The sound of rustling leaves was the first thing Leo noticed as he opened his eyes. The world felt strangely vivid. Colors seemed sharper, and even the faintest scents hung in the air with startling clarity. For a long moment, he just lay there, staring at the branches above swaying gently against the sunlight. It was peaceful—too peaceful.
He sat up abruptly, his breath catching in his throat. Around him was a dense forest. There were no cars honking, no bustling city sounds, only the hum of nature. His hands—small, far smaller than they should have been—trembled as he looked down at them. A chill ran through him. Something was wrong.
"What… happened to me?" he murmured, his voice higher-pitched than expected. It didn't sound like him. He pressed his palm against his forehead, trying to focus as a flood of disjointed memories surfaced. The mundane routine of a previous life, long hours spent strategizing over games, the sharp jolt of impact—an accident. His chest tightened as the realization hit him.
He wasn't in his world anymore.
Distant screams shattered the eerie calm. He scrambled to his feet, his balance unsteady. Smoke curled up into the sky, acrid and thick, its stench mixing with the cries of panic. Instinct told him to run in the opposite direction, but something stronger kept his feet rooted for a moment. Then, swallowing his fear, he moved toward the sound.
The sight that greeted him left him frozen. A small village lay in chaos. Homes burned, their thatched roofs consumed by fire. Bandits, rough-looking men with crude weapons, ransacked what they could carry. Villagers screamed as they scattered. A man fell, cut down as he tried to defend his family. A woman clutched a crying child, her terror palpable even from a distance.
Leo ducked behind a tree, his heart pounding. His chest felt tight, his breath coming in shallow gasps. "I can't do anything. I'm just a kid…" he muttered, the words catching in his throat. Yet, as he watched, a grim determination began to take root. His gaze darted across the scene, taking in every detail—the movements of the bandits, the layout of the village, the paths for escape.
"Think," he whispered, closing his eyes briefly. He had always been good at thinking under pressure. "What would I do if this were a game?"
A movement caught his attention. A boy, around his own age, stood in the middle of the street. His frame was slight, his face pale with fear, but he held a stick in trembling hands, facing down a bandit who was twice his size. The boy's defiance was brave—or foolish. The bandit sneered, raising his blade.
Leo didn't think. He grabbed a rock from the ground, its rough surface pressing into his palm. He aimed quickly, his arm moving before his brain could second-guess him. The rock flew, striking the bandit on the side of the head. The man staggered, his grip on his weapon faltering.
"Run!" Leo shouted, his voice cracking with urgency. The boy didn't hesitate. He dropped the stick and bolted toward the tree line, his steps wild and uneven. Within moments, he had joined Leo, both boys crouching low behind the cover of the forest.
"You saved me," the boy said, panting heavily. His dark eyes met Leo's, wide with a mix of fear and gratitude.
Leo shook his head. "It's not over yet. What's your name?"
"Zhi," the boy replied. "And you?"
"Leo." He peeked around the tree, his mind racing. The bandits were regrouping, and it wouldn't be long before they swept through the forest. "We need to move. Now."
The two boys crept deeper into the woods. Twigs snapped underfoot, and every sound made them flinch. By the time they stopped, the sky was painted with streaks of orange and pink. Leo worked quickly, gathering twigs and dry leaves to build a small fire. The flames flickered weakly, casting faint shadows over their dirt-smudged faces.
"You're not like the others," Zhi said suddenly, his voice low. He studied Leo carefully, as if trying to piece together a puzzle. "You knew where to throw that rock. And you're not… panicking."
Leo hesitated. Zhi's gaze was sharp, too sharp for a child. He weighed his words carefully. "You're not normal either," he said, testing the waters. "You were ready to fight that guy back there."
Zhi's lips curled into a faint smile. "You're right. I'm not normal. I remember things I shouldn't. Another life." His voice dropped to a whisper. "I think we're the same."
Leo's chest tightened. "You're a transmigrator too?"
Zhi nodded. "Looks like it."
Before either of them could say more, the rustle of leaves snapped them to attention. The bandits were coming, their voices rough and mocking as they searched the forest.
"They're hunting survivors," Leo murmured. His mind kicked into overdrive, piecing together a plan. He turned to Zhi. "We need to set a trap."
Zhi's eyes gleamed with something like admiration. "You already have one in mind, don't you?"
Leo didn't answer. He grabbed a length of vine, his hands working quickly to tie it between two trees. "Help me stack those rocks over there. When they hit the tripwire, the rocks will fall, and we'll have an opening."
Zhi nodded, moving without hesitation. For someone his age, he was surprisingly efficient, his movements deliberate and steady. Together, they worked silently, the urgency of the moment sharpening their focus.
When the trap was ready, they crouched in the shadows, waiting. The bandits' footsteps grew louder, accompanied by gruff voices and laughter. Leo's heart thudded in his chest, but his hands stayed steady.
The first bandit tripped the wire. He fell forward with a startled cry, triggering the rocks to cascade down onto another man behind him. Chaos erupted as the bandits stumbled over each other in confusion. Seizing the moment, Zhi leapt from the shadows, wielding a hefty branch like a club. He struck one bandit square in the ribs, sending him sprawling.
Leo moved quickly, hurling rocks with practiced precision. Each one found its mark, disorienting the attackers further. Within moments, the remaining bandits retreated, their curses fading into the distance.
The forest fell silent once more. The boys stood side by side, panting, their faces smudged with dirt but glowing with the thrill of survival.
"Not bad," Zhi said, grinning despite his exhaustion. "Not bad at all."
Leo allowed himself a small smile. "This is just the beginning."
Together, they gathered what little they had and disappeared deeper into the woods. The partnership of Leo and Zhi was forged in fire and chaos, and the world had no idea what was coming.