Chapter 1:Light

Chapter 1:Light

I had a dream… and in that dream, I was bathed in light.

Blinding, yet warm. A light that embraced as much as it erased.

I looked upon the many who worship my name, and I, too, worshiped someone—One I deemed my Lord.

My Lord has a plan:

That humans be cast into a world of beasts. Beasts designed to kill them. Savage beasts with a taste for humans—and humans alone.

I knew my Lord was benevolent. So I asked.

“Oh Lord, surely You understand this would put Your most precious creations in jeopardy?!”

But He did not answer me. In His blinding image, I saw not a trace—not a flicker—of emotion.

“My Lord, I implore You!”

“ENOUGH!”

The voice boomed across the heavens.

“I am the Creator. I know what is right.”

“But my liege—”

“Not another word.”

My mouth opened… and closed. My brows furrowed. My eyes narrowed.

Is this the Creator I truly followed?

If so… then…

My arm rose, slow and steady. My fingers curled around empty air—until the air was no longer empty. A weight settled into my palm, cold and solid, as the flintlock materialized from nothing. The barrel leveled itself at the light.

My thumb found the hammer. I pulled it back.

click

“What do you think you’re doing?”

The light before me erupted—more blinding than ever—as it saw me point my gun at Him.

“Saving the world from Yourself.”

I scoffed. Arrogantly.

However… that seemed to have been a grave mistake.

“Guh—!”

Instantly, a weight enveloped me—as though I were being crushed by a giant, unseen hand. I thrashed to break free, but it was useless.

Even though it was a dream, it felt all too real.

When I closed my eyes and opened them again… I saw my brothers and sisters fighting one another.

The sounds of steel rang throughout.

The smell of blood growing sharper by the second.

White feathers flew and scattered across the battlefield.

The battlefield I once called home.

All because of me.

Tears welled in my eyes as I watched everything unfold—unable to help, unable to move. Forced to watch as that invisible force crushed me.

“Because of your arrogance… this is what came to pass.”

The light before me no longer felt warm. It felt hot. My vision began to haze, yet the voice continued…

“You are no longer needed here. Begone!”

Those are the last things I remember—before I was hurled from above… to below.

It was a nice dream. A sad dream.

And like all dreams, it had to end.

The moment my vision turned black, I curled up and rubbed my eyes.

“Hnghh…"

I slowly opened them—and what welcomed me was not my soft bed. No. It was grass.

My eyes shot wide, and I scrambled up so fast my vision started going black again from the rush.

“Woah woah woah—!”

I patted the soil beneath me.

“Jesus… nearly fainted.”

I sighed.

Anyway… where am I, anyway?

I looked around and realized—

I had been peacefully sleeping in a goddamn jungle.

Still, that dream I had… why did I have it?

I couldn't help but tilt my head, wondering why such a vivid dream could evoke such emotions from me.

First things first, you have to know. I am someone from Earth.

Yet surprisingly so, I find myself in such a dense jungle.

This alone makes my first fact about myself. Seemingly weak, but I assure everyone!! I'm from Earth!

I can remember my name! Yes! I was… I was…

"Huh?? Why can't I remember my name?"

I suddenly blurted out.

No no, that can't be!

Age! Age! That's simple. I am 16 years old.

At least…

That's what I'm sure of?

In any case! Those things don't matter!

Who cares if I don't remember my name!

Who cares if I don't remember my age!

The thing that's most important right now, is that I'm in a jungle!

And if there's something I know about jungles…

It's that they're teeming with predators who want a tasty snack.

I gently slapped both my cheeks.

"Yoshi! Time to focus. More panic later, when I'm safe!"

I looked around from where I was standing.

The trees are nothing I'm aware of that exist on Earth.

The trees around me were unfamiliar. Or maybe they weren't. One looked like oak—probably oak—but I couldn't be sure. It looks the part, that's all that matters.

Now, let me check my own person first.

I looked down. It appears I'm wearing a tattered white dress—not too much that it would expose me, of course. But it was clear my dress had seen better days.

As for my body…

I twisted around, looking at my arms and hands.

There doesn't appear to be any bruising at all. No injuries. I seem… fine.

That's good!

But what about my face?

Of course! The face is the most important feature! It is where you see people's emotions, thus! All the more vital to look at.

I began touching my face to see if it stings anywhere. Luckily, it didn't.

But I'm still unsure.

So I looked around and saw a pond.

Good! Good!

Excitedly, I ran in a hurry. The feeling of grass and pebbles both ticklish and prickly underfoot.

As soon as I got near the pond, I got on all fours and my eyes widened.

"Woahh…"

I had purple hair. Long purple hair draping over my shoulder.

But more importantly…

Black sclera.

I could see it clearly. What made me human… is no longer there.

This only solidified my own belief that I am no longer on Earth.

Not only did I wake up in a jungle—

But it appears I'm no longer human?!