"Where—Where am I?"
I woke up, feeling dizzy. The feeling of water was still present, I got up from the water—I really wanted to throw up, was it all just some… dream? Then, I looked around, it was a field of scarlet grass, and leaves that hung on silver barked trees… I got up from the crystal puddle, it was quite shallow, each step I took made me feel extremely nauseous..I explored the lands, was I in another world!? I panicked—I didn't want this—I never did!? I scurried to the lake quickly and desperately tried to find an opening.
"Please send me back—oh please!"
I cried out with desperation while slamming my hand onto the little shallow pond, injuring myself in the process but I didn't care at this point. My blood dipped down which stained The cold water as it had mixed with my blood. Darkening the pure patch of water—then… I heard it, a wretched snarl of a foul beast. I looked to see where it came from, I immediately felt shocked—a Cerberus!? I was absolutely horrified. That grotesque monster had me frozen in place, I couldn't move, I could barely even think. All I could think about was how to live… Live? I need to survive damn it! my breathing quickened—i started to hyperventilate, eyes bulged out their sockets, sweat broke all over my body, blood dripping into the pond. My mind—all over the place. Before I could get a chance to be found—I got up quietly and made a run for it, the sounds of the water splashing, plants crunching… it just lured the beast in. Why was I so stupid!?
A huge roar jabbed my ears as I ran for dear life. The beast speedily graced through the scarlet forest—the beast jumped and tried to pounce on me. I dodged it, well—barely. It tackled me with great force, my back—it was injured by the claws. Before thinking about anything else, my survival instincts shot in. The adrenaline ignored the pain. It gave me the energy to crawl behind a tree and cover my mouth, I shook uncontrollably, I bit my tongue to avoid screaming and to negate my already muffled heavy breathing. My loss of blood caused me to pass out.
"No… I can't die… not yet"
My head had banged on the tree, my weak body didn't have enough energy to support itself anymore—my mind felt like it was about to burst. The world spun round and round.
"Ezekiel… Wake up… wake up!'
I heard my mother's voice, it gave me hope that this was all just some perilous nightmare.
It was a while before I had woken up in bed. My wounds were treated, it felt like I didn't have my injuries before. I was now wearing old-style ragged clothes. I wasn't in my room. I felt like a helpless boy.
"W-what…? Where am I… I-I just want to go back home!!!"
I cried tears of sorrow, the thought that I might be stuck here forever—having to leave that life behind so , my mom what will she do… I broke down, then—the door had burst open.
"You're awake—what were you doing out there? You idiot!!! You're extremely lucky I was on patrol that time… Otherwise your skinny ass would be dead!"
It was an elf, I think? She has a bob cut, the hue of her dirty hair orange like the sunset, freckles and wore battle maiden armor.
"W-where a-am I? I just want to go home"
She rolled her eyes, and looked at me with annoyance
"Oh grow up, you're back in the village, whoever you are, I haven't seen you here and you wear really weird clothes"
"Huh…? What village? where am I!?"
"This dump? The forest none visits, why would you even come here?"
"Actually…"
"Whatever… Can you leave now? I don't like having visitors"
"Oh sure… Well th-thank you for the help though."
"Whatever… Just don't go back there, got it!?"
"Oh… uh yeah…"
I got ready and left. When I had expected a Victorian era type village—but no, it was extremely different, the houses were mushrooms and somehow they still seemed alive. Noises of wonderful festivities filled the air, the people were quite lively, but I didn't know where to go. I still felt that dreadful sense of unease, I felt like I didn't belong here. I rushed back and knocked on the elf's door.
"Uh… hello? Can I stay here for a while? I'm sorry if it bothers you at all I'll gladly sleep on the sofa!"
"No… I don't trust you"
Before she slammed the door I pleaded once more.
"Please I have nowhere to go…"
My eyes swelled up and another round of tears flowed down my cheeks, I was on my knees I begged her to let me stay
"I-i'll get a job and pay for food just please let me stay!"
"Fine… you're really such a hassle, such a pitiful little boy"
She sighed and signalled me to come in, so I went back inside. She tidied up an abandoned room that she didn't use and built a small basic bed; although it was small, beggars can't really be choosers.
"You'll sleep here, I'll teach ya how to fight, the easiest job is a monster hunter after all, plus it pays a heck amount of Leys"
"Leys? Must be the currency here."
"Uh… how much does it pay per uh… month?"
"Month? You mean Vargass? They pay 6400 Leys Vargass… Very high amount, but it's a risky job."
I nodded, I was ready to do this, I needed to get a better grip economically—wherever I am so that I can return back home, I was ready for anything! I jumped with great confidence. She took my hand and led me to the training grounds, it wasn't a long trip there, it was actually quite short. I loved the amount of shops there, it reminded me of Asian markets when my mom and I went to China… Oh… my mom, I miss her a lot, I bit my lip and breathed in and out, I knew I could do it. I was curious about the elf's name
"Oh I'm sorry—I haven't asked for your name, may I ask for it now…? If-If well—If you don't mind!"
"Gavanna"
"Oh… I'm Ezekiel!
"Ezekiel… It doesn't matter, just make sure to pay what you owe me… tell me if you have any questions regarding this wretched place"
"I don't know anything about this place, like, really! absolutely nothing at all… I'm sorry if it's too much of a hassle but could you explain everything to me about this place…?"
"Seriously? And stop apologising you're doing nothing wrong"
"Oh okay I'm… uh thank you…"
She sighed and looked at me, disappointed
"What do you want to learn first?"
"Uh… the houses… Why are they mushrooms?"
"It includes science that I don't understand well… although I have a friend that can explain it to you, but in the meantime, choose another topic."
"Then… monster hunting?"
"We are uhm… on a huge mushroom, we're on top, you know what just forget it! We hunt monsters down, we get paid, got it?"
"Y-yeah, but I don't know how to fight!"
"Then…"
She bit her finger and let a few drops of blood fall on the table, then the blood expanded and materialized into a sword
"Here…"
I was completely shaken up.
"W-what did you… w-what u-uh…"
I was frozen in place, what on earth just happened, was that some sort of magic? Whatever it was… it was both chilling and somewhat… amazing? I had a look of terror and desire… something in me wanted to learn that power… and hone it. I took the sword with a glint of determination in my eyes.
"Please… teach me how to use that power, it's probably what I need to go back to my world!"
She smiled and she liked my courage.. She got up and created her own sword of blood
"Alright… follow me."
She lead me to the training grounds, she took me to the general of the regiment
"General, I've brought a trainee, my recommendation"
"If it's from you, our colonel then it ought to be good, I haven't seen him before, was he stranded? Sent here? Or a refugee?
"It seems he isn't from here at all, sir"
"Hm… alright then, I'd like to know more before he's hired, you're in charge of his training, I hope you don't disappoint, starting payment 1020 Leys per Vargass as a private after 3 Vargass when you're capable of at least slaying a cerberus"
"Cerberus!? Did he mean that thing that attacked me!? No way! But I've got no choice… Anyway, wasn't it like 6000? Must be because she's a colonel…"
I agreed to the terms, I was shaking with fear, I never want to see that wretched beast ever again… Then she brought me out to train, it was like a battlefield, a series of clashes pierced my ears, my crippling anxiety never stopped, my breathing's pace quickened exponentially, my vision blurring.
"Hey… hey…. HEY!"
I jumped, my sword clashed on the ground… I slowly cried, for being so weak—I hadn't even trained yet, already I felt exhausted, my heart beated rapidly, then I felt a stinging sensation on my cheek, she slapped me. It brought me back to my senses
"Why are you being so difficult now, is your weakness really going to come in the way of what you want to do!? If you keep on being this weak you'll never be able to feel the grass in your world, meet the people you love… go to my house and come back when you're ready. When I mean ready, I mean you're ready to spill BLOOD!"
I was startled… I didn't know how to feel, I knew it was the truth and I hated the fact that it was the truth. I am weak, no matter what I do, I always submit to my emotions… I cry, what was wrong with me!? I nodded and went back, I needed some time to think for myself.
"Hey… colonel, don't you think that was a bit too… you know, harsh? That boy's probably just 15, he looks like he's been through a lot…"
"I know—it's just—what has he got to gain for acting so weak? It's for his own good"
She grit her teeth, she had a hint of guilt that rushed over her body.
"come on… let's just get a snack…"
Back at home, I was lost in my own thoughts, I didn't have a phone to cure my boredom, to vent online, to do anything. Homesickness, is that what this is? I didn't feel like doing anything, I feel so useless. I feel so stupid for crying and falling into despair for not getting what I want even though I never try to aim for it. I screamed and pulled my hair, I fell down on the floor, it hurt quite a bit but I didn't care, I went up back and I fell asleep. It was the only thing I could really do at this point, just wait for another day to hopefully be more merciful than this one.