I followed the path. It never bent, turned, or shifted one way or another. The bugs buzzed alive as the sun began setting. I could feel the temperature dropping despite my numbness. While the path of gravel was clear of snow, the bugs had no reservations about transversing the road. Bugs I've never seen before, some with two heads and others outright glowing. I never stopped long coming across these insects. That was until, a green large ant the size of a basketball was spotted chewing on something. With its body turned away from me, I stared at it in shock. "That's big." I muttered softly.
Betraying my expectations, the ant stopped. Slowly turning around, I got a look at its face. White eyes with red blood… leaking from its pincers! Glancing past it, I saw a small white ball of fur bleeding profusely by it. It followed my eyes in a motion that felt intelligent. Unsure how to proceed, I stepped off the path to go around it. Immediately it spat blood in my direction with ferocity.
It made its move and I shuffled away. Picking a broken branch, I swatted the air hoping to deter it. The ant seemed to reconsider… I hoped that's what it was doing. Without fear it turned and pinched the dead animal off the ground. With animal in it's possession, it crawled away. "Where am I? If only I could call…"
I got so caught up in this otherworldly place that I forgot I still had my phone. Pulling it out, I turned it on. Fourteen percent left on its battery. No signal, which makes sense. I tried dialing for help regardless. It didn't work. I took a picture of the road on the camera. If I ever find a charger, I can try to trace my steps back and look for answers. Noise drowned my pondering.
Wheels! I could hear wheels spinning behind me. I turned around and saw a wooden carriage.
"Hello Traveler! Are you perhaps interested in some wares from the Lionhearted Company?" Frail old man with thin garments cloaked his hunched shoulders. Grey bushy eyebrows that almost formed a unibrow. This was the first person to speak English!
"Do you know what is this place?" I couldn't keep my excitement away. Maybe I could get back.
His eyes squinted, "…these are the forgotten woods friend. How are you lost on the road?" I glanced at his carriage. My question must have left a poor impression. His tone made it obvious he disapproved of my ignorance. Despite his misgivings, I felt myself drawn towards his ride. Not giving his opinion much thought. The oak was polished and the leather on the front was a beautiful slick black. The money spent told of riches. It wasn't apparent at first, however the minor wear couldn't hide the authenticity.
"I'm not really from around here." I reached into my pocket to pull a pad and pen. A habit my father insisted I developed at a young age. Within seconds I was writing down a address. Tearing the slip, I handed it to him.
His eyes squinted for a brief moment. When he looked up at me, he smiled eagerly. His changed demeanor was barely noted in my stupor, "Your not from around here!" Laughing he waved his hands and the paper disappeared.
"Are you a traveling magician?" I asked at the sight of his parlor trick. His smile quickly grew grim and he nervously pulled his coat closer. "I'm no magician!" He squeaked, anger evident. How can a man's disposition change so quickly and so often? I thought he'd feel complimented, instead he's passing stories like I desecrated his grandmothers grave.
Looking around, he waved me closer.
"I'll pretend you didn't say that child. Considering your not from around here; You'd best not be calling any folk magicians. They do not take kindly to making jest at their expense." With a cough, he sat straight and said, "I'll be off then. I wish you safe travels." With rushed motions, he waved his hand forward. The carriage seemed to answer to his direction, moving with out warning.
His carriage strolled past me. Something so primitive should have horses pulling it, but they were absent. I would guess machines, but a lack of engine noise made me wonder. How did he manage that contraption? Is magic really a possibility here? I found the idea ridiculous. Not to say I was opposed to magic itself, but the notion I'd embarrass myself believing the first illusion I came across.
Noises of a deep growl distracted me from my muse.
Turning towards the sun, I moved away from trees getting a clear view.
The skyline was a marvel. The shade of whitish blue sky was ever present, the discolored sun eerie, but nonetheless captivating. The source of the growl absent.
My unanswered question was answered when a small dark spot blemished the scenery. Soon, it became clear and larger. A massive bird with a wingspan rivaling a modern plane flew slanted overhead towards something in vicinity of my location. Although bird like, the lack of eyes and thin sac pouch hanging underneath its beak told me it was clearly some abomination.
"Where the hell am I?" I ran, unable to see if it was making way in my direction still. When it passed overhead, I slowed down. What's wrong with this place. I couldn't outrun something so large. I stifled a disbelieving laugh. I'm so dead.
To my luck, I was never it's prey. It dived downward into the now faraway carriage.
I heard a blood curdling scream in the distance. Likely the merchant I met moments prior. His beautiful ride was being ripped apart. The bird growled and a screech followed that pained my ears. Standing next to the carriage only magnified how huge this thing looked. Nearly double the height, it feared little. I ran closer to the crashed carriage. It wasn't rational. I can't help him. The bird was massive.
In one fell swoop, it ripped his legs off. I closed my eyes, and it did nothing to shield me from the horrible screams. My bravery was short lived. I sat still, letting fear consume me. He died so quickly. We stood no chance.
"Get up! Stop being stupid and finish it off!" I jerked my head up. The voice sounded so familiar. Everything in me told me to find the speaker. I looked everywhere, but nothing but the trees and the large monster were nearby. Looking at the bird, I could feel my fear diminishing. The blood was still being spilled. The carriage broken beyond repair. Nothing about the situation changed, yet I felt myself stir with resolve. A moment of insanity and I was on my feet. Grabbing a nearby branch, I snapped it in two. With the sharpest end pointed at the creature. I ran. I ran with more intensity and effort than I ever remembered giving. As if my body knew, nothing short of everything would be enough.
The merchant didn't die with out a fight. The bird was wounded on the side. A small bloody dagger lay next to his broken body. That's where I rushed and with every step I took I saw exactly how I needed to gut it. I could see it so unbelievably clear in my mind. I knew with every fiber of my being how I needed to stab it. I followed through without hesitation. I felt the crooked makeshift spear dig into the guts of the bird and could feel it peice something more fragile beyond it. With a moment of shock, from both me and the animal, it crumbled onto the ground.
When the animal died, something in me changed.
Do you accept the Olight System?
Yes / No
———
I stared at the words prompted in front of me. Turning my head, they remained fixed to my vision. Reaching my hand to the holographic slide, it passed through seamlessly. "Yes" I whispered. Confidence, something I wasn't accustomed to permeated through me.
Congratulations! Welcome to the Olight System. You are the first world traveler. As the forefront runner, you will receive Mana Manipulation.
Pain. I fell to the floor convulsing. Foam poured from my mouth and blood spilled from my nose. Something hot burned in my chest. It left me weak and gasping for air. I cried from the pain. Something inside was tearing me apart and I didn't know how to end it. The system cared little for my pain, it continued feeding me prompts.
Your innate abilities have been revealed.
• Clarity (Unlocked)
• Mana Manipulation (Locked)
• Time Manipulation (Locked)
I gasped for the cold air. The heat settled as a blast of foggy air was exhaled. Although my sense of touch was numbed substantially by the cold, it seemed I wasn't affected mentally by the biting temperature. The scorching heat coming from my chest also went ways to remedying my dilemma. If only it wasn't outright setting my nerves on fire.