DeadRealm75 – T.U.S: Life Will Continue Without You – Chapter 1: The Beginning Of The End.

Featured Playlists for today's chapter: "Jorge Mendez - Silhouettes. (Full Album)" & " Epic and Dramatic Neo Classical Music - The Untold 2 Full Album"

The Second Accident: The ?̴̡̧̣̼̣̻̍͌͛͑̀͗̊͝?̴̛̜̯̣͖̯͊̐̽̈́̔̓̽͊̄̑͜?̸̬̥̀́̒̓?̴̧̻͇̤̦̹̙̲̖͍̏́̀͗̉̀̀̓͋͠?̵̡̩̤̭̬̘̞̭͐̃̊͛̈́̈̚͝?̵͇̬͉̱̣̞̣̼̹̰̌̌̒̽̈̊͋͌̎̄̀̒͘͘͜͝͝ͅ?̴̮͈̘̀̇̓̂͋̇͛͋̅̚?̴̨̮̺̘̟̄͆͌̋̿́͘ͅ.

(???? 1st person, point of view.)

Playlist: Jorge Mendez - Silhouettes. (Full Album)

Time stamp for song while reading in video: Life Within - 0:00

???? Mind: There it is...

???? Mind: The sound of the rain...

While thinking to myself, I was under the sky, laying down on the floor. The sound of the rain pierced through my ears. This made me feel relaxed for some odd reason.

???? Mind: The air seems to be picking up too...

???? Mind: I wish I could enjoy this moment of peace.

Feeling the strong wind coming to my face, it was soothing, but cold too. I had a never ending ringing in my ears and made my head ache.

???? Mind: But, it seems my carelessness made someone sad...

There was someone right beside me. I barely recognize him... He... Was crying? He was also hugging me. For some reason, this person made me feel safe, my chest had a feeling of happiness and sadness.

???? Mind: I wonder who he is?

I tried to know who this person was, my vision was blurry, and it took a lot of strength to turn my head to him. The sound of his crying was oddly familiar, but I did not know who he was.

When my eyes finally adjusted, I finally understand who he was.

My eyes widen and stood open like a cat trying to hunt his prey. I was surprised, I never expected someone to take care of me after that. More this person after what happened multiple years ago.

???? Mind: So it is you!

It was one of my childhood friends, we used to be friends but... Something happened that made us stop. I didn't remember what it was. God, it was a really long time ago. I barely remember these memories as of now.

I turned my head to the sky again.

???? Mind: Well... I wonder if this is how life is with me.

My mind was wondering what to do, what to say, but I could not get words out of my mouth. Just sighs, and faints puffs. My chest was hurting, but not by a wound, but by my pain of guilt, of disappointment about me, myself.

???? Mind: This reminds me... of a promise I made with him.

???? Mind: I'm really pathetic for forgetting our promise.

Even if I knew my pain was temporary, those feelings really hurt like hell. Like burning your finger. But instead only being your finger, it started from my heart to slowly spread to my chest. That made me start crying in front of him.

???? Mind: I cannot believe he still remembers our promise.

He still had that neckless we bought with our money to stay together. Just seeing it made my nose sting, that sting expanded into a wave that surrounded my entire body, I hated that feeling. That feeling of sadness, it is what covered my whole body at that moment. I was grabbing his shirt, pulling myself closer to him to hide my stupid crying face.

Friend: You know...

Friend: You were always bad at hiding your feelings...

He said with mild amusement.

Friend: You really are hopeless trying to hide those tears from me.

While he was holding me he was crying, I did not notice until that comment, he was giving me a hug. But not the one of friends, the one that tells you that something bad had happened. I did notice that, so I pulled myself to him, still trying to hide my tears. My heart was burning with pain, it was telling me to speak to him. But, the only thing I could do was to just cling into him.

Friend: Ever since we made that promise, you slowly started to get separated from us.

Yes, that was true. I made a promise with him... His name is Privado Malgar. Heh, don't worry, I also thought the name was strange. He told me his name was rare in México. I thought he was laying until I searched the name in the database. And it was true, his name is truly rare.

Privado: ...and even more after the last incident.

I wished he never reminded me that... It was the worst thing my friends did. Laughing at me for something that really hurt me. I hated them for that reason. Still, I had to continue without them. I... *sigh* No matter what I did that changed my life for the worst.

???? Mind: Yet here I am... under the rain, feeling helpless... Next to my ex-best friend.

He was just standing there, laughing at me, too. Even after we made that promise, he was humiliating me. But I no longer cared at that moment.

????: Why does it always have to be on rainy days?

I said, while my tears started to flow faster.

But, I still put that mask I had to do for years, that smiling mask. He noticed that I was laying to him. He always did, no matter if I did not want to hurt him, he always knew. Like we were brothers, but... Not anymore.

Privado started to cry, not like I knew. He was fully taking his pain, even if my ears were ringing, his cry made me feel guilty. It was honest, not like myself at that time. For some reason, that made me want to console him. Tell him that I was alright. But my hands never responded to my wants, but the wants of my heart.

???? Mind: Why can't I move?

???? Mind: I want to hold him and tell him that all will be fine.

???? Mind: He does not have to worry about me.

My body was shaking, it started to feel cold. But not only that, a new pain appeared, and it crushed me. It wasn't like a stabbing nor was actually crushing, I barely remember what happened that day. One thing I did manage to do was to move my hand to his face, that slowly caressed his cheek. This made him look at me. I was smiling, my head nodded. I'm pretty sure I was saying goodbye to him.

Privado: Please! Please! Please...

Privado: Don't leave yet!

He was desperate to not let me sleep, but I was cold, I was feeling sleepy, and my head hurt.

Privado: Come on, Alex! Don't leave yet!

Privado: There are still people waiting for you!

Hah... What a lie. My father and mother had passed away 2 years ago. I lived alone. I didn't own a pet and had no friends. What else could be there for me... *starts to cry* I no longer needed to be there. Even if I wanted, It was already... too late.

Privado: Don't leave yet! Come on! Come on!

Privado: Don't close those eyes yet! The ambulance will be here shortly.

Privado: Please... Don't... Leave... Me... A... g...

I could not hear him again. My body was unresponsive. But I knew time was still moving.

This is the last things I heard before leaving...

????: Not showing any head deformity, no bleeding...

I was still going in and out of consciousness.

????: ...1-2-4. Medical vehicle 1-2-4, in bound.

????: Loud and clear.

????: Party of two, one 21 year-old, male. Collapsed on the ground.

????: Seems to be involved in a trauma, No witnesses besides the person ridding.

????: Patient is showing a probable head injury.

????: ... The pupils to the right side. He's unreactive, sluggish.

????: His blood pressure is 134 over 86. Heart rates up 82.

????: Sinuses sp02.89% Unresponsive...

Time passed.

????: Sir, you can't go in!

Time passed, going in and out of consciousness.

????: We need to take blood...

????: Think you-

????: Pressure up to 102 out-

Time passed, going in and out of consciousness.

????: Clear!

????: Come on! Come on!

????: 1... 2... 3... Clear!

????: We are loosing him! We are loosing him!

After that, not only my vision was gone, but I could no longer hear them... I was left... floating... I felt cold. I tried to move, but I could not do so. I tried to look around, but there was nothing to see. My mind seemed to create images, memories to be precise. My whole life was being put in front of me like pictures in a wall.

Time stamp for song while reading in video:  Shades - 10:12

Then... It stopped. Silence was the only thing I could sense. It was unsettling, off-putting, since we are used, to the sound being present in our lives. Even a room fully close will have some kind of sound. Not here. I'm sure I had no eyes, yet my mind told me that I do.

After a while something did appear in that vast dark place. Dots. One by one started to appear, illuminating my surroundings, strangely I knew that those were stars instead of dots. When that happen I started to look around, It was true I had no... body. My vessel or, you know, a physical body wasn't there. I for some reason was a blue flame.

I was floating, in space. Stars appeared and galaxies too. I knew that maybe I was crazy until...

It hit me. Do you know the egg story? Probably, but if you do not... It tells the story of someone, "you" or "me" and god. Basically, read that story is interesting to see. The short version is... We are a single soul, We are the same person who we talk to, who we meet, who we treat with respect, or treat with disgust. Essentially, "we" all are the same person. And the universe is an egg. Made for "us" to experience life in multiple ways.

This made me realize that I was probably being reborn... But... It did not happen like in the story. I noticed another flame appear, same as me, it was blue. It was glowing... But, with and aura. I do not know how, but it looked like... A person being illuminated from behind. Or that effect that neon lights have in pictures.

Its form changed and molded weirdly. I saw a child, it had yellow hair, blue eyes, and looked around 5 years old. He was wearing an interesting outfit. He had what it seems like black shorts, but they were... how to say this... Old? But in the sense of time period and fashion? Like if it was from medieval ages. His shirt was what confused me. It was red with black sleeve cuffs.

It looked modern, but at the same time I noticed that the neck was being closed by some kind of rope. I believe the term is... Lace-Up. Yes, it was a Laced-up shirt. When I noticed those details, my current self was getting closer to the kid. Confused, I tried to back away, but I could not do anything.

A bright light enveloped not only me, but the kid too. My "eyes" were blinded. Then I started to feel a pulse in my chest. After that, I took a deep breath. My lungs were filled by the smell of wood, and fresh air. My ears picked up the sounds of birds and squirrels running around in what it seemed to sound like wood.

Time stamp for song while reading in video: Alive - 20:56

My eyes shoot open, and suddenly I'm sitting up in a bed, it was made of hay, strangely I did not feel any wood. I looked around, it was a cabin. In my left there were crates of something... There was a window illuminating the room, from the morning sun. Particles of dust were floating, and almost dancing. My nose picked up the smell of wood, clean air, and... eggs?

(Layout map. Picture by Goku Revolucion. Made from RPG Maker MV.)

I tried to remove myself from the bed, but I noticed something pulling from behind, I had wings... Wings! These wings are like those you see in drawings of angels. I reach to touch them... they are smooth like silk. Even if I had them, why did I not feel them?

Then I noticed... I checked my body around, making sure I wasn't going crazy. Then I pinched my cheek to check if I was dreaming. Nope, I was not! I have been reborn in the body of a child. Still... Why did I have my memories with me? I looked around one more time.

(Maxwell's child stage. Picture by Goku Revolucion. Made from RPG Maker MV.)

Alex?: Where... I'm I?

Just then, my head started to kill me... Not actually... You know, I had a headache. It almost made me scream. I grabbed my head by its sides, pressing them down as if that would stop the feeling of pain. A word resonated inside my head, like if someone was talking to me. "Maxwell" it said to me.

Alex?: Maxwell...

When I said that, not only my head stopped hurting, but information started flowing around it. It... Was weird. From what I could recall, memories of me playing with 4 kids started to flow. Memories of me with an adult having fun, he seemed familiar...

Before getting out of bed to explore my house, I was greeted with a familiar voice.

?????: Maxwell, get out of bed! We got work to do!

His voice was deep and had an authority fell to it. But somehow it was tender, caring.

?????: Today I am going to show you something before leaving for work.

His voice was familiar, but I could not put a finger in it. That is until a word resonated inside me and made me say it.

Maxwell: Eliot...

That word was my father's name. Or should I say adoptive father.

Like a river, memories flowed into my eyes, like pictures that created a movie. I was in the middle of the forest, covered by a blanket. I was left there by my real parents, their voices, and figures are blurry in my mind. The sun was shining directly at me, I was peacefully sleeping.

He picked me up from there, also he saw my wings, but he did not stop there. He was smiling, happy to see me... This made me cry a bit from reminiscing that small memory. Even if it wasn't mine... I... I don't know. I got up from my bed and walked to the drawer in front of my bed.

The placement of most things was weird, but it had enough space to let me move around my room without a problem. And yes... Apparently I was sleeping on an underwear? Wait... They are too big for me! It seems like boxers... Argh, I can't is too embarrassing to tell.

I changed to the clothes I saw the kid wearing. They are comfortable and do give me a great deal of mobility... Why was I focusing on that? No clue. Once I was done, I left my room through the curtain door.

(Memories from Maxwell's current friends are still being written by Goku Revolucion, I will need to wait to add them later.)

(*Incoming Transmission*
Computer: The storyline has been changed, Maxwell did not make it...
Computer: Rewriting storyline and changing timeline.
Computer: Mayor events...
Computer: Changed...
Computer: Companion...
Computer: Changed...
Computer: Romance interest...
Computer: Selecting...
Computer: Beastman Fox, Beastman Wolf, Beastman Dragon, Beastman Tiger, Kimono Wolf, Kimono Fox, Kimono Tiger, Kimono Cat, Kimono Bunny, Werewolf, Succubus, Demon...
Computer: Settling on...
Computer: *static*-ox.
Computer: Name...
Computer: Fr-*static*
Computer: Gender...
Computer: *static*-ale
*End Of Transmission*)

Getting use to this new place.

Starting day: Day 01, Month 4, Year 978. The start of Spring.

Time stamp for song while reading in video: Begin - 33:12

Maxwell: Ugh... My head...

I complained, since it has been a long time since I had a headache. The last time was with my co-workers, drinking in the night while singing karaoke. I was told that I almost took my clothes off before falling asleep on the stage... Don't ask please.

Maxwell: Oh right! Father wanted to show me something.

Maxwell: I wonder what it is...

I said while mumbling to myself.

A wave of memories goes through my mind at that moment. I'm reminded how old I'm now (8-years-old), A memory of a small white fox remind me of one of the best friends I got. "Maxwell" was so happy playing with him on those memories. Another memory reminded me that I do a lot of chores in this village. My father is trying to train me in blacksmith with the local forgery.

We know that Maxwell hated that. Still, he would hunt with his father to gain some coin. That made my body shiver. Apparently slimes exist here. Not only that, rats almost of the size of a full-grown weeny dog. Wasp the size of an eagle with red colors. I do not know how Maxwell did not find that scary. These memories filled me with pride, happiness, sadness, and security.

Maxwell's Mind: He might not be my father...

Maxwell's Mind: But, he took care of me, when my family abandoned me.

Maxwell's Mind: I should be proud of him. Even if he is not my real father.

Maxwell's Mind: I promise I will do good in your name, "Maxwell".

A sense of warmth spread from my chest to my whole body, making me shiver... It was comforting. I embraced every feeling I got and continued moving. Don't worry, my perception of time was like... I was standing for around 5 seconds before starting to move around with a smile on my face.

Maxwell's Mind: It's probably something to do with my chores.

Maxwell's Mind: But, now I know that, that! It is my new duty.

(Layout map. Picture by Goku Revolucion. Made from RPG Maker MV.)

While looking around, I noticed that my room was really close to the kitchen. Standing from my room when I exited. To my left was a corridor with a few plants and flowers. In front of me was a wall with 2 windows letting sunlight from the outside enter. To my right there is, of course, the kitchen.

I started walking towards it, guiding me by my nose to the smell of fresh cooked eggs. With what I assume fresh backed bread, accompanied by some beacon. The table was big enough to let 2 people sit on each end. Not enough to have a party of 4 eating in it. The seats were made of wood, basically a wooden stool.

There was a pleasant smell that I would never forget. I love to get this drink before going to work. It was coffee, fun thing about me, coffee never does anything to me. I don't gain energy or anything, it is just like drinking water for me. Judging from what I have seen...

This place has no running water, so yes... I'm in an age where flowing clean water was not possible. Wait. What about showers? How would I clean clothes? How would I relax without a shower raining on me? While I was losing myself, questioning how would I keep myself clean and hygienic...

Maxwell's Mind: This reminds me... Where is father? Shouldn't he join me for breakfast?

Maxwell's Mind: I can't deny that it smells great, but I don't want to be rude to him.

My father sneaked behind me, bringing himself close to my ear.

Eliot: Enjoy the meal~.

I jumped, turned myself around way too fast, making me fall on my butt. With a loud thump.

Maxwell: Waah!?

Eliot: Hahaha! Still getting surprised, are you not?

Maxwell's Mind: Jeez... Did he really have to surprise me again?

Eliot: Come on, get up!

Eliot offered a hand to help me get up. I got up while scratching behind my head. Feeling embarrassed from getting scared easily.

Maxwell: Haah...

Eliot: You will get surprised every time when we go hunting.

Eliot: Remember that those monsters, even if they are passive, will attack when we are in their territory.

Maxwell: I know, I know...

I said slightly annoyed.

He has been taking Maxwell to hunt and let his skills on archery get up. Mostly to let him survive when necessary. Survival skills are really needed here. Basic hunting equipment is a must to be able to travel, apparently.

Eliot: Hey... Maxwell...

Maxwell: What is it?

He grabs me by my shoulders, checking behind me, searching for something...

Eliot: What happened to your wings?

I looked behind me to see them, they were visible to me but not to him...

Maxwell: What do you mean? I still have them.

I decided to move them a bit to lift myself off the ground a bit. It. Was... Accelerating. Fun even.

Eliot: Strange, I can not see them at all.

Maxwell: Huh. Now I can hide them, apparently.

My "father" looked at me, questioning something...

Maxwell: What is it?

Eliot: I do not know...

Eliot: He is talking more mature than before...

I heard him mumble to himself.

Honestly, I wasn't trying to hide it. A kid that acts like an adult is strangely normal now. I had a really young cousin, about... 8-years-old. He knows about sexuality and much other stuff I did not think he would know. It is unsettling knowing your young cousin knows about those things before reaching 18 or even 16.

I gave him a confused look.

He just waved his hand and moved to the table. I follow him and also sit down to eat.

Maxwell: So... What did you want to show me?

Eliot: Oh, right!

Eliot reached behind his pocket and gets and item. It's a necklace, it had a bright blue stone in the middle and a few bone claws around it, giving it a tribal look. I unknowingly reached my chest, where I would normally keep my birthstone and a purple stone. My birthstone is Quartz.

For some of you that might not know... A birth stone has a meaning behind it. Each of one represents a month and a meaning behind it. Quartz or Diamond for April, meaning Strength. And for that it is true. My strength is mental stability. I think clearly and with an open mind.

(Just so you know, Mine and Goku Revolucion's stone are the same. We both were born on April 1st. I don't have one, but he has two, like his character.)

The other one was a stone I found when just going out for a walk in a local park. Strangely it called me, not by a voice but by how it shined. It was a rainbow of colors, although it was purple. When reaching my chest, the two stones were with me under it.

I took them out, drawing the attention of Eliot.

Eliot: Where did you get those stones?

I stayed silent, trying to figure out why I had them. I did die after all... This made it difficult.

I take them off and by accident made the purple stone touch the blue stone on the other neckless. After that, the stones fused together with a shining ray. The stone now had both colors swirling together. The stone transformed into an opal type stone with something resembling a galaxy drawn into it. Not only that, but it had a drawing of the face of a dragon.

When I touched the stone to inspect it better, it started to shine. I closed my eyes and feel the stone. It was smooth, I wonder why it reacted to my touch. Eliot took me out of my mind.

Eliot: Hey, Maxwell, let me see that necklace.

I just nodded and give it to him.

While he was... doing something to the necklace, I changed my neckless with my birth stone. I breed both ropes to make a pattern that it looked like a chain. Then secured my stone with a bit of extra reinforcement and put it back in my neck.

I guess this would make him question me, since he was looking at me while I was breading the ropes. But he ignored and went back checking the neckless. That is, until he said a word.

Eliot: Appraisal.

He said, making his voice echo.

His eyes showed a circle with something in the middle. It seemed like letters going into his eyes. Flowing up and down. He turned around and saw the dragon face again, but it was carved. My mind searched for anything that could tell me what my father was doing. Nothing appeared, no memories, or even mentions of it. My face's expression was of complete awe.

Once he was done, he passed me the neckless.

Eliot: You should put it on.

He said, but... for some reason it sounded... weird.

Feature song for the following part of the reading: Epic and Dramatic Neo Classical Music - The Untold 2 Full Album.

Time stamp for song while reading in video: Fables - 5:18

I put the neckless on, and it immediately shines brightly, lifting itself. My father stands up and pulls me outside.

What happened once outside became a blur. One time I was high in the sky, the other I was falling down and crashing into the floor. Darkness surrounded me. I wake up again in my room, I check myself for any injury or wound. There is nothing... I noticed that my body grew a bit. This caused me to become confused.

My clothing was different, but I did not know what the hell was going on. Why did my new life go from a peaceful start to a worryingly dangerous one?

(*Incoming Transmission*
????: God, that wasn't supposed to happen... I need to fix this.
Computer: Accessing database...
Computer: Access denied.
????: What the hell I'm going to say for those years then?! Okay, okay, calm down. *Breathes in and out*. Let's try this again.
Computer: Anomaly in storyline. Please try to fix errors before it is too late.
????: You don't have to-
*End Of Transmission*)

Before I get out, I hear my father again...

Eliot: Maxwell, get out of bed! We got work to do!

Eliot: Today I am going to show you something before leaving for work.

A time jump?

Current date: Day 01, Month 4, Year 982. The start of Spring.

I blink when I realize it is the same thing he said a couple of hours back. I search for the necklace, but it is nowhere to be found...

I get out to the kitchen and sit at the table. The food is out again. Even the bread is freshly baked. I do not get what is going on. But, I feel like something is wrong...

Maxwell's Mind: What the hell is going on?

Maxwell's Mind: I thought he was good.

Maxwell's Mind: Did he trick me?

Then I feel a presence behind me. I stand up and dissimulate that, I'm getting water from one of the barrels in the corner of the kitchen. When I feel that the presence is behind me, I turn around and swing a fist at the level where I should hit a stomach.

It was Eliot, I then grab him, pin him down making him unable to move. Heh, those self-defense classes always helped me with the bullies on high-school. I searched his back pocket and there it was, the neckless, the one that fused with my stone.

Eliot: W-what are you doing?

Maxwell: I should ask you that.

Maxwell: You think I would not notice that something is out of place.

I said to him with an emotionless voice.

Eliot: W-what do you mean?

Maxwell: This neckless you said to put it in me, and it shined, then you took me outside, once there you twirl me, and knock my head hard in the ground. Making me unconscious. I know the difference of a headache and a knock-out.

I said, in hostile manner, infuriated at him for doing something like that.

My "father" was looking at me with horror and wonder, or even... confusion?. It was confusing, but... Who should I trust.

Maxwell: Now answer me...

Eliot: W-what?

Maxwell: What year are we?

Eliot: We-we are in the year 982.

I stared at him, trying to sense if he was laying.

Maxwell: I swear, if you are laying...

I leave him in the floor of the kitchen and I take a look at the neckless.

Eliot: S-since when you learned fighting?

I looked at him and just shrugged.

I put it on and it starts to shine. I grab the gem and clutch it in my hands, while I close my eyes. What I notice is that I felt wind behind me. Even if the wings were there, I did not notice. I opened my eyes and noticed I was engulfed by many particles surrounding my being. It was... A sight to behold. Sparkles beautifully dancing around me. Showing me pictures of animals.

Then it slowly dissipated. I finally let my breath leave, since I was holding it. I turned around and noticed my "father" looking me scared and confused. I guess I acted differently of how Maxwell would have acted.

Maxwell: Tell me.

Maxwell: Didn't you try to give me this neckless 4 years ago?

He looks at me puzzled

Eliot: What are you talking about?

Eliot: I just bought that neckless.

I close my eyes and open them at him with a stern look.

Maxwell: I hope you are not lying.

I sigh and sit at the table. He just looks at me, trying to figure out what, the hell, just happened.

Maxwell: So... You are not joining me to eat?

He just gets up and sits at the table. Now, you might be wondering how did I gain capableness to out-power a brute. Eliot is what you know as a warrior, his body is build with muscle and strength. I wondered that too, from Maxwell's memories he had being doing a lot of work around the village. Even carry stuff from one side to the other.

But... I overpowered him easily.

I sighed.

Maxwell: Sorry, sorry... Father.

Maxwell: It was a nightmare I had... for some reason, I thought you did that to me.

Maxwell: As for the fighting... I do not know, it kinda came to me by nature.

I was looking down while feeling guilty.

Probably I was just jumping into conclusions, It probably never happened. But even today it was strange.

Playlist: Jorge Mendez - Silhouettes. (Full Album)

Time stamp for song while reading in video: Shades - 10:12

While eating.

Maxwell's Mind: Was that a dream or did it truly happen?

Maxwell's Mind: Even if it was a dream, why did it feel so real?

The whole time eating was silent, awkward, and overall unpleasant.

I took a breath.

Maxwell: So, what do you need me to do today?

Maxwell's Mind: Since I'm sure, I have chores.

Eliot: Huh?

Maxwell: What duties did you wanted me to do?

He stayed quiet.

Maxwell: Okay, if I have nothing to do, let me get out and walk around.

Eliot looked at me with a confused face.

Maxwell: Can I walk around for a bit? Or...

Eliot: Haah... Sure.

It was awkward, but I saw that coming after what happened today.

Before closing the door to the outside, I turned around and said...

Maxwell: Don't worry, father, I just... Need time to think about what happened today...

Maxwell: I will be back before sundown.

I closed the door and run off behind the house. Following a trail that I had when my friends... Maxwell friends were in town.

Time stamp for song while reading in video: Alive - 20:56

Although Spring was starting, the surrounding air started to feel cold. Freezing. I continued running through the woods, having scrapes in my hands and almost falling a couple of times. I was heading towards a small cave inside the forest. The entrance was tiny, so I had to kneel down and drag my body to enter the cave.

Once inside, I hid there to reflect and ask myself what the hell did I saw. I know that my "father" did something to me, but... Was it really him, or was it a dream? I was afflicted. But I remembered that I never checked if I still had my birth stone with me. So I grabbed where both should have been, only to find just one. I took it out of my clothing to see it. It was... dark.

Like the white was the good and now is dark like evil. I wondered why, and then remember what one old woman said during my travel to México.

-Flashback-

I was traveling to visit a friend that lived in Veracruz, we wanted to meet each other in the main park of the city. We talked a lot online, but being able to talk personally was always better. While walking around, I stumbled upon a makeshift post that sold stones.

This is where I got my birth stone. Who greeted me after noticing me staring at the stone was a nice lady. She was old, but I don't judge elders, México has a lot of problems. I have been there before. She greeted me with a wide smile, I sensed friendliness from it.

????: Hello young man, what would you like to buy.

I looked at her and smiled, and laugh a bit.

Alex: Oh, thank you. But I should be more surprise you seem to doing well even at this age.

????: Oh! Ho ho ho. You don't have to give a compliment back.

Alex: Still, I respect my elders, ma'am.

My grandma and my mother told me to always be kind to my elders. When she was around, she would tell me stories of how she lived. What toys she would make to have fun. And what activities and responsibilities she had even at a young age. Imagine, carrying a bag of rice on top of your head for 3 kilometers when you are 7-years-old.

Sometimes I miss her since she took care of me with my mother. While my father was working in the United States as a factory worker. Even when we got back together, he was still doing his job with honor. I was born over there, while my mother was Mexican.

It taught me to remember how lucky I'm to have parents. To have a place to stay. The value of money, and the value of having family. It was lost after I moved to the United States. And suffered a lot. I was your chubby kid in the class that always sit alone... *sighs*. I barely made friends for my physical appearance. Let alone dating... I was bullied the first time as a kid, when I was around 5-years-old.

But that was not the worst, the worst was that it was my family itself. During those years I was unsecure and even my sexuality was... in question. I'll tell more about that later. For the rest of my years, I was asked If I still liked her. She was older than me, true a 5-year-old and a 12-year-old is a big gap.

But the way they referred to her was... bad, offensive, and to be reminded again and again. It made me question myself. They put a pet name to her, and called her that every time they asked me from her. If I still liked her. Of course, it was a children sweetheart, and it never would have worked out, even more from my age.

Time passed, and I no longer cared for that. My grandma was the outlet of my emotions, she would hug me and told me to not pay attention to them. My mother was busy taking care of the house and buying food or doing jobs around there. Most of the time, she was never there... there to be for me. She was there, but when time asked, she was never there.

Not only that, but I fricking loved her food. I was getting used to spicy food, but hers was, the spiciest food you could get. When eating was fun since all of us would have, red faces or trying to pass the spice down with water. Her "Atole de arroz"(Sweet rice with milk, can be a paste or a drink.) was one of the things I would wait for the most.

She passed away a year later, when I moved out of her house. Apparently the place was robbed at night, they had guns and shot her. My mother traveled back as emergency travel. I still relish every memory from her...

????: Which one would you like?

My mind was remembering my grandma, and I was sent back to earth after she asked.

Alex: I was drawn at this one.

The stone that I was pointing was a Quartz stone shaped in a crystal rod form. It was hexagonal... think like a pencil, but both sides are sharpened, that form.

????: Oh! Did you know that Quartz breaks and changes color if there is someone trying to harm you?.

????: I had people with one stone like this one.

She showed me a dark stone, it was glossy.

????: I asked a lady to hold it, and she told me it was heavy, then it broke after a couple of minutes.

????: This tells me that they had a curse in their family.

She winked at me when she said that.

I never believed in god, or better said the Catholic Church. I know we need to believe in something, but I just saw those places like money grabbers. But, for some reason, I believed in the stones. Heh, now they work here, apparently.

????: What month were you born? Young man.

Alex: I was born on April, and at the day of "los inocentes"

Dia de los inocentes (Day of the innocents) better known as April fools had always been a problem for me. You would think I'm making a joke, saying that my birthday is the 1st of April. And always I would get pranked on that day. I knew about the issue of it, but... It always hurt since I had no friends to have a happy birthday.

????: Oh! So your birth stone is the same one that you told me.

Alex: What is a birth stone?

????: You never heard of a birth stone?!.

She said quite surprised.

Alex: No, I never heard about them, can you tell me more about them?

????: Well, each month has a stone assign to it. Each of them means something.

????: This one in particular means Strength. But also has a meaning behind that. It is associated with the zodiac. It was believed that each stone hold power or gave good luck to the wearer.

????: But this one is a substitute to the real birth stone.

I looked questionably at her.

????: Your real birth stone is Diamond. Diamonds were associated with powers of healing, clearing the toxins that were crippling the body. It is known as the King of all Birthstones.

????: But, now is used more for engagement.

She chuckled when she said that.

I continued looking around, she had rings with the stone, even a crystal tree made of glass. Piercings, earrings, and collars.

Alex: I think I will take the collar one.

????: Oh! Here, let me make one for you.

She made the crystal be strapped by a metal wire with a swirl at the font of the ring that hold the rope.

????: Here you go.

Alex: Thank you, ma'am. How much do I owe you?

????: It will be $150 pesos. (around 8 dollars when 1 peso is equal to 0.050)

Alex: Here.

I handed her a $200 pesos bill, and got back $50 pesos back.

????: Thank you, I hope to see you back again!

She said happily.

–End of Flashback-

México has a lot of problems that you don't see when traveling for tourism.

I sighed, at remembering this.

Maxwell: So... I was attacked.

My stone was slowly changing back into white.

Maxwell: Lady, I have to say you saved me without knowing.

Reflecting about the past.

I laughed at the absurdity of my situation. My voice bounced around the place.

Maxwell: But I guess I should go back to home...

Maxwell: Yeah... Home.

I dragged myself out of the cave and walked slowly back to home. The sun was already in sundown. I probably would get scolded... But I doubt that after what happened today.

Time stamp for song while reading in video: Home - 3:51

Fireflies appeared around me while walking, it was magical. It has been years since I was out in the woods. The last time I went into nature was when I was 6-years-old. My cousin and I played a lot and explored the forest nearby. Running around and playing with the strange boats that a tree created.

We used them as boats to play at the "Pila" (Basically a pool but smaller enough to store water to clean clothing mostly. Other use was to clean plates. The structure is made of concrete in a square. The other meaning of the same word is a battery.) Privado always followed me and we played together a lot.

Tears formed in my eyes, looking around remembering those childhood memories.

Maxwell: Did you felt bad when you noticed that I was in a cast?

That day... was a painful memory.

-Flashback-

Alex: Hey, over here!

Privado: No, pass it along to me.

We were playing football or, better called in the United States, soccer with a cheap plastic ball. They were $10 pesos, but it was our "recreo" (allowance money for the day to eat.) For our recreo we got only $10 pesos. Enough for a torta and a small drink of horchata or Jamaica. The drink was made in bags and given to us with a straw, all of this was sold inside of school.

We were playing in the middle of the road with a few other friends. I don't remember their names but Privado, was the only one I remember the most. Two of them were really close to me. But, never considered them as best friends. They didn't talk to me after playing, and Privado was always the one inviting them. Most of the time I feel like I was just there.

????-1: Hey, pass it over here!

????-2: I won't let you!

????-2 passed the ball to ????-4.

(????-1 and ????-2 are the other friends close to Alex.)

????-3: Hey, he is not on our team.

????-4: hehe, it is now my turn.

????-5 cut the ball, sending it back to ????-8.

????-6: Why did you send it to the "portero". (Portero, goalie or porter... Is the one that guards "la porteria" or soccer goal.)

????-8: Whatever...

He said with an uninterested tone.

????-8 sent back the ball to the playing field.

I managed to catch it with my chest.

Alex: Thanks!

And I run back to the other side.

The day before rained, the road made of dirt and gravel did not help at all. Water was still on it, and you could guess what happened. I slip and fall down to the ground, sprained my leg. It hurt and did not know what to do. Yeah... I was laughing at first since it was stupid, but entered a panic when I could not pull myself up.

I asked for help and they did nothing. What mostly traumatized me to stop talking at them and... Well, distance myself was what happened next. My uncle came down the same road with music busting out of his stereo system. He loves sports cars and had a business selling cars and buying them too. He had a collection of cars.

My friends moved out of the way still laughing, that is until they noticed I did not move at all. It is weird that once you are a children reality distort a lot. What really happened was them yelling at me to get up, and to my uncle, to stop his car. Which it never happened.

Both wheels passed over my foot and I screamed in pain. Thanks to the angel guarding me that I did not lose my leg. I fainted out of pain. My other perception of what I saw was them laughing at me, even after when both wheels passed over my leg.

The next day I was back from the doctor with a cast on my leg. My mental state was in shambles, I did not want to talk to no one. I wanted to be left alone. But I wasn't, my "friends" or the kids that played with us arrived to ask how I was doing. And what we could do together to play.

Of course, I was denying everything. Once Privado arrived, he asked me how well was I doing. It made me angry.

Alex: Don't you see how I'm?

Alex: Did you have fun laughing while the wheels passed over my leg?

Alex: I was asking for help, but what happened was you staying out of it.

Alex: I hate you for it.

I yanked the collar out of my neck and trow it at him. Like I said, keeping a cool mind as a child is not easy. My mental stability was crumbled and my emotions overpower my sense of reason.

The collar was a beautiful, it became a heart shaped when separated, but when together it became a bow. Signaling union. I do not know how people designed that, but I liked it.

Alex: Just... Leave me alone.

Alex: I don't want to talk to anyone...

He just nodded and left the house.

For the next years I was distant. I wanted to talk to people, but my emotional state made it impossible. Slowly I build a fake mask in my face. A smiling, cheerful child always alone. Heh. It worked but... Emotionally, it was draining. That smile broke in my High school graduation, I started to cry.

Not from happiness, but for the stupidity and all the pain I felt. I wanted a connection like I had with Privado, but it was gone. I no longer lived in that rural town with nature. I now lived in a civilized city full of buildings, cars, and lack of nature. I moved out of there when I reached 14-years-old.

City life for me is depressing, I had no choice since I need a job to live, to buy food, to buy clothing, to keep myself clean, to be able to travel. Life is fair and unfair. No matter who you are, it will treat you according to your actions and the connections you have.

Once I got a job, I started to finally regain myself. I made a few friends with my coworkers and enjoyed a bit of their bickering. But I always felt that something was missing. I was always feeling empty and only happy with my coworkers. Not a healthy way to live at all.

-End Of Flashback-

I sighed.

Maxwell: Really? Now I see what happened back those years?

Maxwell: I'm stupid, an idiot, an ass for seeing that blurred reality.

Maxwell: I wish I could have seen that sooner rather than later.

I started to yell, letting all my pain out. Everything that I had buried up in my soul. My eyes let streams of tears. My yelling was strong, filled with my sorrow, anger, frustration, and pain. I wanted to let it all out.

I had fallen down to my knees, letting my pain out. I was left there empty, but light. I started to laugh a bit. It is absurd that this was all I needed to see my problems, my wrong choices. I resumed my mindless walk.

When I arrived home, it was night. I grabbed a cup from the box in the right corner of the kitchen. And filled the cup with water from the barrel. It tasted sweet, I guess not drinking water for a long time and a walk will do that to me.

Once more, I sighed and walked into my room.

I let myself fall down to my bed, curled up to try to fall asleep. And I did.

The first kiss.

(???? 1st person, point of view.)

Playlist: Epic and Dramatic Neo Classical Music - The Untold 2 Full Album

Time stamp for song while reading in video: Queen of the Damned - 17:23

I was running, trying to escape, but was stopped in an alleyway by a drunk man.

Drunk man: Hey kid, you look beautiful.

Drunk man: Why don't you give me a kiss?

????: No! Leave me alone.

I tried to run away, but he grabbed me by my hand and pull me into a wall. Both of my hands are pinned, and my feet are locked by him, intertwining. Not letting me any room for escape.

Drunk man: Come on cutie, I know you want it.

????: Stop! Stop!

I struggled trying to get out of the way, but it was futile.

Drunk man: I like it when they give some play.

He said in a playful, and lustful voice. His eyes told me what he wanted, but I did not wanted. No matter how much I struggle, I could not escape.

Drunk man: You are so beautiful and soft. I know you will enjoy this little fox.

I felt something on my mouth, it was... warm, but rough. The smell of alcohol was making reactions to my body that never had happened. I was... exited. I wanted to continue to feel that... But, at the same time, tried to fight or else I will be in more trouble.

His lips fight to make me open mine. I tried to move my face out of the way, but he was pinning me with one hand to my face and the other grabbing both of my hands. I wanted to remove myself from his grasp. But all I managed to do was nothing. He made me excited. I felt his bulge stroking mine, for my first time...

I hated it that I liked that. I hated that my instincts said to continue. I was almost ready to give to lust. When father came in and noticed my situation. He tackled the drunken man, and pin him down to the floor.

Father: How many times I have to tell you! You can't leave the orphanage until you are 18-years-old.

He said, angry at me for leaving the orphanage.

I was dazzled not only for my first kiss being with a drunk man, but because I like it. Why did I like it? Why? I know it is not too accepted yet. I slowly started to lose consciousness to the little alcohol I got from that man.

Time passed.

We arrived at the orphanage after getting an earful. Not only that, but my ears were ringing from all his yelling. Due to my nature, I flinched back, just like always. I'm 15-year-old at the moment. I tried to get out early of the orphanage because I had something to do.

I'm a thief at the moment... Some fellow bandits allowed me to work for them in exchange for money. I had to deal with strange jobs such as massages and other kinds of jobs. The most requested one was to sleep with someone to have a feel of my fur.

Nothing more than that. I did not want a relation yet, nor was I ready for... S*x. I was guarded, don't think this fox is stupid. *chuckles*. I was walking back to the room where all my other brothers and sisters slept. I always go there to give them something, but today I was going to sleep.

I laid down on one of the 3 last empty beds. 3 kids were adopted today, all of them were happy and crying to finally have a family. Some place to call home. I in the other hand is harder... Most foxes are seen as lustful searching for a quick get together and leave.

Me being 15-years-old, my chances are nearly 0. I won't lie that our nature tells us that, and also liking to prank people, hehe. But, I want a serious relationship with someone.

I sighed.

???? Mind: I knew I would get an earful.

???? Mind: Still, I can not lie that, that was my first kiss. He stole it...

???? Mind: But why did I like that kiss? I barely felt like that... Even in the showers, I never had those reactions.

???? Mind: That kiss really exited me.

I said worriedly, looking at my tent.

???? Mind: I guess today I am sleeping in the floor...

???? Mind: I have to cool down.

I just grabbed a blanket and a pillow. Closed my eyes, letting the cold floor, the moon, and stars from the window, guide me to a peaceful slumber.

Stitching the cuts.

Current date: Day 02, Month 4, Year 982.

(Maxwell/Alex, 1st person, point of view.)

Playlist: Jorge Mendez - Silhouettes. (Full Album)

Time stamp for song while reading in video: Home - 3:51

The next day.

Time: Morning

I wake up slightly groggy for sleeping with clothes, I'm sweaty and smell... I- Nope, anyway I wanted to take a shower but my "body" answers automatically. I get up and grab a towel, some kind of brush, a small towel, and a sponge. My mind is still trying to wake up, but my body knows what to do. So I let it. I feel like going into autopilot.

Once outside. I go to the back of the house, and begin to fill a big wooden tub, with water to my ankles, and sit on it. It was cold since it is morning... When I touched the water, I did not fully wake up, but was more aware of my surroundings. My hands grabbed the sponge and slowly caressed my body.

Slowly cleaning off any sweat and grime I had. I guess there was no soap since in history Middle Ages shown to use herbs and flowers to get rid of smells and improve health. Other stuff like medicinal herbs were used to help with pain or aches.

How did I know this? Well, nothing like history for me to be able to keep me entertain. I love history and was one of my favorite classes. I memorized some stuff, and mostly got obsessed with the spiral theory of history. No matter how much time passed, history will always repeat itself.

I knew basic survival stuff too. Mostly from reading by interest or other books. My curiosity for knowledge is kinda... wild. I remember reading a book about survival on an island and finished reading it after 2 days. The book in question had around 32 pages. Not much, but I learned a lot and tried some stuff. It is helpful.

Once everything was done, I got out and poured the water out of the tub, and started to clean the tub with soap?

Maxwell: Wait, is this soap?

I checked and some smells had me confused. There was sand, ash, hay, mare tail... and horsetail. Not only that, but It had a fishy smell, and meat like smell. I was cleaning with the small towel as a rag to clean the grime that was build in it. Once I finished, I felt a presence behind me again...

Maxwell: Eliot?

I asked, to the person behind me.

????: ...

There was no answer.

Time stamp for song while reading in video: Imagine - 7:21

While I was naked, I decided to start changing into my clothes before anything would happen.

Maxwell: Who ever you are, let me change first.

Maxwell: At least, let me be decent to face you.

Behind the house was a small shack that acted as a bathroom to dispose... well, poop. What else it would be for? I changed inside the shack.

Maxwell: Ugh... I need to add something to get rid of the smell inside this. Or at least make it tolerable.

I exited the shack to greet the strange person.

Maxwell: Sorry you had to see me in that state. It has been long since I cleaned myself.

I said, while still looking at the ground, fixing my hair a bit.

What I saw was not human, but... it was? It was a person with ears and a tail, those two things stood out to me more. What made me turn red was the kind of person watching. It was a she, and was wearing a short brown skirt, with a white smock-flock, from what I could see.

Under it seem to have some kind of brown turtleneck shirt. Her skin was slightly dark, light brown... I have always been bad to describe people... Her hair was black. The reason of why the ears and tail stood out more. It was because they were white and gray. Her ears seemed fluffy and her tail puffy.

Her eyes were interesting, since I have never seen a combination of colors like hers. Purple and reddish colors seem to mix at her gaze. Judging by the features, I would say she has ears and a tail of a fox. But... why she stood there, not saying anything to me?

Maxwell: Uhhh... C-can I help y-you with s-something?

She looked at me with... out, without emotions...

????: ...

This was getting awkward.

Maxwell: If there was nothing... I will be taking my leave.

I turned around to get inside the house but, she jumped at me, this time since I had my guard up. I sensed that and managed to barely dodge her.

Maxwell: Be careful, you might fall.

I said with a grin.

Memories from a specific friend appeared in my mind and one of the 4 kids playing with Maxwell stood out. It had the same features as her, and the name came as an echo.

Maxwell: Levy? Is that you?

Levy: ...

She did not answer, but what I got back was a smirk.

This time I prepared for anything, and I was right, she came right at me. I dodged. She tried to grab me and still managed to dodge. She tried to tackle me again, and managed to dodge again. This continued for around an hour, when she started to lose stamina.

Levy: Dammit! Since when did you become better at dodging?

She said, while panting, trying to recover from her air in the ground.

Maxwell: I do not know what are you talking about.

I also said while laying down and panting.

Maxwell: Way to make me workout after a... shower...

She chuckled at that.

Again my face became red at remembering what had just happened.

Maxwell: W-why were you s-standing there looking at me a-almost naked?

Levy: I wanted to give you a surprise, since yesterday you were not at home.

Maxwell: Oh! Right...

Levy: Did... something happened yesterday?

Maxwell: Kinda... gave my father a tackle, and pin him down... eh-hehe...

I said while siting up and scratching behind my head.

Levy: Wait... what did you do and how?

Maxwell: I said I pin him down to the floor...

Levy: But how? Is it not your father, stronger than you?

Maxwell: It seems like it is not.

I shrugged and got up. Then I gave a hand to Levy to stand up.

Maxwell: Still, I have to say that you need to stop doing that...

Maxwell: Did... did you spy on me while showering?

Levy: No, I arrived when you finished cleaning the bath tub.

Maxwell: But why did you not say anything?

Levy: Hmmm... Just because.

I just blinked.

Levy: Besides, you know how much I like to tease you.

She said while wiggling her brows.

Maxwell: Haah...

Maxwell's mind: I guess I have to mentally prepare for this to happen more often...

Time stamp for song while reading in video: Home - 3:51

Maxwell: Anyway, want to eat something?

Maxwell: I can cook something simple for us.

She looked at me slightly worried.

Levy: Did you manage to cook something edible?

I blink again.

Maxwell's mind: Was I that bad at cooking?

Maxwell: I guess? It has been a long time since I cooked for all of you guys, remember?

Maxwell's mind: I'm trowing a wild guess to make sure I can tell that Maxwell couldn't cook.

Levy: Yes? Do you not remember making food too bad that looked like squares...

Maxwell's mind: Yep, he was a terrible at cooking.

Maxwell: Don't worry, I can make something now...

Levy: Now you are making me worry.

Maxwell: Haha, don't worry.

We arrive in the kitchen and I search for some items. I managed to get ingredients for a sweet potato and peanut stew.

(The following is a real recipe, chosen to do outdoors, but decided to adapt it for our setting.)

1 tablespoon of oil.
1 small onion.
2 cloves of garlic.
1 medium sweet potato.
2 cups (0.47 liters) of broth.
14 oz (ca. 529 g) can of diced tomatoes (for this we will say it was diced and made in pure).
¼ cup peanut butter (this one Maxwell made by hand).
2 teaspoons of New Mexico chili powder (for this, we can say that it was made simple with just hot peppers).
1 teaspoon of salt.
14 oz (0.53 kg) can of chickpeas.(for this one we use fresh chickpeas).
2 cups (0.47 l) of Tuscan kale.

When I finished preparing the necessary ingredients, I swear I saw levy with eyes shining to see what I made. I guess she was more curious, since she got a taste of the peanut butter made by me.

Heating the oil in a pot (in the recipe is a Dutch oven) over medium heat. We add the onion and sauté it for about 5 minutes until it was fragrant. Then we add the sweet potato, broth (that was left, from yesterdays stew that Eliot made), tomatoes and their juices, peanut butter, chili powder, and salt.

While stirring, I noticed Levy standing up close to me looking at the food. Which made me chuckle a bit.

Maxwell: What? Did you change your mind once you started smelling the food?

I said while grinning.

Levy: N-no, I just wanted to make sure you do not burn the food.

I notice that her tail is wagging with excitement.

Maxwell: Right, right.

Maxwell: So, I am sure you know how this is called.

Levy: Uhhh... Sweet potato soup.

I break into laughter.

Maxwell: That name is a bit too obvious, don't you think?

Levy: True, but was I close?

Maxwell: Haha hardly, it is a Sweet potato and peanut butter stew.

Levy: Wait, that sweet pure of nuts is called peanut butter?

Maxwell: Yes. I discovered how to do it by experimenting a bit.

Maxwell's mind: That is a half a lie.

I knew about it because I had to save money, and sometimes doing it by yourself gets you more than you can think. When you live on an apartment, and it takes a big part of your check. You will want to save money some way or another.

After around 20 minutes, added the chickpeas and the kale. We waited for the rest of the ingredients were warmed through, and the kale has wilted. While stirring, I still felt another presence behind me. Not only Levy's presence, but a familiar presence behind the door.

Maxwell: Levy, can you open the door to our guest?

Levy: What are y-

She is cut off by a knocking in the door.

Time: Midday

Levy: How did you know?

I just shrug.

The good thing about it was that the food was finished.

Before the door fully opened...

Maxwell: Care to join us, father? I made some food.

I was eyed suspiciously by both...

Maxwell: Jeez... Is that how you are going to be when I think about doing something for you too?

Maxwell's mind: I guess I will be seen weirdly for the time I'm here with... the change of souls that happened.

Maxwell: Haah... Do not let the food go cold.

I said with slightly annoyed tone.

You might have caught up with something, but if you have not... Contractions seem to bring too much attention to me. I guess it is not normal to be using them. I use them a lot, so... I have to use these things wisely now...

We sat and eat, although the table is small, I decided to eat standing up. One for Levy since she is a guest, and two for Eliot who took care of me. Besides, I might be young, but I have to show manners when it matters.

Maxwell: And you better not bring what I told you early.

Levy: Wha?!

Maxwell: I swear, all ladies, all of them like to do gossip, so don't you dare.

Besides that, the books I read always told that ladies like to gossip, and... She has fox features. Basically, I am basing it from books what their behavior could be like. On those books also had Beastmans, but I guess for her would be called Kimono. Kimono seem to be a different race than their Beastman counterpart.

(*Incoming Transmission*
Computer: Requesting Access to the Database...
Computer: Access granted.
Computer: Information about Beastmen/Beast fallen, found.
Computer: Searching...
Computer: Fetching information on Kimono...
Computer: Information about Kimono, found.
Computer: Kimono: Creatures possessed by the feral version of the kings of animals. Not all of them have these features, they get them at 4-years-old. Due to being followed or united by a feral spirit, their instincts, and behaviors reflect on what animal they are possessed. Sometimes they get overtaken by instincts and act without thinking, but that is in extreme cases. Other times, their behaviors... are similar to their friendly counterpart. Examples are purring and enjoying scratches depending on what areas they like the most.
Computer: End of available public information in the database.
*End Of Transmission*)

Both had hesitant looks on their faces.

Maxwell: Come on, try it. I know you guys will like it.

Most food done here has no flavor or better said no spices that add flavor to the food. I hope I did not add too much spicy chili.

Well, both stayed silent while slowly turning their heads at me with their wooden spoon still in their mouths.

Maxwell: Uhhh... Too spicy?

Both deny in unison.

Maxwell: Wow...

Maxwell's mind: Is too good to say anything?

Levy is the first one to finally get out of the shook.

Levy: No, I am shocked of how good it is. Even though I like meat, this is fairly good.

Levy: It is creamy, satisfying, and lightly spicy.

Eliot: True, I never tasted something like this before.

Eliot: Maxwell, When did you learn to cook?

Maxwell: What do you mean when?

Maxwell: I have been experimenting when you are not home.

Maxwell: Remember most trips you did for monster materials. I was practicing cooking.

Partially true. Maxwell was trying and trying, but... all his food ended as the typical Mystery food item in video games. Gross and overall unappetizing. (Ironic since the original story is for a game.)

Eliot: You really have changed, I barely know you.

I kinda froze for a second while putting my food in my mouth.

After I swallowed my food.

Maxwell: There are many things you do know about me.

I scratched behind my head.

Maxwell: Anyway...

Maxwell: When did you arrive levy?

Maxwell: If I remember correctly, were you not summoned to assist in the capital?

~4 years before...~

After my birthday, the strange dream I had still confuses me. Levy visit me, telling me she had to leave to help in the capital. To fill you in. The place we are is called Akrasia Village. In the kingdom of Ivudor. The continent, Estelia, is split between three kingdoms.

Ivudor, the kingdom that has Humans and Beastmen together, living in harmony. The Kingdom of Celes, mostly conform of Humans. And the Kingdom of Ocathia, The kingdom controlled by only Beastman. Not all of them are good, some of them have problems.

Ocathia and Celes both deal with slavery from both sides, and both are constantly fighting against each other. Many that only wish happiness or protection flee to Ivudor. Ivudor is the biggest kingdom that controls the continent, but many of its laws are... worse than in my world.

For some reason, my memories are still there, but what happened 4 years ago kinda made them fussy. The capital, Ashborne Erast requested that some enlisted members to go to the capital for proper training and evaluation of their prowless. Levy received a letter summoning her and was ready to leave the next morning.

(The original author asked me if I needed names for the villages and I did, he gave me the name of the capital of Ivudor, Ashborne Erast. He is still working on those names, since progress in the database has been really slow.)

I gave her a hug and wished her good luck for the travel.

Levy: Oh, yeah! I did, but they gave me some free time. And decided to visit you guys before I get called again.

Maxwell: Aww. You should not have to do that.

Maxwell: Still, thank you for passing over to visit us.

Me... "Me" and Levy were friends mostly because of her way of dealing with stuff. She likes to fight, but she would always catch me and knuckle my head hard, sometimes making me tear a bit. With all 4 of us, we were a riot around the village. Pranking and helping too. Sometimes it was confusing for the villager whether to be angry at us or happy.

*Puts plate down in the counter.*

Every prank was followed by a good action, no matter what we did. We made sure that even if we pranked, we gave them a good time. Fun were the days that they lived here. Lucas, a kimono with wolf features, had to leave with his mother to deal with some family business.

Aiden, a Tiger Beastman had to leave to search a job suitable for his family. He lived among the farmers, but his family told him to move or be taken by force. He chose to leave. Samuel, a wolf Beastman was the last one, I would say he was my best friend.

He left once his father passed away due to a landslide now being taken care of by his mother that lived in other place. He never told me where, but I wish I could visit him. What I can tell you about each one...

Lucas, acted like he was my brother sometimes too much. He really seemed close to me and really... physical. He had a lot of positive energy all the time. I actually never saw him sad.

For Aiden, He was silent at first he acted all distant but slowly grew with us and broke that shell he had. He seemed to have a lot of fun with us and was all jumpy, smiling from ear to ear.

Samuel, was my best friend, he comforted me and shared my pain. We had an interesting relationship since we tell each other stuff more often. From crushes, to secrets and personal liking. He was like the best friend I actually never had.

Then there was Levy. She was the bully/brute of all of us. She would pick fights with us and kinda bully us. But she slowly gained trust from us. And became a new person. She would defend us against other kids who would bully us and pick up fights when we were treated badly.

But it seems those 4 years really changed everyone. She is here now, acting more lady like than before.

I guess I was thinking too much about the past. Because my eyes became glossy, and I was in the clouds being yelled back down by Levy in my ear.

Levy: Maxwell!

Maxwell: Gah!

I stumble and fall down.

Levy: What is happening to you now? I have been talking to you for a while.

Maxwell: Sorry...

Maxwell: Just... Remembering when we all used to be together.

I sighed. She looked at me slightly worry.

Levy: That was a long time ago, you do not have to worry about it.

I stand up.

Maxwell: I know it is just that I miss them. I have not heard from them for years.

I guess my sadness and Maxwell's joined together. I started to cry. I think I'm understanding how this is working. Maxwell is still here with me but, we fused together. I don't understand why, though. Why was I the one to be fused with him. He has less control over the body, but somehow he is still with me.

Feature song for the following part of the reading: Epic and Dramatic Neo Classical Music - The Untold 2 Full Album.

Time stamp for song while reading in video: The wicked - 30:05

I took my birthstone and noticed that it was slightly turning dark. I turned to look at Eliot, and he emitted a dark aura. It slowly became a figure of an animal with red eyes looking directly at me.

(*Incoming Transmission*
Computer: Accessing database...
Computer: Database updated.
Computer: Searching...
Computer: Information about auras, found.
Computer: Accessing public information...
Computer: Auras: Auras are seen by people with different meanings. Each of their auras can be sense by special training, yet only some can see them. Most auras are a definition of moods. But they can be overpowered and feed negative emotions. If enough anger, distrust, and envy forms. The figure behind that person becomes a monster.
Computer: Database updated.
Computer: Searching...
Computer: Information about Monsters: section Auras/shadows, found.
Computer: Accessing public information...
Computer: Monsters - Auras/shadows: Monsters, created by the aura, are shadows of people's wants and hates. Not everything is as it seems. They convince its creator to distrust, hate, be angry and overpower their emotions. Mostly all negative emotions that hurt a person soul. In extreme cases, they will make its creator to hurt or kill a person.
Computer: End of available public information in the database.
*End Of Transmission*)

Maxwell: Levy, leave outside, please!

She looked confused, but before she could ask, I was dodging a hit of Eliot.

Maxwell: Do not ask! Just go!

Levy: Okay, just be careful.

Eliot's fist was stuck in the wall. Running to the corridor, I opened the farthest window and jumped out. Once out, I asked Levy to ask for something about shadows in the item shop of the village. She tried to stay, but I told her that Eliot was attacking me and not her. He got out of the house and started charging at me.

I dodge, rolled, and even jumped anything to evade Eliot's fist. I was wasting a lot of stamina. Self-defense can do so much for that.

Maxwell's mind: I need to build stamina, that is going to be my next task. And learn about the Mana.

Dodges a kick.

Maxwell's mind: I can't believe that I didn't notice that was the sparks from the collar. It was magic.

My eyes gleamed of curiosity about that. But I stopped once I noticed a fist going for my head.

Dodged by falling down. And a kick was coming to my gut. I rolled out of the way.

Maxwell: Wake up Eliot, what is wrong with you!

Maxwell: Where is the father that was smiling at me when he found me!

That seem to slow him down enough to be able to gain a bit of air for me.

Maxwell: Come on, Eliot, Why are you attacking me?

Maxwell: I thought you cared about me. Wake up from that dream.

Dodged a swipe for my legs by jumping backwards.

Maxwell's mind: Damn! Maxwell, you build your body to be swift. I'm glad that you did, or we both be in the ground getting hit.

Time: sundown

Almost an hour passed, I was getting exhausted from all the dodging. I had some cuts in my face and hands from rocks that flew when escaping Eliot's hits. But that was not the problem. The issue was that he seem to get more and more frustrated. Accompanied by that frustration was an acceleration of every attack.

Maxwell: Where are you, Levy! I am almost out of breath, come on!

I yelled, trying to dodge and using the house as a shield, running around. She came running out of the corner and handed me a book.

Maxwell: Follow me.

She just did that.

I was running with Levy in the forest, while Eliot was still behind us in the back.

Levy: Wait, since when you can read?

I just stayed silent and rolled my eyes.

I opened the book and noticed it had weird symbols. Those symbols slowly arranged itself while looking at it.

Maxwell: Just make sure I do not hit anything while reading, please.

I laugh a bit because I have done this multiple times when getting late to class. Normally I'm a punctual student, never missed a day to school. Funny... The most normal things in my world are useful here. Or the things that are normal for me turned useful in here.

The symbols forming a letter that I recognized until those letters arranged into what it seems... Latin?. I knew a bit of Latin due to curiosity. Since Latin is similar to Spanish in my world. I turned multiple pages until saw something that said to me shadow. I turned around and started chanting the words in the book.

Maxwell: Here it goes... Per nomen tuum sanctum deo lux tua fiat tibi ductor. Purificetur anima tua ab umbris. Rationabiliter age, mando tibi. Expelle!

(The original version uses a combination of Latin and Maya, he hasn't done anything about spells or how to conjure, so this is my own interpretation. And this is using google translation, there is no mystery to it.)

After that, my senses blurred, I fought against it, making sure that thing behind Eliot disappeared. When it did, I noticed sparkless and a circle under him. He fell down to the floor, loosing consciousness. I then followed behind.

A special mission.

Somewhere, else...

Playlist: Jorge Mendez - Silhouettes.

Time stamp for song while reading in video: home - 3:51

(???? 1st person, point of view.)

Time: Morning.

Current date: Day 02, Month 4, Year 982.

I wake up feeling cold. Slightly having pain because of the hard floor. When trying to move, I feel like I can barely breathe.

????: Damn! It's been a while since I slept in the floor.

I said under my breath. While trying to get up.

???? mind: Agh! Fu...

I look around and notice all the beds empty.

???? mind: ...uuuh? What happened here?

I look at the window, noticing the sun slightly over one of the rooftops. The belly of the sun is a few meters up.

????: Oh... Right, today is adoption day.

Normally, some days, the orphanage will open their doors to people to come and visit the kids. Some get lucky, some not. I guess I have something to do. I stretch to wake my body up by doing some warm-ups.

Once done, I exit the room and go through the corridor to the main kitchen. I see father there, he is making food for the kids.

????: Good morning, father.

I say while smiling at him.

Father: Good morning, Frederik.

Father: How did you sleep, I did not see you in your room.

I sighed.

Frederik: I was sleeping in the floor...

Father: Oh? Any reason why?

Frederik's mind: I'm sure my face is red right now.

Frederik: N-not r-really.

Father started to laugh.

Father: Are you sure? I can take a guess.

Frederik: No, no. Anyway, did you need any help?

Father: No, today we have open house, remember?

Father: If you want, you can take today free. Just be careful and do not go in the alleyways.

Father: I would not be there to help you.

Frederik: Sure, I will be back before sun down.

I leave the kitchen and head outside. The Village where I live is a bit... shady. Not everything is all happy like today. It is located close to the kingdom of Ivudor. My village, Calvary mound, is located in the kingdom Ocathia. It's a border village, so trade is known here as a different kind of contracts.

(*Incoming Transmission*
Computer: Requesting Access to the Database...
Computer: Access Denied.
Computer: Requesting public information...
Computer: Permission granted.
Computer: Accessing public information...
Computer: Fetching information on Calvary Mound Village...
Computer: Calvary Mound Village: The village is known as a pleasure town. Even though it is a hub, most of the jobs are for "relief of carnal necessities". Most of the town is a hidden area for Bandits, that are known to cause problems.
Computer: End of public information.
*End Of Transmission*)

Services of sorts. Many of the jobs here are to please the travelers and locals. There are public places like, a small hospital, a community center and a couple of INN. Where I'm heading is the community center. The place doesn't have that many people. And where I'm going is secluded from praying eyes.