The Journey Of The Wretched Spring

The Beginning of the Storm

"What happened? Where am I?"

As I woke up in this pitch-black space, all I could remember was having a conflict with Christian while being held by Gerald. I couldn't remember what happened after that!

"Tally, look how handsome our son is."

Tally? Wait!! That's my mom's name!

I was overwhelmed by joy, sadness, anger, and excitement when I heard my mom's name. 

"Michael, our son looks happy. Look! He smile!! 

I couldn't keep my tears from falling as I looked at my parents, who were both smiling.

It's been a while, mom. I missed you, I've missed you so much, and I am still missing you.

I saw my dad's tears falling down while saying,

"Gareth, you might not remember this, but son, your first breath took ours away." 

"Wait no!! Please let me see my mom and dad's faces for a while—"

As I was being swallowed by the pitch-darkness, I couldn't hold my tears and began to break-down.

Where am I again? This place looks familial. —

"Tally!! Wake up!! Don't close your eyes! The ambulance is coming! Stay awake, please tally! Please!!"

Ahh— the time when we had a car accident on our family trip, when my mom died, when my father got disabled, and when I got a scar on my belly.

The detective said that the truck driver was drunk and fell asleep. How depressing can life be for me? That's so fucking unfortunate!!

"Micha-, please take care of our son, I love yo—"

As I saw this cruel scene again, it ached my heart. Again and again, it was like a movie in theaters that makes your tears fall without you noticing it. It was heartbreaking.

Once again, I was swallowed by the darkness. —

"Son, I'm sorry for burdening you. Just a little more, and I can walk again."

Why would you say something like that, dad? When you know deep inside your heart that you can't walk again? Why did you hide it from me? Ahh, this life really sucks! How could this happen to me? I didn't do anything to piss off any gods or goddesses! For fuck sake!

As I returned to the pitch-black space, all I could do was cry and mourn. This life was filled with nothing but damn! I just want to sleep, please let me re—

"Hello, young man."

This might be the underworld, right? A river in a vast open cave, a dead land, and people who are lining up in front of a gate My life was sucky, and now I'm going to hell? What an unlucky bastard!!

This man in front of me is too old to speak based on his appearance, but what's this gentle and deep voice? His clothes are black. He is holding a scythe and has long black hair. It's funny how this man is still alive.

Oh, oh— we are dead now!! *smirks*

"Young man, I would like to apologize first for the misfortune you have suffered."

"What would apologizing now do, old man? And who are you, by the way?"

"I'm Kharon, the one who leads people to the underworld through Acheron and Styx."

"Are we crossing now? I'm still not ready, I haven't said anything to my dad, and I have so many regre—"

"Young man, do you want to live again? Although I can only bring you back 1 year before your death, if it's fine with you, I will bring you back there, and you could prevent some of your misfortunes."

"Why would I? 1 year? That's probably the time when my dad sold the house so he could pay our debt."

"No, I will bring you back after that time, there will be many opportunities for you since you already have knowledge of the future."

"Why would you do something like that for someone who has nothing?"

"As you know already, your life was filled with anguish and sorrow; however, it wasn't the will of the Moirai; someone altered it."

The Moirai means Fate. Their names were Clotho (Spinner), Lachesis (Allotter), and Atropos (Inflexible). Clotho spun the "thread" of human fate, Lachesis dispensed it, and Atropos cut the thread (thus determining the individual's moment of death).

"That guy must have a very deep grudge against me for him to do so!!"

"I will give you a martial artist's soul to guide you to becoming strong; how about it? That way, you can overcome what you lack! I will also remove all your traumas."

"It seems like our time is up, young man, Do your best and live the life you like, no one will judge you after that."

"Wait!! Old man—"

As I was about to ask some questions, before I knew it, I was already swallowed by the darkness.

"Son! Wake up, your phone's ringing; maybe it's your girlfriend? Hahaha"

When I opened my eyes, the first thing I saw was the eyes of my dad, filled with anguish but mixed with joy as he smiled at me.

"Good morning, dad. I had a really bad dream."

"What kind of dream? Is it realistic enough to you for your tears to fall down while you're sleeping?"

"So much realistic that I missed mom again."

"It's alright, son; mom's in a better place; just hold out and enjoy this life of yours for now."

Ha— what life? Life full of sadness with two part-time jobs and a cruel, hypocritical school life? What a rubbish thing to say.

"Answer your phone, maybe it's your girlfriend~"

As I was about to answer the call, I realized and thought if what happened really was true or if it was just a long, long dream.

I wished this wasn't a dream or a hallucination. I want to embrace this chance and change for the better.

I don't care about revenge or something; I just want to live peacefully. Deep in my heart, I just want to prove to my dad that life isn't all about misery and agony.

I'll just avoid Christian by transferring to another school; this is my chance!