Beneath the overcast sky, the trees were blown by an icy wind. The orange leaves had already fallen, with only a few stubborn ones remaining.
Deeper into the forest, a gaunt fox walked with its head lowered. Its prey had escaped, and now it would have to deal with its hunger.
The sound of snapping branches interrupted its frustration, startling it into a nearby bush.
At the source of the sound, a humanoid figure wandered without direction.
Clad in nothing but rags, the figure kept moving forward, its sharp eyes always facing ahead.
So hungry.
Kris frowned with a grumpy expression.
Months had passed, time spent between the trees. His only goal was to satisfy his hunger.
This body is inefficient, though it's better than crawling.
He looked at the many glowing cracks across his skin.
And this hunger… I've tried eating other things. Deer, rabbits… but nothing satisfies me.
The sound of dry leaves being crushed interrupted his thoughts.
Moving toward the source, he saw nothing.
What was—
BLAM!
A massive arm slammed into the place where he had been standing.
In front of him, a grotesque mass of flesh emerged from inside a trunk after retracting its arm.
Was that… human?
The creature didn't give him time to contemplate its existence, now launching multiple arms in his direction.
"Damn it!"
Dodging the incoming limbs, Kris began to run.
While running, he activated his vision, seeing arms coming from every direction, destroying the trees around him in the process.
He kept running while avoiding as much as possible.
Until the attacks stopped.
Out of its range?
He continued running with his vision active, waiting for the worst.
But it never came.
Phew.
Stopping and letting out a breath, he checked his body.
My rags ended up getting destroyed…
Looking around without knowing exactly where he was, he deadpanned.
Now what?
Despite his body not possessing sexual organs, he couldn't help but feel slightly embarrassed.
I guess the next objective is to find clothes…
After walking for some time without mentioning any further incidents, he reached the top of a hill.
Wow… is this a nuclear winter?
Ahead of the hill, a coastal city had been partially swallowed by snow.
An unnatural amount.
On the coast, several shipwrecks were trapped in the ice that covered much of the shoreline.
More toward the center of the city, a large crater lay partially filled with snow.
Here too, huh? Makes sense.
Descending toward the city, he followed a path until it was swallowed by snow.
Entering it, he activated his vision while walking with long steps.
The city was completely deserted, the buildings invaded by snow.
The sound of the wind, now more violent than before, echoed through broken windows and groaning metal.
Good thing I can't feel cold…
After some time, he stopped in front of a shop.
On a poorly hanging sign, it read:
Bernard's Tailor
The door was blocked by snow, and its display window was shattered.
Entering through the broken glass, the sound of the wind was slightly muffled.
Inside the shop, the floor was covered in snow and broken mannequins.
Fortunately, further in, some clothes on display were still intact.
Analyzing them quickly, he stopped at a specific piece.
A trench coat.
Hm, why not?
Wearing the coat and a simple pair of pants, he stopped in front of a half-broken mirror.
Ah, this is the first time I've seen this body's appearance.
His hair looked half-melted, dark green at the base and neon at the tips.
The sclera of his eyes were black, while his pupils were vertical and neon-colored.
On his face there were two large cracks, one below his left eye and the other above the right.
The rest of the cracks were now covered by the black coat.
Adjusting the sleeve, Kris began walking toward the display window, stopping near a rack when he noticed a hat.
Picking it up, he placed it on his head, slightly covering his eyes, which still glowed beneath the shadow of the brim.
Leaving the shop, he walked through the snow toward the edge of the ruins.
On the way, he stopped in front of another building.
On a half-destroyed sign, it read:
Ammu-N—
A weapons shop…?
With a thoughtful expression, he placed a hand under his chin.
Having a brief memory of the monster he encountered in the forest, he decided.
I'd better take something.
However, as he approached the door, he found it strange how easily it opened.
Has someone already been here?
Entering, his doubt was answered.
The store was empty, its shelves holding nothing but dust.
Damn, already looted.
Even so, with a small spark of hope, he searched for something forgotten.
After a long search, he found a small box beneath the counter.
Inside it lay a long combat knife.
One side had a sharp edge, while the other was serrated.
I'd prefer more reach, but this will have to do.
After searching a little more, he found a sheath and tied it to his waist.
Leaving the shop, he continued toward the outskirts of the city.
Crash.
Hearing the sound of glass breaking, Kris drew his knife and took an awkward guard while activating his vision.
"Argh, who left this here?!" a shrill voice sounded through the wind. "It must have been Gunter! Where is that troublemaker?!"
Hearing the voice, Kris frowned in confusion.
Sounds human, but its color…
In his vision, he saw only the silhouette.
Its color was completely dark.
First time I've seen this.
Approaching cautiously, he leaned past a corner.
A man with his back turned, wearing a simple suit, had his foot stuck inside a television.
At his waist, a crown with three gems hung from a thin cord.
"Simon… Petrikov?"
"Huh? Who's there?!"
Startled by the sudden presence, Simon grabbed the crown and held it above his head.
Kris sheathed his knife and raised his hands in surrender.
"I don't want to fight."
"A-ah, is that so…?" he stammered with a suspicious look."Then how do you know me?"
Kris, with a contemplative look, searched his memory.
"I remember that… you were a great archaeologist."
"An… archaeologist?" he murmured with a lost expression.
Then he laughed.
"Heh, that sounds like something a total loser would be."
Right after that, he gave himself a light tap on the forehead.
"Ah… sorry."
Kris only frowned slightly.
His mind seems… lost.
Simon, with a tired look, turned to Kris while tying the crown back at his waist.
"Sorry about that. This crown has been messing with my head… Who are you?"
Lowering his hands, Kris replied:
"My name is Kris. I was a fan of your work."
"Ah… I see."
After that, both sat on a half-melted car, watching the snow fall.
"You know… sometimes I'm afraid of forgetting who I am… of putting that crown on and it being the last time I remember something."
Kris could do nothing but look at him with empathy.
After all, he had once been in the same place.
Clinging desperately to a single thread of sanity.
"Do you know how many years have passed since the war?"
"Since… the war?"
Simon asked with a thoughtful look while placing a hand under his chin.
"Considering that we're in winter… I think six years."
"Six years…" Kris murmured in a contemplative and melancholic tone.
Considering I woke up in autumn…
"You know… after the war, my body changed. I spent years trapped in a void, without any of my senses. Sometimes I was also afraid of forgetting, but the most painful part was forgetting the people from my past…"
Simon, listening to the outburst, gave a gentle smile.
"I'm sorry. That must have been horrible."
"Well… I could say the same."
After that, both remained in silence, watching the snow fall.
"I… think it's better if you go. I don't know how much longer I'll be able to resist the crown."
"I… understand."
Before Kris could try to stand up, Simon stopped him one last time.
"Wait… I know we barely know each other, but… could I ask you for something?"
Hearing the request, almost like a plea, Kris stopped and let him continue.
"I was traveling with a little girl. She had grayish skin, black hair, and pointed ears. You'll recognize her if you see her."
"You want me to look for her?"
"Yes. B-but only if possible, of course."
It's not like I have anything to do besides wandering.
"Alright. But it's not like I know where she is, so I can't promise I'll find her."
Simon gave a relieved smile.
"I understand completely."
Before Kris could try to leave again, Simon stopped him one last time.
"Before I forget… her name is Marceline. She probably won't trust you, so tell her you know me."
"Alright," he replied, finally standing up.
"Goodbye, Simon. It was truly an honor to meet you."
"Goodbye, Kris. I thank you deeply."
After that, Kris headed out of the city, following a new trail through the forest.
When he looked back at the city one last time, he saw it had completely sunk into the snow while massive walls of ice rose around it.
I hope you rest in peace, Simon Petrikov.