1 From Light into Darkness

Nothing. I couldn't see anything. It was as if I was standing in a void, or maybe I was falling? I honestly couldn't tell. Thoughts rushed through my brain as I experienced this sensation with all my senses.

Did I die? How did I even die? I had just returned home after being in the countryside with my father, and suddenly... nothing. I can't even recall the last moments before 'this' happened, as if for one moment I was fine and then then next everything stopped and went dark.

Searching the depths of my memories, there was nothing I could glean from them. I could only vaguely remember getting off the train and walking towards my flat, and then... nothing.

As time passed, or at least what I assumed to be the passage of time, I felt myself becoming increasingly anxious. Would I remain like this forever? The thought was horrifying, and I could feel my psyche teetering on the edge of breaking due to the overwhelming uncertainty of my situation.

As negative thoughts pervaded my mind, I gradually felt my senses starting to return. First came touch, and I felt something cold and damp caressing my cheek. Then my sense of smell returned, the scent of trees and grass, a hint of wilderness. My taste then returned; and a earthy taste filled my mouth as if I had eaten a lump of dirt.

Had I simply fallen and passed out somewhere? Maybe I had a little too much to drink when I got home and my memories still fuzzy?

My hearing then returned to me, the chirps of birds and the rustling of leaves. I managed to push myself up to my feet, relying on these senses, and I felt myself stumble slightly.

As I got to my feet, my sight finally returned, first blurry as I could barely make out the dark greenery around me and slowly my eyes focused, letting me get a clear view of where I was.

A forest, a pitch-black forest sprawling out beyond the reach of my vision. Looking around, I noticed the towering trees that stretched towards the sky.

These trees... they were unlike anything I had seen in my home-town or even in the countryside where my father lived...

This couldn't be just a random drunken episode... Could it be a kidnapping? No. What purpose would there be in kidnapping someone and leaving them stranded in the middle of a forest? But then again, what other explanation could there be?

Just as I was about to finish that thought, I felt a chilly breeze hit my body highlighting something I hadn't realised until now.

I wasn't wearing any clothes.

"Ah!"

My eyes darted around, desperately seeking something to cover myself. I grabbed a few leaves and fashioned makeshift leaf boxers.

"At least there was nobody here to witness that... I must thank father if I ever see him again. Who knew his random underwear survival tip #34 would come in handy..."

While thinking this, I took another glance at my body, which I hadn't properly examined since waking up in this unfamiliar place. My hands were smaller... My legs were much smaller... and my...

Listening carefully, I heard the sound of a nearby stream flowing. I hurried over to the water, knelt down, and peered at my reflection.

"Who the hell... is this?"

The person I saw in the water bore no resemblance to the real 'me' at all. I was in my mid-twenties, but the boy I saw couldn't have been more than eight years old. As I moved my head, the boy's head moved in tandem with mine.

"This... is me? Is this some sort of weird dream?"

To confirm, I pinched myself and felt a sharp pain shoot through my arm.

"Definitely not a dream..."

My breathing hastened and my heartbeat quickened as the reality of my situation sank in. I had awoken in the body of a young boy, stranded in the middle of a dark forest with no clothes or tools to sustain myself. The moonlight reflected on the water was the only source of illumination.

"Then... did I actually die?"

It felt as if someone had stabbed me and twisted the knife. I had always prided myself on my mental strength; my father, a true outdoorsman, had taught me hunting and survival skills from a young age, wanting to ensure I was always prepared for anything. I believed I had developed a resilient mindset through those challenges. But now...

Tears streamed down my face, dripping on to the mud in front of my knees.

"What sort of fucked up situation is this?! Some cruel gods prank…?"

Nobody responded to my plea, just the sounds of the wilderness greeted my outburst as I stared at the floor for some time, trying to make sense of what was going on. I would have lingered in that emotional state for hours if not for the abrupt interruption—a thunderous roar echoed from the distance.

"Shit, I need to get out of here..."

I intended to run away from the stream without looking back. However, the roar I had heard was unlike anything I had encountered while hunting with my father in the past. It was far fiercer and shook me to the core...

Despite the resistance in my body, my mind was resolute. I forced myself to turn and face the source of the roar. As I looked upon the creature, my heart sank even further.

"What in the world... am I even on Earth anymore?"

A massive black beast, larger than two cars, stood by the water, its piercing yellow eyes scanning the surroundings. Two horns protruded from either side of its head, and its presence seemed almost demonic.

This was undoubtedly a world completely foreign to me.