Chapter 1:

My Reality Just Changed Drastically

Twilight Of Snow


In a secluded forest, a solitary figure meandered aimlessly through the dense underbrush. His pale skin was a stark contrast against the dark backdrop of the woods, and though his body shivered from the cold, his face bore no trace of expression. The man's injuries were evident, with a broken arm encased in a makeshift splint and bandages enveloping his entire body, leaving only his face and tousled hair exposed. Blood trickled down from his brow, prompting him to pluck a large leaf from a nearby tree, using it to wipe away the crimson stain.
The forest seemed to close in around him, its density and weight pressing heavily upon his already burdened form. He felt himself on the brink of fainting, weakened by his ordeal when suddenly, a high-pitched scream pierced through the silence. The sound jolted him back to awareness, compelling him to follow its source with renewed determination. As he sprinted towards the origin of the cry, a surge of adrenaline coursed through his veins, numbing the pain and sharpening his senses. However, as soon as he arrived at the scene, the sight that greeted him drained all colour from his face.
Three men, filled with malice and ill intent, were tormenting a young girl. Despite his own incapacity to bear witness to such cruelty, the man mustered his remaining strength, drawing forth a sword that had been concealed beneath his tattered garments. With an unyielding resolve, he unleashed a brutal onslaught upon the assailants, ending their lives in a swift and merciless manner.
The world, perpetually shrouded in a blanket of snow, offered no respite from its wintry embrace, obscuring the sun from view and casting an ethereal glow upon the landscape. In the midst of this frozen realm, a middle-aged woman, her voice filled with anguish, ran towards the scene, desperately calling out her daughter's name, Keiko. When she reached her daughter's side, she cradled the young girl in her trembling arms, her heart heavy with guilt.
"My baby girl, I am so sorry. It is my fault that you had to endure such horrors," the woman whispered, her voice choked with tears of remorse. "Thank you, sir, for saving my..."
Her words trailed off as her gaze met an unimaginable sight, leaving her traumatized. The man, devoid of any expression on his face, now held the severed heads of the three attackers. His torn arm dripped with blood, yet he remained stoic, as if unaffected by his own grievous wounds.
The woman's piercing scream shattered the silence of the forest, causing flocks of birds to scatter in alarm. She hurriedly gathered her daughter and fled from the scene, unable to comprehend the macabre tableau before her. Meanwhile, the man drained of all strength and hope, collapsed to the ground, his body relinquishing control to the overwhelming pain and exhaustion. Though his spirit wavered on the precipice of despair, his words, spoken with a voice filled with resignation, belied a faint glimmer of determination.
"After enduring countless tragedies, I find myself unable to justify my existence," he murmured, tears streaming down his face, a testament to his longing for a world filled with love and compassion. "Should I embrace death as my only solace? No, not yet. Even amidst the darkness that surrounds me, a part of me yearns to continue this life."
As he closed his weary eyes and succumbed to unconsciousness, his whispered plea for respite echoed through the desolate forest, a plea that held within it the remnants of a shattered soul and the faintest flicker of hope. 
A helicopter soared through the sky, its rotor blades cutting through the air with a rhythmic hum. Inside the aircraft, a woman gazed out of the window, her eyes scanning the landscape below. Suddenly, something caught her attention—a figure on the ground, seemingly in need of help.
"Pilot, take the helicopter down in that part of the northeast," she instructed urgency filling her voice.
The pilot complied, skillfully maneuvering the helicopter towards the designated area. As they descended, the woman could see a man lying unconscious on the ground. Concern etched across her face, she prepared herself to render aid.
Gradually, the man's consciousness fully returned, and he found himself lying on a hospital bed. The sterile surroundings and the soft beeping of medical equipment confirmed that he was indeed in a medical facility. As he tried to gather his thoughts, a voice broke through the silence.
"Are you alright?" the lady who had been inside the helicopter asked him, her concern evident in her voice.
He blinked, his mind still foggy from his prolonged unconsciousness. Confusion washed over him as he struggled to make sense of the situation. "I... I'm alright," he managed to respond, his voice weak and raspy. He found it difficult to formulate coherent thoughts, let alone articulate them.
As his awareness grew, the sensation of something soft against his hand caught his attention. It was then he realized that the lady had been leaning over him, her chest inadvertently brushing against his hand. Awkwardly, he brought it up, feeling a mix of embarrassment and discomfort.
"I can feel your chest rubbing on my hand," he murmured, hoping his comment wouldn't offend.
Realizing her unintended proximity, the woman quickly adjusted her position, creating some distance between them. "Oh, sorry about that," she apologized, her voice filled with understanding. "I didn't realize. It was just... I was trying to administer first aid."
The man nodded, appreciating her explanation. Despite his disoriented state, he understood that her actions had been motivated by a genuine desire to help. He shifted his focus to a more pressing concern—time.
"What time is it? How long have I been sleeping here?" he inquired, desperately seeking some clarity amidst the haze of his confusion.
The woman's expression turned solemn, and her gaze met his with a mix of sympathy and amazement. "Not hours... more like days," she revealed, her voice filled with disbelief. "It's been six weeks since you arrived here. You suffered severe blood loss, and your life hung by a thread. Honestly, I still can't comprehend how you managed to survive."
The man's eyes widened, his mind reeling with the revelation. Six weeks—an inconceivable period. He struggled to process the implications of his prolonged unconsciousness and the perilous state he had been in. The fragility of his own mortality loomed over him, leaving him speechless.
"Huh?" he uttered, his voice barely a whisper. He felt a mixture of astonishment, gratitude, and a touch of fear. To have come so close to the brink of death and yet find himself miraculously alive was a reality that seemed to defy all logic.
Sensing his overwhelming emotions, the woman's face softened further. She reached out, her hand gently resting on his arm in a gesture of comfort. "It's truly remarkable," she said, her voice filled with admiration. "You've been through an incredible ordeal, but now we need to focus on your recovery."
Perching herself on a nearby chair, she settled in, making it clear that she was there to support him through the journey ahead. She leaned forward, her eyes filled with genuine concern.
"Do you remember anything about yourself? Your origin? Your family? And your name?" she asked, her tone compassionate.
The man's brow furrowed, his mind a labyrinth of confusion and emptiness. He searched his memories desperately, hoping to retrieve even the faintest glimmer of his past.
"Um, My name is Liam Blake and... Origin? Ahh... Parents died in destruction and umm... I woke up deep beneath in the snow and found my parents in a village... They died and... I left home to search for my close ones and ended up hurting others..."
Suddenly all of his memories start flashing in his mind, hearing his screams, all the doctors and nurses rushed to his room and they were shocked that he was able to recover from the coma.
The doctors and nurses quickly tried to calm Liam down, fearing that he might hurt himself or others. It took them a while to soothe him and bring him back to a stable state. As they left the room, Liam's mind was flooded with conflicting emotions and memories.
Days turned into weeks as Liam recovered physically, but emotionally he remained tormented by guilt and despair. The woman who had rescued him, named Hailey Southwark, became intrigued by his mysterious past.
"Are you alright now?" she asks in gratefulness 
"Hmm... But what's the point? I'm going to be a prisoner anyway for mass killing"
"No, I already told cops about your mental stats but the thing is that you need to live with me"
"Huh? And why is that? Are you a politician? Or your family members? Because letting a criminal like me roam freely in this world is just too ridiculous"
"Well, do you understand what type of situation are you in?" Hailey asked Liam, her voice tinged with curiosity.
"No," Liam replied, his tone straightforward and honest.
Hailey took a moment to gather her thoughts before speaking again. "Well, you know? We found that around twenty thousand years ago, a meteor collided with Earth, altering the landscape of the planet and transforming it into a snowy region. This cataclysmic event catalyzed the rise of new civilizations and the subsequent knowledge of wisdom and peace."
Liam furrowed his brow, clearly sceptical. "Wisdom and Peace? They are fake..."
Hailey sighed softly, understanding Liam's disillusionment. "Of course, you wouldn't believe in such ideals, especially given the murders you've witnessed and the state of the world. But sometimes, even in the darkest times, there is a glimmer of hope. There are still pockets of goodness and wisdom to be found."
Liam shrugged, seemingly indifferent. "Well, I don't care much about this. So where are you gonna take me?"
Hailey paused, contemplating her response. "Hmm, I knew you would feel this way. Well, I'll tell you more about our destination along the way."
With determination in his eyes, Liam tightened his grip on his sword, ready to embark on an unexplainable adventure to find his loved ones and rejoice with them once again.
As they stepped outside, Liam was immediately struck by the breathtaking beauty of the city. The snow-covered landscape sparkled under the gentle touch of sunlight. However, Hailey's attention was drawn to a mysterious road nearby. It appeared to be abandoned, but upon closer inspection, they realized it was a bar street.
The street was filled with beggars, middle-aged men, and women engaged in various unsavoury activities. They moved about, seemingly oblivious to their surroundings. Suddenly, a lady approached Liam, her demeanour suggestive.
"Looks like you're in a hurry, kid. Want some fun before you go?" she propositioned, a sly smile on her face.
Hailey instinctively grabbed Liam's hand, her voice polite yet firm. "Sorry, miss. We are in a hurry."
The lady's face twisted with perplexity as she watched them walk away. "Uh, what just happened?"
Liam turned to Hailey, confusion evident on his face. "Don't tell me you brought me here intentionally?"
Hailey sighed and shook her head. "Umm, I know this place, but we had to pass through here to reach our destination. Trust me, you'll understand later."
They both entered a relatively quiet bar amidst the hustle and bustle of the street. The bartender greeted Hailey with familiarity. "Good evening, Miss Hailey."
"Good evening, Lily. Is the LP still open?" Hikari inquired.
"Of course," Lily replied.
"Thanks. Let's go, Liam," Hailey said, leading him further inside.
As they entered a large room, Liam's eyes widened in astonishment. There were many people gathered, a sight he had never seen before in a single place. It was a diverse crowd, each person seemingly carrying their own stories and burdens.
Overwhelmed, Liam couldn't help but ask, "Where am I?"

Twilight Of Snow