(Unknown)

I awoke to silence. an absolute piercing silence that permeated everything, like a heavy fog. to be fair i could hear my breath, i could hear my heartbeat if i concentrated. the silence came from the world around me… it was deafining.

I had no idea how i arrived here. in fact i have no memory of anything whatsoever. actually that's not true, I know concepts, language. I know Leccam's atlas of the world backwards and forwards, i could recite the compendium of medicinal herbs and there qualities by heart, i know of strategy and warfare and history and philosophy… but no matter how hard i try i cannot recall my name. the image of my face feels like it is just out of reach.

I finally gathered the strength to look around. I was in a forest but there was no motion, no bustle of life. everywhere i looked there was only an unnatural, almost predatory, stillness. a sword lay on the ground near me and I bent to pick it up. as i drew it from the black sheath i saw it was a simple sword, just a plain black grip with your average cross guard and straight steel blade. compared to the rest of my surrounding the blade felt oddly familiar.

 i began walking in a random direction, hoping for some sign of civilization. eventually the sun started to set but there was still no sign of the endless tress letting up. the moon gave off some light, but it was very difficult to see amidst the trees. something caught the corner of my eye. movement. i turned, sword drawn, heart beating quickly. i saw nothing, everything was still motionless, still silent.

Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.

suddenly a fierce pain blossomed in my shoulder and i was thrown forward. i spun, sword in front of me. i felt blood running down my back from my shoulder. my eyes were open and wild, my heart's rapid beating was the only thing i could hear. I was thrown again, from the side this time. as i got to my feet i waved my sword wildly through the air a primal scream of frustration and fear lodged in my throat. all of a sudden shadows started to shift towards me across the ground. i swung my blade once more and it met some resistance in what appeared to be nothing but air. the shadows reached me. i felt something bite my leg. i screamed and fell. i kicked at the invisible thing, the shadow, on my leg and it seemed to fall off. something bit into my arm and i reflexively dropped the sword. claw marks appeared on my stomach and two more shadows started chewing at me. I felt pain that consumed my soul. i screamed until nothing came out.

i should have died.

i wanted to die.

the entire time that these shadow beasts tore at my body, the entire time they ripped at my flesh, for some reason

i was awake,

i was alive.

all in complete silence.