Hit the Ground Running

Sensation came slowly. JZ’s soul flowed through his form like streams of water, and with every passing minute, life returned to that body. When he finally had strength enough to rise, JZ pushed himself up but faltered. Still on his knees, he looked around. At least seven bodies in similar armor were scattered around the clearing. There were horses filled with arrows, fallen carriages, dirt stained dark with blood. One of the carriages was on fire, and the blaze had reached the slain horse attached to its front. As sparks fluttered into the sky like escaping butterflies, JZ was left with a question.

What... Happened here?

Rain had been falling for the last few minutes, though JZ had hardly noticed, his body still numb all over. Yet as those familiar sensations returned, so too did pain. He could feel his arms shaking under his weight, and with a second attempt to stand, he fell face-first into a puddle.

Damnit... Is this how it always goes, or did I piss Gamugin off? I guess I should be more careful how I talk to otherworldly beings... JZ clenched his teeth, forcing himself back up. Whatever the case, I need to get out of here.

JZ got a good luck at himself in the puddle below. The water’s reflection shimmered with light from the nearby fire, letting JZ see the transformation taking place. This... Was not his body. This was not his face. But it was becoming his. Light skin and short blonde hair was burning up like lit paper, and as the old appearance of the body faded, JZ’s skin, hair, and eyes took its place. JZ saw his tanned skin, his brown eyes, and his black hair growing back to its original length.

Is this reincarnation? Or... Something else? JZ wasn’t sure. His skin felt like it was on fire. And yet, deep within, he felt cold. When the heat and cold came together and equalized, the pain finally faded, and JZ felt in control again. He put his right foot forward, pressed off the ground, and stood up. Discarding his dirty leather gloves, he reached up towards the sky.

JZ hadn’t been dead for very long. It felt like only a few hours passed since a bullet went through his brain. But to finally stand, to feel alive, to let the rain fall on his face and touch his fingertips... It felt sublime. But as those good feelings faded, the reality of his situation set in. The dead, the fire, the dark. He had no idea where he was or where he could go. He was alive, yes, but a living person needed food, water, warmth, and shelter. Standing out in the rain did him no good.

Then he heard a growl.

“What the?!” JZ turned around. There, in the darkness of the nearby forest were eyes. Many eyes, each gleaming yellow. One of the creatures stepped out, revealing its form. It was much like a wolf, though its silvery fur was streaked with black, and horns curled forward from its head like a bull. JZ glanced once more at the nearby bodies, and everything clicked into place.

JZ’s instincts took over and he darted for the closest weapon he could find. No thought of “Am I strong enough?” or “Is this the best decision?” entered his mind. His body knew it needed to survive, and JZ went along for the ride. He grabbed a spear just in time as one of the wolf-like creatures darted forward. As it leaped into the air, JZ shouted, stabbing it right through the mouth. The spear hit its mark, and blood poured out the creature’s maw, but its weight quickly pulled JZ’s spear to the ground, and the other creatures circled around. Whatever he was, he proved he had bite. These monsters would not take him so lightly now.

What was that lesson I learned so long ago about animal attacks? Be as big and scary as you can? It might not work on these things, but...

“Raaaaah! RAAAAAH!!!” JZ tapped into his inner caveman, waving his fists around like clubs and screaming. It seemed to work at first, as three of the creatures stepped back. But another pounced from behind, knocking JZ to the ground. Nearby was a dagger. Even as the beast sank its fangs into JZ’s arm, the man scrambled, grabbing the dagger and stabbing it into the creature’s head. Dense muscle gave way to a hard skull beneath, and JZ could feel the bone grind against the dagger’s steel. It made him feel queasy. This was no time to think about that, though. His life was at stake. With the second beast slain, JZ shoved it off his arm, pulling the dagger out and pointing it at the remaining creatures.

How many are left? How many?!

The answer to that question proved inconsequential as a crossbow bolt hit one in its neck. More bolts soon reigned down upon the beasts, and those who could not escape were soon felled. The sound of hooves beating across the dirt and mud grew closer, and figures in leather and steel much like JZ’s own attire appeared, riding horned equines.

“Steady!” said the closest figure, calming his riding beast. Soon after, he dismounted, approaching JZ with a stern expression. The opening in his barbute helm let JZ see the man’s face. Whoever he was, he was human. Or... At least something very similar. “I’m glad you’re alive,” said the man. “What happened to your patrol?”

“It... I don’t know.” The words poured out of JZ’s mouth before he could think. “I... Hit my head. Everything’s... Fuzzy.”

“Your head?” The man leaned in close, grabbing JZ by the cheeks. “This scar... What’s your name?”

“J-Jabez. Sir.”

The man let go, looking to the other riders. “Do you know a Jabez?” The others shook their head, then the man looked back at JZ, his eyes narrowing. “Then...” Before JZ could react, the man had him on the ground, pinning his arm behind his back. “Who are you?! Who do you work for?!”

“I don’t know! I don’t remember!!”

Another rider drew close. “An enemy spy?”

“Or perhaps the Hidden Grove...” said the first rider. “Cuff him and wrap his arm. We can’t let him go dying on us on the way back to Felstat.”

And just like that, JZ found himself in a strangely familiar situation. After his arms were bound by manacles, one of the riders treated his bite wound. They decided to take two of the slain wolf-like creatures as well, throwing the bodies on the back ends of their steeds.

“Be careful with him,” said the first rider. “Not just anyone can kill a raug with a mere dagger.”

“Yes sir,” said the other rider pushing JZ along.

JZ was thrown onto the backside of a rider’s steed much like one of the slain beasts, and then they were off, rushing down the dirt roads. It was too dark to see much, save the lead rider’s hip lantern. The world blurred past JZ, and even though it was a rough ride, somehow the trip ended without much fuss. His chest and stomach were sore, but that was the least of his worries.

After the riders finished their trip up a steady incline, they flagged men atop a gate and were ushered inside. Soon enough, JZ found himself in some kind of throne room. Well-dressed men and knights in plate armor gathered in the hall. Then a man wearing a crown took a seat, and beside him, a much older man with long white hair and a beard wearing white and blue robes stood, his sharp blue eyes staring down JZ from underneath a steepled hat.

“My liege... This man was found by an attacked patrol at the border,” said the first rider, shoving JZ to the ground. “He claims he remembers nothing.”

The man on the throne, who wore fine blue clothes lined with fur similar to those beasts from earlier, leaned his chin onto his hand. Looking down at JZ with discerning green eyes, his expression remained stern and calculating.

“A foreigner claiming amnesia?” said the man on the throne. “Ozahl, look him over.”

“Of course,” the wizened old man nodded. Ozahl walked forward, leaning onto his tall wooden staff. As he grew closer, JZ could feel a presence. It was hard to say what, but he could feel it coming off the old man. Heat? Energy? Or... Magic? “Keep him restrained,” he said to a rider.

“As you wish.”

JZ was propped up onto his knees as the old man looked him over closely, lifting his chin, staring at his forehead, then into his eyes. He looked deep in thought, like some puzzle was being put together in his mind. When everything came together for him, his eyes widened.

“N-necromancy? No... This is... Different.”

“What?” said the man on the throne. “Is this an undead?”

“No... Not exactly,” said Ozahl. “This man, or what’s inside this man is... Not of this world.”

Those words created a clammer throughout the room, and concerned whispers grew almost deafening until the man on the throne raised a hand, silencing the room. He then stood up, getting close enough to crouch down and look JZ in the eye.

“What is your name, outsider?”

“Jabez.”

“Where are you from?”

“I... Don’t remember. I was... Reborn.”

The nobleman stared JZ down like a hawk. He didn’t seem like someone that could be fooled easily, but as long as JZ kept the important details to himself, he had the advantage.

“So you are a fool,” said the nobleman. He stood up, looking around the room. “This man’s origin cannot leave this room. I’ll decide his fate soon enough, but for the time being, he’ll be in my wiseman’s care. Is this understood?”

““Yes!!”” over a dozen men shouted.

“Then Ozahl, take care of our outsider friend. Learn what you can and report back to me.”

“Yes, my liege.”

With a swish of the old man’s staff, JZ found himself being pulled along by his manacles, leaving him no choice but to walk or let himself be dragged. As he was about to leave the throne room, he overheard the nobleman from before mutter something.