Chapter 2: And Who Are You?

  The jagged peaks of the Borok Mountain Range were treacherous. There were no roads or pathways, and each step could lead you to a perilous ledge. However, falling was not the most common cause of death in this lifeless and cold stone prison.

  This place was more akin to a deathtrap, a cage filled with monsters and beasts battling to consume one another. In an endless cycle for supremacy, there could only be a single king of the mountain.

  Anyone who dared to tread here did so at their own risk. Apart from the Land of the Beast itself, which lay beyond this dark mountain range serving as the natural border. This was the second most dangerous location in the entire Carleen Empire.

  Barely any vegetation could endure its harsh environments, save for a few rare bushes and some hardy volcanic grass. Any form of life had to be sturdy enough to endure, and thriving here was out of the question.

  Water sources were virtually nonexistent. One could only occasionally stumble upon a trickle in the crevices between the rocks or rely on sheer luck for a passing cloud to deliver a few precious raindrops. And the snowcaps were unreachable by any sane person who would try to climb the overhanging cliffs.

  This place served as a gateway, revealing to those unfortunate enough to venture across it just how close they were to death's door. This place gave no second chances.

  Those who came here of their own volition were either simply foolish or mad. No sane individual would willingly enter this realm unless they harbored a death wish or sought to end their life.

  These mountains had shattered more than one seasoned adventurer who dared. Regardless of how formidable they considered themselves. Those who attempted to challenge the Borok Mountain Range alone faced a survival rate of barely a few percent, and of those, only half returned with their bodies and sanity intact. It was even called by many simply the Death Road to The Land of the Beast.

  Yet, it was still a miserable sight to behold. As a battered young boy navigating narrow passages among the sharp stones. Dehydrated, beaten, wounded, and weary, he resembled a living corpse.

  His bag hung precariously from a single strap at his side. The leather vambraces were practically in tatters, along with his torn brigantine-leather chest piece, ripped and half open. One of his high leather boots was missing its sole, leaving him to tread barefoot on sharp rocks that pierced his skin.

  He paid no mind to the pain, clutching the chipped axe in his left hand. The boy’s vacant, empty gaze fixed simply on moving forward. But there was no one here to witness his journey, no one to see where this road will lead him. Like a lost ghost, he pressed onward towards the unknown. Simply moving.

  It was cold outside as he shivered at every gust of the wind. But inside he felt even worse. Anxious, tired, sad, and defeated, he resettled with his thoughts. Seeking answers.

  Huh, why am I even doing this?!

  I arrived here consumed by the sentiment of death. I would rather not live anymore. To lay down and rest eternally.

  Yet, something felt different… Why?! The moment I clashed with that mountain direwolf, my body acted on its own. But was it just a reflex? Or was that the hidden will to live of everything sentient? How did my spirit become so unyielding?

  What were the reasons? I can’t understand… But… I definitely felt that. It was an overwhelming urge to fight, a desire to prevail, and the will to overcome anything. He clutched the hilt of his axe.

  Somehow, deep within me, something was calling out with… What was it? Excitement? All the while, within my mind, I had surrendered all hope and will to live.

  So why?! The boy pressed his hand over his temple. A jolt of pain shattered him. As he removed a lock of pitch-dark, greasy hair, it obstructed his blurry vision. When the battle began, it really felt as if my body was no longer my own. Did someone else command all my thoughts, control my hands, and guide my movements? It felt detached. Like I was observing the action from the side.

  Or, maybe… Have I finally lost my mind from all the grief? Damn it! My thoughts are a jumbled mess. All I wished was just to lie down and succumb to despair. Why do I still keep moving forward through all this pain? What am I doing?!

  Wait, where was I headed anyway?! Yeah, I must be insane, soon this will end…

  “Ha, insane?! I don't think so!” Drake froze, eyes wide. He felt cold shivers down his spine as a voice echoed in his head. It was not his own, yet it felt somehow familiar.

  “W-what?! Who… Who’s here?! Who are you?! Are you in my head?!" The boy paused, pressing his forehead against a sharp rock to the point of drawing blood, wanting to ensure he was not sleeping. He kept frantically pinching himself.

  “You can stop it, young boy. It won’t help; I’m here to stay. You’re asking me, who am I? That is a peculiar question. I'm not sure whether I can answer it adequately myself. But for now, let’s just consider me to be the spirit residing within you.” The voice sounded powerful and ominous. “I will be that force that will not permit you to yield. There is no way I will allow you to surrender. And definitely, I will not let you die.” Each word within his mind sounded full of hardened resolve. It reverberated inside the young man's skull.

  “What?! Why are you doing this to me? I just want this suffering to end. I can't keep going. There's simply nothing left for me to live for…” His face contorted as tears threatened to fall.

  “Huh, why, you ask? It is because you are not weak. Nothing to live for? Have you forgotten how hard you yearned to be strong, to become an adventurer? So much that you went into that cave, madman.” The voice was booming, filled with anger.

  “But, when you found them dead, you fell on your knees and chose to dig a grave and perish. This is so pathetic that it makes me wana spit. Not the same for you!?” Disgust and scorn resonated deep within the words. It was so clear that it felt like those emotions were reaching the very core of Drake's soul.

  The boy thought for a moment, but his face swelled with anger a moment later. “And what do you know about me? Why do you think you can judge me?! What was I supposed to do?!” He cried out loud, his voice echoing within the rocks, returning more than once as a strong echo.

  “There is no need to be so loud. I’m right here. You can ask me, and I will answer. As to the point of your question. It’s simple. You should have vowed to seek the bastard who killed them. You should have sworn to become stronger. Become powerful enough to annihilate anyone who could stand in your way. To bring justice!” It shouted.

  “That, and only that, would be a fitting closure. Your dying in this godforsaken place serves no purpose. Only breaking the trust your parents had in you.” Drake felt strange, as somehow, everything the voice pointed out resonated deep within his heart. Suddenly he felt that there was something else. Can this be true? Can he be right? But what if he is? What can I actually do?!

  Still restless in his mind, the boy asked, “Find the one who did it?! Is that truly possible? Can I really become strong?! With all those dreams, all I ever was nothing but failure, constantly falling short. Becoming a mere hunter was as much as I could have hoped for.” The boy lowered his gaze, releasing the grip of his axe, nearly dropping it.

  But slowly, his face changed. In that moment, Drake realized just how truly pathetic he had become.

  His parents gave him everything. They cared deeply for him. They were more than supportive of his unreachable aspirations. Yet, when tragedy struck, he simply chose to abandon everything and die, surrendering to the pressure and grief.

  The voice echoed ever louder, clearer now. “Yes, yes, it is possible! You know it as well as I do, even better. I can really sense how tightly you cling to those fragile threads of faith. I can feel your struggle for air while you suffocate on your indecisiveness. But all the fibers of your essence screams for freedom.” Drake felt the pleasant, electrifying sensation within his aching body.

  The man continued. “No matter how hard you deny it in your mind, you are still the only one making the real decisions. It is you who is the master of your destiny! And only you can decide to forge your fate however you like. Can't you feel it within you?!” Somehow it felt like the voice was getting more familiar and warmer with each passing moment.

  The young boy raised his emerald glowning eyes up, looking to the sky. “Well, when you put it that way… I may… Yeah, I think I can, yes!” Drake's mouth twitched a few times. His hand was still shaking, yet he firmly gripped the weapon. Covering it with another palm to control it.

  As he steadied himself with the newfound purpose and realization, it felt as if he could somewhat believe the man in his head. “So, what should we do next?!” Followed his question.

  “Oh, now I can feel your eagerness. That's good, good. But for now, first things first. You need to get some rest. Find a small cave where you can block off the entrance with boulders. We have a long and windy night ahead of us!” Those were the final words of the voice. Suddenly it went silent. Drake felt as if it retreated to the deep corners of his mind. Who the hell is that man?! I must have gone insane. But why should I care? I don't think anything makes sense anymore. Time to find the place!

  The boy tangled around looking for an adequate location, as the sun was slowly starting to fade behind the horizon and high peaks. After discovering a suitable small cave, he collected some dry weeds growing around it to make a small stack of hay.

  Drake thoughtfully barricaded the entrance, building a wall of stone. Barely holding on, the boy nearly collapsed multiple times, leaning over the rocks. The wounds were draining his energy, on top of him being severely sleep deprived.

  He spread out the hay evenly on the flat, cold stone surface and unrolled his fur sleeping bag. As soon as he laid down his head, the lights were out. The boy descended to the land of dreams.

  However, this time, the dreams he saw were troublesome. Things unlike anything he had ever witnessed. Towering, multi-story buildings rose before him, filling the landscape, stretching up to the sky, windows dazzling with beaming lights.

  Peculiarly odd moving metal carriages adorned in various colors traversed the streets with surprising speed. Astonishing illuminations filled the space. Those bright lights were everywhere, highlighting each street and every corner. The sky was dark, but everything was so bright that it felt like daylight.

  The boy watched everything that transpired around him with awe and admiration. But the next moment he found himself in a weird space. It felt like a sudden gravitational pull as his body took flight with lightning speed, everything around becoming a blur, finally coming to an abrupt stop in mere moments.

  Drake was now secretly following a suspicious group of men in strange clothing. He did not see any armor, they wore hooded shirts and baggy pants. It was difficult to distinguish their frames, aside from only their heights.

  The group moved away from the direct light sources into narrow passages of the alleyways. He was right in their tracks, taking the shadowy corners and peeking from behind the sharp turns.

  When halted, one man spoke to a shady individual. Passing him something from his hand, the other man stood between, covering the field of view. The individual merely nodded, pocketed the item, and departed as if nothing had happened. Drake felt he was sure of them and tried to avoid any suspicion. .

  That was when the young boy tried to move again; realization struck. He could not move, nor was he in control. It was like he was inside someone else's body. He was watching from their perspective, right inside their eyes. As the man raised his head, his gaze scanned the surroundings.

  The body continued to carry him further. Following the group just far enough. After some time they came to a complete stop in a secluded area with barely any of the bright lights around. He peeked from behind a massive metal container.

  Dark hooded men anxiously glanced around to ensure no one was around. Only a few stray cats fought near a huge garbage pile. As they slowly descended to some kind of underground cellar with a metal door.

  Drake felt something, a swirl of emotions. He could not clearly tell, but it was like a thrill, an elation, or perhaps even rage? Now he slowly got a cloth mask out of a black backpack and covered his face. Slipping inside with feline grace just a few moments after.

  He cautiously followed them, treading lightly on his feet without making a sound. Who is this man? A trained assassin? He treads so softly with such speed and elegance.

  While the boy was consumed by his blurry thoughts, they were already deep inside. It was a dim and dusty place. Yet the stench of vomit mixed with sweat assaulted his nostrils, nearly provoking him to gag. Barely, but he was able to hold it in.

  Scanning the space, he found people sprawled across worn mattresses right on the floor. They all looked malnourished, pale, and sick. Some were mumbling, some foaming at the mouth, with stupid smiles on their faces and wide pupils. There was no doubt they all were fully intoxicated, as their dried and crackled lips prayed for water.

  The man walked around, not even minding stepping on them. No one paid him any attention, fully engrossed in their hallucinations.

  As he pushed deeper, passing the rooms, he found a long corridor lined with metal-barred rooms, like cells. Each extending in front of the next. In one of those crumpled spaces, a woman lay on a bunk bed with a tattered mattress and scant covers. Apart from that, each small room contained only a toilet and a sink.

  Suddenly he heard words that echoed in his mind,. A somewhat familiar deep voice talked. Disgusting fucks! They are exploiting those women, abusing them, fuck!… Definitely, they forced them into this state. Kidnapping victims. Forced into selling their bodies, they were drugging them constantly. And doing to them who knows what else… That’s the third one in two weeks. This city needs a serious cleansing. It's time for the scum to pay!

  Clenching his fists, he looked around once again. Burning fury surged within him, and he felt as if his blood was boiling to the point of bursting bubbles through his skin.

  Drake was perplexed, and The was sure now. That voice. Definitely of that man! What’s going on here? What am I looking at? Could it be something like… Memories?! But how? How is it possible?! I felt it. I felt every ounce of that emotion with each fiber. And even now I constantly see clearly how I am about to dispose of everyone. I’m about to kill them... What the hell is happening here?!

  Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

  But, while the boy still contemplated his emotions, the body did not wait any longer. Dashing towards the strong metal door, he kicked it with all his might, driving with the material bending and twisting from the momentum under his sole. The door swung open with a loud bang.

  His eye darted around the space, analyzing the room. Three men who were seated on a sofa sprang to their feet. Aiming the weird, dark metallic items that they clutched in their hands at the unexpected visitor who was just standing there in the doorway. That pressure, must be some kind of weapon. The boy thought to himself, feeling the emotions seeping through.

  He was holding the black bag in front, like it was some kind of shield.

  “You have a death wish, trespasser! Surrender yourself and show your face!” The one with the ugly, scarred face demanded, his expression contorted as he spit out something he was chewing on the floor. A chewing gum… Wait, what? The boy felt something strange; things he did not know made sense.

  He now looked from under his forehead as he rasped with a cold, muffled voice. “I brought you delivery.”

  Raising their brows, the men looked around at each other, before bursting into laughter. “And what might that be?!”

  “Justice!” Was the answer gritted through his teeth.

  Without wasting a single moment, he dropped his bag on the floor with a loud thump. Two polished handguns spat fire, and steel wasps rushed to claim their prey. The thugs had no time to react as they collapsed to the floor, blood splashing on the sofa. They could not match the honed reflexes.

  Before their bodies stopped twitching, a group of five men rushed in, releasing the metal load of their weapons. The chaotic shooting crackled. Everyone in that cramped small room aimed for him.

  One of the bullets ricocheted off a concrete column and struck his shoulder, searing through his flesh with a zap. As he felt the hard impact, a jolt of fiery pain struck. Yet he took it in like nothing happened.

  As that sharp and oozing pain throbbed from the wound, it filled his brain. And somehow electrified all his senses. The boy connected with the thoughts of the man. He knew that he paid it no mind at all. It was far from the first time. Pain was just a constant part of his life.

  It meant that he was still alive. It meant that he was balancing on the razor’s edge, bearing the stakes of life and death. This deadly encounter, in fact, only intensified his excitement. An exhilarating rush continued coursing through his entire body.

  The man jiggled his handguns while still bleeding and rushed forward, sowing death and destruction with the return fire. One after the other, the enemies met their doom.

  And at that moment the space shook and shifted. It appeared as if the dream rushed forward, jumbling, twisting, and twitching ribbons of light.

  Drake now found himself lounging on a plush cushion, sipping alcohol over ice from an exquisite glass.

  Looking down, he saw multiple wounds treated. Including his stomach that was wrapped in massive bandages. The man stood up and approached the window. A sprawling city filled with colors unfolded below, a vivid tapestry of interwoven motions. While gazing out into the distance, a sense of accomplishment washed over me like a warm blanket.

  Clenching the glass tighter, leaning over the thick glass, the man proclaimed. “Now, things will change… I will honor that vow I made. Loyal until the very end. No matter the cost, no matter the odds. Cheers, my brother!”

  He raised his glass, downed the liquor in one gulp, and hurled it onto the floor with all the power he had left in his body. The glass shattered into a thousand tiny pieces mingled with broken ice.

  Coughing chunks of blood, the dizziness overwhelmed the man, and he collapsed to the floor. Right onto the mess he had created.

  Drake finally woke up inside the musty cave. His head rumbled. He felt terrible indeed. Probably the worst he had ever felt in his life. Every part of his body ached from sleeping on the cold stones. But at least the dried hay underneath him kept him somewhat warm. Increasing the minimal comfort offered by the sleeping bag.

  Better than nothing… He scratched his eyes open, getting rid of the sleepiness.

  Thin rays of sunlight crept through the cracks in the stones blocking the entrance, warmly touching the young man's face. This warmth felt extremely welcome and refreshing.

  The boy gradually pushed himself into a sitting position over the wall. The extent of his wounds and weakness became too apparent to him. I could have easily died during the sleep if not for those potions I drank before the fight. The young man tried to assess the damage.

  I did not sleep well, but at least some wounds closed off. I'm feeling like a pile of dung. But more importantly, how did I manage to stay in one piece? How did I survive? That pack of direwolves tore at my flesh hard. Pretty sure most of my ribs must have been broken… Arkh, he shuddered in pain while trying to take a big breath.

  Looking further, he talked to himself. Left forearm, multiple deep fang cuts. And if I recall it correctly, one managed to gnaw a chunk of flesh out of my back. Oh shit, it hurts even just to think about it. The pain is throbbing with each flash of those memories.

  He lowered his gaze, pulling his foot close. And damn, look at this foot. I can become crippled for life.

  Reaching for his torn backpack, he retrieved bandages and a few vials of medicine and remedies he had left. Damn, it is completely destroyed, yet it managed to hold on, barely. Good! The boy chuckled. Dark magic must have been involved.

  Creeping around slowly, Drake made a small fire, removing a few of the stones to direct the smoke. He knew that he desperately needed to treat his wounds. So he put water over the fire in the metal mug. Fortunately, he still had some left in his waterskin.

  Carefully he started tending to his wounds, cleaning them with warm water. Boiling the bandages and using them hot, he removed the dirt, pus, and dead flesh in a few rounds. He made sure to cut away the big chunks of flesh with a heated knife, just as his mother had taught him.

  Gritting his teeth in pain, he struggled, but held on. Nearly fainting a few times. It took him far too long, for comfort, but the tedious and surgical work paid off. But by the end of it, the boy felt significantly better.

  He thirstily chugged down a low-grade health potion. Immediately feeling the effect of the renewal of his vitality. Drake smiled, looking at the bottle, knowing he made it himself.

  That helped him to finally mitigate the blood loss as his mind felt clear as day. A sudden rush of strength coursed through his body. All the senses returned to him. He stared at the barricaded entrance. The sun was already well up, reaching beyond the midpoint. Momentarily lost in thought, his gaze froze over the dazzling lights.

  “Good morning! Did you sleep well?” A now very familiar low voice snapped him out of the dreamlike state.

  “Ah, shit!” Drake jerked to his feet, hitting his head on the ceiling. “You scared me. Just when I thought I was finally left alone. But you're still here! Don’t appear so suddenly.” The boy shrugged as he shook his head and scratched the fresh, throbbing lump, before slumping down by the fire.

  “How should I do it then?” The voice tried to whisper. “Check! One…two…do you hear me?” Drake felt the condescending, teasing tone.

  “Ah, man, can you stop with that? My head still hurts, and you’re still here. While we are at it, you better tell me what those dreams were about.” The boy looked through the opening into the distance. Nothing but sharp rocks filled with the rays of sunlight.

  “That was you, right? I was in your body, and you are here, in my head!” Drake tried to make sense of how that could have happened. But he stumbled for any reason.

  “Well, you know, it's not like I have any other place to be?! Haha, it is rather odd, living in someone’s mind, but yours is quite peculiar, boy.” Somehow the voice was getting clearer and louder with every answer.

  “Peculiar, you say… Really!? How so? I don’t think it can be more interesting than that strange place you were. It was like nothing I could ever imagine. Strange lights and chariots, the shining peaks. Skyscrapers!” The boy paused for a moment. How do I know this word? He looked at a small water drop slowly creeping down the sharp stone and raised his eyebrows.

  “Hmm, how should I tell you this?” The man sounded puzzled. “Those dreams you had and that unknown and strange place. That was my world. I came from there. And yes, what you saw there were my memories.” As the voice responded, a few pictures flashed through Drake's mind again, throwing his head into a light spin, pulsating at his temples.

  “What do you mean?… Your world, your memories?! How’s that even…” Drake's expression tensed as he struggled to comprehend. It did not make sense. Another world, different world. But somehow the boy was convinced that the voice was not lying.

  “I can sense what you’re thinking. It will be impossible to properly explain at the moment. Moreover, you would not understand. What I can explain is that I was removed from my world, rather forcefully, so to say. Some strange things happened, and I ended up here, right in your head.” Nothing became clearer. Each word only added to the confusion.

  Like feeling that the man added. “Well, you see, we are connected. Or rather, you can say that our souls are merged, something like that.” Drake felt his shoulders twitch. He was sure that the man shrugged.

  The voice kept on: “Since we are clear on that, I think it's in both our best interests to start off on a blank page. My name is Jake. It may sound weird, but it is a pleasure to meet you. Properly this time, kid!” A hint of sadness and regret slipped into Jake's voice.

  “Jake!” The boy nodded a few times, jerking his head. “Right, right! So you’re Jake. I knew that! I definitely heard that name during that…time. Those visions… It was torture for my mind, but I don’t clearly recall anything.” Drake touched his temple, pressing with his fingers. Concentrating, he felt as if he was closing in on the man in his head, but it only made him remember the excruciating zapping pain. He had to fall back.

  “Ah, yeah, that’s right, that time. I’m sorry, but I don’t think we had any say or choice in the matter. It was probably due to the process of our psyches merging into one. Not that I know anything about it, but I could not imagine such a process would be painless. Two minds living in one body was always beyond my wildest comprehension in the first place. But, most importantly, I think you are pretty lucky just to be alive.” It felt like this time the voice was hiding something, but the young boy decided not to press further. He had far more to digest as it stood.

  Drake was thinking hard, resettling with the strange feelings. “Hmm, that's one hell of an explanation. I must say, mister, I honestly don’t understand flying donkey shit. It makes no sense. Tell me more on how you ended up like this.”

  “Huh, I feel you there. But the answer to that question is rather dull. I simply died.” Cold sweat crept down the boy’s back as his eyes widened.

  “Yeah, don’t be surprised. You heard it right. Deadman, I was dead, actually dead. Ripped right in the head!” The boy instinctively chuckled, but he did not get it.

  Jake thought that he had to come up with a more detailed explanation. “Well, after my death, though, things got pretty complicated. Everything that happened was far beyond my comprehension. To be honest, I felt relieved. I thought I would just get my fair share of rest reduced to nothingness, or something. I suppose death is not the salvation you could seek, kid.

  “Ultimately, I was transported into this world of skills and magic. This was something I could only imagine while playing video games in my world.” Drake heard the man’s long sigh. The voice paused, still contemplating the next words.

  “In my original words there was nothing like that. But we had science and engineering. All of that allowed us to make astonishing technical advancements. Practicality and routine thrived in our communities. The various marvels you saw within that dream are memories.”

  All while Jake was telling him all that, Drake felt a certain sense of nostalgia, rooted deeply within. He was convinced now that he could sense the man’s emotions, and that most likely worked for the voice too.

  “Engineering, technology. Can you explain what you actually mean?” The boy finally cut the man’s rumpling.

  “Explaining, I don’t think it will work well. It is nearly impossible for me to explain the concepts easily enough for you to get. Hm…” The voice paused, as the boy felt the urge to scratch his head.

  Jake returned with excitement in his tone. “How about this! What if I show you instead? You already saw certain things in dreams, but I doubt you can make any sense out of that. But I think this will work better. What do you say?” The voice questioned.

  “You will show me? Huh… If you can do it, then sure, why not? Go ahead.” Drake’s interest was at its peak to grasp the otherworldly concepts. He was not about to bail out from this offer.

  He felt that the man was glad, elated. “Alright, I don’t understand much. This will be my first time doing this, but I’m pretty sure I can pull it off. Just bear with me.”

  The man’s voice shifted into a much warmer, milder tone of a low baritone. “Now, sit straight, relax, and clear your mind. Concentrate only on my voice, follow it, keep with the flow… Feel your heartbeat, the blood flowing in your veins. Imagine a picture in your head.” The man repeated the same words describing a flowing river and a sunny green meadow. Time and time again until they just transformed into a sheer humming inside Drake’s head.

  The boy felt a peculiar fuzziness enveloping him. Odd sensations swirled within his mind, reminiscent of the disorienting sensation of a brain freeze.

  An influx of unfamiliar knowledge began to invade his thoughts like flashes of his memories. Concepts like planet Earth, star systems, gasoline, cars, planes, computers, science, microchips, mobile devices, and humanity.

  He found himself gasping at each word with a picture flash. It felt both foreign and oddly familiar, known and understood. As though the fragments of Jake within him rendered them recognizable and familiar.

  As more and more information cascaded into his consciousness, he felt overwhelmed. Yet, it was not the same as that initial explosion of thoughts that had nearly burned his mind. This time, he felt that he knew what to do, with Jake holding his hand and navigating the process.

  He simply embraced the rush and volume of all the new information. It really felt almost like he was retrieving his own long-lost memories. As long as he did not resist and simply accepted all that newfound knowledge, it flowed into his mind easily. Like a stream of fresh water that reached the sea. First separated by the currents of salt in water but slowly mixing and combining.

  After what seemed like a few hours, he was able to comprehend much about that now not-so-alien world.

  A tremendous weight seemed to lift from his shoulders as he delved even deeper into the past down that memory lane. And with the electrifying flash of pain, the origins of his resistance and his newfound will to live seemed to become clear. The boy felt like a battle-worn soldier, a veteran of many battles. Like the man who has endured hardships spanning lifetimes of experience.

  Finally, opening his eyes, the boy was bewildered and confused. The daring question dangled on the edge inside Drake's mind. So he asked without hesitation. “Does this actually mean you are me? Or am I you?”

  The answer did not follow for a few fleeting moments. Jake weighed the words. It felt as if the man was taking a long, deep breath before even trying to answer.

  After some time the words resounded with unease. “The hell do I know, kid? You must understand that when it comes to that question, I'm as clueless as you are. Think about asking about that chicken or the egg thing. But in our case, we don’t even know what is actually chicken and what is egg! I’m only certain that what truly matters is that we’re in this together.”

  Drake felt it was the most reasonable answer the man had given him so far. “Yeah, I think you're right. But since we’re in this together, you seem to know and can do a lot of things.”

  He hesitated for a moment but did muster some courage. “So… W-will you help me from now on?” The boy’s voice trembled, and he stumbled with his words.

  The man knew exactly what the young boy was looking for, what answer he craved. And he was more than intent to give it. So he said with a hint of cold steel. “I certainly will. You can rely on me from now on. But only as long as you're willing to help yourself in the first place. To be honest, despite what I am now, I don’t feel like dying all over again. Still, this is your body, after all. You are the one making decisions here.”

  “So, do you mean that even if I choose to die, you'd be alright with it?!” The young man's face tensed again as he recalled the devastating feelings twisting in his stomach.

  “Hah, what?!” The man sounded annoyed.

  “Kid, why are you trying to play those games with me? You know it yourself better than I do. Yes, I’m talking about your determination. Our minds are intertwined. Even though I can admit that I nudged you a bit during that direwolves fight. It was definitely your will and your resolve talking, with the cold of steel.”

  It felt like a pat over the young boy’s head. “You just have to remember who you are and stay true to your vow. A clear path lies before you.” Even though lecturing, it seemed more reassuring.

  Drake felt the mix of adrenaline and rage filling his body as he clenched his fists. He stood up slightly and hit at the sharp rock formation in front of him with all his power. To his atonements, it just pieces, leaving just a small scratch on his knuckles.

  “Well, well. You just look at that! That’s the spirit, boy! Ha-ha!” The laughter filled the cave.

  “Don’t stay away, and I will help you on this path with everything I can. This can be fate or coincidence how we met. I don’t care a single bit. But listen well now. You chose to venture into this place. And the Borok Mountain Range is the perfect training ground! And yours will be starting now!” As Jake's voice continued to echo in his mind, the unbeatable determination filled the young boy’s heart.

  “Yes, that's right, I can see it properly now. The path ahead is crystal clear. This quest begins now!”

  He inhaled deeply as he bellowed the words, scratching at his throat. “I will find that bastard, and I will make him pay! He will suffer a thousand deaths and countless circles of hell until that fiend meets his doom!”

  Drake once again looked down at his fists. The boy clenched them a few times and fiddled with his fingers.

  It’s about time! He moved the rocks out of the way at the entrance and embraced the cold breeze outside.

  The final revision and update for RR of this chapter was done!

  Please don't hesitate to follow me on Instagram/FB. Or join me on Patreon:

  P.S. You are welcome to DM or reach out to me if you have any questions or suggestions.

  Rate this chapter