“I know what you're thinking, Rex Hito, but reality is reality. Don't live in illusions you created yourself,” said the High Priest.'Old man!' Rex shouted in my head.“I understand,” I replied.'What did you say? My father is not a traitor! Tell him, Ares Jones!’ Rex shouted again in his whiny and annoying voice.“Then, get ready for your first ritual tomorrow,” said the High Priest.'Damn rituals! Tell him, Ares!' cried the whiny child again.“Shut up,” I whispered."What?" the High Priest asked me.“Erm… Nothing…” I said awkwardly. I hope the High Priest doesn't inquire further.'Say that old fart deserves to go to the grave!' Rex shouted.I wanted to punch Rex in the face but I was in his body. So I just gulped, trying to calm myself down."Rex, is something bothering you?" the High Priest asked me."Ah no. There isn't anything. I-I'll excuse me, High Priest—”'Don't go, you coward! Face him and pull off his thick beard!’ Rex shouted.“I-I have to go to rest. I mean, there's a rit
I walked with steps that I forced a little because of my uneasy feelings. I didn't know anything about the rituals of the priests of this tribe and my intuition told me something bad was waiting for me.I saw many apprentices walking out of their tents to head to the practice arena. Nola had just come out of her tent too and she was looking at me intently. I try to smile but it seems my smile looks arrogant so Nola snorts and then walks quickly. I blame Rex's annoying face.At the practice arena, the High Priest was already standing in the middle, and the apprentices were standing around him. I quickly got in between the apprentices and stood there."Are you guys ready?" asked the High Priest, looking at all the apprentices who had gathered.I saw that the priests had also gathered and were standing behind the High Priest. They rarely showed up during this time and it dawned on me that there were quite a few of them. Not all of them joined yesterday's hunt."Ready!" answered all the a
I really hope that the golden tree can bring me back to my world. I started to focus myself so I could see the golden tree floating in front of my eyes. However, in this empty dimension, I am unable to do so. No matter how hard I try, I still can't."Uncle!" I shouted.But they didn't hear me. I feel that this white dimension is getting darker and darker. I know what that means."No! No! Please!” I shouted.It felt like I was about to touch my lying body, but I felt myself being pulled away."It's unlikely he will come to his senses now, Mister Jones. However, this has been significant progress for months he has been in a coma," said the doctor whose face I couldn't see.The doctor's voice sounded fainter, but I still wanted to hear his next words."Shit..." I cursed under my breath when I felt myself returning to darkness and emptiness.“Rex! Rex Hito!” someone shouted.I didn't recognize the voice, but I knew it was a woman's. The soft voice finally brought me back to consciousness.
I saw the High Priest looking directly at my hand. Suddenly I hid it by covering it with my right hand. I felt beads of sweat forming on my forehead as the High Priest walked up to me.“Rex,” said the High Priest."Y-yes…" I stuttered.“I forgot to tell you something,” said the High Priest.“W-what is it, Your Majesty?” I asked."Since you passed out before the ritual was finished, then don't be surprised if everyone turns against you after this," he replied.I widened my eyes because I just remembered that there was a warning at the beginning when the ritual started. There must be no mistakes, otherwise there will be disasters or epidemics. Damn! Now if there is an epidemic or disaster, everyone will blame me!"I'm sure you understand, Rex. Be prepared for disaster or plague," said the High Priest.“Your Highness, is there a way to stop it?” I asked as I got up to a sitting position. I don't want to hurt others.The High Priest thought for a moment and finally looked at me again."If
"Can't we try again?" I asked.“All the priests, even myself have tried it. Even though we combined all our abilities, it was in vain. We should probably find another totem to deal with a plague or natural disaster,” the High Priest answered me.He then looked at me and glared at me.“If disaster or plague comes, you will be hated even more and I can do nothing to save you. Too bad, your potential is huge, Rex,” the High Priest said to me.“W-what do you mean, Your Highness?” I asked.'Shit! They will bury us alive!’ Rex shouted in my mind.I widened my eyes and thoughts of Rex immediately flooded my head. Usually, to prevent catastrophes such as disasters and epidemics, they will choose sacrifices to be offered to the gods. They will bury the victim alive in a ritual.'They heal us just to make us sacrifices!' Rex shouted again in a panicked voice.“You seem to know what I'm talking about, Rex,” replied the High Priest."They're going to make me a victim?" I asked in a trembling voic
Darkness enveloped me but the pain lingered in my chest and throat. I wonder why I can still think and feel pain in death. However, a second later I realized that I was still alive. Gradually, I felt that I could move my fingers.The petrification spell is over and I can move. But what's the point? I remained out of breath and could do nothing. A moment later, I realized that there was something in my hand from earlier. I just remembered that the High Priest gave me something before all of this happened.It's hard for me to remember things at a time like this, but thankfully I can still remember them.'Ares! Ares! Oh thank god, you woke up!’ Rex shouted in a panicked voice.I want to answer but it's so hard to talk right now. My lungs are still trying to pump out the air that feels like it's running out more and more. The atmosphere was so hot that my whole body was wet with sweat.I tried to move my hand that was holding something. However, suddenly I saw something that made my eyes
'Ares!' Rex exclaimed vaguely.I almost gave up at that point, because my whole body felt weak and in pain. However, I was suddenly surprised to hear a very familiar voice.“Are we giving up?” he said."Uncle?" I asked with widened eyes.I almost thought that my uncle could really talk to me from the other world, but a second later I realized that it wasn't like that. Those were the words my uncle used to say when I was little. Now the childhood memory is back and the conversation feels real.“Are we giving up, Ares Jones?” my uncle asked me again.“I can’t do it. I can’t do it without mommy,” I answered."Who said that?" asked my uncle again.I cried while looking at my uncle. After my father and mother were truly nowhere to be found, I felt lost. I feel like I can't do anything without my mom, even the little things. I even thought about quitting school and giving up on life.“Ares, what you can do has nothing to do with anyone's presence or anything else. If in the past you could d
"Nonsense!" Rais Musi shouted, making everyone silent.I stretched my body and looked up, trying to stay alive and breathing while staring at Rais Musi's annoying face. At the edge of my grave, he waved his hand with an annoying expression on his face.“What he said was all nonsense! Repairing the Grand Healer Flaming Totem? What kind of joke is that!” Rais shouted in a booming voice.His supporters clamored in approval of his words. I can't give arguments anymore, not because I don't want to, but I just don't have the strength anymore. I just hope they get me out of here and give me something so I don't die a silly death. Their voices started to sound indistinct because my head started to feel dizzy and my ears were ringing. I don't know who was talking, maybe Rex was also talking in my head, or maybe people up there.“Just bury him back!” someone shouted. It was so loud, I could hear his voice clearly. I don't know who is talking.I wanted to shake my head and protest as hard as I c