Yet again, for the I don't know how manyth time I found myself in a pitch black void. Why do I keep getting fucking pulled in here….? What the hell is the point…? Is it entertaining for whoever is doing it ?
There was a difference— I felt my feet touching something hard— I was standing. But the "ground" beneath me was just a black platform.
That's weird, but… gives me some hope— oh. I was in my new body this time, in other words… Yukina. Honestly, repeatedly going back to my old life form made this awkward.
After spending a little over a year made me comfortable being a girl, again. So, it made being here in a guy form slightly uncomfortable.
Before I could move, I heard my voice— a girl's voice just around fifteen. Not too high, and deep… just in the middle.
"Oh~! My dear Yukina! I was not expecting to see you so soon!" The voice— one from a location I could not pinpoint. It felt… oddly energetic, excited yet overpowering.
"Why do I keep getting brought here? And who are you?" I asked whilst looking around. Could it be that thing from when I woke up in this world?
"Currently…" The voice paused, then continued. "You're where your soul resides… Darn! That barrier around it was so tough!"
Suddenly, I felt something pinch in my head— it was stinging, every nerve in my brain was being stabbed.
"And who am I…? I'm the one that reincarnated you… that's so, so mean of you for not realizing~"
"How the hell did you think I would process that…?" I retorted, I was still trying to pinpoint the location of this… guy, girl, being whatever the fuck it is-
When I caught a glimpse of myself in front of me, my legs gave out.
"You're still far too weak, huh?" The face of my doppelganger that appeared was contorted into an angry frown. "You've been alive for over a year… and cannot withstand my presence?"
"What… what the fuck are you even talking-"
Why can't I stand up… my legs are completely paralyzed. No-no- don't touch me! Stay away! I couldn't speak— it felt as if my mouth was welded shut
"Hm…" My doppelganger hummed, grabbing my chin softly; even without force, it raised my head to stare into my eyes. "Is that why you're so pathetically weak?
"I thought by now, your bloodline should have awakened…"
Huh-? Seriously… why can't I move?!
"Your humanity is too intact as well… Boring…"
Let me— let me!
I tried to fight back, regain the movements in my body— it felt as if I'm being chained into this position.
"Hm…"
What now…?
"My three hundredth and fortieth failure, you are the most disappointing of them all. Perhaps it was due to your relationship with that man; but, born with a body that has potentially nigh immortality… you really are a let down.
You managed to blind one eye, injure your foot; now even before you could reach a sliver of your future… you trapped yourself in a predicament."
Finally, I felt my body become unshackled. Fuck this creepy asshole! I scrambled backwards, releasing my head from their hand.
Even then my legs had no strength, they were jello-like.
My doppelganger saw this, and its sick and twisted smile turned into a grin.
"But, I'll look past this… my dear failure. So allow me, " it raised its arms in an exaggerated way. "To bestow upon you with a gift; one that you will graciously bear for the rest of your existence— and one you cannot deny, so accept it with gratitude in your heart."
"I don't want your damn gift!" I yelled back at this thing, but that did not affect it one bit… "Take that gift and shove it up-"
"Are you hard of hearing?" This thing retorted with a tilt of its head. So creepy… "You cannot deny this gift, so accept it with your whole mind and soul."
"No, I won't-!"
My doppelganger's body began to change— morphing into something much, much larger… My vision darkened and I lost every ounce of strength.
I don't- I don't want whatever this gift is…! Fight this feeling! I tried having my adrenaline to help, but my bodily functions were stopping in here. My hands, grew numb, my feet, arms and legs followed.
And soon, I lost all feeling— but something began ringing in my ears.
"Yukina! YUKINA! WAKE UP! WAKE UPPP!" An oh so familiar voice was shouting my name. Allisa?Did something happen?
My body was groggy, that random bastard, what the fuck did he do?! First, a numb feeling, now I can barely get myself up? That's not something good, what kind of gift did he or whatever give?!
I'm trying! Stop yelling! Allisa, and the two kids kept screeching in my ears. But my body wasn't listening to my brain's signals.
"What- what are we going to do?!"
Finally, the weights that held my eyelids down became lighter. Alongside my body feeling a bit stronger.
"What's… going on…?" I let out as I opened my eyes and lifted my head. Allisa was above me, she was clearly trying to hold it together. Crocodile tears were in her eyes however.
"You wer- were screaming in your sleep…"
"Huh? I was…?" I muttered before feeling myself fall silent. I was trying to scream at that thing… "I'm tired, I don't know why I was screaming…"
"You kept… kept cursing…"
"Well…"
"..."
"I'm okay, I don't remember anything." I assured her just after I sat up into a sitting position. These two are worried as well. "I'm fine you three! See?"
After more assurance their worries finally stopped. The two kids went to huddling together whilst the fireball from last night heated them up.
Once I felt my body become normal, and the grogginess in my head waned, I got to my feet.
Huh? That's- is this what that thing meant..? Is-
Something was immediately wrong, or right. My foot usually had a bad twinge at odd movements, such as getting to my feet if I had no support. This time there's nothing… just like I was able to walk normally again.
Is this what that creepy bitch meant…? Is this their gift…?
Quickly I could feel my heart race, it was noticeable, Allisa quickly started asking me questions.
"I don't know what happened…" I replied to her after what felt like seven hundred questions. "It could be a good sign…"
Honestly though, I doubt it… Whatever the shit that was in my dream… it feels like he's trying to mold me into something with how he spoke…
I had to forcibly keep my back from shivering. His words kept creeping into my mind when I looked at my feet. It's his doing…
I shouldn't complain. I can walk now, not limp.
"Yukina… why do you- why do you look so worried..?" Allisa popped into my vision, her head was tilted worriedly. "Is it starting to hurt?"
"No… I want to savor this feeling more."
"A-are you going outside?!"
"Yes- There's not enough room in here…"
I want to take advantage of this! Even if I lose my ability to walk normally in the future!!
Despite the current situation, I could feel myself grin— I was… feeling something I have not felt for a while in my heart.
Despite the cold I rushed outside.
"Yukina!"
"Stay inside! I'll be fine!"
********
"I can walk fine now…" I muttered once I was outside by myself. I ignored the cold air that hit my bare skin, and looked at my progress. Might be a good chance… I didn't want to celebrate anything yet.
For all I know my foot could be removed, but lets utilize it as much as I can.
First job is clearing more snow and killing monsters. Second, physical training for myself. Already from walking, I need to do some physical therapy for walking and running. Lastly, earth manipulation training for you know who's arm.
Now I started clearing some snow. Over time it did seem to melt an inch, but there were many more.
"Yu-yukina… can I come with you?" Allisa called out to me before I could get started on my task. "Please…?"
"Just stay close. There are creatures underneath the snow."
"O-Okay…."
Alright, alright, don't let me down, foot! I started off lucky. With around two meters of snow being melted in a straight line, there were no creatures.
With now being able to walk fine, I moved to my right, repeating the same process.
Ah, the width of each line is really small. It mimicked the size of my shoulder to shoulder width. Counting the melted snow, this was pretty effective.
"Hm? Finally." I let out when I saw a heavily damaged snout. The teeth were poking from missing flesh just under the nose. Some clumps of snow fell from a gigantic furry head, yet again a bear.
"Um…"
I raised my hand to Allisa, before ordering her to stay back. It feels so nice not having to worry about my foot.
I was able to crouch without any pain, and held my hand up to the bear's snout. Time to wake up~!
As soon as the flames in my hands flickered, the bear's big beady eyes flew open. That was the only energy it had, thankfully. It only stared at me, and let out a small growl.
I wanted to get a new test of my foot… nevermind, really bad idea against a bear. But this does give me more of a chance… heh. So, I did my usual… an earth dart through the head of this bear.
This spell's becoming one of my favorites. It has a butt load of power compared to the cost.
Thankfully it isn't as destructive as fireball. But it does its job…
I was practically skipping at this point, I am finally able to walk… and my practice paid off last night!