In the beginning God said let there be light, and so all came to be, but all was not quite as God had intended it to be. For God gave man a free will of their own and a world too plentiful to be called home.

So as the twenty-first century began, humans, the species that ruled over the earth had come to a turning point in their evolution. Natural selection, the process by which the strongest, the smartest, the fastest reproduced in greater numbers than the rest, a process which had once favored the noblest traits of man, had began to favor different traits.

Most science fiction of the past had predicted a future that was more civilized and more intelligent. But, as time went on, things had suddenly started to change and society began heading in the opposite direction. A dumbing down was occurring.

Many of course were quick to ask just how did this happen? Well evolution does not necessarily reward intelligence. With no natural predators to thin the herd, plenty of food and other necessities, society simply began to reward those who reproduced the most, and left the intelligent to become an endangered species.

As a consequence of this new and strange ideologies had began to emerge around the world, not because they really made sense or would ever work, but simply for the fact that they sounded nice. Politicians and leaders of nations along with any other positions of power started to be picked not for marit, but simply for reasons such as looks, the way someone spoke, the person seemed friendly, they had cute children or simply seemed smart.

Movies that promoted mindless violence, immorality and had lots of ass were time and time again chosen as number one. People no longer drank water and began to see it as something undrinkable, after all that's what the TV told them to do, which was in fact merely a scheme by the energy drink companies to increase profits seeing water as a danger to profits.

Years passed, mankind's descent into stupidity came ever more severe at a frightening rate. Some had high hopes the genetic engineering would correct this trend in evolution, but sadly the greatest minds and resources were focused on conquering hair loss and prolonging erections.

And so humanity along with the entire planet began to decline in every way. With no new inventions being made to leaviate the problem of climate change and the depletion of all natural resources. The Economy began to sink, poverty became rampant, people became more radicalised, natural disasters and odd weather patterns increased destroying crop yields leading to famine and mass migration further exaggerating things.

In desperation the Union of Nations gathered time and time again to find solutions to these problems like always. But with models, social media influencers, wrestlers, actors, African warlords and such people in charge no solutions or common ground was found. Mostly only selfies along with lots of content and likes were ever gained from these meetings.

Disappointed in these meetings countries soon began to then take things into their own hands. Wars and violence around the world increased, the United States annexed Canada and successfully invaded Mexico, which did gain the president lots of subscribers.

South America united and became the world's largest legal drug cartel. Tensions in the middle east grew as foreign companies and Jews in the region increased. China in the name of security occupied Myanmar. India took Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, needless to say many people were pissed and tensions around the world increased. Like this more years passed, things got increasingly worse, until finally at the end of the 21st century humanity stands at the brink of war.

***

Some were in the Middle East, during the dead of night in a ruined coastal city. Armed men wearing bandanas with strange writing on them that an English man could not understand were placing rockets on rooftops. When ready one of them spoke into their radio and said quietly.

"Akl alqaraf."

Then the men waited, listening to the radio for a reply and one by one they heard many voices speaking the same words, although they said it in different accents.

"Akl alqaraf."

Then after everybody had said the same words, came the final command.

"Almawt li'amrika, death to America!"

With those words, the ruined city along with many other places across the Middle East were lit with rocket engine lights. From north to south all across the Islamic world rockets were launched towards many carefully picked targets.

At the same time somewhere on the Mediterranean Sea, in the cabin of an aircraft carrier. A certain Lt, Jack Fritz was awoken from his deep slumber by the sound of loud sirens going off.

Opening his eyes lazily, he grunted in displeasure and blindly started to feel around for his phone. Not finding it there where it usually was Jack started to search his memory for clues. Then he realized that there was something hard and warm in his underwear.

Sticking his right hand into his underwear he finally felt it there. His beautiful hard and sizable phone. It was truly a thick and a big, phone meant to last for a long time and possibly bash someone's head in.

Taking it into hand Jack checked the time, but found himself merely getting blinded by the light making it impossible for him to see. In annoyance he looked away and rubbed his eyes, but no matter how much he tried he just couldn't get his eyes to adjust to the bright light.

"Oh come on eye's work dammit!"

Struggling to see anything Jack quickly pulled a joint and a lighter out from a secret pocket hidden inside his pillow. With pure skill and instinct he then lit it and took a deep hit of it. Immediately Jack could feel his body relax and his mind became so clear. Now the ship's alarms were like nothing more than beautiful music to his ears.

To him it was as if he were in slow motion although in reality only some seconds had gone by when his vision finally cleared up. Phone in hand he then checked the time only to be instantly stunned by that what he saw there. Raising his arms to the sky in an exaggeration he cursed the skies as he yelled.

"Are you fuking serious? It's only 3 in the morning! Why god why, why do these terrorists need to bother me like so, why?"

To his dismay, Jack was part of a US-led deterrence force. Serving in the USS Dwight D, Eisenhower carrier strike group. For the past 2 weeks, they had been getting constant warnings. A few small primitive rockets had been fired at them from the ruined coastal city. But with ease, they all were either shot down or came nowhere near their target. 

By now Jack had gotten sick and tired of the constant wake-up calls and pointless drills. Assigned to the carrier flight deck Jack would need to walk up many flights of stairs always to reach the deck and this annoyed him to no end.

"Fuck me, man. Why now? And what's all that commotion about outside? Sounds like somebody is way too excited for another false alarm."

As Jack started to get dressed and ready to head out, to see what was going on, that's when he heard frantic knocking on the door of his cabin and a familiar voice excitedly yelling.

"Lt Lt! Lieutenant! open up!"

Now Jack was truly annoyed, could he not even dress properly in peace over here? Just why is that bastard in such a rush? Could it be that something's finally happened?

Opening the cabin door Jack was then met with the sight of an fat, excited and sweaty Petty Officer named Sam. With annoyance Jack looked at the fat man as he straightened his back, did a salute and excitedly spoke.

"Sorry for disturbing you Lieutenant but I have urgent news! Sir!"

Jack just lifted his eyebrow in curiosity and nodded to let the man continue. As he did so, he saw other sailors run past the fat man in the corridor with clear worry to be seen on their faces as Sam then said.

"Sir it's war! We are finally at war and are to prepare for an immediate strike!"

Confused by the meaning of the man's words Jack asked.

"War? With whom? What are you talking about?"

Jack was now feeling adrenaline hit him at the mention of war, this was not something that he ever wanted to face. Though Sam merely seemed even more excited at the mention of this as he then said.

"I'm talking of everyone sir, the world's finally at war! It seems that the redline has been crossed and now its war, world war, sir!"

Unconsciously Jack took a step back, he couldn't believe it. No, he didn't want to believe it, he was too young and handsome for this.

Then the ships intercom turned on and the admirals panicked voice could be heard yelling.

"This is not a drill, this is not a drill! Everybody to your posts! We have incoming! I repeat....!!!"

With this, all doubts about a false alarm were Immediately erased from Jack's mind. Guided by his pure instincts Jack stepped out of his cabin and along with Sam they began to run towards the deck. Already he could hear the sounds of anti-aircraft guns firing and missile interceptors being launched outside.

Lost on what to do Jack could only run towards his post at the deck and hope for the best. While running Jack thought back to his past. Shit, how did it come to this. It was not supposed to be like this. All he wanted was to get a nice and easy position in the Navy.

Jack had always dreamt of a happy family with a dog in a nice white picket fence house. Just the nice normal, good old American dream life. But no they just had to start World War 3. Right when he was in the prime of his life.

Why couldn't they have started 30 years later or something? Instead of him going to war, he could have just sent his children to war and lived in peace, back in the homeland.

Yes, Jack was somewhat of a coward. Never had he trained martial arts or gotten into a fight before. Early in life, Jack had learned that just going to the gym, talking bull shit and acting tough was enough to get by.

Though now he knew that he should've probably just listened to his father and joined him on his fishing boat. But it was always way too much work for him. He'd much rather talk shit and yell at people in the Navy.

Ohh well, it's too late for regrets now. YOLO I guess. I mean come on it can't be that bad out there on the deck right? Thinking of this brought Jack some hope, maybe he could survive this, then quit the navy and run back to the United States to his family.

But when Jack got to the deck of the ship, he was greeted with a light show unlike anything he had ever seen. From the deck of the aircraft carrier he could see the entire fleet lit up by countless lights of the guns and missiles being shot into the night sky.

All around him, the Phalanx CIWS anti-air guns bullet tracers were flying into the distant night sky. And there in the sky he could see hundreds of lights like stars falling towards them. Though he knew this to be bad, he still couldn't help but feel amazed by the beauty of the sight around him, it was absolutely beautiful.

But the sad truth was that those lights like stars above him were nothing more than a load of missiles heading their way, the sight of which made him feel dread. Quickly Jack fell to his knees and then just accepted it.

With the advancement in rocket technology and that many rockets. Jack knew if even one of them hit the carrier, it would be pretty much over for them. And there were hundreds or maybe even thousands of them coming for them.

Sam though seeing all of this merely showed a smile as he turned to Jack in excitement and commented.

"Damn that's fricking awesome! Lieutenant, what should we do? Why are you kneeling? Sir? I don't think this is the right time to be reenacting the scene from platoon?"

The fat seaman Sam wanted to be positive and do his duty, but seeing the dead hopeless eyes of his Lieutenant he couldn't help but now start worrying as well. Not feeling so confident anymore finally brought him to reality, and that's when he began to hold an inspiring speech.

"I know sir. It's all wrong.

We shouldn't be here, so far from home.

But we are.

It's like in the great war stories Lieutenant.

The ones that really mattered.

Full of darkness and danger and sometimes you didn't want to know the end.

Because how could the end be happy?

How could the world go back to the way it was when so much bad had happened?

But in the end, it's only a passing thing, this darkness.

But even darkness must pass.

A new day will come.

And when the sun shines it will shine out brighter.

Those were the stories that you remember.

That meant something.

Even if you were too small to understand why.

But I think Sir, I do understand.

I know now.

Folks in those stories had many chances to turn back, only they didn't.

Because they were holding on to something."

Jack sat there on his knees watching his coming doom. With a tear in his eye and a smile on his face, he said.

"What are we holding on to, petty officer Sam?"

As he said this Sam put his hand on Jack's shoulder and spoke like the original.

"That there's some good in this world, Lieutenant Jack. And it's worth fighting for."

Hearing the mans words Jack felt his confidence slightly return. The man was right, he shouldn't give up yet, he should fight till the end for the hope of finding some good at the end of this all. But just then from the corner of his eyes Jack could see a smaller ship getting hit by a powerful missile, that split the entire vessel in two with a massive bang. With incredible force the shockwave traveled forth reducing the men and women on board the vessel into meat paste.

Seeing it Jack tried to run, but it was too late. Hit by the Shockwave Jack knew not what happened, in one moment the world went dark and deathly silent, there was a ringing in his ears. And in the next moment he was flying weightlessly in the air towards the center of the carriers deck. Then as he hit the hard deck darkness followed.

He could feel a warm fire close to him, there was a metallic taste of blood in his mouth and then consciousness returned to him. There was pain, his body was sore and hurting. His lungs were smashed and filling with blood causing him to cough violently and his vision was a bit blurry.

With his blurry vision, he could see fire all around as some more fortunate men were running all around, putting out the fires. While others were desperately trying to get to safety as they jumped off the tall carrier's deck.

There was smoke rising from the side of the carrier. Most likely the ship had been hit, which was now causing the carrier to start tilting slightly to the side, causing the sailors to lose hope and start to abandon the ship in ever increasing numbers.

But even still the guns were still firing crazily into the dark night sky. And that's when he saw it. In the sky a beautiful big light was heading his way. It was like an angel descending down from the heavens to come and take his broken body to a better place.

With the last of his strength, Jack spread out his arms as he lay there with a broken smile on his face and yelled.

"Yes, you big tittied beautiful angel lady. Come to meeeeee!!!! Let me be isekaid!"

But In his final moment instead of a beautiful angel. He saw petty officer Sam crawling atop him missing two of his legs. The mans face was dirty, there was blood and his eyes were full of tiers as he in desperation grabbed a hold of Jack and said.

"Not yet Lieutenant! We can still make it, we can live!!!!"

What the fuck was wrong with this man? Sure he wanted to live as well and keep on fighting, but....

***

Jack's world suddenly turned to darkness, without even realising it his final moment had come and gone. But then suddenly he felt himself fall into water. It hurt, somehow he could still feel himself being intact.

He was alive, in water with all his limbs attached and there in the distance above him was some faint light. He wanted to swim to it, to get to safety and catch his breath, but as he did something powerful grabbed a hold of his left leg stopping him.

To him it felt like some large boulder took a hold of him and now slowly began to pull him downwards. He tried to shake it off as he used his hands to swim, but the force was too strong. And as he looked downwards to see what was holding him, he immediately froze in shock for a second.

There within the darkness he could see a big horned demon, it's eyes shined a deep red, its skin was red as well and body powerful looking with black spikes coming out it's back and arms. There was a malicious grin upon its beastly face, Jack could see sharp rows of white teeth like a sharks.

What the fuck is that? Oh shit, oh shit, oh shit! Jack thought as he tried to kick at the demon and swim away. But the beast was like an unmovable boulder that simply just wouldn't budge.

Jack tried and tried to struggle and swim with all his might, but it was still no use. They merely continued descending further and further into the darkness, further away from the light. He was sinking quickly and that's when he saw him.

The legless Petty Officer Sam came swimming towards him from the light. With incredible speed, Sam swam to him and then grabbed a hold of his hand.

Jack couldn't believe it, what was the fool doing here. Couldn't he see that there was a freaking demon behind him. He wanted to shoo the man away, there was no point for them both to die here now, but Sam merely shook his head and tried even harder. The fool would seemingly rather sink to his death with him instead of saving himself.

Already Jack could feel his lungs tightening and his air was quickly running out, Jack tried to pull his hand free of Sams hand so at least one would survive. But Sam held strong, Sam just shook his head again as they both fell to the depths of the sea.

Then as Jacks vision started to fade, he and Sam suddenly fell through the water and into the darkness. With a hard thud and a crack, they fell onto something crunchy and hard like bones.

Taking in a deep breath of clear, unpolluted, cold air, Jack lay there on some uneven ground in pain. Fuck his back really hurt, as he then heard Sam's voice from the side call out to him saying.

"Lieutenant, where are we? I can't see anything."

With gritted teeth, Jack pushed himself up and said.

"How should I know."

Just then in the far distance a faint light of a fire was lit. It floated in mid air above the water ominously lighting up the dark waters below it. And slowly the fire seemed to begin to expand and grow to Jacks astonishment.

Looking around Jack quickly noticed that they were upon an island of bones. Humans, beast and creatures he had never before seen lay there in their bony forms underneath him.

Just then Jack's mind was overcome by so many questions, and then he heard a crunching sound. The island seemed to sink a little as Sam then commented on this by saying.

"Lieutenant I think we are sinking."

Looking around he could indeed see the bones slowly start crumbling causing the island to begin sinking a little at a time.

Seeing this Sam quickly crawled to the highest pile of bones in the middle of the small island and Jack followed. From there they watched in horror as the island quickly began to sink and strange ghostly figures emerged in the water and began to swim around the island like a bunch of hungry sharks.

Seeing it Jack couldn't help but say.

"No fucking way? Are those fuking ghosts?"

Sam watching his bleeding legs spew out blood into the water, watched the ghosts seemingly gathering around his position as he then said.

"I don't know. But they sure seem interested in my blood. Who knows maybe they are helpful ghosts and want to heel my legs. Hahaha!"

Jack though was finding nothing funny in this situation as he said.

"How can you laugh in a situation like this man? We are so dead, you do realize that right."

Sam just showed a weak smile and said.

"Well, my mother always told me that as long as you believe there is a way, then you will find the way. And I believe that we can live. You wanna live also, right? So just believe in it and it will happen."

Jack showed a frown hearing this and said in frustration.

"Of course I want to live!"

Then before Jack could continue talking, the temperature suddenly rose. Their bodies started to sweat and then they saw the fire rise hundreds of meters high and wide in the distance. And then through the fire two great horns, as large as tree trunks came, followed by a deep, menacing, soul-piercing voice saying.

"If you want something, then you must give something of equal worth."

Then they saw a strange dagger appear in the middle of the bone pile. Its blade had strange carvings on it and it was made of some kind of dark metal and it had a see-through glass handle.

Looking upon it Jack immediately felt so strange. It was like he was looking at a million dollars, before him was power, bitches and so much potential. Something within the dagger was calling to him, it wanted him to take it, no, he wanted to take it, he needed to take, it.

Without much hesitation Jack reached out to it. Seeing this Sam yelled in desperation to Jack.

"No lieutenant, don't do it! Don't be tempted by it. This is clearly a devil's scheme, he is testing us. If we give in now, we will be damned to hell. This must be the sea of souls, a place before entering the underworld. If our fate falters here, I fear that we may never return to god, so please for your sake stay strong and hold onto God."

Jack hearing this religious nonsense could only laugh and say.

"Hahaha. Oh and is that a fact? It's like I said before, I want to live and I see no other options. Do you?"

Feeling the water hit his feet, Jack quickly went to grab the dagger. With a pleading voice, Sam yelled.

"No don't do it!"

But it was too late. As Jack grabbed a hold of the dagger he felt a shiver run through his spine and hit his head. His eyes flashed red, he felt power and he felt good. His mind was clear, his senses sharpened and then he suddenly felt dread.

Quickly he tried to drop the dagger but his hand would not open, as if it had a mind of it's own. With his other hand, he tried to rip it off as he then smashed his hand to the bone-covered ground, but it was no use.

In concern, Sam asked.

"What is it LT? What are you doing? Just let it go!"

On his knees and with a dreadful expression on his face Jack looked at Sam and said.

"It spoke to me Sam. It says that it's called the soul dagger. It wants me to kill you, in exchange it will grant me my life and great power."

By now the water was really high already touching Sam's bleeding legs, Sam like Jack knew that the end was near and so Sam asked.

"Is there no other way? Can't you get it off?"

Shaking his head Jack could only answer with a simple. "No."

For but a second Sam hesitated, he seemed to think of something as he looked away and then said. "Do it then."

Confused Jack looked to Sam who now lay on his back and then he asked. "What, what do you mean?"

Closing his eyes Sam then calmly asked. "You're an atheist right?"

Tilting his head Jack felt confused as he said. "Yeah, what about it?"

To this Sam merely showed a smile as he then explained. "Well I'm not, so my soul is safe with god. But yours is uncertain. I say you use this chance to gain a new life to redeem yourself and then find your own way to god."

"Oh, Sam!" Jack said with a tear In his eye.

"Dont worry Lieutenant, we will meet again. One day up there somewhere. I will be waiting for you." Sam pointed to the sky.

Then the fire rose higher and the deep demonic voice spoke again angrily.

"I grow impatient of this constant whining! Do it! Or I will end you both!"

Jack looked at the demon in fear as his hands trembled. The temperature rose again, the water was almost at a boiling point and a horrible painful death seemed imminent for them.

The hot water was now engulfing Sam's legs as the ghost desperately tried to reach him. In pain Sam then yelled to Jack. "Aah, fuck, just do it, Lieutenant! Kill me!"

Sam's words made Jack's stomach turn, to kill someone, just the thought of it made him feel so sick. He didn't want to do it, oh how he wished he had just taken that job on the fishing boat.

With closed eyes Jack then fell to his knees next to Sam. Seeing no other way, he gritted his teeth and grabbed a hold of Sam with one hand. Tiers came to his eyes as he then looked to Sam and said.

"I'm sorry Sam, I'm so sorry."

After which he brought the dagger down with the other, as they both screamed, while the demon laughed in the background.

Jack didn't look, he just brought the knife down again and again as he tried to drown out the horrific noises with his own screams. In extreme pain Sam yelled, blood flew as flesh was pierced again and again, until finally Sam went silent.

Jack could feel Sam's body go limp, and as he opened his eyes he could see Sam's horribly bloodied body before him. The sight of it made his stomach turn again causing him to puke upon the man.

Seeing this the Demon merely continued to laugh. It was mocking him. But all Jack could do was grit his teeth and wait for whatever fate this demon had in-store for him.

Wiping the puke away from his face Jack looked to the laughing demon and then asked.

"Are you happy now?"

Then its laughter came to a sudden end as it said.

"No, I want you to cut off his fat head! muhahahahhaha!"

He started to laugh again.

Jack felt despair as he heard this. Looking at the dagger he could see what he assumed to be Sam's soul swimming in the glass handle now.

Oh God, oh Sam, please forgive me. Jack thought as he gritted his teeth again and did as the demon said. After all he had already killed the man and so desecrating his corpse before his soul or whatever was within this dagger wasn't that bad, right?

Grabbing Sams dead body by the hair Jack then started to cut into the dead corpses soft flesh. He yelled with all his might, disgusted and in horror as he cut deeper and deeper into Sams flesh. He felt the blade go deeper and deeper and deeper. Until it hit the hard spine bone. He felt absolutely disgusted as he fought the urge to puke. As he cut through the bone he yelled.

"Aaaaaaaaaaaaa!"

And then as Jack pulled on Sams hair the head suddenly came flying off, the demon went quiet and then darkness consumed him again.

***

Marino awoke with a shout as his boyish voice echoed through the small wooden room.

"Aaaaaaaaaaa!!!! Wait what? Did I just speak Portuguese?"

He thought to himself.

Wait where am I? Looking around he suddenly found himself inside some wooden medieval house with a single glass window. He sat upon a shitty bed, made of straw.

The air was clear, he was not in pain, somehow he seemed to be alive and in one piece. Although in much smaller pieces it seemed. Jack was never no bodybuilder but he definitely wasn't this small. His hands were like a girls without any calluses, his arms were thin, his body felt so frail and scrawny, and his voice was like a girl's or a young boy's.

Then he noticed a young couple sitting next to the bed on two wooden stools. Both held worried expressions on their faces and were quite good looking together and young. That's when the memories hit him and he remembered.

Jesus was his father, he was a tall man and strong muscular man at that, a shipbuilder and sailor by trait. With long dark blonde hair and a big bushy beard, he looked like hmm. Well like a buff Jesus.

Mary was his mother and she was in her late twenties, 26 to be exact, the same age as Jesus but she was a lot shorter. While she was about 150 centimetres tall he was like 40 centimeters more. She also had big breasts and elegant womanly features.

She was a chaste and zealous former nun of the church of Sighard, now a housewife. Due to her chaste nature, she had only given birth to Marino her only child.

Jesus my Father? Mother Mary? Wait what's going on? Why do I know this? Marino furrowed his brows as he searched his memories for more answers.

It would appear that there were two sets of memories in his head now. One was of the body in which he resided in, whose identity was Marino Colombo. A weak-minded twelve year old boy, with no friends and many dark thoughts.

Just a while ago the boy had been laughing madly and choked on his tongue, which killed him apparently. Quite tragic indeed.

The year of this world was 1050 AS (After Sighard) and his family resided in the town of Segres, which was located in modern-day southern Portugal. Although here it was called the Kingdom of Andalusia. Interestingly Segres was the most southern edge of Europe which was the only notable thing about it.

The other memory was of Lieutenant Jack Fritzh, a navy officer who got blown up at the start of World War 3, and now he had apparently received a new life. Probably thanks to the big tittied angel's or Sam's wish. If it was a wish.

He also remembered something to do with a demon and Sam, but the memory felt hazy and foggy to him now. Thinking of it he did wonder if the demon had brought him back to life, but there was no way right. After all the hero never gets reincarnated by a demon right? That's simply just doesn't happen, it's ridiculous.

But before he could think any further on this matter, his mother reached out to touch his hand. She seemed so concerned and so beautiful too. With her brown eyes, she watched him closely and asked.

"Are you well my son? You didn't come for breakfast and you refused to wake up? We thought you were dead."

Thinking quickly Marino thought of an excuse and explained the woman's son's death away by saying.

"Nahh I was just trying to set a record in holding my breath as all."

Jesus and Mary were surprised to hear this. They seemed to notice something strange, was it the way he spoke or something else? This he didn't know but the two quickly brushed their concerns aside and seemed happy as Jesus then said.

"Thats my boy. Practicing diving so early in the morning. Although I suggest we do it together in the sea next time. Ok?"

Marino feeling awkward at the situation scratched his head and tried to play it cool as he then said.

"Yeah yeah. Sure Dad."

After which Jesus and Mary decided to give their son some blessings for good luck.

"May Sighard give you strength and protect you against all and may it be so. Praise sighard the hammerer. Well now that you are awake, please come down and join us for some breakfast, when you are ready of course."

With that said Mary and Jesus left his room. Leaving a stunned boy behind.

Wait sighard. Wait what. Marino thought to himself.

Searching his memories, he found out that apparently, the church of Sighard ruled most of Europe as the dominant religion. instead of Jesus creating Christianity and dying on the cross. Instead, Sighard had come.

Thousands of years ago humanity was on the brink of extinction, It was called the Age of Darkness, or the dark ages or whatever. Basically humans hid in the forests, in the highlands and in great walled cities of old.

There they lay isolated and cut off from the rest of the world. For the world between the cities was ruled by the many creatures of darkness. Beastly creatures that hunt and feast on the humans living flesh.

But one day all of this changed, with the coming of the yellow comet. He had arrived, Sighard had come. With a hammer in hand and Gryphon as his mount, he started by unifying the two greatest of human tribes, that of the Germans and the French. Together they formed The Empire of Man.

And with Sighard at its head, their armies conquered the rest of the Western world and beat back the creatures of darkness. For a hundred years, Sighard ruled and the Empire prospered. This was the age of Sighard and a golden age of mankind. During this time humanity left their hiding places and settled the lands of Europe. They created mighty cities and cultivated the land to feed the ever-growing population and life was good.

Now we live in the year 1050 after Sighard, as it is called. The Empire of Man is long gone and forgotten. For Sighard never left behind any heirs and the Empire fractured into many squabbling kingdoms after his death. Nonetheless, humanity has lived on in relative peace and repopulated the lands of Europe. But now rumors of the great Evils returning to the land, have started to spread. Stories of great bloodthirsty hordes growing ever stronger and coming ever closer to the borders of Europe have emerged.

Honestly this was quite the grim and dark setting Marino thought, but there certainly was some good and many opportunities here in this world. During these 1050 years, human progress has stagnated as most efforts have gone into repopulating the lands. Only the dwarves of the mountains and the Empire have progressed but mostly in the creation of new weapons of war.

This world appeared to be somewhat similar to late medieval Europe. There were many big changes, like the fact that some form of German and French were the two main cultural groups of Europe. The nobility mostly were Germans or French and spoke in those two languages. There was also no British empire here, instead, there was the small Kingdom of Albion. Albion was also the island's name and seemed to be a mostly unexplored land with many tales of fantastical creatures and dangerous monsters.

Marino was not of noble birth or highly educated. His education mostly consisted of skills in shipbuilding and sailing. It was their family's main source of income, and Jesus just so happened to be great at it. It was almost as if he was blessed by God.

From his memories of navigation, he found out that even the stars differed from the ones in his past life. Even though Europe looked the same, apparently the stars weren't. This confused him greatly, making him wonder what could be up there. Maybe something up there was wondering what it was like down here. If he was lucky maybe they could even meet one day.

There were also strange tales going around the ports. Marino had heard the merchants tell tales of great battles in the East. Supposedly great battles were being fought against the endless green tides and the great dead legions of old. Most likely the green tides meant orcs and goblins or something like that, although that was just a guess. What were the legions of old, that also he didn't know, as the merchants had only heard stories themselves and never seen them in person?

From all these memories Marino could conclude that there were fantastical elements in this world. But nowhere were there mentions of real magic like earth, water, fire and air magic, or the arcane. The only mentions of something close to magic were told in the church. They said that with true faith in Sighard, your soul would be saved and you could even receive some of his power as a blessing. There were stories of humans with momentary unnatural spikes of strength and courage during hard times.

Apparently in times of need a devoted man could receive Sighards help and vanquish the evil that threatens him. These were some bull shit stories Marino thought as nobody had seen such things, only heard of them.

But there were other stories, evil stories of necromancers, witches and dark rituals to gain unnatural power, a power that supposedly corrupted and no living man should attempt to obtain or they would be doomed to eternal darkness. This had intrigued him greatly. Though he had no idea of how such dark power would be gained or what these rituals were to gain it, he didn't know. But surely as an Isekaid person, he had some powers of his own and thus wouldn't need to worry about such things for long, he hoped.

There also seem to be some similarities in this world to a fantasy world of his past life. But what were the similarities between this world to that fantasy world and his past world? Well to Marino it did not matter for he would find it out in due time. And since his family name was Colombo and they were shipbuilders, he knew exactly what he needed to do.

No were in his memory were there any mentions of the new world. So just like in his time it would be up to Columbus or in this case Colombo to find it.

Though he was not a brave man. But even he would not have any problems, bullying some natives. For this world already had some early muskets for him to use.

Thinking of this Marino smirked and said.

"This could be interesting."

Dressed in a medieval middle-class peasant attire Marino went downstairs for breakfast.

He was truly excited to see what this world held in store for him....