Transmigrator, Zed, Shadow
Imperial Calendar: Year 1596, Month 3, Day ???
Dark Forest, north of the Imperial Territory
Pleasures of life, my father always said, are many, including having sex with a woman. In fact, it was one of the main things he talked about with me. He told me it's one of the best things that can exist in this world, one of the most primary pleasures and necessary for the reproduction of the human race. Another thing he told me when I was a child was to kill the women he slept with... He was a complete lunatic... too much. He didn't consider that saying those things to his own five-year-old son could cause mental problems, but the worst part was that I would go and tell those things to my mother.
But that right now didn't matter in the slightest...
Gulp... Gulp... Gulp... Gulp
Yes, regardless of what his father said, at this moment the greatest pleasure in the world was drinking water, water, yes, water, the most important liquid for human survival, and likewise for all living beings, refreshing and sweet (it had no taste). My body feels like it comes back to life again. Dehydration had been killing me for about three days; it was a complete hell... I had never suffered so much for something so easy to obtain on Earth.
Letting out a satisfied sigh, I lift my head. The fresh river air rising into the sky hit my face directly. The environment was a bit humid, and around the river, there was a good amount of grass growing. Looking in the direction it was flowing, I could see a large mountain in the distance. This river is directly connected to Valenwood, so following this river, I can have unlimited access to water...
The problem is food. Taking out some small round red berries from his pocket... putting one in his mouth, a somewhat bitter taste spread across his tongue. It had a faintly sweet taste, reminding him of some berries, the only thing he could find during these days. Counting the berries, I have about 20 of them left... Putting two more in my mouth, I saved the rest. I didn't want to finish them all as it was the only food I had at the moment.
Carefully removing his clothes, he stepped into the river... wanting to get rid of the repugnant smell and also to wash the only clothes he had for now. Without wasting time, he began to carefully wash his shirt, not wanting to damage it any more than it already was.... After completely washing his clothes, he washed his body...
***********
Transmigrator, Zed, Shadow
Imperial Calendar: Year 1596, Month 3, Day ???
Dark Forest, north of the Imperial Territory
Tricks... Tricks... Tricks... Tricks... Tricks....
A small flame illuminated the place, hidden beneath a tree, among the large bushes. Zed watched the fire intently. Flames danced while some sparks shot out from the small campfire... Even though it was completely dark around him, he could see clearly, as if it were daytime. It was strange, he was aware of it, but had no idea why he could see in the dark, as if he had night vision. He tried touching his eyes with his fingers, feeling nothing unusual, no fear, only comfort.
Normally, when someone is alone in the forest surrounded by nothing but darkness and complete silence, they would feel fear, a lot of fear. No matter how brave you are, the fear of the dark is a primordial, basic fear, created since the dawn of humanity. Our ancestors feared the dark, and today it's the same... I feel fine, as if I were at home, as if it were part of me... an extension of my soul.
Zed was sitting, watching the fire. It wasn't like he could do much else, warming his body. He was completely naked now, his clothes drying over the fire.
*******
-Die for us...
-HAHAHAHAHAHA
-How disgusting you made me feel just by seeing you.
-Damn peasant.
-I will take care of your sister....
Why are they doing this to me?... Why do I feel hatred? Why do I feel betrayed? It hurts so much, my heart aches, a heart-wrenching, devastating, and horrible pain...
****
It's dark, I can't perceive anything, coolness under my feet. Looking around, there is a sun, it's completely black, huge, I can't see beyond it. The ground beneath my feet seems like water, but I can walk on it. Walking, I see something ahead, a person, a child, a young boy, kneeling, hugging his knees, crying, sad. His sadness is so deep and vast that even I am affected. His head is down, he looks like a ball...
I approach him, for some reason he looks like me. We have the same clothes, the same hair, the same body... It's me.... No, it's not, it's the true owner of this body... He's crying, I sit beside him, not knowing what to do or say... not knowing what's happening either, but everything feels so real.
-What will you do? What do you plan to do?
-I don't know... I have no memories.
-Do you want memories?
-Yes.
-Why should I do it?
-I don't know.
-....
Zed looked intently at the black sun, feeling something hidden in it, feeling a small call. His eyes were black, extremely dark.
-They killed me...
-I killed myself.
-They betrayed me... I trusted them... But still, they killed me like a dog....
This place is extremely quiet, Zed thought to himself.
-I want to know.
-What do you want to know?
-Who are you?
-I am Zed.
-I am also Zed.
-I want to kill them... I want to kill them!
-Do you want revenge?
-Yes.
-You are dead.
-I am, but still, I remain in this place, I haven't died completely... I don't know why I am here, do you know?
-No.. I also don't know why I am in this place, I should also be dead...
-....
Zed looked intently at the dark sun, something was changing... shadows were moving, the place began to tremble... He looked at the other Zed, his body was completely black... shadows were also coming out of him... No, they were going towards him.
-God of shadows...
-God of shadows?
-Blessing of the god of shadows...
I don't understand what you're trying to say. God? Do they really exist... I have no idea...
-Son of shadows... the last shadow... the last descendant... it's you... no, it's both of us.
The completely black body of Zed merged with his own, Zed felt the shadows entering his body... no, they were entering his soul...
The true Zed lifted his head, his eyes completely black... a black liquid flowing from them... with a terrifying smile..
-We are one... I will give you my memories, and you will give me yours...
-I will be your shadow and you will be me...