Chereads / An extra tale / Chapter 6 - Chapter 6: My first day in a new world

Chapter 6 - Chapter 6: My first day in a new world

Reshi paced back and forth in this insanely lavish room, his young features contorted into worry. Arthur Gravewalker. Why the fuck did it have to be him of all people.

 

'Why couldn't I just be rich' he lamented. 'Fuck's sake Sun. What happened to showing a bit of mercy for this sacred believer?'

 

Arthur Gravewalker was a minor antagonist in one of the female main casts past. Someone used to explain why she was generally untrusting and rude initially. After all, Arthur Gravewalker had tried to forcefully take advantage of her. Arthur was someone who used to be her childhood friend, and it left her with severe trust issues. 

 

 Reshi could see the memories of Arthur, cringing as he desperately wished he could be someone else. Anyone else. If there was anything he would not want to be accused of, this was definitely one of the top. He had never been that type of person, no matter what. Even when Mary had tried to seduce him out of fear for her own safety. But now he was going to be punished for it. In the novel, his father, Duke Gravewalker had banished Arthur for the act, giving him a sentence worse than death. But then again, Reshi couldn't really blame him. He was the Duke, and Duke Gravewalker obeyed the law to a fault. Arthur was going to serve as an everlasting example of that.

 

Beforehand, his father, no, Arthur's father summoned Arthur to court, and passed judgement under a full court. Reshi remembered reading that further on in the novel as Alara, the person Arthur had tried to take advantage of, explained to the main cast what happened to her. It was a great moment of healing and progression in Elara's character.

 

But right now, It meant he was going to get fucked.

 

Reshi could feel Arthur's memories as his own, as if he had done it, and it made him feel sick.

 

Today was the day Duke Gravewalker would sentence his son. He had waited for the full court to assemble before doing so, making sure everyone saw the justice of House Gravewalker.

 

This world was called Pandora. It had three mega continents where the three races ruled retrospectively. The elves, dwarves and humans. However these weren't races that vacated their own planets and sought refuge with humans. No, in fact it was quite the opposite. Humanity was the last of the three races to arrive on Pandora, seeking refuge after the Earth was destroyed hundreds of years ago. All three races had settled on Pandora for differing reasons, which were kept secret from the main cast. They never even knew how Earth was destroyed. The two authors hadn't managed to get far before Reshi died. He knew mana existed on this planet, and it slowly altered humans until, soon after arriving on Pandora, humans gained the ability to wield mana, like the other races. He had died right after they revealed the existence of demons, and another world that existed synonymous with Pandora.

 

'Ahh man I was looking to the next chapter', Reshi thought sadly. It was funny, now that he had died, only now did he miss somethings in his old world.

 

Trying to clear his thoughts, Reshi tried to calm his heart. Any moment now he'd be summoned by his butler to court. It was meant to come as a surprise to the original Arthur, who originally believed he had escaped any further punishment. The pompous little brat thought being sent to his room was enough of a punishment.

 

"Hhaaahhh", exhaling Reshi sat down.

 

 It was getting confusing to keep hating himself. The memories of that night seemed hazy, but that was probably because he was high when he did it. 'I should properly change, make myself presentable at least.'

 

Reshi changed into a formal suit. It was a deep black suit, with a black tie and maroon shirt. It fit him well, complimenting his features nicely. In the novel, Arthur had screamed and threw a tantrum at court, maybe if he was more composed, he could get a lighter punishment. Maybe.

 

Mere moments after he changed there was a knock on his door as his butler entered.

 

It was a boy around his age, with black hair and hazel eyes, donning a butler's uniform. He bowed as he entered, fumbling over his words as he tried to stop himself from shivering in Arthur's presence.

 

"M-Master Gravewalker, you've been s-summoned by y-y-your f-father." Reshi sighed sadly. This was Renis, his personal butler and bodyguard. Arthur had bullied the boy harshly, causing him to develop a stammer. Of course Arthur being who he was, further bullied the poor boy. He felt a strong pang of guilt looking at Renis. The boy had been nothing but obedient for Arthur, yet he'd been treated as trash. Reshi could remember how he had tortured Renis over the years, mercilessly. He knew, having Arthur's memories, that Arthur didn't even hate Renis. He had no reason to be cruel. It was like a pastime for him.

 

Trying to mimic Arthur, he responded in an aloof tone. "Let's go then Renis."

 

Renis's eyes looked up for a moment, a twinge of shock on his face. But he hid it quickly and nodded in subservience. "Yes Master."

 

Taking a deep breath, Reshi allowed himself to be escorted to the main court, where his father, the Duke, would pass laws and punish if the crime was severe enough to attract his attention.

 

Reshi wanted to do something to make amends with Renis before he entered the court. Even though it hadn't been him who bullied Renis, possessing Arthur's body and memories, Reshi couldn't help but be responsible.

 

He approached Renis, reaching into his pocket.

 

Renis froze out of fear as Arthur approached. However, to his shock, Arthur pulled out a large bundle of money.

 

"Here Renis, take it."

 

Renis froze. Was this another trick by Arthur? Would he punish him for taking the money, or for disobeying his orders. It seemed either way, Arthur would have a reason to punish him.

 

Resigning himself to his fate, Renis decided to take the money offered by his master, fully expecting Arthur to attack him for it. To his surprise, Arthur allowed him to do so, with a soft smile.

 

"Renis, I know you're saving up to attend the Royal academy" his master said, his voice calm and measured.

 

Renis froze. 'How does he know? How?' He kept his head down, Arthur hadn't known anything about him beforehand. Not even his name. He'd always call him Stammer instead. So how would he know about my aspirations Renis thought, worried.

 

"Use this money towards that Renis. That's all I wanted to say." Arthur gave Renis a pat on the shoulders before leaving him, entering through the large engraved double doors into court.

 

Renis stood there frozen. He had been overjoyed when he found out that Arthur was finally getting punished. Ecstatic that the person who had made his life hell would finally have to bear responsibilities for his own actions. But that same person had just given him money for his dream, twice as much money as he saved in his entire life. He stood there, frozen in conflict, staring at the pile of cash in his hand.

 

Reshi smiled inwardly as he entered court. It gave him some small happiness to see the look of shock on Renis's face when he gave the money. As he entered everyone turned to him, silence enveloping the court. The noble sat on stands at either side of the hall. At the far end, opposite the entrance was the Duke's platform. It overlooked the hall from up high. There the Duke was standing, looking at him with unforgiving eyes.

 

He had the same scarlet eyes as Arthur. But instead of white hair, his was dark, cropped in a short military cut. Reflexively, Reshi looked down as he saw his-no, Arthur's father. He felt fear wrap around his body, as if a snake had coiled around him. It was Arthur's fear of his father. Head bowed he walked forward, before kneeling in front of the raised stand where the Duke stood.

 

"I have arrived, father."

 

"I am not your father. I am your Lord", Duke Gravewalker's cold voice cut through the hall.

 

Reshi felt a stab to his heart when the Duke said that. Even though it wasn't his father, he had all the memories Arthur did, and so the words still managed to cut deeply.

 

"Yes Duke", Reshi croaked, trying to keep reminding himself that this wasn't his father but Arthur's.

 

"Do you know why you have been summoned here today?" The Duke called, his voice unrelenting and cold.

 

"I am here to answer for my crime, Duke", Reshi responded, tears forming in his eyes now. He decided that his survival rested on acting the exact opposite Arthur had done.

 

"So you don't deny it", the Duke sneered. "You have been summoned for the crime of the attempting rape of Elara Thanason, the daughter of one of our supporting noble houses. Do you accept this?"

 

Reshi gritted his teeth, trying to keep himself from trembling. Even as a kid, he had hated being accused for something he didn't do. Even if it was something tiny, the principle of being wrongly accused had caused him to get into a lot of fights as a kid. And now he was being accused of something publicly, something he never did, but at the same time couldn't say he didn't. It was torture. 

In a strained voice he responded, head down. "Yes." Reshi kept his gaze on the floor, too ashamed to even look up.

 

"I see. Your punishment will be banishment. You will be stripped of your noble title, branded a criminal and left to the streets" the Duke spat, anger obscuring his previously impassive features. "You're a disgrace to my name. I renounce you."

 

Reshi let out a heavy breath. So, even acting the opposite of Arthur had done nothing to save him.

 

"May I speak Duke", Reshi asked, raising his head for the first time to meet his father's eyes.

 

The Duke kept silent, and Arthur took it for a sign of acceptance.

 

"I ask for mercy, instead of being branded a criminal, I wish to be sent to the army instead for a chance to prove myself worthy of the name Gravewalker."

 

The Duke leaned forward. Duke Reynolds Gravewalker was someone with a long standing military career, and he knew that this was the only prospect that could interest him.

 

"You no longer have the name Gravewalker boy. You are stripped of your title. But if you want mercy, you should beg someone else shouldn't you?" The Duke smiled as he spoke, anger blazing in his scarlet eyes

 

Reshi wanted to laugh despite his situation. He knew the Duke would've accepted his proposal anyway, but he wanted Arthur to feel as much embarrassment as possible first.

 

'It's only fitting in his eyes'

 

Turning Reshi faced the stand where he knew Elara stood. She was a girl his age, they had been friends once. In the past, before he changed. She had pale skin, and large deep midnight pools for eyes. Her dark midnight hair was pulled back into a ponytail. She was dressed in a loose dress that obscured her figure. Her eyes, which were currently filled with unbridled rage, bore down on him.

 

Reshi dropped his gaze, it hurt to look at her. Standing up he bowed towards Elara. "Lady Thanason, I beg for mercy." He failed to keep his voice neutral as he bowed. He stayed in that position, waiting for her reply. It shocked him to see that tears were falling from his face, silently splashing onto the floor. Arthur's memories made the entire experience much more painful.

 

Elara never said anything, but she must've given her ascent to the Duke as moments later his father's cold voice rang out.

 

"You will be stripped of your title, and sent to the army as a criminal. We will leave your fate to the gods, if they want to dirt their hands with you."

 

Tears fell freely now. Even though he had gotten what he wanted, it hurt. He had been forsaken by his family, branded a rapist and now, as an act of mercy, he was being sent to die. And even that he had to beg for.

 

"Guards", called the Duke, "Throw the criminal in the dungeon."

 

Two Guards approached. One of them struck him in the stomach, causing him to double over. They grabbed his hands, cuffing him. Then they both dragged him out of the courtroom. Arthur never made a sound, even when they hit him. He kept his head down, trying to hide his face from the court, as tears fell freely.

 

The Duke turned around, leaving the court through an entrance that was reserved for him only. As soon as he entered his private rooms, he let his stoic posture finally crumble away. Leaning on the wall the Duke closed his eyes, trying to calm himself.

 

'Why Arthur. Why did you make me do this.'

 

He felt it was his fault. He had never spent enough attention on his children, focusing on his duty more than his own family. He hadn't seen what Arthur had become until it was already too late. Maybe if he had done something earlier, maybe he could've prevented it.

'Just why Arthur?'

 

///////////////

 

Reshi sat in the dungeon, burying his face in his hands. He felt empty again, like a mere flesh husk. He didn't know who he was. Was he Arthur the Rapist, or perhaps Reshi, the one who betrayed his family and let them die. He didn't want to be anyone any more. He'd much rather sleep now, and never wake up.

 

'Even in this life, even here, my life is shit.'

 

He heard the gates creeping open and two figures entered. Looking up through his fringe of white hair, he saw Elara, and her father. Lord Thanason. He was a large imposing figure, with dark hair and yellow eyes. He was my father's right hand man, and the father of the person I-no, Arthur tried to force.

 

"Open the gate soldier, return after 30 minutes. I want to have some time with the criminal", Lord Thanason's voice rang out. The guard nodded, leaving his post. He wasn't supposed to leave his post, but he did so anyway under Lord Thanason's command.

 

"So, it was you."

 

Reshi kept silent, keeping his face hung low. He felt so tired. So unbelievably exhausted.

 

Lord Thanason approached, and kicked out. The blow connected to Reshi's face causing him to fall to the floor with a grunt.

 

"No one is here to protect you now boy. Now there is no mercy, just me."

 

He withdrew a thin metal stick that Reshi hadn't noticed.

 

Then he struck Reshi with it, while he lay on the floor. Still Reshi never made a sound. He was just so tired.

 

As Lord Thanason continued beating him with the stick, he could see through the veil of blood, Elara staring down at him from outside the prison cell. She almost looked sad.

 

Finally, Reshi closed his eyes, covering his head with his hands as the blows kept raining down.

 

As the beating continued, Reshi came to a sort of understanding.

 

'I'm not Arthur, nor Reshi. I'm just me, I'm both of us. I've got both experiences I'll survive this fucking army, and live my own life. Not as Arthur Gravewalker, or Reshi, and I'll live a happy life.' He felt the two sides of himself reconciling as a flame of ambition burst forth in his chest. 

'I'll live my own life.'

 

Arthur kept his eyes closed as Lord Thanason continued his beating, getting his revenge for what happened to his daughter.

Arthur didn't know which blow it was that made him go unconscious. But before he knew it, he was in his old sitting room. His brother was here, but instead of the rest of his family being there, it was Sun. The deity who had sent him here in the first place.

'That fucking bastard', he cursed inwardly. 'Taking me out of a shit life only to put me in another one.'

He could see, Joseph, his twin, talking with Sun. 

"What is it Joseph?" Sun asked. 

Joseph smiled, his dark eyes twinkling with a wisdom beyond his age. "My brother is going to come through here. Knowing him, it'll be sooner rather than later. Can you do me a favour? Tell him that I don't want to see him anytime soon. Tell him we'll meet one day anyway, but it best not be any day soon."

Sun smiled, and shockingly the deity bowed his head to Joseph. "You are wise, but don't worry. I don't intend for him to go to the other side anytime soon."

Joseph nodded, before walking away, disappearing. 

Then Sun turned towards him, golden eyes fixing on Reshi/Arthur. 

"You heard him Son of Compassion, this is your last life, live it well."

"Wait, Sun, I got a question", Arthur called.

Sun smiled at him, "One question then Son of compassion."

'Shit, maybe I should've said twenty questions.' After some deliberation, Arthur decided on his question.

"I read about this world in a novel, does that mean I'm living somewhere fake?"

Sun smiled wider. "A good question. No. This world is real, and yes you read something similar in a novel. Often deities are the best Author's, don't you think? They often publish the story of their worlds in other worlds."

Arthur smiled back, some small weight had been taken of his shoulders. Judging by what Sun had said it meant that his life as Reshi wasn't fake. Nor was his life as Arthur.

"Hold up, does that mean the One Piece is real?" Arthur blurted out.

Before he heard his response, Arthur woke up in his cell. Looking out the gated window he saw it was sunrise. It meant he was going to be transported soon.