I stand once again in the familiar corridor. I stand on the threshold of my apartment in my old world. It's night. Everyone is asleep. Silence. In the hallway, the household spirit appears and freezes. The pitiful creature looks at me with big eyes. It seems ready to run away, it is afraid. I didn't think they could feel fear. What an incredible contrast. How different this spirit is from those in my new world. I see its weakness and frailty.

I was about to greet it when I heard a suspicious rustling behind the entrance door. The doorknob slowly turned down and returned to its original position. Something faintly clinked. I heard a soft metallic scrape. Someone was tampering with the lock of my apartment door at night, most likely not with a key. I looked at the spirit questioningly, and it nervously shrugged shoulders.

"Wake up a woman," I waved my hand towards my former bedroom.

The spirit nodded and dissolved into the darkness.

I walked through the wall. Near the door, a man in dark clothing is kneeling, carefully picking the lower lock with lockpicks. Next to him lies a sports bag with some items. The lock clicked softly. The man let out a satisfied grunt and started fiddling with the upper lock. I took two steps down the corridor, I need space. I infused my body with chi and kicked the unwelcome guest with all my strength. Either I had become stronger or it was a lucky hit. The intruder crashed into the door, and I distinctly heard the crunch of bones. The man's head dented my iron door. The uninvited guest fell to the floor and whimpered softly. A pool of blood spread nearby. I felt no remorse for this creature. He was trying to break into my home! My family, my children, are sleeping inside.

From around the corner of the corridor, where the elevators were located, another man appeared. He was attracted by the noise. He was dressed in an expensive dark suit, a white shirt, and a tie. In his hand, he held a black pistol with a long silencer. It was a prestigious and expensive toy. The man was not a thief; that was clear at first glance. He was a person for special assignments.

"Bars..." the man began to speak. "What happened?"

Astral gave incredible freedom. I was a novice, but it didn't stop me from acting. I didn't think, I just knew what to do. I appeared behind the man. My fingers clenched the enemy's throat, my right hand blocked the gun. Unexpectedly, I found myself much stronger. I barely felt any resistance from the big man. Despite all his training and the muscles rolling under his clothes, he couldn't do anything against me. I aimed the gun at his fallen partner and pulled the trigger three times. The body jerked three times. I expected a dreadful noise, but the sound of the shots wasn't as terrifying. Still, the echo started wandering down the empty corridor. I'm sure the noise won't go unnoticed. Some of the vigilant neighbors are probably already calling the police. I twisted my arm with the gun and pointed the barrel at the man's temple.

"Who?" I hissed the question into the enemy's ear.

"Brother... We made a mistake!" he began to lie with a trembling voice. "We wanted to rob the apartment! We thought there was no one there!"

"Tell the truth!" I barked.

"Yes... I swear! We just got it wrong!"

I had very little time. With my left hand, I covered his mouth to muffle the scream. I sank my teeth into his ear and yanked it sideways. Calculating the force that had suddenly appeared from somewhere was difficult. Blood spurted. I spat out a large chunk of ear. The man writhed in my grip and moaned loudly in pain. I tightened my hold on his face. Soon, the enemy's strength ran out.

"Do you not understand?" I croaked in a horrible voice. "My children are in this apartment, and you came for them. I'll tear you into tiny pieces."

"Stop!" he whimpered. "I was only ordered to scare them, simulate a robbery, and discreetly plant the documents. I didn't..."

"Who gave the order?"

"The head of security at 'PharmTechMet'."

"What's in the documents?"

"I don't know."

"Where are the documents?"

"In the bag by the door."

I pulled the trigger, the wall to my left colored red. The dead man fell to the floor. I searched through him pockets. In a leather wallet, I found money, an ID card, some business cards, and passes. This one had the corporation's logo on it. I appeared next to the door and grabbed a sports bag. The door was still locked. My hand went through the door and I fumbled for the top lock and opened it. I entered my apartment and saw my wife sitting on the floor in the hallway. Disheveled and tearful, she was holding our youngest son close to her. The eldest son was kneeling beside her. The teenager was whispering something to his mother and stroking her hair. My family was extremely frightened.

"Is everyone okay, family?" I asked in a falsely cheerful voice and closed the door.

My wife flinched and stared at me with big eyes. They were brown and very beautiful. I had been admiring them since the first time I saw her, and I still do even in me new life. John turned towards me.

"Ethan, are you crazy?! " exclaimed my wife.

"Why?" I was surprised by her reaction.

"You killed them!" the woman exclaimed. "How am I going to explain this to the police?!"

"Isn't anything else bothering you?"

"I don't know what's more surprising in this situation!" she had always been mentally strong. "Hello, husband!"

"Well... Time is short! My powers are limited, and I could disappear at any moment. Here are the documents." I nudged the sports bag towards her with my foot. "They were ordered to scare, simulate a robbery, and discreetly plant these papers in the apartment. Figure it out... They're from your corporation. Order from the head of the security department."

"A..."

"Listen and don't interrupt. In the right drawer of my desk, there are keys. They're for a house in a remote location, approximately four kilometers from..." I paused and after a moment, continued: "a village in the woods. You'll find it. The map is in the drawer, and the location is marked on it. Don't speak out loud or mention any landmarks. The house is nice. There's food for the first few days in the basement, water in the well, and some supplies and tools. This place has no connection to us. They won't search for you there. Pack the children's things in a bag and take them with you. Naturally, use only the paper map! Only cash! Leave your phones and other gadgets here! Drive to the station and abandon the car. Buy a ticket to anywhere and pay with a card. Make your way using public transportation and hitchhiking, avoiding cameras. That way there's a chance of throwing them off your trail."

"But..."

"The head of your security department wanted to frame you! Will he stop?"

"I doubt it." Vika drooped her head. The woman looked distressed.

"But..."

"The head of your security department wanted to frame you! His initiative?"

"I doubt it."

"He has orders. And he couldn't fulfill it. What does that mean?"

"Is everything bad?"

"You've gotten yourself into some kind of game... You know more than I do. But you can think about it later. Right now, you need to disappear." I emphasized this with my voice. "Vika, study these papers. Why would a corporation want to set you up? Take my laptop. There's no point in looking for it; it's clean. Yours might have bugs. Figure out what's going on first, then you can decide."

"Alright." the woman nodded.

"John," I looked at my eldest son. "Help your mother and your brother, the situation is tough. You're grown up now, don't let us down."

"Ethan, how is this possible? " my wife gestured with her hands, she was trying to mimic something incomprehensible.

"I'm dead, my love," I sadly stated the fact. "Now I live in another world, in a different body. There's some information about a portal. I'll search for it, but there's a problem... I'm in the body of a teenager, slightly older than John."

"What?" Vika's big round eyes made her look both comical and perfectly. "So, am I now the mother of three boys?"

"As it happened, I had no choice." I smiled, appreciating my wife's great sense of humor. "Time is passing differently for us. Approximately one day here is equivalent to five or six days for me. I can't calculate it precisely. If we manage to meet, I will already be significantly older. My energy is running out, and I've already been here surprisingly long..."

"Wait..."

I couldn't hear the end of her sentence as I was being pulled back into the void.

I came to my senses early in the morning. The sun had just appeared over the treetops. Like the last time, I felt weak. As I opened my eyes, I sensed that I had accomplished a feat. After devouring a few carelessly flying by kvits, I was able to move. It took me several days to recover from the challenging astral journey.

I caught a few hares. I immediately dedicated one to Atzhas and carefully hid the carcass. Let an old friend have a little joy in his ruins. I captured another one, alive, and carried it in a separate bag. I thought of giving it to Avdot, but I did not know his true rune name. So, I had to bring the animal with me to the city. The poor creature tried to free itself, wriggling and struggling inside the bag. I quickly grew tired of this nuisance and calmed the animal with a punch to the head.

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The mood was gloomy. On one hand, I helped my family, but the situation seemed very bleak to me. How could I further influence it? I had no ideas. I knew that the corporation 'PharmTechMet', where Vika worked, was one of the largest pharmaceutical producers in the world. The corporation owned numerous manufacturing facilities and laboratories worldwide. They held numerous patents for drugs, vaccines, and goodness knows what else. Rumors circulated that the corporation was developing new diseases and viruses, but no one could convincingly prove the truth behind it. Differentiating between reliable information and misinformation in my old world was extremely challenging. Everything was distorted and drowned in the sea of information garbage. After a while, it became nearly impossible for an ordinary person to understand anything.

Vika had been working at the corporation's main office for several years. She had a background in virology but was involved in equipment procurement for laboratories and overseeing their operations within the corporation. Naturally, I knew this from my wife's words. How can I check? The corporation had established a network of laboratories and was engaged in something specific. I'm certain that government agencies knew what it was, otherwise they wouldn't have allowed anything illegal. If not government agencies, who can control big business? Certainly not ordinary citizens.

In my world, there had been an ongoing epidemic of a new dangerous virus for a year. The news claimed it was highly perilous and urged urgent vaccination. However, I didn't know a single person who had died from this virus. Many friends and acquaintances had contracted it, but in mild forms, without any fatalities or severe complications. Vika shrugged and said she didn't know anything. They forced my wife to get vaccinated at her workplace. I hesitated for a long time, but before my death, I had to roll up my sleeve for the injection as well. Otherwise, they wouldn't grant me permission to leave the country, and an important business trip had been planned for me.

Conspiracy theorists claimed that there was no virus at all, and that the hysteria surrounding it was merely a ploy to make money from vaccines and establish stricter control over society. Perhaps they were right to some extent, as control was indeed intensifying and citizens' rights were diminishing. Taxes were raised, social benefits and privileges were reduced, and countries closed their borders to unrestricted entry. New documents were introduced without which it was impossible to move around. They even threatened to close off regions within the country. People were dissatisfied, but no one took action. There were few protest rallies planned in the capital, but the police and militarized squads easily and forcefully dispersed the gatherings. Criminal cases were fabricated, and activists simply disappeared.

Conspiracy theorists spread the opinion that soon global corporations would establish a dictatorship worldwide. They referred to it as a new order of digital fascism. They claimed that the world and society were heading towards the total chipping of humanity, complete control over movement and financial resources, and the erosion of all rights and freedoms. They instilled fear of a new form of slavery. They spoke, wrote, and called for resistance, but in reality, there was no strength to stand against the colossal machine. There's a proverb that says, "Dogs bark, but the caravan moves on." It's impossible to stop a tank with your bare hands. There was a sense of unease in society, but people pretended that everything was fine. Everyone believed that it was necessary to be a little patient and everything would calm down, calm life would return.

I hope that the situation with my wife is just some conflict with a high-ranking individual within the corporation. Perhaps she unintentionally crossed someone, or her position became desirable, or she caught the attention of someone in the highest echelons. She is a very beautiful woman. Maybe there is a way to resolve this situation. To abandon everything, disappear, dissolve. Yes, there will be losses, but life is more valuable. If Vika has become a pawn in some global game and it involves high politics, I don't even want to think about it. They would crush our whole family like bugs. I gritted my teeth. We'll see, there's too little information.

Thinking about the problems that had appeared I stealthily made my way out of the forest. Soon, I reached a road, but I couldn't figure out my location. There were no familiar landmarks in sight. I had to climb a nearby hill. From the top, I observed a crossroad. It seemed that there was a signpost there. That's where I'm going.

Soon, I saw an intriguing sight. Next to the signpost, there was a chair, and sitting on it was a classic chubby imp. Horns, nickel, tail, gray fur, sly beady eyes.

The imp sat under a large umbrella, hiding from the scorching sun.

"Well, well," I stopped in front of him.

"Well, well," the imp repeated my words, looking at me with surprise. "Shaman!"

"Are you a wish-granter?" I tried to recall everything I knew about crossroad imps.

"No! I am the master of this crossroad!" the creature proudly puffed out its chest and sucked in its stomach.

"Uh-huh..." I looked up at the signpost; Tickrun was straight ahead. I waved my hand at the imp. "Have a nice stay."

"Wait, shaman! Do you have a cherished wish?" he slyly gleamed his eyes. "I can grant it."

"I want to travel between worlds. Physically." I got held up.

"Wow, you have quite the demands!" the creature expressed disappointment.

"That's what I thought." I turned around and walked in the desired direction.

"Maybe something simpler? Money... Power... Women..."

I didn't listen; it was all empty to me.

***

Long ago, in my youth, I met an old practitioner, a mage of my non-magical world. It sounds absurd, but that's how it was. He had a gift, true sight. An incredible rarity. Perhaps, just like me now. He explained how it worked. It seems very similar to me now. He saw the magical essence, demons, spirits, the deceased, energies, and so on.

Once we were strolling through our large city, chatting about occult topics. He taught me many things and simply enjoyed sharing his knowledge. We touched upon the topic of crossroads and the entities that inhabit them. There is a belief that imp dwell at crossroads, eagerly waiting to fulfill your wish in exchange for an offering. So too are told terrible legends of summoning crossroads real demons and making horrible pacts. A wish in exchange for a soul. It's almost the same, but the price is higher, and the desire is more vivid. For some reason, there are numerous folktales circulating specifically about crossroads. Perhaps, not without reason.

The mage called all of that speculation and falsehood. As we were passed by a busy intersection, he described what he saw with his true sight.

According to him, above the intersection hung a massive black cloud of negative energy. It gathered there like a funnel. Within it, imps reveled, attempting to devour it all. Negativity emanated from people. They traveled with a bad mood and problems weighing them down. They got stuck in traffic, got into accidents, encountered other misfortunes. The small amount of positive emotions dissolved without a trace in this sea of negativity. And the imps kept on feasting. None of them had any intention to work, even if a mage appeared and offered them a lucrative contract. Why bother making an effort when free energy is infinite? The negativity doesn't run out; it accumulates here from the intersecting roads.

Then we went to a park. The old mage led me to an interesting crossroad. It was clean, tidy, free of litter, with green grass on either side. The mage said that a spirit, the guardian of the crossroad, resided here. A man who had passed away long ago but had defended his right to this place. He watches over his home, this place. He drives away imps and bad people. Even if a mage were to appear and offer him work, the guardian would refuse. Why would he need a job? He has his place, and he values it. He won't allow demons and malevolent spirits to appear here. Besides, why would they even want to appear here? There are other beautiful places with free energy; imps are lazy and greedy. Clean crossroads hold no negativity. What's there to do here? People with different moods walk here as well, but the positives and negatives cancel each other out. And any imbalance is rectified by the guardian of the place.

"So, summoning a demon at a crossroad is a complete lie?" I asked at that time.

"Yes and no." the mage replied. "It simply doesn't matter where you summon an entity, even on a balcony."

"There are places where it is easier to do so." I didn't understand his words.

"You're right, but a crossroad is not the best place for such a ritual." the mage smiled. "Summoning a real demon at a crossroad would be difficult."

"Why?"

"On a clean one, such as this one." the man waved his hand. "The guardian of the crossroad would interfere. Why would he allow a demon to appear in his domain?"

"And what about a bad one?"

"There, the imps themselves would interfere. Why would they welcome competition?"

***

Therefore, that imp lied. It will never fulfill my wish; it feeds in a different way. I strongly doubt it is the owner of the crossroad. More likely, it is a malicious imp that sabotages wagon wheels, causes trouble in various ways, and then bathes and consumes negativity.

By evening, I arrived in Tikrun. I agonized the whole way with the sack that had a live hare in it. Several times, I had the urge to release it, but I managed to find the strength to bring the offering to Avdot. It was already dark when I opened the door to Lira's house. The woman was delighted to see me return and hurried to the kitchen to warm up dinner.

"Evan, what's with your armor?" Lira asked during dinner.

However, the woman managed to notice the traces of a battle. A long gash ran across the chest of my brigandine armor. The bent vambraces also attracted unnecessary attention, as did the snapped leather strap that held together the halves of the left vambrace. I should have taken off the armor before entering the house to avoid unnecessary questions, but I had forgotten.

"I got snagged on a branch, not a lucky encounter," I casually waved my hand.

"Uh-huh, and the branch was sharp enough to leave marks on the metal?"

"Oh, come on, Lira, you worry too much. I should have tested the new armor."

"A tester, huh? What did you hit to bend such thick metal?" the woman persisted, unwilling to be pacified.

She hasn't seen my gloves yet. Perhaps it's easier to throw them away. I'm satisfied with the armor. It truly gives me an advantage in battle. I just forgot that the energy goes through my gloves and it irrevocably deteriorates. In any case, I'll take them to the master. Let him say what can be done. It's good that the assassins had money. My finances were quite meager before venturing into the woods. But even now, I can't say that I've become significantly wealthier.

"How was the expedition?" Lira asked.

"Everything's fine," I replied, chewing on the delicious food.

"Tell me more," the woman requested.

"Well... I left the city, got attacked by bandits... I went into the woods, built a shelter, spent the night, and returned home. The weather was good, and the hunt was successful."

"Bandits? What bandits?" the woman exclaimed, waving her hands.

"Just some regular... Three idiots. They wanted to rob me. I suppose they liked my equipment," I should have legalized the damages on my armor; clearly, she didn't believe the story about the branches.

"No, look at him! They're just regular bandits! Did you escape?" she exclaimed, once again waving her hands. It seems like her habit is starting to annoy me.

"Of course! I'm not going to fight them, am I!? Well... I had to a little. One unexpectedly struck me with a sword, another tried to stab me with a spear, but I dodged and ran away. Nothing interesting."

"Horrible! I won't let you go anywhere anymore!" Lira decisively declared, waving her hand as a sign of prohibition.

"We'll see," I didn't argue, but the woman understood everything. I handed her an empty cup.

"Men," the elderly woman grumbled indignantly. "They're all the same! What if they kill you out there?"

"It happens."

"Evan, you're unbearable!"

"You're not the first one to tell me that, Lira," I smiled and stood up from the table. "Thank you. I'm going to sleep, I'm tired. Good night."

"Oh-ho... Good night."

I went upstairs to my room and closed the door.

"Avdot, where are you?"

"Good evening, shaman," the house spirit peeked out of the closet and waved at me.

"I brought you a gift," I lightly kicked the bag, and the hare inside started moving.

"What is it?"

"It's a live hare from the forest. I didn't know how to dedicate it to you, so I had to bring it alive from the woods."

"Thank you so much for this, and my humble bow to you," the house spirit blossomed. Before me, the runic name of Avdot appeared in my mind.

"Do we have a shovel in the house?" he nodded. "Bring it to the backyard."

I picked up the bag, a knife, and headed to the small yard behind the kitchen. Lira was busy in the bathroom, and unnoticed, I slipped outside. Soon, Avdot appeared with a shovel. I dug a small hole, pulled out the hare, snapped its neck, carved the runes of the house spirit, and quickly buried the animal's body. I camouflaged the grave and went back inside.

Avdot stood outside with a blissful look. It is extremely rare for house spirits to receive offerings of life force a creature. Usually, they feed on the emotions of the residents house or their offerings in the form of milk, bread, or sweets. And that is if people with understanding and knowledge.

Soon, Avdot appeared in my room:

"Thank you, Evan," he bowed low. "Now I understand what we lost when the mages exterminated the shamans and hid the knowledge from people."

"Take care of me! And protect me!" I smiled. "Avdot, I need you to introduce me to Lyabun."

"Of course," the house spirit nodded. "Just let me know when you're ready."

"Tomorrow night," I said and fell asleep.