Chapter 19

Lwanda stood pondering. The occurrences thus far were all but bizarre; him finding himself in this strange new world, the somewhat earth like beasts that dwell there, his rather convenient help all the time. Everything seemed linked, orchestrated. It was like he was a puppet jumping to someone’s tune.

But how? These feats weren't things any layman was capable of. Intergalactic travel, species gene mutation and technology so advanced that Lwanda couldn’t even begin to fathom just what there were. To him the crystals were nothing short of an anomaly an inexplainable substance only short of being magic.

If his hunch was indeed true and there was indeed something pulling the strings behind the scenes then whoever they were or whatever they were they were beings of unfathomable capabilities. Lwanda wasn’t completely sure he’d want to meet beings of such caliber, not even to get the answers he’d so wished for and he did wish for them.

He needed to understand, why him? Why now? And simply why? Why go through all the trouble of bringing him here, what was he supposed to accomplish? Did they have some sort of divine mission like those fake isekai characters he’d read about in the manga or was it something completely different.

They say ignorance is bliss but in this case it was frustrating. Being stuck in a terrifying place like this, having to fight for your life with each waking second, leaving the ones you love behind. All these left a bad taste in Lwanda’s mouth since he didn’t know why he had to go through it all.

He didn’t have the luxury to deem the reasons worthy of the trouble and that’s what pissed him off the most.

“Damn it, I'm going to survive this and when I do...”

Lwanda mumbled, he knew he had to get revenge for everything he’d been through. Worthy cause or not, he was still going through hell and someone had to pay for that.

But... all that was a pipe dream, even Lwanda himself didn’t believe his words. The beings responsible for this were turning out to be more and more almighty Lwanda wasn’t sure he could take revenge even if he wanted to.

“Pheeew it sure would be nice. I'd really like to sock one of them hard in the face”

Lwanda felt a little relieved, the thought of unleashing his rage on those responsible for it made him a little happy. If indeed there was a future like that then he’d most definitely like to see it and for that he was willing to put up with the torture for a while longer.

**Grooooowlll**

“Phew!!”

“I'm starving”

“Come to think of it, I haven't had anything to eat ever since I came to this place, it’s strange I even kept some eagle and rat meat thinking I'd feel hungry but it's been a while.

Maybe my physiology was changed when I was brought here? Or is it that time moves differently here? Or is it something else?

Damn it every question about this place is only met with more questions. I'm in serious need of more information. I better hurry up and get to a higher ground it's time to find out what I'm really working with”

Lwanda looked up to the sky, as he gazed at its deep blue color his mind couldn’t help but to stray. Could he really be the only one here? If so then what was he supposed to do then? He needed to survive, but for what purpose? He needed a reason and he hopped he’d find one wherever he’d end up. It was the only thing that could give everything meaning.

**Groowwlll**

“Damn! But before that let’s get something to eat”

Lwanda rummaged through his bag, he knew exactly what he wanted to eat first. He'd been dying for this opportunity for a while now.

**Drip*drip**

Lwanda squeezed the bloody piece of meat in his hand. The succulent piece was still as fresh as it was when he first cut it off the monster. The fat, the dripping blood Lwanda couldn’t help but drool at the sight of it.

“Things really do end up going full circle don’t they friend. Not too long ago it was I that came close to being eaten by you and here we are. What do you think... eagle?”

Lwanda said as he looked at the meat. He couldn’t hide his excitement. He'd been dying to try this for a while. This to him was the ultimate revenge, eat that which wanted to eat him. It was poetic even, perfectly balanced like all things should be.

Lwanda hurriedly put a bunch of dry sticks together. He was setting up a camp fire. He knew he had to be quick, all that ruckus before coupled with the intense smell of blood and burning flesh in the air, he was sure something would come for him sooner or later.

“It’d be best to be gone before they arrived”

Lwanda channeled his intent to the gold crystal. In a short while a barrage of lightning bolts struck the sticks before him. Under the constant barrage the sticks quickly caught fire and Lwanda wasted no time to fan it.

“No one would believe me if I told them I started a fire with lightning from a crystal hahaha”

Lwanda laughed as he impaled the pieces of meat in his bag. He wanted to roast them all at a go. This place was unpredictable and he didn’t know when he’d find another chance like this, so he meant to capitalize on it to the fullest.

As the sweet aroma of the roasted meat filled the air, Lwanda couldn’t help but to drool. He wanted it so bad, he needed to know how it would taste, the succulent meat. The roasted fat. He wanted it, he wanted it all. This would be the first time he’d be eating something that didn’t come in capsule form and he planned to enjoy it to the fullest.

With the advancement in technology and population, most of earth’s people survived on food pills and solutions. Sure, they contained the necessary minerals for proper development but it just wasn’t the same as having real food. This was a point his father used to emphasis so much on as he told him stories about his experience tasting real food for the first time.

Lwanda couldn’t wait anymore, he wanted to try it, he wanted to feel it for himself. He picked up the well-done piece of meat and gazed at it.

He breathed in the aroma, the heavenly smell, this was an experience he knew he’d remember forever so he wanted to do it right. Lwanda slowly took his first bite.

“Oh my god!!”

“This..this...this is better than I expected”

Lwanda exclaimed. The succulent meat melted in his mouth. Each bite was heavenly, filled with flavor and the warm feeling of roasted fat slowly slipping through his tongue.

He couldn’t hold himself back he quickly chowed down the rest of the piece and picked up another. Like a crazy wild beast, he took chunk after chunk into his mouth not stopping, not slowing down. This was bliss, extreme bliss. In all the time he’d been there this was the first time Lwanda felt something like this.

He felt complete, he felt content, in that moment everything seemed trivial, like it didn’t exist in the first place, like it didn’t matter. All he wanted, all he needed was to stay there and continue eating that piece of meat for as long as he could.

“Damn it I could die happy right now”

Lwanda said in between breaths as he chewed. The smile on his face, the glow in his eyes, this was heaven to him and he wanted it to last forever.

“Forever...I want it to last forever”

….

**BADUUUMP!!**

**Argh!!**

“What?!!!”