A strange place
Author: Tabs_Kebriel
last update Last Updated: 2024-10-29 19:42:56

The sounds of rustling leaves and nearby birdsong quickly filled my ears.

I wildly looked around and an astounding sight met my eyes, towering trees surrounded me, their trunks wrapped in old most. The uneven ground was covered with a blanket of fallen leaves and protruding tree roots.

I'm in some kind of a forest.

Did that strange void drop me here? how? and why?

As questions began to pop up one after another inside of my mind, I tried to recall the events that transpired as I arrived to this place, that strange feeling as I fell through the void while the world around me shift and bend as if the laws of physics doesn't exist.

I began pinching myself, in hopes that I couldn't feel any pain and all of this is just a big bad dream.

But the sensation of pain was undeniable; beyond that, my consciousness remained intact throughout the entire descent through the void and everything seems incredibly real.

Despite my internal efforts to reject such notions, I know that deep within me believes that everything that has happened so far is, in fact, a reality.

Not to mention, a small part of me has already come to a conclusion.

A conclusion that I do not want to believe.

It's possible... but surely there should be some other way to return home.

Right?

Shaking my head to dispel such negative thoughts, I muster all the willpower and remaining resolve within me to search for any possible solution that could lead me back home, nevertheless, this effort doesn't deter the small seed of dread from steadily taking root within me.

First, I have to find any way to leave this forest before darkness falls, just the thought of spending a night in the middle of this forest alone with nothing on me is insane.

I then fearfully turned towards the sea of trees around me, my eyes piercing straight towards the endless woods in front of me.

Those seemingly harmless vegetation could be concealing anything if night finally descends, in fact, the possibility of danger lurking out there right now is enough to send shivers down my spine, a now rising tide of panic and fear begins to grip me.

As the weight of my situation dawns upon me, I couldn't help but notice my growing rapid and shallow breaths. Each inhale feels insufficient and my chest tightens with every exhale.

What's happening?

It didn't take too long for me to realize that I'm hyperventilating, the physical manifestation of the fear and panic that have taken hold of me.

My vision began to blur as my body struggled to find its flow, my mind racing faster than my breaths, I then clench my fists as I tried to regain control of my body.

After what seems to be an eternity, my racing heart gradually began to steady, I slowly reclaim command of my trembling limbs, the grip of panic releasing its difficult hold.

Wiping the sweat on my forehead, I began to steady my once shaking legs.

"I need to quickly get out of here." I mutter to myself.

But first, I need to keep calm, my brain's no use to make decisions if I'm panicking.

I took a deep long breath before placing my sights on the woods in front of me when a memory of my past suddenly appearing inside of my head.

I once read a book about surviving in a wild forest, but unfortunately, I've forgotten most of it, but there are a few basic tips I could still remember such as slowly backing away while maintaining eye contact if I find myself face to face with a bear, or if you're bitten by a snake, instead of sucking the venom, I should instead focus on seeking help, though I doubt if there's any in this fucking forest.

Well, aside from a dozen more tips, there isn't anything I could think of right now.

I stared at the unfamiliar sky above and sighed, with any stroke of luck, I could hopefully come across any individuals who could offer any help to this damn situation I now find myself in, before or after I leave this forest.

I also noticed that my backpack is missing... not that I could do anything about it right now.

Then, I started to trudge in the unknown woods, towards a direction I knew nothing of, only driven by both hope and resolve, the sound of crunching leaves and snapping branches filling my ears as I haul myself across the uneven ground.

A frown began to form on my face as I sidestep every obstacle in my path, whether it was the sprawling roots of trees, imposing boulders that seemed insurmountable, or vegetations so thick that I have to make a small detour just so I could pass through it.

And as for any wild animals, luck seems to be on my side as I haven't yet encountered anything aside from a few frightened rabbits and small strange looking mammals. Hell, strange could even be an understatement.

While the flora and fauna in this place bear a resemblance to those back home, there are a handful whose appearances screams strange and alien.

One such encounter was from a raccoon-like creature with antler horns, I was moving along a narrow path when I stumble upon the particular creature, my body quickly froze as me and the strange creature went into a staring contest which seems to last for an entire minute before the creature ran off into the woods, probably out of fear or something else.

As I continued making my way, I began to encounter more and more of them, each one different from before, two-headed squirrels, armadillos that towered half an average human's height, though they made an attempt to reach me, they're too slow and I quickly outran them, however their size could formidably prove to be intimidating.

There's also squirrels with golden shiny furs, hedgehogs but their spines are made out of tiny little flowers, and much many more.

As for the trees and vegetations.. well they all look the same and familiar to me, there's none that stood out peculiar among them, They're how I thought forest trees and it's surrounding vegetations would look like.

There's also a thought that came across my mind.

These creatures doesn't exist on earth.

As I stumble upon more of them, each one further contributes to the conclusion that a small part of me had made earlier.

"I don't believe it" I whispered in gritted teeth as the dread within me began to rise.

It's either I discovered a new land in Earth, full of new species and potential resources... or-

I quickly shook my head from such thoughts.

It cannot be..

But the former also seems to be unlikely, there's no chance-

"It's impossible!" I find myself suddenly shouting, scaring and driving the nearby animals away.

It took me a few seconds to realize that both of my hands are now shaking again, not to mention the cold sweat dripping from my forehead.

Arguing with my own thoughts? really?

I cannot afford going mad in the middle of some unknown forest. Damn the conclusion! I must prioritize of getting out of here alive, and then where I'm finally in a situation where I could consider myself as safe and secure, were I to finally decide on what I'll do and... think afterwards.

I took another deep and long breath before turning towards the stretching woods in front of me.

Refusing to entertain another such thoughts, I continued on my way through the woods, feeling a small glint of determination within me.

As I ventured deeper into the forest, I could now feel the fatigue sink in, all of my limbs seems to grow heavy at each passing moment, especially my legs, each step requiring more effort than the last. Not only that, my muscles began to ache now, followed by a dull sensation that begins to spread throughout my entire body.

I then notice my movements slowing down, and a sense of weariness settles in, sapping at any remaining energy left inside of me, my breathing then becomes a bit more laborious, each inhale and exhale requiring great effort.

I need to rest.

I look around and found myself a thick tree with a small space between it's protruding roots that I could comfortably use as a resting spot.

With a groan, I dragged my exhausted body towards the spot and sat below, my back slowly resting towards the solid rough trunk of the tree.

How long has it been since I were tossed in this place.

Two hours? three? six?

Shit, I've lost track of time...

As I sat in complete silence, I also then began to notice how dry my throat is and how I badly needed to gulp an entire gallon of water right now.

I need water...

Only now do I regret not sipping those puddles of water I came across on my way here; however, it's too late to go back now. Then again, I wasn't thirsty at that time, and what kind of person, raised on Kangen and faucet water, would consider drinking from a puddle?

Sighing, I lick my now dry lips in an attempt to moisten them.

Suddenly, a resounding guttural roar pierced the air, its effects rippling through the surrounding landscape and causing the ground beneath me to quiver ever so slightly. In response to the tremendous noise, a multitude of birds that had been perched nearby took flight in a flurry of wings, filling the sky with a chaotic burst of movement. The roar's intensity was tremendous, carrying a weight that spoke of power and dominance, sending a chill down my spine.

Fear stirred within me as I turn towards the direction where the roar came from, which happens to be in front of me.

Holy mother of fucks!

My eyes about to burst out from their sockets, my limbs trembling rapidly, and my entire body completely frozen to the ground, I stared wide eyed at the massive bear who materialized a few distance away from me, crushing the trees and brushes that stood in it's path, a testament to it's immense strength and power.

Although I've never seen a bear before, I very well know how a bear looks like. But this thing in front of me? it's no bear... it's a damn monster!

It stood at least 7-8 feet tall, its hulking form casting a daunting shadow after it emerged from the thick underbrush, the creature's fur was a mix of deep browns and red, ruffled and dense, giving it an imposing presence... and not to mention that it looks very angry.

And then, our eyes met.

Fear and shock began to overwhelm me as I stared jaw slacked at the monstrosity who was now; in fact, heading towards me.

Reason and logical thinking immediately disappeared within me and was replaced by instincts which took control of my entire body as I quickly made a dash through the woods.

I could no longer feel the tiredness and fatigue that fell upon me earlier as I continued running, the massive bear in tow.

Pants leave each of my breath as I desperately ran through the unknown forestry, my heart beating like a hundred drums as I clumsily avoided any obstacles I stumbled upon on my way.

I know it's dangerous and risky, it would only take a single trip and everything would end right here, but it's better than becoming a lunch for the chasing bear behind me.

I could hear the crashing and felling of trees as the bear continued to chase me. I cast a quick glance behind and saw the beast tearing its way through the unfortunate trees in its path. I also witnessed a few small animals caught up in the chase, getting crushed under the relentless heavy paws of the bear.

"Fuck!" I curse, my eyes darting away, focusing once again on the direction ahead. However, what suddenly met my gaze wasn't the flat but uneven forest floor, but instead a steep, downward slope, leading to a... tiny stream?

It didn't take long for me to realize that I'm heading towards the very middle of a small ravine, it's height a few meters tall.

Oh god..

With all my might, I put all my power in stopping myself from reaching the jaws of danger, but my efforts were for naught, with my momentum carrying me, I ended up tripping on my own feet before stumbling and rolling on the ground below, I feel the dirt on the ground hit my face, then the stones, and then rocks.

Agonizing pain erupted throughout my body as I rolled and tumbled down the slope. After mere seconds, a searing impact of rough wood met my face, and then everything faded to black.

.

.

.

.

.

CHAPTER DONE!!

Related Chapters

  • Rise of the Hegemon   Escape in the forest

    Gradually, as consciousness began to seep back into my senses, my head throbbed mercilessly, each throb sending waves of discomfort and agony, It was as if there was a heavy drilling operation taking place inside my head. Blinking my eyes open, everything is a blur as I slowly take in the sight of the blue sky above, I could feel the rough soil beneath my body, a clear indication that I now lay sprawled up on the ground below, leaves and dirt sticking to my skin, the air was also thick with the earthy scent of vegetation, and the distant sounds of rustling leaves and flowing water. "Argh!" I grunted in pain as a piercing pang suddenly shot through my head, causing me to wince and grit my teeth, gently placing my hand on my throbbing temple, I could feel a small bump forming beneath my palm, a sharp pain surging in my head each time my bump makes contact with my fingers. How did I..? And then my memories slowly reassembled itself, the image of the bear chasing me, my hasty and desp

  • Rise of the Hegemon   Who are these people?

    I could feel the fresh breeze brush upon my face and tug at my hair as I made my descent towards the valley, my heart rapidly beating in anticipation and excitedness.Ignoring the pain around my whole body, I continued to limp across the vast plain of green, the soft rustling of grass filling my ears as I move forward, each stride sent a rush of exhilaration through my veins.With each breath, I could sense the fragrance of the grass and wind as I propelled my way forward, mingling with the adrenaline that surged within me, the rhythmic thud of my heart matched the rhythm of my feet.As I descended further, the expanse before me gradually unfolded, revealing the widening scope of my surroundings. Before long, my line of sight expanded, finally revealing the uninterrupted stretch of the south road that leads back towards the town in the far distance.The south road eventually breaks into two paths, one that leads towards the west from my current position, and the other one towards the

  • Rise of the Hegemon   Unfortunate circumstances.

    I found myself mysteriously standing within the confines of a hall full of people, after examining my surroundings for a while, it didn't take me too long to finally realize that I'm actually standing inside a throne room.Massive stone walls adorned with detailed tapestries surrounded me, their ancient-looking textures speak of history and a thousand stories, sunlight streamed through tall, arched windows, casting golden patterns across the polished marble floor, while flickering torchlights cast dancing shadows inside the room, the air is thick with the scent of perfume, sweat and the acrid smell of the nearby torches.At the middle of it all, a throne sat atop a raised platform, a symbol of power and authority. Seated upon the throne was an old man wearing a crown of gold, it's unmistakable a king.. but of what kingdom?In addition, hundreds of what appeared to be aristocrats and nobles sat on elevated benches on both sides of the room, while dozens of people surrounded the king, s

  • Rise of the Hegemon   New life

    My body jolts slightly as the wagon moves forward along the rough and uneven road. Glancing around, I take in the sight of my ten fellow convicts, all of us cramped together in this suffocating, wretched box they call a wagon. My gaze shifts to the two guards from the garrison at the rear, clad in leather armor and armed with swords. The air inside carries an unbearable mix of sweat and foul breath, the constant creaking of the wagon and the murmurs of others around me creates a disconcerting symphony, adding to the tension in the confined space.It has been an hour since we left the dungeons of the Runderdale barracks. My butt is now sore from the rough and hard wood I'm sitting on, and I have to constantly adjust my sitting position despite the cramped space around me. I've already earned a few glares from the others because of this.And speaking of Runderdale barracks, it's located inside the town of Runderdale, the first town I saw after I emerged from that forest.I could still p

  • Rise of the Hegemon   Arrival at the quarry.

    The rest of the ride was uneventful aside from the occasional chatter among the prisoners, for the next three hours, I endured the steadily increasing discomfort in my rear end caused by this wretched seat.But I made no complaints.. who am I to complain against two armed guards, not to mention that I don't speak their language.The once visible town was already gone, now replaced by seemingly endless rolling hills and a dirt road that seems to stretch as far as my eye could see. So far, we hadn't passed through any major settlements aside from a few hamlets.Interactions between me and Little Fish only limits to gestures and hand signs, though I occasionally find myself unintentionally slipping English words during my 'conversations' with him. Muscle jaw memories, I guess?When the wagon finally lurched to stop, the constant shaking and creaking of the wagon had finally ceased, replaced by a moment of peace and silence which offered small relief to the rest of us.By this point, all

  • Rise of the Hegemon   Inside the quarry

    As the guards ushered us toward the imposing gate, the relentless onslaught of the sun's rays bore down upon me, its searing touch unbearable. With each step, the weight of my body seemed to intensify, the air grew thick and stifling, making each breath a struggle, my throat felt parched, a dryness that consumed my senses and left me longing for even a drop of water to quench my thirst."Water, please..." The words left my lips in a hushed whisper.I could only hope they would offer us food and water before they send us to work.As we approach, the wooden palisade began to extend, its sturdy structure growing larger with each step, casting shadows over the ground. Atop the walls, sentries stood vigil, clad in suits of mail and gambesons, crossbows resting on their backs while gripping spears firmly in their hands, and furthermore, only half of the watchtowers were manned with the same guards, though I could see a few of them held bows.A sense of vulnerability washed over me, a realiz

  • Rise of the Hegemon   Do I even have a choice?

    The fuck is this?My eyes blink rapidly as I blankly stared at the parchment sitting atop the table in front of me, my shaking hand tightly gripping the quill given to me.There's a list of what seemed like signatures written in the parchment, a collection of markings resembling signatures yet devoid of any semblance to names, like a scribble that appeared as if a two-years old child had written it.Signatures only?... No names? do they find it acceptable to merely rely on our signatures as a means to document our identities and maintain a record of our existence?I look up and stare at the two men behind the table, patiently waiting for me to write my signature, though I could still find them occasionally stealing a few glances at the outfit and sling I'm wearing.I'm sticking out like a sore thumb, I better get myself a new set of clothes... I'm not comfortable with this attention I'm receiving right now.I could still remember the astonished looks of my fellow inmates, including Li

  • Rise of the Hegemon   Welcome to your new home

    A man pushing a cart suddenly emerge behind a small building, heading straight towards us.Huh?And in that moment, a scent began to waft toward me, growing more potent with every passing second as the cart drew closer to our position.I glanced at Little Fish beside me, and from the expression on his face, it was evident that he'd felt it too. Our eyes met and I could see the growing grin on his face, he muttered something under his breath before licking his lips.Murmurs grew around me, it seems the entire group had already noticed it by the looks of excitement and relief in their faces.There's no mistaking it... that cart, it contains food.A growing sensation of moisture filled my mouth, accompanied by the rumbling of my stomach as the creaking of the approaching cart filled my ears. I could barely keep myself from launching towards the incoming cart.Each seconds seems like an hour as we impatiently waited for the arrival of the cart, if it weren't for the guards surrounding our

Latest Chapter

  • Rise of the Hegemon   

    A Miracle?

    Seemingly shocked by his outburst, Gulfram released his grip on me and gazed at me with eyes filled with surprise." Carillus," He sighed, "You've already became a killer, and I know you're going to be good at this job until you die." Gulfram then clasp both of his hands together before moving his gaze towards the other miners. I followed his gaze and noticed that all of them were silently observing us. Even Little Fish and Roslik appeared unusually quiet, their eyes locked onto us with unwavering focus, though I could trace a few hints of worry and pity etched on their faces. "But please," He suddenly continued, now moving his gaze back towards me, "Just don't ever... ever let this quarry take away whatever childhood you have left." After everything that has happened to me, do childhood and all that shit even matter anymore? As much as I want to let my thoughts on the matter out, I controlled myself and kept quiet instead. And just like that, we spent the rest of the time disposin

  • Rise of the Hegemon   

    Disposing

    The instant Gulfram gave the orders, every man sprang into action without hesitation. There were no complaints, only the faint sounds of acknowledgment and slight reactions.I noticed that the miners accompanying Roslik and Gulfram swiftly exited the alleyway and returned with a horse-drawn wagon a few dozen minutes later. The wagon was complete with a driver whom I had never met before.Meanwhile, I stood on the sidelines with my back against the wall, observing their process of loading the two bodies onto the cart with utmost silence and care.Little Fish also stood beside me, and though I could sense he was attempting to offer comfort by initiating small talk, his words, however, fell on deaf ears as my mind wandered elsewhere. I didn't even hear almost half of what he said."Sorry, can you repeat?" I ask, my face flushed with embarrassment and disappointment directed to myself.Little Fish sighed, but before he could open his mouth to speak, he suddenly turned his head towards som

  • Rise of the Hegemon   

    Alley aftermath

    Arriving in front of my shed, bloodied and exhausted, I cast one final wary glance around to ensure no one was following me. Finding no pursuers, I pushed open the flap and swiftly stepped inside.It seemed like everyone had already fallen asleep, but that was about to change. Little Fish was the first to stir at my abrupt return."Huh? who's-..." He stop his words when he saw my current state, eyes wide open with shock, he began waking everyone up one by one.I disregard any thoughts and worries about the consequences of my actions and plainly walk forward before sitting myself in the corner which is also my sleeping spot.By now, everyone had been roused from their slumber and was beginning to gather in front of me."Carillus, what happened?""What's with the blood, Saragonian?""There's so many blood on you, are those even yours?""Are you injured or something?""We were wondering why you're so late, Carillus. The fuck happened?"Arde was the first to question me, followed by the o

  • Rise of the Hegemon   

    First kill

    "You little shit!" The bald man screamed as he stumbled back, his hand clutching his bleeding head.By this point, rage and instincts had seized control of my body. Without warning, I launched myself at the bald man in front of me, swinging both of my hands wildly toward him simultaneously.I could hear the curly one behind the man in front of me cursing as their bodies collided, but I didn't stop there. Despite still in the process of regaining my breath, I continued my relentless attack, now switching the plank to my right hand.With the plank now in the grasp of my dominant hand, I could feel my swings becoming more accurate with each passing moment. They cut into parts of the bald man's arm as he raised it in a desperate attempt to block me. My sudden, rapid attacks were pushing him backward, inadvertently pushing the curly one behind him in the process."The fuck are you doing? it's a fucking child!" The curly one shoved the bald man aside, sending him sprawling to the ground, th

  • Rise of the Hegemon   

    Alley struggle

    Before I could even process what had happened, a large fist suddenly shot out and struck me right in the face, and then everything went black.As I opened my eyes, I surprisingly found myself standing in the midst of a grassy vast plain. However, grass were not the only thing present around me, rows upon rows of men dressed in oddly familiar blue colored uniforms and carrying what appeared to be muskets were marching past me.At that very moment, after a brief and careful inspection, I came to realize that they were American soldiers, back during the Revolutionary War.But the question is... Where the fuck am I? and how the hell did I end up in here? The first thing I sensed when I first found myself in here, were the rhythmic stomps of their boots striking the earth and the distant, continuous beats of drummers, creating a mesmerizing symphony that seemed to hang in the air. Amidst this auditory dance, commands like 'Eyes front!' bellowed by nearby sergeants added to the tapestry of

  • Rise of the Hegemon   

    Encounter

    Pulling the flap open, I carefully begin to enter the confines of a hastily assembled shack, slightly lowering my head due to how short the entrance is.As I entered, my eyes were drawn to a lone familiar miner seated with his back against the corner wall The air was heavy with the musty scent of dirt and dust, but I paid it no mind whatsoever."It's done, Erik." I said, resting my pickaxe on the wall besides me.Erik, the miner, acknowledged me with a nod, then rose from his seat and walked over to a wooden chest on his right.He stood at least a couple of inches taller than me, yet despite his slightly towering figure, he appeared incredibly slender. In his current topless state, the contours of his ribs were visible, protruding from his chest. His face had an intriguingly slightly-oblong shape, with droopy eyes and a long nose. A mop of short, tousled hair sat atop his head, and a modest stubble adorned his mouth area, suggesting he was likely in his thirties.Opening it, he began

  • Rise of the Hegemon   

    Hope?

    The moment those words escaped from Gulfram's mouth, an overwhelming wave of joy and excitement flooded over me.Tunneling?! yes, this could be it... Digging our tunnel to freedom! Why didn't I think of this earlier... but then again, it likely demands manpower, tools, and an unbelievably long amount of time. I could never excavate a tunnel all on my own. Now that I have friends in the quarry, including Gulfram himself, then maybe... tunneling our way out of this damned place might become feasible.Despite my best efforts to hide my elation, I couldn't escape Gulfram's disapproving shake of the head, a clear indicator that my true emotions had been revealed.But why is he like this?After a moment's hesitation, I mustered the courage to pose the burning question that had been gnawing at my thoughts, "You want escape?"His eyes widen slightly at my question, clearly caught off guard. 'What do you mean by wanting to escape?' he asked, his hand rising to scratch his beard in contemplati

  • Rise of the Hegemon   

    Is escape even possible?

    "So, what would you like to discuss before we begin our lessons?" Gulfram asked, taking a seat behind a table and placing his pickaxe against the wall to his left.Closing the door behind me, I then make my way towards the table before eventually sitting right in front of him."Uh yes," I finally began, rubbing my right palm on my frozen left hand for slight warmth to remove the chill that clung unto me from the outside."Did anyone.." I paused, searching for the right words in my limited Artanian vocabulary to continue my question. After a few seconds of pondering, I finally found the perfect ones, "Try escape quarry? anyone succeed?" I knew my Artanian was this bad, but I think it's enough for Gulfram to understand it's meaning.He froze, his eyes widening at the same time."Don't tell me you-" before he could finish his statement, I suddenly interrupted him."N-No no no, you think wrong." I waved my hands at him, chuckling nervously in the process, "I's just curious.. yes, curious.

  • Rise of the Hegemon   

    Acceptance and moving forward

    Months had passed, and the brisk winds of autumn were now in full swing. The days seemed noticeably shorter than before, and the air carried a crisp chill, with temperatures gradually dropping.Sighing, I turned towards my fellow miners in the group, who were arranged in a line on my left. Each of them was diligently working on their section of the wall-like rock in front of us, the relentless sound of their pickaxes hitting the rock creating a cacophony of clanks and thuds that resonated within the nearby area.Not to mention the pervasive scent of sweat that hung in the air. It was only thanks to the occasional cold breeze that wafted over us, briefly dissipating the familiar stench of sweat, before it inevitably returned once more.I withdrew my gaze and turned to look at my right hand, which was firmly gripping the handle of my pickaxe, its head resting on the ground below. The muscles in my right arm had grown significantly over the past months. Comparing it to my broken left arm