Nowhere to Run

The bright white light hurt my eyes. Loud noises surrounded me. Wait, wasn't I dead?

When I opened my eyes, I was in a place that was unfamiliar to me.

My eyes scanned the surroundings. I was in a very large room. The walls and floor were made of shiny stone. The blinding light came from luxurious lamps hanging high on the ceiling. The moon shone brightly through the glass attached to the walls of this room.

For some reason, I was surrounded by many men and women dressed elegantly. They seemed to be talking about me. Behind them were people wearing armor and carrying wooden spears by their sides. Finally, my eyes fell upon a staircase leading to a throne. Someone was sitting on it.

Wait, I have no idea what’s happening. Where am I, and why am I still alive?

“Welcome, hero from another world.”

Huh? What? Hero? Another world? What's going on? I swear I'm so confused right now, my head hurts so much.

“Who are you?”

They all looked at me in shock.

*Thud!* (sfx kicked)

“How dare you speak to the king like that!”

The guards knocked me down and surrounded me with their spears. Damn it, didn’t the person they called the king just call me a hero? But then I realized something. This place isn’t Earth. Somehow, I remembered a conversation between two teenagers talking about another world. They’d be so surprised to find out this place actually exists. But what was that look? I could feel the hatred and disgust from all of them.

“Hero of another world, remember this: I am Rapo XI, ruler of the Alphenia region. Only I speak to you, and your task is to obey without question. Simple, isn’t it?”

What is this bastard saying? Do you think I’m a slave?

“Your Majesty! Didn’t you just call me a hero? Why am I being treated like this?”

Everyone laughed after I said that.

“Guard, take him to the underground prison.”

Huh? What did I do wrong? Are they all crazy?

My hands and feet were tied, my eyes covered with a black cloth. These bastards dragged me to the prison. They even beat me before releasing my bonds and locking me behind bars.

This place is freezing cold, with walls made of bricks. I’m sitting in the corner on the bare ground. In front of this prison, there’s another one just a few feet away. I see a human skull there. Is that going to be my end? No way am I accepting this crap.

I thought I was already dead and finally able to meet my parents. But unfortunately, I ended up trapped in this damn world somehow. They call me a hero, but they treat me like a criminal. I don’t understand anymore. But I refuse to die here.

Right. I have to be strong and kill those bastards.

I heard footsteps approaching. It was those bastard guards from earlier.

“Hey hero, eat this.”

“Finish it. It will be your last meal in this world. Tomorrow you will be burned alive in the town square. As punishment for rebelling against the kingdom.”

“Hahaha.”

He threw me a fish bone with a little rotten flesh still on it, and they laughed.

Luckily, only two of them came this time.

“Funny, isn’t it? You’re just dogs of that short king.”

“What did you say, you bastard? Say it again and I’ll rip your mouth off.”

“Oh, how unfortunate. Not only can you bark, but it seems your ears are also deaf.”

“Bastard!”

“Wait, if we kill him here, it’ll be too easy for him. Let’s torture him until he begs for death himself.”

Just as they opened the iron bars, I grabbed the fish bone and thrust it into the guard’s throat. I kicked him and jumped to stab the guard behind him.

My breath was heavy, blood rushing through my brain. But strangely, I felt calm. Well… this wasn’t the first time I’d killed someone.

I broke their spears and took the sharp ends as weapons.

“Hey, let me out!”

“Me too!”

Many of the criminals locked up here were shouting for me to free them. But sorry, I won’t trust humans anymore.

Soon I reached the prison exit. I didn't know if there were guards behind this door. I assumed the worst.

*Knock... Knock... Knock...* (sfx knocking on the door)

Sure enough, a guard appeared and opened the door. My hand moved quickly to stab the tip of the spear into his forehead. Luckily, there was only one. I heard the sound of horses from behind the left door; I think it was the stable.

My guess was right again. From now on, I'll follow my intuition.

“Hey, who's there!”

Damn, I didn't expect there to be another guard. I have to escape. But how? I’ve never ridden a horse before.

“Hey! Don’t run!”

Damn, they’re coming in droves. Screw it!

I untied the horse’s reins, climbed onto its back, and gripped it tightly. I patted the horse’s shoulder.

*Nieeeghh!* (sfx horse)

Oh, it worked! Damn, the shaking is so strong. I have to hold on. I have to get out of this cursed place alive.

But damn it, they’re chasing me. I can’t look back, but from the sound of it, there’s more than one of them.

*Swing!* (arrow sound effect)

Damn it! Damn it! Damn it! Damn it! They have archers?! I’m done for!

I slap the horse I'm riding harder, and it seems to make it go faster.

But the arrows keep coming from behind. If this keeps up, I'll die for sure. Think of a way out.

*Nieeghhh!* (sfx horse)

What?!

*Bruk…* (sfx fall)

Damn, this horse has been hit by an arrow. Move my legs. I have to stay alive. I get up and run to the edge of the forest. Hoping they will stop chasing me or at least I manage to hide. Until I reach the edge.

It seems fate is mocking me right now. Before me lies the edge of a very high and steep waterfall. It seems like God isn't satisfied with watching me suffer; he's given me two choices: die at the hands of those guards or die shattered into pieces by jumping from here.

“There he is! Kill him quickly!”

They've arrived. I turn to face them.

“Give my regards to your king! I'll be waiting for you in hell!”

Haha. I don't know if my last words were cool or pathetic. But what is clear is that I am calm now. I let go of myself and...

Fell.

“He's crazy!”

“Oh no, he's committing suicide!”

Their voices slowly faded away. The strong wind seemed to push me down. I was about to die.

Maybe I would never see my parents again.