The looks that the group gave me varied between indifferent quick glances, and scowls full of hate and disgust. Apparently this world, Imlaren, wasn't so peaceful as the voice depicted it to me. Listening to them I learned that the human's governed land, known as Empire, occupied almost all the eastern continent.

Maybe this Empire was founded on the ashes of the disappeared ancient witch's land, this point wasn't clear. On the contrary, what was crystal clear, was the fact that this imperials were pretty xenophobic against everyone who displayed the "curse". The mercenary called it a gift, and I found myself agreeing with them. 

This gift, or curse, was the unusual, animal-like, mutation that appeared at birth on the limbs of half of the world's population. It wasn't so random as at first I believed, listening to them it seems this changes were hereditary. like father, like son and so on and on.

It seemed the imperials also believed so, because they builded a boundary around their lands, and fiercely defended them from anyone who wasn't "pure" human. 

Skirmishes between imperials and gifted were frequent, and the first one overcome the power difference thanks to sheer numbers. I suspected, from the way they talked about this clashes, the Empire's soldier used more nefarious tactic to have the upper hand.

When I was immersed in my information gathering the various discussion ended, thanks to an order of the chief, Cawic. Well it sounded more like a roar than a command.

- SILENCE!... I've heard enough of your petty squabble. Everything recovered from here will be sold, usual shares. You two will be punished later for this bravado.

- But... Uncle...

- ENOUGH! My brother, your father, didn't raise you to be an idiot! 

So the chief and one of my attacker, the bigger one, were family. That explained the similar "gift" and a certain resemblance. Then the moment I dreaded the most arrived when one of the older mercenary posed a question.

- What we will do about the captive?

I think I held my breath for all the time Cawic seemed judging me, looking from head to toe, and the situation in general.

This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.

- We can't leave witnesses, if he isn't alone and an imperial legion find us... Weight him down and take him fishing on the trench. Nobody will find his body down there. 

- WAIT! I'm not...

I didn't have time to end my defence, if I ever had a chance at it, because the closest man kicked my head. In the last second of consciousness, before going for a trip into dreamland, I was only able to hear the chief's voice.

- Let's move! We already lost to much time and we need to report...

Maybe I should've spoken before to defend myself, but old habits die hard, and I was always waiting for the right occasion to speak even before all this mess.

Anyway when I awoke, from my trauma induced sleep, I was already sinking in the ocean, trow from a boat I suppose. I was tied down, with a big rock at my feet that was making my descent far from comfortable. When I was a kid I really liked immersions, and I was able to hold my breath long enough to have fun and explore. In that times I often marveled on what going in the deepest part of the ocean would feel.

Well this descent was fulfilling my child's dream, in the most horrifying way possible. Not only my wound was pounding again, but also the increasing pressure was haunting me. When the last bubble of air escaped my lips, and my thoughts started to blur, a series of windows appeared.

WARNINGApproaching restricted Area

HP 0/11260 Exp lost

Readying new Avatar

30 sec until Matrix transfer

WARNINGEntering restricted Area

System connection lost

I remember thinking that without the menu, that flickered out my view after the last message, the depths of this trench were as dark as ink.