My mind starts to work slowly. My heart beating softer in my chest. My eyes slowly open. My vision entirely red, my surroundings in various colors. Disorienting sound enters my ears and mind simultaneously.

Then darkness completely surrounds me. 'Where is this?' 'Home, my child, this is your home.'

Panicked I shout, "Who's there?!" 'You're holding me, Little Sword. I am your weapon. Just as you are my weapon.'

Trying to calm myself down, I ask, "What do you want from me, sword?" 'Life, blood, strength, weakness, death, I want the world, and you will bring it to me, as I bring you strength to take more, you will give me everything.'

"I understand. You are a tool, and I will use you to do as I wish." I snicker coldly. 'Ah... The folly of youth. I was once a Sword as you are, but I failed to take enough, I failed to do enough. So I became this, a tool to be used by others.' Sinister laughter filled my mind as I saw a demon With slick black hair down to his waist, deep red skin and eyes, the outer eye was filled with black and looking into an abyss.

The demon had my Rusty Sword in it's hand, standing on a pile of corpses as it laughed hysterically, it's hair flying without wind, the curved horns atop his head looking as if they're about to try and pierce the heavens as his head is thrown back in laughter.

Only to all be taken, his skin starts to wither, his horns slowly disintegrating, his body slowly breaking down to ashes until there's nothing but the Rusty Sword on the ground.

'Such was my ending, I took, killed, and destroyed everything I could, but still it was not enough to stay alive. I died believing myself to be invincible. It turns out nothing can save you from disastrous endings. Only more destruction and slaughter can save you. Forsake everything, except for the blood and you will be set free.'

Out from the panic comes calmness. I answer without feeling, "I will do as I wish, I am free. If I'm to die because of this sword, then so be it. This sword has set me free, to die for it is something I would not mind."

A dark sigh cmes down from above as I wake up lying on top of the elven girl I was lying on top of. 'So be it.' All of the sudden my mind clicks and the presence is gone. just a sword in my hand, lifeless as always.

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I check my surroundings, as well as the girl, who died long before I fell asleep. Feeling nothing for her I search her body for some sort of Identifier, finding nothing but a small pouch under the belt holding up her grass skirt.

I find a map, and 6 silver coins, along with several small gems.

I can't read the map, too covered in blood so I throw it to the side, keep the silver and gems and move on through the forest away from the town I can still see the walls of.

-----

I happen upon several berry bushes that the previous goblin I tested my aura on was gathering, so I decided to take a break to fill my empty belly.

*twak*

Tens of feet away I hear movement and my head flips over to look.

A human woman who dropped a gathering basket saw me and screamed. "______!!!___ ___ _____ _!!!!!"

I hear shouting and other noise as a group of men rush to protect her from me, I hold my hands up in a surrendering gesture, to show my peacefulness.

"Do you speak english?" I ask in a gentle voice, hoping I don't have to learn another language. The man in front who's around 6'2 with a staff and robes and looks like the leader answers brusquely, "Common? Yes, we speak it. What are you doing in our forests demon?"

I laugh lightly and go back to picking berries, "Just looking for some food like all of you, and as for the demon remark, I don't remember having horns."

He laughs back amiably, "No horns, yes, but I can smell the Bloodlust on you from a mile away. What's a mercenary doing in the Forest Kingdom of Liekuyew?"

My mind rotates quickly, "No idea, I was born in the forests near here, didn't realize I was encroaching. Apologies."

The man nods slowly, "Forest-born are nothing new, I'm suprised you managed to survive on your own for 16 years. Have you awakened?"

"Awakened? I would assume you mean the status page and class/level?" I replied calmly, surprised at the common sense knowledge of this world. Assuming you're the only special one is silly and childish, but not long ago I was just that.

He returned with a, "So that's a yes, my name is Liuke, it's a pleasure to meet you..?" As he bows question marks come up in his eyes, I reply, "The only thing I have is this sword, so you may call me just that."

The man nods, and turns to the others speaking in their language. They speak for a long period of time before he offers with a smile, "Would you like to rest at our camp? We can offer a place to sleep away from the elements along with some food for a bit of mercenary work. Such as culling some of the animal population and gnome/goblins in the area. As well as protection during the morning hours."

I smile and lie through my teeth noticing he could kill me quickly and easily. "I'd be delighted to."

-----

I arrive to the camp as darkness descends, not wanting to disappear in front of them I quickly asked where I could sleep, they handed me a tent and showed me how to set it up, as I was struggling to get away, they kept trying to feed me. Then the soothing voice comes through to my mind.

Times up once again, Little Sword.

You have 15 seconds.

See you tomorrow.

I say goodbye quickly and run as fast as I can to the tent, barely close the flap before my eyes and hand start to lightly become warm. I see red and slowly become lighter.

-----