‘Is this how I’ll die? This is what I get for trying to be a hero…’

These words flashed through my mind as I laid screaming. My useless arms were pointlessly trying to guard my shivering body. I knew, that all this struggle was pointless yet I still tried. As the face of death approached my defenseless self, time seemed to extend. Time slowed down to a crawling halt as if mocking my very existence, possibly to shred whatever dignity I have left.

As time stood still to give me brief a moment for self-pity, my memories of the past 16 years came flooding back. As if watching through the eyes of someone else, I saw myself. A handsome young man, black hair and black eyes, unlike anyone else in the village. His defining feature, a look of defiance as if not even a god can block his path.

There I was, slinging my pack over the horse and waving a casual goodbye at father.

‘Haha…Oh the irony, who would’ve expected that would be my last farewell.’

My memories once more began to rewind. This time I was greeted with scene where I bagged my first buck with Father. It was late autumn and I had just turned 12. Father and I were tracking the young buck for a good while, it was starting to get dark so father was about to call off the hunt. I still remember that moment as clear as day, the look of confusion on fathers face as I grabbed the bow out of his hands and awkwardly began to draw back the string. It must be a miracle, how I was even able to hit that buck mid jump. Although I landed a hit on the buck, it was in the abdomen.

‘I remember now, that time father chewed me out for causing unnecessary pain to the buck. Was this what the buck felt when his life was on the verge of ending?’

‘…’

‘No…please not this!’

I was brought back to the time when Lena was taken away. Under orders from the King, a company of well-armed cavalry arrived in our small village. Being escorted by the knights were other families that were ‘insisted’ to emigrate to the capital. I never really understood what was happening back then and it doesn’t really matter. All that mattered was that I lost a friend. The despair and gloom shrouded my life from then on.

‘It was good to hear that Lena was doing well, although it took her a while to write and tell me though. Ah~… I’m sorry Lena, it looks like I won’t be able to keep whatever promise I made with you.’

There were a few more scenes of myself as a child, playing with Lena. Those innocent times were what I cherished the most, the feeling of sharing secrets with a close friend.

‘Oh! This was the time when I picked a fight with Chubby Jack for picking on Lena. I got the daylight beaten out of me. Haha…’

“…Hurt……Sorry…*Hic*…”

‘…’

After that last memory with Lena, the rest seem to come as a blur. I caught quick glances of father helping me dress, moments of myself crying profusely, and even an embarrassing moment when I wet myself. Of course in none of these memories do I see Mother. At first I would often question Father why I don’t have a mother like the rest of the children. Whenever I asked him this, Father would stare off into the distance and say that Mother was far away. Father’s reply was always the same, so since then I’ve decided to wait for him to tell me the reason instead.

Suddenly, the blurring images of my memories ceased to exist.

Emptiness.

All around me was darkness, it was as if I was trapped in a dark room with no way out. It was cold, the darkness was as bottomless as the abyss and the more I stare into it, the more I feel myself being sucked inside. The deafening roar of silence was driving me delirious and I would rather go back to the monster and die than stay here and suffer in silence.

Just as I was about to succumb to insanity a drop of liquid landed on my cheek. It was warm, through this one drop, warmth permeated throughout my body. I felt as if I was bathed in sunlight, the golden rays conforming to my warming limbs. It was then that I opened my eyes.

The sights that beheld my eyes were ones of beauty and awe. I was looking up at the most beautiful person that I’ve ever laid eyes upon. My mind went blank when I saw the tears streaming down her perfect face. After my initial awe and wonder faded away, I noticed that I was being cradled in her arms and hugged gently yet firmly.

‘Mother.’

“I’m sorry my little **** I do not want to part with you, but I have no choice”

With on last squeeze, her grip upon my frail body loosened. As I was gently falling down into the abyss, I saw mother covering her perfect face with her small hands. She seemed so lonely.

‘…’

I returned back to my original body. There, right in front of me was the dreaded monster. Yet, I was not scared. My mind was still stuck on the lonely figure crying in the clouds. When comparing my fear to hers, this little apparition in front of me didn’t seem so scary. Some part of me somehow understand her fears of being alone.

‘!!!’

Time began to move, everything slowly began speeding up once more. The monster was once more barreling towards my stiff body. I knew that in just a few moments I will die, yet I do not fear death. I’ve come to terms with myself, just like the deer that laid at my feet struggling to breathe, I’ve accepted that my end has come. Though there are some regrets that I have, there is nothing I can do about it.

‘I wish I could see Lena one last time. I still need to know what that promise was…’

[Don’t give up yet boy!] A strong voice pierced my thoughts, [This is not where your journey ends!]

‘Huh?!’ I was confused. Here I was ready to accept death, to accept my fate and let it all end.

[Get up Hiro! Quit laying there like a fool and get up!]

“Who are you?!” The strange voice seemed to emit from every direction, giving off a mysterious feeling that the speaker wasn’t human.

[I’ll tell you later, as soon as the time dilation ends I need you to get up and run as far away as possible. Do you understand?!]

Seeing that it’s either this or death, I’d rather go with this, “Ok, just give me the signal and I’ll start running!”

“Ok in 3, 2, 1, GO! skölir frá rauthr!”

Soon after the voice yelled out that weird phrase, time went back to normal. The strange monster that was as still as frost was now making its way furiously towards me. I knew that at the speed the monster was moving it would reach me before I was able to run. Yet I knew I had to try.

“DIE!!! HAHAHAHAHA!!”

I picked myself up from the ground and faced the monstrosity. I knew I only had one chance and that was to dodge its first lunge. The huge monster probably won’t recover fast enough after its full-bodied charge.

‘It’s now or never, I hope fortune favors me!’

I got ready to jump to the side, putting my last hopes on this last ditch effort to survive. Before I knew it, the monster was already right in front of me, there was no time for me to react. I pictured myself as a soon-to-be victim of a bull charge. The only thing left for me to do at this point was brace for impact and hope for the best.

“Hurrrgghh!” I closed my eyes and stuck out both my arms in an attempt to soften the impact of when the monster crashes into my body.

‘…’

Nothing happened. I was unhurt. The beast that was charging straight at me was nowhere to be seen. I didn’t want to stay and find out where it went though, looking back at the way came I ran towards my campsite by the stream.

---

With my heart beating rapidly and my shirt all drenched, I arrived at my campsite in record time. Who knew that the best encouragement for running faster was the risk of death?

Once I had a moment to recollect my thoughts, I began thinking back to the weird voice that helped me earlier. It felt strange when the voice was speaking to me, it was as if a dull object was slowly being jabbed into my mind. I only noticed it now, once I had time to think.

[You’re welcome! Hmph!]

“Wah!!!” I tripped over a rock that happened to be underneath. I didn’t expect to talk to the invisible speaker so soon after being helped. There was also that strange dull ache once again, “Thank you very much Mister! Uh…Can you come out now? I want to see who my savior is.”

[Tell me boy. What is the current year?]

“312 AGE”

[312 AGE? What is that some kind code?]

“Mister, it stands for ‘After Great War Era’. It was after the great war that history actually began getting recorded.” I was still looking around, hoping to catch a glimpse of the source of the voice. However, no matter where I looked the voice seems to emit from all directions.

[Hm…so it worked…Alright boy, or should I say Hiro, you can stop looking for me. You won’t find me anywhere where you are.] The voice seemed to pause as if pondering whether to say more, [I am known as Tenga. Right now I need your help, since I’ve helped you, I think you should return the favor correct?]

“Yes Tenga if it’s within my abilities to assist you, I’ll be more than happy to.”

[Good to hear it. Now before we begin, stop talking out loud; you look very foolish. I’m speaking straight to your mind. Also, do not be alarmed at what I’m about to say, understood?]

I nodded my head in a gesture of comprehension. Although I understood what he meant by that, part of me felt like the next thing he was about to say will be even more dangerous than that earlier monster.

[I need you to enter the mist.]

“Great… Just great…”