"I'm, please.... Leave me alone," whimpered the slave master's wife as I approached her.
I kneeled in front of her to create as much dread as possible before ending her wretched existence. Peering into the depths of her soul and instilling the fear of God in her was my goal. Standing there with the knife in my hands, I comb my hands through my curly hair as I start laughing like a lunatic. I could almost taste the palpable delicious fucking justice I'd been yearning for. However, everything good must come to an end. That's when I got a searing ache in the middle of my chest, one of the worst feelings I have ever had. Everything was in slow motion; I'm not sure how it happened, but everything seemed to be frozen in time. It seemed like the most comfortable I'd been in years for a brief moment. I almost wish I could see the expression I was making at that moment. That's when I heard it.
BANNNG!!!
I knew I'd been shot from behind in less than a fifth of a second — it was a sound I'm well too acquainted with. The most surprising thing happened when I looked behind me to discover who had gotten the better of me.
???: I apologize... I don't want to stick around and see what you would do to me... if this is what you did to them.
As I grabbed my lips while vomiting blood, I noticed the bullet had sailed right through my chest and through the wall. The clock is ticking, and I don't have much time left. A minute ago, I was in a state of ecstasy and believed it was the greatest moment of my life; now, I'm staring at a wound from which I'm not likely to recover. It's clear that he hit my lung, based on the wheezing I'm hearing while I try to communicate. Having a drawn-out fight will kill me in only a few seconds. I decide that I must distract him and finish the conflict immediately. That's it, I'll grab the bent knife near Sir Thomas and jam it in his heart. I felt an evil grin grow on my face and grunted.
HENRY: Good shot.
I strategically throw the turkey knife with precision aimed at Jacob's head. Anticipating my moves, Jacob lowers his head and dodges the butcher knife. Little did he know I had already snatched the knife by Sir Thomas's corpse; he was not able to anticipate me having a second knife near me. I stabbed his heart in a swift motion, all in an incredibly fast pace in the blink of an eye. As his head dropped on my shoulder…
JACOB: I'm sor…
But before he could complete his sentence, I slashed his neck.
HENRY: Just listen... You've destroyed my life.
I attempted to scream as I struggled to breathe.
HENRY: See you in hell.
I lay on the ground, motionless, as I cough up blood.
....
I could hear voices — they're getting louder. I can feel my eyesight slowly becoming dark.
MAN: Quick, we need assistance; a negro has begun a slaughter inside the home!
As I lay there, I crack a smile. Begun? Hehe, I'm already done.
WOMAN: Please, my family was at that party! Where is my little nephew?
Everything went black after that. For some reason, it feels like I'm still lying down, but I'm not in agony. I'm not drowning, but it feels like I'm underwater. That's when I collapsed to the ground, unable to breathe. An overwhelming need to vomit came over me as I pushed my face off the ground.
HENRY: BLEHHHH! AUUUUUGHHH!
But it didn't stop there — this continued for a few minutes, almost as if my body was vomiting up everything terrible it had accumulated. When I finally open my eyes, I'm surrounded by grey bile all over the floor with some dripping down my clothing. That's when I realize this isn't my slave attire.
HENRY: These clothes, this cabin. Where in the world am I?
…I thought to myself. This cabin isn't very large; it seems to have been intended for only one person. Is this a divine punishment? Even if it was, I would have repeated it as many times as necessary. First and foremost, I need to clean myself off.
**SLAM**
I slipped on some of the disgusting bile at the bottom of my shoes on my way to the toilet.
HENRY: Ouch, God must truly despise me; just give me a break.
I head into the bathroom and begin washing my body with what seemed to be some new kind of water mechanism that flows through a hole in the wall and into a bucket. I rapidly bathe to get the scent off me. It's a really distinctly uncomfortable paranoia not knowing where I was. My senses were at peak hypersensitivity while I bathed, and I found myself listening or waiting for anything to enter the bathroom. With my jewels dangling like this, I wouldn't be able to do much to fend off an intruder, but it doesn't make the dread go away. After a few minutes, I conclude bathing and glance around the bathroom.
HENRY: Finally fresh.
I take one look at the mirror.
**SCREECH**
I made the highest pitched scream I've ever done in my life. I've slaughtered so many of them, died, and turned into one? I scoff.
HENRY: No way in hell! What the heck is going on here, where am I?
I felt my skin crawl as I looked at the mirror and saw someone else staring back. I wanted to get away from whoever I was staring at, but it was only I who I was attempting to flee from. I was on the verge of passing out from the anxiety and despair I was experiencing. I exit the restroom naked in search of a change of clothing, barely escaping the bile on the ground.
**SLAMMM**
It felt like an eternity going down and being covered in puke again, so this must be my personal hell. I shout out with my fist in the air.
HENRY: YOU HAVE TO BE TROLLING ME!
A few minutes later after showering once more, I finish getting dressed; the clothes here are very nice compared to the slave master's clothing. The clothing seems to be almost too good for someone who lives in a cottage in the woods. The garments are put together with the precision of a professional tailor. I would know since I've been compelled to sew on occasion by my master. As soon as I sit down on the bed, I begin to wonder what is going on. Why did I wake up here? There's no way I could have survived that gunshot, even if those jerks intended to torment me... This frail-looking physique, it's so thin and feeble. There's no way I'm near the plantation right now, since I didn't look anything like I used to. I'm someone else, and I'm also someplace else, which is the only answer.
Could this be similar to the tales that everyone used to fantasize about? Have the others avoided their terrible destinies because they were reincarnated in another life? Tears streamed down my face, but they were tears of joy this time. Upon my pondering that may have lasted at least a few minutes, I've decided I should go explore the local area — I'm a free man now, and there's a lot to learn. Despite the fact that my body seems to be about twelve years old, it does not appear that I live with anybody — and there's no way I'm remaining here since I have no clue whose life I just took. I have no idea who this person is or what their issues are, and I have no intention of dealing with them on their behalf. Before my trek, I made a last-second choice to take a look around and see what I can borrow from this cabin.
Looking through a dresser, I come across a few volumes with names like "History of The Aetas Empire", "How powerful is Julius Minos?" and "Property Magic and the Evil Dark Continent". Following the study of the texts, it became apparent that the area I'm in is part of the Aetas Kingdom and that "voodoo magic" is genuine. We've tried for centuries to cast curses on those wicked slave masters to no avail and now you're telling me it's real? I discovered a backpack after another thorough search of the room. This bag has the appearance of being made for nobility. A poor peasant like myself, with a servant mindset, can hardly touch this stuff without dread of punishment.
I decided to carry the books as well as a sword that was clearly not meant to be held by these hands. As I walked out the door, blade strapped to my backpack hanging on for dear life, I was greeted by a stunning view of a dense forest; it was bright, and the weather looked ideal for travel. Smirking at a tree, I try to leap and grasp a branch to climb it, only to tumble and dump everything out of my bag.
HENRY: Ouchhh! Yeah, yeah, not the same physique… The only thing that makes sense right now is that this has to be a new world.
I kneel to grab my belongings and stow them back into my backpack. These books mention children developing magical abilities and being able to control nature powers such as fire, water, earth, and wind. If this were true on the plantation, there would be no need for slaves; work would be too easy. Therefore, this has to be a new planet! While collecting my things, I discover another object that had dropped out of the bag. It seems to be a circular symbol, similar to a family crest, with the words "Magnolia" written on the reverse. Is it referring to the plant? I despise the acidic scent that derives from magnolias.
A few hours go by, and I choose to take a break and take shelter on top of a tree. It's just high enough that no one will be able to steal my belongings. Even if it's still bright outside, I'm in need of a break. I took off my backpack and pulled out the book titled "History of The Aetas Empire". As I progressed through the book, I discovered more about the land's magic. It seems that everyone here is born with mana, and some can use different kinds of environmental magic, such as the natural elements, but not only limited to those. The majority of individuals can utilize natural elements, and depending on their talent, people can use multiple since the possibilities are endless.
Sound magic, for example, is a kind of wind magic. You may use sound magic to make your voice louder to talk to crowds or to concuss someone during a battle. Lightning magic is a kind of fire magic, which is self-explanatory. Storm magic is a combination of water and wind magic; therefore, you'll need both of those components to use it, though you wont necessarily be able to use them separately. There are infinite possibilities with the proper information, knowledge that I also lack.
HENRY: FUCKKKK....
This isn't your typical isekai. However, this book seems to be very ancient, I'm curious whether this body is capable of any kind of magic. While holding the book, I begin to read more of what it says. It seems that in this world, strength is based on Mana; even though Aura users are unable to materialize it, they may nevertheless make themselves much more powerful than Mages in certain cases.
HENRY: Let's see, it says you should search deep inside yourself and attempt to release whatever you feel via your hands.
I shut my eyes and extend both hands in front of me as I begin to search deep within myself. The first image that comes to me is of my nude self stumbling on the vomit a few hours earlier.
HENRY: Arggggh, what the hell man. Gimme a break.
My cheeks grow red, but I shut my eyes once more to try again, but this time I don't think of anything foolish; all I can feel is a searing pain seeping out of my chest and into my arms — as quickly as it came, it went. The sensation was more like my blood was boiling than a tingling sensation of magic. As I continued to read the book, I learned more about Aura users; it seems that there are people in this world that can use Aura Magic. Apparently, they can only use their magic to reinforce their bodies from the inside and out. They also are uncapable of exerting that magic outside of their bodies to create spells, but they can expel Aura to create their own unique effects. They are not able to cast spells, but they can produce specific Aura attacks. These abilities vary depending on the person; however, some may make shields, swords, and expel Aura to create a wave of destruction.
A Mage, as they call them, specializes in spell casting and long-distance combat. Aura users, on the other hand, tend to be on offence a lot, but are just as good at defense. They can also imbue mana into their weapons to give them super durability and the ability to slice through magic spells, though Mages can imbue their magic into their weapons as well. The book states that in a duel between a Mage and an Aura user, the decisive element would be who is more skilled in close combat and whether either fighter had any unique abilities called...
HENRY: Properties, I wonder what those are. I need to read some more later on, I'm pretty hungry.
One more chapter won't hurt. I proceed to the next page.
HENRY: Dungeons?
I instantly feel my PTSD overwhelm me and I immediately think back to the horrors I've experienced in my past life.
HENRY: Huh, caves with monsters... What am I readi...?
**ROARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR**
HENRY: Oh fuck! ...Why am I scared for? It's hardly surprising that wild creatures may be found here.
I took that as a cue to keep moving; I started climbing down the tree but had no option but to wrap my arms and legs around the tree and slide down. I better get my body back or no woman would find this attractive.
Hours go by — from what I can tell, it seems to be around seven p.m. After walking a few kilometers through the forest, I begin to realize that I'm far too hungry to continue. I locate a tree to conceal the few things I have and determined I must start hunting if I want to live inside this environment. Taking my blade with me, I walk not far from where my things were and enjoy the view. The forest's appearance was magnificent, and the air quality alone was incredibly refreshing. Due to the increase in technology, automation, and industries, the city we lived close to on the plantation was very polluted. The insects of this planet are also beautiful, which is a strange thing to say and even more to observe, since they are vibrant and appealing to the eye. I came upon my first animal not long after strolling and admiring the scenery. The animal seems to be a deer, which I used to hunt on my planet and learned to remain extremely motionless and blend in with the surroundings. I remove the sword from its sheath silently and approach the animal. This better not be the cliché I tread on a twig portion of my miserable existence.
**ROAAARR**
Due to the unknown creature's loud scream, the one I remembered hearing just hours earlier, the deer hurriedly turns around and sees me. Instead of being a little bitch, it stares me down. Wait, this isn't a deer.... No, it's a monster. I see, you want to play a game of chicken with me... I look at the animal even though its presence felt extremely overpowered. My knees were buckling on the brink of collapsing. That's when the deer started to take on its real shape. Slowly, a white, but brilliant fur started to grow on its face, beginning on the bridge of its nose and moving down its neck. It continued down to its underbelly and the backs of all four legs, eventually reaching its long bright fluffy tail. These magnificent antlers then started to sprout on its head, going up and back to form the shape of the letter "C", with tiny branches projecting to give the antlers the appearance of a lightning bolt.
My heart began to race; I'd never seen anything like that before. This is the kind of beast I'd usually read about from the Bible. How do the men of this planet confront these creatures? I honestly don't believe fleeing would help me in this position; maybe if I were in my previous body, but even that is questionable. Still, I'm not a fool; I used to hunt a lot while I was training to escape. I'll have to put finding a way out ahead of anything else.
The beast, gazing into the depths of my soul, it seems to be assessing my skinny self to determine if I am a prey or predator. I immediately expand my legs and widen my arms to the side to give the impression of being larger than I really am. I unsheathe my sword and stick the tip of my scabbard into the earth. The blade, black with extremely gorgeous shining red mysterious lettering on it, came out with a look of utter astonishment on my face. Should this even be fought with? Such a beautiful weapon — the black and crimson hilt had the same emblem as the crest in my backpack, and the hilt seemed to be in the same style as the master's dungeon swords. The beast makes its first stride towards me, signaling it has recognized me as its prey.
HENRY: Fuck…
I muttered to myself as I began to tense up heavily. At this pace, my heart will explode. The beast rushes up to me and strikes first, swinging its right claws at my legs, attempting to immobilize my movements. I perform a fast backflip to evade, but I land awkwardly and almost tumble to the ground. This seems to astound the beast, as it did not expect someone of my height and muscular strength to be capable of fighting back, even as bad as I am.
THE DEER'S POV
What the hell is wrong with this fool, is he unable to use his magic? Making a fool of yourself will not get you anywhere.
HENRY'S POV
The beast charges at me once more as it emerges from its haze, and this time, it is not intending to misjudge my skills. How could it be that self-aware and make individual choices to enhance its attack? I'm baffled.
I spin around and try to escape the beast by sprinting towards a tree with the beast still after me. I can tell it is keeping its eyes peeled to make sure I'm not up to anything mischievous. Before I reach the tree, I throw my blade straight up in the air as high as I can. When I get to the tree, I leap as hard as I can towards it, I proceed to kick off the tree, and attempt to grab my sword; everything at this point is in bullet time in my mind. I manage to grab my blade as I fall towards the beast, it does not seem to want to escape; instead, it slashes at my sword, and we collide. Looking at the beast's face, it does not appear to be fighting back to kill or harm me.
HENRY: Why did you go for my blade instead of my vulnerable parts?
The beast then pushes me back, and I fly through the air, colliding with a tree and falling to my feet.
HNERY: What the fuck is going on with these creatures? God, why the fuck did you send me here?
As I knelt there trying to gather my wits so I wouldn't die, that's when I heard the most horrifying, gut-wrenching "ROOAAARRR" in my life. My eyes roll back and I'm on the verge of passing out. I let out the biggest animalistic scream I can muster in order to stay conscious. My eardrums felt like they had burst because the sound was so commanding and thunderous. After that, all I could hear was the ringing in my ear as blood poured out. That's when a massive claw rips through the tree behind me while I'm immobilized. In the blink of an eye, just when the claws are about to rip my skin and bones apart, none other than the deer clashes with the beast right behind me, in the process keeping me safe. Needless to say, the surprise had me on the verge of peeing my ass off.