A creature, that had an appearance similar to a boar, was grazing off on one of the many lush fields of Teremare. Its teeth were able to crush the thick and long grass to squeeze out all the juices it could.
In its animal mind, it was happy and content. It didn’t want much, except maybe more of its species to reproduce with, and better-tasting grass. Excluding those two, the creature was very content with its current situation.
After chomping on a hefty amount of grass, the creature wanders around to look for its companion but it finds itself alone in the middle of the field.
How did that happen?
These were the creature’s simple thoughts. These past few days, it was with three others of its species. But as the days passed, the creature noticed that one by one, its companions were disappearing.
Realizing that it was alone, the boar felt a bit unsafe.
Looking around for its missing companion, the creature felt that it was being watched.
After looking around, it became thirsty. The boar-like creature leans down to drink from a nearby stream. As it drinks from the stream, the creature’s roaming eyes notice something in the water.
It was a reflection.
The boar was confused as to what it saw. Unlike the boar, the reflection of the creature could stand on two legs. It was holding a long object with something sharp attached to its end.
The boar noticed that the reflection was moving towards it.
The boar was starting to feel nervous but it was ready to run. It was fast enough to outrun most of its natural predators. Usually, its entire pack would scare off its predators but for reasons it couldn’t understand, it was alone.
Then, the bipedal creature moved.
And so did the boar.
The boar ran as fast as it could. Its body exerted strength reserved for survival and it ran away in fast gallops.
It couldn’t see its predator but it was confident that it was faster.
After a minute of continuous sprinting, the boar looks around to find that it is once again alone. It felt tired but it’s good that it managed to outrun a predator.
The boar starts to graze on the land again to recover some of its lost energy but after a few minutes of grazing, it sees the bipedal predator moving toward it.
Seeing its tenacious predator, the boar runs away at full speed.
Once more, the boar outran its predator. After a second sprint with barely any rest, the boar was starting to feel exhausted. It was not used to spriting multiple times to escape its predator.
Looking around, it approaches a nearby water source to replenish its liquids but before it could get a single sip, it sees the bipedal predator jog toward it. With its mind addled by exhaustion, the boar forgets to take a sip and immediately runs away at full speed.
The boar stops in an open plain, tired and winded. It looks for the nearest water source to take a well-deserved drink but it quickly sees the bipedal predator jogging toward it.
Terrified of this new tireless predator, the boar runs again at its full speed. It didn’t notice that its movement was getting sluggish and its running periods were getting shorter.
This chase repeats again and again until the boar finds itself collapsed on the ground, exhausted and out of energy. Its heavy breathing and lolling tongue were a sign of its overexertion and dehydration.
And like clockwork, the creature sees the bipedal predator, casually jogging toward it but the boar no longer has the energy to run.
Its breathing became tense as the bipedal predator approached it.
The boar looked at its predator and while it couldn’t understand its facial expression, it had a somber expression.
The boar watches as the bipedal predator carefully looks around. The boar was confused. It wanted to escape but it was too exhausted to even raise its head.
The bipedal predator hides its long pointy stick and pulls out a sharp rock from its fur bag.
The boar tries to make a defiant sound but its dry throat prevents it from doing so. To the boar’s surprise, the bipedal creature kneels and puts its hand on its body. It lightly caresses the boar, calming it in an otherwise stressful situation. Then the boar feels its neck bleed out as the predator’s sharp rock cuts it.
The boar couldn’t resist and its exhaustion combined with its wounds immediately took its life.
The bipedal predator sighed as he wiped the blood off his face as started to clean the boar. His knife was a very sharpened piece of stone attached to a carved piece of wood. It made it easier to handle and allowed him to make more precise cuts.
The bipedal predator was no one else except the only human in Teremarae, Michael Laurent.
Michael starts to cut the boar and remove its guts and other inedible parts. Using the information he gained from reading the log’s pages on hunting and gathering, Michael efficiently cleans and cuts the boar. If one were to see Michael, one would be impressed by how smoothly Michael was doing his job.
Michael’s current skill was the result of a year’s worth of constant practice. In fact, today is Michael’s 1st year. He’s spent a total of 365 days in Teremarae. Due to this, Michael has familiarized himself with Teremarae’s many dangerous and useful inhabitants. In addition, Michael learned a large number of skills needed to survive in Teremarae’s harsh environment.
While in the process of cleaning the boar, Michael kept his caution and continued to survey his surroundings. Once he’s sure that there’s no danger, Michael then whistles a loud but specific tune. After whistling, he returns his focus to the boar carcass.
No one replies but Michael knows that his companion will come in a minute or two.
Michael starts to cut the boar into more manageable pieces. He wraps the meat in leaves and stores them in a fur bag. Once a fur bag was full, Michael started to fill another fur bag.
Continuing his work, Michael’s senses pick up on a creature slowly approaching him. Michael smiled but he continued to cut the meat.
Then, he hears the sound of something jumping toward him. With his sharper and faster senses, Michael quickly turns around to catch the incoming creature. Michael opens his arms, not with a knife in his hand but rather with his welcoming hands.
Michael catches the small creature with both his hands. Instead of being greeted with claws and teeth, Michael feels a warm hug from the creature he caught.
Looking at the creature in his arms, Michael smiles at the small monkey. The monkey tries its best to return a smile. Its horrendously sharp teeth would scare anyone but Michael felt amused by it.
The monkey starts to sign with its hands.
Michael signs back.
The monkey nods.
But before Michael could reply with another sign, a bright blinding light flashes in the background.
The two companions turn to look at the source of the light.
They both saw a bright pillar of light falling from the skies.
Michael signs again. The little monkey signs back.
Their attention is focused on the bright shining light.
Michael frowns as he sees where the light fell. The light fell towards the evolved super reptile’s domain.
Michael shudders, remembering the evolved reptile’s form. During his stay in Teremarae and after the super reptile’s evolution, Michael has had 3 encounters with the evolved reptile, which he named Deus Draco or just Draco.
The first time was when it first evolved. Michael ran back as fast as he could.
The second time was when he needed to study the super reptile species. He managed to trail a female super reptile with the intention to steal an egg. Unfortunately for Michael, the alpha super reptile hoarded the females and killed all the males.
Apparently, the Draco wanted to spread its evolution but not in the same way it evolved, rather it wanted offspring. It wanted children that would obey it. When Michael tried to steal an egg to study, in addition to looking for a pet, he heard the Draco’s powerful and angry roar. It was near and Michael had to drop the egg. He ran a second time.
The third time was Michael’s most dangerous meeting yet.
Michael shakes his head. This was no time to reminisce. He signs to his companion, Bob.
Bob signs back.
The two of them start to pack up. Bob helps Michael by disposing of the unneeded parts while giving Michael the carefully packed meat. Once they finish packing up, the partners travel toward the Draco’s domain.
Michael gestures and Bob jumps on Michael’s back. Bob stays on Michael’s back as they traverse the thick and noisy forest.
Michael moved onward with his knife in his hand.
Once they entered the Draco’s territory, the two of them were silent. They were aware of the dangers of this area. Due to Michael’s sharp hearing, he hears a familiar sound.
~Growl~
Michael’s body tensed but he knew what this type of growl was. It was the growl of one of the non-evolved female super reptiles.
In the time Michael has spent in Teremarae becoming stronger, he has categorized most animals into three levels in terms of evolution and danger.
Non-adaptive, Normal, and Super.
Michael considered an animal to be non-adaptive if it has barely evolved and poses no threat in its base state. Non-adaptive animals are usually the result of weak animals living in a relatively safe environment without human interference. If the muckat didn’t evolve, Michael would have put it in the non-adaptive category. These animals tend to be weak or lack the skills to fight against powerful evolved creatures.
Normal animals have evolved a reasonable number of times and have their unique defense mechanisms like the Muckat, which Michael is personally very fond of.
Super animals or superspecies is a category where the creatures evolved in a particular way that makes them apex predators. As far as Michael knows at this early period of Teremarae, these are the most dangerous creatures on the planet.
After creating the system, Michael categorized the non-evolved super reptile in the normal category. In comparison to the Draco, its non-evolved kin was manageable.
During his time here, Michael has met two creatures he would consider superspecies.
The Draco was the first superspecies he encountered and the reason he even made the superspecies category. During his travels, he met the second superspecies. It was a herbivore but it did not detract from the fact that Michael considered it a superspecies. He named it the Batan Titan or just Batan.
Ever since he put the non-evolved super reptiles in the normal category, Michael felt more confident in facing them. In addition to his confidence, Michael’s body has become exceptionally stronger and tougher over the past few months. He became very skillful in tool usage as well.
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If he were to compare himself to himself months ago, it was like comparing a young child to a top athlete that regularly competed in the Olympic triathlon.
Michael searched for the source of the growl. It wasn’t too far nor too near but Michael knew that it was close. He heard the growl again but this time, it was weaker.
~Growl~
Michael felt confused. The super reptile was moving away from him.
The super reptile was hunting but it was looking for something else. And for some reason, it didn’t attack Michael who was already nearby.
Michael found that weird.
The super reptiles weren’t a species that avoided challenging other dangerous species if they needed to eat.
Unless it found something easier to hunt.
Michael’s eyes widened as he thought of the flash of light.
He started running after the super reptile.
----------------------------------------
There was a dark and empty void. It lacked the presence of any visible creature or object.
In this empty void, there were two entities. They were both unseen to the eye, invisible in this dark empty but they felt each other. Despite their lack of describable traits, one of the unseen entities was clearly more felt than the other. This larger entity was the first to speak of the two.
“Yada yada, you died, yada yada, no point mincing it, hello.”
The smaller entity heard a tired voice talk to her. She calls out to the void.
“Is someone there?”
A sigh comes from the black void. The tired voice continues.
“Sorry, I was just a bit busy and annoyed. Hello, let’s start again.”
The smaller entity was confused.
What???
The large entity replied with slight sarcasm.
“It’s rude to shout in your mind. I can hear you.”
The smaller entity seems to shrink after being scolded.
Oh… sorry…
But the smaller entity immediately regains its size when it realizes the situation it was in.
“Wait! I mean, where am I?!”
The larger entity groans.
“Ughh… Give me a sec.”
The dark void is suddenly replaced with a blinding light and Evelyn finds herself unable to see for a moment.
Evelyn finds herself floating in the dark vacuum of space. Fortunately for her, a star is behind her and she manages to see her surroundings. Underneath her, she sees a large lush green planet. Immediately, she was entranced.
“Woah… That’s beautiful.”
The larger entity seemed laidback in its response.
“It is, isn’t it?”
“Yeah! That looks amazing!”
For a moment, Evelyn forgets the fact that she’s missing a body in the darkness of space. She looks at the planet in awe.
“Well, I’m glad you like it. You’ll be living there now.”
Despite her awe, Evelyn manages to blurt out.
“Oh… wow that seems ni- WAIT! WHAT?!”
Looking at the planet and then toward the source of the voice which is just a random spot in the void, Evelyn shouts again.
“I’m gonna live there?!”
The large entity replied.
“Yes.”
Calming down, Evelyn asks the disembodied voice a question.
“Ummm, can I ask why?”
“Well, you were chosen and also because you won the lottery.”
“Oh, so I won living on this planet?”
“You should call it by its name.”
Evelyn was about to scoff but realizes that it’s not smart to piss off the disembodied voice who seems to control the situation, so she controls herself. Respectfully, Evelyn asks about the planet’s name.
“What is its name?”
The voice replied.
“Teremarae. It means… You know what, you’ll figure it out when you’re there.”
Evelyn imagined herself nodding.
“Teremarae huh?”
“Yes, it would be rude to call her just a planet. You wouldn’t want to be called just a girl right, Evelyn?”
Evelyn felt her absent heart skip a beat when she realizes that the entity knew her name.
“Ho-how do you know my name?”
“I know many things, Evelyn.”
Evelyn’s mind turns to the possibility of God or some other entity, a demon perhaps.
“I’m not a demon Evelyn, although some consider me to be.”
“A-are you God?”
God chuckled as he replied to Evelyn.
“Yes, I’m God. Although, I’ve been liking Goddess as of late. Michael seems to find me attractive after all.”
Evelyn could hear a girlish chuckle in the void.
Huh? That’s weird… Earlier, it was a manly voice…
“Don’t mind it. I choose to appear when I choose to. You shouldn’t restrain your thoughts about me. I am all and nothing at all. Male or female shouldn’t be your limitation to me.”
Evelyn liked that.
“I like that… so should I call you Goddess?”
“Yes. God or Goddess, they are the same for me. I have many names as well but these two are my most common names.”
“Okay, Goddess… What is Teremarae?”
Goddess smiles behind the veil.
“I’ll explain it in a bit.”
Evelyn nods. Having already explained it to Michael before, Goddess explains the basic idea of what Teremarae is to Evelyn. Evelyn listens intently.
“So… a planet with different rules huh? Like different physics and biology?”
“Yes.”
Evelyn was silent for a few seconds but she continued.
“That’s interesting… but can I ask a question?”
“Of course. And since you’re so attentive, unlike a certain someone, I’ll give you 5 questions.”
Evelyn can’t help but think that she’s being compared to someone.
“5 questions? Is that the normal amount?”
Goddess chuckles.
“Well, you’re the 2nd person about to enter Teremarae so I don’t have enough data to average things out but I like you so… you know, I choose to be biased.”
Evelyn laughs at the obvious favoritism. She energetically replies.
“Okay! Thank you… So! my first question… earlier you seemed angry. Why is that?”
While she couldn’t see Goddess, Evelyn could sense the invisible entity's smile.
“Ahhh… always the social butterfly. You always did care for others first.”
Evelyn would have blushed if she had a body but she didn’t, so she continued.
“I already know that but come on, if there’s anyone I would ask if they were having troubles, it would be Goddess!”
“Yes, I know. Well, why do you think I’m angry?”
Evelyn stopped talking for a bit. Carefully thinking
“Because someone or something is important being affected?”
Goddess replied, already having predicted Evelyn’s words.
“Partly true. Something important is being affected. I’m not angry because of that, it’s simply the emotion I’m choosing to manifest. After all, it is the most fitting for the current situation.”
Evelyn didn’t really understand what Goddess meant but she’s never been the type to let confusion stop her.
“Ummmm… okay. Well, do you want to talk about it?”
“Interesting. Well, my cause of anger is actually one of the reasons you are here Evelyn.”
“Oh… wow, Ummm are you angry with me? Was it because I didn’t donate my 1st marathon winnings?! I’m sorry, okay? That was like 50$ only! I bought food for my grandpa and-”
Goddess laughed as Evelyn started to staunchly defend the meal she bought for her grandparents.
“I’m not angry that you didn’t donate, Evelyn. That’s a very petty thing for me to be angry about. My source of anger is inconsequential as of the moment but I want you to know that the source of my anger is the reason I am sending individuals here.”
Goddess’ voice was calm but for some reason, Evelyn felt intimidated. Despite that, she continued.
“Oh, what is it? Can I ask?”
“Before that, do you not feel uncomfortable not having a body?”
“Well, I’m not feeling anything other than curiosity… so no, not really.”
Goddess chuckled at the difference between Teremarae’s first inhabitant and Evelyn. Despite that, Goddess needed to give Evelyn a new body. She couldn’t just send Evelyn to Teremarae without a vessel to interact with.
“Do you want me to give you a body then?”
Evelyn frowns a bit.
Goddess waited patiently. She knew why Evelyn was hesitating.
Evelyn remembers her body before she came here. She recently recovered from an accident but it didn’t mean that she was fine. After her recovery, Evelyn lived with chronic pain. Now that she’s bodiless, Evelyn could experience the euphoria of having no pain to suffer through.
“No. Sorry.”
Goddess smiled but despite Evelyn’s rejection, she still needed a body for Teremarae.
“Don’t reject me so quickly Evelyn. Instead, let me allow you to feel what you’re missing out on.”
For a moment, Evelyn could feel fresh air hit her face, the feeling of sweat drip off of her body, and strength in her muscles. All of the feelings suddenly disappear, replaced instead by a good feeling within her. Evelyn tried to sense that good feeling.
Is that… is that my soul?
Goddess was surprised by Evelyn’s keen senses.
“Close but not really. When I offered to give you a body, I didn’t intend to return your old body. I will give you a body that would have shamed your previous ideal body.”
Hearing that, Evelyn tried to remember her previous ideal body. She shook her absent head.
“Wha- What do you mean?”
As if reading from an invisible script, Goddess starts to dictate Evelyn’s previous life.
“Evelyn Pendelf. In your previous life, you were an amateur athlete that wished for nothing more than to make your grandfather proud by entering the Olympics and taking home the gold medal. You were talented but in all honesty, you would have not made it. If you were lucky and had bad opponents that year, you would have, at most, won a bronze. Your previous body had a limit in terms of talent.”
Evelyn felt a bit down, knowing that she would have failed.
“But, what do I know? Free will exists and I have removed my omniscience an eternity ago. For all the chances and probabilities in the world, you might have been gold.”
That seemed to cheer Evelyn.
“Thank you.”
Goddess smiled in response.
“Now, when I said I would give you a body, I wasn’t just going to return your old limited one. This new body of yours would have no limitation in growth due to the rules of Teremarae, granted, you still have to work hard for it. For you, talent is no longer a barrier. You, personally, will never have an issue with talent but most importantly, you will be free from the weakness of your previous life.”
If any of the religious books were correct about God or Goddess, Evelyn knew that this invisible entity knew about her previous life. And if Goddess truly meant that she would be free from her previous weakness, Evelyn wanted that new body.
“I… I would like that.”
“I know. In addition to your unrivaled talent, I promise you something you’ve never put much value on, in your previous life.”
That interested Evelyn.
“What is it?”
“Beauty and physical perfection. It is a gift I give to the human before you and now, you.”
“Pfft… oh, you’re serious… Why? Isn’t there only one human in Teremarae right now?”
“Yes. A human male by the name of Michael.”
Evelyn frowns. Being a female athlete, she’s been the target of harassment from other male athletes, males that felt they could beat her due to her being a female, and other male relatives. In short, Evelyn did not have a good experience with men for the majority of her life.
“And you do not have to worry about him being male.”
Evelyn frowned, unbelieving.
“I know you do not believe me but what I mean to say is that your new body will not lose to any man. Michael and you have different bodies. You two are still human but soon, you two will move past these biological weaknesses. The line between man and woman will blur and such biological differences will be nothing. There will come a time that no man will be able to overpower you, as long as you work toward it.”
Evelyn didn’t reply but she felt excited.
“And the beauty will help when you return.”
That weirded Evelyn out.
“Return? To Earth?”
Goddess replies in the positive.
“Yes.”
Evelyn’s thoughts immediately turn to her family.
“What… when?”
“That, I cannot say. The opportunity will come.”
Knowing that she was given the opportunity of a lifetime, Evelyn immediately requested her body.
“Okay… then please give me my body.”
At first, Evelyn can feel her soul, an existence she is now keenly aware of due to the creation of the fleshy body. Then she feels her soul become covered, engulfed, and surrounded by her fleshy body.
Oh wow… is this what creation feels like?
“Yes, Evelyn. This is a privilege that most individuals cannot feel since the early soul is asleep and unaware of their surroundings. But you are awake and alive and you feel your very soul connect intimately to a body once more.”
The fleshy form that covers Evelyn’s soul starts as a small fleshy orb which then transforms into a small fetus. The fetus was covered with a bright light that kept it alive despite the lack of a womb or machine. Slowly, the fetus grew into a young infant. Then the young infant turned into a young child which showed feminine and beautiful features. The young child then grew into a prepubescent teen that would never have any issues when it came to their appearance. The prepubescent teen slowly filled out and turned into a young adult, one that would always be the center of attention.
When Evelyn’s body reached the approximate age of 24, she opened her eyes. Now with a body, Evelyn could clearly see more, through the lenses of a physically healthy human being. Despite being in the vacuum of space, Evelyn immediately took a large breath of air. She felt her lungs inflate from the air she knew came from Goddess.
Despite not being instructed on how Evelyn intuitively moved around with grace. She was truly a natural athlete.
“Wooh!”
Goddess watched in amusement as Evelyn flew forward since she quickly got used to controlling her body. Goddess followed behind with a smile.
Eventually, Evelyn relaxes and she carelessly floats.
“This feels nice.”
Goddess agreed.
“Yes, it does.”
A few seconds pass and Evelyn turns to look at Teremarae.
“Is it time?”
“Yep. I’m just waiting for you.”
Evelyn heaves a sigh of relief.
“Thank you… this has been a wonderful experience… I’ll be sure to tell my grandfather when I wake up.”
Goddess chuckled.
“I’m sure you will.”
“You know if you truly are God… Goddess in this case, then I would be a bit more religious.”
Goddess didn’t bother clearing up the misunderstanding.
“I’m sure you would be. Now, before you go, I want you to pick a gift to use in the new world.”
Evelyn felt curious about what Goddess meant. Wasn’t the body enough of a gift?
“A gift?”
“A divine gift from me which is determined by the totality of all your talents, achievements, and goals in your previous life.”
For a moment, Evelyn’s mind returns to the accident that ruined her life. Her newly made eyes start to blur and she feels her heart palpitate. Filled with anger at those moments of helplessness, Evelyn immediately knew what she wanted.
I… never want that to happen… ever… AGAIN!
“I want to be unbreakable!”
Goddess smiles and she gives Evelyn the gift that she desires. A powerful force seems to infuse itself in Evelyn and she readily absorbs it.
“Goodbye Evelyn and good luck.”
Evelyn felt a bright light enveloping her and she was sent to Teremarae.
----------------------------------------
Oh… I’m not awake?
Evelyn looks around and finds herself surrounded by a lush green forest.
Still must be dreaming.
~Growl~
Hearing an unfamiliar sound, Evelyn quickly turns around.
What? Goddess? Are you there?
Evelyn looked around but she couldn’t find the source of the sound.
~Growl~
Okay, I want to wake up now.
Evelyn starts to feel the cold air caress her body. Looking down, she notices that she’s naked.
~Growl~
Once again, Evelyn hears the unfamiliar sound. She was starting to feel terrified.
Wait, this is a dream… I shouldn’t be afraid.
Evelyn calms herself down.
~Growl!!!~
Okay! Not brave! Very afraid!
Evelyn frantically looks around for anything she can use to protect herself.
After a quick look around, she finds a rock.
She picks up the rock.
Whatever you are! I’m prepared for you!
~ROAR!!!~
Evelyn prepares himself and hefts the rock.
Then, a large reptile of impossible proportions leaps out of the forest with its mouth open. Its bloodshot and hungry eyes glare at Evelyn with the full intention to devour her whole.
Come on!
Evelyn bravely charges toward the super reptile.
The animal and human charge forward toward each other.
Evelyn glared directly at the creature, prepared to fight for her life.
Then Evelyn hears a loud crash as the super reptile is sent crashing to the ground.
Evelyn covers her face as a large plume of dust and dirt flies everywhere. Once the debris is clear, Evelyn looks up.
The super reptile was sprawled on the ground. It was knocked unconscious by a creature that jumped off a tree and landed on its back.
Then she sees the creature that saved her.
Evelyn sees a tall man built like a truck. His fur clothing covered the important parts of his body but revealed his impressive muscular frame. His body was clean from wounds but some parts revealed old scars that couldn’t properly heal. On his right hand was a long wooden sturdy stick with a sharpened piece of bone attached to the top. On his left hand was a sharpened piece of stone attached on top of a carved wooden handle.
The man’s hair was long, something he hasn’t deemed worth the time to cut. He was developing a beard that covered his face. Despite his rugged looks and not-so-sanitary appearance, Evelyn could not deny the fact that he was indeed handsome.
What the…
A cute and adorable little monkey was perched on top of the man’s left shoulder. The monkey moves its hand in a familiar way toward Evelyn.
Is that sign language? Huh? Am I in a fever dream?
Evelyn meets the eyes of the caveman. She notices that his eyes were unbelievably sharp.
For a moment, Evelyn responds to his stare with equally sharp eyes but then she remembers the name Goddess mentioned.
Michael.