The extent of the mountain range was expansive as it was majestic. The white peaks scraping the sky, lush verdant green side became the home of a wide array of ecosystems.
The sight had always been one of my favorite’s as a child, it always left me awestruck at how beautiful and relaxing nature could be. It was possibly also one of the reasons that before he lost his mother he loved going out into nature with his family on camping trips.
Just like this memory.
For the first time in years I was dreaming, and it wasn't a nightmare. As for how I knew it was a dream and not a reality?
Well, my mother was there.
She was helping my father prep the campsite bringing all the items out from the SUV. It was owned by my fathers boss who recently had been really impressed by my fathers work and told him about some property his own family used for camping back when he was younger.
With his approval, my father was allowed to drive up here with us and to enjoy a weekend with the family, and as for the wildlife, besides the occasional deer, there was nothing to worry about.
“Honey could you hold your brother's hand he’s a bit nervous about the forest. Let him know there’s nothing to worry about. If anything does pop up your father and I will make short work of it!”
Her youthful encouragement got a laugh from my father who responded back to my little brother with further reassuring words.
“Papa’s really strong so don’t you boys worry!”
Honestly, I couldn’t ever tell who the children actually were at times, but it didn't really matter because I was happy as I think I ever was.
The day continued on exactly as I remembered it. First, my father spent over an hour setting up the tents, struggling as they kept on falling back down, his frustration causing both my mother and brother to laugh while I relaxed in a hammock id set up next to the site, my own soft chuckle overshadowed by my dad who started to laugh as well.
After that, my mom pulled my nine-year-old self at the time out of the hammock complaining that it was family time, and we were going to go fishing together. I manage to catch the tiniest thing while my brother caught a fish as large as his arm. I remember being a little jealous but otherwise happy for him.
Mom who had once been interested in birdwatching back during her college years brought out some of her old gear and tried finding out the type of birds that lived around our campsite. Unfortunately, besides an eagle far in the distance, we didn't really luck out on any interesting birdwatching. At first, I had been worried mom was going to be devastated but taking it in stride she said it was time for dinner, and how chicken was on the menu. That night at dinner she ate half a chicken herself, and it's not till now that I realized that had been her way of taking care of her annoyance at not finding any birds.
The day was coming to a close as we huddled together around a fire cooking smores. My brother was already asleep and my father had fallen into a food coma so it left just me and mom eating marshmallows.
“Issy, today was great day wasn’t it?”
The me of the time was also skirting the line of sleep but still managed to answer.
“Hmmm, it was fun mom. But can tomorrow we relax on the hammocks?”
A soft giggle left her as she wrapped me in her arms.
“Ah my lazy sloth child, what will I do about you.”
The crackling warmth of the fire was the only response she got as the dream came to the end, and once again awoke to a world without my mom.
Without anyone from my family.
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Ezeka
The looming immense gothic styled mansion was an odd sight to be seen, but not an unbelievable one. The rich did like their inconvenient antiquated architecture.
As for the owner of the mansion, she was a captivating woman who took her riches and spent them on the less fortunate. In this case, those less fortunate were some of the orphans of the small city of Nit, one of the five cities on Shentali.
With only around a fourth of the planet not being a wasteland or ocean, there wasn't as much habitable land as other planets, and they didn't have the capital to terraform the wastelands.
To make up for this, even the smallest city of Nit was over 75 kilometers in size, with some areas being densely populated and others being reserved for the more wealthy.
Ezeka was just returning from buying something extremely expensive at the merchant's district in what would be considered the downtown of Nit.
Her Black chariot was just landing at its designated spot when she spotted two men in Yuelstien Corp uniforms standing in front of her mansions wide door. Jecci stood in front of them, her anger evident by the crimson flush covering her face.
With haste she got out and briskly walked towards them, her choice of a dress becoming a hindrance as the long tight skirt was not meant for such movement.
“I told you multiple times already fool, we are a private institution! Your selfish corporation can’t take the children just because you have the government at your beck and call! Now get out of here before I turn you both into ice sculptures.”
Frustration filled Ezeka, those greedy fools were already expanding their hands into all the orphanages. They did this every ten years but this time the number of orphans turned protogium has made them make their moves at a considerably faster rate. Children without parents were usually a lot easier to control.
“I’m sorry miss but the law clearly states we have the authority to inspect and record all of the orphans that had ignited. We also have some readings from our experts that some of your children might have gained a donum seed. It is of the greatest importance that you allow us to enter, otherwise, we will be forced to bring the guardsmen with a warrant.”
A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.
Jecci scowl was bone-chilling, causing the man who hadn't spoken up to shiver, though Ezeka could catch the barest hint of lust in those eyes.
How was it that the deviants always somehow found their way near poor Jecci.
Finally arriving at the door the two men felt her presence and turned to face Ezeka who completely understood the situation.
“If I’m not mistaken gentlemen my dear assistant has already stated that we are privately run. I am quite knowledgeable on the law, so stop with your nonsense and get of my estate.”
“But!..” The man was ready to continue arguing as he had with Jecci but Ezeka wasn’t going to give them the chance.
“Now your superiors can't say I didn't provide you with a warning. Jecci please escort these men off the grounds. Just don’t kill them.”
“Of course Madame! Circumda me inimicus, Gelida carcerem!
“Wait?! What?!!!” Was all the man was able to yell before Jecci created a frozen prison around them denying them the chance to put up any form of resistance with their own abilities.
The chant had been mostly for those prying eyes in the form of drones just outside of her property. Jecci’s mastery over ice was deep enough were something like this didn't need to be spoken allowed, but she didn’t need to let others know that.
Frozen in shock both literally and metaphorically the men were unable to resist as Jecci pushed their ice prison outside Ezeka’s property where she then let go of her hold on the ice and let it thaw out.
As weak as those men might have seemed they were Protogium so something like that shouldn't kill them. Though it was likely Ezeka was going to get some ‘tougher' visitors in the coming weeks.
Returning quickly Jecci bowed, her shoulders still shaking a little bit because of her anger.
“I’m sorry Madame I couldn’t get rid of them myself. I was hesitant even though you told me we were completely in the right, and I'm sorry for that!”
Anger directed at herself, Jecci was disappointed that she had even considered those imbeciles words after Ezeka had confirmed the situation to her long before.
“It’s not your fault Jecci.” Ezeka’s hand gently resting on Jecci’s shoulder her words full of affection towards the young woman before who she had raised from a child.
“Those corporate dogs will do whatever it takes for a promotion, and right now gathering ignited children is their greatest chance at that. Nothing short of violence would have gotten them to leave the grounds. Now cheer up, we have a new child that I want you to meet.”
“New child? How?”
Jecci was also aware that the orphanage would soon be no more but she assumed that Ezeka would simply move to another planet and start over again. Ezeka’s never seemed to struggle for money, and all the children experienced well of lives in the orphanage with, the best of learning tools and other high-end facilities. Some of the individuals who once lived there even questioned if such a place could be called an orphanage when they were all provided things only the rich could afford.
“Technically he isn’t a child of Shentali so I don't have to report him at the moment but for now don't let any outsiders learn of his existence yet. I don't want to give the Yuelstien Corporation any more reasons to come snooping by.”
“Of course Madame, these words stay between the two of us.”
Satisfied that the situation had been resolved, Ezeka made her way into her home hoping the little runt sleeping in her bed hadn’t woken up and made a mess of her room.
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Isaac
The warmth of the covers around me was divine. I don't think I've ever felt something so soft and silky. It didn't feel like I was in a bed. It was more like a cloud, the fluffy type too.
Unfortunately, the urge to take a leak had been building and I don't think I'll be able to hold it for much longer.
Removing the comfy sheets I noticed how clear my mind was. The madness from the night before gone, as I accepted the sad truth after reliving my memory in a dream.
That I wasn’t ever going to see my family again.
Such thoughts once before would have sent me over the edge, but that dream, I don't know what it had done but it freed my mind. A refreshing wave it brought, wiping away all the dark thought that had begun to build up again. I was still devastated but I felt like could properly grieve this time. Even my crazy bits seemed to have fallen asleep as I couldn't even feel its effect on me.
To confirm my thoughts the bright blue sun outside the window greeted me. All those details I’d glossed over, also came rushing back at me through last nights memories.
The flying car like objects, the otherworldly architecture of the city around me, the fucking totally different stars in the sky. Yes the dam stars were different, and not in the distinctive hemisphere different, no these stars were brighter and denser than even those seen out in the desert.
So that opened my options up to three possibilities. One this was all some sort of sick joke where some really rich assholes made all this to fuck with me. Two I was so far in the dam future the starry sky had somehow changed. Or three, I’d been Isekai into another world just like those anime my mother used to enjoy.
Considering the state of my body and the strange unknown language the pretty lady named Ezeka from the night before had spoken, three seemed to be the likeliest option. Though her terrible excuse for English did throw a small wrench in this option.
“Fuck I gotta pee badly.”
Succeeding in crawling out of the kingsized bed was a trial of effort but eventually, my small body reached the edge where I pushed the lavender curtains aside and got a good look at the room a was in.
Mankins wearing apparel of all manner of clothes from dresses to lingerie, or at least that what I thought it was filled the well-decorated room.
Then a few bad thoughts popped into my head.
Did that lady really put me in her bed? Was she actually a pedo? Did she take my purity?
A heated blush filled my face as the perverted images filled my mind before my rational side swept them away.
The blankets on the bed had all been tightly wrapped around me so nothing could have happened. The couch by the door 5 meters away also had some blankets draped over it so it was likely that she slept on it, though as to why she choose to put me on her bed instead of there was ridiculous.
Even to a child, we’d only just met, there was no reason for her to give up her own bed for me. This time the blush came back though it was due to my embarrassment at the situation.
My father had always told me way back that man should always give up his bed for a lady if need be, yet here I was hogging the incredibly comfortable king-sized bed while the lady who had helped him rested on a very uncomfortable looking couch. So much for trying to be a gentleman now.
Anyhow besides failing one of my father's lesson in being a gentleman as he called them, I need to find a bathroom, and badly.
Making my way to the door and opening it, I was greeted with a long well-decorated hallway with large windows on either side. It reminded me of a castle from movies I watched as a child. Well technically I was still a child so I guess saying from back home would be more accurate.
The hallway was one way and stretched for ten meters before connecting into what I assumed was the main building. This Ezeka’s room must be a wing of the main building, as I couldn't find any other doors anywhere.
Taking the chance I made my way down the hallway, the soft luxurious carpet making my feet feel like they were walking on heaven.
“Dam this lady lives high class, wonder why her office was so simple last night.”
“EEK” A small girls shrill knocked me out of my thoughts as various other children voices began screeching as well.
The noise spurred me into movement as I ran down the steps into a large room full of children, though something was off. The air smell strange. Stagnant even. As though it was rotting.
Pushing asides the kids so full fear they didn't even notice his arrival I came before the strangest scene since arriving where the hell this was.
A cute small blonde child was sobbing on her knees as the rug around her turned black and ashen. Her clothes seemingly decomposing away as a strange wave of mystical energy rolled of her.
That something reeking of death and decay.
I then remembered one fact that was almost always an ironclad rule when being Isekaied
“Fuck. This worlds got magic to doesn't it…."