You know? I was going to continue my story exactly from where I left off, but as I read through what I'd written so far, I realized a few things. Mainly, I need to learn how to better describe my surroundings, my thoughts, and my feelings, something I suppose I'll try to improve. But I also noticed I forgot to describe what I looked like in my previous life. I mean, it doesn't matter much now, but I guess it'll help you imagine me better, dear reader.
Let's see… where should I start...? Well... The truth is, I don't really know how to describe myself. Okay, I'm a guy, but I'm guessing you already figured that out. I'm 1.81 meters tall, though since I usually slouch, I look shorter. What else...? I was pretty thin and had multi-colored eyes. I had central heterochromia, with an iris of grayish green, a dark blue outer ring, and the inner part was... honey-colored? Oh, also, I was… mixed? I think that's the term.
Right, I also wore glasses. As for my hair, I wanted to let it grow a bit to try out a new style since my dad always made me keep it short. But since I couldn't decide on a style, my hair grew out of control, and the last time I looked in the mirror, my bangs were so long they practically covered my eyes.
WOW, it feels strange describing myself. Well, if you're curious about what my family was like… too bad. As for Samu and Kazuya, well, I don't think it really matters, right?
...
Ugh... Fine, I'll do it for you, noble reader.
Who should I start with? Kazuya or Samuel? I don't know why I'm asking, you obviously can't answer this, faithful reader. Or maybe it's too soon to call you faithful, but I'm running out of adjectives.
I guess I'll start with Kazuya… or with Samuel. You know what? Let's leave it up in the air for a second, narrative tension never hurts. Though, honestly, this probably isn't as exciting for you as it is for me, but let me enjoy it.
Kazuya, Kazuya, Kazuya... He's incredibly optimistic, that's without a doubt the first thing I have to highlight about him. How to put it...? Kazuya is like the "mom" of the group, for lack of a better description. You know, the kind of friend who's always keeping track of everything and everyone, as if carrying an invisible to-do list.
I've known him for a very long time, though, to be honest, we didn't get along too well at first. I'll skip the details because, first, they're not relevant; second, I barely remember how things went down; and third… the little I do remember is kind of embarrassing. The point is, over time, Kazuya became my best friend. He's always there, for better or worse. Even to scold me, which he does with an uncanny ease.
Somehow, whenever I mess up, whether it's just me or with Samu, even if he wasn't involved, he ends up taking responsibility with us and getting the reprimand. It's like he was born to calm the chaos we create. All in all, he's a really great guy.
He used to be a bit overweight, but a couple of years ago, he joined a gym, and now he's obsessed with it. He keeps telling me I should go with him, though, of course, I always find an excuse not to. And well, he's not very tall, about 1.75 meters. But that doesn't stop him from feeling bigger than he actually is.
Now it's Samuel's turn. I've only known him for a couple of years. He moved here from a Spanish-speaking country... though, to be honest, I still don't know exactly which one. He's pretty extroverted and has an optimistic personality too, though he occasionally has some low moments and gets rather fatalistic.
We became friends surprisingly quickly, which still baffles me. It usually takes me a while to trust people, but with him, it was different. I don't know if it was his laid-back attitude or something else, but we clicked almost immediately. He's a really fun guy, the kind that makes you smile with his jokes, although, to be honest, many of them are... a bit inappropriate.
As for his appearance, he's slightly shorter than Kazuya, I think he's about 1.71 meters tall. He's got an enviable physique, much more athletic than mine. Oh, and while I'm at it, I should mention something I forgot earlier: both Samuel and Kazuya have dark brown eyes and black hair. Meanwhile, I have light brown hair, in case that helps you differentiate us in your imagination.
And well, there's not much else to say about him. When the three of us get together, that's when things really go off the rails. Samuel and I are usually the ones who start the shenanigans, and Kazuya ends up stressed out because of us. Though, come to think of it, he's probably just joking. If he weren't, he'd probably have developed some sort of health problem because of us by now.
Alright, that's enough of this information dump. It's totally unnecessary and irrelevant to the plot and... well, I can't think of any other reasons, but yeah, that's enough. Let's set aside the introductions for now and get back to the story, that's why you're here, isn't it?
Where was I? I've already forgotten. Look what you've done, reader, I got distracted, and obviously, it's your fault. Now I'll have to go back and read what I wrote in the previous chapter, which means I'm going to waste time. Just like you, having to read this instead of what actually happened. But at least we're even now, right?
***
I just realized that I've written about half of what I want this chapter to be, and nothing interesting has happened. Are you happy? I only meant to write a couple of paragraphs, and I ended up with half a chapter. Half a chapter!
Ahem! Let's continue… Recapping, I reincarnated as a snake and almost fell off a cliff right after being born. Alright. I guess that's acceptable, I've read worse beginnings. But, of course, those stories weren't mine, right? This is different. My life is on the line. Basically, let's say I didn't start on the right foot… Well, I don't have feet, but you get it. How many times am I going to make that joke?
After that 'little' scare, I tried to calm myself enough to look around and, for the first time, observe where the hell I was.
Ooooh! Now I see, this is very interesting… In fact, I can't see much of anything. Weren't snakes supposed to have night vision? I guess I'm not nocturnal. How sad. Ignoring that, where am I supposed to be? In a cave?
I tried to move through the cave, but, you know? I have no idea how to do that. Earlier, I only managed to avoid falling because of… instinct? Luck? Both? Well, the thing is, I don't know how to slither, and that seems to be a problem.
In the end, I spent what felt like an eternity making movements so embarrassing that I don't even know how to describe them. I managed to move forward, in a clumsy and awkward way, but hey, one step at a time, right? Nope. I spent another eternity and a half refining my movements so that at least it wouldn't be so pitiful to watch me.
I didn't manage to move with the grace and style I would've liked, but at least I now moved like any other snake. I should stop distracting myself with irrelevant things… Well, technically, I was in a cave, but it was a cave with only one exit, a pretty steep cliff. If I had solid supports, like a good pair of legs and arms, I might have tried to climb down, but since I didn't (and I didn't trust myself either), I simply decided to postpone it. Instead, I curled up next to one of the walls, thinking about all the things I could do in this new life… if I managed to get out of here.
Since there was no one around to judge me, I allowed myself to think out loud.
"I could try to evolve as a person… though I doubt I'd manage it. Maybe I could keep a journal, adapt it into a novel later, and when I return to my world, publish it and get rich and famous… Or I could start a streaming channel and talk to people about this world while showing off my incredible skills..."
And so, I spent who knows how long. By the way, I said there was no one to judge me, and I hope you don't either, my dear reader. At that exact moment, the novel you're reading right now was born. Show a little respect, okay?
If you're wondering how I managed to climb down the cliff, acquire the skill to write, and eventually return to my world… you'll have to wait. All in good time, young reader. Or not so young, I have no idea who you are. The point is, I'm not going to spoil the story of my incredible adventures.
Back to the point, eventually hunger started consuming my every thought. I tried to put it off as long as possible, but in this desolate cave, there was nothing to eat. At first, it was just an annoyance, an emptiness in my stomach that was easy to ignore, but soon it became something more. My body seemed determined to remind me that I needed food, sending sharp pangs I couldn't ignore.
The pain wasn't the worst part. It was the sense of desperation, of fragility, as if my body were starting to fail me. Was this how this new life was going to end? A ridiculous snake that couldn't even take a step out of its cave.
At this rate, that seemed pretty likely, because when I approached the edge, I couldn't see any way to get down without rolling uncontrollably for who knows how long. The abyss seemed to mock me, but I didn't have any other options. The thought of staying trapped here seemed even worse than trying to descend.
Facing the vertigo, I inched toward the void… well, I didn't "inch"; I slithered. Yes, I made the same joke again. Surprisingly, I started to descend very slowly, but in a safe way, without the wild tumbling I'd feared.
Eventually, I made it far enough down to see another cave, or rather, an entrance. From outside, I took the opportunity to try to orient myself. It turns out I was on a mountain, almost at the peak. It's a mystery how a cavern formed here, but I suppose some monstrously powerful creature must be responsible.
"Are you watching, Miss Angel? I'm moving forward, taking my first steps... or slithers, actually. Well, toward the future, anyway."
Before you decide to stop reading, let me apologize. I think this will be the last time I make that joke. Promise.
"I really thought this was going to go badly. What were the chances of me not falling?"
Of course, I couldn't believe it, and you probably don't either, but as you might've guessed, I just jinxed it. And now, can you guess what happened next? I'll give you some options:
a) I made it to the cave safe and sound.
b) ...
Forget the options. Clearly, I ended up rolling. Have I mentioned that this is a generic story? At least I only rolled to the entrance of the cave, but I took quite the hit on... well, somewhere. I don't know much about snake anatomy.
Recovering from my minor injury and cursing my tongue, I observed the cave. This one had more than just rocks, a broken eggshell, and stalactites.
"At least there's some variety here. Look over there, a spiderweb… and over there, mold. Wow, what an upgrade. But first things first: I need food."
I decided to venture deeper into the cave to search for something to eat, preferably vegetation. I didn't feel up to hunting anything; I'd probably die in a direct encounter. What did you expect? I barely went outside in my previous life, and being in an unfamiliar body wasn't helping.
A bit further in, I found several paths, but I couldn't just leave it up to luck. There was a path to the left, one straight ahead, and one going downward.
"What a dilemma… Which way should I go?"
No matter how much you pressure me, I'll never admit how much time I wasted there, unable to decide where to go. In the end, I just went straight. For now, it didn't seem like a good idea to go down.
What great progress, I thought I wouldn't have enough space left to tell anything, but in the end, I managed to include something. Although, technically, I still haven't told much of anything.
---
That's it for now, reader. I'll try to stop rambling and focus more on the story. Or do you prefer it this way? Well, it's not like you can answer me, so I'll just try to cut down on the interruptions. Besides, I probably won't show up in the next chapter, so you likely won't see me again for a while. Until next time, Kai out.