-----
Chapter 1 - Anamnesis...
-----
Mortal Realm
Cael
"Agh..."
I brush my drowsiness away as my mind begins processing again...
What... was that?!
...
...
Memories...?
The previous owner of this body’s memories perhaps...?
Or possibly...
Mine... my memories?!
Or... something else?
Argh... what the fuck is even going on?!
Hah... I guess it's pointless to think about it now.
I will my lower extensions; err, my legs to move... and they did so very fluidly; the previous pain had disappeared.
Huh, they're healed...
Natural regeneration, I suppose?
I push down on the extensions at my side... err my arms; specifically my palms, gradually guiding my body upwards. I balance my centre and just barely manage to stand up; feeling the rough and rocky bedding.
It's unusual...
The memories I ‘received’ included standing... yet it feels awkward to do it now.
Maybe this reaffirms that this isn't my original body...?
But my memories felt so vividly detailed and I could feel every emotion that Cael - no... that I felt. They can't be fake...
Yeah, they couldn't possibly be spurious...
I relax my mind and thoughts and lift up my right leg instinctively; while almost falling over again.
I steady my balance and press my leg down... taking my first step.
I began familiarizing myself with walking; adjusting it naturally as I continue.
I walked around the rather narrow crevice and scouted the nearby area. I soon come across a bow - my personal hunting bow.
As I gently lifted it up, I suddenly hear a ‘clicking’ noise resound in the small crevice, discovering that half the limb was broken off.
How unfortunate.
I reach for my breast pocket and feel around for a certain object. I find a handle and pull out a small sheathed dagger.
Good... at least this is still here.
Taking out the slim blade, I slice at the ends of the limbs where the bowstring is attached.
I then twist my arms and remove my quiver from my back, reaching for the storage component I recall that Cael had; taking out a small wooden roll.
I tie the now loose bowstring to the two ends of the roll and return it into the storage. I then check how many arrows I have left... and find four useable ones.
I dispose of the broken arrows and equip the quiver again.
Wait...
…
...
When did I gain the ability to see in the dark?
I don't recall having it during that brief period of consciousness before that dream-like recollection...
That's... weird.
I suppose it's just something I never recalled Cael had. Anyways, it's a blessing to have right now.
I scour the area ahead as I carefully tread along the narrow path. I eventually reach a cave opening and shift my body into its instinctive stance.
Hmm...? The murky taste in the air seems to have subtly mixed with a... rancid odour?
...
...
Blood. It's blood. I'm certain of it.
Lingering from around... I'd guess about three days?
Hmm...
My curiosity gets the better of me as I find myself walking towards the origin of the scent...
I'm leaded to a narrow path and eventually find myself in a dimly lit room. There are crude torches placed on the wall along the perimeter.
And on the rocky floor there were countless green corpses... scattered all around the bedrock floor.
Disgusting... they've started to rot already. I try to cover the smell with my hands before I abruptly notice something.
Huh? Is that...?
No...!
"Keis?! Why?! Why didn't you just run...?"
Cael’s, no... my partner is lying lifelessly on the ground. His head was cracked open and his corpse was noticeably defiled. Those bastards...! They took his core?!
Those filthy humans dare?!
...
...
Hah... calm yourself Cael, it's fine. The world is fickle and cruel, you've known this your entire life.
It's fine...
Hah...
It's fine...
Whew...
Taking one last breath, I finally manage to relax myself down somewhat.
Those bastards don't deserve to live! Humans were always disguised with false pretenses. Cruel, yet they cover themselves with smoke and masks - stowing their true intentions deep within.
I understand now. Trust is a shallow and deceitful harlot. It cannot be given out so freely... or else only resentment will await. The world is misguided into a thinking of power being absolute. Such so that people would crush and trample those beneath them on the path to the top; hungering for such power stubbornly... as if they're wolves within a den of sheep.
(Note: for those who don't know, a ‘harlot’ is by definition is ‘a prostitute or promiscuous woman.’)
My thoughts grow quiet and my eyes gravitate towards my fallen partner...
"Hah... even in death, your eyes never once wavered. I don't understand why you were willing to bear yourself a surrogate for me but... thank you."
If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.
I run my hand through his fur... and I feel a rough, but warm feeling traversing through me.
Comforting...
Forgive me... I wasn't there when you needed me most. I abandoned you... yet you stood your ground for me. Thank you, truly. I owe my life to you, yet I have nothing to offer you but this simple prayer.
I hope you can live in happiness in the next world if destiny chances one to exist...
Ver, I don't know if you truly exist or not, and I'm certain I am not worthy of any of your attention but please... if you hear this... send Keis somewhere nice in his next life - he deserves it. Thanks.
(Note: ‘Ver’ was previously mentioned in the prologue, and is essentially a divine being who has been attributed to govern over existence.)
Steeling my mind, I remove a nearby torch from the wall and incinerate my partner; placing blessings for him on his journey to the next world.
"Goodbye..."
Burn... burn away all my troubles into dust...
Concluding things, I take a flask of flammable oil - dousing it over the rotten corpses and smoldering them into ashes. It assists in preventing the miasma drawn by the corpses from spreading, and also dismays other creatures from taking refuge here.
Essentially a preventive measure for limiting the population of demons and magical beasts - recently implemented by the major influential guilds.
Don't misunderstand. I'm not a dog of the system. Cael only... I, I only followed because they offered benefits to those who did, so there was no reason for me to reject its implementation.
The smoke was growing increasingly dense in the enclosed room, so I soon departed, along with any past misgivings I had.
I soon come across a path leading upwards, presumably the exit. I use the grapple that I previously found in my quiver and carefully climb out.
A bright clear moon azure painted within a canvas of astral sparks. The calm breeze washing over the silence of the darkness. I savour the cold, fragrant air and I begin to feel an unusual feeling cascading within me.
"Awoooo...!"
I hear a deep howl deep in the night, along with softened rustling somewhere in the distance...
Wolves...?!
How did they find me...?
...
...
Fuck, it's the scent of blood from the corpses!
Oh god, what do I do?! My bow’s broken and the dagger is chipped beyond use. Will I die like this again?! Ahhhh... fuck me!
Can I outrun them perhaps?
"Hrrgh...!"
I can feel my body and mind tense up as I hear a harsh and malicious snarl just within the shrubs surrounding me. Welp, there goes that plan.
Hah... fuck. Can't get a goddamn break can I, Ver?
I unsheathe my dagger and prepare a defensive stance. Standing still, I hold my grapple in an attempt to calm down...
It didn't work.
"Rrrrgh!"
I hear a shrill cry echo in the breeze, and I briefly see a shadow dashing towards me. I suddenly feel an electric shock frazzle my mind, as my thoughts naturally dissipated.
As if I was being guided by an outside force, my body reflexively shifted to the right; feeling a sharp wind pass by my face. A sudden, tearing pain attacks my right leg; accompanied by a threateningly growl.
"Hrrrgh!"
"Fuck me, there were two?!"
I see two pairs of ruby-red eyes staring me down; radiating ominously in the dark.
"Hah..."
I steal a moment to take a quick breath...
"Rrrrgh!"
I finally manage to catch a clear outline of the wolves in the moon’s light...
Pure white fur with hints of silver along its body. Tracing its body, I can faintly see... a dim flicker; a crimson red glow from its body. It's discomforting... to say the least.
I take a step to the left, feeling the burning strain on my leg. I brace myself and forcefully stab down, and eventually manage to hit... thin air. Recoiling from the inertia, I accidentally tumble forward; narrowly managing to avoid falling.
"Hah... goddamnit."
Heh... It’s smiling - the fucker’s smiling at me. Taking pity on me by fighting me alone, huh? You'll learn to regret that, you bastard...
With a shrill growl, it charges at me once more as I stand in a defensive stance. It soon reaches near me and leaps... aiming for my arm. I quickly respond and swing my left arm and prepare to meet it head on. I swear I can see the surprise in its eyes; thinking that I would never even try to retaliate.
I hear a loud ‘crunch’ sound as it bites into my bracer. I tightly grasp the end of its jaws, holding it open. Feeling the sharp teeth at the edge of my palms, I quickly push my weight down and pin its squirming body on the ground. Holding it still, I tightly clutch my dagger and aim at its throat.
"Hahaha... die bitch!"
"Urrrrrgh!"
"Rrrrrgh!"
I hear the other wolf cry out as I pull my chipped dagger along its neck, splashing blood all over my face...
I suddenly feel a scorching pain at my right arm as razor-sharp daggers tear into my flesh...
"Arrrrgh, it hurts! It fucking hurts!"
I try to ignore the intense pain; pushing my full weight onto the dying wolf. It can barely cry out as I finally manage to kill it.
"Hrrrgh!"
"Rrrrgh!”
"Hrrrgh..."
Using my remaining strength, I pull out the dagger as I roll backwards. I taste the salty blood in my mouth as I spit to the side. My right arm begins to uncontrollably tremble as I shakily manage to stand up again.
"Rrrrrrgh...!"
A somber howl resonates in the cold air, as I pick up the dagger with my left hand. I see the other wolf staring me down with its blazing red eyes as it growls towards me.
"Hrrrrgh...!"
My eyes begin to blur and my thoughts go hazy as the tearing pain at my leg forces me to kneel. I could briefly see a distorted image of a white blur carrying off the other wolf as it fled away.
"Hahaha... I told you I'd make you regret it..."
I couldn't hold back the pain anymore and fall over, leaving only a black void...
-----