I increasingly recalled my family. I missed them terribly. My heart was constricted with longing for home and the children. I tossed and turned for a long time, unable to fall asleep. As soon as I closed my eyes, vivid images would appear. The familiar faces looked sad, and the children silently gazed at me. Sorrow and disapproval froze in their eyes. It tore my soul apart. Tears streamed down my cheeks on their own. I couldn't bear the torment any longer and abruptly stood up. I approached the fireplace and threw in some logs. The flame eagerly embraced the offering. A broth made from forest berries calmed me down a little. The sorrow diminished slightly but didn't disappear. It seemed like it had permanently settled within me. Why is it so lousy on the soul?

Outside the tower, the night was dark and full of dangers. Predators roared in the distance. Somewhere nearby, a cricket chirped. Earthy frogs croaked.

I made another attempt to fall asleep. This time, it happened quickly. I wish I hadn't done it. I had the most terrifying nightmare. I stood as an intangible spirit at my own funeral. There were many people there. Their faces were veiled in mist. I didn't recognize anyone except for my closest family. The faces of my family were frozen like masks. Even my youngest son was unusually quiet. Pain and sorrow were frozen in their eyes. My eldest son struggled to hold back tears. I saw it all. I could feel his pain. We had always been very close. My soul was being torn apart into pieces. It hurt to see my family in such a state, but I couldn't turn away, I couldn't wake up. And I didn't want to. If I were to leave now, would I ever see them again?

I approached my children. How quickly my eldest child had grown. My son stood there, staring at a single point on the gravestone of my grave. I placed my hand on his head and tousled his light hair. They stirred as if moved by a random gust of wind. Leaning towards his ear, I whispered, "I will return, protect them while I'm gone." My son's face brightened, and he faintly smiled, whispering into emptiness, "Okay, dad."

I woke up as if surfacing from the depths of the ocean. I sat up abruptly, clutching my chest, torn apart by sorrow and pain. Tears streamed continuously from my eyes. I felt an incredible weakness engulfing me. I was squeezed as if by a lemon. But before my eyes were the faces of my family, my sons. The words echoed in my ears like a tolling bell. I understood that my promise was almost impossible to fulfill, but I also knew that I would give everything and never stop. I will seek a way to reach them. How much time will it take? Will they still need me in years? Decades? But I will search for them!

The dawn had already broken, and a new day was beginning. Behind the thick walls of the tower, birds were singing. I went to wash myself in the river. My clothes clung to my body, and I could wring water out of my shirt. The weakness had receded, but I still felt a swaying sensation from side to side. My head ached, and my ears throbbed. I didn't bother undressing and simply walked into the water. Ah, it felt good. I could feel the cold water washing away the remnants of the nightmarish experience. I stood in the cold water for a while, lost in thought. Was it just a dream? An astral journey? Could I have truly visited my own funeral? I have no experience with astral travel. I don't have any answers.

"When?" I muttered and immediately answered myself, " Usually the next day... Shouldn't take long. "

I'm here for six days, and they're only burying me there. That means time passes differently for us, one day to every five or one to every three. That's good, that's wonderful, and I'm grateful for that. If it's true, I have time. I have a chance to see my children when they're still young, not grown men or elderly individuals, or just to pay my respects at their graves.

How can I help them? Only with information. My wife has full access to my passwords and finances. Everything is straightforward, everything is documented. She's intelligent, she'll figure it out. The only thing Vika doesn't know about is the existence of two cryptocurrency wallets. They don't hold a significant amount, but it's better than nothing. It would at least provide some help and compensation for my foolishness. I need to find a way to communicate this information. I hope there will still be an opportunity.

I began to feel cold. It seems like I managed to pull myself together. I climbed out of the water and quickly washed my only set of clothes. The fabric will dry quickly in the sun, so I'll stay naked for now. Who should I be ashamed of here? Rabbits and birds? I walked towards the entrance of the tower, contemplating my next steps.

"Good..." I trailed off, not finishing the greeting.

I saw three individuals who had occupied the first floor of the tower. I had already considered the ruins as my own, so the behavior of the rangers provoked indignation within me. Two men and a young woman looked at me with caution, all ther dressed in dusty, worn-out clothing. The guests appeared tired and tense, but my appearance wasn't unexpected to them. They had already explored the ruins and were convinced that someone was living here. The men were prepared. A tall, robust man squinted his eyes as if he had taken aim at me. A dull glint of a knife blade caught my attention in his palm. Another stood to the right of the entrance, clearly positioned strategically. He shielded himself with a shield and held an axe in his right hand. I noticed several short spears next to him against the wall. The woman was half-lying on the stairs. Her face was pale, and she had a sickly appearance, but her eyes were intensely studying me. I noticed numerous kvits on her body. I had never seen such spirits before.

"Oh..." I blushed and covered the interesting spot with my wet clothes. From the warriors' glances, I understood that I shouldn't make any sudden movements. "I... I... Should I get dressed? Over there..."

The big man nodded, and I left the first floor of the tower.

"Hey! Come back!" the woman shouted after me.

The men chuckled softly. I heard a few sharp jokes about my manhood directed at my back. It lightened the mood slightly, but I shouldn't deceive myself. Anything could happen at any moment. My situation was precarious, and life was worth less than a small coin. I pulled on my wet shirt and pondered why they had arrived so early. I had expected to encounter rangers only around noon or in the evening, but here they were in the morning.

Following me out of the tower, a large man appeared. The big guy descended the steps and stopped a few paces away from me. In his right hand, he held the sword I had found in the bushes. The blade gleamed menacingly, reflecting the sunlight. The situation looked dire. I didn't like the way the man was looking at me. The ranger height was imposing, standing at around one meter and ninety centimeters. He seemed like a true giant to me. His muscles, visible even beneath his thick clothing, commanded respect. I hopped on one leg, trying to fit my other leg into the pant leg, but I couldn't manage it. The wet fabric clung tightly and resisted with all its might. I couldn't hold on any longer and ended up falling. Something sharp pierced painfully into my backside. I almost cried in pain and frustration. It looked incredibly foolish, but no one even thought to smile.

"Who are you, kid?" The man's voice lacked any hint of amusement, only tense anticipation.

The second ranger stood still in the entrance of the tower, providing backup to his comrade. He held a short spear in his hand. When did they manage to switch weapons? I could see that the stocky ranger was ready to throw the spear at me at any moment. All it would take is a split second, and it would pierce through me.

"I... I'm... Evan." I struggled to force my name out.

I continued sitting on the ground, looking up at the men with wide eyes. I hoped I appeared harmless, and they wouldn't raise a hand against a foolish boy.

"I didn't know these ruins belonged to someone. I've been living here for a few days. I haven't stolen anything! Please don't drive me away, sirs! I don't want to die! I've seen a large lynx and a massive bear. They're very close by. Please forgive me..."

"Quiet." the eyebrows of the large man lowered slightly. He squatted down and tilted his head slightly to the side. His sword in his hand looked like my death sentence. The man's eyes scrutinized me attentively. "Where are you from?"

"I live nearby, in a village called Vodyanka," I quickly replied, trying not to make any sudden movements. It seem the big man don't believe me. "Where is it? I don't know... I don't recognize this forest at all! It feels like the mountains are closer than usual, but how... I don't understand. I got lost. Please don't drive me away. I'm not..."

"Silence." the ranger said softly. I obediently shut my mouth. "Tell us in order, without sob stories. How did you end up in the forest? And don't lie."

"In my village, there is a custom where the residents make a sacrifice to the forest spirit. It happens once every ten years. This time, the lot fell to me. I... " Something sharp continued to press against my rear end. I sobbed. A tear rolled down my cheek on its own. "Father and the other men led me to the oak tree in the forest. It was huge, thick, and unmistakable... The men tied me to it. Father kept his eyes hidden and remained silent. And when no one was looking, he dropped his knife in the grass beside me. They all left. I was so scared! The wind howled... I couldn't bear it; I was a coward. I cut the rope and ran away. Where should I go? I couldn't go home. I walked through the forest, and everything seemed like an illusion, as if someone was watching me from behind. I looked around, but there was no one. I got scared again and ran. I don't know how long I ran for. It was already dusk when I stumbled upon these ruins. There was no one; I was all alone. I'm afraid to go anywhere. Where should I go? Home? I'm a coward; I'm a disgrace to my parents. The Forest Spirit was supposed to devour me, but I'm alive. That means I betrayed all the villagers. What should I do now? Where should I go? "

"What's the headman's name?" the big ranger asked again.

"Grandpa Petrusc passed away on the last moon. Now Uncle Ayurii is taking his place," I answered. I remembered it from Evan, I took advantage of his knowledge.

"Alright," the man glanced at his partner. "Do you remember him, Petr?"

"I do," nodded the sturdy ranger. "Evan? What's your father's name?"

"Yagef, he's a blacksmith."

"Good," the big man stood up. "Stay here, kid. Petr, keep an eye on him."

The ranger disappeared into the tower. I finally managed to put on my pants. Petr sat down on the steps and silently watched me. The sturdy ranger had placed a short spear next to him. I was sure that in an instant the weapon would be in me if I did something stupid. Could I dodge it? I hope I wouldn't have to find out. Hanging from the man's belt was an axe in a special ring. Two small knives were cleverly attached to the thick leather vest in some way. They were probably specialized throwing weapons. The design reminded me of the equipment used by special forces in my world. Soldiers in my world similarly attached various things to their bulletproof vests: knives, grenades, bags, and all sorts of useful items. Everything was much more technologically advanced in my world, but here it looked impressive and practical. I never expected anyone here to come up with something like that. Maybe it was Petr's invention? His partner didn't have anything similar.

This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

The Domovoy appeared and settled next to me.

"Stay quiet and act like nothing's happening. They can't see me," Atzhas stated the obvious. "Unexpected guests arrived, and I couldn't warn you. This group of rangers often stays here. The woman is a mage named Illa. She's impulsive, self-absorbed, and very suspicious. Illa is inexperienced, recently out of the academy. For some reason she's without protection, she's picked up some kvits somewhere. They will kill her quickly if nothing is done. The big man is Brin, the group's leader. Mages, in general, don't easily submit to ordinary people. Initially, the rangers simply wanted to kill you."

I choked on the air and started coughing.

"Take a breath. There's nothing to worry about anymore," the Domovoy continued. "Illa didn't see any danger in you. She recognized you as a normal boy. The rangers recognized you too; they have been to your village and even saw you there. That's why you're still alive. It wouldn't have stopped them anyway, but you got lucky again."

"Why?" I coughed into my fist, hiding the question from Petr.

"Your father has done a lot of good for the rangers. Brin considers himself indebted to your father. And he treats you well because you found his sword," the Domovoy explained.

I continued to maintain an innocent appearance, sitting on the ground in front of the ruins. I made sure not to look in the direction of the spirit who was generously sharing information.

"Still, be cautious, Evan. Illa is very displeased that you stumbled upon their group. Bringing along a peculiar boy like you, she considers it excessively risky. Brin has already decided to escort you out of the forest," the Domovoy warned.

I followed Atzhas advice and let out a quiet sigh of relief. I was glad to hear this news.

"You've already caused quite a mess for the woman," Atzhas grinned broadly.

I looked at the Domovoy in confusion, and Petr looked at me. Apparently, my bewildered expression appeared amusing and out of place.

"You'll find out later," the spirit snickered mischievously. "Just remember, the woman is very suspicious and never forgets a grudge."

Brin appeared in the aisle. He still held a sword in his hand, as if he had forgotten it or simply didn't want to part with his weapon. The man looked menacing and resolute. Despite Atzhas's encouraging words, panic engulfed my thoughts. If I were to jump up and sprint now, no one would catch me in the forest. The woodland spirit would ensure my safety, protect me from harm. But what would the loa demand in return? It's better not to become indebted to it.

Brin stopped and waved his hand, beckoning me towards him. I didn't move from my spot; I continued to look at him fearfully.

"What's wrong with you? Come here," the man called out again.

"Cut here," I whispered quietly in response.

I decided that adding some drama wouldn't hurt. I was playing a desperate boy in a dificult situation. It wasn't hard. I had Evan inside of me. He was helping me, he was scared shitless. So I knew how a child would behave in such a difficult situation. Evan was dead, and I had complete control over his body, as if it were my own. But I felt and knew the boy as well as myself. It's very hard to explain. With everything soon, I won't be able to separate us, we'll merge into one. I feel like it's almost happening.

"Oh?" The man hesitated and looked at the sword in his hand. "Ah, I forgot... Don't be afraid, Evan. We believe you."

I continued to sit and stare incredulously at the rangers. Brin shrugged, waved his hand, and went back into the tower.

"Well, things didn't go as planned. Evan, no one will harm you." said Petr, shrugging his shoulders. " Brin is stale but real. You can trust him."

Petr stood up, turned his back to me, and entered the ruins, following the commander. A thought flashed through my mind to run into the forest and disappear, but it would be foolish. What was the point of this whole spectacle? The Rangers believe me. I need their help. If luck favors me, I can safely leave the forest with this team. Perhaps the rangers will continue to not leave a child in distress and offer help and a place to sleep in town. I don't have money, I don't know anyone, I don't have anything. But it's too early to think about that! I pushed aside unnecessary thoughts and obediently followed the Rangers.

On the ground floor, Illa was nowhere to be found. Perhaps the woman had gone up to the second floor to rest. The woman looked bad, she seemed to feel terrible. Atzhas claimed that she didn't have much time left.

The big man was already bustling about, engaging in vigorous activity. A fire was already burning in the fireplace, and a large pot hung over it. Water was boiling. Rager was peeling vegetables. A sharp knife dancing in his hand. My rabbit lay on the table, already cut into large pieces. When did he manage to do all this? Some kind of magic.

"Let's introduce ourselves, lad," the Ranger tossed the vegetables into the pot. "My name is Brin, I'm the commander of this group. We're Rangers of the Border Guard. Evan, do you remember us?"

"No, Brin," I shook my head from side to side. Evan truly didn't remember any of them.

"Alright, we stopped in your village, stayed at your father's forge, he helped us." Brin said.

"Everyone should help the Rangers. You protect us," I replied.

"That's right," the man confirmed. "You see... It's a strange situation... Do you have any idea where you are?"

"No," I tried to convince myself of that.

"These ruins are located nine days' journey away from your village."

"How so? " I goggled at the man, then looking at the other ranger.

"It happens. " Brin muttered.

"Uh-huh," Petr confirmed, tending to his gear. "It happens in these wood. You walk, everything seems normal, but in the end, you find yourself nowhere near where you expected to be. Or you cover a great distance in just a few hours... Like your case. And it can happen the other way around too. You walk all day and it turns out you haven't made any progress at all."

"This is Petr, another Ranger," Brin introduced his companion, while continuing to prepare food. "In your village, they believe in the woodland spirit. They even offer human sacrifices to it. You would know about its mischievous acts, wouldn't you?"

"Didn't think about it," I muttered indistinctly. The man caught me in a little pretense, but it didn't mean anything. "You're right, adults have told me, but it's never happened to me. "

I sat down on the floor next to the fireplace, leaned against the wall, and closed my eyes. Somehow, Evan was certain that beyond his village, belief in spirits was scarce. It was similar to the superstitions in my world. People knew and generally believed, but when it happens to you extremely rarely, you treat it like a grandmother's tale. Something exists, but what? The Rangers believe in a woodland spirit, and that was a revelation to the boy.

"Stranger things have happened in these parts. You've lived near the woods all your life. You must have encountered a lot of unexpected things."

"Yeah... Something. " I started to think of something I could safely tell the rangers about, but it wasn't needed.

"Well, that's later..." Brin carelessly swung a spoon, causing drops of chowder to fly around the room. "You see, Evan, we're on a mission. What should we do with you? "

"I can wait here. I've lived in these ruins for a few days, I think I can handle longer."

"Good. There's another issue." The team leader raised his index finger towards the ceiling. "Our mage, Illa... She's very ill and can't keep going."

"I'll help in any way I can. I'll do whatever you say," I replied.

"You're a big boy now, and it's important for you to understand the seriousness of the situation. I can't abandon our mission. It's of utmost importance. Unfortunately, I can't assist Illa. Petr and I are leaving today, and you and she are staying here. I understand it's a lot to ask, but I have no choice. I'm asking you to take care of her. Can you do that? "

"Of course, I can. I've nursed sick people before, I can handle it."

"Good. I'm counting on you, kid. If everything goes well, we'll be back in a day. Then we'll leave the woods together. "

Brin gave me a pat on the shoulder and walked over to Petr.

The quiet conversation among the men provided me with some information. Brin exuded optimism in his demeanor, but there was not a trace of confidence in his voice. I felt like I understood this man. Brin is forced to leave a group member with a strange teenager, and it weighs heavily on him. The Ranger cannot stay; duty propels him forward.

It seems that Brin is convinced they have little chance of returning. While there may have been hope for a favorable outcome with the mage, the ordinary warriors are doomed. Gloomy Peter also showed no enthusiasm for the impending expedition. I wanted to suggest that they shouldn't go anywhere, but I wisely held my tongue. If the men have decided to tempt fate, then so be it.

While the broth was simmering, the rangers sorted through their belongings. The men emptied their bags of anything unnecessary, taking only their weapons and a little food. After they had eaten, they bid their farewells and quickly disappeared from sight into the thickets. Did they simply leave me with the sorceress? Perhaps they are testing me? I continued to sit on the floor, waiting for some kind of hint. It was quiet, with only the crackling of the cooling embers in the fireplace. Beyond the thick walls, the usual forest life continued. Suddenly, the Domovoy appeared beside me.

"They are far away, a woman on the second floor." Atzhas reported. "Everything is fine."

"How is she? " I whispered.

"The girl is not as sick and weak as she pretends to be. "

"She's pretending? " I was surprised.

"Not really, Evan. You can see spirits. The kvits will kill her in about five days. In three days, it will be difficult for her to move, but for now, she is dangerous. "

"Can you put her to sleep?"

"The mage will sense the influence. On the verge of sleep, I may give her a little push, then she won't understand anything. "

"Good. Tell me, my friend. " Atzhas didn't like my address. " Is your request very important? "

"Yes. "

"Tell me, how can I become stronger? " I could see that the Domovoy didn't want to share his secrets; he remained silent. I sighed sadly and whispered, "The road through the forest is long and full of dangers. I also need to reach the capital of the empire somehow. What awaits me on this journey? How many more centuries will you wait for the next chance?"

"Go outside. It's dangerous to talk here," the old spirit replied with dissatisfaction as he chewed his lips, and then he disappeared.

Soon, we were sitting on the riverbank, the sound of water drowning out my voice. Dense bushes hid me from the tower. If the sorceress decides to eavesdrop, she won't succeed.

"The woman is far away. Look, Evan, carve these runes into any stick. " symbols appeared before my eyes. "It's a simplest totem. Stick it in the ground and infuse runes with power. Chi activates the totem."

"What effect will I get?"

"It will send a signal into space. The nearest loa will come to you. The totem beckons, but whether to respond or not, the loa decides for themselves. Use it with caution. Anyone can answer the call. Not all loa are as kind as I am. Lots of very dangerous and cunning beasties. Trust no one!"

"Understood." The Domovoy's warning carried a double meaning. I could hardly resist looking at him skeptically. Don't trust anyone, I'm allowed - that's what they used to say in my world. It was a classic situation.

"This is a healing totem." The runes lit up before my eyes once again. " Create it in the same way. It works like a minor healing spell of mages, but lasts longer. I'm sorry, that's all I can help with."

"Totems..." I said thoughtfully. " What other kinds are there? "

"There used to be many, but shamans are long gone. Many knowledge has been forgotten. Search, interact with loa, consult ancient books. I don't know what else to advise you. Surely, the mage guild must have something. They have a vast library. They have always treasured knowledge. Of course, gaining access there is difficult. Perhaps they will grant you entry if you fulfill my task. "

"Perhaps... " I repeated thoughtfully. " Perhaps you'll remember something else? "

"No, Evan. I gave a lot and got nothing in return."

"Alright. Thank you, Grandfather Atzhas."

I took the stick and carefully carved the healing runes with my father's knife. It would be great to learn to understand them rather than simply using them thoughtlessly. I planted the totem in front of me into the ground. Rolling up the sleeve of my shirt, I swiftly slashed the blade across my forearm. A deep, jagged wound stretched from my wrist to my elbow, immediately gushing with blood. I even got a bit scared that I had gone too far. Placing my palm on the totem, I infused the carved runes with my own power. The symbols faintly glowed with a golden light.

"Enough, you could have done less," said the Domovoy, who had been watching me.

The bleeding stopped quickly. Within a hundred heartbeats, the edges began to close in. I sat there, mesmerized, as the damaged flesh fibers knitted together before my eyes. I hardly felt any pain, just a slight discomfort and itchiness. Soon there was nothing left of the wound. Only a barely visible light streak remained on the swarthy skin.

"It will work as long as there is energy, obviously."

I placed my hand on the totem and effortlessly drew back the remnants of energy from the runes. It felt easy and natural. Judging by the sensation, the healing of my wound consumed only a small amount of energy. Either the wound was minor, or the totem was highly efficient. I was very impressed. I saw with my own eyes the incredible, the action of magic. In my world, a wound like that would take weeks to heal. Here, it was over in minutes.

"This is an imperial gift. " I respectfully bowed to the Domovoy. I was really very grateful to the spirit. "Thank you once again, Grandfather Atzhas."

"Make use of it, Evan." The spirit of the tower smiled.