Dear readers,

I have been too busy with Uni-work and other personal projects to continue writing this adventure. So... I'll be taking a break from it for one month and will be returning on the first of November. I'll return to posting one chapter per week and who knows... I might even post two. Sorry for the inconvenience and see you after Halloween! Anyway, here is a short story about one of Sarah's cult members, Jim.

Jim was a regular working-class dude despite his association with the cult and had contributed nothing to the cause ever since his indoctrination besides cheering with the crowd. Yet... one day, he and several others finally met their glorious leader. The other fanatics were going nuts but to Jim, she looked like an ordinary kid and felt relief. That very thought died as soon as he heard they were going to fight a bunch of mutated cultists. Despite being granted, Jim didn't feel safe among his brethren, looking for ways to stay out of the conflict.

They gathered in a strange room where Sarah and her friends split, her followers growing fearful and anxious. It was a golden opportunity and slip his presence elsewhere, yet- he was awestruck by the appearance of a beautiful lady who was a blooming sunflower among dead shrubs. Her face, however, was filled with enough excitement to tell that her belief was above the rest. A signal was given and the members rushed into the fray. Countless daggers, swords, and axes clash against each other creating a rising chaotic tempo but his attention is focused as Jim struggles to catch up to her.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

In terms of combat prowess, he was a bit above the rest thanks to many self-defense classes his child-self went through, and a long-forgotten dream of becoming a hero returned him. As the flames of desire reignited within him, a shadowy aura manifested from his foot, and Jim- teleported behind the enemy in front of him, his dagger dug deep into the cultist's heart. It was his kill but he felt nothing but a sense of satisfaction. Witnessing more and more enemies crowding around his crush, the aura appears once more and he blinks again and again. His actions left the others shocked, saying "Impossible...".

One by one, a crowd of cultists falls apart as Jim takes away their life. His eyes, however, are filled with rage as he sees her unconscious and full of stab wounds. His hand reaches out and- he switches places with the girl, taking a total of ten cuts into his back. This is it, the end of the line... at least, he could die knowing he was a hero. A stray wave of electricity passes over him and kills the surrounding cultists as he faints.

The next day, Jim was in a hospital next to the lady of his dreams, expecting she wouldn't remember him. Looking away then looking back, her face is suddenly next to his. She was standing despite her injury and leaned in for a kiss. Her name was Jana and the two got married, living happily ever after.

Note: This will not in any way shape or form will come later on in the series : )