Suddenly, the sound of paper ripping temporarily overwhelmed everything, even the loud waterfall.
Alex's eyes gleamed as the small void inside the mana ball wasn't a void anymore. A trace of mana flowed into existence by itself, filling the gap.
Alex beamed with happiness. He had done it.
He cracked the code to properly catalyze mana.
Alas, his happiness was short-lived. As expected, his concentration could keep up no longer, causing the small mana ball to collapse in on itself.
A loud thump followed, and all the mana Alex managed to gather exploded in a cloud, enveloping him.
What little strength he had left in his body left Alex, causing him to sway from side to side, almost making him fall into the stream below.
'Shit...'
Even his thoughts slowed down.
Lethargically, Alex wondered how to bring the mana into his body rather than let it spread.
If only he still had control over it or the energy necessary to bring the mana cloud under his control. Yet, he had neither.
So, he did the only option he had left. Alex took a deep breath, trying to force the mana inside his body.
He then took another breath. And failed.
Mana refused to enter his lungs, and even if it did, the mana refused to enter his bloodstream and body.
'What can I do?'
Desperation slowly pooled at his consciousness' edges, threatening to overwhelm him. Without mana present in his body, Alex would continue to feel pain, lethargy, and numbness until he somehow managed to force mana into his body.
Yet, mana refused to listen to him. No matter how much he called, no matter how he begged, it remained stoic and cold. Distant, like the moon in the sky.
Alex couldn't even curse. He had no more energy in his body. His thoughts slowed down even further, and the edges of his vision started going black.
There was only a matter of time before he passed out. After that, who knew if he ever would wake up again.
Maybe he will be eaten by a wolf or bear that passed by. Or maybe Alex would drown and get eaten afterward.
Thoughts of his death began overwhelming Alex's psyche, and even as he desperately tried keeping his eyes open, they slowly but surely drooped.
His neck muscles, unable to keep his head upright anymore, relaxed, letting Alex's head droop further down.
'A fish...' Alex mused, watching as a colored fish was sprinkling light everywhere. 'Attracted by... something.'
Alex didn't even realize his hands were submerged in the shallow pool. He felt his hands no longer.
'...too pretty.'
The fish zipped around the water like a dragonfly in the air so fast Alex couldn't keep up with its movements.
The fish tumbled and made circles in the water, sometimes even jumping out of the water as if hunting something. The poor creature didn't even realize another being was standing near it.
Alex only watched as the fish played inside the pond, unable to even lift a finger. He enjoyed the light show, just like a kid would, unaware he could try to catch the fish. He was too tired to think straight.
There is a saying. An old one. Salvation comes to those who ask for it.
The fish somehow miscalculated a jump. Expecting to fall back into the water, the fish landed in Alex's lap.
Alex looked down at his crotch, where a puddle of water was barely big enough to hold the fish.
For a long time, he stood there, upset the light show ended until he grew too tired to even care.
'The fish... has a friend now.' At least the fish won't feel lonely now, Alex thought.
It was a happy, innocent thought. Alex could finally go sleep now, happy that someone had found company.
Almost as Alex was on the verge of falling asleep, an idea crossed his mind. Could he eat the fish?
'Fish... too cute...'
Yes, he could not eat the fish. It was happy now, swimming with a new friend. Alex couldn't bear rupturing such a friendship, not now.
Sleepiness finally overtook him, and Alex fell face-first into the shallow pond.
Lights out.
Alex felt like he was drowning like he was dreaming. He couldn't breathe, but that didn't evoke any survival sense.
He must be dreaming. That was the only explanation.
Although it was cold and getting colder, Alex didn't pay too much attention to such a minute detail.
Winter must be coming. That was the only explanation.
Something entered his mouth.
Something slimy.
It felt weird, and a weird sensation was coming from his gums. As if something was sucking on his gums' skin.
Nothing too bad. There isn't any danger as there is no pain.
The slimy thing advanced in his mouth, going into the back of his throat.
Another weird sensation followed like Alex was about to throw up, but he ignored it and swallowed.
A funny sensation followed as something wriggled in his throat, going down his chest and into his stomach.
Suddenly, something exploded in his stomach, but no pain accompanied that explosion. There was a puff, then nothing.
*GASP!!!*
Slamming his hands down, Alex hoisted his body from the water, coughing his lungs out.
He coughed so hard his lungs felt like they were prickled by needles, and he couldn't seem to get enough air.
With bloodshot eyes, he looked around, looking for a dry place.
On instinct, Alex crawled to and over the pond's edge, his hands grabbing onto dirt, dust, and dry twigs. He didn't care about that. He needed air.
On his fours, Alex curled up, a sudden sensation of throwing up overwhelming everything from his mind. Nothing came up.
Alex resumed his coughing, and water finally left his body. Some water, he swallowed, but most he threw up on the ground, mixing with dirt and sand.
At some point, Alex stopped coughing and fell onto his belly.
Air entered his lungs, filling him with life. Not even now did he fully understand what had happened or how close he was to dying.
All that mattered now, however, was that he was alive.
Naked as he was, Alex was alive.
"Holy fuck!"