The starry sky was reflected in the water of the river.
The moon shone brightly and cast its light upon a ruin in the forest. Trees grew all around, their leaves shaking in the wind.
The ruin was made of stone, and it looked as if, inside that stone building, there was a coffin.
Crack!
A branch broke on the ground – a young man was the cause. He was wandering through the forest.
He carried a sword that looked worn and used. He must have wielded it many times before. His face could not be seen, for he wore a helmet. He was a warrior.
Beside the young warrior floated a small ball of fire. It glowed brightly in the darkness of the night. Whenever he moved forward, the ball followed him, hovering near his shoulder.
Splash!
The young warrior crossed the river. He swam across, now dripping wet, but he stopped before the ruin.
"What is this place?"
He looked at the stone wall surrounding the coffin, then turned his gaze to the coffin itself.
He knew immediately what it was – after all, he had buried his own parents and siblings.
The young warrior laid his sword down and drew it from its sheath. Slowly, he approached the grave. Standing right in front of the stone coffin, he placed his hands on it and pushed the stone slab aside.
"Why … why … why do you stop my eternal sleep? What have you done?"
"W-who's speaking—"
Suddenly, a black creature shot out from the coffin. It looked like black light – yet in the shape of a person.
The young man trembled as he held his sword, ready to strike. He spun around – and behind him stood the creature. It looked like a human, but its entire body was black, with glowing red eyes.
The warrior thrust his sword sideways into the creature – but the blade passed right through. He could not hit it. Taking a step back, he steadied himself.
"W-What are you? The devil?"
The creature had no mouth, yet a dark, mocking laugh echoed through the air.
"No. I am much worse."
The creature lunged forward – and entered the warrior's body.
The young man was hurled away, thrown into the lake. He crashed into the water, but he could no longer move.
Who am I?
No… what am I?
What is my purpose here?
It doesn't matter anymore… I can't move… I will drown…
Then, suddenly, a bright light appeared – and the warrior found himself standing in the middle of a crowd of people.
They all wore light leather clothing and pushed desperately forward.
"Mike!? Why are you just standing there? We need to get some bread too!"
A girl beside him said this, then stepped neatly into the line.
The warrior stood almost lifeless, staring at the greedy crowd.
They shoved each other into the dirt, some were pulled back, and those who made it to the front grabbed a loaf of bread and ran away.
Thoughts: My name is Mike! Now I remember… Mike…
Mike tilted his head slightly and noticed a smaller girl tugging at his arm.
Her hair was messy, her face dirty, her pants torn. She looked frail and malnourished. Trembling, she spoke:
"S-Sir… do you perhaps have a f-few silver coins for me?"
Mike looked into the girl's sad eyes and felt deep pity.
"Uh-uhm… I'll see what I have, alright?"
He reached into his pockets – and actually found four silver coins.
He pulled them out and asked:
"Well, it's a little embarrassing… but do you happen to know how much the bread over there costs?"
The girl nodded:
"Y-yes… a whole loaf costs two silver coins."
Mike smiled.
"Well then… here. Go and get something for your family."
He kept two silver coins for himself and handed the other two to the girl.
She thanked him and hurried happily toward the crowd to buy bread.
Mike felt glad. He hoped she and her family would have something to eat for a few days. Three days, at least, should be enough.
Then he turned his gaze – and saw a girl walking toward him. It was his sister! He remembered that much… but her name was gone. All he knew was: This is my sister.
She came from the crowd, waving, holding a loaf of bread in her hand.
But in the very next moment, a sword pierced her stomach. Blood dripped down, the tip of the blade gleaming red. A man dressed in black had run her through.
He snatched the bread from her hand and fled.
The crowd fell silent, staring.
"S-so that's how she died?"
Mike felt nothing. No emotion. After all, he couldn't even remember her name.
He blinked once – and suddenly the entire village was ablaze.
Mike watched as the houses burned.
The people, engulfed in flames, ran around without hope.
Mike raised his hands – and saw that he was holding a sword. The hilt was brown, and the blade shimmered, reflecting the fire.
His expression looked as if he had just awakened from a coma.
Mike didn't know what was happening. He remembered nothing except his name.
"I-I… there was no fire here before!"
Suddenly, Mike heard a voice behind him.
It was dark, demonic, and it said:
"Mike. If you don't know what your purpose is… then why are you still alive? Answer the question."
Mike turned around – but behind him there was nothing but fire.
He turned his gaze forward again… and saw two red eyes within the flames.
The fire rose higher and higher until it had completely surrounded him. There was no escape.
"Mike, you will burn. Answer my question! What is your purpose in this life? Now!"
Small fireballs shot toward him.
But Mike reacted quickly.
Clang!
The steel clashed against the blazing fireball. He deflected one, then dodged the rest.
Mike thought about what his purpose in life might be, but nothing came back to him.
Finally, he shouted:
"I don't know!"
The red eyes grew larger, and the dark voice thundered:
"Wrong answer. Very well then, Mike…"
This time, three large fireballs launched toward him.
Mike leapt to the right and rolled to the ground – but suddenly, he felt a sharp pain in his stomach. Looking down, he saw a wound torn through him. One of the fireballs must have struck.
Now on his knees, Mike coughed up blood onto the burning ground.
Yet he smiled.
"Well… is it really so bad that I die now? After all, I don't remember anything anyway…"
From the fire emerged the black creature.
It wore black armor and carried a black sword. The creature raised its weapon and pointed the tip at Mike's throat.
"I don't know… is it bad?"
Mike's vision blurred.
Slowly, the crackling sound of burning wood grew quieter… quieter…
The last thing Mike heard was:
"Good, Mike. If you die here now, then I, too, will die… permanently.
So I offer you a deal…"
Mike tried to nod, but all that came was a weak movement of his head tilting downward.
And then – darkness consumed him.
——
Hello, author here.
This is the first chapter. All the questions that are coming up right now will soon be answered :D
What do you think of the first chapter?