Six months have passed since I’ve arrived at this strange place. Well, that’s only according to the clock in my hut, that somehow keeps track of time automatically. Not sure how that works. Well, if things like pocket-dimensions exist, a magic clock probably isn’t too crazy.

Anyways, I’m getting a bit sidetracked. Over these months, I’ve grown used to this village life. There are more people here than just Werloth and the Librarian. Everyone of us has a similar stone hut, and apparently, whenever a new arrival shows up, a hut just materialises out of nowhere. Weird stuff. Other than that, everyone’s been really nice, but the cast of characters we’ve got here is… how do I put it? They’re unique to say the least.

I’ve just woken up. Might as well get ready. With a yawn, My heavy eyelids are forced open and I lazily slip out of bed. The thin pillows and mattress aren’t what I’m used to, but they get the job done. I shuffle over to a small, old-fashioned wardrobe made of wood. Pulling out my only spare set of clothes—a light grey t-shirt and some darker trousers—I cautiously peek outside the door. Look left. Look right. Coast is clear. Let’s go—

“As-rion! As-rion!” Sings an energetic voice. I turn to see someone approaching.

Although she may look and sound like a young girl, she’s apparently over sixty years old yet she acts like she’s six. Don’t you think it’s about time you begin to act your age?

Out of all the people I could’ve run into, why her? Sighing, I decide to go welcome her. Feigning ignorance and going back inside would simply result in her beating the shit out of my door. She’s done it so many times, I’m starting to worry that it may even come off its hinges.

“Hello Lyria” I reply, my voice lacking its usual bravado. I look down and stare into her eyes, filled with stars. It’s like a galaxy has been trapped inside of each one. Her short, dark iridescent hair flows like the light striking it, almost flowing down to her shoulders. “I’m off to get myself some breakfast, so I will play with you later, alright?” I casually lie.

“But you said that yesterday too!” She pouts. I mean, I’ve said it a lot more than just yesterday you know?

Yeah, and the day before, and the one before that… But crap—she’s actually catching on. I did not see this coming at all. I squirm internally, racking my brain for an out, until my stomach lets out a loud growl.

“U-uh, you hear that?” I falter. “I’m starving! Oh, how hungry I am!” I say, making a show of it. Without waiting for a response, I break into a jog and make my escape.

For a moment she stares at me, face deadpan, before shouting back “Okay! Bye bye!” while enthusiastically waving her arms. Thank God she’s so stupid.

Deciding it’s too much of a hassle to stop, I continue jogging along the road. The crunch of gravel underfoot greets the morning as I make my way downhill. while I pass by a sea of teal grass stretching towards the horizon. A gentle breeze caresses my face, creating ripples through the grass. Trees scattered across the endless plains wear a subtle blue tint, their leaves a soft teal. Even the rocks seem to have a bluish hue, and the flowers emit a vibrant azure light. The sheer amount of blue is still heavily disconcerting, but I’ve managed to grow resistant to it over the months.

Although I am hungry, food isn’t my top priority. I like to wake up earlier than most, partly because of this little detour. Near the bottom of the hill, I veer off the path, making my way to a large rock, which I sit down on. This spot is peaceful and boasts a magnificent view of the village from below.

Grass, stones and foliage flow upwards like liquid, winding roads cut through the landscape. As you ascend the hill, you reach an even plateau dotted with the stone huts that make up the village. At the summit stands an old-fashioned wooden library, radiant and bright, surrounded by a vivid yellow aura, as though it melts the icy blues around it. Light shoots up from its dome like a crown, reaching into the dark, artificial sky. There are no stars here, only tightly packed nebulae of bluish gradients fill the sky to the brim. Even the clearest Earth sky could never compare to the beauty of this endless void.

Something furry brushes against me. Looking down, I see Doggo, the little mutt who’s decided my lap is his bed. His light brown fur swaying gently in the breeze.

“Oh, you’re here too?” I murmur.

Doggo was brought to The Haven like the rest of us. Seems the Gods don’t discriminate. You’d think he’d be some magical dog, but no, he’s just your average fluffy canine, holding a bit of resemblance to a Shiba Inu from Earth. Perhaps it was a mishap?

Well besides I should probably go get something to eat. I bet Doggo here, who I named myself, came here because it was hungry.

“Doggo, let’s grab something to eat” I say.

“C’mon, Doggo,” I say, “let’s go grab breakfast.”

Doggo hops off my lap and lands on the ground. Language barriers are nonexistent here, as stated by a book from the Library. Doggo seems to understand me, though he can’t talk back. Guess that’s the limit of being a dog.

We head back to the path, Doggo trotting beside me. A few minutes later, we round a bend, and my destination comes into view. However, someone is already there.

A threateningly large and bulky figure constructed out of a silver alloy. Although it is relatively humanoid, it’s head holds one glowing red eye. Crimson streaks flow across its body, all converging at its core located in the middle of its chest. A multitude of metallic arms protrude from its back. Each holding a unique tool. Energy blades, buzzsaws, guns and turrets. It’s a living weapon. It towers over the field, precisely plucking vegetables out of the ground…

As I approach the field, the robot turns its head in my direction, its laser red eye glaring at me.

“You are late once again.” Says a robotic voice, sounding slightly noisy.

“Nah” I reply, suppressing a grin. “You’re the one who’s always early Titan.” My voice comes off quieter than anticipated.

“I have nothing else to do.” The voice admits monotonously.

I still find it really funny whenever I see this mechanical monstrosity doing farm or domestic work. But those extra arms make the process a lot easier. When it comes to food, there really isn’t much variety. Vegetables that don’t exist on Earth grow here everyday. They all practically have no taste when eaten raw, but normally Werloth cooks something up for us. I help out sometimes too, as I had to cook meals for myself quite often. However, Werloth’s food just tastes a lot better than what I make. I guess you get pretty good at things after living for so long. We don’t need to eat to survive here, but we still get hungry, and having a decent meal is always nice.

The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.

“Well, since you are here now” Titan begins. “Assist me in collecting the remaining vegetables.”

“Sure” I reply.

The day unfolds in its usual rhythm. I help Titan pick vegetables while Doggo sneakily munches on some of our haul. Once we’re done, we haul our spoils back to the village, where Werloth makes a stew. I chop the vegetables as usual, and when it’s ready, everyone eats their fill. The rest of the day I spend wandering the village, greeting whoever I come across and sometimes dodging Lyria’s ambushes. I usually head to the Library to kill time. It doesn’t have many novels and the like, but the Librarian has them all neatly arranged.

The day passes, and eventually, dinner is served. I help out again, as usual. Afterward, we eat together before heading to bed. The sky darkens cyclically, and though it’s not a 24-hour day, my hut’s clock keeps track of familiar time units, so it doesn’t matter to me. I shut the door behind me, as I do, a nearby candle is illuminated, its flickering glow casting long shadows across the room. I change back into the clothes I wore earlier, my hands unsteady as I pull the covers up and shakily tuck myself into bed. The days may be slow and uneventful, but they’re peaceful, and honestly, that’s not so bad. I tell myself I’ll get a good night’s sleep—yes, a restful, dreamless sleep. I pull the blanket tighter around me and snuff out the candle. Darkness swallows the room, leaving me staring at the ceiling. My eyes refuse to close at first, as if waiting for something. Eventually, I feel myself beginning to drift, but the nagging unease lingers in the quiet, just at the edges of my thought.

…

A vivid dream begins to take form in the depths of my mind, just as usual. Like every dream, it begins in an azure stone tunnel… wait, that’s not it? I find myself in a familiar room, a room I’ve spent countless hours in, through both good times and bad. It’s my room, not this tiny stone hut, but my own room, back home. Why am I even dreaming this? Am I really that homesick? Looking down, two fuzzy hands come into view. A lucid dream huh, haven’t had one of these in a while. I bite down on my tongue hard but feel nothing, yep – that confirms it.

Although the room is unmistakably mine, it feels different. It’s much plainer. There’s a single bed in the far-right corner, opposite a small white wardrobe. The white walls are rough, but they’re mostly blank and clean. A simple white desk sits in the far-left corner, holding textbooks, stationery, and a modest computer setup, including some basic accessories.

Heavy footsteps approach from behind me, I turn around to see a boy, frustrated and enraged. However, this anger does not seem to be targeted at me and instead he takes it out on the bed. The boy doesn’t even acknowledge me, It seems that I’m simply an observer. I don’t find curiosity well up inside of me like normal, I mean, I know perfectly well why this boy is angry. Of course I do, how could I not? The boy is me.

He looks different from the person I am now. Notably smaller, with less bulk and muscle, and slightly shorter. Light bags hang beneath his eyes, and his short black hair is unkempt. His medium-toned skin appears rough. From these details, I’d say this took place about two years ago. So much has changed since then, I’m getting kind of nostalgic you know? Actually, nope, scratch that. On second thought, I remember way too well how I felt back then. If I had to describe it in one word, I would use “shit”. The boy screams and pounds his fists into his pillows and mattress, unleashing a torrent of pent-up emotions. No one answers his cries. His parents are away, as usual. Oh yes, it’s all coming back to me now. This was a pivotal moment for me, the moment I decided I had to change my stagnant life. I just can’t recall what, or who, pushed me into that sorry state.

I continue watching myself unravel. It’s a lucid dream, so I could take control whenever I choose, but I’m curious to see how things unfold without my interference. After some time, the room gradually shifts through the passage of time. As the days, weeks, and months roll by, the room changes with it. Papers scribbled with notes begin to line the once blank walls. The study area grows, and the computer setup expands. The room becomes tidier, and a pull-up bar appears in the doorway. However, the most striking changes appear in the boy himself. His body grows larger, his muscles more defined. His complexion improves, gaining a subtle tan. Yet, despite these improvements, his eyelids begin to droop, heavy as if weighed down by sandbags. Coffee mugs now litter the desk as he slaves away, night after sleepless night. Yet, the light in his eyes never dim – no, it grows brighter with each passing day.

It was indeed a hell of a journey. Sleepless nights became routine. Networks were built, friendships formed, enemies made. Amongst all the highs and lows, the greatest feeling came from reaching the finish line—accomplishing my dreams and rising to the top. As I watch, the achievements of my past self fill me with a contagious sense of pride. It’s almost as though I’m reliving those moments once again. I worked so hard, I almost want to pat myself on the back. I chuckle to myself.

But these emotions are fleeting. The scene suddenly shifts to something far more recent—and far more grotesque. The once-expanding room is now a cold, lifeless chamber, awash in shades of blue. All that remains of the boy is a solitary, disembodied hand lying in a pool of blood. The flesh has begun to decay, giving way to shattered fragments of bone.

This is the reward for the boy’s efforts—no, for my efforts. Not fame. Not glory. Not even happiness. Just a lonely death. My fate sealed; I’m sentenced to eternal isolation. I’m pathetic. There’s nothing I can do. It’s as though I’ve regressed, stuck in the same situation as before…

Wait—before? Realisation strikes me like a blow, a revelation that should have hit me months ago. I begin to laugh hysterically, clutching my head in my hands.

“Since when did I become so pathetic?”

If my situation really is no different than before, then why am I sitting here, doing nothing like some fucking duckling? Back then, I hated my life—so I changed it with my own strength. My fate wasn’t sealed the moment I arrived in this mystical place. No it indeed wasn’t. Instead, it was sealed the moment I gave up. This place isn’t so bad? What kind of bullshit is that? I hate it here! I worked so hard because I wanted to enjoy my life! Not so I could sit around until I rot to death!

So what if the stakes are higher? So what if it seems insurmountable? Back then, I felt the same way. I was a walking piece of shit for so long that it felt normal, it felt like change felt impossible—but I proved myself wrong. If I did it once, I can surely do it again.

Just as I muster this newfound resolve, a menacing growl rumbles from behind me. I turn to face a familiar, dark beast, its teeth bared. The gaze of its three eyes pierce through my soul. Even in a dream, fear floods my body, freezing me in place. Oh yeah, this is why I felt so helpless—what can I possibly do against it?

But for the first time in all these recurring nightmares, I shake off the fear and take a step forward. This monster, this fear—it’s the unscalable wall that stands between me and change. It’s the wall so many struggle to overcome. Yet, I’ve conquered it before, and I can—no, I will do it again. Once you reach the top, it’s all downhill from there. And once the ball starts rolling, nothing can stop it.

I raise my palm toward the crocodile, as though commanding it to stop. In an instant, stone spikes burst from the ground, skewering the beast into a heap of blackened flesh. It lies as lifeless as my own remains. Immediately afterwards, the ground shatters before me, numerous explosions burst around me, kicking up a cloud of dust so thick it forms an impenetrable fog. More black crocodiles claw their way into the chamber, surrounding me. How many are there? No matter—they’ll all meet the same fate. I stomp the ground, sending violent tremors across the chamber. One by one, each of the beasts is impaled, their bodies collapsing into lifeless heaps. Blackened corpses now litter the ground.

I smirk as the world around me fades away and I wake up.

As I hastily get up, my eyes dart to the clock. Rays of light flow through the windows of the hut. Huh, for the first time since coming here, I’ve finally managed to sleep through a full night. A massive grin subconsciously spreads across my face.

Well now, it’s time to get started.