I am the Walrus

I don't know how much time I did sleep for. I don't even know if it was a lot of time or just a little nap. I do feel a lot better and the night is as dark as can be, no moon and very few torches on their camp.

I guess I just have to wait until there is fire … or they beat everybody in there.

…

…

I'm getting nervous … my heart is beating so fast. This forest is so god awfully hot during the day, but I'm genuinely freezing right now. My hands are shaking, will I even be able to do anything?

I look ahead, my vision loses focus, everything looks fuzzy. Thoughts of the future start flowing into my mind. Once with Biel we can plan for the future, do a nice base, he might have figured out the progression system, and we might manage to become legends in this land. I might even get a castle, with all the ladies. 

… 

Is José's sister even cute? I didn't really pay any attention — I think she was a brunette? 

… 

Cannot help but think about Lily … Those beautiful golden locks. She was so beautiful and lively, kinda like that fire that seems to be starting ahead…

Wait, what? 

God, I was spacing out hard.

I stand up in a jump, check for the knife in my pocket, and slowly approach the camp from the western side. Adrenaline is sharpening all my senses. Shoes are starting to nag me. My socks are soaking wet from all the raining and walking. 

There aren't any more crates around, it is mostly empty. I'll have to wait the resident of the huts get away and then check, there isn't anywhere to hide.

I hear people starting to realize what is happening and scrambling on the tents to the north, while a beam of light comes down from the sky and hits the spawn point. New player? That is probably good, will only add to the confusion.

I can hear a conversation close-by

"What is happening?"

"I don't know, there is a fire and fighting. We have to go."

Before long, I see two people leaving in a hurry. One of them trips and falls, but quickly recovers. These guys definitely aren't trained. There is similar behavior on all the close-by huts, I move closer. 

I'm almost to the side of an entrance, I need to check if they are here. I'm gripping the knife so hard I think I'll break it. My heart is racing and I cannot move. My breathing is fast and irregular. I try to fix that first. 

Breathe in. Breathe out.

I keep that up and place my hand in my chest. Feeling my heartbeat. It is tamer.

Please, nobody here. Please only Biel and Lady José here.

I enter it in a single move and with both hands gripping the knife ahead of me.

Nobody here.

What a pathetic entrance. I almost feel ashamed, but no time for that. 

In the next one I'm a bit more confident. I made space in the leaves that cover the hut and check carefully between the gaps in the logs. There doesn't seem to be anybody there. I enter and see if there is anything useful. 

I take a bit of bread. It has been so much time, I can feel my stomach growling for it. The crunch in the first bite. Oh, I missed this.

The situation on the other side seems to be getting worse and worse. I hear screaming more and more frequently and there are a lot of beams of light coming from the sky. What is happening in the real world? 

When I'm finished with the last one in the north side, closer to the east now. By this time I filled my pockets with little bits of food and am bringing a loaf of bread in my mouth. However, as I try to take a peek at what is happening I cannot help it but let if fall.

I cannot believe my eyes. I've checked time and time again. There isn't anything magical in the skill tree. A towering figure with a full plate armor with a sword made of fire. Is this some kind of boss? How are they supposed to beat that?

Suddenly I see a grotesque creature I cannot comprehend. It somewhat resembles a human, but fused with some kind of big cat, a tiger, or a panther maybe? Yellow with dark dots all over. The knight seems to be struggling. It pounces on him, but he spins, and the beast flies at least 50 meters towards me. 

It looks me in the eyes, I recognize it. Is that Daniel? He definitely didn't learn that in his previous life. What the hell is going on? Am I dreaming?

I run towards the main house with my mind still scrambling for answers, and I get inside without a second though. This momentaneous lack of attention was not about to be forgiven by the gods. I find myself face to face with a tall dude. Black hair, yellow skin. In his prime, no more than 23 years old.  

My heart skipped a beat. I gulp while holding the knife as tightly as I can. 

This is it. No more than 10 meters between us. My life is on the line. 

Should I try to take the longer weapon in my back? Do I have the time? Would it even work?

I instinctively give one step backwards, and he instantly seizes the space and I freeze is place and do a horizontal slashing motion with the knife. 

He is still too far away for me, but I just noticed he is unarmed. He noticed the fear in my eyes and is capitalizing on it. I feel the oppressive aura. I have to attack before he gets something. I have to do it now.

I clumsily lounge forward. He steps sideways. The knife whiffs. He grabs my wrist, pushes my last vertebrae and swipes my back leg. 

I spin and fall on my back, and he has my knife. 

We lock eyes.

I'm so frozen in place, I cannot even feel my breathing or my heart beating. The only thing my body can actually feel are the tears forming in my eyes. 

He moves on the offensive. My instincts take control, I don't feel my body is mine anymore. I place my hands in front of my face and cry the louder I can:

"PLEASE! I DON'T WANT TO DIE!"