Four days ago, in the kingdom of Sylvaris.
Jason lay on the bed the strange tree people had provided.
He stared up at the ceiling, searching for anything to distract himself from what his life had become.
Just moments ago—or at least, it felt like moments ago—he'd been running.
Or trying to.
But no matter how fast he ran, he couldn't outrun a bullet.
Or so he'd thought.
Now?
Now he supposed he didn't have to worry about his past catching up to him.
He rolled over in bed, exhaling slowly.
With a thought, he summoned the golden screen that held his 'class.'
CLASS: SEER
MAX HP: 10
MAX MANA: 30
MANA REGENERATION: 0.3sec
STRENGTH: 2
AGILITY: 7.5
DURABILITY: 3
LUCK: 5
ACTIVE SKILLS [1/5]
TIER 1:
FUTURE SIGHT: [1/100] PEER INTO THE IMMEDIATE FUTURE
EFFECT: SEE UP TO 1 (1×SKILL LEVEL) SECONDS INTO THE FUTURE
COST: 5 [5×SECONDS PEERED INTO THE FUTURE] MANA PER SECOND.
PASSIVE SKILLS [1/5]
TIER 1:
REACTION SPEED: [1/100] SLIGHTLY BOOSTS YOUR AGILITY.
EFFECTS: 0.5 (0.5×SKILL LEVEL)
Blessings: [1]
BLESSING OF THE CROW: ALLOWS YOU TO SPEAK AND UNDERSTAND ANY LANGUAGE YOU'VE HEARD.
He chuckled softly to himself, wondering if this was some kind of joke played by God.
Was this the afterlife?
Or had he really been summoned to another world?
Either way, this place was strange.
At least the food was good, and the bed was comfortable.
He couldn't remember the last time he'd slept so well.
And for once, he didn't have to look over his shoulder.
A soft knock rapped against the door.
Jason sat up quickly, hesitating before moving to answer.
He pulled it open to reveal a short creature made of woven vines.
A large purple flower bloomed atop its head, its petals shifting slightly.
"Hello, hero! I hope I'm not disturbing you."
The creature chittered in a sing-song tone.
Jason blinked. "Ah… no, I was just lying in bed."
He hesitated, then added, "And just call me Jay, please."
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He'd never been called a hero before.
It didn't really suit him.
The vine creature giggled.
"You're nicer than the others, Jay-hero!"
It reached up, brushing a petal from its face.
"I've come to guide you to Master Gnarros."
It extended its hand toward him—but didn't take his.
A silent offer.
Jason hesitated.
Then, with a slow breath, he took the creature's hand.
If this was his life now, it would be best to get friendly with the natives.
He was tired of having so many enemies.
The creature led Jason out of his room and into the canopy.
Jason looked around in awe.
It had been too dark to see the night before, but now the sun filtered through the leaves in golden shafts of light.
They walked along a wooden platform, built along the side of a tree bigger than anything Jason had ever seen.
The morning light glistened off dew-drenched flowers, droplets sliding off their petals before disappearing below.
Jason braved a glance downward.
He couldn't see the ground through the thick layers of leaves.
"What is this place, uhh…?"
He hesitated.
"Wait… what was your name?"
Calling it "creature" didn't feel right.
"My name is Spriggle!"
It let out a chittering giggle.
"And this is the Great Forest."
They walked in companionable silence for a few more steps before Sriggle slowed slightly.
"Or umm… I've heard the outsiders call it… Sillvairius? I think…"
It paused, fiddling with the petals on its head.
"Master Gnarros knows more about the outsiders than I do."
Its petals lifted slightly, as if perking up.
"I'm sure he'll teach you a lot!"
It resumed walking, more certain now.
Jason nodded thoughtfully.
He glanced out at the endless canopy, lost in thought.
What kind of other creatures lived in this world? He hoped they would be just as friendly.
Sriggle led Jason to a grand set of doors.
"Master Gnarros waits for you inside, Jay-hero."
It released his hand.
"He shouldn't need you for too long… Can you find your way back to your room after?"
Jason thought for a moment, then nodded.
They hadn't walked too far.
"Would it be okay if I wandered around after he's done with me?"
Jason glanced around.
"I'd love to get a better look at the Great Forest."
Sriggle fidgeted, its petals shifting.
"It would be better if you went back to your room after… but I could show you around this afternoon if you'd like."
Jason nodded, smiling.
"That's probably for the best. I wouldn't want to get lost."
He chuckled.
Sriggle's petals perked up, and it giggled.
"Then I'll see you later, Jay-hero!"
With a spring in its step, Sriggle turned and walked away.
Jason watched it go.
He wasn't used to kindness.
Not from people.
Not from tree creatures, either.
He took a breath.
Then, pushing open the doors, he stepped inside.
The one he assumed was Gnarros sat at a desk, tapping it impatiently.
"You've arrived. Good."
Its voice was deep, grinding out like bark scraping against bark.
It stood, wood creaking heavily.
Nearly eight feet tall, at least by Jason's estimate.
Jason hesitated, then dropped to one knee.
"What did you need, Master Gnarros?"
Gnarros studied him thoughtfully.
"Stand, child. While I appreciate your eagerness, you should hear what I have to say before pledging yourself fully."
Jason rose, uncertain.
Gnarros turned, gazing out through an open section of the wall.
"I do not know much of your world. And I can honestly say I have no interest in it."
He paused, then continued.
"We have a tradition here. Trimming the dying branches before they spread corruption to the tree. Through this, we ensure the Great Forest thrives and continues to grow."
He turned back to Jason.
"Do you understand?"
Jason hesitated.
The words made sense.
And even if they didn't…
He nodded.
He wouldn't risk the peace he'd wanted for so long.
Gnarros watched him for a moment, then nodded.
He gestured toward the desk.
"Take it."
Jason's brow tightened.
On the desk lay a glimmering knife, its twisted wooden hilt resting in silence.
It waited.
A ball of ice settled in his stomach.
He stepped forward, slowly.
Fingers closing around the hilt.
"What am I supposed to do with it?"
Jason's voice felt distant in his own ears.
"Trim the rotten branches."
Gnarros's words were steady. Absolute.
The doors opened again.
Two taller, flowerless versions of Sriggle stepped inside.
They carried a woman between them.
Her head lolled.
Eyes unfocused.
The ice in Jason's stomach spread, veins running cold.
His gaze fell to the knife.
He had believed he wouldn't have to kill again.
His jaw clenched.
If this is the price for my new life…
Then so be it.