upright. His tiny legs wobbled, and he plopped back onto the moss with a giggle. Of course, he thought this was a game.

    "Yeah, you¡¯d find this funny, wouldn¡¯t you?" I muttered, adjusting his position so he was sitting upright again.

    Next, I turned to Emma, who had stopped crying just long enough to glare at me with a look of pure indignation.

    "Emma," I sighed, "you¡¯re going to have to deal with this. I don¡¯t have a stroller, a crib, or¡ªwhatever spoiled babies need."

    She responded by blowing a spit bubble and promptly bursting into tears again.

    Great.

    Star and Cael, on the other hand, were content to cuddle together, their tiny hands gripping each other tightly. I didn¡¯t dare separate them¡ªnot yet. Jack was staring at me like he was waiting for me to screw this up, his little brows furrowed. He wasn¡¯t crying, which I appreciated, but his silent judgment wasn¡¯t making things any easier.

    Mera had rolled onto her stomach, clawing at the dirt like she was already trying to escape. Typical.

    "Alright, listen up!" I said, clapping my hands together. The babies flinched, their wide eyes locking onto me. "We¡¯re gonna play a fun game called ¡®line up and cooperate.¡¯ If you don¡¯t, we all die out here. Got it?"

    No response. Not that I expected one.

    I started with Noah, setting him down on his feet again. "You¡¯re first. Don¡¯t fall."

    Noah giggled, wobbling but staying upright this time. I moved to Emma next, who stubbornly refused to stand, so I ended up propping her against a tree. "Just stay there. Please."

    Star and Cael were next. I gently picked them up, murmuring reassurances as I set them down side by side. They immediately latched onto each other, balancing better together than apart.

    Jack let me place him without complaint, though his eyes stayed fixed on mine, as if to say, This better work.

    Finally, I grabbed Mera, who, to no one¡¯s surprise, squirmed like a fish out of water.

    "Stay still!" I hissed, managing to get her upright for a grand total of three seconds before she plopped down again.

    I tried to do again and again and again ang again and again and again before just sighing and gave up.

    I took a step back, surveying my handiwork. Seven babies, all vaguely upright, lined up like an army of tiny, drooling soldiers.

    "Good enough," I muttered.

    Now came the hard part: carrying them.

    I had no bag, no sling, no nothing. Just me and seven infants who couldn¡¯t walk well there was my clothes and theirs though I rather not get the only set of clothes we got ripped to pieces in day one.

    "Alright, Si Xin," I muttered under my breath, "how do you carry an entire daycare on your own?"

    I turned to look at the clothing around me so picked up the only two jackets more specifically Noah and Emma''s jackets they didn''t like it one bit and Emma specially was crying like a waterfall. It took awhile to calm her down.

    Tying it into a makeshift sling on each of my arms I started with the obvious solution: Star and Cael. I picked them up together, one under each arm. They were light enough that it wasn¡¯t unbearable, but I already knew I¡¯d need to switch them out soon if I wanted to keep my arms from falling off.

    Next was Noah, who was small enough to ride on my shoulders. He giggled as I hoisted him up, his tiny hands grabbing fistfuls of my hair.

    "Ow! Easy up there," I muttered, wincing.

    That left Emma, Jack, and Mera.

    A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

    Emma, as expected, refused to be carried any way but on her back. I slung her over my other shoulder using the jacket, balancing her awkwardly and quite frankly it looks utterly ridiculous. "You¡¯d better not spit up on me," I warned her.

    Jack and Mera, meanwhile, were¡­ less cooperative. Jack, at least, didn¡¯t fight, but he stared at me like I¡¯d lost my mind as I tied him onto my front using the tattered remains that I just learned by the way of my oversized shirt.

    Mera, on the other hand, decided that now was the perfect time to start squirming like a worm. "Mera," I growled through gritted teeth, "if you don¡¯t stop moving, I¡¯m leaving you here."

    She stopped. Barely.

    Once they were all secure¡ªwell, as secure as I could make them¡ªI straightened up, groaning under the weight. Seven babies, and I was maybe the size of an eight-year-old.

    "Okay," I said, adjusting the makeshift sling I¡¯d tied around my torso. "We¡¯re moving. Don¡¯t fall. Don¡¯t cry. Don¡¯t¡­ do anything, really."

    Noah giggled.

    With a deep breath, I started walking, every step slow and deliberate. The forest stretched endlessly ahead, and I had no idea where we were going.

    But wherever it was, we were going together.

    It felt like its been hours since I started walking to the point I see the sun was beginning to set, casting an orange glow over the dense canopy of trees, and I was pretty sure my legs were about to give out. Every step felt like a challenge, my shoulders aching from the combined weight of my so-called ¡°cargo¡± that I call friends.

    "How are you all so small and this heavy?" I muttered under my breath, glancing down at the babies strapped to me. Noah, perched on my shoulders, seemed to find my misery endlessly amusing. He giggled, tugging at my hair like it was some kind of chew toy.

    "Yeah, laugh it up," I grumbled, shifting Emma, who had managed to fall asleep slung over my shoulder. Star and Cael clung to each other tightly under my arms, blissfully quiet.

    After what felt like hours of trudging, I finally saw it¡ªthe edge of the forest. My heart skipped a beat at the sight of the open clearing beyond the trees.

    "Finally," I breathed, relief flooding my body. "I swear, if I don¡¯t find water and a place to rest soon, I¡¯m gonna¡ª"

    But as I stepped closer, I froze.

    The clearing wasn¡¯t just open space. It was chaos.

    On one side I that looks to be humans armed to the teeth¡ªguns. Okay so we are not in a medieval fantasy world there''s actual technology.

    My eyes widened as I saw one of them raise a hand, a swirling iceball burst from his palm before hurling it at one of the creatures and the ice started to spread and engulf the towering creature.

    They have powers of course, so we are in a superhero world then, what sick joke is this. It feels like a terrible bar joke

    The creature¡ªa monster that looked like it had crawled out of a nightmare¡ªshrieked, its jagged claws swiping at the human before it crumpled to the ground. Its comrades didn¡¯t even flinch, continuing to charge forward, their grotesque forms snarling and howling.

    And then there were the what appears to be robots.

    At first glance, I thought they were the monsters that look like¡ªwolves, birds, even a massive bear¡ªbut their sleek, white metallic frames and neon blue eyes glowing eyes made it clear they were something else entirely. One of the wolf-like machines pounced on a man, it tried to bite the man only to be stopped by his arm its jaws tearing through the armor of the arm with ease.

    It was a three-way war: humans versus monsters versus robots.

    "What the hell is this giant clusterfu¡ª"

    I barely managed to bite my tongue before the words escaped. The last thing I needed was to draw attention to myself.

    Too late.

    One of the monsters, a hulking, beastly thing covered in matted fur and scales, turned its blood-red eyes toward me. I froze, my heart pounding as it sniffed the air, its head tilting slightly.

    For a moment, I thought¡ªhoped¡ªit would ignore me.

    It didn¡¯t.

    The creature roared, charging toward me with horrifying speed, its claws carving through the earth as it barreled forward.

    "Okay, nope!" I yelped, spinning on my heel and bolting back into the forest.

    Running with seven babies strapped to me was not ideal, but adrenaline took over, my legs pumping as fast as they could carry me. The monster¡¯s roar echoed behind me, the sound sending shivers down my spine.

    "Don¡¯t look back, don¡¯t look back," I muttered to myself, gripping Star and Cael tighter as I dodged branches and leaped over roots.

    Noah was laughing hysterically, thinking this was some kind of thrilling ride and pulled my hair.

    "OW," I screamed.

    "Not helpful, Noah!" I snapped, ducking under a low-hanging branch.

    The sound of heavy footsteps behind me grew louder, the creature gaining on me. My mind raced, panic threatening to overwhelm me. I couldn¡¯t fight it¡ªnot like this. All I could do was run.

    Up ahead, I spotted a fallen tree leaning against a massive boulder, creating a makeshift ramp. Without thinking, I sprinted toward it, my feet barely touching the ground as I scrambled up the trunk.

    The monster roared again, lunging after me but hitting the trunk breaking it it started to climb the boulder¡ªbut it could get a good grip to follow. Its claws scraped against the boulder, and I didn¡¯t wait to see if it would find another way up.

    I jumped, landing awkwardly on the other side and nearly toppling over.

    "Ow, ow, ow," I hissed, straightening up and adjusting the babies to make sure none of them were hurt. Star whimpered, her tiny face scrunching up, but I quickly hushed her, bouncing slightly on my heels. "Shh, it¡¯s okay. We¡¯re fine. We¡¯re fine."

    The monster¡¯s roars faded into the distance, and I finally allowed myself to breathe. My legs trembled, threatening to give out, but I forced myself to keep moving, deeper into the forest.

    Whatever was happening out there, whatever that war was¡ªI wanted no part of it.

    Well Not yet, anyway.

    It was dark now the sounds of the forest at night were both eerie and oddly soothing. Crickets chirped, frogs croaked, and the occasional hoot of an owl echoed through the trees. My legs felt like they were filled with lead, each step heavier than the last. The adrenaline that had kept me moving earlier was gone, leaving me teetering on the edge of collapse.

    Then, through the shadows of the trees, I saw something looking out of place a cabin.

    It was small and worn, with wooden walls darkened by age and a sagging roof that looked like it had survived one too many storms. Vines crawled up its sides, and one of the windows was shattered, but to me, it was a palace.

    A smile tugged at my lips, the first in what felt like hours. "Finally," I breathed, my voice barely more than a whisper.

    Summoning what little strength I had left, I trudged toward the cabin, nearly stumbling as I reached the door. It creaked loudly as I pushed it open, the sound echoing through the quiet night. The interior was pitch black, but a sliver of moonlight filtered in through a cracked window, illuminating just enough to see a ladder leading to a second floor.

    Looking around the cabin only to be meet with darkness, I turn to the ladder. "Safe enough," I muttered, my voice thick with exhaustion.

    I adjusted the babies strapped to me, one by one, careful not to jostle them too much. Noah was still giggling softly, clearly unaware of the day¡¯s chaos, while Emma snored softly in her sleep. The others were a mix of sleepy and grumpy, but thankfully, none of them cried.

    Taking a deep breath, I approached the ladder. It didn¡¯t look particularly sturdy, but it was better than nothing.

    "Alright, everyone, hang tight," I said, more for my own sake than theirs.

    I climbed slowly, my muscles protesting with every step. The ladder creaked under my weight, but it held. When I reached the top, I found a small, dusty loft with a broken small circular window and a broken roof giving it light. It was bare, save for a few cobwebs in the corners and a thin layer of dirt covering the floor, but it was enclosed, and that was enough.

    Carefully, I set the babies down one by one. Star and Cael stayed curled together, their tiny hands still gripping each other tightly. Jack gave me a tired, almost approving look before closing his eyes. Mera squirmed a bit but finally settled, her breathing evening out.

    Noah, of course, was the last to calm down, but even he eventually let out a yawn and slumped against my arm.

    I sat there for a moment, staring at them. My friends¡ªmy ridiculous, chaotic, babified friends. They had no idea what had happened or how much danger we were in, but somehow, that was comforting. At least they weren¡¯t carrying the same weight I was.

    I gave a exhausted laugh before coughing.

    With a soft sigh, I leaned back against the wall, letting my head rest against the wood. The moonlight streamed through a crack in the roof, casting a faint glow over the loft.

    Looking at the moon my eyes drifted shut, the events of the day replayed in my mind¡ªthe crash, the forest, that battle, the monster. It was all too much to process, and for now, I didn¡¯t want to.

    I just wanted to sleep.

    And so I did my hearts slowly started close before darkness started to overtake me.

 Peromenos: Volume 1 Chapter 3

    The first thing I registered was the crying¡ªhigh-pitched and relentless, tiny alarm clock that I hadn¡¯t set. My eyes fluttered open, wincing as sunlight filtered through the cracks in the roof, warming my face. For a moment, I wanted nothing more than to bury my face in my arms and pretend it wasn¡¯t happening.

    But the crying didn¡¯t stop.

    With a groan, I forced myself upright, my body still aching from yesterday¡¯s ordeal. Emma was the culprit, of course. Her tiny face was scrunched up, tears rolling down her cheeks as she wailed like it was the end of the world.

    "Alright, alright," I muttered, rubbing the sleep from my eyes. "I¡¯m up. What¡¯s the problem now, Princess?"

    Emma didn¡¯t answer, obviously. She just cried louder, little fists waving in the air like she was trying to make a point.

    "Food? Sleep? A throne? What do you want?" I sighed, crawling over to her and picking her up. Her tiny body squirmed in my arms, but as I bounced her slightly, the crying started to ease.

    "Yeah, that¡¯s what I thought. Just wanted some attention, huh?" I murmured. "Typical Emma."

    I glanced around the loft, checking on the others. Noah was still asleep, sprawled out on his back like he didn¡¯t have a care in the world. Jack looked vaguely annoyed in his sleep, as if he could hear the crying but was too stubborn to wake up. Star and Cael were curled up together, their tiny fingers clutching each other¡¯s shirts.

    Then I noticed something that made my stomach drop.

    Mera.

    She wasn¡¯t where I¡¯d left her.

    I turned my head quickly, scanning the loft until I spotted her¡ªcrawling determinedly toward the ladder.

    "Mera, no!" I hissed, carefully but quickly setting Emma back down before scrambling over.

    Mera had made it to the edge, one hand gripping the top rung of the ladder as she prepared to climb¡ªor fall. Knowing her, probably both.

    "Hey, genius," I said, grabbing her before she could make her first move. "What do you think you¡¯re doing?"

    Mera looked up at me, her wide eyes innocent and curious. She babbled something incoherent, her tiny hands waving like she was explaining herself.

    "Uh-huh, sure," I replied, hoisting her back into my arms. "Let me guess. You were going to ¡®explore.¡¯ Maybe fight a squirrel or something? Great plan, Mera. Really smart."

    She just grinned at me, the mischievous glint in her eyes far too familiar. Even as a baby, she was a handful.

    Carefully, I carried her back to the others, plopping her down on the floor where she couldn¡¯t cause more trouble.

    "Okay," I muttered, running a hand through my hair. "New rule: No one goes near the ladder unless I say so. Got it?"

    Of course, none of them responded. They were babies, after all.

    With a heavy sigh, I flopped back down onto the floor, still exhausted. But as I glanced at the sunlight streaming through the cracks, I knew I couldn¡¯t rest much longer.

    We had survived the first night, but this was only the beginning.

    As I let myself drift back into sleep, a persistent poking on my chin brought me back to the waking world.

    "Ugh," I groaned, cracking one eye open to find Jack staring at me. Or, more specifically, poking at my chin with his tiny hand like it was the most fascinating thing he¡¯d ever seen.

    Squinting a bit Jack looked like the youngest of the group in his toddler form, tilted his head at me, his expression oddly judgmental for someone who could barely form words. He poked me again, as if to say, Hey, get up. Stop slacking.

    "Alright, I get it," I muttered, brushing his hand away gently. "I¡¯m up."

    He didn¡¯t seem impressed, letting out a soft grunt before toddling away, wobbling unsteadily on his little legs.

    I sat up with a groan, stretching out my sore limbs. Yesterday¡¯s events had left me feeling like I¡¯d run a marathon while carrying a truckload of bricks or should I say toddlers, but I couldn¡¯t let myself rest. Not yet.

    Glancing at the others, I saw they were starting to stir. Star yawned, her tiny arms stretching above her head, while Cael blinked sleepily and clung to her side. Emma, who had cried herself back to sleep, was now snuggled up against Noah, who still looked like he was in the middle of the best dream of his life.

    And Mera¡­ well, Mera was suspiciously quiet, which meant I needed to keep an eye on her.

    "Alright, everyone," I said, clapping my hands softly to get their attention. "Time to move. We¡¯re not staying here any longer than we have to."

    Of course, none of them responded. They just blinked at me or ignored me entirely.

    I sighed, crawling over to the ladder and glancing down. It wasn¡¯t a long climb, but carrying all of them at once was out of the question. My back still ached from yesterday, and I wasn¡¯t risking another close call with Mera and her adventurous tendencies.

    "Okay," I muttered to myself. "One at a time."

    Starting with Jack, I carefully picked him up and carried him down the ladder. He squirmed a bit but didn¡¯t make a fuss, which I appreciated. Once I set him down on the cabin floor, he plopped onto his butt and started looking around, his curious gaze scanning every corner.

    Next was Emma, who whined softly when I picked her up but quieted when I held her close. She still looked like she thought she deserved better accommodations, but she didn¡¯t put up much of a fight.

    One by one, I carried them down¡ªStar and Cael together, since they refused to let go of each other, then Noah, who woke up mid-descent and immediately started giggling at the "ride."

    Finally, there was Mera.

    She gave me her best innocent look when I picked her up, but I wasn¡¯t buying it.

    "Don¡¯t think I¡¯ve forgotten about your little stunt earlier," I muttered as I climbed down.

    She just grinned at me, her tiny hands grabbing at my shirt like she thought it was hilarious.

    Once all of them were on the cabin floor, I took a moment to catch my breath. They were quiet for now, but I knew it wouldn¡¯t last.

    "Alright," I said, looking at the group. "Let¡¯s figure out what the hell we¡¯re doing next."

    As I scanned the cabin''s main room, it struck me how utterly ordinary it seemed at first glance¡ªat least, for something abandoned in the middle of nowhere.

    The wooden floor was scuffed and worn, the planks groaning softly under my weight as I moved. Two doors stood on opposite sides of a cracked stone fireplace, their hinges rusted and barely holding the splintering wood in place. The fireplace itself looked like it hadn¡¯t been used in years, its bricks chipped and covered in cobwebs.

    To my left, a sturdy-looking table sat near the wall, its surface rough and weathered but far less dilapidated than everything else in the cabin. Nearby, a single chair stood beside it, the wood warped slightly from age with a skeleton sitting on it, with a shattered window that was broken inwards like someone broke in.

    Wait a skeleton?

    It wasn¡¯t until my eyes wandered back to the chair that my brain registered what I was actually looking at.

    A skeleton.

    I froze, my heart skipping a beat as I stared at the thing slumped in the chair. Its bony arms rested on the table, the left one dangling off the side. The skull tilted at an unnatural angle, as though it had been staring out the window before¡­ whatever happened to it.

    And then there was the window itself, shattered inward as if something¡ªor someone¡ªhad forced its way inside. Glass shards littered the floor beneath it, glinting faintly in the sunlight.

    For a moment, I couldn¡¯t move. My brain struggled to process what I was seeing.

    "A skeleton," I muttered, breaking the silence. "In a chair. Just sitting there."

    The babies didn¡¯t seem to notice. Jack was busy inspecting the table legs, Emma was fussing with her dress, and Noah¡­ Noah was poking a cobweb near the fireplace like it was the most fascinating thing he¡¯d ever seen.

    Great. I was the only one freaking out.

    Taking a deep breath, I forced myself to move closer, my footsteps hesitant. The skeleton didn¡¯t react¡ªof course it didn¡¯t¡ªbut something about it felt wrong.

    Its bones were yellowed with age, some of them cracked, and its clothes were little more than tattered rags clinging to its frame. Judging by the height and build, it had probably been an adult man, but there was no way to be sure.

    What had happened here?

    My gaze shifted back to the window, then to the doors. The one on the left was slightly ajar, revealing only darkness beyond it. The one on the right was firmly shut, but its surface was marked with deep gouges, as though something with claws had tried to get through.

    "This place just keeps getting better," I muttered under my breath.

    Still, the skeleton didn¡¯t seem like it was going anywhere, and we needed shelter. One step at a time, I told myself. I could freak out later¡ªafter I figured out what was going on.

    For now, I had to focus on keeping the group safe.

    Shaking my head and muttering, "Later, definitely later," and deciding the skeleton could stay where it was I tore my gaze away from the skeleton. The last thing I needed was to dwell on it. It wasn¡¯t like I had the tools¡ªor the energy¡ªto deal with it right now. When I find a shovel or something, I thought, making a mental note to handle it as soon as I could.

    Instead, I focused on the two doors. The one on the right, with its deep claw marks, felt like the logical place to start. Something about it made me uneasy, but I figured it was better to confirm what was behind it than to let my imagination run wild.

    I stepped over to the door, cautiously pushing it open. The old wood groaned, and I held my breath as the darkness beyond came into view.

    It was a staircase.

    The narrow wooden steps led down into what I could only assume was a basement. A faint, musty smell wafted up, mingling with the scent of damp wood and decay. My skin crawled as I stared into the black void below, and a shiver ran down my spine.

    "Yeah, nope," I said, shutting the door quickly.

    The latch barely held, and the idea of something lurking down there made my stomach twist. Without hesitation, I grabbed whatever I could find to barricade the door¡ªa broken chair leg, a loose plank, even a piece of the shattered window frame. It wasn¡¯t perfect, but it would have to do.

    "Out of sight, out of mind," I muttered to myself, stepping back to admire my hastily constructed barrier.

    With that handled¡ªat least for now¡ªI turned to the other door.

    This one was in much better shape, the wood less splintered and the hinges slightly less rusted. I opened it cautiously, bracing myself for whatever might be inside.

    What greeted me was... surprisingly normal.

    It was a kitchen¡ªor what was left of one.

    The small room had clearly seen better days, but it was leagues better than the rest of the cabin. A sturdy counter ran along one wall, though its surface was scarred and stained. A rusted sink sat in the middle, and above it were a few hanging cabinets, their doors crooked but intact.

    The remnants of an old stove stood against the far wall, its surface caked in dust and grime. Beside it, a wooden pantry door hung slightly ajar, revealing shelves that were mostly bare save for a few scattered cans and jars.

    A small table and two mismatched chairs sat in the center of the room, their surfaces scratched but usable.This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.

    "Huh," I muttered, stepping inside. "This... isn¡¯t terrible."

    It wasn¡¯t exactly a feast hall, but it was functional. The cabinets might still hold something useful, and the pantry was worth investigating. At the very least, it gave me a place to prepare food¡ªassuming I could find any.

    I turned back to check on the group.

    "Looks like we¡¯ve got ourselves a kitchen," I said, half to myself and half to the babies who were still obliviously exploring the main room. "Now, let¡¯s see if there¡¯s anything edible in here."

    I rummaged through the pantry, pulling out cans and jars and placing them on the counter. My hopes for finding anything remotely edible quickly faded as I inspected each item.

    Most of the cans were rusted, their labels barely legible. The jars weren¡¯t much better, their contents either discolored or congealed into unrecognizable masses. I cracked one open just to be sure¡ªbig mistake. The smell nearly knocked me off my feet, and I quickly sealed it back up, gagging as I tossed it aside.

    "Great," I muttered, wiping my hands on my pants. "Rotten, rotten, and more rotten."

    Still, something caught my eye: the expiration dates.

    Every can and jar had a label, faded but still readable if I squinted. The dates ranged from 1880 to 1980.

    Wait a second.

    I picked up one of the cans, turning it over in my hands. The expiration date clearly read ¡°1980,¡± but the design on the label and the style of the print looked like something straight out of a history book.

    What kind of place has food this old sitting around?

    The implications started sinking in, my mind racing back to yesterday. The people I¡¯d seen¡ªhumans with powers like something out of a comic book. Monsters that looked like they¡¯d crawled straight out of nightmares. And those robots¡­ I still couldn¡¯t wrap my head around those. They looked like animals, but their mechanical parts didn¡¯t belong in anything remotely modern¡ªor functional, for that matter they are way to futuristic.

    ''The only possible explanation was we are in an alternate Earth'', I thought, the idea forming as I pieced it all together.

    It was the only explanation that made sense. This wasn¡¯t my world. It couldn¡¯t be. Between the bizarre war I¡¯d stumbled into and now this¡ªancient food and technology that didn¡¯t match any era I recognized¡ªit was clear I wasn¡¯t in Kansas anymore.

    The thought should¡¯ve been terrifying, but after everything that had happened, it barely registered.

    "Alright," I muttered, setting the can down. "Alternate Earth or not, it doesn¡¯t change the fact that we need food."

    The revelation didn¡¯t solve anything. If anything, it raised more questions than answers, but I didn¡¯t have time to dwell on it. I had six babified friends to look after, and I couldn¡¯t afford to let my mind wander too far from the present.

    "Focus," I told myself. "Find food. Keep everyone safe. Figure the rest out later."

    Taking one last glance at the pantry and its useless contents, I turned back to the kitchen. There had to be something else here¡ªmaybe a hidden stash or tools I could use to hunt. For now, survival came first.

    After what felt like an eternity of searching, I had a pitiful collection of items laid out on the rickety table in the kitchen.

    The "treasure" I¡¯d uncovered included:

    A rusted knife, its blade barely holding together and likely to snap if I so much as sneezed on it wrong.

    A collection of ladles, some metal and others wooden, most of them corroded or covered in a fine layer of moss that made my skin crawl.

    Two pots and a pan, all of which looked like they¡¯d been left to rot in a swamp for a century.

    A couple of bowls, chipped and stained but otherwise intact.

    "Great," I muttered, staring at the sad assortment. "Just what every survivalist dreams of."

    Still, I couldn¡¯t dismiss it entirely. Even in their degraded state, the pots and bowls could hold water. The knife, while practically useless for fighting, might come in handy for cutting something soft¡ªassuming it didn¡¯t fall apart first. The ladles¡­ well, they were probably the most useless of the lot, but I wasn¡¯t about to throw anything out just yet.

    This was my life now, I supposed: scavenging scraps from a forgotten world and hoping they¡¯d be enough to keep us alive.

    I sighed, rubbing the back of my neck as I glanced toward the main room. The kids were still there, blissfully unaware of my growing frustration. Jack was poking at the broken chair I¡¯d used to barricade the basement door, while Emma seemed fascinated by the cobweb-covered fireplace... I don''t know why but I''m not gonna question it my head already is hurt than it already is.

    Noah, as usual, was causing chaos¡ªthis time by trying to climb the skeletal remains in the other chair.

    "Get down from there, Noah!" I called, more out of habit than hope.

    The gremlin froze, his wide eyes meeting mine for a split second before he flashed a mischievous grin and scampered down on his own terms.

    "Morale¡¯s high, at least," I muttered to myself, shaking my head.

    I turned my attention back to the table, trying to figure out what to do next. We couldn¡¯t stay here forever¡ªthere was no food, and the barricaded basement door gave me the creeps¡ªbut leaving meant heading back into the forest.

    Neither option was ideal, but I had to make a decision soon. The kids wouldn¡¯t stay content for long, and I wasn¡¯t sure I could handle another day of their antics without a plan.

    "Alright," I said, mostly to myself. "First thing¡¯s first: water. Then food. Then¡­ maybe figure out what the hell I¡¯m going to do with all of you."

    With that, I grabbed the least mossy ladle, one of the pots, and the knife, hoping they¡¯d be enough to get me started.

    Before heading out, I made sure to do a head count. One, two, three¡­ six. All of them accounted for. It was a weird sense of relief to see their tiny, babified faces, even if it came with the monumental task of keeping them alive.

    I picked them up one by one, cradling the ones who seemed fussier¡ªEmma and Jack¡ªand securing the rest however I could. Noah, predictably, squirmed the entire time I carried him, but I managed.

    "Alright, team," I muttered under my breath. "Time to find some water."

    I reasoned that since this cabin existed, it was probably built near a reliable water source. No one in their right mind would set up shop in the middle of nowhere without access to running water¡ªor at least a river or stream.

    As I trudged forward, lost in thought, a sudden, sharp pain snapped me out of my head.

    "Ow!" I winced, shifting my load to see Noah¡¯s guilty face. He¡¯d just bitten my shoulder, of all things.

    "Noah!" I snapped, glaring at him. "What the hell is wrong with you?"

    The little gremlin just giggled, as if my frustration was the funniest thing he¡¯d ever seen. My hands were too full to properly deal with him, so I could only grit my teeth and keep moving.

    Just as my temper was about to boil over, I felt a soft poke on my side. I glanced down and saw Jack, who had somehow wriggled his tiny hand free. He pointed silently toward something up ahead, his expression surprisingly calm for a toddler.

    Following his gaze, I froze.

    There it was: a river.

    The sunlight glinted off the flowing water, and the sound of it rushing over rocks was like music to my ears. It wasn¡¯t too far ahead, just past a small clearing in the trees.

    I let out a long breath, some of the tension melting away.

    "Good eye, Jack," I said, giving the little guy a nod.

    He didn¡¯t respond, just blinked at me with that oddly serious expression he sometimes wore. Meanwhile, Noah cheered as if he¡¯d been the one to find it, kicking his legs excitedly and almost making me drop him.

    "Alright," I muttered, adjusting my grip on the squirming toddlers.

    I crouched by the river, carefully scrubbing the rusted pot and mossy ladle with a handful of gravel. It wasn¡¯t perfect, but it was better than nothing. The water glinted in the sunlight, its gentle rush soothing my frayed nerves, if only a little.

    "One step at a time," I muttered, rinsing the pot for the third time.

    Once I was satisfied, I my left hand reached for the knife tucked on my belt, intending to give it the same treatment.

    Only¡­ it wasn¡¯t there.

    Frowning, I froze mid-reach, my brain doing a quick inventory. I had the knife earlier. I clearly remembered setting it there before heading out. So where¡ª

    A chill ran down my spine as I come to the realization.

    Slowly, I turned my head.

    There stood Mera, her toddler-sized frame barely managing to hold up the rusted knife, the jagged blade catching the sunlight. Her grin stretched ear to ear, a mixture of mischief and¡­ something else.

    "Oh, no," I whispered, my voice barely audible over the sound of the river.

    Mera tilted her head, her expression an eerie echo of the in-game avatars she used when ¡°knife-killing¡± people in online games. Her eyes sparkled with the kind of chaotic energy I recognized all too well.

    "Mera," I said cautiously, raising my hands like I was trying to calm a wild animal. "That¡¯s not a toy. Give me the knife."

    She didn¡¯t move, her grin widening ever so slightly.

    "Mera," I repeated, keeping my voice steady despite the growing sense of unease. "I mean it. That thing can still hurt someone¡ª"

    Before I could finish, she made a sudden lunge forward, the blade wobbling precariously in her tiny hand. I scrambled backward, narrowly avoiding her swing as I grabbed Noah and Jack to shield them.

    "Why are you like this?!" I blurted out, my voice rising in panic.

    Mera just giggled, the sound somehow more terrifying than reassuring. She looked down at the knife, as if considering its potential, before raising it again.

    "Okay, that¡¯s enough!" I said, springing into action.

    Ducking low, I lunged toward her, scooping her up in one arm while snatching the knife away with the other. She let out a surprised squeal, her little legs kicking in protest, but I held her tight.

    "Not happening," I muttered, holding the knife up to inspect it.

    The blade was so worn down it couldn¡¯t cut butter, but it was still sharp enough to do damage in the hands of a toddler with too much enthusiasm and zero self-preservation instincts.

    I glanced at Mera, who was now pouting dramatically in my arms, her earlier grin replaced by an exaggerated frown.

    "You¡¯re lucky I know you, or I¡¯d be way more scared right now," I said, shaking my head.

    Her pout deepened, but I ignored it, focusing instead on tucking the knife securely into my waistband where no small hands could reach it.

    "Alright," I said with a sigh, setting her down on the riverbank. "No more sharp objects for you. Got it?"

    Mera crossed her arms and stuck her tongue out at me.

    "Yeah, yeah," I muttered, turning back to the pot and ladle. "Just¡­ don¡¯t scare me like that again, okay?"

    Behind me, I heard the unmistakable sound of Noah¡¯s giggle.

    "Glad you¡¯re so entertained," I grumbled, scrubbing the pot harder to distract myself from the fact that my survival team consisted of toddlers who might actually get me killed.

    Hours later, as the sun dipped below the treetops, the sky turned a mixture of soft oranges and deep purples. I trudged back toward the cabin, my makeshift sack that are made of remnants of clothes heavy with the fruits of my labor¡ªliterally.

    I¡¯d managed to scavenge a decent haul: a dozen apples and an impressive amount of berries. They weren¡¯t much, but they¡¯d have to do for now.

    Testing the berries had been a tedious process. With every new cluster I found, I¡¯d rub a few on my forearm and wait to see if there was a reaction. No itching, swelling, or discoloration so far. That didn¡¯t guarantee they were safe to eat, but it was a good start.

    The apples were less of a gamble. Their vibrant red and yellow skins practically screamed "normal fruit," though I¡¯d made sure to pick the ones that looked the freshest and least bug-ridden.

    I placed the kids in the cabin and exit the cabin to I was washing the fruits and berries no way I''m using that mess of a kitchen.

    The kids were surprisingly quiet when I arrived back at the cabin, though I could hear occasional giggles and the soft thuds of tiny feet. Stepping inside, I found the usual chaos:

    Emma was trying to drape a piece of torn cloth over the skeleton in the chair like it was some kind of morbid doll, really should put that thing some where else instead of just letting it just sit there. Jack sat on the floor, stacking rocks into a precarious tower. Noah was somehow covered in ash from the fireplace, grinning like he¡¯d just pulled off the heist of the century. And Mera¡­ well, Mera was sitting suspiciously still, staring at me with her trademark mischievous grin.

    "Alright, you little gremlins," I called, setting the sack down on the rickety table. "I¡¯ve got food."

    That got their attention. Emma abandoned her skeleton-dressing project, and Jack¡¯s rock tower collapsed as he scrambled over to see what I¡¯d brought. Even Noah, still streaked with ash, perked up and ran to my side.

    I pulled out an apple and held it up like a prize. "These are apples. You eat them, not throw them." I shot Noah a warning look, and he responded with an innocent smile that didn¡¯t fool me for a second.

    Next, I opened the sack to reveal the berries. "These are berries. Don¡¯t eat too many, or you¡¯ll get a stomachache. Got it?"

    Mera was the first to grab an apple, biting into it with gusto. The others followed suit, though Noah immediately started juggling his instead of eating.

    "Thank god they have teeth to chew otherwise I don''t know what to do," I let out a long sigh, watching them enjoy the small feast.

    It wasn¡¯t much, but it was a start. We¡¯d survived the second day, and for now, that was enough.

    The cabin had fallen into a comfortable quiet as the toddlers¡ªmy babified friends¡ªmunched on their apples and berries. Mera gnawed on her apple with a concentration I hadn¡¯t seen since her gaming days, Emma cradled hers like it was some precious treasure, and Noah, as expected, still hadn¡¯t actually eaten his apple, instead rolling it around like a toy.

    Grabbing an apple for myself, I bit into it, savoring the crisp sweetness. It wasn¡¯t much, but it was better than nothing.

    I leaned against the creaky table, surveying the scene in front of me. Even in their current state, they felt like my old friends. Sure, they were pint-sized chaos incarnate, but the familiarity in their personalities was undeniable.

    Time for a headcount.

    "One," I muttered, pointing at Mera, who had finished her apple and was now eyeing the sack of berries.

    "Two," I counted, spotting Emma, who had dozed off mid-bite, her half-eaten apple rolling out of her tiny hand.

    "Three," I said, watching Jack carefully peel the skin off his apple with his tiny fingers, his expression one of intense focus.

    "Four," I added, locking eyes with Noah, who grinned back at me with a look that screamed, You¡¯ll regret leaving me unsupervised.

    I frowned, glancing around the room.

    "Wait. Where¡¯s Cael?"

    Panic started to bubble in my chest as I scanned the room. My heart pounded as I frantically checked under the table, behind the fireplace, and near the stairs leading to the second floor.

    "Cael?" I called, trying to keep the fear out of my voice.

    A soft giggle from behind me made me spin around. There he was, perched precariously on the broken chair near the skeleton. He held a piece of torn fabric in his tiny hands, waving it like a flag.

    "Cael, you little¡ª!" I cut myself off, rushing over to grab him before he could fall.

    He squealed in delight as I scooped him up, his laughter infectious despite my frustration.

    "Five," I muttered, holding him close.

    I looked around the room again, my gaze landing on Star, who was sitting in the corner, quietly chewing on her apple like the chaos around her didn¡¯t exist.

    "Six," I sighed, feeling some of the tension leave my shoulders.

    With everyone accounted for, I sank onto the floor, letting out a long breath.

    God these kids are gonna kil me with a heart attack, I swear.

    "Alright," I said, more to myself than anyone else. "Now all that¡¯s left is to survive the second night."

    The toddlers, oblivious to the weight of our situation, continued their antics. I watched them with a mixture of fondness and exhaustion, biting into my apple again.

    The sun had fully set now, and the cabin was bathed in the soft glow of moonlight. The sounds of the forest came alive, the chirping of crickets and the rustle of leaves filling the air.

    Tomorrow would bring new challenges, but for now, I¡¯d take this small moment of peace

    I glanced at the broken window, the last hints of sunlight fading into darkness. The cabin felt eerier now, the worn-down furniture and shadows casting long, ominous shapes across the floor. My stomach twisted at the thought of what could be lurking outside in the dark.

    Turning back to the table, I saw the toddlers lounging in various states of contentment. Apple cores littered the table and floor around them, a sign that they were full for now. There was even some food left¡ªa small victory in our otherwise grim situation.

    "Alright," I muttered to myself, pushing off the table and gathering the apple cores. They weren¡¯t much, but leaving any kind of scent indoors was a bad idea. No telling what kind of animals¡ªor worse¡ªmight come sniffing around.

    I stepped outside, the cool night air brushing against my skin. The forest seemed alive, the sounds of nocturnal creatures filling the space around me. Keeping a wary eye on the treeline, I dumped the apple cores far enough from the cabin that they wouldn¡¯t attract unwanted attention.

    Heading back inside, I immediately set my focus on the next task: getting the kids back up to the loft. They¡¯d be safer there, even if the room was cramped.

    "Alright, one at a time," I said, mostly to keep myself motivated.

    Mera was the first. She wriggled in my arms, clearly not ready for bedtime, but I managed to wrestle her up the ladder and into the loft without too much fuss. Star went next, quiet as always, letting me carry her like a little sack of potatoes.

    Noah, of course, was a challenge. He clung to the ladder on the way up, giggling and pretending to "climb" on his own, nearly making me drop him. "You¡¯re going to give me a heart attack," I grumbled, plopping him onto the loft floor.

    Emma was already half-asleep, making her the easiest to transport. Cael followed, his eyes wide with curiosity as he reached for the ceiling beams while I carried him. Jack was last, still holding the apple peel he¡¯d been fiddling with earlier, his quiet demeanor a welcome break from the chaos.

    Once everyone was safely in the loft, I returned downstairs for the remaining food. I gathered the apples and berries, carefully tucking them into a corner where they¡¯d be out of reach of tiny, grabby hands.

    Looking around the dimly lit cabin, I felt a small sense of accomplishment. For all the insanity of the day, I¡¯d managed to keep everyone fed and safe.

    "Not bad," I muttered to myself, climbing the ladder to join the others.

    The kids were already sprawled out, their tiny forms huddled together in a way that made them look almost peaceful. I leaned against the wall, letting the exhaustion wash over me.

    The second night had begun, and the world outside was as dangerous and unpredictable as ever. But in this moment, surrounded by my chaotic, babified friends, I felt a flicker of hope.

    We¡¯d made it through the day.

    We could survive another.

    I close my eyes as I let myself succumb to exhaustion.

    I stirred in the middle of the night, groggily blinking turning my head, only to feel a tiny finger poking my cheek insistently. Only to be meet with Jack unamused face.

    "Jack, what are you¡ª" I started,

    I was about to brush him off when I heard it.

    A low, guttural growl rumbled from downstairs, freezing the breath in my lungs. My heart skipped a beat as I slowly turned my head toward the loft¡¯s edge, peering down into the darkness below.

    The moonlight filtering through the broken window cast faint silver streaks across the floor, and there it was¡ªjust barely visible.

    The monster.

    My stomach dropped as I recognized its shape, even in the dim light. It was the same kind of creature that had chased us two days ago during the battle I saw. Its hulking form, the unnerving way it moved, the faint glow of its eyes cutting through the shadows¡ªit was unmistakable.

    How the hell did it find us?

    I slowly shifted Jack behind me, my mind racing as the beast stalked through the main room, sniffing the air like a bloodhound.

    Then it hit me.

    The clothes.

    I dragged my hand across my face in frustration as the realization dawned. Our scent was still on the clothes, the ones we¡¯d been wearing ever since we ran. This thing must have followed our trail all the way here.

    I clenched my teeth, trying to think.

    The loft was a safe spot¡ªfor now. The ladder was rickety, and the monster didn¡¯t seem to notice us yet. But if it decided to climb, or if it realized we were up here...

    No. I couldn¡¯t let that happen.

    I carefully pulled Jack closer to the others, who were still sleeping soundly. Even Noah, the little troublemaker, was quiet for once. I took a moment to steady my breathing, weighing my options.

    Fight or distract?

    The knife flashed in my mind¡ªa pathetic, rusted blade that could barely cut fruit, let alone a monster. But it was all I had.

    I glanced at the broken window. If I could lure it outside... maybe I could lead it away from the cabin, give us a chance to escape come morning.

    Or I could try to barricade the ladder and pray it didn¡¯t get smart.

    My palms felt clammy as I reached for the knife I¡¯d placed beside me earlier. This wasn¡¯t just about me anymore. These weren¡¯t just my friends; they were kids now¡ªhelpless and vulnerable.

    I gripped the knife tightly, my pulse pounding in my ears.

    The monster let out another growl, its glowing eyes scanning the room.

    What the hell do I do?

    I turned back to look at the sleeping toddlers, their peaceful faces completely oblivious to the nightmare downstairs. Jack, curled up beside a corner before looking at me with a face saying deal with it or we die, before he drifted off again after waking me.

    The sight of my sleeping friends burned in my mind as I cursed under my breath. This was the kind of mess I could never have imagined even in my worst nightmares.

    I tightened my grip on the knife and carefully climbed down the loft, each step deliberate and silent. My heart pounded like a war drum, drowning out the distant hum of the forest. The monster¡¯s growls echoed in the room, a cruel reminder of the danger just feet away.

    The plan was simple¡ªget it outside. Lure it away and make sure it didn¡¯t return. Easier said than done, especially with a worn-out knife and no backup plan.

    I crept around the edge of the room, sticking to the shadows, until I almost near the door, but just I was nearing the front my foot scraped against the floor, the creature¡¯s head snapped toward me. Its glowing eyes locked onto mine, and a guttural snarl ripped through the cabin.

    For a moment, time seemed to stop.

    Then it pounced.

    I barely dodged in time but not after it injured my left eye. I felt my blood flowing out, clutching my hand instinctively as I my vision is now cut in half.

    "Shit!" I spat, stumbling back toward the door.

    Before I could recover, it lunged again, faster and more feral than I expected. I threw myself out of the way, but the force sent us both crashing through the door that led to the basement.

    We tumbled down the stairs, the world spinning in a chaotic blur of pain and adrenaline. I hit the cold, hard floor with a thud, gasping for air as I struggled to get my bearings.

    The monster didn¡¯t give me a chance.

    It was on me in an instant, pinning me to the ground with a weight that felt like a boulder. Its hot breath washed over my face as it growled, its claws grazing my arm and chest.

    I froze, my mind racing. My left eye stung, and when I blinked, everything blurred. My life flashed before me¡ªfragments of laughter, arguments, and shared memories with my friends.

    This was it.

    The beast reared back, ready to strike the killing blow. That¡¯s when I saw it¡ªa faint, glowing red circle on its face.

    I was about to question whats going on but was reminded about the reality of my situation. Acting on pure instinct, I gripped the knife and plunged it toward the mark. The blade skidded off its tough hide, barely making a dent.

    "No, no, no!" I growled, gritting my teeth and driving the knife down again with everything I had.

    The second attempt it didn''t work I tried again failed, then the fourth, just when hope seems lost the fifth strike finds its mark. The beast let out an ear-splitting screech, its body convulsing as the blade sunk deeper.

    It collapsed on top of me, its weight crushing the air from my lungs. I shoved it off with trembling arms, using whats left of my strength.

    After getting it off I tried to sit up, clutching my chest the world spun, the edges of my vision fading to black.

    Just about reaching for the walls of the stairs. I was pressed

    The adrenaline ebbed, replaced by a wave of exhaustion and searing pain. Warm blood trickled down the side of my face, dripping from my left eye.

    The last thing I saw before losing consciousness was the faint glow of moonlight seeping through the remains of the door the monster broken.

    As I dropped to the floor inches to the stairs before darkness took hold.

 Peromenos: Volume 1 Chapter 4

    I blinked groggily as consciousness returned, expecting either the infinite peace of heaven or the unrelenting fires of hell. Instead, I was greeted by Jack''s face¡ªhis small expression somehow managing to convey disappointment, like I had just flunked a test I never signed up for.

    "Jack?" My voice croaked, rough and strained as I tried to sit upright.

    Pain lanced through my chest, stopping me in my tracks. Glancing down, I noticed makeshift bandages wrapped around me, stained with blood where the monster¡¯s claws had raked my skin.

    I inhaled sharply, only for the room to spin. That¡¯s when I realized something was off. Half of my vision was gone.

    Slowly, I reached up, my fingers brushing against rough, jagged skin around my left eye. The truth sank in. My left eye was scarred, and I was blind on that side now.

    Sighing I turned to Jack, "Thanks, Jack," I muttered, ready to commend the little guy for his effort, but Jack shook his head, his tiny hand pointing off to the side.

    Emma.

    She was standing upright for once, wobbling slightly, but her balance wasn¡¯t the surprising part.

    The surprising part was when she opened her mouth and spoke.

    "You¡¯re finally awake!" she said, her tone equal parts exasperated and dramatic. "Do you have any idea how hard it was to keep you from dying?"

    I stared at her, dumbfounded.

    Before I could even process what I¡¯d just heard, Emma¡¯s attitude shifted into something more¡­ Emma-like. She quickly crossed her arms, furrowing her brows as if the whole situation was my fault. "I should¡¯ve just let you die for leaving me in this beggar¡¯s hut."

    "...What?" was all I managed to croak.

    Emma huffed and launched into a tirade, her words spilling out like a burst dam.

    "Do you know how traumatic it was to wake up and find myself in this rundown, dirty shack? I mean, if this is reincarnation, where¡¯s my noble family? My riches? My staff?!" She waved her arms for emphasis, her voice rising to a pitch that made me wince.

    Jack gave her a tug on her sleeve to stop her from pacing too far. She sighed dramatically and sat on the floor, folding her legs like she had just lost a debate.

    I sighed, rubbing my temple with my good hand. "Emma. Focus. How are you¡­ talking? And what exactly happened while I was out?"

    That seemed to snap her out of her tirade. She rolled her eyes, huffing like the spoiled brat I remembered her to be. ¡°Oh, you wouldn¡¯t understand,¡± she said, waving a hand dismissively. ¡°But fine, I¡¯ll explain it to you since you¡¯re clearly too dense to figure it out on your own.¡±

    "Well you see."

    I had woken up, groaning as I rubbed my head. ¡°Why does everything smell like dirt?¡± I muttered, glaring at the rickety ceiling above me.

    It took me a moment to remember where I was. The crash. I died. I put my hands to my face seeing my chubby baby hands.

    She sighed dramatically. ¡°I swear, if this is some kind of novel situation, I better be a rich girl. I refuse to live like a peasant¡ª¡±

    My complaints were interrupted by a light tapping behind me. Turning, I saw a baby staring at me, his tiny hand patting her back.

    ¡°What do you want?¡± I snapped, only to freeze when the baby pointed toward the loft¡¯s edge.

    Confused she followed the baby instructions, but when the baby gestured me to carry him I got mad and complained. "Uagh! You want me to carry you ha I''m not a maid, I''m a dignified elegant and refined woman, I''m not gonna follow orders to some peasant ba..by."

    Just when I was about to complained more the baby shot me with the most bloody death glare I have ever seen that almost rivaled Jack... Wait looking closer they do look kinda similar.

    After negotiatating with the mini Jack I begrudgingly complied.

    Putting him down he crawled motioning for her to follow him to a broken door down to a basement.

    ¡°You want me to go down there?¡± she demanded. ¡°Do you took I would¡ª¡±

    Jack¡¯s glare shut her up. With a groan of protest, she picked him up and carefully climbed down the ladder.

    When both of us reached the basement, the scene was worse than she¡¯d expected. A monster¡¯s corpse lay sprawled on the floor.

    And there was a boy, barely breathing, his chest rising and falling in shallow, uneven gasps.

    I sprang into action. Despite mh complaints, I managed to drag the boy out of the basement and into the living room. Using scraps of fabric I found in the cabin, I dressed the boy''s wounds as best as I could.

    By the time I was done, the sun was rising, and exhaustion had taken its toll.

    "Turns out it was actually you and Jack. After that I took a well deserved break then you woke up."

    "And that¡¯s it," she finished, tossing her hair dramatically. "You¡¯re lucky I woke up when I did. Otherwise, you¡¯d be nothing but a side character¡¯s tragic backstory by now."

    Despite her tone, there was a glimmer of concern in her eyes, one I rarely saw.

    I sighed, my exhaustion returning in full force. "Thanks, Emma."

    "Of course," she said, flashing a smug grin. Then she leaned closer, tilting her head. "But seriously, what the hell happened to your face, you look like an edgy teenager who wanted a scar so badly to look cool?"

    I groaned, already regretting waking up.

    Turning to Jack to find an excuse, who still wore that look of profound disappointment, I raised an eyebrow. For a toddler, the amount of silent judgment he could radiate was staggering. It was like being scolded by a stern grandfather trapped in a child¡¯s body.

    ¡°Wait a minute,¡± I said, the gears in my still-tired brain slowly turning. I pointed at Emma. ¡°You said you only started talking when you woke up¡ªwhen you gained consciousness, right?¡±

    Emma nodded, her arms crossed. ¡°Yeah, so?¡±

    ¡°So¡­¡± I turned back to Jack. ¡°You gained consciousness too, but you still can¡¯t speak.¡±

    Emma¡¯s eyes widened as realization dawned on her. ¡°Wait, you¡¯re right!¡± she said loudly that wasn''t complaining about something. ¡°Jack literally woke up, and he¡¯s fully aware of everything, but he hasn¡¯t said a single word! Why can¡¯t he talk?¡±

    We both turned to Jack, now treating him like a scientific anomaly. He stared back at us, his little face unchanging, though somehow managing to exude even more disappointment.

    It hit me like a punch to the gut.

    ¡°Oh,¡± I said, the answer finally clicking.

    ¡°Oh,¡± Emma echoed, as we both shared a collective moment of enlightenment.

    Jack blinked at us, his unimpressed expression sharpening.

    ¡°It¡¯s because he looks the youngest,¡± I said, trying not to laugh.

    Emma snorted, though she tried to hide it. ¡°Oh, that makes so much sense. His body¡¯s too little, so he can¡¯t talk yet. But wow, does he make up for it with that face. He¡¯s got, like, permanent dad mode going on.¡±

    Jack crossed his tiny arms, his expression somehow deepening into peak disappointment. If he could talk, I was sure he¡¯d deliver the most scathing lecture of our lives.

    ¡°Yeah, yeah, we get it,¡± I said, waving him off. ¡°We¡¯re terrible. Thanks for your input, kid.¡±

    Jack didn¡¯t move, his judging eyes boring into my soul.

    ¡°Man, this is going to be a long reincarnation,¡± I muttered, rubbing my temples.

    I winced as I tried to push myself upright, but a sharp pain shot through my chest, reminding me of the still-healing wound beneath the makeshift bandages. I gritted my teeth, frustration bubbling beneath the surface. He couldn¡¯t afford to be weak now¡ªnot when his friends needed him.

    Jack, ever the silent observer, noticed immediately. The little guy crawled over with surprising speed, tugging at my arm. His small hands weren¡¯t strong, but there was a surprising force behind the way he tried to pull me back down to the ground.

    ¡°Jack,¡± I said, my voice strained. ¡°I need to check on the others¡ª¡±

    Jack¡¯s glare was enough to silence me. For someone who couldn¡¯t talk, he sure had mastered the art of saying sit down, idiot with just a look. He tugged at my arm again, this time gesturing toward Emma, who was watching the whole scene with her hands on her hips.

    ¡°What?¡± Emma said, noticing the attention shift to her. ¡°Don¡¯t look at me like I¡¯m going to help him. He¡¯s the one who decided to play hero with a rusty knife against a monster.¡±

    Jack gestured to me again, then pointed at Emma, his tiny face expectant.

    ¡°What does he want?¡± I asked, already too exhausted to deal with Jack¡¯s silent demands.

    Emma rolled her eyes. ¡°I think he¡¯s saying I should handle it because you¡¯re in no shape to do anything, genius.¡±

    Jack nodded, his face still set in its usual judgmental glare.

    I sighed, leaning back against the wall and admitting, if only to myself, that Jack was right. My body was screaming at me to stop moving. ¡°Fine,¡± I muttered, gesturing weakly. ¡°Go check on the others, Emma. Make sure no one else is awake and wandering off or...doing something stupid.¡±

    Emma looked like she wanted to argue, but Jack¡¯s unyielding gaze and my half-dead state seemed to convince her. She huffed. ¡°Fine, but only because I¡¯m the only one here who knows how to multitask.¡±

    She turned on her heel and marched toward the loft where the others were, muttering something under her breath about how much effort it took to keep us all alive. Jack stayed by my side, his expression softening slightly as if to say, Good job, you didn¡¯t die. Now stay still.

    I let out a shaky breath, leaning my head back closing my remaining eye and let out a deep sigh, finally allowing myself to relax. My body was still battered and bruised, but the stillness of the moment gave me a chance to collect my thoughts. As I felt my consciousness slip into something deeper¡ªan inner space he hadn''t known existed until now.

    It was like being immersed in a dream, but clearer, more vivid. Around him stretched an expansive forest, each tree almost glowing faintly with an otherworldly hue. In the distance, I spotted a small structure at the center of it all. He stepped closer, curious.

    When he reached it, he stopped in his tracks.

    It was the cabin. Or rather, a miniature version of it, nestled within this inner world. Its details were perfect, down to the cracked windows and the faint signs of wear on the wooden walls. I felt a strange connection to it, as though it represented more than just the shelter they''d found.

    ¡°Wait,¡± I muttered, my voice echoing in this strange space. ¡°If this is reincarnation... shouldn¡¯t we have powers or something?¡±

    The thought struck me hard, and pieces of the last few days began to fall into place. My mind flashed back to the fight with the monster in the basement¡ªthe glowing red circle on its face. I hadn''t thought much of it at the time, focused solely on survival, but now it seemed significant.

    ¡°Detecting weaknesses,¡± I murmured to myself. ¡°That¡¯s what it was.¡±The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

    The realization clicked. That wasn¡¯t just a lucky observation during the fight; it was an ability, his ability. But if that was true, what else could he do?

    Experimenting, I let himself relax further, focusing on the world around me within this strange inner space. A new sensation washed over me¡ªmy awareness expanding outward. The forest seemed to breathe as his senses stretched beyond it, encompassing a vast area.

    He gasped.

    ¡°I can see everything,¡± I whispered. In my mind¡¯s eye, I saw the surroundings of the real world: the layout of the forest, the positions of his friends in the cabin, the faint trails of animals moving through the trees, and even a few distant shadows that made his skin crawl. It wasn¡¯t a vision in the traditional sense¡ªit was like a mental map, a perfect awareness of everything within a kilometer radius.

    ¡°This¡­ this is insane,¡± I said, trying to process it all. ¡°If I can do this, then¡­ what about the others? Do they have abilities too?¡±

    His heart raced at the thought. If this was reincarnation, and if they¡¯d been granted powers, then their survival here might not be as hopeless as it had seemed.

    Opening my eye, I returned to the real world, my vision sharper and his resolve firmer. He glanced at Jack, who was still sitting by him, that perpetual look of disapproval on his tiny face.

    ¡°I think I just figured something out,¡± I muttered to myself. The edges of my lips curve a faint grin crossed my face despite the pain.

    Jack tilted his head at me, his tiny face scrunching up in confusion. His silent stare practically screamed, What now?

    Before I could even try to explain, Emma came stomping back into the room. Well, as much as someone her size could stomp. Behind her were the rest of the gang¡ªNoah, Mera, Star, and Cael¡ªall crawling or awkwardly dragging themselves across the floor like little gremlins. The sight was somehow both hilarious and depressing.

    Emma looked me over, crossing her arms with an air of entitlement she had no right to have in this situation. ¡°What¡¯s so interesting, Si Xin? You look like you¡¯ve just discovered the secret to the universe or something.¡±

    I sighed. Of course, she¡¯d want to know. Not like I could keep it to myself anyway.

    ¡°Okay, listen up,¡± I said, sitting up straighter despite the throbbing in my chest. ¡°I think I¡¯ve figured something out about this whole reincarnation thing.¡±

    Her eyes immediately lit up, and she leaned in closer, clearly intrigued. ¡°Go on.¡±

    I glanced at Jack, who was still staring at me, and then back at Emma. ¡°When I fought that monster, I noticed something strange¡ªa glowing red circle on its face. At first, I thought it was just me hallucinating from the adrenaline, but I don¡¯t think that¡¯s it. I think it¡¯s some kind of ability. I can detect weak points or something.¡±

    Emma¡¯s jaw dropped, and before I could continue, she interrupted. ¡°Wait, wait, wait. You¡¯re telling me we get powers in this reincarnation thing? Like, actual superpowers?¡±

    I nodded, trying to keep her grounded. ¡°It seems like it. At least, I have something. I don¡¯t know about the rest of you yet, but it¡¯s possible¡ª¡±

    Emma clapped her hands together, her eyes sparkling with unrestrained excitement. ¡°Oh, this is amazing! I hope I get something fabulous. Like the ability to turn anything I touch into gold or diamonds. No, wait! Maybe I can control people¡¯s minds. Or teleport straight to a five-star hotel!¡±

    I rolled my eyes, already regretting saying anything. ¡°Emma, we¡¯re stuck in the middle of nowhere with barely enough food to survive. Maybe wish for something a little more useful?¡±

    She ignored me entirely, lost in her fantasy of luxury and excess. ¡°Oh, imagine if I could summon designer clothes! Or better yet, a private jet! This reincarnation thing might actually be worth it.¡±

    ¡°Great,¡± I muttered, rubbing my temples. ¡°Meanwhile, I¡¯ll just be over here trying to not die.¡±

    Jack, still sitting beside me, gave me a sidelong glance. His expression, as always, perfectly conveyed his thoughts: You brought this on yourself.

    I sighed again, watching as Emma prattled on about her dream powers, the rest of the gang crawling around aimlessly, and Jack looking like he wanted to find a new group to reincarnate with.

    This was going to be a long day.

    The sun hung directly above, casting its light through the broken window. I could tell it was noon. We were gathered around the table¡ªor at least as close to "gathered" as a bunch of toddlers and I could manage¡ªeating berries and apples. Emma, as expected, found a way to complain even while eating.

    "Ugh, these berries are so sour. Did you even check if they were the good kind, Si Xin? And honestly, I still can''t believe we''re eating next to that." She jabbed her finger toward the skeleton slouched in the chair.

    I glanced over, surprised it was still intact after the chaos of last night¡¯s monster attack. You¡¯d think the cabin would have taken more damage or at least displaced the thing. But no, there it sat, mocking me with its eerie permanence.

    ¡°It¡¯s not like I can ask it to leave,¡± I said dryly, biting into an apple. ¡°Unless you¡¯d like to volunteer to bury it, Emma.¡±

    She scrunched her nose in disgust. ¡°I¡¯m not touching that thing! It¡¯s probably cursed or something. Who knows what kind of bad juju it has?¡±

    I rolled my eyes, brushing her dramatics aside. The rest of the gang was busy munching away, thankfully not chiming in with their own commentary. Noah had a berry-smeared face, Cael and Star were attempting to share a single apple (poorly), and Jack... well, Jack was just staring at me again, as if silently judging my life choices.

    Once the meal was done and the remnants were tossed outside, I decided it was time to address the next pressing issue: food.

    ¡°Alright, listen up.¡± I turned to Emma, who was busy wiping her hands on her already filthy clothes. ¡°I need to go out and find more supplies¡ªfood, water, anything useful. You¡¯re going to stay here and guard the place.¡±

    Emma blinked at me, then pointed to herself. ¡°Me? Guard this place? Against what? Another monster?¡±

    ¡°Exactly,¡± I said, standing up. ¡°I don¡¯t know what else is out there, but after last night, I can¡¯t risk leaving this place completely undefended.¡±

    Her expression twisted into something between indignation and disbelief. ¡°You expect me¡ªa lady¡ªto fend off monsters while you go wandering around playing scavenger?¡±

    ¡°Yes,¡± I said plainly, grabbing the rusted knife from the table. ¡°You¡¯re the only one besides me who¡¯s... semi-functional right now. The others are still figuring out how to crawl without face-planting every five seconds. That leaves you.¡±

    Emma pouted, crossing her arms. ¡°This is ridiculous. I don¡¯t even have a weapon!¡±

    I tossed the rusted knife onto the table in front of her. ¡°You have this.¡±

    She stared at it like I¡¯d handed her a live snake. ¡°This thing is more tetanus than weapon! What am I supposed to do with it? Scare them away with rust?¡±

    ¡°Then figure it out,¡± I said firmly. ¡°If you really want to survive, you¡¯ll find a way. Besides, I¡¯ll be back before dark. Just keep the others safe.¡±

    She groaned dramatically but didn¡¯t argue further. I took that as a win.

    Before heading out, I did another quick headcount¡ªone, two, three, four, five babies¡ªthen gave Jack a reassuring pat on the head.

    ¡°Be good,¡± I muttered, more to myself than anyone else, as I stepped out of the cabin and into the woods.

    After wandering aimlessly for a good while, I stopped in my tracks, letting out a long sigh. Why am I even doing this the hard way? I thought to myself, smacking my forehead in frustration. I had the perfect tool to scout the area without having to waste time blindly searching.

    Spotting a relatively clear patch of ground, I sat down cross-legged, adjusting my posture into something resembling a lotus position. The weight of exhaustion hung heavy on my shoulders, but I pushed it aside and focused inward.

    Closing my eyes, I felt myself slip into my inner world. That strange yet familiar sensation of detachment washed over me, as if I was floating in a sea of nothingness. It didn¡¯t take long before the surroundings of my mental landscape came into focus¡ªthe miniature forest with its centerpiece: the tiny replica of the cabin.

    I mentally willed myself to zoom out, and the view expanded rapidly, the forest stretching out beneath me like an unfurling map. Trees, rivers, and uneven terrain became visible, and soon, I could see the broader layout of the area. I scanned for anything that looked even remotely promising¡ªa clearing, a grove, or maybe even a fruit tree.

    After focusing on a particular area that seemed promising, I zoomed in. The details sharpened. It was a small patch of land with several trees laden with what looked like fruit. Apples? Maybe pears? Either way, it looked like a potential food source.

    Encouraged, I decided to search for water next. I zoomed out again, letting the view shift as I traced the path of the river I¡¯d found earlier. Following its flow, I saw what appeared to be a wider, deeper section¡ªa small pool that might be better suited for collecting water.

    Finally, I swept through the area around the cabin, looking for anything that could spell trouble. The remnants of last night¡¯s monster attack weighed heavily on my mind. Better safe than sorry.

    Sure enough, there was movement¡ªa faint, almost imperceptible rustling deeper in the forest. I focused in on it, and my breath caught. Something was out there, prowling. Its form was indistinct, but the way it moved sent a chill down my spine. It wasn¡¯t close to the cabin yet, but it was close enough to put me on edge.

    I snapped back to reality, my eyes flying open. The sunlight filtering through the trees felt glaringly bright after the dimness of my inner world.

    ¡°Alright,¡± I muttered to myself, standing up and brushing the dirt off my pants. ¡°I¡¯ve got a plan now.¡±

    I mentally marked the locations I¡¯d seen¡ªthe potential fruit grove, the water source, and the prowling... thing. My inner world was proving to be a lifesaver. Now I just had to hope I could collect what we needed and get back to the cabin before anything went wrong.

    Which is easier said than done, I thought bitterly as I made my way toward the grove I''d spotted earlier. My left side felt like an endless void of uncertainty, the absence of vision a constant reminder of the monster encounter. My chest still ached too¡ªwhile the injury was closed, it was far from fully healed. Every step and every stretch sent a dull, stinging pain rippling through me.

    Hours passed¡ªor maybe it just felt like hours¡ªbefore I finally reached the grove. This time, the selection of fruits was better: a mix of apples, pears, and what looked like some kind of plum. Fewer berries, thankfully. As much as they were better than nothing, I¡¯d grown tired of their tartness.

    I began carefully gathering the fruits, keeping my good eye on my surroundings. My thoughts drifted to the others¡ªEmma, Jack, and the rest. They were depending on me to keep them fed and safe. If nothing else, that thought kept me moving, despite my injuries and exhaustion.

    Just as I finished filling my makeshift basket, a sound reached my ears. A faint rustling, too close for comfort, came from a bush behind me. My body froze, dread washing over me like ice water.

    The rustling grew louder, the leaves shaking violently now. My grip tightened on the basket, and I slowly turned my head, preparing for the worst. Was it the monster? Did it track me here?

    The bush parted, and out came... a snake.

    Not a monstrous, hulking beast of a snake. No, just an ordinary, normal-sized snake, slithering lazily into view. Its scaled body shimmered faintly in the sunlight as it regarded me for a moment.

    My heart, which had been pounding in anticipation of something horrific, began to settle. I exhaled shakily, relieved and annoyed all at once.

    The snake flicked its tongue, then turned away, disappearing into the underbrush as if I wasn¡¯t worth its time.

    "Great," I muttered under my breath, the tension in my muscles finally easing. "Just what I needed¡ªmore surprises."

    I gave the bush a wary look, then straightened up. No point in sticking around any longer than necessary. My basket was full, and I didn¡¯t feel like testing my luck again. It was time to head back to the cabin.

    As I made my way back to the cabin, my arms heavy with the makeshift sack of fruits and berries, I heard something strange¡ªmuffled noises coming from inside. At first, it sounded like faint screaming, low and guttural, just enough to set my nerves on edge.

    Quickening my pace, I pushed the cabin door open and stepped inside.

    What greeted me was Emma, standing in the middle of the room, waving her arms dramatically as she loudly complained. Her voice had hit such a high pitch that it almost did sound like screaming.

    ¡°What¡¯s going on now?¡± I asked, exasperated, setting the basket down on the table.

    Emma spun around to face me, her expression a mix of frustration and exaggerated indignation. ¡°Si Xin! My powers are necromancy! NECROMANCY!¡± she shrieked.

    My eyes shifted to the spot where the skeleton used to be. The chair was empty.

    It took me a moment to process what I was seeing: the skeleton, previously a silent reminder of the cabin¡¯s former occupant, was now standing. Upright. Its bony hands hung limply by its sides, but the hollow sockets of its skull seemed to stare directly at me.

    I blinked. ¡°What... what did you do?¡±

    Emma threw her hands up, exasperated. ¡°I didn¡¯t mean to do anything! I was just practicing! You know, imagining my power being something glamorous¡ªlike summoning servants or something! And then this happened!¡± She pointed dramatically at the skeleton.

    I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose. ¡°So your power is... Raising the dead,¡± I muttered, my voice laced with disbelief and just a hint of resignation.

    ¡°It¡¯s not fair!¡± Emma whined. ¡°Why couldn¡¯t I get something elegant, like fire magic? Or, or... summoning knights or angels or something cool!¡±

    Ignoring her theatrics for the moment, I turned to check on Jack. He was sitting on the table, his tiny arms crossed, his face twisted in what could only be described as visible annoyance. He shot me a look that said, Fix this.

    With a tired sigh, I placed the sack of fruits and berries next to him on the table. ¡°Well, at least lunch is ready,¡± I muttered, more to myself than anyone else.

    Emma huffed. ¡°How can you think about food at a time like this? I just accidentally raised the dead!¡±

    I glanced at the skeleton, still standing there awkwardly. ¡°Looks like you¡¯re going to have to figure out how to un-raise it,¡± I said dryly, pulling out an apple for myself.

    Emma groaned loudly, throwing her hands up in defeat. ¡°Ugh, this reincarnation thing is so not what I signed up for!¡±

    seated near the table, her arms crossed as she stared daggers at the reanimated skeleton that remained eerily still in the corner.

    I cleared my throat to get her attention. ¡°Emma, I need to talk to you about something.¡±

    Her eyes flicked to me, still annoyed but curious. ¡°What now, Si Xin?¡±

    I hesitated for a moment, glancing toward the basement door. ¡°That thing in the basement... the monster from last night. Do you think you could¡ª¡±

    Her expression turned horrified before I could even finish. ¡°Are you serious? You want me to raise that thing?¡±

    ¡°Listen,¡± I said, raising a hand to stop her impending tirade. ¡°We¡¯re in a strange, dangerous world. We don¡¯t know what else is out there, and we¡¯re completely out of our depth. If your power lets you control it, even temporarily, that could give us some kind of edge.¡±

    Emma shook her head furiously. ¡°No way! That thing¡¯s huge! What if it goes rogue or something? I can barely handle this skeleton, and it¡¯s literally just standing there doing nothing!¡± She gestured wildly toward her undead ¡°creation.¡±

    I knelt down to meet her gaze, trying to sound as calm and rational as possible. ¡°Emma, I wouldn¡¯t ask you to do this if it wasn¡¯t important. We need every advantage we can get. I¡¯ll be there the whole time, and if anything goes wrong, I¡¯ll handle it.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯ll handle it?¡± she repeated incredulously. ¡°With what? Your kitchen knife? The one that¡¯s so dull it couldn¡¯t cut a soft vegetable?¡±

    I ignored the jab, instead glancing over at Jack, who was quietly observing the conversation from his perch on the table. ¡°Jack, back me up here.¡±

    Jack gave Emma a look, raising one small hand to point toward the basement door as if to say, He¡¯s got a point.

    Emma groaned, throwing her head back dramatically. ¡°Fine! But if that thing eats me, I¡¯m haunting you for the rest of eternity!¡±

    ¡°Noted,¡± I said, getting to my feet.

    After giving the gang strict instructions which for obvious reason they didn''t listen to stay put, Emma and I cautiously approached the broken basement door.

    ¡°Ready?¡± I asked, hand on the door.

    ¡°No,¡± she muttered, gripping the bucket tightly.

    ¡°Good enough,¡± I said, opening the door.

    The scent of blood and decay hit us immediately, a stark reminder of last night¡¯s fight. The monster¡¯s body lay crumpled at the bottom of the stairs, its grotesque form illuminated by faint beams of afternoon sunlight streaming through cracks in the cabin walls.

    Emma took one look at the creature and turned pale. ¡°This is such a bad idea.¡±

    ¡°Just focus,¡± I said, descending the stairs carefully. ¡°You don¡¯t have to do anything fancy. Just see if it works.¡±

    Emma followed reluctantly, her steps hesitant. She stopped a few feet away from the body, staring at it as if it might leap up and attack her at any moment.

    Taking a deep breath, she extended her hands toward the creature and closed her eyes. The air around her seemed to shift, growing heavy and cold.

    For a moment, nothing happened. Then, faint wisps of dark energy began to swirl around her fingers, flowing toward the monster like smoke.

    The creature¡¯s body twitched.

    Emma yelped, nearly dropping the bucket. ¡°It moved!¡±

    ¡°Keep going,¡± I urged, though my heart was pounding.

    With a look of sheer determination, Emma redoubled her efforts. The dark energy coiled around the monster¡¯s form, seeping into its wounds. Slowly, it began to rise, its movements jerky and unnatural.

    When it finally stood, it loomed over us, its glowing red eyes fixed on Emma.

    She stared up at it, wide-eyed. ¡°Now what?¡±

    ¡°Try giving it a command,¡± I suggested, keeping a safe distance.

    Emma hesitated, then said tentatively, ¡°Uh... sit?¡±

    The monster let out a low growl, but to our surprise, it obeyed, lowering itself to the ground in a crouch.

    Emma turned to me, her expression a mix of disbelief and triumph. ¡°I did it.¡±

    I nodded, my mind racing with possibilities. ¡°Yeah, you did. Let¡¯s just hope you can keep it under control.¡±

    As Emma kept her concentration on the newly risen monster, I couldn¡¯t shake the nagging thought that I¡¯d overlooked something important in the basement. The last time I was down here, I was too focused on barricading the door and later fighting for my life to really take a good look around.

    With the faint light filtering through the cracks, I started scanning the basement. The walls were made of rough stone, damp in places, and the floor was uneven dirt. The stale air carried the faint smell of rot, mixed with the metallic tang of old tools left to rust.

    In one corner, I spotted a collection of tools: a hammer, a rusted saw, and an axe that looked like it had been through hell and back. The axe caught my attention. While it wasn¡¯t in pristine condition, the blade still seemed sharp enough to be useful if I put in a bit of elbow grease.

    I picked it up, testing its weight. It felt solid in my hands despite its wear and tear. ¡°Better than a dull knife,¡± I muttered to myself, holding it up to examine the edge.

    Behind the tools, a few wooden crates were stacked haphazardly. Curiosity got the better of me, and I pried one open with the claw end of the hammer. Inside, I found old, dried-out supplies¡ªropes that might still be usable, a few glass jars with cloudy contents, and what looked like a tattered leather journal.

    The journal was brittle, its cover cracked and its pages yellowed with age. I flipped it open carefully, but most of the text was too faded to read. A few sketches, however, were still visible¡ªdrawings of strange symbols, what looked like the cabin, and a few rough diagrams of traps. One page in particular caught my eye: a detailed illustration of the monster Emma had just raised. Beneath it were faintly legible notes.

    Closing it for now I tucked the journal under my arm, deciding to study it later.

    Turning back to Emma, I found her glaring at me. ¡°Are you done rummaging around?¡± she asked, still holding her focus on the monster.

    ¡°Almost,¡± I said, grabbing the hammer and axe before heading back to her.

    As I reached her, I couldn¡¯t help but glance at the risen creature. It was crouched obediently, its grotesque form still unsettling even without its life-threatening hostility. ¡°You think you can keep it like this?¡± I asked.

    Emma shrugged, her tone annoyed. ¡°I don¡¯t know. It¡¯s not exactly like I got a tutorial for this power.¡±

    ¡°Well, keep it steady for now. I might¡¯ve found something useful.¡± I patted the journal under my arm. ¡°Let¡¯s head back upstairs. This place gives me the creeps.¡±

    Emma gave the monster a hesitant command to follow, and to my relief, it obeyed. As we climbed the stairs, the faint creak of the wood beneath our feet reminded me that this cabin had seen better days.

    Once back in the main room, I spread the tools and the journal out on the table. Jack crawled closer, inspecting the axe with a thoughtful look. Emma finally let out a sigh of relief, releasing her hold on the monster. It stood in the corner, motionless but still unsettling to look at.

    ¡°Okay,¡± I said, addressing the group. ¡°We¡¯ve got some tools, some clues, and a lot of work to do if we¡¯re going to survive out here. Let¡¯s get to it.¡±

    Taking out the journal, I opened it and flipped carefully through the pages. Most were faded or illegible, but one sketch caught my attention immediately¡ªit looked eerily similar to the monster in the basement. I glanced between the drawing and the corpse Emma had raised, comparing the details. The sharp claws, hulking frame, elongated snout, and lack of a tail all matched perfectly.

    The text beneath the sketch was just barely readable. The word "Calamityhound" was scrawled in bold, jagged letters, followed by what I assumed was a description. I read aloud under my breath:

    ¡°Calamityhound... second to appear during the first stage of an Insurgence...¡±

    I paused, frowning. What the hell is an Insurgence? My grip on the journal tightened as I kept reading.

    ¡°This creature serves primarily as a recon unit, designed to track and report targets to larger forces. Its enhanced sense of smell and persistence make it a formidable hunter.¡±

    I couldn¡¯t help the twitch in my only good eye. A recon unit? This hulking, oversized monstrosity was a recon unit? How does that make any sense? It¡¯s the size of a damn car! Who designed this nightmare and thought, Yeah, this is perfect for reconnaissance!

    I glanced at the raised Calamityhound again, its lifeless gaze fixed straight ahead, and I felt a chill run down my spine. If this was a scout, then what the hell were the main units like?

    I snapped the journal shut and exhaled sharply. ¡°We¡¯re in deep,¡± I muttered.

    Emma, overhearing me, tilted her head. ¡°What did you find out?¡±

    I hesitated for a moment, weighing how much to say. ¡°This thing,¡± I said, pointing at the raised monster, ¡°is called a Calamityhound. And apparently, it¡¯s just a scout for something called an Insurgence.¡±

    Emma frowned. ¡°Insurgence? That doesn¡¯t sound good. Like... at all.¡±

    ¡°No kidding,¡± I muttered, rubbing my temple. ¡°If this thing was tracking us, then there might be more of them. Or worse.¡±

    Jack, sitting on the table, tapped the journal and gave me a pointed look. I sighed and set it down so everyone could see. ¡°There might be more useful information in here, but I can barely read most of it. We¡¯re going to need to figure out what this Insurgence is and how to avoid being a part of it... or becoming casualties of it.¡±

    Emma stared at the Calamityhound, her expression shifting from annoyance to something more serious. ¡°Well, I guess it¡¯s a good thing I raised this thing, huh?¡±

    ¡°For now,¡± I said cautiously. ¡°But let¡¯s hope you can keep it under control. If it decides to turn on us...¡±

    Emma scoffed. ¡°Please. I¡¯ve got this. Just focus on figuring out how to keep us alive.¡±

    With that, I tucked the journal under my arm again. I needed more time to decipher it, and we needed a real plan. Whatever this Insurgence was, it felt like it was only the beginning of something much bigger.