Instant Time Mage 14
In the same day, I was back in the world of darkness two times in a row. Everything was pitch black here without a blemish to be seen. And nothing akin to that glowing star that awaken me to clearer state of mind was nowhere within sight.
I look around. Or was I looking around? I couldn't tell because everything was too damn dark even for my love for heavy Anime and edgy music. And suddenly, it became known to me that I used to be scared of the dark.
I instantly became afraid. Without light, there was only darkness. And only in darkness is when the monsters come out.
I didn't know where I am or how I got here. All I do know was Vice president apologizing before knocking the daylights out of me. And before I knew it, I was already here. Before I knew it, time passed by unnoticed.
Then...
[You're still, scared of, the dark?]
Get off my case, creep. Was what I would usually respond with my dispassionate voice but I didn't as it struck me hard that a voice came out of nowhere.
I look around. Or was I looking around? I wasn't sure and I didn't care but I just wanted to know where that voice was coming from.
[Over here.]
Only then did I look up. What I saw then made me perplexed. They were characters, six characters. Somehow resembling ancient Roman numerals paired up into three groups. Shining like dim shadows barely seen in this dark world.
[Can you read?]
Easy enough...
I put all my focus and read those barely distinguishable numerals and muttered.
[54... 32... 12]
[Correct]
That voice, speaking to me with such a familiar tone affirmed my answer and then said.
[That's your lifespan.]
[My what?]
[Your time till death]
I was rendered speechless.
Who the hell is this creep telling me the numbers above my head is my lifespan?
The grim reaper?!
As if!
If my life can be amounted to a set of numbers then what's the point of living knowing you got a countdown?
That's just another horrible, creepy way to look at life. And I already had enough about it.
[We don't have much time.]
The voice said, disturbing my thoughts. Suddenly, I felt like everything was warping weirdly. Like everything around me was slowly disappearing.
[I'll make this brief. Do you want power?]
[No.]
The voice from the numerals suddenly asked me such an absurd question. And I curtly declined.
[Why?]
There was no surprise or worry in his voice. Instead, it was frighteningly calm. Calm as the sea of the starry skies. Like everything was under his control. But I responded without fear or worry... Okay, a tad bit worried. But I nonetheless replied.
[Because you're a creep suddenly asking me something that I hate the most. Why would I want power? What kind would it be and what do I do with it? I don't know what's you're deal, but it's creepy so stop.]
Of course, if it's the power to watch more Anime, then I wouldn't mind that. I had such thoughts in my head as I calm my nerves down. I didn't even mutter those thoughts of mine so that only I can hear.
[Power to watch more Anime, huh?]
But it seems the voice in the numerals could hear my thoughts whispering. And made me tense up.
The voice seems it was pondering over my wishful thinking then said.
[I don't know if you haven't noticed it. But you do have the power to have more time than you can ever imagine. If you use it correctly, then perhaps watching more Anime is possible.]
[... Ah, what?]
I can watch more Anime?
Preposterous!
Utter bullshit coming from someone who doesn't understand the struggle to consume so much time watching animated psychological and mystery entertainment.
And what, I had the power all along?
If I did, I wouldn't be struggling over the Anime last season I put on hold.
I found it unbelievable. And who would believe it especially when it came from some countdown til death?
Sensing the disbelief in my reply, the voice.
[You don't believe me?]
It suddenly lit up its six numerals for a second before dimming down to its indistinguishable state. And a mesh of unformatted information gushes into my head. Giving me data that was easy to handle, yet too complicated to understand.
Betide? Rewind? Instant?
The hell are these ridiculous concepts and what are they doing to my flawless mind?
[Now you believe me?]
The voice spoke, seemingly proud of what it did. Meanwhile I frown. As even though it happened, I still don't understand one bit of what's happening.
[Who are you?]
At least answer a question that I would at least understand.
The voice went silent for second before answering me.
[I'm you...]
Speaking dispassionately with a cold and rational tone and added.
[But stronger.]
As if it was a matter of fact.
I'm you... But stronger?
Pfft, Animemer... (Anime+meme)
[Goodbye.]
Before I could give a thought to what I should say next, the voice said. Its tone fading away. Along with everything around crumbling to white as I woke up from my unconscious state.
§
As soon as I woke up, I felt my eyelids heavy as backpacks. Struggling to open them up so I could see what happened, I soon notice that I was being carried away on someone's back.
As my body presses, I felt such a delicate, willowy body. Such a frail frame underneath those thick garments. Silky hair all dusty and dirty. Smooth skin drenched in sticky sweat and blood. And I could faintly hear her panting for air. Struggling to carry my 180-pound human body even if she had to drag me.
I realize I was still alive and Vice president was carrying me.
Why am I still alive?
I should be dead with so much blood loss. Or at the very least, too weak to even breath. But I soon notice that I was breathing normally. Not only that, I felt no pain in my leg.
Or should I say, my leg was fine all along!
What?!
I was shocked to discover it as I look down below. Only to see my right leg, the one I thought was amputated and spurting a pool of blood, was attached to me just fine like it was never cut from the beginning.
For an instant, I felt relieved. But it made me perplexed. Was it all just a hallucination? The pain was too real to be a hallucination. Then what could it be? Did something happen while I was unconscious?
But whatever the case, it didn't change the story that I was exhausted as hell. And it came clear to me that I wouldn't be able to stand up unless I recover my strength.
Taking one deep breath after another, I tap Vice president shoulder.
[Thank you, you can put me down now.]
How could I let her, as a man, carry such heavy baggage?
[But...]
[It's alright.]
I assured her as I smiled at her conflicted look.
[Besides, it's embarrassing.]
[Oh...]
Only then did she put me down.
But damn, I'm heavy. I didn't realize I was this exhausted as I could barely stand up. My legs trembled on the sheer weight of my own body and I fell. Only to have Vice president catch me falling.
I made an exasperated sigh. Truly embarrassed to have a girl carry me. But I shook my head to clear my thoughts and looked around.
We were was inside the forest. Wild bushes and trees were encompassing us. Cicadas and crickets were buzzing and faint screams of other people resounded in our ears.
[What happened?]
Giving me a bitter look as if she was about to cry, she began to explain.
[Once we got out, your classmates and mine panicked by the appearance of those... Of those...]
[Spider monsters?]
[Yes.]
She nodded at me bitterly. But I frown as I muttered.
[Those?]
[That's right. They were many of them. At least 3 had appeared. Minus the one I had just killed. And everyone scattered into the forest but... Many... Got eaten...]
She showed a downcast look and began to sob quietly. A gently patted her back as I tried to comfort her. But there was no time to mourn.
Taking care not to hurt her feelings, I ask.
[You killed one of those things, right? With that... Chair?]
[Oh, you mean this?]
She then showed me what she was holding with her other hand. It was kitchen knife. It was smooth-looking and exquisitely crafted. But I notice then that it was made out of stone.
[...]
Ah, where did she get that?