Reality...?

Ouch.

I felt lightheaded. Was I hearing things? Did I hit my head too hard?

I slowly opened my eyes, and saw the blue skies, clear as day, with no clouds obstructing its beauty. I heard the sound of nature, the insects and birds-alike. Looks like I wasn't dead yet, as drowning appears to have taken a toll on my mind and body, engulfing me with exhaustion.

I slowly got up, regaining a sense of feeling in all parts of my limbs and body. Holding my hand to my head, I pondered about what had happened, closing my eyes as I recalled the details, lost in thought. 

Right. I was bass fishing, until a seemingly large force dragged me and my fishing rod in. I refuse to believe that it was some fish causing the odd occurrence, as the force was too great even for a shark. The lake's mysterious force had bested me, dragging me into its depths.

This isn't good. I may have fainted. If so, I'm either dead and this is the afterlife, or I've drifted somewhere far from my origin point; somewhere like Nagahama.

"Wait, sand?" I said to myself, lifting up my hands. Bits of sand fell off my hands, and I had noticed that I was somewhere on a beach. "This feels real..." I remarked, feeling for the sandy beachside I was sitting on.

Moments ago, I was just at Lake Kawaguchi, happily fishing for bass. Now I seem to be somewhere on an island, as the sea stretched endlessly, waves crashing the shore at random intervals. It reminded me of how empty this place was, as if trapped in a state of solitude.

"Sitting around here sure isn't gonna do me any good. Maybe I should look around the area a little bit." I said, slowly standing up and brushing the sand off of my trench coat. The air around me was still thick and cold, despite the sky and its radiance being bright.

I was on an island, but behind me stood a large forest, so there was a good chance that I could probably scavenge for some food and utilities, until I figure out where I had ended up.

Walking around by the shore, I looked for clues and materials I could use. There were some branches and shells, and some stones that I could not recognize. Somehow, they gave off the feeling that it was something unearthly.

"Hoping there'd be something useful here..." I murmured to myself, as I dug up the buried materials from within the sand. I was glad for once in my life, that my boy scout skills in Australia had come in handy.

"Hmm? What's this?"

I dug up what seems to be a shiny looking pearl; however, it was vibrant and sparkling like a plasma orb, full of vitality. I'd never witnessed such a marvelous craft in my life. However, it was not going to be useful, as it was not food nor a communication method. It was still pretty though, so I pocketed it, hoping to gift it to a friend or something.

"This will be a nice memoir from this island." I said, smiling to myself.

Apart from that, I had gathered standard materials to survive; sticks to make a fire, and some stones to use as the border for the campfire. There was no need to craft weapons, as other than being good with the sword, I was also known at my old school in Australia as "The Rebel", known for fighting back whenever bullies picked on people at school. This had caused me to get into frequent trouble with the teachers, but thanks to that I've had experience with fights, allowing me to do combat properly, even when unarmed.

With that, I dumped my stuff in a hole I dug in the sand, and marked the area with my green trench coat, so that I know where to return to, as I was now planning on exploring the forest. Even though I had done quite a bit, I was not going to give up just yet. The concept of surviving on an island may seem cool, but it can quickly become dangerous when you start running out of supplies, along with sanity. Hence, I had decided to search the island for something more. Something that I could use to at least find help, return to the lake, or stabilize my mentality.

And so I ventured into the forest, hoping to find something useful. Walking along the bushes and tricky roads, I went deeper and deeper, the path becoming more uncertain. However, I am yet to waver, as my resolve to live had burned brighter than ever.

Eventually, as the sun began to set, I stumbled upon a sight that caught my attention— a dilapidated temple, its walls crumbling and its floors worn. It was large and made of stone, suggesting a long history. Somehow, I did not feel like I was in Japan anymore.

"What on earth is this place? Where am I?" I mumbled to myself, gazing upon its structure.

I cautiously approached the temple ruins, my eyes scanning its decaying structure. I noticed how there were ashes, scattered across the worn stone floors, hinting at recent activity within the ancient ruins. Someone had been here, not too long ago. But there was no point in standing still, as I had finally found some form of civilization.

I entered the temple, my senses heightened, alert to any signs of life. The air inside was heavy with a sense of reverence, as if the very walls held echoes of prayers long gone. Shafts of sunlight filtered through cracks in the ceiling, casting ethereal rays upon the dusty ground.

"Hello? Anyone there?" I yelled, treading carefully. It was a bit dim in here, as I had forgotten to carry a torch with me, so I was banking on the sunlight leaking through the various cracks presented on the roof of the temple.

A large boulder was then presented in front of me. I tried to push it, careful not to break anything around it. It was not too big, just some rubble in the way of the hallway. However, it was still way too heavy. It was a boulder after all. Hence, I decided to climb scale the rubble, and found a small gap through. I then took some loose rocks aside, and formed a hole big enough for me to slip through.

The area here was pitch black. I could not see a thing. The air it gave off was creepy, and I did not enjoy any bit of it. I smelled something iron, and possibly old moss, that reeked badly. The floors was muddy, sticky and seemed disgusting.

That's when I remembered about the plasma pearl I found earlier. I took it out from my pocket, and it began glowing, shining dimly amidst the darkness I found myself in. Observing the area with slightly more ease now, I found myself amidst a bloodbath.

"Holy shit... I have to report this to the police!" I exclaimed, trying to take my phone out. I then realized that I had left it back in my bag, as I had left everything on the shore for my fishing session.

I could not fully bear the anxiety and horror I felt when I saw what I witnessed. There were nothing but corpses everywhere; decayed ones, skeletal ones, and ones that were seemingly fresh. The floors weren't muddy; they were soaked in puddles of blood. All I had wanted to do was to freak out in horror.

Before my mind started breaking down however, I heard a weak gasp from around the corner. I thought I had started going crazy, and hoped inside my head that it was all just a dream, and that I would be waking the fuck up any moment beside my spot at Lake Kawaguchi.

But it wasn't. The blood was gruesome enough, but I heard a gasp again, seemingly coming from the same location as where I had heard it earlier. And that's when I thought, that there may still be victims in this landmass of corpses, bleeding out to death here. It was either that, or I was starting to seriously lose it.

But sure enough, my hunch was right. I headed over to where I heard the weak gasping, and saw what seemed to be a young girl buried within a bunch of rotting, unidentifiable corpses. Sat next to her, I saw what seems to be boy of a similar stature, fainted and unconscious. I could not see well, only being able to identify them from their shapes within the dark room, but both of them seemed to be fresh compared to other bodies, suggesting that they had been here for a while now.

I did not know what to do; My thoughts were drowned by what I was taking in at the time. There were corpses, seemingly dying people, and I had no clue as to where in the world I was at now. I was panicked, hoping to end their suffering so that neither of them would not have to see this gruesome fuck of a room anymore, but at the same time, I wanted to save their lives.

My time to think rationally was torn apart as I then heard the roof caving in. Small rubble was falling on my head, suggesting that this temple would soon collapse into nothing but actual ruins. I did not have time to think, so I grabbed the two bodies and carried them on my back in an attempt to save them. It was jarring as their blood trickled on my back, ruining my tank top and sending chills down my spine.

Climbing out of the gap that lead me into the bloody room, I ran out the crumbling temples, with two bodies on my back. This would make me look awfully suspicious if I were to present myself to the public as such...

I turned around and sure enough, the temple crumbled and fell apart, with nothing but stone ruins left in sight. The lifeless bodies of all those corpses I saw within, have probably been crushed and hidden beneath the rubble, never to be found again. This was a near death experience for me, and one that came with something traumatic. My mind felt heavy, and I wanted to do nothing but sleep, hoping that it was all just a dream.

Alas, the world I find myself in currently does not seem to let me do so. Just when I thought I had enough to take in already, I was now convinced that I was not on Earth anymore.

***

Not long after leaving the area of the ruins, I returned to where I dug my whole and buried my materials at. The sun was setting, revealing a reddish hue, as I mustered my strength to bring the two individuals I had found at the temple ruins back to camp.

The reason why I knew that I could not be on Earth anymore, was because the two individuals I carried back were mermaids. Yep, mermaids. The folks in Andersen's fairy tales? And all those fantasy stories? Correct, those mermaids. They both had short hair; one with a blue bob cut, and one with a teal pixie cut, their tails matching their hair color. There were slits on their sides, suggesting gills that help them breathe underwater. I'd say they have nice faces as well, but the blood everywhere suggested that I refrain from glaring at them further, and that I should focus on patching them up.

Not to mention, I am beyond flustered right now, because they were actually both female, and they have nothing on top right now.

"This is not my fault. It is the dark that needs to be blamed." I said, averting my gaze from their open chests. I regained my composure, as I recalled the situation I was in.

My mind was probably dumbfounded by what I was witnessing in that cursed excuse of a temple, and did not focus too much on how I was carrying these two. I was just prioritizing getting the fuck out of there myself. That was probably why I didn't feel as though something was wrong when I picked these two up. They were heavy, had webbed fins on their ears, and their tails were scaly, yet surprisingly smooth. I really hadn't noticed until I turned around to look again.

In addition, they've both sustained ridiculous injuries; There were lots of small holes on their arms, suggesting their correlation with experimentation or drugs. They were bruised and beaten as well, not to mention how they were both badly bleeding from what seems to be a large cut on their abdomen. What in the world were the people of this world doing to them?

I laid them down on the sand, against my green trench coat, which I had doused with saltwater. I mean, they were mermaids, so I really did not know how or what they breathe. I then grabbed some of the leaves I gathered, and made a makeshift bandage, wrapping it around their heavier injuries, to stop the bleeding, along with their chests.

"Ah, this is really a lot to take in right now." I said, looking at the unconscious pair and sighing to myself.

I mean, I didn't even know if they would wake up, as they could be seemingly dead at this point. I was hoping that they could be well and alive, and be able to return to whatever marine life they lead. Might as well check for a pulse and patch them up a bit. It was the least I could do for them.

I leaned closer towards the two, placing my palm on their chests, hands shaking as I felt for their pulses. The mermaids lay motionless on the sand, their frail bodies a stark contrast to the vibrant life they represented in the storybooks we tell of. I pressed my trembling fingers against their chests, desperately hoping to feel the reassuring thump of a heartbeat.

To my immense relief, I detected a faint pulse in the blue haired mermaid. It was weak, but it gave me a glimmer of hope. The other, however, remained still, and the absence of a pulse sent a chill down my spine. I couldn't let panic consume me, though. I had to focus on the one I could still save.

"You're not going to die on me," I muttered, my voice determined. "Not on this damn island."

With newfound resolve, I turned my attention to the mermaid with the faint pulse. I carefully removed the makeshift bandages, revealing the extent of her injuries. The bleeding had stopped by now, but the wounds were deep and gruesome, evidence of the torment she had endured. I had no idea as to how I would save her, but I would. I had to. I did not want to see death again.

And, as if it were a miracle guided by the gods and goddesses, the tiny pearl I used earlier to guide myself started vibrating and radiating light, as if calling out to the mermaid in front of me. Feeling as though my hand was guided by them, I opened the mermaid's mouth placed the pearl within it.

I sat there, waiting nervously for a response. Her wounds seemed to magically recede, mending her body. Her face became peaceful, as if she was napping on a nice Friday afternoon. Relieved that she seemed to have felt better, I turned towards the other mermaid. Still had no pulse. I was physically trembling at this point, struck by fear within my heart.

I tried giving her CPR, but it was of no use. Perhaps it was due to her nature as a mermaid, being incompatible with our methods of first aid. I tried splashing her with saltwater, using a makeshift blanket I constructed with the leaves; it was also no dice.

As I stared at the lifeless body of the teal-haired mermaid, a mixture of sadness and confusion washed over me. Yet at the same time, it did not seem real to me. I was saddened by her death, but could not express it.

Yet dwelling on the loss wouldn't bring her back, and I needed to focus on the one who still had a chance.

The blue-haired mermaid stirred slightly, her eyelids fluttering open. I let out a sigh of relief, grateful that she had regained consciousness. Her vibrant blue eyes met mine, filled with a mix of confusion and gratitude. She attempted to speak, but only a raspy whisper escaped her lips.

"It's okay," I reassured her with a quiet voice, not knowing if she understood my language. "You're safe now. Just take it easy."

With gentle movements, I helped her sit up and offered her some water using my palms. She took small sips, her body weak and trembling. It was clear she had endured unimaginable suffering. The magical pearl seems to have helped her, though deep inside I wished I had another one to help out the other mermaid.

Feeling slightly better, the mermaid then notices her friend, who had seemed to have perished. She glances a sorrowful look at me, as if she was seeking solace in my presence. Her eyes conveyed a message of confusion and sadness, a look that suggested her grief over her buddy. Tears began to streak down her face, and I could do nothing but offer my silence. The other mermaid must've been a dear friend, and I knew how it felt when a friend passed away.

I spent the next few moments burying her friend's body. The mermaid's body was limp and cold, emanating death. It was a heavy duty, one that I could not bring myself to fail. I took her friend to a clear dirt mound closest to the shore, and buried her with wet dirt and sand there. It was the least I could do for her, as I had no tools that could really assist me with a proper burial.

Night had fallen at this point, and the island went dark. As I stared into the vast expansiveness of the ocean, I felt homesick and maddened by the events that had taken place before me. It certainly had not been enjoyable, and I wanted to go home as soon as I can. It was also worth noting that at this point, I did not even consider the sight of mermaids to be supernatural anymore. Everything felt like a fever dream, one that I was not entitled to enjoy.

Feeling lost and unable to do anything, I sat down by the shore banks, burned out by everything that had occurred to me.

"I wish I could just return already..." I mumbled to myself, with nothing but a blank expression on my face.

As I was contemplating on how to get back home, the mermaid crawled behind me, and tugged at my coat. Her innocent and cute face looked at me, conveying a message of attachment and comfort. She pointed at the ocean, and smiled at me.

Despite knowing the ordeal we had just gone through moments ago, she tried to cheer me up. She was a nice fellow, even though she and I did not know each other, let alone communicate with each other.

"Wait, that's it!"

I jumped in excitement, eager to test out a new idea that had sparked within my head. 

"Alright young miss, you're going to have to assist me in this one." I told the mermaid, lifting her up and carrying her to the ocean. She seemed confused and flustered, presumably because of the fact that she had no idea as to what I was talking about. "I'm going to need you to send me to the bottom," I expressed, while indicting body language.

She seemed to see what I was getting at, but showed visible worry, as I was practically telling her to drown me. However, that worry was quickly changed to a determined look, as if trusting my judgement, despite having only met me a short moment ago.

Taking my hand as I stepped into the deeper parts of the water, we swam far from the ocean, the island seemingly shrinking from our view. The waves were crashing and colliding with my body, inflicting force from every direction.

This was not going to stop me from trying. It had occurred to me when the mermaid pointed at the ocean, reminding me of the forum I read online; return to the point where you had ended up on, and chant the name of the capital of Japan. As the world around me was not far from a phantasm, I genuinely hoped that something fantastical like that would be regarded as common sense here.

And so upon getting a certain distance away from the island, I nodded for the signal, ready for the mermaid to drag me down to the depths. She expressed with hand gestures, that if the plan were to fail, she would drag me back up to breathe in air. I admit, that this was a ridiculously rickety plan, but it felt like the best course of action to me. With that, I was dragged down into the ocean, and I held my breath. After around 5 seconds of being sent downwards, the pressure of the waters increased, and I opened my mouth and yelled underwater:

"Tokyo, Japan!"