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Devil's Doll Reincarnation
(ARC_1) Chapter 5 - Opening the Gates

(ARC_1) Chapter 5 - Opening the Gates

Devil’s Doll Reincarnation | Chapter 5 | Opening the Gates

Why is this happening?

Why are these people being so kind to me?

What have I done to deserve their trust?

All of these questions have remained unanswered ever since I got here. Even now, I await an answer of some kind to swoop by with a cure these unsatisfied feelings. Yet, at the same time, I can’t help but hold these questions in distrust. In just a matter of a few days I have discovered so many new, unheard-of things, that have never cease to amaze me. These discoveries came in many forms, of which all had one thing in common...

They all bundled up in my mind... confusing and muddling up my thoughts more, and more, with each new piece of information that got planted inside my head.

I learned that my body was no longer my own. That it was disposable, and weak. So, as I lay here, in another’s arms, completely helpless and barely awake. Incabable of helping the ones I hold dear to me. I have to watch on as one of them desperately runs away to keep us both alive. Through the mixture of confusing emotions, guilt and unending worry are plaguing me the most. As much as I wish I could do something about it, this body simply won’t allow it. This person, for whatever reason, values my life far above his own.

I have never asked for your help! Why are you doing this!? The only thing I know about him is his name… Geralt, there was literally no other memory about him I could muster. Even though the thought of losing him is so heavy, even though he had treated me so well. I didn’t even consider what was happening on his end, and I still don’t quite understand. Geralt could have killed me the moment I showed him I was alive, yet he didn’t. Yet what have I done in return!? His dear friend, Anna, who was so kind; has died in my presence. I was right there when it happened, but I couldn’t do anything about it! How worthless can I get!?

It’s all my fault, and there’s nothing I can do to change that. This simple fact frustrates me to no end. Even though I believed I had locked away my emotions, and that I wasn’t bothered by any of this. I knew I was denying everything happening around me, that I didn’t really die, that my parents were just waiting idly by over my hospital bed, and everything here was some kind of dream. The floodgates were kicked open the moment Anna died. I realised this was all real, and an unimaginable feeling of loneliness and despair washed me away all at once. The relieving embrace of Geralt, as he takes me further away from the cabin could only hide my unending tears for so long

How sad must I be, to make a doll cry?

I only died just a week ago, so that’s a thing… I kind of treated it like a joke this whole time. I mean, reincarnation was a ridiculous concept when you think about. But here I am, out of all the people in the world, I got a second chance. Dropped off with no explanation, ditched in a different world, where everything is different and terrifying. The very thought of leaving the cosy cabin, that had become my home, used to fill me with excitement, and wonder. Now, that very same thought just feels like an unsurmountable task, so daunting in my eyes that I just want to curl myself up to hide away under a rock. Where no bad luck or evils will harm me.

Sadly, everything I hate the most seems to still be tailing me. Desperately trying to enact its own form of vengeance, for a reason I can't comprehend. Although only fragments got through to me, in my exhausted state, I still managed to see snippets of what was going on. Geralt was hugging me closely to his chest, while we were bouncing around violently, and the distorted roots protruding from the ground looked like a sea of snakes in my blurry vision. Running just a few metres behind us was a cloaked figure, that looked like evil incarnate through my eyes. A clear emotion of hate could be felt emanating from his glowing red eyes.

While I thought to myself how ridiculous red eyes really were, I could feel my eyelids growing heavier by the moment. But a loud cracking noise went shooting past us, sending a rush of adrenaline to my head, and effectively waking me back up by force. A blue tint lit up in the corner of my vision, and a nearby tree exploded into burning splinters from whatever had just hit it.

“Tch, I knew he was hiding something, but to think it was something like this...” Geralt grunted as he leapt over another root. He was surprisingly much more limber than I previously thought.

Over the span of just a few days, I had barely managed to cram into my head the language of this world. A lot of what I hear is only roughly translated, and I have to substitute unknown words and sayings with something that makes sense to me. I am in no way a genius, I’m just a tryhard… or a perfectionist, as some would call me. Yet, one thing’s for certain. Geralt knows this man in some way or another... What relation does he have with this cloaked bastard, for him to hunt us down with such determination? I get that he just beat him up a while ago, but come on. You’re chasing us like a wild dog…

When I angled my head upwards, Geralt was purposefully looking away from me. Every time I tried to look him in the eyes, he conveniently shifted his gaze away ever so slightly. Effectively preventing my excruciatingly, slow head from locking eyes with him. Fine, if that’s how you want to play it.

My thoughts were clear, but my senses were clogged. Everything went back to being blurry after a few minutes had passed, and the adrenaline soon left my body. How the affects of adreniline would work in this body didn't make sense, but nonetheless I was grateful it was keeping me awake. But it didn't take long before I could feel myself falling asleep again, and my anxiety just wouldn’t stop rising. Will the cloaked man stop chasing us? Is Geralt going to be alright? What is going to happen to us if we stop running?

Quickly realizing my thoughts were heading somewhere dark, I tried shaking myself out of it, but could still barely move. While the phantom pain of having my left arm gone, was a very foreign sensation, it didn't help with keeping any depressing thoughts away, just like a lot of strange new feelings with this body… When I first realized I was also missing my little John, I felt like ending it all right then and there...

Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

Using my remaining hand, I held onto Geralt’s jacket, making sure to secure my grip. Every jump he took felt as if I'd go flying, and we hadn’t even been running for long. Perhaps it was just my deep thoughts making it seem that way, and now that I’ve pretty much ran out of stuff to satisfy my mind with, all I can do is hold on tightly to let him focus on fleeing.

While the cloaked man behind us cursed in anger every time he missed, it didn't seem like he was running short on the bolts of lightning he was pegging towards us...

I had long since lost any clue of where we were. I know we're still in the forest, but it feels much more wild and unsafe than back at the cabin. While I was trying to think of more things I could use to deny reality, Geralt spoke up. Interrupting my thoughts.

“Fumiko… I know this is going to be difficult, but I want you to trust me.”

I croaked out a “Yeah?” and urged him to continue. In a hopeless situation like this, it was all we could go on.

“Alright... I’m going to drop you off... and hide you somewhere safe. I thought I’d be able to get a pretty good head start on that guy, but it turns out he was much more resilient than I thought.”

Wait... hold on... Are you insane!? He’ll kill us both if you stop for even a moment!

I immediately resorted to arguing in a desperate attempt to stop him, even going so far as to tighten my weakening grip on him, so I could get my point across just a little bit faster. When he responded with a conflicted smile, it was clear he was going to regret whatever happens next. Geralt please. You don’t have to act tough in times like these, just keep running and you’ll eventually get away, right!?

But, almost as if he were reading my mind, he responded. I simply couldn't argue with the truth.

“Fumi… there is a reason they call this place the Eternal Forest. It never stops growing, expanding itself over the planet. At this point in, it’ll be almost impossible to return, and it’s the only thing I can think of to keep that crazy fool away from the village.”

As Geralt kept running he haggardly spoke out his excuse whenever he could. There’s no chance he can keep running full force like this, especially while dodging that man’s attacks.

“Fumi. I’m not the total fool he thinks I am, and I’m sorry that I almost believed his lie earlier. Don’t worry though, in his rage he’s just going to be lost here forever. Okay? I’ll drop you off, and lead him far away from you. There’s no need for tears little one.”

In the bewildered state I was in, while listening to Geralt’s words, I didn’t even notice the tears that were only further blurring my vision. What use do these tears have!? Everything else is already fake so why do I need to cry!? I’m already responsible for Anna’s death, so why must I be responsible for yours!?

“Geralt… don’t… do it…” I mumbled out, my vision already starting to fail me. Everything was shaking about, and the view of Geralt from his arms looked like a blob of mixed colours.

Despite my pleading he was no longer listening. Geralt took one final big jump off the side of a large root, causing the cloaked man to lose sight of us. Geralt then slid under a rotting dead tree, where he took three deep, heavy breaths, before proceeding to gently place me onto the ground. At this point my vision had gone completely white, but luckily I could still hear everything around me.

“Geralt… don’t leave me…” I begged once more.

“I’m sorry…”

Geralt the old man [https://thesuspenseblog.files.wordpress.com/2017/11/geralt-sad-forest-scene-ch-5.jpg?w=613&h=504]

“I had realised you weren’t my daughter just a few days after meeting you. Your personality was just far too different to be her. I had my hopes up, and I'd like to apologise for bringing you into this horrible mess. I was being selfish in wanting you to become something else…”

I wanted to tell him I didn’t care, that he didn’t have to worry about how I felt. I just want you to stay alive Geralt. Please let me, someone who has already experienced death, take your place. There is no need for you to die like this. But I could no longer move, speak, and could barely hear. Yet the clear sounds of Geralts footsteps getting further and further away made this suffocating feeling only grow with every step.

The intense pain that ran through me when I tried crawling myself towards him paralysed me. I was left here completely helpless and alone. Unaware of my surroundings, in an unfamiliar country, quite possibly even on an entirely different world. With no clue of what to do.

An, earsplittingly, loud crackling sound came from outside, causing my whole body to shudder. Only a moments later did I hear the pain filled scream, revealing to me the sad truth that Geralt just couldn’t get away. Lying face down I knocked my head against the floor and let the tears finally run free. Surely it was alright now. I had the full right to cry like this, didn't I?

Of what I can only assume was a few hours spent silently crying, and sobbing. I could at least rest assured knowing that the cloaked man had left a long time ago. Probably believing he eradicated me and Geralt in one shot. The fucking bastard, with his ridiculous strength. I hope he never finds his way out of this damn place. To kill those two so easily, with a smile on his face too! There's no way I'll forgive someone like that until they're dead...

I swear I’ll avenge you, Geralt. For my sake, yours… and Anna’s…

As I could feel some of my strength had come back to me. Most likely over the time I was crying my heart out. I clenched my remaining fist and smacked it on the mossy, dead tree's floor. Flipping myself back onto my back, I pictured myself a few days from now. As much as it hurts to see those two go, I’m not one for just giving up and doing nothing...

First of all, I don’t need to worry about eating or sleeping if I do nothing. However, If I do move, I get tired in a matter of minutes unless I ration my strength, and take regular breaks. How will I get of this never-ending forest when I’m so weak? I groaned, wiping my eyes, as I could feel the tears welling up again. I grasped hold of the vial draped around my neck, wishing that Anna was still here.

But I am still here, Fumi?

Answered a nearly whispering voice. So, very quiet it barely registered in my mind. But it was definitely there. There’s no way I was just hallucinating.

“W-who’s there?” I asked fearfully. I’m in no position for combat right now, or ever, for that matter.

Don’t tell me you’ve forgotten about me so quickly little one. It’s me, Anna!

The voice announced excitedly. Feeling the glass vial vibrate in my hand I, out of curiosity, held the glass vial up to my eye. Where I saw the figure of a little girl made of fog, smiling widely. It really is her, but how is this possible?

Simple, my soul was taken, and placed within this vial. Whenever you hold it I can communicate with you directly, since your soul is so thinly protected.

What? You’re talking strangely, Anna. What do you mean, how are you still alive without a body?

Well, obviously, the body is just a vessel. Don’t you remember what I taught you? I tried to explain to you what you were exactly...

Really? You said something like, I was a soul bound to an artificial body, didn’t you? I didn’t really want to listen to that, since it made me really sad…

O-oh… did it. Sorry about that, I guess it would make sense since this isn’t your original body. At least it’s a cute one, right?

… I’m a guy, so… not really helping…

Eh? Oh…... is that so…

My condolences…