I looked up to these five horrendous monsters in front of me. My mind spun as fast as it could , thinking about a way to fight. But I never fought before in my life not to mention against beasts like that. I only know how to curl up to a ball when I get beat up before.

‘Alright… assess the situation, find an idea that may work and hope for success… five beasts. They are about two metre apart from each other and the second on the left is the closest to me. I can’t back off anymore or I’ll get cornered… but what can I do? I know something for certain.’

I am weak.

Extremely weak.

When godlike entities are fighting around me, I am unimaginably weak.

But I know that already … which is a start. I’d not confront those 5 with pure strength but with a tactic I need to make up before the first even starts to approach. My grip on the rod became stronger and my eyes went to each beast

‘The best choice would be to read their intent. They are beasts… so they shouldn't think about feints and whatever tricks humans would use , right? So only counters that hold only physical contact when I want that. Now I just have to figure out how. This is easier said than done…'

My thoughts stopped right when the first one started to run up to me. It was the second on the left. It was the nearest one to me and seeing its bloodstained beak made me almost lose the strength in my legs.

It was coming at me and I had to do something at least. I jumped out of the way, barely getting hit by that monster there. I moved my arms , swinging the rod like a baseball bat again. The rod hit the beast on the side and made it fly a bit more to the side. Even without much power, centrifugal force is still able to amount to something.

I turned around to look at the other beasts before moving in a position that won't show my back to any of them. I learned my lesson the last time! And not another time.

Now two were running up at me and they yet again aimed for my neck. This seems like a pattern but I should not just jump to conclusions. But jumping to the side is not an option either since the two came from an angle that made any jump to the side meaningless. But as if luck was on my side, they jumped at me. High enough to reach my neck. Which meant they were high enough.

‘DUCK!’

I ducked down right after seeing they were high enough to go under them. While I was under them, I pushed the rod forward towards the chest of the one on the left, knocking the air out of it. But not yet!

When they passed over me , standing up right away and using a horizontal swing again, i hit the one from before on the butt but it was so fast that it only grazed it. My eyes moved from one point to another, having all my focus on all the five. I don’t know why but I feel like I can do more with this rod than I initially thought.

TAP TAP TAP TAP

The footsteps of one of them came from the left. They were not loud but my senses were so focused on this right now that I even forgot about the actual fight far behind between the angel and the demon. It came towards me jumping again towards my neck. So I can assume they only aim towards my neck like that. I jumped back a bit and swung the rod upwards by instinct. I didn't know I had them but that didn’t stop me from swinging it right when that beast was flying over that point. The hit connected! It felt amazing how I am still alive, fighting my way out of here!

But I don’t have the luxury of admiring my new found feelings here. I still have to kill these fuckers! I don’t know why I am not feeling weird when my thoughts turn to the idea of killing them but I don’t care right now. I have to finish my job here first. I ran towards the one that I hit just now when I saw it falling down to the ground.

"FUCKING DIE!"

‘Kill it. Without stopping, or I'll die.’

These thoughts went through my head like on repeat. Forget morals and ethics, I am about to die if I think about those things. My life is important right now. I bashed onto its head again and again and again.

I swung the metal rod again. And so flinched the beast on the ground again.

But before I could finish the beast on the ground, another beast ran up from behind. I don’t have time to finish the beast on the ground when another bastard is already on its way to my head.

I didn't see where the beast was. I only heard its steps and now turning around would waste time and mean my death. I clenched my legs with every part of my fear of death and made myself roll out of the way, hoping that I would dodge it like I did with the other ones.

“GAGH!”

Shit! While I did roll away, that one still managed to make a rather wide wound on my left leg. It hurts! This fucking hurts! I wanted to cry right at that moment but no. I pushed myself forward with every bit of power I still have!

‘I'll die if I stop! Move! MOVE!’

I could stand up again. Staggering while moving a bit back to be able to look at the remaining 4, I took deep breaths. This doesn’t look good. My heart is beating like crazy and the adrenaline in my veins puts my brain and body on a literal overdrive mode. The beast on the ground couldn't get up because of the brain damage caused by the repeated hits from the metal rod. I’ll have to finish it!

I ran. I ran with only one thought in my mind , putting any pain I felt at the moment aside.

‘Kill it! Do it now!’

Each step hurt like shit. But so what! I was so focused on that beast that I didn’t even realise that my speed was faster than it usually was, even with an injured leg. The other beasts couldn’t react at all. I don’t know why they didn’t attack me but I don’t give a shit for that!

I was now right in front of that beast. I felt no pity for it. The abomination in front of me. Showing mercy here is idiotic. That beast wanted to toy with me and kill me yet I’ll only kill it for survival. This should sound fair, right? I don’t care at the moment. All I care for at the moment is to make five to four. I held the rod high in a reverse grip. And then with one movement, I pushed the rod down with its end pointing towards its neck.

Once wasn’t enough. So I did it again. With each time, I scream louder and louder. I let out every bit of strength out of me, trying to push it down through that thick skin of it.

And then I did it. I pierced the beast's neck with the rod. I’m so grateful this monster doesn’t have any scales like its giant version.

The beast was dead. The eyes deluded. The rhythmic movement of its lungs stopped and its heartbeat non-existent. I did it… I killed one of them!

“YEEEAAAAH!!”

I was thrilled. I had taken a step towards the end of this hell. I was about to break down in tears but then I remembered something. That wasn’t the only one. Shit… And now the rest became even more furious seeing their companion on the ground with dead eyes and no heartbeat. Their eyes turned pure red and they were fuming. They were not just angry that one of their own died but also because it died because of ‘that’.

They became restless. Their heads were filled with the instinct to kill their prey no matter what. Their bodies started to grow slightly and their beaks became longer in a speed visible to an untrained eye. Seeing this made me more uncomfortable but fighting four is better than fighting five. No matter what! Right?

Two of them started to run around me like they were sharks. My eyes tried to keep up with them but they were too fast for me. This went on for a couple more seconds before they stopped at each side of me and ran up to me like hungry hyenas. They were faster than before so I won’t be able to time my dodging right. Shit! I rolled out of the way before they even jumped into the air. This was a dangerous idea but I had no other idea so I threw myself forward.

SWUSH

That was close! I barely made it out of there but thank god they jumped into the air again.

'Now I’m certain that they only aim for my neck. That makes it easier to predict their movements but they are too fast for me'

This was not bad news for me. I understand that they most likely had only one attack style, but that’s it. Their speed, their size and probably their strength as well increased.

I grit my teeth and waited for the next one to come. But what happened next made me feel despair.

"Dammit…"

Checkmate. I was surrounded before I even knew it and had no way to get out of this. This is bad. Very bad. They were only 3 metres away from me now with eyes that meant only one thing.

I’LL KILL YOU!

They started to run at me. I had nothing else I could do. I was cornered, my strength not even enough to defend against one, not to mention four of them and they were already so close to me. I could only surrender to my fate now…

BULLSHIT! Like I’ll let myself down like that! If I’ll die now, taking at least one more with me is the least I could do. I was ready to die, but never to be the only one! The four of them were already so close to me and jumped towards me. I had only one idea that could work on one.

“EAT THIS, MOTHERFUCKER!”

Pushing the metal rod down one of the open beaks, choking one of them. But …

I was already caught by the other three. The one I got fell to the ground with difficulty breathing. I did it… I took one more with me…

Blood.

Lots of it.

Just like last time. They started to bite off my flesh just like last time.

Tearing me apart with each bite. Flesh by flesh. Piece by piece. They tore out almost everything.

It was almost the same as last time. But almost. Last time I felt sadness for my death and regret. now…

'I swear… I swear that the next time I'm here… I'll let Hell loose on all of you! I SWEAR!!'

I won’t go down like this time. When I’m back, I’ll be the one to be your nightmare. And not the other way around.

The moment my thoughts stopped there, because my head was finally torn off and I died. My vision turned black. And like someone flipping the switch, my vision turned white instantly.

Opening my eyes, I could see the sun shine through the curtains. The golden rays fell upon my sleeping face and when I woke up, it blinded me only. I was dazed for a moment.

But just for a moment.

"Ugh… This again… Huh?"

The pain I felt a moment ago. These memories, that should be my absolute trauma, started to become more and more hazy than just a moment before. Nothing changed. I didn’t magically get some ability like in all those movies and novels. I was just me.

Nothing changed on my body. But my mind… that’s another matter. Besides the obvious headache from that dream, something else was different.

Determination. My eyes blazed with a fire that would be hard to miss. A fire that was lit by death. My death. And that fire started to make me determined on something.

This dream appeared again. And if it happened a second time , why not a third time? Or a fourth? This meant that I’ll fight again. And I will be desperate like last time. I’m sure of it. But if this goes on with each death, then my mental fatigue will just pile up. And I still have plans. But what I can do is obvious.

'I need to learn how to fight. I won’t stay like that anymore. If I won’t win against them with strength any time soon, then fighting techniques and tactics are my only way. I have enough free time for that so let’s find a dojo or something like that. Any martial art will work.'

I took out my phone to text my mother about it. The money is theirs so I should at least ask for permission.

[Hey mom! I wanted to ask if i could go to a dojo and take some lessons]

[Yes!]

“Haha… being a ‘shut-in‘ most of the time made mom this much worried? Hah… I should apologise when she is back.”

I went to my computer to search for a dojo near school because I’d spent the time right after school there. It was relatively easy because my school was more in the middle of the city. I found one really fast. It’s even one that has won a lot of prizes. This should be good to apply to. And right after I applied for a test lesson for tomorrow Monday, I closed my computer right away.

GRUMBLE

Oh! Not often that my stomach grumbles like that. I went to the kitchen to make myself something to eat. This time, I put effort into my food, creating another mess but the food was great! And sitting down on the couch in the living room after cleaning up the kitchen, I took a controller and started to play some games for hours. Well … I got no excuses to why I spent so much time playing games. I just love playing games. But it was already 4:30 AM when I looked at the time and playing any more was just boring now.

'Maybe going on a walk for a change wouldn't hurt…'

I wasn’t the type to go for a walk just like that. I rarely leave my home so this thought was pretty rare. But still thinking about tomorrow and the dream today, staying home would only make me more stressed. Maybe this will put my mind at ease for a bit.

Wearing a white sweatshirt and black sweatpants with my black red sneakers , I went out and walked around the city I grew up in. I knew the general layout of the city but never did I ever care about the details. A pharmacy that was bigger than normal ones right at the end of the street, A kebab restaurant that had a long line starting from the door and the trees planted on the side of the streets that lost more and more leaves by the minute. The sky was clear. And the sun was about to set as its rays of light were now only numbered.

Looking around the street while walking around was a different kind of enjoyment. And I somehow enjoyed this more than I thought I’d. I was more in the direction of my school now. When I walked around that area , I inevitably saw people from my class. The school was more in the centre of the city so even if you don’t plan to go there, you’ll be in that area. But I didn't go up to them to talk. I don’t have anyone else as a friend besides Felix and even if I wanted to be friends with them, I’d be rejected before even the f of friends leaves my mouth… I kinda feel lonely now that I think about it. I wasn’t physically bullied thanks to the teachers and Felix’s support but the alienation hurts in different ways.

‘I wish I could at least start to talk with others but I guess it’s too late now…’

If the me before the dreams heard what I just thought he’d think I was weird for thinking of making new friends. I wasn't that social to begin with. Not that I was now all of the sudden, it was just that I started to feel very lonely lately. Felix being busy with his football club and my parents constantly away for work makes me kinda lonely.

But surprisingly, every step I took made me feel less lonely. With each step I took right now, I imagine myself becoming a better person in the future. I’ll develop myself to my best state. And when I reach that, I’ll go even further if possible. But this has to wait for now.

Because while thinking about my social life is good and all… that dream. I have to prepare for that first. I have priorities and right now getting my revenge on these bastards is my top priority!

I was lost in my thoughts again. My eyes wandered through the streets of Berlin that were now dyed by the twilight. I walked through narrower streets and while still being in my own world, I heard something that put me lightly on edge.

"Hey there beauty! How about spending this night with us, huh? We can make you fell really good!"

"That's right! Come on, come on! Show us those gorgeous tits already!"

A group of six men were surrounding a gorgeous girl with such a beauty that would make the gods jealous. She looked around herself with an indifferent look while her dirty blond hair fluttered lightly with her head movements. She looked at the one that first started to talk with her with the same indifferent look like before only now were her brows knit. The man had a far better build than the other with his muscles slightly bulging. Each one of the men looked intimidating but this one was

"Scram this instead before I make you all"

"Ha! What a feisty beauty! Guess we don't have a choice but do this the… hard way" said the muscular guy in the group as almost everyone simultaneously pulled out a knife. There were 6 guys and the girl was all alone. They looked at the girl with hungry eyes, drooling with the thoughts of what they will do to that girl once they are all alone.

When I heard this, I hid myself at the corner to not be spotted by the men. My previous self would have walked away like a coward. But I’m planning to kill goddamn monsters. These men should not be over wild monsters that wanted to eat me immediately. But killing in the real world and not to mention humans was a no. so I have to escape with the girl first while sending an emergency message to the police.

I took my phone out and sent the address and what’s happening to the police in 3 seconds. I don’t have time to waste since they already pulled out knives. I was now ready to rush there right away and open an escape route.

But when I looked at the girl again… these blue eyes, the dirty blond hair and that figure…

‘GINA!’

Gina was the one in the middle right there, looking at the men with a calm look. I know that she trained martial arts for 8 years and that she even won national tournaments but these men had probably killed before. I don’t know how I know that but it’s like feeling their bloodlust already. As if I could see the bloody red aura released by their expression.

Having trained 8 years may be able to make Gina stall for time but… when you don’t intent to kill, then they will win. It’s a matter of time.

‘Wait… how do I know that? Is the dream affecting me more than I initially thought?’

But thinking about this was meaningless since the weakest looking of them all already swung his knife towards Gina. he aimed for her shoulder. His aim wasn’t to kill like the other ones but to make her submit and break her down. His face showed a sinister smile and his intentions were not any worse than the other five men.

Gina turned her body to the side, grabbed the wrist and taking the knife away from that goon so fast that he didn’t even have the time to react. Throwing the knife towards the end end of the alleyway, she then proceeded to punch him in the face. Turning around to look at the rest, Gina started to fight them head on. Any swing that came to her with accuracy was only countered with even more accuracy. Hitting the face, kicking the groin and stomping on the knees. Anything goes. But this also was true for the goons.

I was stunned for a second. This level of a fight felt like it was from a movie. But this is reality. Realising that even with these movements, she will lose if they intended to kill her. These men's final goal was to have fun with Gina's body and that is why they didn't aim for her neck or other vitals but cutting off chunks of meat was fine by them. Their faces said more than needed and this was why I had to move now. I may be a hindrance in this fight but I have to do something or she’ll be either taken or killed.

'Assess the situation… they look trained but not that is probably not true since Gina can fend off even some attacks. This means they only have this experience from actual fights. But this won’t make it easier… that I could even think this much is probably thanks to the dream’s corruption.’

This 'corruption' isn't a bad thing per say but I don't like that my thoughts changed like that of some influence I am not in control of. But no matter what, I have to focus on the present. I have an idea how to get out of there but for that, I need Gina to take some part of the focus a bit more otherwise this won’t work at all.

I saw the knife on the ground that was just a metre away from me. The knife Gina threw away from that one men at the beginning.

“Stupid fucker! Get your knife back or you won’t help at all! She is fiercer than I thought. Just how I like it… Hehehe!”

There was only one without a knife at the moment and Gina was about to prevent him from leaving but the other five focused more on her, making it impossible to leave at the moment.

“Where is that shit…”

‘I have to move! NOW!

I took the knife right before that goon could, surprising him at that moment. I now ruined my surprise factor but the knife is more important than the surprise factor to make my plan work. I looked the man into the eye.

My eyes flashing with a golden light which I wasn’t aware of. The moment I took that knife, I felt like I could do anything with it. Maybe this is just an illusion but I don’t care at the moment. But I’m certain about one thing.

I’m ready for my first real life fight!

And this decides life or death!