When my death came, I went willingly into the embrace of the reaper. I didn't know just what I had condemned myself to in the moment, I only sought a reprieve from life, a free ticket to the land beyond after 17 years of mediocre life.
But there's nothing. Only darkness.
Still, despite the endless emptiness, I had expected death would be bliss. A realm of nothing. No thoughts, no dreams, and only peaceful ignorance. I was wrong.
The soul is real. A tangible, conscious thing, and it is awake constantly. I'm not sure how much time has passed in this... empty abyss, but all I know is that I am cursed with knowing of my own torment.
I am aware of the fact that I shouldn't be aware, and it is a terrible thing to behold.
Perhaps decades have passed. Maybe eons. Maybe the sun has long since exploded and died, my home nothing more than stardust and rock. I wouldn't know. There's only darkness here.
Had I known the afterlife would be this cruel, I would have pledged myself to-
[God?]
A voice, ethereal and everywhere, calls out from the darkness. It speaks in binary codes and clicks and scratches, yet my soul deciphers it all the same.
[No God/Deity/Entity could save/help/free you from this, young man. It was an inevitability.]
The entity seemingly stalks around me, their voice coming from every direction. I can only sit and listen, helpless in the moment as they blur their words, several clicks and scratches and cracks overlapping and alternating mid-speech.
[The greatest folly/sin/hope of mankind was believing they mattered/worked/earned enough to warrant an afterlife of their own.]
The noise grows closer and closer, and even though I can't see it, I can feel it mere inches away from my form. Grinning with no mouth, smiling with no lips, it taunts me.
[Do you realise/concur/see now? This is all you will know. There will be no end/peace/reprieve. The universe may burn/rot/die, but the soul will persist.]
A sudden blink, and sight is returned to me. Where there was once endless darkness, now all I see is a blinding red light, a spear cutting through the dim black.
[I offer you something greater. A chance to appease/sate/quench my endless thirst. All I ask/request/demand in return is that you do not disappoint me.]
My thoughts tumble and swirl, an endless cacophony of questions and terror. One thought prevails above the rest, though.
What do you want from me?
[A piece of my own on the board/A hand in the game/An extraneous variable.]
...That's it? Then I accept.
The light intensifies, that same phantom grin I'd felt prior growing larger and larger.
[Good. You have my blessing/support/favour. Go forth and live/die/survive.]
------------------------------------
Consciousness brings with it the overwhelming joy of feeling. My arms, hands, nose, the grass against my face, the sun in the sky, my clenched fists and the clothes upon my body. It's overwhelming.
Then comes the realisation that my left eye won't open, at all. My hands are smaller than I remember, these clothes aren't mine and I'm almost certain my hair wasn't this long, nor this colour before.
It's been so long though that I scarcely remember much of anything about myself. I remember death, and the emptiness. Any complaints I may have about dissociation with my new body are temporary.
Shifting my gloved hand and lifting it to the sky, I take a moment to bask in the feeling of warmth and the blinding light of the sun. Birds chirping nearby, a stream of water not far ahead. Life has never felt so joyous.
...now what? Come to think of it, where even am I? Back on Earth?
New Quest: An Erudite's Awakening
Reward: Barebones System Access
The sudden appearance of a text box directly in front of me has me jolting backwards, hand raised as if to draw a weapon as I stare at the... ethereal window.
I then try waving my hand through it, but I'm met with just air. The screen isn't a tangible thing, only a visible one. I know for a fact though that I didn't create it.
"Hello?" I call out, hesitant. "Anyone there?"
...Silence. Utter silence. Even the birds I'd heard prior have gone quiet. The hairs on the back of my neck slowly rise as I come to the conclusion that something isn't right.
Eye scanning the nearby treeline, I try my best to catch anything that seems out of place, slowly but surely shifting myself further back from the brush.
Seconds pass, maybe minutes, but nothing happens. No sudden attack, no human presence. I'm still alone in this forest. Sighing, but keeping my guard up all the same, I keep moving back until I reach the river not far behind.
The instant I find the water, I kneel, a hand reaching out to take a desperate sip...
Then I see myself. My new self. A handsome face, long pale-green and grey hair, and most importantly a large, ornate eyepatch covering my left eye.
Thank fuck. I'd thought I was reincarnated with a missing eye, though strangely enough the eyepatch doesn't budge even when I try to pull it off. No, rather, something is keeping it held tight to my face. Strange.
Looking at the water after enough time appraising myself, I drop my hand, unwilling to drink from any old river. I suppose all I can do now is try and find civilization.
Is there still civilisation? What if I've been-
A presence in the waters reflection.
I see it only barely, from the corner of my eye. Hiding in a tree, staring at me from over my shoulder, a large bird rests on a branch. Black fur, bone-like plating over its head, and glowing red eyes.
Alarm bells instantly start ringing in my head, and as I watch the bird for any movements, I tilt my body slightly for a better angle. Sure enough, there's more in the treeline. Five, maybe six, all watching me.
My eyes flicker across the river, glancing at the different pathways that lead deeper into the forest. Either I condemn myself to the unknown, or I stand my ground...
And do what? I can't defend myself. If these things are planning to make a meal of me, I can't exactly do much to stop them. They're big, far too big, enough so that they look the size of my own torso, their claws as long as my own hands.
Slowly rising from my kneeling position, I take the slightest half-step backwards into the river, and find that I've alerted the horde. Two of the creatures dive at me from their perch, talons raised as they swoop by and scratch at my arms and chest.
They fly back into the air, waiting for their next opportunity as two more take their place, claws scratching and tearing at my flesh and clothes.
The pain is offset by the burning realisation that I may very well lose my second lease on life already, and to a group of fucking birds no less.
Fury taking hold of me, I try and swing my fist the next time one swoops down, but my fist only meets chitinous bone and I'm left with a fractured knuckle alongside another cut in my thigh.
I only manage a single hit on one of them as my fist crashes into the beasts underside, having done negligible damage as it flies away unblemished.
The sight brings an otherworldly frustration to me, each breath a heaving struggle as I grit my teeth and stifle a cry.
Just when I begin to lose hope, to believe that I've somehow failed at the first hurdle and would condemn myself to the abyss of death once more, I feel something in my hand. Something calling to me.
The red jewel enchained atop my right hand begins to glow in response to my will, a sudden red flash taking over as a foreign weight makes itself known.
By the time I can see again, my eyes widen as I take in the sight of a small rifle in my grasp, one that I instinctively know is mine.
A sleek, almost mystical thing, holding only one round in the chamber and short enough to hold in a single hand. A weapon of beautiful destruction and destructive beauty, and most importantly, my ticket to surviving these fucking birds.
The instant I see one diving down at me, I lift the rifle - Scholar's Folly, my soul tells me - and fire at the oncoming beast. It practically explodes in on itself, red flesh scattering to the wind that dissipates into black dust.
The sight turns my pained grimace to a bloodied smile.
Instinct taking over, I duck beneath the next beast and summon a flask of glowing liquid into my hand, one that I use as ammunition as Scholar's Folly breaks open, giving me room to place the new shot.
I distinctly feel a small piece of myself separate briefly after summoning the flask, but think nothing of it as I raise the rifle once more and eviscerate the next flying beast.
It takes several more shots for the deed to be done, but by the end I'm left standing in the torn fragments of my own robes and a small pool of blood. In pain, but alive nonetheless. The beasts never left a corpse behind, nothing more than dust.
Falling to my ass and resting my hands on my knees, I resist the urge to kiss Scholar's Folly and thank whatever God is listening for my reincarnation into this body.
Quest: An Erudite's Awakening completed!
{Loading Barebones System v.2.21}
The same ethereal screens from before return in full splendor, a loading bar now progressing as this 'Barebones System' ever so slowly loads itself.
Seconds pass as I hiss in pain every now and then, a cut here and a tear there throbbing with each moment. Finally, after an agonising wait, the progress bar fills.
[Welcome to the Barebones System. You have 3 functions currently available: Inventory, Stats and Skills.]
...certainly barebones, I'll give them that. Making a mental command, the window in my sight shifts according to my will, the 'Stats' screen opening.
The first thing I see is a full frontal view of myself, prior to my spat with the beasts given the lack of wounds on the model. Then, I see the Stats tab to the side.
Name: Anaxagoras
Level: 1
HP: 640/1000
AP: Locked
STR: 7
AGI: 7
INT: 12
VIT: 5
Each Stat thankfully doesn't hide what it correlates to. AP though is certainly an unknown, and INT, my highest Stat, is unfortunately tied to it. A shame I didn't get a single Level after that struggle with the bird-beasts, but I'm alive so I won't complain.
The less said about that name the better. Makes me sound like an old ass crock. I think I'll stick with Anaxa for now, certainly rolls of the tongue much nicer. Now for the Inventory.
Inventory:
Scholar's Folly (SR): A short-rifle forged of the User's own soul, using ammunition of the same resource. Due to Innate Skill: Alchemist, User's soul does not consume AP when used to make ammunition.
Robes of the Nousporist (SR): Robes designed to show one's position as founder of the Nousporists and Sage of the Grove. They fit perfectly.
Exile's Fallacy (SR): Ammunition of Scholar's Folly, forged of the User's own soul. Takes the shape of a flask of liquid. The soul-fragment will replenish as soon as the previously chambered shot is fired, but each round must be individually reloaded.
Hm. I guess I know what that 'loss' I'd felt prior was. A piece of my own soul, formed into ammunition. Certainly an interesting way to make use of Alchemy. Thank fuck I've got a rifle to keep me safe, at least. If this is Earth, then something is clearly wrong.
Skills:
Alchemist: User's soul is split into several fragments that can be used infinitely for multiple purposes. As of now, only one is available: Exile's Fallacy.
Eye of Erudition: User can open the Seal of Epiphany and expose the Eye momentarily, allowing them to 'observe' the Weak Points of worldly phenomena. User can also 'observe' the Level/Stats of any given target.
Tetrad Wisdom: Shooting a Weak Point with Scholar's Folly immediately loads a second round and grants the shot seven instances of ricochet between other Weak Points. This can only take effect once before another round must be chambered.
Well Rested: HP, AP, and the User's attire will be repaired and replenished after five hours minimum of peaceful sleep.
This is... quite the impressive baseline, hell the kit as a whole seems to mesh quite well. A shame I'm built like a summer breeze, though. I guess we can't win them all.
All in all, this Barebones System has actually given me quite a lot to work with off the bat. I'd go so far as to say that with these... superpowers of mine, my survival against the beasts will be more likely.
Taking a deep, shuddering breath and doing my best to come to terms with this new, animalistic reality, I kick away the tattered remains of my robes. They'll come back when I next sleep anyways, and they'll only hinder me as they are.
With Scholar's Folly in hand, I walk forwards into the forest, where the flying beasts came from. Either I can hunt down more and try to Level myself, or I can walk freely with the rest keeping distance. Hopefully the-
"-I think it came from this way. Keep your eyes peeled."
Voices, distinctly human voices, throw me off whatever plans I may have had. Torn between caution and relief, I hide behind a nearby tree as the voices become clearer, a group of men passing through the brush across the river a moment later.
Dressed in rags and holding shoddy spears and half-broken rifles, they skulk through the clearing I'd been in only moments prior. To my shock, some of them are... different. Animals. Somewhat. I'm not exactly sure what to classify a cat-boy as being honest.
"Are you sure it was this way?" A young man asks, his hands shaking as he looks to a bearded elder.
"Positive. Someone was shooting around here. I'm not sure what at, nor why, so be ready, Serola."
A community. They know each other. A village? Perhaps a scouting force from a settlement? I need a place to stay, a place to sleep. Would they be willing to help?
...no. I can't take the risk that they'll deny me. I can't spend another minute in this forest.
Shifting out from behind the tree and holding Scholar's Folly high, I announce myself with a clear voice and no room for negotiation.
"Lower your weapons slowly and kick them towards me."
The young man almost pales upon seeing me, but the three men alongside him grimace as they turn and spot me. They look amongst one another briefly, weighing their options.
"I will not repeat myself. I do not want to hurt you, I am merely doing this for my safety."
The eldest, slowly lowering his own shoddy rifle, nods briefly as he speaks.
"You don't want this, that's fine. You're scared, that's fine. Just put the gun down, and we can all talk like civilised men."
I stay silent, watching as each man hesitantly kicks their weapons towards me, hands raised and bodies still. Seeing that the threat is gone, I lower Scholar's Folly, but don't drop it completely.
"Forgive me. I couldn't take any risks. I've already been attacked once by the wildlife."
Seeing no better opportunity, I cast Eye of Erudition and feel the Seal of Epiphany shift, clicking quietly against my eye. A moment later, the light peeks through the eyepatch, and knowledge is forced into my mind.
Erebus Calyd: Level 3
Serola Calyd: Level 1
Gregor Tsarin: Level 4
Mitta Varos: Level 1
Different families. Not just one group. Maybe this really is a settlement's scouting force.
"Do you come from a village nearby? If not, then do you at least know where I am?" I ask, placing my faith in my... hostages.
The eldest, Erebus, lowers his hands as he speaks, folding them a short moment later.
"You're in Mistral, boy. Bad lands to be travelling alone. How'd you wind up here?" He says, his voice thick and gravelly.
I can't say I've ever heard of a place called Mistral. I guess this really isn't Earth. The sheer number of parallels at the least is somewhat concerning. No matter.
"Bad circumstances got me here, now answer the question. Is there a place nearby I can sleep? I'm willing to work if necessary."
He glances between his companions, weighing the words on his tongue as he ponders for a moment.
"We can talk all about that as long as you drop that gun of yours, Mister."
Several long seconds pass as we stare between ourselves. I'm almost tempted to listen, until I catch sight of Serola lowering himself ever so slightly.
My grip over the Scholar's Folly tightens at the sight, suddenly not feeling so willing to play nice and listen.
Then a child wanders through the brush.
"Woah! Is that a bad man?"
Her words hit the gathered men like a sledgehammer, Serola instantly shifting himself to cover her body with his own as she peeks over his shoulder.
"Wait, wait! Don't shoot her, she's just a kid!"
At the sight of such selflessness, and the young girl, I can only lower my rifle and sigh.
"What I do is borne of necessity. I'm not so far gone as to shoot a child." I mutter, the rifle disappearing moments later.
Said young girl clearly takes my words as an insult, raising her voice as she shouts at me.
"Hey, I'm 13 now, I can call you an asshole, you asshole! I'm not a child!"
Erebus leans over to chastise her, only to see that my rifle is gone and my arms are crossed. The tension quickly dissipates as he slowly walks over, asking his men to watch the young girl.
Eventually, we stand face to face. Wanting to broker some form of peace, I hold out a hand for him to shake, the gloved one. Partially gloved. I scarcely remember the name of a two fingered glove.
"I would like to apologise for my actions. I couldn't be sure that you weren't a cannibal, or another one of those beasts." I say, Erebus taking my hand firmly.
He doesn't acknowledge my apology as he speaks, simply glossing over it.
"You said you wanted a place to stay, right? We've got a town not far from here, goes by Akarele. You'll have to earn your keep, though. Every man does."
Surprised by his generosity, I smile.
"That's fine. All I ask for is a bed and some food. It's been a long day."
Erebus smiles in return, clearly taking amusement in my relief, only for said smile to be wiped away as the young girl shouts once more.
"Oh, oh, is the bad man coming with us? Mama is gonna love this!"
Erebus shifts away instantly, his finger suddenly pinching the girls ear as she whines in pain.
"How many times must I tell you, Anna? Stay in your home when I say so! You could've put yourself in grave danger!" He shouts, much to Anna's chagrin.
"I get it, I get it, I'm sorry old man!"
The rest of the men gather their weapons and follow suit behind Erebus and Anna as they walk back to the village. I'm almost surprised they don't hold my actions against me, but I won't let this chance go to waste.
Thankfully the people aren't cannibals. That I know of, at least.
------------------------------------
The long walk to Akarele is a mercifully quiet one. The men won't look at me, either due to some residual fear or simply a lack of care. Anna has been corralled by Erebus, and now hums a tune as she walks.
Seeing a chance to have my burning questions answered, I move ahead of the group and stand at Erebus' side. He only shifts his eye as he regards me, then continues on his path.
"Tell me, old man, what were those beasts in the forest? The black and white ones."
Suddenly, his expression turns from disregard to disbelief.
"You've never seen the Grimm before? What, did you grow up under a rock?"
"Assume, for the sake of brevity, that I did."
He rubs his chin for a moment in response, choosing his words carefully.
"I'd say the easiest way to describe them is Apex Predators. The enemy of mankind. They stalk the lands, coming in all shapes and sizes, eating any who get in their way. Bigger, tougher, and deadlier than any of their counterparts. Bears, snakes, scorpions. They're always growing."
He runs a hand along his shoulder, cracking the joint.
"They're drawn to fear, you see. Can't let yourself be sad, or afraid. Can't let yourself be anything but happy. No matter how hard it gets, always smile. Things could always be worse. You could be in Vacuo."
The image is an unsettling one, painting a dreadful picture for the state of mankind.
"I don't suppose there's some trick to killing them?" I ask, hoping for some miracle solution like holy water or garlic.
"Yeah." He snorts. "Kill em dead. Grimm can't hurt you if they're dead."
"Enlightening." I mutter, ignoring the old man's cackles.
Right. Wicked monsters, all being stronger versions of bears and whatever else the fuck this nightmare plane might conjure up. Alongside the cat-men. All in all, not good.
"I saw a Grimm once! It was a real big wolf, real scary too! Artak killed it before I could even blink." Anna cries out, desperate to feel included in the conversation.
I take it Artak is a man gifted in the art of slaying beasts. Good. I might be able to take a few notes from him. As for Anna's little anecdote, we don't get time to acknowledge it before the gates of Akarele suddenly come into view beyond the brush.
A small town of less than a hundred people, surrounded on all ends by thick, tall logs that form a set of walls. A gate stands at the front of the village, guarded by more men with shoddy rifles and rags adorning them.
They holler at us some phrase, a form of identification I take it. Erebus responds in kind with the password. 'What colour is the CCT?'. 'The colour of Oswald's Blood.' An odd phrase, but certainly one that nobody could guess.
"We've got an extra with us. Seems like a good man. He's asking for work and some bedding. Do we have room?" Erebus asks the guardsman at the gate.
"We do. You there, new guy! Hope you like splitting firewood, cause that's all we got for you. There's a spare room in the Yorei Household for you, too. Hope you don't mind, Anna."
Anna, suddenly on the spot after being mentioned, turns red.
"Yeah, it's fine, I'm sure Mama and Papa will be fine as well!"
...these people are awfully trusting. I'm an outsider, one with a weapon of my own, and they've placed me in the home of a family. If I were a man of worse intentions, this would be a tragedy.
"Thank you, kind sirs. I don't mean to impose." I say, bowing slightly. I don't want to come off like an ungrateful cunt after all.
"Think nothing of it." Erebus says, waving a hand. "First impressions are always rough. Just make sure those skinny arms can cut a log, and you'll be fine."
The men behind us finally make themselves known, choosing to laugh at Erebus' insult. I pay no mind to it, though. He's not wrong. I need to make sure I work on myself while I'm here.
Taking one heavy step at a time, I walk forward through the gates of Akarele and ready myself for the next chapter of my life. Been one hell of a long day so far. Here's hoping it doesn't get any worse.