"I notice you really dislike those Champions you mentioned," the voice in Sam's head chimed in.
"It's not your business," Sam replied.
"Well, considering we'll be together for a while, and judging by your anger towards those champions, it seems they did something really awful that fueled your hatred. Hmm, wait a second," the voice said, and after a brief pause, it continued, "I see. That's what's fueling your hatred."
"What do you mean?" Sam asked, raising a brow.
"From what I just witnessed, your hatred stems from losing your family. I can see you want revenge," the voice said. Though Sam couldn't see it, he had a feeling that the person behind the voice was smiling.
"How did you uncover all that? Can you truly read my mind?" Sam's discomfort grew as the realization sank in that his innermost thoughts were no longer private, laid bare to the person within his head. "I don't like it; it feels like an invasion of my privacy."
"Yes, I can read your mind. We share the same body now. If you didn't fancy it, why did you open the book?" the voice responded.
"We share the same body?!" Sam exclaimed, eyes widening. He acknowledged the voice was correct; he shouldn't have delved into the book. Strangely, he didn't physically open it.
"Yeah, I was right. Although you didn't open the book physically, you uttered those words inscribed on it, which served as the key," the voice explained.
"Stop doing that. Don't invade my thoughts." Sam, realizing the truth, found himself with little to say. He unwittingly activated the book by saying the words ("The Shadow Lord")—the key to unlocking its secrets. Now, it was too late; the die was cast. Yet, oddly enough, Sam found himself somewhat drawn to the situation, apart from the unsettling presence in his head.
The system promised to guide him towards power, a pursuit he desired, but Sam questioned the necessity of the persistent voice in his mind.
"You might be surprised by who's trapped in your head," the voice declared, a hint of pride in its tone that Sam certainly detected.
"In this very moment, I don't give a hoot about who's behind this voice. All I crave is a ticket out of this underground maze I'm stuck in," Sam declared, his indifference shining through. The voice, now furious, bellowed in Sam's mind, but he brushed it off. His focus? Unraveling the mystery behind the system's promise.
"How dare you!" The voice roared in Sam's mind, but he remained unfazed, determined to navigate the twists and turns of the cave in pursuit of that sweet escape route.
Sam tirelessly searched for an escape from the repetitive cave holes, each leading him back to the same frustrating chamber. Growing increasingly annoyed, he finally turned to the silent voice that had been absent for a while.
"How the hell am I going to get out of this damn place? Any help, voice?" Sam pleaded, frustration evident in his tone.
"I kept quiet, obviously," the voice retorted.
"What? If I don't get out, you're trapped here too," Sam snapped, irritation mounting. "You're quite annoying."
"Thanks for the compliment," the voice replied sarcastically. "Now, if you're done with your blabbering, let's get out of here. Firstly, observe your surroundings more."
"What do you mean?" Sam asked, a bit confused.
"Sigh!" The voice sighed in frustration. "Look at the spot where the sun is shining through into the cave."
Following the voice's guidance, Sam realized it was already morning, the sunlight revealing the passage of time.
"I've spent all night in here," Sam said as he walked back to the podium and looked up. The sunlight laced his face, and Sam estimated he could pass through the hole. The challenge was reaching the top.
Then, an idea struck Sam. He quickly mounted the podium, surprised to find it high enough for him to reach the hole. Though he had to jump a few times, Sam eventually grabbed hold of a spike protruding from the ceiling, using it as leverage to pull himself up.
Swiftly, Sam caught hold of the hole and pulled himself out of the cave.
"Ahh, finally, the sun!" Sam exclaimed, relieved to have escaped the confines of the cave.
Finally free from the cave, Sam's joy was short-lived as he realized his current location.
"I almost forgot about the dark forest," Sam muttered, suddenly on high alert.
"You little coward," the voice in Sam's head chided, irritated at Sam's unease.
Ignoring the voice, Sam pressed on through the forest. It was daytime, roughly around 9 AM, and his primary focus was finding a way out.
"How amusing—trapped in a cave but now clueless in the forest. Your life is quite pathetic," the voice insulted.
Sam brushed off the remark. Exiting the forest became his primary concern, and luck was on his side. He quickly discovered the forest exit, not having ventured too far in.
"Great!"
Sam rushed towards the exit, eager to leave the forest behind. Yet, as he neared the edge, he froze. Dead bodies lay scattered in the grassy clearing beyond. Initially hesitant, Sam's curiosity prevailed.
The sunlight cast an eerie glow on the scene, accentuating the lifelessness of the bodies. Two figures lay on the ground, covered in grass as if nature itself tried to shroud their demise. Kneeling down, Sam turned the first body, revealing an unfamiliar face. The eyes, wide open in a permanent state of shock, seemed to reflect the horrors of the final moments.
His heart raced as he turned the other body. A rush of disbelief and dread washed over him as the familiar face of his friend, Peter, stared lifelessly back at Sam. Peter's features, frozen in the rigor of death, bore no trace of the warmth and camaraderie Sam once knew. The forest, once a refuge, now held the chilling evidence of tragedy.
"Peter!" Sam gasped, his voice barely a whisper. The weight of the discovery hung heavy in the air as the forest seemed to mourn the loss of life. The stark reality of death in the midst of the once vibrant wilderness sent shivers down Sam's spine. The forest, once an escape, now became a haunting reminder of the fragility of life.
*****
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