When i regained consciousness, it was already morning. The forest where i sought safety was now completely covered in white.
After scraping off my body from earth itself, i sat on my knees and took in the scenery.
I must have died again, and yet...
looking at my small, pale, and skinny arms. Surprisingly or i guess not, the strange book was now in my left hand, wich was previously empty.
AGGHH! FUCK! FUCK FUCk, FUck, Fuck, fuck, fu-
I gripped the book hard and threw it, out of frustration.
Deciding on what i should do next, i landed on, "just walk and see where it will lead me". A pretty stupid idea, sure. But at this point, i just wanted to get away as far as possible from the book.
Glancing at it for the last time. The book is now halfway buried in snow, looking as pathetic as i was minutes ago.
...
Even calling my situation a "miracle" is far stretched. I had been walking through the brutal snow for three days without rest and only shoving snow in my mouth to rehydrate.
An action i came to regret. i thought that if i ate enough snow, i wouldn't have to worry dying from thirst.
It comically backfired and did the exact opposite.
Because my body must expend significant energy to melt it, it led to further dehydration.
Feeling the impending outcome. i stopped walking and laid on my back, merging with the snow.
This is therapeutic
I said under my breath, before falling asleep.
.
How many days left till we reach the camp? Angar.
I believe it will take us at least a day or two, Sir. Cassemir.
Angar answered. as the carriage wheel hit a small stone, making the ride vibrate.
The uneven road continued for god knows how long as it rocked the carriage back and forth.
The sudden jumps acted like defibrillator pulling me back to life.
When i opened my eyes. I immediately noticed that i was inside a sack, and through the small holes i could see two men chatting.
H-help...
I said in a low raspy tone.
The two men looked at each other and stopped the carriage to check on me.
One of the man opened the sack and to his suprise, i was alive and breathing
By the gods! Sir, he came back from the dead!
They couldn't believe their eyes, and i would too. I practically look like undead, reanimated.
Quick Angar, get him a water!
After hearing the order, Angar took his canteen and lowered it to my mouth.
In seconds. i emptied the whole thing, but I'm still parched.
Seeing my desperation.
Should we give him an alcohol sir?
Angar suggested.
Have you gone nuts!? He's just a kid!
But Sir. Cassemir at this point he will-
AHH FUCK IT! GIVE HIM SOME!
Cassemir objected at first, but seeing the situation i was in. It was the only choice they have.
Angar bore a hole inside one of the barrels they were carrying and jammed the spigot or faucet on it.
He then quickly filled the canteen with alcohol before handing it to me.
Be careful this one kic-
Before angar could even finish his words, i chugged it all down.
*Burp~*
I let out a loud burp of satisfaction.
The pair looked at each other unsure of what just happened.
What's your name boy?
Cassemir asked.
Hanse, it's hanse-I think...
Am i still me, if I'm on a different body or maybe I'm still me, Hanse. Just in different body.
Is it selfish to use my identity after basically robbing a poor kid of his own?
Here, I'm sure you're hungry. My name is Cassemir and this is Angar, one of my best soldiers.
Cassemir handed me a loaf of bread and introduces his and his companion.
Get some rest boy, this will be a long ride.
Cassemir added before sitting at the front, next to Angar.
With just a whip, the two horse started walking, and the carriage moves again.
I tried to make myself comfortable and moved around some items to make space, before setting down a curtain i could use as sheet. Greatly reducing the feel of cold woods.
Just as i was about to lay down. cassemir called me.
We found this under you. must be pretty important for you to shelter it using your own body.
I was so shocked. For a moment i thought I'd get heart attack.
The book is back.
Thank you. if it weren't for you two, i wouldn't be alive right now and get a chance to read this book again.
I forced a smile and bowed to show my gratitude.
After reuniting with the book, i contemplated whether to throw it or not. I figured that throwing it again would be futile, as it's mostly gonna end up back with me.
Looking at the book resting on my legs, it was the first time I noticed it's changes.
The book looked more alive in a sense, that it made me curious enough to take a peek again.
Suddenly, a blinding light escaped from the pages of the book right after i opened it.
A surge of electricity followed shortly and it paralyzed me.
The book took a hold of me, as it forcefully fed me informations of a world so similar yet so unfamiliar to what we call earth.
.
Earthz, 2341
Rifts connected to hell started appearing all over the world. there, monsters and demons poured out and devastion soon followed.
Millions of people perished within hours, as armed personnel did their best to stop the invasion. Sadly the weapons at that time was not enough to neutralize the enemies.
The only way to fight back against the assault, was for humanity to evolve again.
And humans did.
Heroes were born, they were people with gifts capable of changing the world. People with superpowers fought back hard to claim back the lands belonging to us.
They risked their lives so peace can be retained. After the war against the darkness, a lot of people had made a name for themselves. Individuals who surpassed and reached the top of the power rankings.
Today. their families had became symbol of hope, a statement to how far and how stronger humans grew over the years.
But...
Human desire tends to be insatiable.
I muttered.
.
"All the schemes of the devil were nothing compared to what man could think of."