Cai woke up, almost screaming.

He had a terrible dream, about dying and getting into a strange place made of red rocks, where a red scary person made him eat disgusting food.

But now, looking around himself, all he could see was his familiar hut.

He sighed in relief.

[That was just dream. Good. That was bad dream. Cai not want it be reality!] (Cai)

He got up, scratched his back and let out a yawn, before getting out of the hut.

He was hungry, so he'd better get something in the larder.

The women of his clan were already awake, working on their tasks.

When they saw him, they greeted him happily.

[Hey Cai! Goodmorning! Me happy you awake!] (Woman1)

[Nice to see you Cai! Me hope clan's best hunter slept well!] (Woman2)

[What great prey will Cai catch today? Me curious!] (Woman3)

Cai looked at them confused. The women usually didn't greet him so happily, actually usually they avoided him. Also... clan's best hunter!?! He was the worst hunter ever!

But when he was still thinking about this, another familiar figure approached him. It was the Clan Leader, and even he greeted Cai with a bright smile, instead of showing suspicion as usual.

[Well met Cai! Ready to hunt? Tribe hunters cannot do without Cai! Go get our prey!] (Clan Leader)

The Clan Leader gave him a spear and let him out of the village.

Cai was still very confused. What happened!?! Why was everyone so nice to him? Was it some kind of prank.

He got into the woods, fully intending to find a nice place to rest and waste the day away... but something else distracted him.

As soon as he entered the woods, a small deer appeared next to him.

Before he could even think about it, Cai automatically threw his spear, hitting the deer in the neck and istantly killing it.

This time Cai was amazed. For the first time, he was able to actually kill his prey!

Quickly, he grabbed the deer and started getting back to the village, when a powerful roar echoed through the forest.

Abor appeared seconds later, running away from a huge mountain lion that was chasing him.

Normally Cai would have been the first to run away, but again, his body reacted as if he had no control on it.

He immediately let go of the deer, grabbed his lance and threw it at the lion, again hitting it in the eye and istantly killing it.

Cai was amazed. How could he have done that? But his thoughts were interrupted by Abor, who approached him with a face full of gratitude and admiration.

[Thank you Cai! Cai save Abor life! Cai best hunter ever, Abor always say that! Abor can't thank Cai enough!] (Abor)

[It's nothing. Cai's body acted before he could think, that's all.] (Cai)

[As always, Cai is so humble! Cai is truly an example for the rest of the tribe!] (Abor)

Cai was appalled by Abor's attitude, but after a moment he couldn't help but feel a weird, tingling sense of satisfaction within his heart.

Cai's memories of his life as a slacker were still present, but they were getting fainter by the minute, replaced by memories of a life full of successes and admiration. Maybe this was just another dream, but it was much more pleasing than the one before.

Cai and Abor walked toghether back to the village, talking with each other in a friendly manner, and when they arrived the whole clan welcomed Cai as a hero.

[Did Cai made good hunt!?!] (Woman 3)

[Wow! Is that mountain lion? Cai must be incredible hunter to have killed beast like that!] (Child 1)

[Beast was chasing Abor! Cai killed it and saved Abor's life!] (Abor)

This announcement was taken with even more cheers, and the Clan Leader smiled brightly at Cai.

[Any day Cai is with us is good day for Clan! We must celebrate Cai's bravery!] (Clan Leader)

Some women then took out an amphora full of beer from the larder, while others were busy butchering the meat of the deer and the mountain lion.

That night the feast was great. With the preys Cai and the others brought, there was no shortage of food and the beer tasted particularly delicious. Cai laughed and joked with the others, feeling a sense of unity and camaraderie he had never experienced before but that somehow felt right.

The darkness of the night was kept as bay by the warm light of the fire, and the clan's people were singing and dancing.

At some point, a figure timidly approached Cai.

It was Ula, a young girl who was considered by many the most beautiful girl of the clan. Fiddling with her fingers, she timidly asked:

[Hi Cai! Ula was wondering... would Cai dance with Ula tonight? Ula wants to make Cai happy as reward for Cai's amazing deeds!] (Ula)

Cai was dumbfounded, but anyway he took Ula's hand and started dancing with her. In his old memories, he had never danced before (it was too much of a bother, and girls never invited him anyway) but in the new memories that were taking hold in his mind he had, and he knew all the moves to dance perfectly.

The dance continued till late in the night. Cai and Ula were dancing as one, Cai feeling more fun than he ever had... and even some other emotions that stirred inside his chest everytime he looked at Ula's beautiful moving body. At one point, Ula embraced Cai, and whispered to his ear:

[Ula actually want to give Cai another reward... would Cai follow Ula?] (Ula)

As she said this, Cai felt a warm feeling inside, and let Ula guide him in her tent, while the others were still dancing....

Various months had passed.

Cai was now married to Ula, and she was expecting their first child.

Cai's life had never been happier.

He was still incredibly, almost supernaturally skilled at hunting, taking down dangerous preys on his own almost everyday. Everyone in the village loved him, and they singed praise of his deeds.

Then one day, as he was off to hunt like every other day, the Clan Leader approached him, a serious expression on his face.

[Hello Cai! Is Cai going to hunt?] (Clan Leader)

[Yes, Clan Leader! Is there a problem?] (Cai)

[No, just... be careful. Some of the other hunters claimed to have seen the Exile roaming about the woods.] (Clan Leader)

[The... Exile?] (Cai)

Cai was confused. He had never heard of anyone called like this. But this name, somehow, gave him a very umpleasant feeling.

[Yes, the Exile... we don't say his name, but he was a member of the clan, until he was exiled for killing clan mates. We couldn't prove anything, so instead of executing him we chased out of the clan. But he could still be dangerous!] (Clan Leader)

Cai shook his head. He had no recollection of such individual, and yet this story was troubling him.

But he was the best hunter of the tribe, so he didn't think just one person would be such a terrible danger to him.

[Do not worry, Clan Leader! If Cai see this Exile, Cai will chase him away or kill him!] (Cai)

The Clan Leader looked dubious, but then nodded.

[Yes, Cai definitely can defend himself... just be careful about dirty tricks.] (Clan Leader)

Without further ado, Cai took his spears and headed to the woods.

He roamed there for a while, keeping his sense alert for preys as well for this mysterious “Exile”. But he couldn't see any traces of any other human around, so after a while he concentrated eclusively on the hunt.

It wasn't long until he caught a nice deer, and proceeded to put it into his shoulders, heading back to the village with haste. He wanted to be back with Ula as soon as possible, and he was hungry, so he didn't really pay more attention tha usual when walking back. After all, he was near the village, a place he knew very well and that was usually avoided by dangerous beasts.

For this reason, he didn't notice the shadow approaching him from behind until it was too late. Cai felt a sharp pain in his back, and he fell down screaming.

With tears covering his eyes, he saw a figure looming above him, brandishing a bloodied stone knife. The figure took the deer and then approached him, ponting the stone blade to his throat.

[No please... do not hurt Cai please... Cai has family! Please don't...] (Cai)

But the stranger did not listen to him, and with a sharp movement, he cut Cai's throat.

As the pain invaded his mind and his breath was taken away, Cai looked at his killer once again, and in horror he realize that this person's, the Exile's face, was his own.

He tried to scream, but only a bubbling sound and a spray of blood came from his mouth, as the world fade to black...

Cai woke up suddenly, trembling and covered in sweat. He just had some terrible nightmare, but he couldn't remember it.

He just stood in his little hut confused for a while. His memories were foggy for some reason. Was he Cai the hero of the tribe, or Cai the useless freeloader? He couldn't really pick one option.

But then a little voice inside his head told him that, sadly, the latter option was the right one. Dreaming of being the best hunter of the tribe was probably just some delusional dream he had.

After that, he decided that he was hungry. He stood up, yawned, and headed to the larder for some breakfast.

He was on his way when the Clan Leader intercepted him, stopping right before he could enter the clan's larder.

[I need a word with you Cai!] (Clan Leader)

[What is it, clan leader?] (Cai)

Cai was annoyed. The clan leader was probably gonna pester him with the usual story, asking him to contribute more to the clan. It was seriously a bother.

[I talked with the other elders, and though it was hard, we had to take a decision. Cai does not contribute anything to the clan, and he just eat our common food. Cai doesn't even help preparing the food, or getting water!] (Clan Leader)

[Those are women's jobs!] Cai protested [Clan Leader can't ask Cai to do those dishonorable things again!]

[I could... but indeed I won't.] (Clan Leader)

[What... really?] (Cai)

[Yes. Cai can't be trusted with those jobs either. Cai need to prove himself. Cai always said that he was hunting while he was out in the woods... so prove you worth and catch something. If Cai can't do it before night, Cai will be exiled from the village.] (Clan Leader)

Those words had the effect of freezing Cai. Was the Clan Leader joking!?! Getting exiled was basically a death sentence! With rival clans, wild beasts and many other dangers looming in the forest, Cai would end up dead in less than a week!

Cai was kinda useless, he himself had to admit that... but he didn't do anything to warrant such an extreme punishment! This was unfair!

[Clan Leader... please! Cai do not deserve this! This is too hard on Cai!] (Cai)

[If Cai can catch literally anything, he can stay, so Cai shouldn't worry. But the clan cannot feed someone who does not help. So show us proof you can help Cai. Otherwise, Cai is out!] (Clan Leader)

And then he left, leaving Cai alone with his desperation.

Cai spent the whole day trying to catch something. He ran after deers and rabbits, but his aim with a spear was terrible, and he never bothered to learn how to build a trap, so he couldn't catch anything.

As the day came to an end, Cai's desperation grew. Being chased away from the village meant death, and he didn't want to die.

Why was the Clan Leader so cruel!?! He never did anything to deserve this!

Then, a movement to his right caught Cai's attention. It was Abor who was returning to the village carrying a small deer on his shoulder.

Abor... one of the tribe's best hunter. He never did anything bad to Cai, but he never actually did anything good... he just ignored him, like most of the tribe.

Rage filled Cai's heart. Abor never knew what it was like to be emarginated and kept in contempt. No... Abor, who was about to marry Ula, had a brilliant life in front of him! The kind of life that Cai would never have!

Grabbing his knife, Cai sneaked behind the unsuspecting Abor, silent and full of murderous intent.

Then, he struck.

He stabbed Abor in the back and he fell with a scream, completely unable to move.

Cai then calmly took the deer, and after that he approached the wounded Abor brandishing his bloodied stone knife.

[No please... do not hurt Abor please... Abor has family! Please don't...] (Abor)

Ignoring his pleads, Cai leaned over Abor and with a swift movement he slashed his throat.

As bubbles of blood chocked the words of the dying Abor, Cai looked at his face... and scream in absolute horror.

The face wasn't that of Abor. It was that of Cai.

A sudden flow of memories invaded Cai's mind, and he came to live that exact same moment time and time again.

He was the victim, dying as blood chocked his words.

He was the killer, consumed by rage and envy.

He was both at the same time, and this knowledge, the pain and the rage and the fear clawed on his sanity like a falcon may attack an helpless rabbit.

He wanted to scream, but he didn't find a mouth to do so.

[Did you have enough?] (Viktor)

A profound and scary and yet oddly gentle and pained voice spoke to Cai.

Cai was with the red man, the consciousness of both his lives vivid in his mind, as he was crouching on the earth.

[Please... stop! Make it stop! Cai can't take it anymore! Make it stop!] (Cai)

Tears flowed through Cai's cheeks. The pain... the fear... the rage... everything combined was something he just couldn't bear.

[I'm sorry. I really am. It pains me more than you can imagine to see you like this. But I can't stop.] (Viktor)

[Why!?! You are doing this! Stop it! Leave Cai alone! Please!] (Cai)

[I'm afraid I can't. After all, the things I showed you are all your own doing.] (Viktor)

[What do you mean!?! Cai do not understand!] (Cai)

[Yes you do. Even if you can lie to yourself, you can't lie to me. You understand perfectly. Everything I showed you was the consequences of your action... albeit by different points of view.] (Viktor)

[I showed you what Abor felt when you killed him. You did this to him. Now you're merely experiencing what he felt.] (Viktor)

[Cai... Cai had no choice! Cai wanted to live! Getting exiled from the village was a death sentence! The Clan Leader is to blame! It's not Cai's fault!] (Cai)

Cai shouted with rage. Yes, it was the Clan Leader's fault. Had he not given Cai that ultimatum, he wouldn't have killed Abor. It wasn't Cai's fault!

[The Clan Leader would have never chased you away for something like that.] (Viktor)

These words were spoken in a gentle, yet incredibly cold tone, and had the effect of sending chills upon Cai's spine.

[I've looked at your memories, and from what I saw the Clan Leader always loved you like a son. He was the one protecting you for all your life, letting you do as you pleased. He spoiled you in all the ways he could... and sadly this made you into the parasite you were in life.] (Viktor)

[The Clan Leader realized what man you had become at last, and that he wouldn't be alive much longer to protect you... so he told you the exile lie in order to scare you into action. Even if you wouldn't have brought anything back, he'd have assigned you to some women's work and made you learn how to hunt. He never had any intention to exile you.] (Viktor)

Cai looked at the red man. He didn't want to admit it, but... he had a point. The Clan Leader was often occupied with ruling the clan, but he was the one caring about Cai, making sure he had equal portions of food to the others and that no one bullied him.

This was why Cai was so hurt when the Clan Leader threatened to exile him: after all the time he had cared after him, Cai felt betrayed.

But if the Clan Leader really never intended to exile him... if Cai would have been able to stay in the tribe even without bringing any prey back... then... then...

[It's all your fault.] (Viktor)

The red man spoke as if he knew what Cai was thinking.

[The murders, the rage, the fear, and finally, your death... it was all for nothing. You brought it all on yourself with your selfishness, your stupidity and your ruthlessness. You have no one to blame but yourself.] (Viktor)

Cai stood silent. Every single word the red man spoke was poignant, cutting through Cai's mind like a knife, and just as painful too.

Cai was dead. He realized that now. His tribe had a few legends about the world of the spirit, about becoming one with the earth and the stars after you died... but evidently, they didn't really know anything, did they? Or maybe this was something especially meant for the sinners like Cai?

Not that anything mattered now. He was dead. Dead.

Cai raised his head to look the red man in the eyes.

[W-why are you doing this to Cai? Why are you showing Cai these things!?!] (Cai)

[So that you can understand what you've done.] (Viktor)

[Why?] (Cai)

[Because only after understanding your mistakes, you can correct them. Without understanding, you can't do anything.] (Viktor)

[But... but why!?! It's too late now! Cai is dead! Cai is murderer! Cai can't make the men he killed live again! Cai... Cai can't live again!] (Cai)

Cai spoke in a bitter tone, tears flowing. Viktor just stared at him, a compassionate look in his eyes.

[It is never too late.] (Viktor)

Viktor loomed over Cai. The forest disappeared, and Cai and the God of Hell were back in the desolate red plain.

[Even here, even if it doesn't actually make a difference, it is never too late. You always have a choice. You can always choose to do the right thing.] (Viktor)

[B-but... what can Cai do now!?!] (Cai)

[You can choose to accept your mistake. You can decide to change, and become a better person.] (Viktor)

[Why would Cai do it? What would Cai gain from it?] (Cai)

[Gain!?! You ask me what would you gain from it!?!] (Viktor)

A sarcastic tone transpired from Viktor's voice, but it was almost immediately covered by a calm tone again.

[Allright, lemme answer your question with another question... if you could go back to the past, would you still kill Abor?] (Viktor)

[O-of course not!] (Cai)

[Well then... it's the same thing now. You are offered a choice... and if you don't make the right one, you'll regret it in the future.] (Viktor)

Cai could only stood there in silence, with Viktor words and the understanding of his actions weighting his heart down.

More than the pain of his death, the realization that everything was his fault tortured him. And yet... Viktor's words offered a slither of hope.

Could Cai still become a better person, after all?

Viktor was staring at Cai. With his power, he could see the corruption inside the soul swirling and snapping like a scared snake.

The soul just stood there for a long time (or at least he perceived it so). Then, Cai raised his head again. His expression was pained, his cheeks flowing with tears, but his eyes were clear.

[C-Cai is sorry for what Cai has done. Cai wants to become a better person. Can red man show Cai how to do it?] (Cai)

[I dunno. But sure as hell, I can try. No... we can try toghether Cai!] (Viktor)

Viktor was pleased. He wasn't really much of an expert in religion, but he thought he could come up with something: some meditation, prayers, psychoanalitical session. Anything to help this poor lost soul.

But apparently, that wasn't necessary.

In front of Viktor eyes, Cai started glowing. The corruption inside of him swirled even more violently, and then suddenly it dissipated.

A glowing ray of light shined, connecting both Viktor and Cai.

A burning sensation flowed through Viktor, something powerful, overwhelming and yet serene and peaceful.

It was the most pleasant sensation Viktor ever had... it was like the satisfaction of a work well done, the pleasure of helping someone, and the feeling of someone being thankful to you all mixed toghether, but dialed up by a billion order of magnitude.

If Viktor had to give a name to this ecstatic sensation, he would tell that this is how “Good” feel like.

And then, in a flash of light, Cai disappeared, leaving a few specks of lights that soon faded.

Viktor looked at the space previously occupied by the soul, and smiled to himself.

[Well... goodbye Cai. Good luck in your next life!] (Viktor)

Then, Viktor turned... and suddenly petrified.

Various other souls were stading in the desert, wandering aimlessly here and there.

Basmor were there too, looking at him with a puzzled expression.

[Hello Viktor.] (Basmor)

Viktor weakly returned the salute, a little bit embarassed. Again, he was thankful of the fact that his red skin hid his blushing.

[Uhm... eh... good day, Basmor. What brings you here so soon?] (Viktor)

[Well, actually it has been almost a week since we last saw each other.] (Basmor)

[What!?! Really!?!] (Viktor)

[Yeah... but I guess that in this place it's easy losing track of time. I mean. Anyway, I have been waiting here for a while, cause I found you in some trance with that soul and I didn't want to disturb.] (Basmor)

[Uh... thank you about that. Sorry to have made you wait.] (Viktor)

Viktor was a bit embarassed. The experience he had purifying Cai was... unique. He didn't yet know if he minded sharing it with others.

[Don't worry about it. Anyway, I brought you some other corrupted souls I've collected.] (Basmor)

The Goddess of Death pointed to the people wandering behind her.

Viktor counted them. There were at least two dozen of souls, each wandering with the same empty eyes Cai had.

Heavens, purifying all of them would require a lot of works!

And yet... he could see the corruption inside of them, and the dullness in their eyes. Leaving them like that would be unthinkable!

With a sigh, Viktor answered to Basmor.

[Well, thank you for you hard work, Basmor. Guess I should start working too!] (Viktor)