In a vast expanse of desolate snow lay an unsightly figure, if you look closely you could see that it was a young man but he was bleeding from various parts of his body and was also shivering slightly.
Leif had swollen eyes and tattered clothes but he was reminiscing about the time he spent with his family, the fun they had, how perfect they were and comfortable life was.
But now all was lost furthermore to see is to believe and as the harsh reality struck him on the face he was unable to muster any strength.
" How about I, give you the opportunity to search for answers?" suddenly a voice was heard inside of his head.
" Who are you!!!" Leif screamed at the top of his voice and immediately maintained a defensive stance.
" Ha ha ha, little one do you think you would be able to escape if I wanted to attack you, even if you rush inside of the great floating spiral tower of 'mythical planar field' I could still catch you, eyes closed."
" Then why are you trying to talk with me?" Leif said in a distrusting and unyielding tone.
" It's simple I just want to save myself by placing a tiny fraction of my soul inside of you as I would cease to exist if I continue to exist in this form, besides do you think you would have survived the shockwaves of a battle of such intensity with just your mortal body " the unknown being said in an indifferent tone.
Leif felt alarmed and was about to retort when the voice interrupted," Of course if I do this you would get much more benefits than you could properly imagine, you would be able to awaken your potential to reach a greater level of existence and start your journey through the great 'PATH' "
" The 'path', what is that?" Leif could not help but blurt out.
The voice said, " All myriad beings regardless whether they are a dog, human or a god to achieve eternal glory must start in the 'path'. The path is just a pathway a being must take to ascend and become a higher being. Of course the longer the path is the more powerful one will be and would be recognized by zillions of beings."
" Currently you are just a mortal, one who is oblivious to the grand path. Only if you start treading the path would you be able to shed your mortal self and bask in the glory of the path." The voice was speaking with blind fanaticism.
" What do you want kid? Unlimited power? Eternal life? Become a deity worshipped by billions? I can open you that path kid and don't you also want A-N-S-W-E-R-S." the voice trailed off with a tint of temptation.
Leif felt dazed after hearing this but gradually shook out of this and said in a trembling but resolute voice, " I just want to return back in time and live happily with my family and could you tell me when did your 'esteemed self' enter my body.
"Huh, you are truly an interesting chap and I did not enter your body. You picked me up, do you remember? Now that stone is inside your mind space." the being replied casually.
Leif's eyes revealed shock before he gently shook his head and sighed.
"So are you sure? Don't worry I won't possess or take over your body. For me, this is just insurance. Okay, I will begin now! Stay still or you may die due to backlash."
Leif nodded before getting up and walking to a nearby gorge that was unaffected by the disaster.
Before long the unknown being started chanting a strange ancient hymn:
"Invoco ordinem et benedictionem viae, ut benedictionem nobis praebeat huius saeculi Xenonis, et partem animae meae in hoc mortali corpore resiliat. Anima mortalis assimilation sequential !!"
Leif felt nothing at all just as if an insignificant insect was crawling through his skin, he suddenly coughed out some blood before starting to spasm and go down to the ground.
After a while, he awoke slowly before being alert and looking around to ensure that there was no one around. As Leif remembered what had happened he could only grit his teeth and hope the unknown being did not trick him.
But he was helpless here and had no other choice but to accept the conditions as he did not know if such a so-called powerful being would rashly attack him. He could not afford to be careless and needed to be cautious.
Suddenly a familiar voice resounded in his head, " Young man take care, in a few days find a safe place and prepare for your 'Metamorphosis' and your assimilation into the grand path, then the path after that would reveal itself ."
" Wait!! You, what are you? Are you the devil?" Leif shouted out at the voice with uncertainty in it.
The mysterious entity chuckled and said in a playful manner, " I may be anything Devil, ghost, or a god. It's up to you but remember 'Good without evil is like light without the darkness which in turn is like righteousness without hope', what you want to be is up to you"
Leif could faintly hear some words as the voice trailed away," Countless paths, limitless possibilities..."