I can't remember how long I've been here.

Walking,

Searching for something... anything,

Doing nothing,

Maybe I've been here forever. Trapped in an endless cycle...

I scanned the ground with a practised gaze. My intuition was right as always. On top of the crimson, flaming rock, there was an item the size of a fist. I knelt down on one knee and fished it up. A sigil?

My feet burned as hell but it was fine. I was used to the constant pain of having my bones smouldered, day after day without rest. Not that I could remember anything from yesterday. Just faint images, swirling in my mind like autumn leaves, crisp and brittle, breaking after a single touch– or recollection in this case -- as if something kept them hidden from me.

Mist seeped through the hole-poked ground and rose into the dark sky. A howl echoed through the lands and sent a chill racing through my spine. It was time to go back.

I quickly stuffed the sigil inside my ragged clothes. Couldn't let the others see. They would take it from me. Like they always did, those greedy bastards. Every time I found something that the beings threw down from above, and they saw it – they would take. I also took things from them. But not in broad daylight. Not by force. I sneaked in when they were away.

I had always felt a familiarity with taking things when people don't see. I liked it. It felt exhilarating – like the rush my current life didn't have.

I wandered further the next day. Past the crimson field of rocks.

I came to a lava waterfall. It cascaded down with a thrusting speed. I had a strong premonition that a single spark sent flying would scorch my bones black. I shuddered. Thinking for a moment, I decided to move on.

The risk wasn't worth the reward. Better to take the long way around.

After a while, I found a blue castle. Its walls towered above me several meters into the air. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't climb over. I wondered how many items were in there. Should be a lot. This castle... I felt as I've been here before– not just once. And of all the times, I don't think I've succeeded even once with climbing over.

I went back to my cave.

In the far end, there was a ruffled drape covering something. I pulled it away.

Underneath was a small, angled tree. On its branches hung several different items, and all of them shared the same characteristics.

Broken.

Worn out

Discarded.

I looked at the lowest branch. Beautiful. It was the sigil I found yesterday, I think. I wasn't so sure anymore. My memories kept fading as always. Only by gathering these items could I sometimes remember things from long ago upon sight. Otherwise, every day felt like a new one.

With one last glance, I pulled the cover.

Now that everything was set for today, I laid down.

I wondered what I could find tomorrow. My bones cracked from the excitement.

I took a deep breath and– a strange, rumbling sensation bombarded my mind. I forced myself up. What was happening? Roaring sound waves made my head pulsate. I panicked and put my hand over my ears.

Make it stop.

Please.

Then everything ceased to be. Silence. Only silence.

Like the first raindrop, a voice spoke in my mind. I tilted my head.

[ Specism chosen by the dice has been found. ]

[ Initialising Eve... ]